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Former Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos has come under intense criticism for comments he made in a press conference on Tuesday, after the inaugural space flight from his company Blue Origin, in which Bezos became the richest man ever to go to space, beating fellow space competitor and British businessman Richard Branson.
The world’s richest man held a press conference after he landed from his Blue Origin space flight, in which the crew was adrift on the edge of space for 10 minutes before returning to Earth.
In the conference, he thanked all Amazon workers and customers, claiming that “you guys paid for this.”
Thank you for sending me to space
This upset many people on social media, including the likes of Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, as well as Democrat Representative Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, who accused Bezos of mistreating his employees.
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders was one of the first high-level politicians to hit out against the former Amazon CEO for his “tone deaf” comments after his spaceflight.
The Senator stated that he wasn’t impressed by the actions of Bezos, claiming that he had failed to pay a cent of federal income tax whilst his workers struggle to make basic payments.
He finished his tweet by stating that it was time to “invest in working people here on Earth.”
Democrat Senator Elizabeth Warren followed on from Sanders’ comments, criticizing the former CEO for his lack of tax payments.
She retweeted a post that quoted the comments made by the billionaire businessman, stating that Bezos forgot to thank the “hardworking taxpayer who actually paid taxes,” before accusing both Bezos and Amazon of paying nothing.
Following up with that tweet, Warren encouraged users to support her “three-step plan” to alter US tax laws, that will supposedly go after “wealthy tax cheats.”
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was next up, but she took a different approach.
She took aim that the supposed treatment of his staff, claiming that the Amazon employees had only paid for the spaceflight due to the poor working conditions they have to endure every day.
She also claimed that Amazon customers helped pay for the spaceflight as the company is able to “abuse their market power” to damage other small businesses.
Other critics of Bezos included Representative Katherine Clark, Representative Adam Schiff, and Stars & Stripes journalist David Choi.
Bezos stepped down from his position of CEO at Amazon in July, weeks before his company, “Blue Origins,” launched their first mission into space.
The billionaire stated that he created the company by selling $1 billion worth of Amazon stock every year for the past few years.
The rocket, named The New Shepard, was launched from a remote area in the state of Texas, exactly 52 years after the landmark launch of the Apollo 11 mission.
Bezos stated that this date was chosen due to its historical significance, and he refused to move it forward after Virgin Galactic CEO Richard Branson moved his space launch forward, beating Bezos into space by 9 days.
Bezos’ rocket was completely automated, so no official flight staff was needed for the short, 10-minute trip.
The Blue Origin flight reached an altitude of 66 miles from the ground, 10 more miles than what was achieved by Virgin Galactic 9 days earlier.
Passengers on the flight enjoyed a few minutes of gravity-free travel, before returning to the ground.
Those onboard included the former Amazon CEO, his brother Mark Bezos, Wally Funk, and Oliver Daemen.
Funk became the eldest crew member to travel to space, whilst Daemen became the youngest.


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Ikea is releasing three new smart home sensors. These sensors are affordable, with expected retail prices of under $10. They will be available for purchase starting in January, with the rollout concluding in July 2024.
The first sensor to come to market will be the motion sensor, called Vallhorn, which is designed for use both outdoors and indoors. It can activate lights automatically when motion is detected.
For smart home security, Ikea plans to release a contact sensor called Parasoll, which alerts users when a point of entry has been opened, ideal for use with doors and windows.
Additionally, Ikea’s upcoming liquid detection sensor, called Badring, will notify users and play an alarm if water is detected, allowing them to stop the leak before more damage occurs.
These sensors are designed to work with Ikea’s Dirigera smart home hub, which costs $69. The sensors can function without the hub, but functionality will be more restricted. The Dirigera smart home hub also allows all three products to work with Google Home.
Matter support is yet to come, as Ikea still hasn’t released the promised update to Dirigera that would enable the standard. However, Ikea has assured that over time, their entire smart product range will support Matter via their DIRIGERA hub.
The new sensors do not have official U.S. pricing yet, but they’re priced at €9.99 or less in Europe and are expected to be less than $10 in the U.S. Vallhorn will be available in January in both the U.S. and Europe, while Parasoll will debut in January in Europe and April in the U.S. Finally, Badring will release in April in Europe and July in the U.S.
This announcement is exciting news for people interested in smart home monitoring, as the affordable prices may make it possible for users to install sensors on all the entry points in their homes. The sensors will provide an easy and affordable option for those looking to make their homes smarter and more secure.

domain: news


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Hublot, a Swiss manufacturer of high-end watches, wants some of that Bitcoin money. The company has unveiled a new luxury watch that can only be purchased with Bitcoin. It has been launched to commemorate the 10th anniversary of this digital currency. It’s part of Hublot’s Big Bang series and costs almost $25,000. Here’s the catch: You can only buy it with Bitcoin.
Hublot will only be making 210 pieces of this Big Bang Meca-10 P2P watch, a nod to the total Bitcoin supply of 21 million coins. OSL, a digital asset brokerage in Hong Kong, will perform background and anti-money laundering checks as well as provide payment services.
Hublot has confirmed that it has received orders that exceed the supply of 210 pieces. It will start delivering the watch to customers in January 2019. The transaction ID for each timepiece will be engraved on its bezel. This will make each piece unique and traceable in the event that one gets stolen and then pops up for sale someplace else. The 45mm watch is fashioned from polished black ceramic and has a skeleton dial which means you can see its innards. That’s also where you’ll find the Bitcoin logo on one of is mechanical gears.
The automatic movement has a 10 day power reserve. The strap also has a design inspired by the blockchain. It goes without saying that this watch will fetch a lot more money on the secondary market given its uniqueness.
Filed in Bitcoin.. Read more about


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By Brenda Goh and Ryan Woo
SHANGHAI/BEIJING (Reuters) -Beijing on Thursday blasted the launch of a probe by the European Commission into China’s electric vehicle (EV) subsidies as protectionist and warned it would damage economic relations, a concern shared by Germany’s car industry.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the investigation on Wednesday, accusing China of flooding global markets with electric cars at artificially low prices due to huge state subsidies.
The probe, which could result in punitive tariffs, has prompted analyst warnings of retaliatory action from Beijing and complaints from Chinese industry executives who say the sector’s competitive advantage is not due to subsidies.
“(The investigation) is a naked protectionist act that will seriously disrupt and distort the global automotive industry and supply chain, including the EU, and will have a negative impact on China-EU economic and trade relations,” China’s Ministry of Commerce said in a statement.
“China will pay close attention to the EU’s protectionist tendencies and follow-up actions, and firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies,” it added.
Eurasian Group analysts warned that should Brussels ultimately levy duties against subsidised Chinese EVs, Beijing would likely impose countermeasures to hurt European industries.
The European Union’s imposition of tariffs will depend on the degree of unity within the bloc.
France has called for such an investigation for months, part of a years-long campaign by President Emmanuel Macron for the EU to get tougher on trade and insist on a level playing field.
Other EU countries also see China as more of a rival than a partner and agree the bloc should be more assertive.
A decade ago Germany, wary of retaliation, opposed tariffs on Chinese solar panel imports, paving the way for a compromise with Beijing.
By contrast, German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said on Wednesday he welcomed the EU’s latest action.
Germany’s car industry, conscious that a trade war could hit its business in China, was more circumspect.
Mercedes Benz said protectionist measures were counterproductive and Bosch, the world’s largest automotive supplier, said a race for punitive tariffs and trade barriers would only have losers.
“Chinese distortions of competition are a particular problem that Europe should tackle, but if possible not with excessive subsidies or new punitive tariffs at the end of a lengthy process,” said Volker Treier, head of trade at the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK)
Some analysts said the probe should not pose a big risk for Chinese EV makers because they could turn to other growing markets like Southeast Asia.
The manufacturers have been accelerating export efforts as slowing consumer demand in China exacerbates production overcapacity.
Hong Kong-listed shares of Chinese EV makers pared initial losses, with market leader BYD closing down 1.2%. Smaller rivals Geely Auto and Nio fell 0.5% and 0.9%, respectively. Xpeng reversed losses to rise 0.4%.
Shanghai-listed shares of state-owned car giant SAIC, whose MG brand is the best-selling China-made brand in Europe, closed down 0.3%.
Nio and Geely declined to comment on the EU probe, while BYD, Xpeng and SAIC did not respond to requests for comment.
Shares in European carmakers were also among the biggest fallers on the euro zone stock index. BMW, Volkswagen, Mercedes and Stellantis were down by between 0.7% and 1.7% at 1425 GMT.
In its first response to the probe, Stellantis said it welcomed “fair competition which drives innovation and performance across our industry globally for the benefit of citizens and our customers”.
The anti-subsidy probe, initiated unusually by the European Commission and not from any industry complaint, comes amid broader diplomatic strains between the EU and China.
Relations have become tense due to Beijing’s ties with Moscow after Russian forces swept into Ukraine, and the EU’s push to rely less on the world’s second-largest economy.
The EV probe will set the tone for talks ahead of the annual China-EU Summit, due to take place before year-end, with the EU pushing for a rebalancing of trade. EU trade chief Valdis Dombrovskis will travel to China later this month.
GROWING MARKET SHARE
EU officials believe Chinese EVs are undercutting the prices of local models by about 20% in the European market, piling pressure on European automakers to produce lower-cost EVs.
The Commission said China’s share of EVs sold in Europe had risen to 8% and could reach 15% in 2025.
Underscoring challenges facing established European automakers, Volkswagen is looking at cutting staff at its all-electric plant in eastern Germany, the dpa news agency reported on Wednesday.
In 2022, 35% of all exported electric cars originated from China, according to U.S. think-tank the Center for Strategic and Internal Studies (CSIS), with most destined for Europe. The single largest exporter from China is U.S. giant Tesla.
(Reporting by Donny Kwok in Hong Kong, Brenda Goh in Shanghai, Ryan Woo in Beijing, Victoria Waldersee in Frankfurt and Philip Blenkinsop in BrusselsWriting by Anne Marie RoantreeEditing by Jamie Freed, Sharon Singleton and Mark Potter)


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The US has requested authorisation from the World Trade Organisation for slapping a retaliation of about $450 million annually on India for harming US trade interests by India’s failure to comply with a WTO ruling within a given time frame.
WTO, at a special meeting of the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) on 19 July, referred a case by the US against India on import of certain agricultural produce, for arbitration —known as “suspension of concession” in WTO-speak. The case was initiated by the US in March 2012.
For about seven years, India had restricted various US agricultural products, including poultry meat, eggs, and live pigs, to prevent entry of avian influenza into India.
This import prohibition was through India’s avian influenza measures maintained through the Indian Livestock Importation Act, 1898.
The US argued that India’s policy towards American poultry imports were discriminatory and violated WTO rules.
The matter, after consultations between parties failed, was brought before the DSB that ruled against India on 14 October, 2014 stating that the import ban was inconsistent with WTO’s Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement because India’s measures “arbitrarily and unjustifiably discriminate between members where identical or similar conditions prevail and are applied in a manner which constitutes a disguised restriction on international trade”.
“This is a major victory for American farmers,” United States Trade Representative (USTR) Michael Froman announced after the DSB ruling.
India appealed against the ruling in January 2015 arguing that it had legal errors in interpretation. The matter was then pushed forward to an appellate body. India, again, lost the case in the appellate ruling.
WTO has now referred the matter for arbitration, which refers to a process of determining whether the amount of $450 million annually as sought by the US in form of retaliation — equivalent to the trade effects caused to the interests of the US by the failure of India to comply — is at an appropriate level. The US has also said that the figure of $450 million will be updated annually.
Under WTO rules, a member can request the right to retaliate within 20 days of the end of the "reasonable period" for compliance by the losing party if no agreement on compensation is reached. In this case, the “reasonable period” of time as agreed upon by the US and India expired on 19 June, 2016 by which time India, according to the appellate board ruling, should have either removed or altered the measures at issue in the dispute. A US request for retaliation was submitted on 7 July.
India declared that new measures were in place on 8 July and, therefore, the US had no legal basis for going forward with the “suspension of concession”. India also objected to the figure of $450 million quoted by the US.
The "arbitrator" comprises the original three-member panel who are required to issue their ruling within 60 days of the end of the “reasonable period”—in this case 18 August.
“What happens now is bit of a grey area. In such a situation (after an appellate board rules), usually the winning country and the losing side enter into a ‘sequencing agreement’ which basically says ‘I will not request for retaliation until there is a subsequent panel proceeding to determine whether I have complied or not’,” Abhijit Das, head of the centre for WTO studies at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade said.
But, interestingly, the US and India did not conclude such a bilateral agreement common in such cases even though at the 19 July DSB meeting India had said that it sought a compliance panel to be established to look into the matter arguing that this has been the consistent practice in “sequencing agreements” for resolving dispute settlement cases. The US had said at the time that although “sequencing agreements” are not required under WTO rules it, however, was ready to discuss a variety of pending issues pertaining to this dispute, including procedural approaches for efficient resolution of the matter, while protecting US rights.
“Therefore, (after India put in place compliance measures on 8 July) it would have been reasonable to assume that the US would withdraw the retaliation request, but it didn’t,” said Das.
Other members like the European Union said that disagreements over compliance must be resolved through the establishment of a compliance panel and reserved its third party rights to participate in further proceedings. Japan also said that when there was a disagreement on compliance, parties must commit to compliance panel proceedings first, before proceeding towards arbitration.
The dispute has become messy and may have serious impact on other WTO disputes as well, an expert familiar with the global trade body’s dispute procedures said.
India is a big market for the US — one of the world’s largest exporters of chicken meat. India’s chicken consumption is growing at a rate of 12 percent annually with an estimated 92.1 pounds per capita consumption in 2016.
India’s import restriction had “particularly affected” the US poultry industry that directly employs over 3,50,000 workers and consists of nearly 50,000 family farms. According to the office of the USTR, “US exports to India of just poultry meat alone could easily exceed $300 million a year once India’s restrictions are removed – and are likely to grow substantially in the future as India’s demand for high quality protein increases”.
Since the creation of the WTO in 1995, the US has initiated six WTO dispute cases against India while India has initiated nine cases against the US. However, there are only two active US-initiated cases against India — including the solar panel case that India lost in 2015 and plans to appeal against the ruling. Similarly, there are two India-initiated active cases against the US pending at the WTO where India has filed a dispute over non-immigrant temporary working visas and another dispute on the US’ imposition of countervailing duties on imports of certain hot-rolled carbon steel flat products from India.
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Updated Date: Jul 29, 2016 16:25:00 IST


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For those who used to run PUBG mobile, now there is a happy atmosphere. You all will know that PUBG’s new game PUBG NEW STATE is going to be launched. We have already updated a post about it on our website, on which we have started registration of this game’s APK file. This game will be a little different from the old game, its concept is a little change.
Let us tell you that PUBG NEW STATE will be available for mobile-only. The company has started registration for Android and Apple devices. It will not be available for PC. If you look at the trailer of PUBG NEW STATE, then you will know that the theme of this game is similar to that of Battle Royal but its map has been changed. Registration of PUBG NEW STATE is going on the website of PUBG and if you preorder it, you will get Limited Vehicle Skin permanently.
Will the PUBG NEW STATE Game launch in India?
There are many chances that PUBG NEW STATE will be launched within India. Because the biggest reason for PUBG Mobile to be banned was its developer from China(Tencent Company). But this time the company is not from China, the developer of PUBG NEW STATE. There is no link with China yet. But to launch PUBG, CRAFTON needs permission will have to be taken from NIC(National Informatics Centre). So 99% of its chances are to be launched.
Also Read:-PUBG NEW STATE Apk Download
PUBG NEW STATE Release Date?
A lot of leaked of PUBG NEW STATE is also coming out. But the company has not yet taken an official releasing date for it. But according to our sources, this game will be launched before 31-March-2021 and within this time period, the company will try to launch the game inside India also.


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- ECCO Safety Group Partnership Creates Audible Warning Technology and Karma Brand Sound
- Sound Alert Technology Helps Keep Distracted Pedestrians Safe
- Future Options Could Allow Owners to Customize Their Karma Sound
IRVINE, Calif. (September 20, 2019) – Due to the absence of a loud internal combustion engine, a unique exterior sound has been engineered into the new 2020 Revero GT to alert distracted pedestrians that a car is nearby and provide the luxury electric vehicle with a special audible technology unique to the brand that created it.
Sound engineers at Southern California-based luxury electric automaker and high-tech incubator Karma Automotive developed their low-speed exterior audible sound in partnership with ECCO Safety Group, a global leader in safety and warning products based in Boise, Idaho.
Karma’s Director of Infotainment Systems and Connected Car, Joe Durre described the Revero GT’s exterior sound as a low-level, throaty-electric hum, like electronic audio tones heard in many futuristic movies or when an electric guitar is first plugged into an amplifier.
“It’s a sound that is uniquely Karma that our customers instantly recognize when the car is powered and driven at low speeds,” he explains. “Our sound alerts pedestrians that a car is nearby, something that is especially helpful for those who may be distracted, blind or visually-impaired, and gives our brand something that is very recognizable and satisfies government safety regulations.”
It’s also a tone, he says, that could be customizable in future products, especially vehicles that grow from Karma’s Project e-Klipse, a global all-electric vehicle platform being readied for 2021.
“This technology gives an added dimension to the personalized customization options that allow our electric vehicles to match our customers individual lifestyles and tastes, and help make our products even more special and unique,” he adds.
The sound satisfies a mandate in the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2010 establishing a new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) to allow manufacturers of hybrid and electric vehicles to install a number of driver-selectable pedestrian alert sounds. The FMVSS is setting minimum sound requirements for electric and hybrid vehicles given the relatively silent nature of electrified vehicles – particularly when traveling at low speeds.
Exterior sounders developed by ECCO safety systems are placed in the front and rear of the Revero GT and emit a speed dependent sound spectrum at specific sound pressure level depending on the speed. When powered up and stationary or traveling forward or reverse below 18.6 mph (30 km/hour), the Revero emits a sound crafted specifically for the brand that’s loud enough to help alert people that a moving vehicle is nearby.
“Working alongside Karma, ECCO developed EVAS (Electric Vehicle Alert System) to expand the innovation of perimeter safety sound for the global electric vehicle markets,” said Jeff Turpen, ECCO’s Manager of Business Development for Electric Vehicles. “Our mission is to protect people with world-leading innovative safety solutions and we look forward to continuing our work with Karma as the brand broadens its future product offerings.”
ECCO’s warning and alert systems are used by more than 600 different global heavy-duty commercial and emergency vehicle manufacturers but Turpen says the collaboration with Karma represents the first application of its technology in a luxury passenger car.
Karma’s work with ECCO illustrates how the company uses partnerships to help speed product development, provide access to new technology and build long-term brand value through its open-platform business strategy, reaffirming its emergence as a high-tech incubator and growth beyond the traditional role of a car company.
“Although the regulation requires full compliance in September 2020, Karma’s collaboration with ECCO helped accelerate our efforts to ensure all new Revero GTs are equipped with the warning sounds well ahead of schedule,” Durre adds.
The 2020 Revero GT is available for preorders through Karma’s North American retail partners, with deliveries starting in the fourth quarter. The 2020 Karma Revero GT has a $135,000 MSRP and features many innovations and enhancements including a freshly-styled exterior and a world-class electric drive system that alongside a series of other technological advancements enables the new 2020 Revero GT to be as fast as it looks. With an MPGe rating of 71 miles, the car provides an overall range of up to 360 miles, with 80 miles of emissions-free all-electric driving powered by a 28kWh NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt) lithium-ion battery.


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According to leaks in the tech community, Apple is developing a headset with the technology of augmented reality, which is planned to be be available in the first half of 2020.
However, despite the exciting news, the functionality of an upcoming headset is still unclear. The leaks suggest that it will be similar to Apple Watch in the way that one would not be able to use AR functionality without a connected iPhone. Although such dependence on an iPhone might seem as a limitation, the advantage is that the headset will most likely use the power of iPhone when it comes to data connectivity, computing and location services.
if Apple will embed sensors and a display to the upcoming device, it could be a really exciting prospect, as it could be used for recognizing objects and navigation. But for now, we could only wait for more droplets of leaked information.


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Unilever wraps up its global media review
Process began a year ago
This story first appeared on AdAge
By Alexandra Bruell
Unilever has wrapped up a global media agency review that began early this year, which resulted in only a few international changes to its current roster of shops, including WPP's Mindshare and Omnicom's PHD, according to people familiar with the matter.
Mindshare retained North America and added a handful of European markets previously handled by PHD. Unilever moved its Australia business from Mindshare to PHD. Latin America, which is supported by Initiative, was not part of the latest 60-market review. PHD retained China and its global communications planning assignment.
PHD also won a global search assignment prior to this media agency review. Unilever was unable to reach executives for comment at press time. Agencies mentioned referred calls to the client.
Unilever spent $844 million on U.S. measured media in 2014. But that's only a fraction of the many billions of dollars it spends globally, according to people familliar with the matter. In 2013, the last year of available global spending data, the company spent $7.7 billion globally on advertising and promotion, according to the Ad Age DataCenter.
The packaged-goods giant held its last global media review in early 2012 and tends to review every three years. During that review, the company invited incumbents to participate. By market, they included: Mindshare for North America, parts of Africa and Europe, Interpublic Group of Cos.' Initiative in Latin America, Europe and Russia; and Omnicom's PHD in various parts of Asia and Europe. Mindshare had worked on Unilever communications planning in North America, Western Europe and elsewhere since the late 1990s. After the last pitch, the company also awarded PHD global planning responsibilities for all personal care, refreshment, foods and homecare brands.
Unilever owns Dove, Degree, Axe and Vaseline, among other well known consumer-packaged goods.


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Back in the day, one person in a household did the bulk of the grocery shopping, but today’s culture has shifted drastically. Now households are largely sharing grocery shopping duties, and that’s changing what grocers need to offer.
Brand loyalty is plummeting and grocery shopping across multiple channels is booming with online grocers increasingly grabbing more market share. As 58% of households say multiple members of the family buy groceries, retailers must brace themselves for fickle shoppers and less frequent visits. Grocery shoppers are looking for low prices, quality food, convenience, and in some cases a value-add experience, RetailDive reports.
One positive for grocery retailers facing major shifts in consumer preferences is that the average shopper is spending more than ever on groceries, averaging about $107 a week.


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Kiosk Operators Seek to Capitalize on Gallery Woes17 Oct, 2007 By: Erik Gruenwedel
Movie Gallery's bankruptcy filing underscores the futility of the brick and mortar DVD rental business model, said the chief executive of DVDPlay, a movie rental kiosk company.
Charles Berger, president and CEO of Campbell, Calif.-based DVDPlay, said the company spent more than $30 million perfecting a database and network supported proprietary Web-based kiosk capable of holding upwards of 80 titles and 500 DVDs.
Units cater only to new studio movies released day-and-date with Tuesday DVD sellthrough. The kiosks do not carry HD DVD or Blu-ray Disc titles, which Berger attributed more to a lack of consumer demand than available storage.
Titles rent for $1.49 the first day and 99 cents per day thereafter with a credit card.
He said the kiosks are linked via wireless cellular modem or DSL connection to accommodate digital downloads and burning should that market develop.
DVDPlay has 1,100 kiosks located primarily at supermarkets such as Safeway, Albertsons, Dominick's, Tom Thumb, Vons and Genuardi's. It plans to locate 2,000 additional units nationally in 2008.
The kiosk DVD rental industry, which includes Redbox (4,400 units), The New Release (1,900) and DVDPlay, represents about 1% of movie rental entertainment revenues and is expected to grow to 25% of the business in 2011, according to Adams Media Research.
“The overall trend in retail towards self-service automation, particularly in the DVD rental space, is driven by the fact that the economics at retail continue to be very challenging,” Berger said.
He said there are few retail examples whereby the business caters to one narrow customer: the movie renter. He said traditional rental companies such as Blockbuster Inc. and Gallery are hamstrung dealing with escalating employee costs and significant retail footprints.
“Our economics are quite strong because we only need five square feet of retail space and no on-site staffing,” Berger said. “And we can be open 24/7.”
Gary Lancina, VP of marketing for Redbox, would not comment specifically about Gallery but said the company, which is majority owned by McDonalds, was continuing to grow.
“[Our] business model ($1 rentals) is transforming the industry,” Lancina said.
Blockbuster CEO Jim Keyes has made no secret his desire to significantly shrink his company's retail footprint, including possibly branded kiosks.
Berger didn't deny the existence of dialog with Blockbuster and Gallery about co-opted kiosks but said there was nothing to discuss.
“The kiosk is clearly going to be the survivor in this market,” he said.


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PERSOLKELLY’s 2018 APAC Workforce Insights show that while Gen Z job seekers seek temp employment, rest of Singapore’s workforce not as prepared to shift away from traditional full-time roles
Singapore, 20 Mar 2018 — Generation Z job seekers are more likely to seek temporary employment over permanent full-time positions, according to an APAC Workforce Insights survey recently commissioned by PERSOLKELLY. Almost two-thirds of Gen Z respondents in Singapore agreed that more jobseekers are pursuing contract-based roles, 30 percentage points higher than the other age groups.
Often referred to as the gig economy, this way of working describes a labour market where temporary jobs—or “gigs”—are commonplace, and companies grow or shrink their workforce on an as-needed basis. This allows workers to act as free agents with greater control over their work situation.
Flexibility was the most compelling reason for workers to join the gig economy, with flexibility a key reason for 66 percent of respondents here.
“Gen Z workers in Singapore are more receptive to the gig economy as it gives them access to more varied or interesting work, a greater sense of agency in their careers, and the opportunity to connect with new people,” said Foo See Yang, Managing Director and Country Head, Singapore at Kelly Services.
However, Singapore’s diverse and multi-generational workforce might not be fully inclined towards a gig economy yet. Only 47 percent of respondents agreed that jobseekers are more likely to be seeking flexible contract-based roles over traditional full-time roles, suggesting that the shift away from permanent full-time roles is not yet prevalent.
While the multi-national aspect of the gig economy can appear to benefit both workers and organisations, the survey revealed that Singapore respondents have one of the region’s most negative perceptions towards the gig economy. 48 percent of respondents expressed that they are worried that organisations would face workforce integration challenges. 39 percent of respondents also expressed concerns that workers may lose their protections.
Notably, Gen Z respondents in Singapore had a more optimistic view of the gig economy, with the top expected impact a positive one—49 percent of Gen Z respondents predicted increased employee satisfaction and productivity as the top impact, higher than the average of 38 percent.
Workforce integration difficulties was the second highest impact, with 47 percent of Gen Z workers here citing it as their top impact. This suggests that while Gen Z workers recognise the hurdles towards implementing a gig economy, they value the benefits associated with free agent roles just as much.
“Regionally, we see that the work ideals of each generation are changing. Employers will have to place greater emphasis on flexible working,” said Mr Foo. “Companies that can make flexibility a core part of their employee value proposition can expect to see greater employee attraction, retention, well-being and engagement outcomes.”
While the move towards a gig economy workforce style is not yet entrenched in Singapore, it is gaining traction in certain parts of the region. Hong Kong has most embraced the free agent trend, with 55 percent of its workers agreeing that there is a preference for more flexible employment. Vietnam (50 percent), Thailand (48 percent), and Singapore (47 percent) are close behind.
Coupled with Gen Z’s preference for the gig economy, it is likely that a greater proportion of the workforce will seek more flexible employment opportunities in time as Gen Z enters more senior roles and are able to assert more control over when, where, and how they work.


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NEW YORK, Nov. 30, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — iQSTEL, Inc. (OTC: IQST)(“iQSTEL”), an international telecommunication and fintech service provider, recently announced a new Visa Prepaid Debit Card Service (PDCS) expected to generate estimated revenue over five years of $45 million to $128 million with an approximate EBITDA margin of 30% to 40%.
IQST has entered into an agreement with Payment Virtual Mobile Solutions, LLC (PayVMS) to build a PDCS. The new PDCS will be constructed under a new corporation named Global Money One, Inc. (www.globalmoneyone.com). iQSTEL will own 75% of Global Money One, Inc. with PayVMS owning the other 25%.
Global Money One, Inc. is a Delaware corporation. IQST plans to make 24% of Global Money One available for sale in conjunction with a fund-raising initiative to finance the launch of the PDCS. IQST further plans to utilize Regulation Crowd Funding (Reg CF) as the foundation of its strategic approach


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The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning in businesses is turning serious. Big technology companies like Google and Facebook are investing massively in this area.
But what implications does this have in the marketing industry? The Drum teamed up with intent marketing specialist, iotec, to find out.
The resulting report explores how agencies and brands are implementing machine learning in their strategies, with insights from top leaders in the field.
The report explores:
- The differences between AI and machine learning.
- The role of big data and data scientists in machine learning.
- How machine learning powers intent marketing


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The Detroit News reports that the move is actually part of DaimlerChrysler's campaign to push for concessions on health care in the US that has been denied to Chrysler, unlike GM and Ford. Any talks of moving production offshore are sure to upset the United Auto Workers union and sends a clear message that they need to be more flexible. It just goes to show how hopelessly out of touch the unions are and how much they’re hurting the car companies.
The new import would likely be sold as an entry-level Dodge subcompact and would fill the void of Chrysler’s lack of both an a- or b-segment car in its portfolio. Experts agree that it’s only a matter of time until we start to see a flurry of imports coming from China, which could possibly lead to a global shift for both European and US carmakers to move to low-cost countries.


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Kolkata: West Bengal government has rejected Trinamool Congress’ demand for return of 400 acres of Tata Motors’ Nano factory site to farmers. The government said that it entailed dropping plans to make the world’s cheapest car in the state.
Trinamool Congress cadres led by firebrand leader Mamata Banerjee have blockaded Tata Motors’ plant since 24 August demanding that ancillary units be set up in a new location and 400 acres earmarked for them returned to farmers who were allegedly forced to give up their property.
Addressing an interactive session with the industry chamber Assocham, West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattarcharjee said: “I cannot afford to return the 400 acres. If that land has to be returned, Tata Motors project has to be dropped which I cannot allow to happen.” He further added that it was not ‘legally possible’ to return the land.
Describing recent protests at Singur as “unfortunate,” Bhattacharjee said that he was in constant touch with opposition leaders to ease the situation.
The government has already held a round of talks with the opposition leaders, but could not reach an agreement on ending protests, which prompted Tata Group chief Ratan Tata to threaten to take the Nano project elsewhere although the company has already invested Rs1,500 crore in the facility.
“I am not an egoist. We are ready to formulate a package for those affected by the project,” Bhatacharjee said. He also said that he was still optimistic about the project. “I still believe that Nano will roll out from the Singur plant in October,” he added.


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The Bank of Russia is preparing to roll out the first consumer pilot for the nation’s central bank digital currency (CBDC) on April 1, 2023.
Russia’s central bank is set to soon debut the first real-world digital ruble transactions involving 13 local banks and several merchants, first deputy governor Olga Skorobogatova said.
The official noted that the upcoming CBDC pilot will involve real operations and real consumers in Russia but will be limited to a certain number of transactions and customers, the local news agency TASS reported.
“We plan to launch the digital ruble project on April 1, with transactions involving individual transfers as well as payments in trade and service enterprises,” Skorobogatova stated at the Ural Forum Cybersecurity in Finance. She added that the banks participating in the pilot have technically confirmed their readiness to start testing the digital ruble.
The deputy governor clarified that general customers would not be able to participate in the pilot in the first stage, as the banks will enter the pilot with chosen customers. Following the first pilot stage, the Bank of Russia plans to determine how to scale the digital ruble further, Skorobogatova stated.
The latest announcement by Skorobogatova follows the roadmap for the digital ruble rollout that the central bank officially introduced in June 2022. Initially scheduled for 2024, the consumer CBDC pilot was moved to an earlier date as the Russian central bank was looking for an alternative to the SWIFT payments system amid Western economic sanctions against Russia.
Related: Iran and Russia want to issue new stablecoin backed by gold
The news comes amid some Russian officials claiming that the Bank of Russia is considering a potential gold-backed token targeting cross-border transactions. Bank of Russia’s first deputy governor Vladimir Chistyukhin believes that such a “golden token” will help Russia create a new attractive investment product and build a demanded payment method in international settlement.
This news is republished from another source. You can check the original article here


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One of the benefits to emerge from the trauma of the Michigan “sting” of October 2006–when Richard Hebron was stopped, his raw-milk products confiscated, and his home searched–was an activist community of raw-milk consumers.
Hundreds wrote the Michigan Department of Agriculture, legislators, and county prosecutors to describe the benefits they gained from regularly consuming raw milk. Those letters helped convinced prosecutors and the MDA to back off on their temptation to file felony charges against Richard.
But, of course, as we all know, those stories of improved health don’t really count to health and medical scientists, since the experiences are considered “anecdotal.”
It turns out the Michigan raw-milk community didn’t stop with the letter-writing campaign. Led by a prominent Michigan pathologist, Ted Beals, and with backing from the Weston A. Price Foundation, these individuals decided to survey raw-milk drinkers about their experiences with lactose intolerance. They also engaged international research firm Opinion Research Corp. to conduct a national telephone survey to learn about the national incidence of lactose intolerance.
The results have finally been tabulated, and they provide convincing evidence for the long-stated claim that raw milk can usually be consumed by individuals with lactose intolerance.
Some 2,217 Michigan consumers of “fresh unprocessed milk” (the Michigan study’s term for raw milk) were surveyed, of whom 155, or 6%, said they had been “told by a healthcare professional they had lactose intolerance.” Of those 155, some 127 have no symptoms of lactose intolerance when drinking the fresh unprocessed milk—which is 82% of those with the lactose intolerance diagnosis.
Why is this a big deal? Because lactose intolerance is a major problem in the U.S. In surveying consumers nationally as part of the study, Opinion Research Corp. found that 15% of American households have at least one member who is lactose intolerant. Base on that finding, Opinion Research concluded that about 10% of the U.S. population, or about 29 million Americans, have lactose intolerance. Among children, Opinion Research extrapolated that the rates are even higher—some 18% of households with children, while the rate is 13% in households without children.
It would seem to make sense to make raw milk easily available to people with lactose intolerance—maybe allow them to have it with a doctor’s prescription. Maybe I better shut up before Big Pharma tries to make raw milk a mutibillion dollar prescription item. In any event, congrats to Ted Beals and his cohorts, including Steve Bemis, a Michigan lawyer, who have patiently been accumulating, collating, and assessing this data over the past seven months. Hopefully, they’ll get it published in a scholarly journal of some kind.
While New York’s Department of Agriculture and Markets continues trying out assorted tactics of authoritarian regimes to stamp out raw milk, a few states are moving in the opposite direction. Legislation loosening restrictions on raw milk is under consideration or about to be proposed in at least three states—Vermont, Maryland, and Missouri. In Vermont, legislation has been proposed to lift restrictions on the amount of raw milk dairy farmers can sell to consumers, while in Maryland, which has banned even cow shares, legislation has been introduced to allow direct farm-to-consumer sales; it is being actively promoted by the Maryland Independent Consumers and Farmers Association. And here’s a link to the Missouri legislation.
I should add, of course, that getting legislative permission to sell raw milk from the farm to consumers doesn’t ensure that regulators won’t try to throw their weight around to intimidate consumers, per the NY situation.
I had a reminder today of just how far back my interest in sustainable farming goes (and how long I’ve been in this reporting biz). An article I wrote about homesteading back in the pre-pre-Internet days of the early 1970s, when I was a cub reporter for The Wall Street Journal, has shown up on the Internet. I recall that there was some debate internally at the WSJ to break the then-existing ban on photos by publishing some of this farm…but the idea was turned down, and remained in effect for many more years. The article turned out to be one of the most popular articles the WSJ ever ran to that time, eliciting hundreds of (snail mail) letters.


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Volunteers are urgently needed in Tesco’s Metro Stores in Rubery, Castle Bromwich and Birmingham New Street (Caxton Gate) from November 27-29 to help collect food donations in Birmingham for people in need this winter.
The collections are for food redistribution charity FareShare who, with foodbank charity The Trussell Trust, are part of Tesco’s Neighbourhood Food Collection; the biggest national food drive to help people in poverty.
This is Tesco’s fifth Neighbourhood Food Collection which aims to collect enough food in stores across the UK to feed vulnerable and hungry people this winter. There are dedicated stores where customers can donate food to FareShare, who will redistribute the food to over 1,700 charities across the UK. There are also dedicated stores where customers can donate food to The Trussell Trust’s UK-wide network of foodbanks.
Customers at Tesco’s Rubery, Castle Bromwich and Birmingham New Street (Caxton Gate) Metro stores will be given a shopping list when they enter the store and asked to donate items of food such as tins of meat, fish, pies, soup, vegetables and fruit, pasta, rice, cooking sauces, tea, coffee and long-life milk at the end of their shopping trips.
The food will then be delivered to FareShare West Midlands’ Regional Centre in Nechells, Birmingham, who will redistribute it to local charities and community projects around Birmingham supporting vulnerable people. Projects that benefit from the food donated include breakfast and afterschool clubs for vulnerable children, homeless hostels, lunch clubs for the elderly and local health charities.
More than 1,700 charities across the UK receive surplus food from FareShare, which saves each charity around £13,000, allowing them to reinvest in services for vulnerable people.
* To volunteer at the Neighbourhood Food Collection in Birmingham with FareShare, register at www.fareshare.org.uk/food-collection-2014 , email firstname.lastname@example.org or email@example.com or call 020 7394 2474.


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With Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) all but categorically stating that the Xbox One will sell out nearly immediately, eager gamers are lining up outside of retailers like Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) and Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY). It’s not a tremendous surprise given the fanatical nature of gamers of all ages. The release of the Xbox One comes exactly a week after the release of Sony’s PlayStation 4, which is also in short supply.
Microsoft built record number of units
While Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) built more Xbox Ones for its release then its earlier incarnations, something that Microsoft is quite proud of, it still won’t meet demand for quite some time.
Last year was a bumper year for hedge fund launches. According to a Hedge Fund Research report released towards the end of March, 614 new funds hit the market in 2021. That was the highest number of launches since 2017, when a record 735 new hedge funds were rolled out to investors. What’s interesting about Read More
“We’re really gratified and humbled about the amazing interest there has been,” says Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s senior vice president of interactive entertainment. “We’ve done everything we could to build as many units as possible. That said, there is a decent chance in the early weeks that we may be sold out in spite of the number we have built, which is the largest we have ever built.”
Xbox One has created a lot of buzz
This newest version of the Xbox is the first release since 2005. The console features a new Kinect sensor that will allow users to control their cable of satellite via voice. Additionally, the Xbox One will allow you to watch TV while playing games.
For some, the wait in line is a family affair. Gerald Buckner II, 38, of West Bloomfield, Mich., got in line at 5:30 p.m. Thursday with his son, Gerald Buckner III, to be one of the first to receive the console.
In Salem, Ore., cousins Hunter and Brendon Winnen held down the first spot in line Thursday night at Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY), where about 20 people started the queue in inclement weather with a biting wind.
Hunter, 15, and Brendon, 13, were taking over for their dads, brothers Mike and Steve Winnen, who had claimed the spot at 9:30 a.m.
“They’re huge fans,” Hunter said of the adults. “Bigger than us.”
For at least one other, it’s not about gaming. It’s about the art. That is to say Kenny Irwin intends to put his Xbox One in the microwave for his website microwaveshow.com. Irwin nuked a PlayStation 4 last week and has for some time been destroying the newest smartphones and tablets in a microwave then sculpting the remains, adding eyeballs, and selling them online.
Either way, thousands will be waiting in the rain, the snow, and under beautifully starlit nights until tonight’s launch.


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“How Do Entrepreneurs Raise Angel and Seed Funding” Webinar
Gust is delighted to announce a partnership with NASVF and NCET2 for the online certificate course “How Do Entrepreneurs Raise Angel and Seed Funding”. The course is an insider view to the early stage fund raising process. You’ll learn how angels and early-stage investors identify promising startups, what needs to be in the business plan, how to build effective leadership teams, how to do a deal and what terms to avoid, and what to do after you get funded. This course is for researchers, entrepreneurs, service providers, and tech transfer people who are involved in raising funding for startup businesses.
David S. Rose will be the lead presenter for “What does an entrepreneur need to do to write a business plan” on Tuesday, March 27 and co-instructing with Ashley J. Stevens for the class “How does an entrepreneur negotiate the deal” on Tuesday, April 10. The classes will provide entrepreneurs with the essential components to acquire an angel investment, presented by The Pitch Coach. Entrepreneurs will learn how to deliver a powerful elevator pitch, leverage capital, and get revenue as quickly as possible.
Written by Ilana Grossman
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For three out of four quarters in 2015, New York City’s tech ecosystem has led with more startup funding requests than any other region in the country, including California’s long reigning Silicon Valley. After a dip in Q3, New York rebounded in Q4 claiming nearly 20% of every funding application around the country. California ranked second with 17.8% of total
The Market Diversifies: International Innovation Captures Larger Share Of Startup Funding Applications
In Q3 the global startup ecosystem continued to thrive, with 25% growth over the same quarter last year and up 18% from last quarter, as the innovation economy expands around the world. Quarterly data from Gust, the online platform for the global angel investment industry, reveals that while incumbent leaders show no sign of slowing down, new industries and areas
2015 is shaping up to be a strong year for the startup and early stage investor ecosystem. Total startup funding applications are up across the globe and in multiple sectors, especially in the United States where the surging New York City tech industry is leading a nationwide growth in new startups.
Coming out of the second quarter of the year, the total
Today, Gust is proud to join the U.S. Department of State and several other private sector partners to launch The GIST Network (GIST Net), an interactive online network connecting science and technology entrepreneurs in emerging economies. GIST Net will provide entrepreneurs with the resources and mentorship they need to collaborate, seek funding, and grow their businesses.
This public-private partnership is


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JD Finance, the wealth management platform of e-commerce giant JD.com, announced it is planning to raise 13 billion yuan (US$1.95 billion) via B round financing starting on Thursday, The Paper reported.
The company has signed a capital increase agreement with investors, including CICC Capital, Bank Of China Group Investment Limited, CSC Financial and CITIC Capital. This round of financing will be completed in the third quarter of 2018, the company said.
After the investment, the valuation of JD Finance is expected to be 133 billion yuan. That is in comparison to 46.65 billion yuan after it completed 6.65 billion yuan in A round financing led by Sequoia Capital China, Harvest Investment and China Taiping.
So far, the platform has gathered more than 700 financial services institutions and served eight million small and micro businesses as well as 400 million individual users.
In addition to digital financial services, the company has also deployed innovative businesses such as urban computing, digital enterprise services and intelligent robots.


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A few days after Xiaomi presents its new fitness bracelet, its main specifications are being revealed on the web.
Now a new image of the Xiaomi Mi Band 7 accompanies more revelations about what we can expect to see in this wearable.
Xiaomi Mi Band 7 box image reveals specifications
The Mi Band series of wearable devices is one of the most affordable solutions on the market for those who are experts in the use of fitness bracelets. Now Xiaomi will launch another model, on May 24, which promises to be as successful as its predecessors.
A new image posted to the web world of the vending box reveals some of the key specs we can expect to see on the new handheld.
As we can see in the image, the Mi Band 7 will have an AMOLED screen, more than 100 sports modes, water resistance and a sensor to monitor blood oxygen levels.
The same image also shows that it will integrate support for multifunctional NFC, voice assistant and professional monitoring of all stages of the user’s sleep.
Xiaomi Mi Band 7 improvements over the previous model
In fact, the new image confirms some of the rumors that have been circulating in the web world about Xiaomi’s wearable device. In fact, the Mi Band 7 will have undergone significant improvements over the previous model.
The new model has a 1.62-inch screen that is larger and manages to increase the display area by about 25%. Now we also know that the panel will be in AMOLED.
Other rumors also suggest that the Mi Band 7 offers compatibility with Android 6.0 or iOS 10, as well as higher versions of both operating systems. Another significant improvement is the integration of support for its own GPS.
For the rest, some sources also advance that the new Xiaomi fitness bracelet will hit the market with a competitive price of around 40 euros. All the details will be known next Tuesday.


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oklahoma city, Oklahoma -
OKLAHOMA CITY -- It's a weekend that many parents look forward to, and it's coming up soon.
Oklahoma and New Mexico are celebrating tax free weekend, this weekend.
This is one of the times parents rush to the store for those back to school savings.
People in Texas will have to wait until next weekend, the 8th through the 10th.
If you live in Texas and can't wait, you can head to either Oklahoma or New Mexico and catch those savings this weekend.
There are certain items that are tax free.
You can check online for a list of those items.
We take a look at the experience of one military family as dozens…
Honoring our hometown heroes and remembering their sacrifice is the…
He drove through two fences at the Phillip's 66…


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The design freedom granted by additive manufacturing allows designers and engineers to tailor a product to better meet its application’s needs. In the field of pharmaceuticals, the sizes and geometries of drug delivery devices such as tablets can be modified to control their release and dosage profiles. This enables personalized medication for individual patients, mitigating some of the side effects that can be associated with generic, mass produced delivery devices.
A recent special issue editorial by scientists from Queen’s University Belfast details the production of pharmaceuticals and drug delivery devices using a variety of 3D printing technologies. The paper, published in the journal Pharmaceutics, aims to explore the ways in which drug delivery can benefit from 3D printing, giving readers an overview of the work being done by researchers in the field.
Fused deposition modeling
The special issue starts off with a 2020 study led by Bhupendra Giri at Kyungpook National University, whereby gastro-retentive floating tablets (GRFT) that were able to stay afloat above normal stomach contents were fabricated via FDM. PLA filament was infused with theophylline along with hydroxypropyl cellulose and hot melt extruded. The tablets varied in infill densities and shell thicknesses, and were assessed by drug contents, dissolution rates, floating properties, and their physiochemical behaviour.
The researchers found the GRFTs could float for 10 hours and displayed zero-order release kinetics. It was concluded that the 3D printed tablets had preferable controlled release rates when compared to traditionally manufactured tablets, counteracting some of the common problems with oral dosages such as unpredictable gastrointestinal transit and metabolic degradation.
Another study featured in the special issue utilizes the SLA process to 3D print oral dosage forms containing aspirin and paracetamol. The research team, led by Andrew Healy at the Athlone Institute of Technology, used a photopolymer resin infused with the drugs to produce 28 tablets of 2.5% and 5% concentrations.
The fabrication of the batch showed the potential for mass production through the use of SLA, while also highlighting the effect drug infusion can have on the final shape and size of SLA fabricated tablets. The final products had dimensions significantly different to the intended design, leading the researchers to believe the drugs affected the shrinkage profile of the photopolymer resin. Upon studying the release profiles, the team also found a correlation between drug loading and active drug release, giving way to the potential of patient specific tablets using SLA.
Selective laser sintering
The special issue then goes on to discuss the work of a research team, led by Atheer Awad at University College London, who used SLS to produce miniscule tablets with modified release profiles. Single miniprintlets containing paracetamol and dual miniprintlets containing paracetamol and ibuprofen were fabricated. The single miniprintlets used ethyl cellulose (EC) as a polymer matrix for sustained release whereas the double miniprintlets used one layer of EC and one layer of Kollicoat IR for immediate release. Two variants of each type of miniprintlet were produced, one with a diameter of 1mm and another with a diameter 2mm.
The single miniprintlets showed a slow paracetamol release, which reduced as the diameter increased but the dual miniprintlets were not affected by diameter. With the work, the researchers validated the use of SLS in combining multiple active pharmaceutical ingredients to produce a single drug delivery device.
Further details on the 3D printing of pharmaceuticals with a range of technologies can be found in the special issue titled ‘3D Printing of Pharmaceuticals and Drug Delivery Devices’. It is co-authored by Essyrose Mathew, Giulia Pitzanti, Eneko Larrañeta, and Dimitrios Lamprou.
While the special issue was focused on oral pharmaceuticals, 3D printing has previously been used in some less conventional drug delivery methods. Last year, Renishaw initiated a medical study seeking to help sufferers of Parkinson’s disease, with an implant that delivers cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor to affected areas of the brain. The brain implant had 3D printed titanium transcutaneous ports that were inserted behind the patient’s ear. Elsewhere, at Washington State University, researchers have 3D printed a contact lens to rival laser eye surgery. The lens is home to a microneedle array capable of delivering drugs directly to a patient’s eye.
The nominations for the 2020 3D Printing Industry Awards are now open. Who do you think should make the shortlists for this year’s show? Have your say now.
Looking for a career in additive manufacturing? Visit 3D Printing Jobs for a selection of roles in the industry.
Featured image shows 3D inkjet printed cylinder carvedilol tablets. Photo via University of Nottingham.


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Consumers as VIPs, the reinvention of money, robots at your service: welcome to the Future of Retail 2020
As the UK retail sector faces up to a tough new post-Brexit landscape, retailers must stay ahead of the factors influencing fast-changing consumer behaviour.
LONDON; 27 JULY 2016: Digital innovation consultancy Futurice has identified eight key IT, cultural and social trends driving change in the retail sector in order to identify short-term customer opportunities in the run-up to 2020.
Analysed from a consumer’s point of view the trends include:
● Consumers as mass VIPs
Digital services are allowing mass consumers to access luxurious experiences at the click of a button, that were previously the preserve of the rich and famous. Retailers are under starters’ orders to provide personalised services that make consumers feel special. The culture of mass celebrity is fuelled by social channels which enables ordinary people to become overnight YouTube or Instagram sensations. How can retailers respond appropriately?
● Time as a luxury purchase
How consumers are controlling the logistics of when and where they shop with the emphasis on convenience, immediacy and saving time. Retailers must offer flexible delivery services and instant purchase apps. Free time will become a luxury purchase with the rise of micro task services that allow consumers to outsource tedious jobs and buy themselves more leisure time.
● Currency reimagined
Money is being reinvented as retailers seek frictionless payment systems including paying with your smile – all focussed on convenience and ease. New transaction methods are spawning new forms of currency, with mobile payments leading the way. Retailers should look for ways to monetise the auxiliary activities around payments, while loyalty and reward schemes must keep pace with emerging trends.
● Robots at your service
Increased automation in the form of robotics is taking over everything from self-service checkouts to warehouse logistics. Beyond retail, robots are being trialled everywhere from construction to cookery to surgical operations. As we increasingly outsource menial jobs to robots, how will retailers rise to the challenge of monetising our free time?
● Collaboration to drive innovation
Collaboration not competition is the new order of things as businesses join forces to create new ways to meet consumers’ fast changing expectations. Expect unusual partnerships and the emergence of larger service ecosystems designed to satisfy customers’ needs flexibly and fast.


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NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — Seeing a lot of purple today? You’re not imagining it.
Friday is Spirit Day, in which participants around the country wear purple to take a stand against bullying. CBS 2’s John Elliott and TV 10-55’s Carolina Bermudez were among the folks taking part in the movement by showing their spirit on television this morning.
The color is worn to show support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth.
In 2011, celebs like Ricky Martin, Oprah Winfrey, Chaz Bono joined countless other big names (including the casts of Glee, Degrassi, Jersey Shore and the hosts of CBS’ The Talk) joined the movement by wearing purple.
It’s easy to share your support. Put on your favorite purple clothing item and share a picture of yourself on Facebook or Twitter (using hashtag #SpiritDay).


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EXDO Management, led by Andrew Feinstein, is looking to redevelop the block with partners Elevation Development Group and Kentro Group.
The five-story structure once held offices and research labs serving the surrounding hospital.
2019 will be the first time franchisees open more locations than corporate, according to an executive with the Denver-based chain.
Seattle-based The Riveter expects to open locally by mid-2019, although a spokeswoman said the company has yet to sign a lease.
Blind Faith owner Tom Martinez also owns De Steeg Brewing; the two brands have been sharing space on Tennyson Street. Saint Patrick’s is going wholesale-only.
“Everybody wants to wear Lululemon,” said Carolina Way, who hopes to convert some to her local alternative.
Denver-based GrowCo Inc. said in the filing last week that it owes at least $8.55 million to fewer than 50 creditors, although it disputes several million dollars’ worth of those claims.
Moves in law, real estate and more.
“We started at the Tabor Center, and we’re basically radiating out from that area,” a Gusto spokesman said.
WestRock told the Colorado labor department last week that the facility will shut down around late March.


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- 1 min read
Maldives to launch a new marketing campaign to attract travel trade and consumers to the destination
The Managing Director of the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) said that the campaign will be called, The story of the Maldives, and will focus on bringing the stories of other islands’ culture and folklore to the forefront.
The Maldives has unveiled a new initiative to promote the destination as leading meetings and events option for global travellers. The country’s tourism promotion board is working to position the island-nation as an ideal MICE destination making range of activities available for the corporates, exhibitions, conferences and group tours.
Mohamed Thoyyib, Managing Director of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) during a press conference at the recently concluded WTM London, said that they are going to launch a new marketing campaign to attract travel trade as well as consumers. the campaign will be called ‘The story of the Maldives’ and will focus on bringing the stories of other islands’ culture and folklore to the forefront.
Maldives will also offer homestay holidays from January 2022 as part of its strategy to diversify its offering to visitors. Apart from this, the country will be holding a year-long celebration in 2022 marking 50th anniversary of the start of tourism in the Maldives, with events and festivals taking place across the 200-island nation.
Maldives had welcomed 500,000 travellers in 2019. Despite being impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, it has already surpassed the one-million mark visitor mark to the nation in 2021.


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Last updated : April 02, 2008
will now be responsible for selling airtime for Sahara One's bouquet of entertainment channels, which include Sahara One, Filmy and the recently launched Firangi. An official communique sent out by Sahara One claims that NDTV Media is now its exclusive advertising sales partner in India.
Raj Nayak, chief executive, NDTV Media, says, "We believe that both Sahara One and Filmy are strategically poised to take a big leap forward in their respective genres and there are huge opportunities that are still untapped. The timing also perfectly coincides with our plans as we foray further into aggregating various media just as we have done for the MDAS aggregation model in the online space with MSN. This is the beginning of a number of new initiatives in the evolution of NDTV Media's business model."
NDTV Media is the exclusive sales and marketing representative for MSN in India and for Microsoft Digital Advertising Solutions (MDAS). It is responsible for all revenue generating efforts for the MSN offerings and for the online and mobile verticals under the MDAS.
Sahara One recently launched Firangi, India's first world television channel. Positioned to showcase in Hindi best-in-class television programming from around the world, Firangi proposes to break new ground with the creation of the world television category.First Published : April 02, 2008


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Financial crisis I: Souring economy dooms movie box office
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
With Wall Street in chaos, is it any wonder worried consumers are starting to cut back on discretionary spending?
A new Jupiter Research report found that 32% of online adults say they’re cutting back on going to the movies. That’s fewer than people who say they’re doing less driving (63%), shopping (60%) and vacationing (44%), but nonetheless should sound some alarms in Hollywood.
During the 1991 recession, box office revenue slumped 4.4%, according to Adams Media Research. But people don’t always avoid the theater in times of economic unrest. After the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, box office revenue actually rose 8.6%; and the immediate aftermath of 1929 stock market collapse sent people to the theaters in droves for a bit of escapism. Box office revenue rose 58.2% in 1929 over the previous year.
But as the hard times dragged on, ticket sales declined. By 1932, box office receipts were off 26.7% from 1931, according to Adams.
And that was before the advent of television, the Internet or video games.
--Dawn C. Chmielewski
PHOTO: Traders working in Wall Street at the beginning of the 1929 stock market crash. OFF/AFP/Getty Image.


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UGANDA: Digital pay apps out to bridge digital divide
By Taddeo Bwambale
Inter-network mobile money transaction charges remain relatively high, and the process of sending and receiving money across platforms is quite tedious.
Fred William Fergusson, the founder and tech leader at EasyPay says digital pay platforms will define the future of financial transactions as smartphone-based applications grain ground.
One advantage they provide over conventional mobile-based platforms is what he describes as ‘convergence,’ which eliminates the need for one to be hooked to a particular network to transact
“Mobile phone network tailor services to their own customers. We are converging all these platforms into one so that the user spends less time and fees on transactions,” he explains.
For instance, his digital pay platform, EasyPay, built in Uganda in 2016, allows users to receive money from MTN, Airtel or Africell and send it to any of the networks under one platform.
The app charges zero fees on deposits and transfers among users of the app. Since the app syncs with contacts in one’s phone, sending or receiving money does not require validation prompts.
Over 20,000 Ugandans have already signed up to the system, and Fergusson says their target is to reach at least one million users.
His goal, he says, is to make it easier and relatively cheaper for small and medium enterprises to transact. The tech firm is already in talks with Exim Bank to reach more Ugandans.
One defining feature of the app is that it incorporates a chat function similar to Wechat, a very popular app in China which combines functions into one.
Institutions such as cooperatives or savings and savings groups can use the digital platform to create groups or designate administrators to track their income and expenditures.
Fergusson insists that the future of any technology for business will rely on its convenience, speed and safety in processing transactions.
“The first generation of mobile money relied on USSD (dialling shortcodes) to carry out transactions. The third generation is smartphone-based and expands the reach users,” he says.
Apart from eliminating cross-mobile-network barriers, Fergusson believes the time is right for Ugandans to support home-grown innovations.


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COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD)- College rivalries are not just for sports anymore.
The South Carolina Education Lottery has teamed up with Clemson University and the University of South Carolina to create custom scratch-offs honoring the longstanding Palmetto State rivalry.
Gamecocks fans and Tigers fans can show their allegiance by purchasing a $5 scratch-off and may not only win bragging rights but also up to $200,000.
Cash is not the only prize on the line, though.
Fans can enter winning and non-winning Carolina Jackpot and Clemson Jackpot tickets into the Rival Play Second-Change Promotion for a chance to win up to $15,000 or a season ticket package. Four ticket packages are available for each school.
Lottery officials said six cash prize winners will be chosen to scratch an oversized ticket at either a Carolina or Clemson football, basketball, or baseball game to find out how much they’ve won. The first two reveals are set for the Tennessee vs. South Carolina football game on Nov. 19 and the South Carolina vs. Clemson football game on Nov. 26.
Ticket sales are expected to generate an additional $4 million for the South Carolina Education Lottery fund.
Overall odds to win the top prize for both scratch-offs are 1 in 720,000.
Carolina Jackpot and Clemson Jackpot tickets are on sale at most grocery stores and convenience stores in the state.


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Phl Embassy in Ankara Promotes Trade and Tourism at ASEAN Awareness Week
From left: Ambassador Ersin Ercin, Director General for Asia Pacific of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Zulfi Toman, President of the National Library of Turkey, Ms. Gozde Otlu of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ms. Kristine Benigno, DFALF Vice President pose for a photo wearing maskaras at the Philippine booth during the ASEAN Awareness Week on 13 September 2017 at the National Library of Turkey. (Photo credits: Mr. Francis Villamin)
18 September 2017 - The Philippine Embassy in Ankara mounted a “national table” featuring Philippine products and tourism collateral at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Awareness Week, which will run from September 13 to 20 at the National Library of Turkey in Ankara. ASEAN Awareness Week was marked by a tree-planting activity, the inauguration of an ASEAN Room and the opening of the ASEAN@50 photo exhibit in the morning followed by a cultural program and reception in the evening. The space was designed and is hosted by the DFA Ladies Foundation Ankara Chapter.
The national table featured products donated by Oishi and Profood International Corp. including packs of Prawn Crackers, Kirei Yummy Flakes, Potato Fries ketchup flavour, Pillows Chocolate Crackers and Sponge Crunch, as well as packets of dried mangoes.
Three “More Fun in the Philippines” posters were mounted atop easels to give color and a fun vibe to the booth which had Philippine fun maps and brochures on Philippine tourist destinations – Manila, Cebu, Bohol, Davao, Palawan and Boracay. “Maskaras” from the Department of Tourism gave the space a festive air.
The Philippine table was one of the most frequented among the ASEAN Ankara Committee (AAC) national tables during opening activities. The AAC’s guest of honor, Ambassador Ersin Erçin, Director General for Asia Pacific of Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs visited the booth to sample the snacks and dried mangoes and donned the maskaras. Other high-ranking officials such as the National Library’s President, Mr. Zülfi Toman and Director General for Consular Affairs of the MFA, Ambassador Mehmet Samsar were the Philippine national table’s visitors. END
Showcase of the Philippine products on display at the Philippine booth during the ASEAN Awareness Week on 13 September 2017. (Photo credits: Mr. Francis Villamin)


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New Delhi, May 24, 2022: The recent measures announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to reduce the import duties on select raw materials such as steel and plastics along with steps to improve the supply of cement will boost the sentiments of the developers and end-users. Also, a sharp cut in central excise duty on petrol by Rs 8 per litre and Rs 6 per litre on diesel to control inflation was another progressive step being timely taken.
Owing to the surge of property prices, the realty sector has been urging the Government to take necessary measures that will ease the burden on the developers. The real estate sector welcomes the tax reliefs that will aim at curbing inflation and would spike the housing demand among consumers going forward.
Below are the views shared by the realty experts sharing their views on the Government’s intervention.
Mr. Sandeep Runwal, President, NAREDCO Maharashtra
“This will surely provide some cost relief in terms of steel and cement prices. The reduction in fuel and cement prices will have an overall good impact on the real estate sector to keep the prices in check. However, we also request the government to work on making interest rates on home loans lower and making GST input credit available to the developers at the current GST slabs. This will surely reduce the home prices making it beneficial to the larger part of the society,”
Mr. Pritam Chivukula – Co-Founder & Director, Tridhaatu Realty and Treasurer, CREDAI MCHI
“The government’s significant decision to reduce import duties on the steel products is a much-needed intervention that will act as the catalyst in driving the momentum of the industry. This shall surge the raw material availability in the country and put a stop to the ever-increasing prices in the market. The government’s step to subside the inflation shall act as a propeller to strengthen consumer sentiment and help in maintaining project prices. Additionally, we urge the government to lower the interest rates on home loans making the homebuying buoyant for potential buyers.”
Mr. Himanshu Jain, VP – Sales, Marketing and CRM, Satellite Developers Private Limited (SDPL)
“It is a much-appreciated step taken by the government to reduce the prices of steel, and cement supplies to help realtors trim construction costs. The reduction in the prices of the raw material will have an optimistic impact on the sector to keep the prices in check. Further reduction of fuel prices will only pave a smooth way for the sector and reduce the pressure on the end consumers.”
Ms Shraddha Kedia-Agarwal, Director, Transcon Developers
“We appreciate the government’s intervention in stabilising the inflation of the market. This was a much-needed step to help neutralise the market condition. Cutting excise duty on raw material imports and fuel will definitely drive the positive sentiment of the end-user and the sector by the easy availability of the materials used in construction activities.”
Dr. Sachin Chopda, Managing Director, Pushpam Group
”The government’s recent announcement is quite commendable, it shall bring the much needed relief to the developers and the end users. The reduction in import duties on iron ore and steel shall further pad the domestic availability of raw materials. which in return shall reduce the prices of steel products used in construction and control the rising prices of Properties. The measures announced by the government will only drive the momentum of the market and control the inflation rate.”
Mr. Kaushal Agarwal, Chairman, The Guardians Real Estate Advisory
“Government’s intervention to tackle the inflation by announcing several measures by reducing customs duty on raw materials, lowering excise duty on fuel prices and an increase in export duty on iron ore and steel intermediates will further boost the ‘ease of living’. For the realty industry, these measures will surely taper down the concern of the possible impact of the rising cost of construction inputs and bolster the overall infrastructural development.”
Mr. Bhushan Nemlekar, Director, Sumit Woods Limited
”Owing to inflationary concerns, the government has taken pragmatic steps to overcome the challenges that the real estate industry has been grappling with construction cost hikes due to increase in raw material costs. The waiving of customs duty on the import of some raw materials will bring down the cost of construction materials creating a positive impact on the developers.”
Mr. Jitesh Lalwani – President, Homesync Real Estate Advisory
”It was a ‘timely’ move by the Government to announce key measures that will help bolster the availability of raw materials domestically, cool off prices of steel products, along with controlling the steep rise in prices of real estate projects resulting in strengthening the consumer sentiments amidst the backdrop of inflationary pressures.”
Corporate Comm India (CCI Newswire)


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Play’n GO is tantalising players with details on a slot they’re planning to release later on in 2020, Gold Volcano. They’ve chosen a crowd-favourite in terms of the theme, one ….
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Hispanic Millennials make up more than 24 million people in the United States, comprising 40% of the total U.S. Hispanic population. This bicultural audience is no longer a small sub-segment of the U.S. economy, it’s a driving force. Viant’s CMO, Jon Schulz, provides an exclusive look at the insights in Viant’s new report, The Marketer’s Guide to Hispanic Millennials.
Why is there such disparity between TV and digital video ad spend today? The amount of online channels is nearly endless, and digital ads have far more potential to be interactive and engaging than traditional television ads.
The quest to “know your customer” has changed drastically. Before the internet, marketers would only have a person’s mailing address. Now they’re able to extract an incredible amount of data about their customers from their social media handles, IP addresses, and mobile device IDs. In other words, customer anonymity is officially a thing of the […]


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Geneva Motor Show 2017: Honda reveals European Electric Vision strategy; Japanese OEMs unveil new models
Japanese automakers are showcasing new models and concepts at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show
IHS Markit Perspective:
- Significance: Honda has revealed details of its "Electric Vision" strategy, under which it aims to have electrified-powertrain vehicles making up two-thirds of its European model lineup by 2025. The automaker's NueV electric concept made its European debut at the ongoing 2017 Geneva Motor Show. Joining Honda was Toyota with its i-TRIL concept car, while Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) and Suzuki revealed next-generation iterations of their flagship products.
- Implications: Honda has reiterated it intends to keep Europe at the forefront of its global electric-vehicle strategy, which projects the automaker generating two-thirds of its global sales by 2030 from alternative-powertrain vehicles.
- Outlook: According to IHS Markit data, key Japanese automakers (Honda, Infiniti, Isuzu, Lexus, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Suzuki, and Toyota) sold 11.1 million vehicles in Europe during 2016, accounting for 12.7% of sales in the region. IHS Markit expects this figure to remain flat at nearly 11.4 million vehicles during 2017, for a 12.9% share.
Japanese automakers Honda, Toyota, Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) and Suzuki have showcased new vehicles and concepts at the ongoing 2017 Geneva Motor Show. While Honda and Toyota used the platform to showcase their ambitions and expertise in alternative-powertrain vehicles, FHI and Suzuki revealed next-generation iterations of their flagship products.
This year at the Geneva Motor Show, Honda outlined initial details of its new "Electric Vision" strategy for Europe, stating that it aims to have hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric, and fuel-cell vehicles (FCVs) making up two-thirds of its European sales by 2025. Honda Motor Europe's president and chief operating officer (COO), Katsushi Inoue, said that the company will leverage on its global research and development (R&D) resources to accelerate the introduction of a full portfolio of advanced, electrified powertrains for European customers. The first models to arrive under the plan will be hybrids, with one due in 2018, which will feature Honda's two-motor hybrid system. Following that, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), electric vehicles (EVs), and FCVs will also be launched. The automaker is also showcasing the Clarity Fuel Cell model in Geneva. The hydrogen-powered car will be launched in Europe as part of Hydrogen for Innovative Vehicles (HyFIVE) initiative supporting the adoption of fuel-cell vehicles and building a viable hydrogen fuelling infrastructure in the region.
Honda also showcased a pure-electric concept car NeuV (New Electric Urban Vehicle) at the show. In addition to personal trips, owners can also use it as an automated ride-sharing vehicle when not in use. Riders in the NeuV will have access to a full touch-panel interface, a panoramic windscreen, and a sloping belt line designed to make manoeuvring simple. NeuV has two seats with luggage space behind, where Honda's "Kick 'n Go" electric scooter concept bike can be stored.
Toyota revealed a new EV concept, the i-TRIL. The electric concept car has a one-plus-two seating arrangement, and will feature an Active Lean technology similar to that of the "i-Road" concept - a compact EV designed for city driving. Toyota said the concept is meant as a "viable alternative" to traditional segment cars and motorcycles for those looking to drive in urban environments. The i-TRIL concept was designed at Toyota's design studio based in Nice, France. The i-TRIL is 1,500 mm long and rides on a 1,200 mm wide front track and 600 mm rear track. Its electric powertrain will offer a driving range up to 200 km and the vehicle will be capable of offering automated driving, although owners will still be able to take back driving if they choose. The automaker did not offer more details about the concept vehicle and it remains to be seen if it will ever enter into production.
Suzuki has revealed the next-generation Swift at the show. Based on a more rigid, lighter new platform called Heartect, the new Swift is offered with two engine options: a 1.2-litre dual-jet engine producing 91 hp and 118 Nm, mated to a newly designed five-speed manual transmission and an improved continuously variable transmission (CVT); and a 1.0-litre Boosterjet engine producing 102 hp offered with a six-speed automatic transmission. Both variants feature Suzuki's SHVS (Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki) mild-hybrid technology, which helps improve fuel economy. Some of the key features include a dual-sensor brake support (DSBS) collision-mitigating system, with a monocular camera and laser sensor.
Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI)
Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd (FHI), manufacturer of Subaru brand vehicles, unveiled the all-new Subaru XV crossover sport utility vehicle (SUV) at the show. The vehicle is fitted with a 2.0-litre flat-four gasoline (petrol) engine upgraded with direct injection to boost power from 150 hp to 156 hp. The CVT has a seven-speed manual override, while the all-wheel drive (AWD) remains as standard equipment. In terms of safety, the vehicle offers Subaru's EyeSight stereo camera-based driver assist safety system featuring Pre-Collision Braking Control, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Lane Keep Assist function.
Outlook and implications
Honda said that it intends to keep Europe at the forefront of its global EV strategy. The latest European announcement is in line with Honda's plan for alternative-powertrain vehicles to account for two-thirds of its global sales by 2030. As part of this wider plan, revealed by Honda CEO Takahiro Hachigo last year, Honda has goals under two broad themes: the advancement of the company's six-region global operational structure (Asia, Japan, China, South America, North America, and Europe/Middle East/Africa) and the development of challenging products unique to Honda. In January, Honda and General Motors (GM) announced plans to set up a joint venture (JV) to produce a jointly designed, engineered, and developed new generation of fuel-cell systems.
The urban electric concept car NeuV was demonstrated as part of the automaker's "Cooperative Mobility Ecosystem" at CES 2017 in Las Vegas, showing the potential power of artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and big data to transform mobility. At its European launch, the NeuV features an "emotion engine" called HANA (Honda Automated Network Assistant), which learns from the driver by detecting emotions behind their judgments. It can apply what it has learnt from the driver's past decisions to make new choices and recommendations.
Toyota's electric concept is meant to showcase the automaker's research into "more engaging environmentally friendly mobility solutions". The vehicle is similar to its three-wheeled i-Road personal mobility, which uses lightweight materials and a low-powered electric motor and offers a constant speed of 30 mph. Both the i-Road and the i-TRIL concept highlight Toyota's commitment to continue its research into ultra-compact EVs for short-distance travel within urban areas. Since 2014, Toyota has been conducting trials of the i-Road on public roads in Toyota City as part of its urban traffic system called Ha:mo, designed for a low-carbon society. The automaker began a second round of consumer trials of the i-Road EV in Japan during September 2016.
On the other end of the spectrum, Suzuki and Subaru followed the traditional path. Suzuki's latest Swift has a 20 mm longer wheel base and is 10 mm shorter than the current Swift. Based on the new B platform, the model is likely to account for nearly 23% of the automaker's European sales in 2017, according to IHS Markit forecasts. Sales of the nameplate are expected to reach 64,195 units in 2017, up 36.4% year on year (y/y). The automaker launched the next-generation Swift in Japan last year.
Since its launch during 2011, the Subaru XV has contributed to the brand's global volumes, with around 165,676 units sold during 2016, accounting for 16.5% of sales. The second generation is one of the first models to benefit from the new Subaru Global Platform (SGP), following the latest Impreza. According to the automaker, the new SGP platform will increase the vehicle's body and chassis rigidity by 70-100% for better safety, handling, and ride. Subaru claims the suspension mounts are also stiffer to reduce body roll by 50%, while the steering has been revised for a more direct feel. In terms of dimensions, the XV is larger than the outgoing model. IHS Markit forecasts global sales of the XV will total 175,730 units this year and 184,058 in 2018.
According to IHS Markit data, key Japanese automakers (Honda, Infiniti, Isuzu, Lexus, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Suzuki, and Toyota) sold 11.1 million vehicles in Europe during 2016, accounting for 12.7% of sales in the region. We expect this figure to remain flat at nearly 11.4 million vehicles during 2017, giving a 12.9% share.
About this article
The above article is from IHS Automotive Same-Day Analysis of automotive news, events and trends, and is a deliverable of the World Markets Automotive Service. The service averages thirty stories per day and also provides competitor and country intelligence. Get a free trial.
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NONTHABURI, Dec 29 (TNA) — The Ministry of Commerce is working out quick assistance for shrimp farmers including requests for big chain stores to buy 1,600 tons of shrimps next month.
Wattanasak Sur-iam, director-general of the Department of Internal Trade under the Ministry of Commerce, said the COVID-19 outbreak that was spreading from the Central Shrimp Market in Samut Sakhon to many provinces is affecting the sales of shrimps and seafood.
In response, Deputy Prime Minister/Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit last week assigned the Department of Internal Trade to work with other governmental organizations including the Department of Fisheries as well as relevant private organizations to help shrimp farmers.
Provincial commerce and fisheries officials are surveying the farmers who cannot sell their shrimps and the Department of Internal Trade asked the operators of Makro, Big C, Tesco Lotus, The Mall, Food Land and Villa Market stores to buy the products.
The operators of the chain stores agreed to buy a combined amount of 1,600 tons of shrimps in January and the operators of 24 local stores in 17 provinces would let farmers sell shrimps in their compounds directly to consumers free of charge, Mr Wattanasak said.
He warned that any middlemen who tried to buy shrimps from farmers at unusually low prices would be considered as violating the Price of Goods and Services Act and be liable to a jail term of up to seven years and/or a fine of up to 140,000 baht.
Mr Wattanasak said that standards for the production of Thai shrimps had been in place for a long time and people could rest assured that they were safe for consumption. (TNA)


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During ExileCon this year, Grinding Gear of Games had a bevy of announcements, the biggest of which being the unveiling of Path of Exile 2.
Now, because you go all sequel-crazy (an actual medical condition), do know that this is what was previously referred to as Path of Exile 4.0.
That update had grown to such a massive degree that it’s being called Path of Exile 2 and will feature updated graphics, an updated gem system, 19 new ascendancy classes, as well as an entirely new campaign of seven acts.
Some of these things are coming in patch 3.9 before the sequel officially rolls out. Oh, and GGG also announced a mobile version of Path of Exile, too.