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2020 hasn't been a good year because of the pandemic that hit the globe. Most auto companies were closed when the Coronavirus curve was high, such as Tesla. Tesla had a successful battery day while some went bankrupt.
A higher percent of the anticipated electric cars are compact SUVs due to the Tesla Model Y, which was popular. The Ford F-150 is still years out; two of the first e-trucks from Tesla and Rivian are expected on the road next year.
However, all is not lost; some exiting electric cars are expected to hit the road next year.
Ford Mustang Mach-E- It is fully electric can go for 300 miles on a single charge. The first fleet comes out with 270 miles and costs $58,300 at the beginning of the year. According to Ford, the limited number of First Editions are all reserved. In 2021 the base version of the Mach E select will go on sale; it has a range of 230 miles and a smaller battery. Price starts at less than $45,000.
Tesla Cybertruck- The CEO, Elon Musk, revealed a year ago few details of the Cybertruck. The first model is expected to hit the road in 2021 amidst the confusion of the angular design. The car will be popular in the dual and the tri-motor versions with all-wheel drive and 300 and 500 miles. The single motor which can go for 250 miles will be available in 2021. Price range is $39,000, compared to $69,000 for the tri-motor version.
Rivian R1T-In 2019, before Rivian was even close to delivering its first vehicles, Amazon backed the company and ordered thousands of EV vans for its delivery business. They will hit the road in 2021, where the pickup will be released as well. Rivian plans to build its first electric SUV.
GMC hammer EV- It can go for 350 miles on a single charge. The already sold-out Edition 1 will come out at the end of 2021 with a whopping price tag of $112,595. More affordable EVs will wait until spring 2024.
Mercedes EQA- The EQA compact electric SUV was supposed to come out this year, but it was delayed until the end of 2021. There is no detailed information about the car, but it's expected to be cheaper than other Mercedes cars. It is a move to compete with Tesla Model Y. Later; the electric sedan will be on the lineup.
Nissan Ariya- Nissan Leaf was the pioneer in the electrification journey. Next year it plans to release a sleeker and more spacious Ariya. Nissan's first electric compact SUV started as a concept car in Japan in 2019. Ariya will start at $40,000 in the U.S. and Europe and stay charged up to 300 miles
VW ID.4- ID.4 is the SUV that scares Tesla. Its starting price is $39,995. The pricier ($43,995) 1st Edition with a bigger touch screen, panoramic sunroof, and 20-inch wheels has been sold out. It has a lower range of 250 miles than some other e-SUVs, but enough for one to run daily errands. It's expected to be in the market in the first half of the year.
Volvo XC40 Recharge- The Chinese-owned Swedish auto company started its electric journey in 2017, and the XC40 will be its first project. The XC40 has an electric battery and a motor with a 200-mile range and fast charging. The user system for maps, music, and other apps on the center screen is all Google-powered, so it'll be very familiar for Android users. The first deliveries start in January for the $53,990 electric SUV.
Lucid Air- The luxury sedan can go for 517 miles on a single charge. The top-of-the-line Dream Edition comes out first for a staggering $169,000 with a 503-mile range. Afterward, the cheaper models will follow, such as the Grand Touring Version, the base model (Air Pure), which is more compatible with Model S pricing and range until 2022.


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Oh no! If you're a fan of Sears or Kmart, you might want to take a deep breath before reading this. The company that operates the department stores just announced "substantial doubt" about their ability to stay in business.
Specifically, in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Sears Holdings said, "Our historical operating results indicate substantial doubt exists related to the company's ability to continue as a going concern."
Is Sears closing? Is Kmart closing?
Here's what you need to know.
If Sears Holdings is able to borrow more and tap cash from more of its assets, it may be able to keep those beloved stores in business. As the company put it in the filing, it is working to find ways to do so. However, it says that it cannot be certain they will find a way.
In other words, there's no guarantee that they'll be able to keep them running much longer. But if you've been tuning in to Sears and Kmart news from earlier this year, this may not come as a complete and utter shock.
Back in January of this year, Sears announced plans to close down 150 Kmart and Sears stores in 40 different states. Some of those stores closed as early as that January, while others shuttered in March. Sears Holdings confirmed that the reason for closing all these stores was financial.
But the trouble for Kmart and Sears started long before 2017 even began. Last year, the companies made an announcement that they were shuttering 68 stores, thus laying off 10,000 workers. And reportedly, sales for both stores have actually been down for years as neither store has been able to keep up with their competitors.
And Sears Holdings' latest filing mentions this competition.
"We acknowledge that we continue to face a challenging competitive environment," it said in the statement.
Such sad news for Kmart and Sears fans!

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — With just weeks until Evergy’s new time-of-use plans take effect for Missouri customers, the utility company is asking the state to approve some major changes.
Evergy said Tuesday it has asked the Missouri Public Service Commission to allow it to modify the plans that the commission mandated.
Currently, Missouri customers have until October to choose a new time-based rate plan or they’ll be automatically enrolled in the standard plan.
The time-based plans will adjust the rate Evergy customers pay for electricity based on the time of day its used — day of the week and time of year.
But Evergy said it’s making four requests based on feedback from customers and state policymakers.
“Evergy has always advocated for customer rate choice and does not support mandated time-based rates,” Chuck Caisley, Evergy’s chief customer officer, said in a statement Tuesday.
The company said it has requested four changes to its upcoming time-based plans. It’s asking the MPSC to make a decision by the end of September.
Change the default
Evergy has asked the MPSC to let it modify the default plan from the “Standard Peak Saver” to the “Peak Reward Saver.”
The company said it wants to make this change for customers who might not be aware of the switch to time-based plans, might not be able to change when they consume electricity, or might not have access to Evergy’s digital tools and support.
Under the “Standard Peak Saver” plan, customers will be charged a higher per-kilowatt hour rate from 4-8 p.m. on weekdays from June until September.
According to Evergy’s website, during the summer months from 4-8 p.m. the price of electricity will spike from $0.09 to $0.38 per kilowatt hour (kWh).
But under the “Peak Reward Saver” plan, the price customers pay will change based on the amount of energy used and the season.
The plan establishes pricing tiers based on the time of the year, with rates increasing in the summer months and decreasing in the winter months.
The three-tier pricing plan is based on usage ranging from 600 kWh to more than 1,000 kWh used each month. Once a customer has completely used the energy allotment in one tier, the price changes to the next tier rate.
According to Evergy’s website, pricing during the summer months begins at $0.14 per kWh for the first 1000 kilowatt hours used each month. After the initial 1000 kWh have been used, the price increases to $0.15 per kWh.
During the winter months, Evergy will charge $0.12 for the first 600 kWh hours used. The price then drops to $0.07 per kWh for the next 400 kWh hours used. The price decreases again to a rate of $0.06 per kWh for the next 1,000 kWh hours used.
Customers will also receive either a credit or an extra charge on their bill based on when they use electricity.
A 1-cent credit will be applied for each kilowatt hour of energy used between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. An extra 1-cent charge will be applied per kilowatt hour for any energy used from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
If Evergy’s request to change the default plan is approved, the company also wants to change the names of the two plans:
“Peak Reward Saver” would change to “Default Time Based” plan, the new default, and the “Standard Peak Saver” would change to “Summer Peak Time Based” plan.
There are two other time-based rate plans available — the “Nights and Weekends Saver” and the “Nights and Weekends Max Saver.”
Bring back a traditional ‘anytime plan’
Evergy also wants the MPSC to let it bring back a traditional rate plan that is not time-based, like it currently offers.
“Evergy has always advocated for customer choice and believes a traditional non-time-based rate plan should still be an option for customers who may not be able to make the shifts in electricity usage needed to be successful on a time-based rate plan during summer months,” the company said in a release.
If the MPSC approved an “anytime plan,” Evergy hopes to bring it back before summer 2024, it said.
Update how often customers can switch
The utility company has also asked the commission to update how often customers can switch between rate plans.
Evergy wants there to be a 12-month wait period before a customer who leaves a time-based rate plan can return to that same plan. Customers would always be able to go back to the default plan, Evergy says.
If approved, Evergy would not implement this policy until May 2024 to let customers find a plan that works best for them.
Extra funds for education
Finally, Evergy is asking the MPSC to allow the company to spend extra funding, if needed, to educate customers about these changes.
The commission issued an order last year requiring Evergy and other utility providers to switch to time-based plans.
Evergy said it has been working to educate customers about the upcoming change since June. The time-based rate plans, as they currently stand, are set to take effect in October.
Evergy customers in Kansas do not need to choose a new plan since the time-of-use plans are only going into effect in Missouri.


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While the lack of price transparency in health care is commonly cited as a reason behind high health care spending, research suggests that efforts to improve price transparency do not always reduce patient costs, Austin Frakt reports for the New York Times' "The Upshot."
Studies show increased price transparency has not led to lower spending
According to Frakt, more than half of states have enacted legislation to create websites detailing health care prices or to require health plans and providers to disclose pricing information. In addition, some employers, organizations, and insurers provide employees and the public with pricing information.
However, research shows that these efforts have not necessarily lowered health care spending, according to Frakt.
For instance, a study published earlier this year in JAMA found that the Truven Treatment Cost Calculator, a website available to more than 21 million employees and their families detailing the costs of more than 300 services, did not help reduce outpatient spending. The study found that just 10 percent of individuals with access to the calculator used it during the first year, a figure that increased to just 20 percent in the second year.
Similarly, research has found that although many health plans offer pricing information to their members, just 2 percent of consumers view such data.
Further, a 2014 study found that only 1 percent of New Hampshire residents used the state's health price comparison website over the course of three years.
Availability of pricing might not mean consumers make price-based decisions
Dennis Scanlon, a health economist at Penn State University, said he is not surprised by the research. "Health care choices are different than most product and services," he said, adding, "Most decisions are driven by physician referrals, and insured patients usually face little variation in costs across options."
Further, consumers might be hesitant to shop for the best prices for health care services because they think the process is too difficult, Frakt reports.
In addition, giving consumers more information might not always improve their decision-making. According to Frakt, in many settings, providing consumers with more information can overwhelm them and result in poorer choices.
Moreover, some transparency tools could lead consumers to pick costlier providers out of a sometimes-mistaken belief that higher prices indicate higher quality. According to a study published earlier this year in the American Journal of Managed Care, about 50 percent of price transparency tools reviewed by researchers did not include quality information.
Also, some consumers might not bother to choose a lower-cost provider if their out-of-pocket costs will be the same as if they visited a higher-cost provider.
Could price transparency efforts be improved?
According to Frakt, efforts to reduce health care spending through price transparency could be more effective if they had a more significant effect on individuals' insurance costs.
For example, individuals enrolled in the California Public Employees' Retirement System must pay the cost difference if they choose to have a hip or knee replacement that exceeds a preset price. According to Frakt, the requirement is credited with cutting hip and knee replacement prices by 20 percent.
In addition, insurers could help patients locate less costly services by reaching out directly to consumers. For instance, some commercial insurers target patients who have been referred to low-value MRI providers. The program prompts such patients to voluntarily switch to a provider with lower prices and adequate convenience and quality. The program saves $220 per MRI, Frakt writes (Frakt, "The Upshot," New York Times, 12/19).
How to talk to patients about price
As the number of patients on high-deductible health plans rises, medical groups face increasing pressure to provide out of pocket prices to patients. However, providing accurate estimates is challenging.
Join us to hear key imperatives for competing on price, including how to find out if your market is highly price-sensitive, how service trumps accuracy when it comes to price, and how to attract patients on price without alienating hospital partners.


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A merger has been announced between T.L. Johnson and Black Black Cigar Co. Black Patch Cigar Co., based in Kentucky, is a cigar manufacturer owned by Eric McAnallen, who has been growing his own proprietary tobaccos in western Kentucky and the Dominican Republic. With the new merger, Black Patch Cigar Co. will be produced at Tabacalera TLJ in Tamboril, Dominican Republic. T.L. Johnson of Colorado and T.L. Johnson Distributors will handle distribution.
“Black Patch Cigar Co. and McAnallens’ tobacco growing experience in Kentucky and the Dominican Republic are a welcome addition to the T.L. Jonson Cigar Family,” T.L. Johnson commented.


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Digital signage and experiential innovators inurface group have today, the 1st of April, announced that later this year they will be launching a new service, inurface Sky Screens. Initially available to clients across the UK the innovative service will allow large scale advertising on the underside of airplanes as they fly over UK airspace.
This exciting new opportunity, using the latest LED technology, will allow for the installation of screens, up to 40m by 5m, on the underside of the body of commercial planes. Once installed this will then be able to display adverts, visible to the public from the ground, for a certain period after take-off and before decent; opening a whole new avenue of previously completely untapped exposure to brands wanting to get their messaging into the public eye.
inurface is proud to work with some of the UK’s biggest highstreet brands and always looking to explore new ways of interacting with their consumers. In a world of blue-sky thinkers’ brands can quite literally target individuals with their heads in the clouds. With over 1400 planes taking off and landing from Heathrow alone daily, and a long-term working relationship between inurface Media and the airport, the opportunities are huge.
In an even more exciting addition to this announcement the intelligent nature of inurface’s technology, and its ability to be managed remotely, means that messaging can be changed dependant on where over the country they are being viewed and potentially even modified by interaction with consumers on the ground.
By partnering with airlines, and using planes which are already in the sky, as the LED technology is able to run off emissions as they are generated the new offering is also less environmentally costly than it may first appear, something incredibly important to the inurface team.
CEO and Founder, Josh Bunce, said about this new service:
“inurface’s launch of airplane advertising is an exciting next step for our business. We’ve always told clients the sky’s the limit and now that’s, quite literally, the case.
“Consumers are bombarded with images and advertising all day every day so we are always looking for unique and new ways of reaching our audiences, it’s a crowded space but by utilising the sky we are making the most of a previously blank canvas.”


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It looks like Facebook’s gamble on live video is paying off, as 1 out of every 5 videos on the site is broadcast live, Facebook’s head of video, Fidji Simo, said in a recent post.
“A year ago today, we made it possible for people around the world to share live video on Facebook,” Simo’s post read. “Since then, we’ve focused on making the Facebook Live experience more engaging, more fun, and more social. Over the past year, daily watch time for Facebook Live broadcasts has grown by more than 4x. Every day, we get to enjoy new use cases for Live that we would never have thought about.”
Facebook Live first rolled out a year ago, and since then, the daily “watch time” has quadrupled – quite the accomplishment considering that Facebook has some pretty serious competition on this front (for example, Twitter, who recently made their push in to video by acquiring live streaming app Periscope). But it seems like Facebook is the ultimate winner in the coveted youth demographic in regards to live streaming.
The live feature has proven especially useful for brands on the site, whether it’s showcasing a new product launch announcement or just a behind the scenes look at production. The feature has also led to several viral moments like the famous “Chewbacca Mom” video and other feel-good moments.
Even though they’re against heavy live streaming competition from sites likes YouTube and Twitter, Facebook has continued to make their live video feature pretty attractive for broadcasters, allowing for high quality streams with multiple camera angles and a prominent “broadcast” button on the mobile app.
Despite the success, Facebook says the live feature isn’t done growing. Simo’s post also noted that they were still “at the beginning of our journey,” and that new uses for Facebook Live were becoming evident every day.


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International Jewellery London, the ultimate luxurious showcase of the latest jewellery trends and designs, is set to shine as it brings the best in the industry together this September.
With more new exhibitors than ever before (129+), and top brands and designers returning, the 57th IJL show will be an exciting event. Organised by world class event organisers Reed Exhibitions, it is the UK’s most established, premier jewellery-focussed event and is part of a global portfolio of nine events across the globe. A key date in the buying calendar, it provides the perfect chance to see the hottest new contemporary and classic jewellery collections from hand selected leading British and international designers and manufacturers. The show runs from 2-5 September at Earls Court.
Event Director Sam Willoughby commented: “The show is already seen as an essential buying event in the calendar for top retailers and buyers, across London, the UK and internationally. Amazing designers and brands choose IJL as the time to launch their new collections and it provides an optimum opportunity to source with the busy Christmas period approaching, but also with 2013 in mind.
Retailers find they can keep ahead by visiting IJL, in terms of both new designs and latest trends. With exciting new features, initiatives and names, this year’s show is set to be outstanding.”
Iconic brands and hot new designers
The 2012 show will open with a new luxurious look and feel, with everything from fine jewellery to the latest fashion ranges. Visitors can stroll down the Boulevard, studded with star brands and designers such as Fei Liu Fine Jewellery, Richard Hans Becker and Heinz Mayer. Stuart Moore will return this year on his own stand on the Boulevard following his successful debut in 2011.
A new watch trail around the show will highlight watch brands, as well as jewellery companies with watch lines. Brands include Storm, Since 1853 (Torgoen Swiss and Revue Thommen), Festina, Bering Time Ltd, Erhard Junghans and BQ Watches (Rolex, Cartier, Breitling, Omega and Patek Phillipe).
Peter Carmichael, Business Development Director of Since 1853, said: “Since 1853 Ltd 'Distributor in Time' is delighted to be exhibiting at IJL 2012 for the third year in a row. We will be exhibiting at least five watch brands never seen before and when this is combined with the launch of the excellent new 'Watch Trail', it promises to be a fantastic show. We have been building and developing our business plans around the IJL show this year and we are all now counting down the days until it opens!”
Along with the rest of the product destinations, the Design Gallery and Designer Brands areas are set to impress, creating an intimate setting for buyers and retailers to talk to inspirational designers and see their new launches. Dinny Hall, whose fan-base includes Kate Winslet, Alexa Chung and Samantha Cameron, will be showcasing for the very first time. She joins a line up including Amara, Rachel Galley, Sarah Jordan, Deakin & Francis, Andrew Geoghegan and Babette Wasserman.
Leading buyers and key press always look forward to the Bright Young Gems and KickStart stands at the show, as these initiatives identify a selection of the hottest new designers as they launch. The Bright Young Gems designers have been selected by a panel of leading fashion and jewellery editors and tipped for success, and the KickStart designers have been hand selected by the IJL team and the British Jewellers’ Association.
Val Trotter, Director of Pebbles, commented on the KickStart initiative as the 2012 line up was announced: “We love the fact that IJL is continuing to support and encourage new designers – they are the life blood of our industry and keep our customer offering fresh and interesting. We are particularly impressed with this year’s KickStarters. Every single designer selected has shown not only fantastic creativity and skill but also, and importantly, a great commercial awareness. IJL and other events where we meet the people behind the jewellery are so important for retailers like us who don’t stock big mainstream brands; our customers really appreciate the fact that we can tell the story of the designer – it makes the purchase so much more personal and therefore more meaningful.”
IJL will be a celebration of metals this year. A real show highlight will be the Platinum Experience hosted by Platinum Guild International (PGI). For the first time ever PGI are presenting an exhibition which showcases the unique heritage of platinum. Presented through astonishing interactive technology, the exhibition tells the story of the qualities of this everlasting metal. The Platinum Trail will also reveal some of the best in platinum jewellery design and production, streamlining the show for visitors interested in design-led platinum jewellery. PGI representatives will also be on hand to discuss why 2012 is the ideal time to optimise your platinum opportunity.
The Silver Promotion Service are sponsoring the Inspiration Theatre, hosting inspiring seminars. The International Palladium Board will present a seminar on the future of palladium before meeting visitors on their own stand to talk about the strengths of the metal. A dazzling array of designer brands such as Nada G, Imogen Belfield and Alfred Terry will also showcase collections featuring gold jewellery.
IJL offers the most senior level and largest VIP programme at a UK jewellery trade event. The Diamond Club hosts the country's top jewellery buyers and industry influencers in the UK as well as internationally.
Jeremy Pragnell, Chairman of George Pragnell Ltd, is a Diamond Club member who is well placed to comment on the show: "Having visited IJL since I was a boy, my lasting memory of the show is that whilst it has obviously evolved significantly, the event has always retained a wonderful sense of glamour".
Diamond Club members praised the show last year for the “fantastic jewellery offering” (Michael Laing, owner of Laing the Jeweller) and the “real international flavour and very luxurious feel…great for doing business as well as networking” (Sanjay Pattni, Director of Joule Jewellers).
IJL has an impressive range of industry related seminars taking place at this year’s event hosted by industry gurus and successful experts providing tips and tools to maximise revenues, save costs, generate ideas to set retailers apart from their competitors. The seminar programme is now online ahead of the event so that visitors can plan ahead. Highlights include:
- New man on the catwalk Callum Watt, aka Maketh-The-Man, discussing the future of blogging
- PureJewels’ Brand Manager Jayant Raniga and his industry panel debating 'Brand or Retailer?'
- Top insights from The Retail Champion, Clare Rayner
- A Thomson Reuters expert discussing the gold survey and forecast for 2013
- The groundbreaking Great Debate
- Martin Rapaport reporting on the diamond market in his popular annual seminar
- A look at upcoming trends from leading trend forecasting agency Stylesight
- An evaluation of the current international jewellery markets, featuring the designer Fei Liu
- The Silver Promotion Service looking at the silver market
- Presentations by market experts at leading research company GfK
See the full programme at: www.jewellerylondon.com/seminars
Building on the success of last year’s runway, IJL presents a dazzling new runway – further enhancing the glamour and energy of the event.
Best from around the world
National pavilions provide an opportunity to see some of the best international jewellery talent from select countries each year at IJL. Amongst others, this year the Netherlands will be represented for the first time with the Dutch Design Pavilion, a must-see at the show. In co-operation with the Dutch EVD international, the Dutch Gold and Silversmiths Association (VGZ) is organising the collective showcase featuring high quality unique handmade gold and silver jewellery.
Final word from the Event Director
“Everything at IJL is designed to enhance the visitor experience. There are plenty of places around the show to network and relax, including around the stylish setting of the newly designed Boulevard Bar, IJL’s new networking space on the forecourt, the ‘Garden Café’ and the Design Gallery Bar. There are also numerous evening events in and around the venue making IJL a week long meeting place for the jewellery industry,” said Sam Willoughby.
For more information on the IJL 2012 show and the highlights, visit www.jewellerylondon.com
NOTES TO EDITORS
For more information, images or quotes, or to arrange press registration, please contact:
Stephanie Power or Suzanna Hammond
+44 (0) 207 630 6633 / 07944 860 839
email@example.com / firstname.lastname@example.org
About International Jewellery London
International Jewellery London is your only dedicated UK jewellery trade event, unveiling the latest inspiring collections, contemporary and classic. IJL celebrates the most talented, innovative British and International jewellery designers, wholesalers and manufacturers. International Jewellery London takes place at, Earls Court 2, London from 2 – 5 September 2012. For further information please visit www.jewellerylondon.com IJL is sponsored by the NAG & BJA and supported by the GIA, Gem-A, The Houlden Group, The Company of Master Jewellers, Platinum Guild International and The Responsible Jewellery Council.
About Reed Exhibitions
Reed Exhibitions is the world’s leading events organizer, with over 500 events in 39 countries. In 2011 Reed brought together six million active event participants from around the world generating billions of dollars in business. Today Reed events are held throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Africa and organized by 33 fully staffed offices. Reed Exhibitions serves 44 industry sectors with trade and consumer events and is part of the Reed Elsevier Group plc, a world-leading publisher and information provider and a FTSE 100 company. www.reedexpo.com


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The Commerce Ministry is mulling retaliatory tariffs on US products and will take a final decision later this month in response to the US ending preferential trade status given to India. The ministry is reportedly weighing its options carefully and might enforce the duties on goods such as apples, boric acid and almonds on June 16 or later.
"The final decision on whether retaliatory duties on US goods would be imposed as scheduled on June 16 or further postpones may be taken by the Commerce ministry after consultations with the Ministry of External Affairs," a government official told the Hindu BusinessLine.
Meanwhile, the government is considering ways to enhance support to sectors impacted by the US government's decision to end the preferential trade status to India. The status permitted duty-free exports of over 3,000 items from the country.
The Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal who recently assumed charge of the ministry has been convening back to back meetings with officials on critical issues over the last weekend.
He will also head a meeting of central and state governments' representatives, industry as well as exporters on June 6 to deliberate ways to boost exports amidst growing protectionism globally and discuss various issues related to the country's trade.
The minister is expected to consider ways to cushion the export sector following the US decision to withdraw the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) scheme, a government official told the news daily.
The sectors such as imitation jewellery, leather articles (other than footwear), chemicals & plastics, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and surgical instruments could be the worst affected by the US' decision, according to the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO).
The trade promotion body has also suggested that the affected sectors be given benefits under the Rebate of State & Central Tax Levies Scheme (RoSCTL).
US President Donald Trump terminated India's designation as a beneficiary developing nation under the key GSP (Generalised System of Preference) trade programme, with effect from June 5. The White House in a statement said India had not assured the United States that it would provide "equitable and reasonable access" to its markets, which was why the Trump administration had taken the action.
The US government had notified India on March 4, 2019, of its intent to terminate the country's designation. The 60-day notice period ended on May 3. "I have determined that India has not assured the US that it will provide equitable and reasonable access to its markets. Accordingly, it is appropriate to terminate India's designation as a beneficiary developing country effective June 5, 2019," Trump said.
The government had responded to the US action, saying India, as part of bilateral trade discussions, had offered resolution on significant US requests to find a mutually acceptable solution but to no avail. "India, like the US and other nations, will always uphold its national interest in these matters," a statement by the Ministry of Commerce said.
India was the largest beneficiary of the programme in 2017 with $5.6 billion worth of exports to the US being given duty-free status, according to a Congressional Research Service report issued in January.
Copyright©2023 Living Media India Limited. For reprint rights: Syndications Today


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AFS in Chennai kicks off
To enable working and decongestion at the Chennai airport, the operations at air freight station in Chennai were commenced from December 8, 2014 enabling services to be extended to the hinterland of the state.
An air freight station (AFS) in Chennai started its operations on December 8, 2014 after the idea for such a facility was conceptualised seven years ago.
Hyderabad Menzies Air Cargo, a joint venture company between GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited and London-based Menzies Aviation Plc, started the AFS in association with Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC), which was one of the first companies to get an AFS licence.
The Hyderabad airport will extend services to its airline customers by expanding their hinterland to Chennai enabling local trade members to route their shipment through the Hyderabad airport.
According to sources, Chennai is second location after Nagpur for Hyderabad Menzies to start the AFS service.
The Hyderabad airport will act as a facilitator. For example, Turkish Airlines lands in Hyderabad but does not fly to Chennai. However, through the AFS facility, the Hyderabad airport will introduce bonded trucking service so that export cargo is moved from Chennai by road to Hyderabad ‘in bond’ and the cargo is put on board a Turkish Airline.
A similar arrangement will be available to import cargo from Hyderabad. The AFS was first introduced in Chennai to help customers take delivery of cargo in one or two days and decongest the airport. However, it did not take off because Airports Authority of India, which has been controlling the air cargo operations, felt that it may lose control and revenue if cargo is moved out to an off-dock AFS.
At present, export cargo is sent by a domestic airline from Chennai to Hyderabad and from there it is sent to an international destination.
It is too early to comment on the volume and the cost benefit, sources said.
Chennai is second location after Nagpur for Hyderabad Menzies to start the AFS service operations from December 8, 2014 to decongest Chennai Airport


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Duelyst is a visually gorgeous tactical strategy game that’s already available on PC through its own launcher, but now it’s also going to be released on PS4, Xbox One, Steam and mobile. The game is free-to-play and its gameplay is like a mixture between Fire Emblem and Hearthstone.
Its visuals are definitely the most impressive part, though, mixing hand-drawn and pixel art styles, thus fulfilling any gamer’s dreams. There is no specific release date announced yet but it will most likely release this fall. We’ll update you when the release is specified.


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Marriott International | May 26, 2023
Marriott International announced today that it has signed an industry-first agreement with Rappi, Inc., the multilatina technology company. The collaboration aims to increase everyday earning opportunities and offer an elevated travel experience for both Marriott Bonvoy members and Rappi users.
Marriott Bonvoy members will soon be able to link their Rappi and Marriott Bonvoy accounts, which will result in exclusive benefits, like earning Bonvoy Points for qualifying Rappi purchases while offering additional benefits to Rappi Prime users. This unique arrangement marks the first time that a global hotel company has entered into a strategic collaboration with a Latin American technology company, showcasing Marriott International's continued commitment to innovative and tech-forward collaborations that meet the evolving needs of its guests.
"As the largest hotel company in the Caribbean and Latin America, we continue to be committed to enhancing the travel experience of our Marriott Bonvoy members, from booking to check-out, ensuring we are meeting our guests where they are. Working with one of the most innovative startups will allow us to keep our promise of providing more everyday earning opportunities for members and introduce us to Rappi users who may still be unfamiliar with our award-winning travel program," said Diana Plazas-Trowbridge, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer for Marriott International in the Caribbean and Latin America.
Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International's award-winning travel program and marketplace, currently has over 5.8 million users in the Caribbean and Latin America. The collaboration with Rappi will enable Marriott International to offer its services to Rappi's more than 30 million users across nine countries in Latin America, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay.
"With this strategic partnership with Marriott Bonvoy we continue to strengthen our position as a leading multi-vertical technology company in Latin America, ensuring the best offer and experience when booking travel through Rappi, and continuing to make our Prime subscription the highest value program in Latin America," said Guido Becher, Global Head of Rappi Travel.
The collaboration between Marriott Bonvoy and Rappi will roll out first in Mexico, Marriott's largest market in the region, and will be followed in the upcoming months by Colombia and other markets where Rappi operates.
Rappi, which has quickly become one of the most popular and trusted technology companies in Latin America, is a leader in digital services that offers innovative solutions to unmet needs, as it manages to connect users, commerce and courier in a strong digital ecosystem. Among its verticals, Rappi offers restaurant, grocery & pharmacy delivery, courier, Fintech, ecommerce and travel, and a Prime subscription service offering free delivery and numerous other benefits. Rappi is headquartered in Bogota, Colombia, and currently services over 350 cities in 9 Latin American countries.
About Marriott International
Marriott International, Inc. is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 8,500 properties under 31 leading brands spanning 138 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy, its highly awarded travel program.
businesswire | March 31, 2023
GigNet, a Digital Transformation company that provides high-speed broadband and advanced value-added services to enterprise clients and residential communities based on its extensive fiber-optic network from Cancun to Tulum, announced today the signing of a Collaboration Agreement with the State of Quintana Roo Ministry of Tourism to enhance the tourism experience in the Cancun region. The signing took place at the 47th annual edition of the Tianguis Turistico México, an international showcase for the Mexico tourism industry. Quintana Roo Governor María Elena Lezama Espinosa attended the ceremony and signed the agreement as a Witness of Honor. Quintana Roo enjoys connectivity to more than 120 cities around the world through its three international airports, hosting more than 30 million passengers at the Cancun Airport in 2022.
The overall purpose of the Collaboration Agreement, signed by State Secretary of Tourism Bernardo Cueto Riestra on behalf of the Quintana Roo Ministry of Tourism (SEDETUR) and Mark Carney, OBE and President of GigNet Mexico, is to promote tourism-related technological development in the Mexican Caribbean. The agreement establishes a framework for the deployment of advanced, secure broadband locations in the State of Quintana Roo to improve the tourist experience of visitors and promote tourism development in the region through world-class Internet services and information technologies. The signing ceremony was also attended by Ana Patricia Peralta de la Peña, President of Benito Juárez (Cancun Municipality) where the first GigNet-sponsored special public Wi-Fi Internet access areas will be located, as well as various leaders from the Mexico national tourism sector.
The first phase of this Agreement will establish public Wi-Fi zones in tourist destinations in the Mexican Caribbean starting with Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum. The commitment to the technological development by GigNet is expected to cover, in subsequent phases, not only all the municipalities of the Mexican Caribbean in their tourist areas but also in commercial and administrative centers in multiple cities, fostering a true digital transformation in the region. With this Collaboration Agreement, GigNet will provide visitors and residents the opportunity to access Wi-Fi to find and shop at local businesses and for enhanced public safety and security.
This Collaboration Agreement is also recognition that technology will be a primary driver for the next generation of travelers to the Mexican Caribbean. According to the Quintana Roo Tourism Promotion Council (CPTQ), 64% of tourists who visit the Mexican Caribbean are under 39 years of age and almost 50% of them are Millennials. These tourists travel with between 5 and 10 electronic devices that allow them to be connected to the Internet while traveling. Through their phones, tablets and personal computers, they search for routes, promotions and activities to do before and during their trip.
Mr. Carney stated, “With one of the best climates and natural environments in the world, incredible and innovative restaurants and shopping malls, a youth destination culture, and thousands of new smart home units for residents and digital nomads, we truly believe the quality of life of the Mexican Caribbean has all the elements to attract investment, businesses, and now - with access to GigNet high-speed Internet - tech entrepreneurs and established technology companies seeking to relocate to this attractive business environment.”
GigNet’s “Silicon Maya” vision is to make Quintana Roo the leading state in Mexico for digital transformation, technological innovation, and Smart Cities – and a model for all of Mexico and Latin America. High-speed broadband access has been proven around the world to increase economic growth and opportunities for all segments of society. GigNet's “Silicon Maya” initiative can provide tremendous social benefits like online learning, improved healthcare, remote work opportunities, a diversified economy, and increased access to public services. For more information, see GigNet - Silicon Maya
GigNet is the Mexican Caribbean brand of GigNet, Inc., a U.S. based international Digital Transformation company specializing in Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) services for Smart Homes and Smart Communities, and Fiber-to-the-Premises (FTTP) value-added services for enterprise customers including hotels, resorts, retailers, offices, large commercial operations, governmental offices, and medical and educational facilities, as well as fiber-optic transport services for mobile phone operators and carriers. Through its Mexico operating subsidiaries, GigNet, S.A. de C.V., and Sanalto Redes Peninsular, S.A.P.I. de C.V., the Company is a fully licensed telecommunications provider in Mexico. GigNet is actively adding clients and additional products and services in the Mexican Caribbean, one of the largest and fastest growing tourism and new residential development destinations in the world with over 30 million annual airport passengers achieved in 2022. GigNet is a leader in the Digital Transformation of the region.
businesswire | May 04, 2023
Sphere Entertainment Co. (NYSE: SPHR) (the “Company” or “Sphere Entertainment”) today announced it has completed the sale of its 66.9% majority interest in Tao Group Hospitality to Mohari Hospitality, a global investment company focused on the luxury lifestyle and hospitality sectors.
The completion of the sale follows a successful bidding process with multiple parties, which reflects that since the Company acquired a majority interest in 2017, Tao Group Hospitality has transformed into a global powerhouse in entertainment dining and hospitality. As previously disclosed, in connection with the sale, Sphere Entertainment has also entered into a multi-year agreement with Tao Group Hospitality for ongoing consulting, marketing, and support services.
About Sphere Entertainment Co
Sphere Entertainment Co. is a premier live entertainment and media company. The Company includes Sphere, a next-generation entertainment medium powered by cutting-edge technologies to redefine the future of entertainment. The first Sphere venue is currently under construction in Las Vegas. In addition, the Company includes MSG Networks, which operates two regional sports and entertainment networks, MSG Network and MSG Sportsnet, as well as a companion streaming service, MSG GO, delivering a wide range of live sports content and other programming.


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By This Is Money Reporters
15:35 The Footsie held firm in late afternoon trade, bolstered by early strong gains on Wall Street as further US data painted an improving picture of the world’s biggest economy.
After earlier hitting a one-week high, the FTSE 100 index drifted off that peak but was still up 29.6 points at 6,760.3 with just an hour to go until the close of trading.
In New York, the Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 111.7 points to 16,536.9 as further evidence of strengthening economic fundamentals in the United States came in the form of the smallest trade deficit in four years in November, as exports hit a record high.
Banks wanted: Lloyds Banking Group led a rally by bank shares today on hopes an improving UK economy will boost lenders.
Financial stocks led the advance in London, with Lloyds Banking Group a top blue chip gainer as investors bought the stock on expectations the part-nationalised lender will benefit from a recovering British economy and housing market.
In a note to clients, analysts at Bernstein Research highlighted Lloyds as the top pure play on UK consumer growth, while it said taxpayer owned RBS looked promising on valuation grounds.
Lloyds Banking shares added 2.4p at 82.6p, while RBS gained 5.4p at 349.7p.
But going in the opposite direction, supermarket retailers were under pressure once again ahead of impending updates, with William Morrison the worst off today, down 3.8p at 252.5p.
The food retailer, which reports its results later this month, suffered the most from news that German discounters Aldi and Lidl enjoyed a record Christmas trading period, as broker Barclays expressed some concerns about Christmas trading at Morrisons.
‘We very much doubt that Morrisons’ Christmas trading will deliver positive like for like, but the fourth quarter overall will benefit from the very weak comparisons in the final few weeks of the quarter. However, if our Christmas forecast is broadly correct then Morrisons may find it harder than it expected in November to deliver a positive like for like sales number for the fourth quarter – and there is a real risk that the company will have to step back from this commitment when it reports on 20 January,’ analysts at Barclays said in a note.
Barclays equity strategists forecast lower sales for Sainsbury and Tesco, as well as Morrison. Sainsbury’s which issues a trading update tomorrow fell 2.3p to 365.5p. Tesco which posts its latest sales numbers on Thursday was steady at 333.3p after recent falls.
And Barclays comments also weighed on Burberry, with the bank saying third-quarter sales at the luxury group – due on January 15 – ‘need to show strong comparable sales growth to retain confidence in the second-half forecasts’. Burberry shares shed 25.0p at 1,479.9p.
12:45: Strength in banking stocks fueled gains by the Footsie at lunchtime with the sector helped by fresh signs that the British economy is slowly recovering from the effects of the 2008 global financial crisis.
After a tepid start today, by midday the FTSE 100 Index had pushed 30.9 points higher to 6,761.9 with the pace in the top flight set by Lloyds Banking Group which added 1.9p to 82.1p, while Royal Bank of Scotland was ahead 4.5p to 348.8p, and HSBC gained 10.3p to 670.3p.
Data today showing that UK new car sales had hit a 5-year high and a British Chambers of Commerce survey that said UK businesses had reported strong growth and rising confidence in the fourth quarter of 2013 all helped provided reassurance on the British economy.
Drive on: New car sales raced to a six-year high in 2013, the motor industry said today.
‘They’ve had a good run but I think there’s more to come, particularly as the economy picks up a little bit more,’ Cavendish Asset Management fund manager Paul Mumford said on the banking sector.
Meanwhile retailers continued to fluctuate ahead of eagerly-awaited key festive trading updates from Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Marks & Spencer.
Investors eyed some value in M&S shares following recent heavy falls caused by speculation that the company endured a poor festive period, with clothing sales seen down by as much as 1.5 per cent. The department store chain, which is due to publish its trading update on Thursday, rose 3.1p to 443.4p.
But Sainsbury’s fell 2.4p to 365.4p after Bank of America Merrill Lynch cut its rating on the stock to underperform. The supermarket is expected to lose its record for underlying sales increases on Wednesday, with analysts pencilling in a decline after 35 quarters of growth in a row.
Tesco was 0.3p lower at 331.85p, while Morrisons faded 3.6p to 252.7p ahead of impending updates.
Supermarket retailers have been hit by losing market share to German rivals Lidl and Aldi, while clothing companies have had to contend with fierce competition on the High Street, with Debenhams issuing a profit warning in December.
Equity strategists at Barclays today forecast lower sales for Sainsbury, Morrison and Tesco, and warned M&S could miss its gross margin target.
Elsewhere in the top flight, some of the fizz in recent FTSE 100 newcomer Royal Mail faded after a City firm slapped a sell rating on the stock.
Cantor Fitzgerald initiated coverage of the delivery firm with a warning that Royal Mail still faced significant challenges and that its current valuation and dividend were no longer compelling.
Royal Mail shares have surged from their starting point of 330p in October to more than 600p in recent weeks, although they were 10.75p lower at 561.25p after today’s note of caution from Cantor.
And shares in water company Severn Trent were also under pressure, falling 43p to 1661p, after JP Morgan highlighted fears that Ofwat may be tougher than expected on the sector in the current round of price negotiations.
10.45: The FTSE 100 has moved 25.6 points higher to 6,757.3, with some commentators putting this down to the US Senate vote approving Janet Yellen as new chief of the Federal Reserve.
‘Yellen’s confirmation as the head of the US central bank has put the markets at ease,’ says David Madden, market analyst at IG.
‘The new chairwoman is a safe pair of hands and, although she will not allow the markets to dictate her policies, she is unlikely to do anything too drastic in the early stages of her leadership.
New boss: Janet Yellen was confirmed as new chairman of the US Federal Reserve, the most powerful central bank in the world
‘In the US, we are expecting the Dow to open 50 points higher at 16,475, as dealers look forward to Yellen keeping monetary policy loose.’
Ishaq Siddiqi, market strategist at ETX Capital, also said the confirmation of ‘dovish’ Janet Yellen as the next Fed chairman had buoyed market sentiment on the whole.
‘She will be taking over Mr Bernanke’s role in the same dovish manner in which he leaves with the taper-ball now rolling. Yellen is a reputable and respected Fed member, sound forecaster and her area of expertise is engineering language/communication.
‘Now, given that the market was somewhat unenthused by the forward guidance set out by Bernanke at the last Fed meeting, it will be up to Yellen to beef up guidance which should allay much of the markets’ concerns about US monetary policy going forward but moreover, make her job a little easier by delivering a level of transparency that the Fed has not provided before.’
Broadly speaking, so-called central bank ‘hawks’ worry more about the impact of the Fed’s stimulus policies on inflation, while ‘doves’ like Yellen are more concerned about combating unemployment.
The London market has recovered from a poor start and made modest gains, but trading remains fairly lacklustre.
The FTSE 100 has moved 12.5 points higher to 6,743.2, after it rose by just one point yesterday.
Marks & Spencer and Sainsbury’s moved in opposite directions today as investors geared up for updates from the pair later this week.
Marks & Spencer was the biggest riser in the top flight as investors eyed a buying opportunity following recent heavy falls caused by speculation that the company endured a poor festive period.
The department store chain, which is due to publish its trading update on Thursday, rose 1.5 per cent or 7.25p to 447.5p.
Sainsbury’s fell 5.5p to 362.3p after Bank of America Merrill Lynch cut its rating on the stock. The supermarket is expected to lose its record for underlying sales increases tomorrow, with analysts pencilling in a decline after 35 quarters of growth in a row.
Topps Tiles highlighted the impact of a recovering property market as like-for-like sales rose 9.3 per cent in the 13 weeks to the end of the year.
Its shares were 1.5p higher at 130.5p,
But homewares retailer Dunelm fell 41.5p to 937.5p, despite a 2.9 per cent improvement in underlying sales over the same period, a performance it described as robust.
The FTSE 100 has dipped 5.4 points to 6,725.3, although firmer commodity prices are expected to help boost mining and energy shares today.
Brent crude climbed to trade above $ 107 a barrel as cold weather across the central US threatened production, while key base metals prices rebounded after sharp declines in the previous session.
The Footsie closed flat at 6,730.73 points yesterday after a choppy trading session, during which mining stocks fell following fresh signs of an economic slowdown in China.
But Societe Generale’s European equity strategists backed the mining and oil sectors – the two worst-performing parts of the market in 2013 – arguing that concerns over a Chinese slowdown have been exaggerated and that oil stocks should benefit from rising production and free cash flow.
‘We recommend buying the laggards. Or maybe better still, loving what everybody else hates (oil, mining),’ they said.
Alex Conroy, financial trader at Spreadex, suggested investors were cautious ahead of this Friday’s US non-farm jobs report, which he said could generate huge volatility if the outcome failed to support the Federal Reserve’s decision to start tapering its stimulus programme.
He added: ‘Janet Yellen was last night confirmed as the new chairwoman of the Federal Reserve winning the vote 56-26, she will take over from departing chairman Ben Bernanke when he leaves on January 31.
‘Yellen, a strong advocate of maintaining Fed support to the economy until achieving a “strong recovery”, should provide a boost to the markets today.’
Jonathan Sudaria of Capital Spreads said: ‘The few trading sessions we have had this year have been quite choppy and whilst one could put that down to post-holiday low-volume sessions, there’s a lot of speculation about how this week’s data and central bank meetings will shape the tone of market sentiment.
‘The question of whether or not equities are justified at these levels still needs to be answered and whilst the bulls seem to have lost their bravado, there hasn’t been anything overly negative for the bears to get stuck into yet.’
Stocks to watch today include:
REED ELSEVIER: Anglo-Dutch information group Reed Elsevier named Nick Luff from British energy group Centrica as its new chief finance officer.
EASYJET: The budget airline reported a 3.5 per cent rise in passenger numbers for December. British Airways’ parent company International Airlines Group reports passenger traffic numbers later in the day.
AMEC: The engineering group said it had won a 255million contract with Kuwait Oil Company.
TOPPS TILES: The tiling company reported higher sales.
WINCANTON: The logistics company said it had won a contract with Argos.
DUNELM: The homewares retailer posted a 2.9 per cent rise in second quarter like-for-like sales.
ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND: A Japanese investment banking unit of Royal Bank of Scotland Group was ordered on Monday to pay a $ 50million criminal fine after pleading guilty to wire fraud over its role in manipulating the benchmark interest rate Libor.
SHELL: Royal Dutch Shell, Austria’s OMV and Japan’s Mitsui will drill an exploration well off New Zealand’s southeast coast, becoming the latest group to search for natural gas in the country’s largely untapped deepwater basins.
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NFT is developing rapidly with Solana and Cardano supporting its growth. Let's see how
The term "digital property" has only recently begun to mean something. Although irreplaceable tokens (NFTs) have been around for a while, they have caught the attention of the mass media over the past year or two. NFT Blockchain trading saw more than $10 billion in NFT blockchain trade in the third quarter of 2021 alone, up from $1.2 billion in the second quarter. NFT is a unique digital asset that represents property. As proof of ownership, NFTs range from items such as art and digital collectibles to real estate and other physical assets. This is driving tectonic changes in various industries, increasing the efficiency of property transfers, and opening new foundations for what digital assets can offer.
According to Jonathan Choi, chief investment officer at Metaplex - the Solana protocol that establishes an open standard for publishing and owning digital assets in a chain - NFT is becoming increasingly popular with mass audiences for profile pictures, artwork and collectibles, the technology behind NFT is much more telling. “NFTs can have a much wider range of uses, including presenting ownership of physical assets such as real estate, loans, luxury goods, and other digital assets such as audio, files, financial statements, or certificates,” he said.
Like most platforms in the decentralized finance (DeFi) space, most NFT-based projects are built on the Ethereum blockchain - and that's understandable. Ethereum is the oldest active blockchain with smart contracts enabled worldwide, and most importantly, NFT providers want an audience.
Beyond Ethereum dominance
However, Ethereum's role in growing the NFT industry is much bigger than that of a typical hosting platform. In fact, the already iconic ERC-721 token standard may have started the NFT revolution from the very beginning. CryptoKitties was launched almost half a decade ago, and while the platform was very popular at launch, it may not have fully overcome the limitations of blockchain at the time. Network congestion and unpredictable, sometimes exorbitant gas costs have pushed many players in the NFT sector back, but this is no longer the case. Outfits like Axie Infinity and Decentraland take the NFT and GameFi story further than ever before. However, with an undefined roadmap for Ethereum 2.0 upgrades and updates to its scalability, not all projects believe this is the best place to set it up.
CryptoKitties itself has announced the move to its internal stream blockchain, citing issues with Ethereum's limited bandwidth and increased fees. While the platform is not the NFT Goliath it once was, it is an iconic brand for the space and leaving Ethereum could impact more projects on other networks. “Ethereum will always be the leading NFT startup chain and have one of the most vibrant crypto communities, but due to some of its limitations, there will still be challenges and concerns for a wider audience and developers,” added Choi.
Networks like Cardano and Solana in particular are entering the NFT area, with Solana even launching a $5 million fund this year for board manufacturers and their fans in its ecosystem. Solanart, the most popular NFT platform on the Solana blockchain, is making waves of users in the space generating collections like Degenerating Ape Academy, SolPunks, Aurory and others with hundreds of millions of dollars. "NFT has so much potential and we're looking at studies of what's possible," said Frederick Gregor, CEO of the Cardano Foundation, about the uniqueness of transactions, the accuracy of each order placed, and the prevention of prior attacks. "
He also mentioned other technical applications in the blockchain ecosystem, including its use as an access control mechanism for utilities and assets on public blockchains and the ability to ensure the uniqueness of decentralized eUTXO applications (DApps). "Beyond the immediate ecosystem, there is potential for mass adoption of NFTs in terms of individual and community property rights," he added. Even though Cardano wasn't as brave as Solana in NFT, he was making progress. After Alonzo's successful hard fork in the network enabling smart contracts, CardanoKidz kicked off this year as Cardano's first NFT project. Last month alone, SpaceBudZ made its first online NFT sale for over $1 million.
Before smart contracts were operated online, users could still extract and sell NFTs without a contract address, although properties such as metadata could not be transferred via the blockchain. The addition of smart contracts attracted more users to the platform, which on Cardano resulted in a surge in interest in NFT. However, since the introduction of Cardano Improvement Proposal 25, the blockchain has had a defined NFT metadata standard for its own token. It solves various problems related to identity, authentication, and management of NFT in the network. Previous NFT offices can also be demolished once ownership is transferred, adding a whole new level of exclusivity. With so much work being done on this platform to compete with Ethereum in the NFT space, smart contract management platforms are certainly in for some competition.
Young, boring and not too broken
Single-tier blockchains such as Solana and Cardano offer an alternative to the high transaction fees that plague the Ethereum network while reducing barriers to entry for a wider audience. The platform is also very well positioned with Web3 developers as factors such as cost, speed and community growth are critical in the development phase, especially with newer projects. Moreover, as interoperability becomes the next target for blockchain, we can start launching projects on different platforms just to build bridges with Ethereum to take advantage of the large user base. Despite the immense popularity and acceptance of NFT, there is still a long way to go before this technology can be used in various industries around the world.
Thor Bair, founder of the secret nonprofit Secret Foundation said, “NFTs today are more of a dumb receipt than a smart property with no natural access control or privacy for content or buyers. If we can solve this problem, we will see NFT thrive, representing trillions of dollars in art, content, and material and financial assets. He also said that in order to succeed with Ethereum in this area, whether through natural data confidentiality, increased scalability or global interoperability, blockchains must offer new uses and design leeway created by their unique functionality. In the long term, both Solana and Cardano could become much more common platforms in the NFT ecosystem, introducing unique products in their networks to attract consumers.
Just this month, world-renowned DJ Steve Aoki released the NFT collection for Solana in collaboration with comic book icon Todd McFarlane, making it the first time in more than 30 years since he last allowed the sale of original, digital or physical artwork. Moreover, Cardano and Solana are not the only single-tier blockchains migrating to NFT as other popular platforms like Polkadot, Flow, and Wax are targeting the technology to a new audience. “NFT is like golf club membership versus cryptocurrency, which is more like cash,” Abhitei Singh, co-founder of Cosmos DeFi-based Persistence platform, said. According to him, membership in a golf club depends on various factors including initial membership, exclusivity, community and other elements that easy money alone cannot provide.
"These shortcomings and exclusivity result in high membership fees for new members, both socially and economically," he added. With the advent of new protocols such as Flow, Solana, and Cardano, the complexities of Web 3.0 are abstracted away, and in the next few years NFT could become one of the biggest blockchain utilities, not just on the Ethereum network.


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Chinese smartphone company, Realme powered by Oppo, the fastest growing smartphone brand in Pakistan, has unveiled much anticipated new products in an anniversary event on Wednesday (May 29).
The two devices come after the company entered Pakistan’s smartphone market in January. The Realme 3 Pro powered by the Snapdragon 710 processor has a 4045mAh battery. The device also comes with a 6.3-inch display having Corning Gorilla 5 protection.
Having a 16 megapixel and 5 megapixel dual rear cameras, Realme 3 Pro also has a 25-megapixel front camera. It also supports super slow-motion video shoots at 720p. Like its predecessor, Realme 3 Pro also has two variants, one of which has a 4GB RAM priced at Rs 35,499, while the other supports a 6GB RAM priced at Rs 39,999.
A new entry-level smartphone, Realme C2 was also introduced at the event, having 6.1- inch screen and a full HD 1080p Dewdrop display. The device is powered by Octa core Helio P22 processor, 3GB Ram along with a 4000mAh battery. The phones are currently on sale at www.daraz.pk.
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27 September, 2019


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Gartner claims tablets will represent only 9.5 per cent of total worldwide sales of devices in 2014, with growth slowing from 55 per cent year-over-year (YoY) in 2013 to 11 per cent this year.
As expected, analysts were prompt to compile market forecasts in response to Apple’s annual revelation event which, this year, saw it unveil its iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus and the Apple Watch.
Australian electronics vendor, Dick Smith, has announced that it will sell unlocked Apple iPhone 5 devices from today.
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Can Afghanistan's nouveaux riches stay rich after the U.S. pulls out?
New facilities are supposed to prevent delivery disappointments
A federal judge has overturned some of the Obama Administration's new rules
Accomplices use stolen money to buy goods and ship them to China
Hiring the bond specialist is the latest step in CEO Richard Weil's turnaround plan for the mutual fund company
MetaMind customizes its deep-learning software for businesses that want to learn faster
Tech company holiday parties offer a new definition of understatement
This holiday season, face your relatives' concerns about "what your plan is" with cold, hard data.
Customer service is one area where small businesses can beat big-box competitors
By Douglas MacMillan
As consumer spending sags, pinched retailers are being forced to trim staff, squelch marketing, close stores, and lure shoppers with big markdowns.
But many retail outlets are ramping up spending in one area: technologies that track customer behavior and purchasing patterns. In this BusinessWeek slide show, we explore seven data-gathering gadgets that could be watching you on your next trip to the grocery.


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The HTC M7, which is all set to make it to the MWC trade show (or at a dedicated event in London) next month has been the talk of the town lately. According to recent reports, some of major U.S. carriers have been confirmed to carry this device. The rumors of M7 are already starting to pick up steam in late 2012. After we got to see some alleged press images of this device and got treated to a couple of real images with Sense 5 UI topped on Android OS. Today, we got to see the front and back plates of the HTC M7 handset. Thanks to ETrade Supply
You can observe there’s a new placement for camera flash. and the front-facing camera has been moved as well, compared to the previous flagships of the manufacturer, such as HTC Droid DNA/Butterfly, and One X handsets, but carrying a similar rear camera/logo layout. Other than these changes, we notice a tiny hole on the back, which refers to a noise-cancelling microphone, and the panel is made out of aluminum alloy. The screen is said to be 4.7-inches, touting 1080p resolution, which measures to pixel density of 468 ppi.
The video shows a power/lock key on top, a physical camera button on the side of the unit, and it also shows off a speaker frill on the bottom of the handset, which is similar to an early render, leaked earlier this month.
HTC M7 is expected to be powered by a quad-core 1.7 GHz Snapdragon processor, 13MP primary camera with a bright f/2.0 aperture and it is capable of recording super slow-motion and video HDR in 1080p HD quality, 2MP front-snapper helps you to make 1080p video calls.It also comes with 2GB of RAM, and 32 GB of internal storage, Beats Audio enhancements, LTE support up to 42Mbps, new 802.11 ac wireless standard. and a 2300mAh battery, while it ships with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS.
Don’t forget to watch the video below, so that you can get a clear idea of what the HTC M7 is all about.
Source: ETrade Supply


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PBOC Moves Closer to Digital Currency: BTCManager’s Week in Review January 30
While Nasdaq successfully tested e-voting on the blockchain, China’s central bank and financial sector are eyeing the blockchain to leapfrog the rest of the world with this technology. The first trial of a blockchain-based system was announced by the PBOC as they hope to capture the ‘first-mover advantage’ with regards to a national digital currency. Also, a digital currency research institute was announced, due to launch in Spring 2017. Other countries who have also expressed interest in the concept of a digital currency are the UK, the US, and Senegal.
The Chinese central bank is meticulously studying the landscape before making any attempt to bring about real-world applications. But will the PBOC utilize Bitcoin’s blockchain, custom build their own one or go for a lesser-known ledger?
With a spectacular rise in the value of XEM against bitcoin since January 25, could this be related to the PBOC announcement? A report from China’s CERT, a non-governmental, non-profit cybersecurity technical center, released in early January showed that the NEM blockchain, which powers the altcoin XEM, is one of the most secure projects in existence. The chart below shows the high- and medium-level security threats that emerged from 25 blockchain projects. On the right-hand side, the red line indicates the number of vulnerabilities per 1,000 lines of code, with the figure for the NEM blockchain at 0.26.
According to a recent post by NEM.io Foundation, the NEM blockchain that powers the XEM cryptocurrency, will sometime later in 2017 “get our blockchain solution officially tested and certified in accordance to the International Standards Organisation and hopefully, be the first blockchain to do so.” Also, the announcement points to interest from central banks:
“NEM has been pretty active in East Asia, particularly in Japan, Malaysia, Korea and China. Together, we have generated more than a few hundred inquiries on our technology. We have interests ranging from central banks (digital fiat currency issuance), financial institutions… and a host of other industries.”
This week’s review is compiled from contributions by Christoph Bergmann, Evan Sixtin, Jamie Holmes, Nigel Dollentas and Tristan Johns.
The PBOC announced January 27 the completion of a successful trial run for a project regarding a digital bank acceptance exchange, making it the first central bank to come within grasp of testing its digital currency, or digital bill, and putting forward a real application for the blockchain. The trial was completed on December 15, with the purpose of the digital currency to handle transactions and settlements of bank acceptance bills utilizing a digital ledger.
Nasdaq, the second largest exchange in the world, has published findings of a trial on January 23 where blockchain technology was implemented for e-voting, announcing the Proof of Concept a “success” and shows that the technology behind Bitcoin is versatile, with applications beyond transaction settlements.
Some hundred investigators of Europol and Interpol have attended an international conference on money laundering and virtual currencies. The recommendations they worked out are substantial. “All countries are advised to consider the creation of the crime of unexplained wealth.” The existence of such a crime and “its usage as a predicate offense for the crime of money laundering” is considered as a key factor in fighting money laundering with digital currencies. Others may see it as a stroke against freedom.
After almost two years of negotiations and product restructuring, Xapo, “the Fort Knox of bitcoin” has achieved conditional approval from the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) to operate in Switzerland. Although subject to conditions, the approval marks the beginning of a new era of banking in Switzerland, offering a new type of digital financial intermediary to serve people, to compete with traditional fiat banks, and to create a less monopolistic, more democratized financial environment.
The interest in Bitcoin explodes in Africa’s biggest economy. The government cripples the regular remittance industry and remains unable to stop the devaluation of the domestic currency, the Nigerian naira. But shady investments and the famous Nigerian ‘princes’ might play a role; which is why the central bank has partially banned Bitcoin.
Tech entrepreneur and Internet activist Kim Dotcom delays Megaupload 2.0 as well as Bitcache, a supposed off-chain micropayment system utilizing the Bitcoin blockchain. Renowned Internet activist and tech entrepreneur Kim Dotcom has appeared multiple times in the public spotlight. He initially gained attention when his Internet creation Mega, an anonymous file-sharing service, was taken down by the United States government.
At the start of a new trading week, BTC-USD remains calm, obeying a $10 range in recent days. On the other hand, altcoins are showing heightened volatility. Two of our suggested buys, XEM and MAID, have gained substantially following our most recent cryptocurrency market outlook, up 21.0 percent and 13.8 percent respectively since Jan. 25.
Malta’s Ministry for Education and Employment (MEDE) is working with Learning Machine Group (LMG) to put University degrees and earned credentials on the Bitcoin blockchain using the Blockcerts open standard. The government of Malta issued a press release on January 24 stating that MEDE has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with LMG, signaling the intention of both parties to develop and implement a Malta pilot of LMG’s nation-state technology platform.


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Help us thrive, not just survive.
The German people are striving for better in 2023. Here’s how brands can stand with them.
by Nia Evans, Head of CEE, C Space
Choose to thrive.
In 2022, C Space launched the Thrive report, a quantitative and qualitative study with over 500 people in 5 markets. It introduced the ‘The Thrive Paradox,’ the observation that, while there are more ways than ever to live well, people feel worse off. It posed that while the customer is currently underserved by the $10 trillion health, wellness and wellbeing category, this presents a huge opportunity for brands.
In 2022, we saw the Thrive Paradox play out in technicolor in the German market. At first glance, Germany is a country where thriving is possible: a relatively stable economy, progressive social policies and world class healthcare. Yet, a recent Allensbach survey for the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper found that, for most Germans, 2022 felt like the worst year in a long time. The United Nations Development Programme’s Human Development Report for 2022 shows distress in Germany being higher than in many other countries.
Why there’s a disconnect is obvious: growing uncertainty. Threats that feel beyond individual control: the war in Ukraine, rising costs of living and growing polarization among other factors contribute to this uncertainty. In fact, 71% of Germans in our Thrive study believe a worsening economy will negatively affect their ability to thrive.
Everything going on is just plain scary. Hearing on the news about energy costs next year is really scary. It makes me sad because I don’t know what to do.
Thomas, Interviewee from Germany
A new zeitgeist of optimism.
In recent years, ‘survival mode’ has gripped the German psyche. Growing uncertainty has challenged people’s belief in the possibility of Thriving. They’ve struggled to feel that, right now, through intention and action, life can get better. And their trust in key institutions (The Federal Government and Chancellor, to name a few) has eroded.
Despite this, in 2023, the German people are choosing to thrive. Recent studies reflect an emerging call for optimism. People are hungry for a vision of the future where better lives are achievable and the possibility for progress is credible. The Allensbach survey mentioned above saw optimism prevailing among 14- to 24-year-olds.
This mood reflects a key pivot point; the shift in mindset that can trigger an upward trajectory. Our interviewee Thomas, quoted above, summed this moment up perfectly: “Thriving is an active decision you take.”
Brands that speak meaningfully to this moment will win.
In the past, competition hinged on functional advantages (price, product, promotion, distribution). However, that’s changing. #MeToo, the cost-of-living crisis, The Greta Effect. What started as localized, one-off events, have turned into global forces that have profoundly affected the trade-offs consumers are willing to make. Expectations, simply, are much higher, and for brands to win in this environment, they need to learn to give, as much as they seek to get.
Our hypothesis is that we’re on the cusp of a new phase in business. In the Relationship Economy, customers will seek out brands that feel invested in them. And for businesses, brand-customer relationships will become the most important source of competitive advantage.
Therein lies the opportunity. Brands that use their influence to help people thrive, will win. This takes insight, lateral thinking and bravery.
Get personal, be a partner and stay present.
Brands that help people to thrive don’t do it through grand gestures, or lofty promises, or outsized ambitions. They go deeper to understand the real human need that sits at the heart of their industry. And offer practical and emotional support in the everyday work that it takes to thrive.
Here are some examples of brands thinking differently about the products and services they offer to achieve this:
In partnership with Mental Health UK, Lloyds’ bank is offering free therapeutic coaching sessions to small business owners
While Lloyds sells banking services, what motivates customers to seek out their products is how well they support them to run a stable and prosperous business. Lloyds saw that they could build a partnership with customers by supporting them towards this outcome, in different ways.
Deutsche Telekom offered free SIM cards and calls to Ukrainian refugees at the early stages of the conflict, and continue to offer them at lowered rates
In general, it’s hard to say that many have been seen or spoken to with much power by telecoms providers. This example sits in dazzling exception. With this move, DT spoke with a clear voice about the human need at the heart of their industry – connection.
IKEA’s Circular Hub helps customers to give old furniture a new lease of life – whether buying, selling or upcycling
IKEA knows that while they sell furniture, their unique value comes in the impact it has on people’s lives. And they want to make an impact through togetherness. Their Circular Hub offers a practical way for the brand and its consumers to collaborate on something fundamental to togetherness: protecting our planet.
THE THRIVE PARADOX
What it really means to thrive, and how brands can play a role in getting consumers there.
What does it take to live well today? What are some of the barriers? And what permission do brands really have to help their customers get better at living?
C Space and Interbrand partnered to answer these questions (and many more).


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Other people may be able to buy Facebook shares, but it will still be “Zuck” in command after a historic IPO and one of his big challenges will be finding a way to make money from the huge social network’s mobile apps.
Facebook’s filing Wednesday confirmed that CEO Mark Zuckerberg will maintain voting control over the company, giving him final say over board elections and any mergers or sales.
It remains to be seen whether that will deter any investors, but Stephen Diamond, an associate professor of law at Santa Clara University, said share structures that leave control to insiders (also used by Google) have become a “troubling trend in tech companies over the last several years.”
“For a company that prides itself on democratic, transparent close relationships with 800 million users, it’s surprising that they’re insisting on centralizing entire control of the business in the hands of one person,” Diamond said.
On the other hand, analyst Rebecca Lieb of San Mateo-based Altimeter Group said Zuckerberg has proven himself to be “patient and judicious” in building the company.
“He’s had a lot of control as far as we know up to this point and I think this is a far, far better alternative than having him depart,” she said.
One other key risk that Facebook’s filing points to, she said, is the growing dominance of mobile and the challenge it poses to Facebooks’ bottom line. The company said it does not make “any meaningful revenue” through its smartphone and tablet apps, since it currently doesn’t display advertising there. At the same time, mobile usage is spiking and could take away users who otherwise would see ads on Facebook’s browser site.
“If you look at usage patterns, migration to mobile platforms right now is in almost the hypergrowth phase that Facebook adoption was just a few years ago,” Lieb said.
She said she’d expect to see Facebook bolster its efforts in mobile products and services, which could add a new element to the company’s competition with Google. It could also result in Facebook squaring off against mobile behemoth Apple.
Making its mobile sites profitable will be a challenge, though, said Rob Enderle, principal analyst at San Jose-based Enderle Group.
“The whole problem with mobile right now is nobody’s come up with a good ad consumption model,” he said. “It’s not just Facebook, it’s pretty much everybody in the space has had a great deal of difficulty.”
Analysts also noted that the S-1 filing disclosed that Facebook earned 12 percent of its revenue in 2011 through San Francisco gaming company Zynga, both from advertising and purchases of virtual goods.
Lieb said that’s a high percentage, but she expects to see Facebook diversify as it brings more companies into its platform. The company recently launched Actions, which allows companies to replace the familiar “like” button with something like “own” (as in, I own this product) or “listen” (as in, I’m listening to this song).
“I think advertising is going to dominate for the very foreseeable future,” Lieb said, “but I wouldn’t be surprised to see more revenue coming in from other platform initiatives.”


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Last month, solar producer Baoding Tianwei Group became China's first ever state-owned company to default on a bond coupon payment, showing Beijing's increasing willingness to let companies go bust in a bid to reform its corporate market. Although onshore and offshore bondholders have equal standing in China's bankruptcy law, lawyers and investors who...» Read More
Health insurance is supposed to offer protection — both medically and financially. But as it turns out, an estimated three-quarters of people who are pushed into personal bankruptcy by medical problems actually had insurance when they got sick or were injured.
What Iceland has to do to save itself.
It may not emerge from bankruptcy as quick as Chrysler, but GM is entering the stretch run, and can see the finish line. Tomorrow, the country's largest auto maker will be back in bankruptcy court to finalize plans to sell the "good assets" to a new GM that will emerge from bankruptcy with a clean balance sheet.
It looks like we’ll have another bankruptcy of a former LBO in the hospitality space. The WSJ is reporting that Red Roof Inns has defaulted on $332 million of mortgage debt.
Savvy consumers swarmed to London's Regent Park Thursday for the opening of Taste of London's four-day gourmet food festival. The event was teaming with cost-conscious foodies getting a chance to taste the wares of Michelin-starred chefs for a fraction of the price.
Although GM and Chrysler’s bankruptcy may be playing into Ford Motor’s strong June numbers, "it’s really our products that are getting the best reviews they’ve ever gotten," said William Ford, executive chairman of Ford Motor in a live interview on CNBC.
Auto dealers accustomed to negotiating sales on their car lots clustered in the Capitol instead this week, looking to their trusty, neighborhood lawmakers to do some hard bargaining for them.
The economic crisis has been so severe that Michigan, with a $1.4 billion budget shortfall, is closing eight prisons to save money. It is also canceling more than 130 road and bridge repair projects because the state cannot come up with enough money to get matching federal funds.
Chrysler headed back to bankruptcy court Tuesday to get a judge to approve the termination of 789 dealer franchises, while Chrysler's plan to become a stronger automaker partnered with Italy's Fiat awaits action by the nation's highest court.
A U.S. appeals court said Friday it would conditionally approve Chrysler's sale to Fiat but is keeping the deal on hold until Monday to allow an appeal.
The media, including myself, has been buzzing about the ongoing doom and gloom for the advertising industry as automakers continue to pull back their marketing spend. But now we're hearing about some green shoots (if you will) for auto ads.
When General Motors emerges from bankruptcy protection, it will technically be a brand new, privately held company, yet it will be more publicly owned than ever, with taxpayers holding a 60 percent stake.
New U.S. jobless claims fell for a third straight week last week; productivity rose 1.6 percent. What does this herald for the stock markets? Art Cashin, UBS Financial Services director of floor operations, offered his insights to CNBC.
Hummer owners are an unusual breed, but a little-known Chinese company's surprise purchase of the American maker of gas-guzzling, military-style SUVs is audacious even by their standards.
With new-car sales touching low levels not seen in decades, and with G.M. and Chrysler forced to shut plants as they struggle through bankruptcy, prospects for small auto-supply factories seem grim.
There’s an almost palpable lack of confidence that General Motors will exit bankruptcy as a leaner, meaner, stronger company. However, the game plan is basically to envision the New General as a sort of American Toyota, with a tidy lineup of brands to manage and an appealing fleet of economical, fuel-efficient vehicles to sell. Sedans and small, gas-sipping cars will be the future, not the fuel-chugging trucks and SUVs that got GM in trouble.
General Motors has reached a preliminary agreement for the sale of its Hummer brand of large sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks to a machinery company in western China with ambitions to become a carmaker, a person familiar with the Chinese government approval process said Tuesday.
Over the next few months, Mr. Obama and his auto task force will face many tests as they try to create a new paradigm for the nationalization, however temporary, of a storied and troubled emblem of American industry.
Stocks advanced Monday as investors were encouraged by economic reports out of China and the U.S., and shrugged off the GM bankruptcy filing. Read and listen to what the experts had to say...
Chrysler and Fiat have asked a bankruptcy court that approved their merger to shorten the process for appeals and bypass the U.S. District Court, according to a court documents.."


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South Africa can expect further electricity hikes of two to five per cent during the 2015/2016 financial year, following the National Energy Regulator of SA’s (Nersa) approval of the regulatory clearing account for Eskom, predicts Muneera Salie, industry analyst for Energy & Environment at consultancy Frost & Sullivan Africa.
Ms Salie says the clearing account adjustment was given in order to provide Eskom with an additional ZAR7.8 billion in revenue from its customers but in order to recover this amount, tariffs are likely to increase above the already granted 8 per cent increase. This translates to a tariff increase of between 10 and 13 per cent which is way above inflation.
Business hit by tariff increases
Salie says: “The question that remains is for how much longer the average consumer will be able to pay for, or afford, these tariff increases.
“It is also expected that businesses will suffer, with many companies already taking drastic measures in order to remain profitable.
Nersa has stated that the additional tariff increases have been granted to compensate for variances in the coal price, lower than expected sales revenue during 2010-2013, and differences in the actual inflation rate as opposed to that which was assumed when the original tariff of 8 per cent was determined.
Time to privatise?
Being a public company that monopolises the industry, Eskom’s business model allows them to be able to absorb under-recovery of revenue from their customers. “An increase in competition in the form of private sector companies into the industry would force Eskom to rethink their business model,” said Salie.
Tariff adjustments play a large part in the sustainability of the South African economy and this additional increase is unlikely to aid in economic growth, she says.
The announcement comes as the unemployment rate in South Africa has reached its highest level since 2008 at 25.5 percent confirmed Statistics SA last week.
Salie concludes: “The negative effect that these tariff increases are expected to have on local businesses is unlikely to improve the gloomy state of the employment rate in the country.”


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The UK city of Liverpool has launched its own digital currency using blockchain technology supplied by Tel-Aviv-based digital wallet provider Colu. The Liverpool Local Pound (LLP) is available through Colu’s app. Users can top it up using a credit card and will receive five free LLPs when signing up, equalling £5 (US$6). “Transactions happen at the swipe of a finger and the money is transferred between accounts immediately,” The Telegraph reports.
- Report: US retailers must pay a premium for Apple Card transactions
- German savings banks switch on support for Apple Pay
- Interflora lets customers use Alexa to order and pay for flowers
- Mastercard pilots decentralized digital identities
- PicWicToys lets shoppers skip the checkout lines


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Samsung Galaxy Note, the largest Android-powered mobile phone unveiled to the world to date, is expected to become available for purchase in the UK sometime in mid-November, and some more info on its release date and pricing has just emerged.
The new device should become available for purchase in the country starting with November 17th,
and is expected to feature a price tag of £670 (around $1 047 / 768 Euros) when released.
The new details come from online retailer Clove, who says that the launch date and the pricing of this device might change, but that these are the closest estimates to what will be announced on the device.
However, this is not an exact price for the smartphone, but only an estimation, the retailer also explains.
“We would like to stress that this price is still subject to change, but it is the most accurate price to date of the final sale price,” Clove notes.
“Secondly, we do now have an expected release date of the 17th of November. This too is subject to change, but previously we expected it late November, therefore good news that it is coming sooner than expected.”
One way or the other, it seems that the new mobile phone
will indeed be very expensive. Of course, when learning of its size and capabilities, we all expected that something like this might happen, and now all has started to be confirmed.
For those out of the loop, we should note that the smartphone packs a 5.3-inch HD Super AMOLED Display, and that it is powered by a dual-core application processor, with each core clocked in at 1.4GHz.
The mobile phone also sports 16GB of internal memory, along with a microSD memory card slot for expanding it, and Wi-Fi, Bluetooth & Quad-Band 3G connectivity capabilities.
The Samsung Galaxy Note runs under the Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS. Those who would like to learn some more info on the handset should have a look at our hands-on
with it at the IFA 2011 show in Berlin.


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What it does mean is that Unilever and other large companies must realize that the days of the populace never making the connections between brands with conflicting messages are gone. In fact, it's surprising that it took this long for a backlash against Dove's "Onslaught" viral -- the latest offshoot of the brilliant "Campaign for Real Beauty" effort -- to begin. It isn't exactly a state secret that Unilever owns both Dove and Axe.
Gadflies and consumer activists have always liked punching holes in marketers' claims to be thinking of a greater good rather than the bottom line. The difference these days, of course, is that blogs, YouTube, Facebook and other internet developments make it much more likely regular consumers will see the work of activists or stumble upon the connections themselves. After all, the Dove team relied on precisely the same technology to get so much mileage out of its "Evolution" and "Onslaught" spots.
Put simply, companies will have to take a little more care with the messaging across their brand portfolios. Perhaps a company shouldn't be crowing about virtues in the communications for one brand if it's preaching vices for another. Car companies run into this problem when they talk up their environmental records and hybrid technology for some cars while rolling bigger and badder gas guzzlers off the assembly line. And no amount of spin is going to erase the fact that Unilever is being hypocritical with its Dove work.
But that shouldn't overshadow the fact that people trained their sights on Unilever precisely because its Dove work had become so popular. And that happened because the company and its agency took the risk of staking the campaign to a big idea -- something beyond the usual "Our skin-care product smells pretty and moistens your skin." Industry watchers have said consumers want to buy into brands they can feel good about, and the Dove team tapped into that. It was rewarded handsomely for that risk -- in accolades, ad awards and, most important, a sales boost.
Perhaps Unilever should take another risk -- try selling deodorant to boys without objectifying the girls it's trying to sell Dove to.


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This is a deal of massive proportions and will make cars from both automakers better than ever.
Volkswagen has been a bit of a powerhouse in the industry, proving that even when it's saddled with perhaps one of the largest publicity-killing scandals in recent memory, it can still pull ahead and rank as the the number one automaker in the world. While Volkswagen is under no threat of having its spot as world's largest automaker revoked by PSA's recent takeover of Opel and Vauxhall, it has had its first place grip on the European auto market encroached upon.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne had used this reasoning to try and convince Volkswagen to move on a merger between the two auto companies after being vocal about wanting to find a partner to split the high development costs that are on the horizon as electric drivetrains and autonomous vehicles become the norm. It appears that Volkswagen has listened because both FCA and Volkswagen have announced a merger. A merger of this size is a big deal and will help Volkswagen carve out a firm lead over the Toyota, which comes in at a close second against Volkswagen. In 2016, FCA ranked as the 8th largest automaker in the world. As it stands, the deal will benefit both automakers hugely.
Volkswagen, already the owner of 12 vehicle brands, has plenty of experience sharing components to save costs but not overdoing it as to foster variety within its subsidiary portfolio. Volkswagen has also started down the path of electrification with new platforms, batteries, and drivetrains under development. FCA could have access to all of this technology, saving it billions in R & D costs. Taking a place under Volkswagen's wing also gives FCA the comfort that its debt crisis can be absolved by its larger and wealthier parent company. In exchange, Volkswagen will have access to FCA's brands, which include Fiat, Chrysler, Ram, Jeep, Dodge, Alfa Romeo, and Maserati.
While FCA may not be on the cutting edge of technology, it can now offer Volkswagen its breadth of experience in the highly profitable American truck industry, a notoriously hard case for foreign automakers to crack. The opportunities are endless here, so be sure to pop a bottle of champagne along with Marchionne and Volkswagen CEO Matthias Mueller because the cars we can expect out of this powerhouse combo should be nothing short of stunning.