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LUBBOCK, Texas – Christmas came early for 25 kids with the Boys and Girls Club of Lubbock.
Thanks to Target, each of them got $100 to shop for items for Christmas with first responders.
Lubbock police, firefighters and EMS paramedics got to help them decide what they wanted to fill their carts with.
“This is what the season is all about,” said UMC/EMS paramedic Jarrod Foshee. “We get the chance to come out here and make these kids day and give back to the community that we all love and enjoy.”
“Just being a part of this is amazing,” said Lubbock Police officer Amanda Hernandez. “I love partnering with them and being able to shop.”
And the kids loved it, too.
8-year-old Patience tells KAMC News she is very happy going shopping with her new friend Sgt. Steven Bergen and police dog Justice.
And 7-year-old Ryker says he’s excited to shop for items on his Christmas list.
“I want a lightsaber,” Ryker said.
Even Santa took the time to stop by.
“The Chief of Police called me and told me what was going on and where so I said you know what, I can take a break from my normal schedule,” Santa said.
The Grinch even showed up but he couldn’t take away this Christmas cheer.
“It’s just a great opportunity for our kids especially the ones that are in need to come out and shop for things that they really really want and need,” said Rachel Elbert, Director of Operations for the Boys and Girls Club.
And the kids weren’t the only ones who had a memorable time.
“The officers are taking tough calls everyday so to come out and have a positive experience is great for them,” said police Sgt. Steven Bergen.


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Huawei has just announced its latest Mate 30 Pro handset, but the company might find it difficult to sell the device in Europe. The Chinese phone maker was placed on the US entity list earlier this year, preventing any US companies from doing business with Huawei. Google revealed last month that the entity list means the company can’t allow Huawei to ship the Mate 30 Pro with Google apps and services preinstalled, effectively banning new Huawei devices from key parts of Android like the Google Play Store.
Now Huawei has confirmed that’s the case. Richard Yu, the CEO of Huawei’s consumer products division, revealed onstage at a press event in Germany this morning that the company has been forced to drop Google’s Mobile Services (GMS) license on the Mate 30 series of devices.
“We cannot use the Google Mobile Services core, we can use the Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) core,” explained Yu very briefly. “Today that’s because of a US ban that these phones cannot preinstall the GMS core, it has forced us to use the HMS Core running the Huawei app gallery on the Mate 30 series phones.”
Google’s Play Store is an essential part of the company’s Google Mobile Services license, and it’s how the majority of Android-powered handsets outside of China get access to apps. Huawei can’t really work around this very easily, so instead, it’s simply building its own alternative to Google’s Play Store and associated services. Huawei is using $1 billion to fund development, user growth, and marketing of its own Huawei Mobile Services.
There are 45,000 apps already integrated with Huawei Mobile Services, but there will be many thousands more that will need to be tweaked and made available in Huawei’s App Gallery. It’s a big task to get developers to support its own app store, but the company has no other real alternative.
Huawei spent less than a minute talking about the Android ban onstage, during a presentation that lasted nearly two hours. It’s clear the company has some big work ahead of it to convince consumers and developers that its version of Android, based on Android Open Source Project, will be viable.
Still, there’s some hope that the US ban could eventually be reversed or Huawei could find a way around the restrictions. Reuters reports that “Huawei will offer its own interface that will allow users to access some Google apps,” but it’s not clear how many apps will be available or how Huawei even intends to achieve this.
Meizu previously released devices in Europe with the company’s own app store that included a “Google Installer” app that would sideload key Google services and the Play Store onto handsets. Google has been cracking down on these workarounds with new certification requirements, and it has even experimented with blocking non-certified devices from accessing its apps and services.
That leaves Huawei in an impossible position with the Mate 30 Pro. We’ve seen the company get around the Android ban with “new” P30 Pro colors and designs, but new devices can’t be certified by Google due to the ban. It’ll be up to consumers in Europe and elsewhere whether they’re interested in a Mate 30 Pro without Google’s all-important Android apps.

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Florida, Port St Lucie, The Landing at Custom, out of doors shopping mall, Ulta, splendor cosmetics store.
Jeff Greenberg | Universal Photos Team | Getty Visuals
Ulta Splendor shares rose far more than 5% in extended buying and selling on Wednesday right after the organization claimed fiscal next-quarter revenue jumped far more than 60% as buyers rushed in to restock their makeup bags.
Ulta raised its comprehensive-12 months outlook soon after observing the return of customer demand from customers for splendor goods at a a lot quicker tempo than anticipated.
“This general performance demonstrates the recovery of the natural beauty classification, investments and choices we’ve created above the very last yr to adapt to the market disruption and reinforce our leadership situation, and the ongoing initiatives of our associates to supply fantastic experiences for our guests,” mentioned CEO Dave Kimbell.
In investing earlier Wednesday, its stock strike a 52-7 days significant of $390.68.
Here is how the organization did for its second quarter finished July 31 in comparison with what analysts surveyed by Refinitiv were being anticipating:
- Earnings per share: $4.56 vs. $2.59 expected
- Revenue: $1.97 billion vs. $1.76 billion envisioned
Internet money rose to $250.9 billion, or $4.56 for each share, from $8.1 billion, or 14 cents for each share, a yr previously.
Earnings jumped to $1.97 billion from $1.2 billion a yr ago.
Analysts surveyed by Refinitiv had expected the organization to gain $2.59 per share on profits of $1.76 billion.
The revenue beat was pushed by a 52.5% increase in transactions and a 26.7% enhance in how substantially consumers invested on average.
The firm’s identical-keep profits grew 56.3% in the quarter. Very last 12 months, profits at shops open at minimum 14 months fell 26.7% thanks to the pandemic. Exact-keep sales in the quarter have been 13.1% bigger than 2019 concentrations.
“The resurgence of targeted visitors in retailers drove the robust comp overall performance,” Ulta CFO Scott Settersten mentioned on the firm’s conference get in touch with.
Although store site visitors for the duration of the quarter was higher than that of the first quarter, it nonetheless lagged behind 2019 concentrations. Ulta opened seven new retailers in the course of the quarter and shut a person keep, and designs to open 44 internet new suppliers this 12 months. Earlier, the organization envisioned to open up 40 net new retailers this year.
Energetic users in its customer loyalty system rose to 34.6 million, according to Kimbell.
As anticipated, e-commerce profits fell from a calendar year ago, as coronavirus limits eased and vaccinated consumers turned additional comfortable procuring in person. On a two-calendar year basis, on line sales in the course of the period of time far more than doubled.
As shops continue to encounter provide chain delays, Ulta is self-confident stock levels at the finish of the 3rd quarter will be increased than its anticipated revenue advancement.
Executives reported most of its goods are built in the U.S. and Europe, but there is some confined publicity to delays coming out of China.
“Like some others, we are managing world wide provide chain constraints, port congestion and other headwinds, which include the resurgence of Covid-19,” Settersten reported. “Our teams are operating diligently to mitigate challenges, and when suitable we are proactively performing with our manufacturers to prioritize receipts to make sure we have an satisfactory inventory for the vacation year.”
Ulta estimates revenue this year will vary in between $8.1 billion and $8.3 billion. Beforehand, it predicted $7.7 billion to $7.8 billion in income. Very same-shop product sales will increase 30% to 32%, it said, increased than its prior outlook of 23% to 25% advancement.
Earnings are forecast to be close to $14.50 to $14.70 for every share for the year, as opposed with a prior assortment of $11.50 to $11.95 for each share.
Ulta inventory is up nearly 36% year to day putting its market place cap at approximately $21.4 billion.


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At least that's the gist of a new report from Bloomberg, which dangles the idea of a new Phaeton potentially being "shown to US consumers in January," or just in time for the 2014 Detroit Auto Show.
Short on specifics and citations, the Bloomberg report seems to rely on the expansionist behavior of VW as a whole over the last few years, and a few statements of positivity from VW CEO Martin Winterkorn. The publication quotes Winterkorn as saying, "A brand as large as Volkswagen needs a halo project in the upscale segment." Bloomberg also states that Winterkorn was "confirming" the Phaeton's return to the US.
The supposedly Detroit-bound Phaeton demonstrator could come in concept form, as a way of better judging public reaction to the reintroduction of the sedan. Pending a greenlight, the next-gen Phaeton is likely to share architecture with the Audi A8, with the potential good for a hybrid version, as well.


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FAS has fined the Russian Apple store
The Federal Antimonopoly service of Russia (FAS) has fined four retailers who refused to provide information about coordination of prices on iPhone from Apple. About it reports a press-Department service.
Fines were issued in respect of LLC “Kronar”, “Haskell”, “Grimbor” and “Max” in the amount of 150 thousand, 50 thousand, 100 thousand rubles and 150 thousand rubles respectively. According to the FAS, the retailers refused to assist in the investigation as he had not provided the necessary office data.
The case began last year when the Antimonopoly service retailers suspected of price collusion on the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. As the audit showed the FAS, most shops set the same price of smartphones and hold them for several months. Centrally coordinating the accused, of course, Apple.
So in August, the FAS initiated a case against LLC “Apple Rus”, the Apple Holding B. V., Apple Sales Ireland Apple Operations International and Apple Inc. Apple itself has denied all charges and claims that the stores set their own prices on iPhone as “recommended” values are not mandatory.
In addition to the above retailers, the FAS has also requested information from the “Euroset”, “Eldorado”, “Svyaznoy” and other networks. The case against Apple on this issue will take place on 7 February.


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Noblesville, Indiana - Midwest rapid prototyper Realize Inc. has expanded its urethane casting business by hiring new employees and adding a second shift to production.
The company, based near Indianapolis, creates custom rapid prototypes of products for clients in numerous industries. It says that stereolithography has always been a large part of the business, but the recent hiring has enabled the company to expand its capacity for rubber moulding (RTV) projects.
"The talent we've brought in this year brings with them years of relevant experience with ties to industries including dentistry, rapid prototyping services, toy and hobby, gaming and architectural modelling," said Todd Reese, president, in a company statement.
Sean Waters, project success manager, handles scheduling and serves as a liaison between the RTV department and project managers. Realise has also added two senior model makers, Steven Melendez, who has a knack for making models out of just about any material, and David Strait, who brings many years of industry experience.
Realize has also added a second shift to its production, increasing the efficiency of its machinery and putting the Midwest company in a better position to increase throughput.
Other new employees include office manager Kim Thompson, finishing technicians Charlie Guernsey and Shane Cooper, marketing assistant Dawn Cazzell and accounting assistant Tami Tomey.
Founded in 1999, Realize is respected as a premier rapid prototyping company and is one of the largest service providers in the Midwest. Services include stereolithography, RTV moulding and cast urethane models, as well as industrial design, computer aided design, and custom finishing and painting.


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Promotions don’t come any more hotly anticipated than the annual MONOPOLY game at McDonald’s UK – 2016 saw the nationally loved campaign enjoy its 11th and most successful outing to date. The exception being, the arrival of the MONOPOLY PRIZE MANIA in Ireland.
The MONOPOLY game at McDonald’s has never before been run in the Republic of Ireland, but last week, The Marketing Store London, was proud to launch MONOPOLY PRIZE MANIA across all Irish stores. First launched in the USA in the late 1980s, MONOPOLY is now the most successful promotion at McDonald’s and has run in multiple markets globally, with Ireland being the latest market to launch the game.
As lead creative agency, The Marketing Store London, was responsible for concept development, campaign look and feel, logo creation and design of all packaging and POS. The creative was extended above line with TVC, Radio and OOH executions created by Cawley Nea/TBWA.
Key to making this campaign an overwhelming success, was knowing that the mechanics of the game and incredible prize pool had to be tailored to the ROI market. We helped MONOPOLY PRIZE MANIA return to the game’s roots, giving customers two ways to play and win – Collect to Win and Instant Win – while retaining the huge array of unbelievable prizes to be won. Much like the UK edition, prizes include Cash, Holidays, Shopping Sprees, Experiences and Vouchers, along with thousands of McDonald’s food prizes, but were specifically geared towards the ROI market.
For many Irish nationals this would be the first time they could play the game for themselves. A unique hashtag, #McWin, was created to enable customers to interact with McDonald’s Ireland across social media and share their experiences of the campaign.
Both during the pre-launch and launch phases of the campaign, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Many customers took to Facebook and Twitter to comment on the MONOPOLY PRIZE MANIA posts, sharing their delight at the arrival of the MONOPOLY phenomenon.
Now into its second week, we’re seeing the campaign grow in momentum and popularity. Many customers have been sharing their experiences across social media:
We’re very excited to see the campaign take off so spectacularly, and with another four weeks to go, we can’t wait to see how many customers claim their prizes. MONOPOLY PRIZE MANIA is shaping up to be a game changer for promotions in Ireland at McDonald’s.


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© J. P. Zachariasen/Conde Nast
“Ask anyone, do you feel ‘luxurious’ when you’re on your period? You’ll get a no from every person who menstruates,” says Ruby Raut, the co-founder and CEO of Wuka. And yet, up until last month sanitary products were classified as “non-essential, luxury items” in the UK, meaning VAT of 5 per cent was added to their price. Incredibly, it took over 20 years of campaigning by women’s rights activists – including Labour MP Dawn Primarolo and Stop Taxing Periods’s Laura Coryton – for the UK government to abolish the so-called “Tampon Tax”.
In 2021 the fight is still not over, because sustainable period pants weren’t included in the list of menstrual products made exempt from VAT. As it stands, they’re classified as a garment and are currently taxed at 20 per cent. So who’s leading the charge in this next chapter? Raut, environmental activist Ella Daish and Period Positive founder Chella Quint. Having crossed paths several times due to their work, it seemed like a no-brainer that they should pool their efforts to make change happen.
“It’s really frustrating that they [period pants] haven’t been included because they’re considered a garment,” says Daish. “It makes no sense, because who uses them on a non-period day? It’s really illogical. They’re a menstrual product just like all the others. Who made the decision that they’re a garment? Probably a guy who doesn’t use menstrual products.”
During the pandemic, not only has equality been rolled back to the extent that experts fear it could set women back 50 years, but period poverty is on the rise, too. According to Plan International, 73 per cent of health professionals in 30 different countries said restricted access to products now represents a massive hurdle. Indeed, the issue is far from unique to the UK. Other countries across Europe have faced similar demands to remove the tax on sanitary products, and Germany recently reduced its tampon tax from 19 per cent to 7 per cent. The UK’s recent decision to make sanitary products exempt from VAT is worth an estimated 7p off the price of a packet of 20 tampons, and 5p off a pack of 12 sanitary pads. Incidentally, though period pants have not been included, incontinence pads are exempt from tax.
© Arthur Elgort/Conde Nast
Period pants actually have the potential to help reduce period poverty: one pair can be worn, washed and reused month after month. Equally frustrating is how much more sustainable period pants are in comparison to more commonly used menstrual products such as tampons and sanitary pads. “The other issue is that sustainable products are so often more expensive,” says Daish, who is campaigning to end period plastic. “This tax is passing that cost onto the consumer. It’s making sustainable alternatives more expensive, and inaccessible to the majority. It’s almost making it an exclusive product which isn’t what it should be. They’re more sustainable than mainstream products which can contain up to 90 per cent plastic. We know the impacts of plastic on the environment, which is why we should be taking steps as a country to make these [more sustainable] options more financially viable.” The carbon footprint of a pair of period pants is estimated to be 80 per cent smaller than that of pads and tampons.
“It’s not just about tax. And it’s not just about a period, it’s also about fashion, because the products that we used for about 100 years are going out of fashion,” says Quint, author of Own Your Period. “And the companies that make them are using more and more aggressive techniques to sell them to us.” Daish adds: “From a young age we’re dictated to with product samples from big brands and it starts a consumer cycle and we go back to those products again and again through brand loyalty. It creates a barrier to people switching to a product that could be better for them. Everyone and their period is so different. It’s really liberating when you find something that works for you.”
Last year Raut – who launched her company in 2018 – started a petition calling on the government to recognise period pants as a menstrual product. When the now closed petition reached 10,000 signatures, the government responded, saying that “difficulties in policing the scope of the relief create the potential for litigation, erosion of the tax base and a reduction in revenue”, adding “even though period pants may find they do not qualify, the new zero rate will ensure that every woman that needs sanitary protection during their monthly cycle will, from the start of January and for the first time, have access to a variety of zero rated products on which they had previously paid a 5 per cent rate of VAT.”
Raut has now been speaking with MPs, the Treasury and HMRC for more than two years to try to resolve the situation. “It’s almost like the government is trying to be sexist,” says Raut. “The whole thing feels like pure inequality in a patriarchal system... and we have to abide by it. I’m not going to be silenced. We really hope when the treasury makes the [budget] announcement on 3 March they will announce that period pants are menstrual products and will be taxed fairly. If not, it’s going to be a long campaign, like we had with the tampon tax.”
Liberal Democrat MP Daisy Cooper has already backed the campaign by asking the government to consider extending access to more sustainable menstrual products – like period pants – by cutting the VAT on them. Now, the activists are calling on people to get involved. Ask your MP to “Axe The Tax” by writing to them, and get involved on social media by posting a photo and tagging your MP. It’s time periods were more affordable – and sustainable – for everyone.
You can find out more information on how to get involved here.
More from British Vogue:


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TECNO, has just been given The Beacon of ICT award for the “Mobile Phone Brand of the Year.” The awards event is currently in its 11th year; and has likewise been an initiative of the Communication Week Media Limited, a certified global ICT company.
The Beacon of ICT award event is the most prestigious annual event available in the ICT industry in Nigeria. This year it was honoured by a large attendance of ICT practitioners, regulators, financiers, amongst others.
Speaking about the award, Jesse Oguntimehin, PR & Strategic Partnership Manager TECNO said, “TECNO has always prided itself on designing products that deliver premium experiences; and power-packed performances. Unprecedented innovation has been the brand’s hallmark from the get go. We are thankful and honoured that our fans recognise the work and effort we put into satisfying their mobile phone needs.”
– IDC Expects Great Smartphone Shipments In 4Q20
– Global Smartphone Market Q3 2020: Samsung Topples Huawei And Xiaomi Overtakes Apple
– Huawei Plans To Sell Budget-Brand Smartphone Unit, Honor
Commenting briefly on the theme of the event; “Cybersecurity and its Role in Nigeria Economy”, Oguntimehin said, “We all know how prevalent cybercrime has become. While every individual has to be aware and alert to cybercriminal tricks, we at TECNO ensure that our devices have security features that effectively keep users’ personal information safe.”
TECNO is no stranger to awards. Over the years, the brand’s innovative efforts have been recognised and also applauded in diverse ways.
For your daily dose of tech, lifestyle, and trending content, make sure to follow Plat4om on Twitter @Plat4omLive, on Instagram @Plat4om, on LinkedIn at Plat4om, and on Facebook at Plat4om. You can also email us at firstname.lastname@example.org and join our channel on Telegram at Plat4om. Finally, don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel HERE.


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Rumours began circulating this week that Konami, the famed developer behind many successful gambling machines and occasional publisher of video games, was getting ready to shut down its gaming division. Having once been a powerhouse in the industry that was responsible for numerous and lucrative hit games being released, Konami’s output has decreased to the point where it only puts out an annual Pro Evolution Soccer game or a mangled product based on one of the classic game licenses that it still holds.
In a news release from last week that was picked up by the Internet, the Japanese company announced that its three production divisions were being dissolved and that staff were being allocated elsewhere. What does that mean? Is Konami officially throwing in the towel on video games, selling its beloved properties to a publisher that’ll actually make use of them, and focusing purely on gambling devices? Nope!
In an official statement chucked at Kotaku, Konamic explained that it was merely consolidating all of its departments, a move that is actually pretty common these days. “The announcement made refers to an internal restructure, with Production Divisions being consolidated. We have not shut down our video gaming division,” Konami said. Konami actually restructured itself back in 2015 already, and this latest rejiggering of its assets will allow the company to have teams focused on various growth areas of the industry.
So I’m sort of sorry to be the dude that bursts your bubble, as that dream of Capcom making a Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain remaster for PS5 and Xbox Series X isn’t happening. And Silent Hill is still, just like your hopes and dreams in 2020, very dead.
Last Updated: January 26, 2021


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That’s quite a jump from March, when LIBN ran a story about the Lake Success-based company and its chief competitor, RouteOne, and reported that DealerTrack had 500 lenders linked to its network.
RouteOne, which essentially provides the same type of auto-lender connection as DealerTrack, has just over 250 lenders participating in its network.
From the release:
“We are very pleased to reach this milestone of 700 connected financing sources — significantly more than anyone else in the industry,” said Mark O’Neil, chairman and chief executive officer of DealerTrack. “In today’s economic environment, dealers are eager to increase the number of financing sources with whom they have relationships. DealerTrack puts the greatest number of financing sources at their fingertips.”
Approximately 90 percent of all franchised automotive dealers in the United States are active users of DealerTrack’s network. Through DealerTrack, dealers can electronically submit credit applications to the industry’s largest and most diverse network of banks, independent finance companies, captive finance companies, credit unions and regional banks. In addition to this market-leading network, DealerTrack offers subscription and other transaction-based products to dealers that integrate with the credit application process and provide an end-to-end dealership technology solution.


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2013. The updated Kia Sorento is being tested
Korean automaker Kia has begun testing an SUV Sorento of 2013 model year.
The car is tested in Sweden and will be presented to the public in autumn this year at the motor show in Paris.
KIA Sorento New will differ from the current version of the car the converted front end, more modern Lighting Equipment & perhaps a little modernized interior.
The model will get more powerful and efficient engines and the robotic transmission.


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Whenever a significant anniversary for a video game franchise looms on the horizon, certain parts of the internet inevitably start speculating about the potential announcement of a brand new game.
It's not entirely unfounded, as some companies have used such milestones to break down their future plans, but we've been burned more times than we'd care to admit in the past with, shall we say, "lukewarm" anniversary celebrations from certain publishers (how did those Castlevania NFTs go for you, Konami?).
Nevertheless, it seems folks have taken note of some website domains relating to Capcom's Mega Man franchise. First registered in 2018 around the time Mega Man 11 launched, domains for Mega Man 12, 13, 14, and 15 exist and were updated earlier this year in March 2022. They were registered by a company called GMO Internet Group, which historically registers domain names on behalf of Capcom, including the likes of Devil May Cry 5.
Now, obviously, these domains are merely placeholders and may not amount to anything even remotely tangible; indeed, the notion that Capcom is planning out four new entries to the Mega Man franchise in one go isn't even worth entertaining. Maybe back in the NES days, but not now.
Nevertheless, as reported by Rockman Corner, the timing of the domain update and the upcoming 35th anniversary may indicate that Mega Man 12 might be on the way. Maybe... Don't hold your breath, though. We, of course, would love for it to be the case, but given the existence of domain names for Mega Man 13 through 15 (which were all updated this year, by the way), we're going to need a bit more evidence before we're convinced.
No NFTs though, Capcom. Please.
What do you think, dear readers? Do you think Mega Man 12 will be announced as part of the franchise's 35th anniversary? Would you prefer Mega Man X9? Share your thoughts with a comment below.


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In today’s gross news, it’s been revealed that Tesco sells an ethnic baby doll for £29.99, while the same doll with a white skin tone goes for £50 through Tesco Direct. Both the toys are the same size, and both come with the same accessories – a nappy, a spoon, and a potty – and are created by Zapf.
The Sun has also pointed out that, in Toys R Us, a family of white wooden dolls cost £9.99, but the ethnic version is sold for £6.99. The company has apologised, blaming it on a pricing error, and has promised to amend the price. ‘This £6.99 was simply a keying error on a pricing – the ethnic family should be £9.99 as well. The price will be changed for tomorrow.’
Interestingly, the price discrepency at Tesco just so happened to be a pricing problem, too! Probably get a better system, guys! One that doesn’t only break down when pricing babies with different skin colours! In all seriousness though, this really does highlight how ingrained inequality still is in the UK, and how much further we have to go.
Tesco is now selling the dolls at the same price, and – along with Toys R Us – has hopefully learned a valuable lesson that won’t be repeated by any other brands: do not mark the price of a replica human being down because it isn’t white. You’d think that’d be a given, wouldn’t you?
You might also be interested in...
Follow Stevie on Twitter: @5tevieM
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.


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Details such as trim level, starting MSRP and fuel economy have emerged on the highly anticipated 2016 Honda HR-V. We now know that the HR-V will reach up to 35 MPG with MSRP starting less than $20,000.
We also know that it should be at Waikem Honda sometime in May. Our first models have been entered into our inventory, and now that we have learned more, we’re excited to finally see one for ourselves.
The Honda HR-V will come with three trim levels and eight configurations:
New trim levels, improved fuel economy and better safety technology was introduced today for the new 2016 Honda Pilot.
For the first time, we’ve seen more than just the outside of this all-new SUV that debuted in the Chicago Auto Show last month. First off, the Pilot adds a new Touring Elite top of the line. All-in-all there are five available trim levels, and the Touring Elite is the most luxurious of them all. Touring Elite gives you all the great features of the modern vehicle, including:
Blind Spot Indicators
Rear Heated Seats
Heated Steering Wheel
Rear Captain’s Chairs (first time Honda has offered this in the Pilot)
The Honda Civic is one of the top ten vehicles for reaching 200,000 miles
The Honda CRV is one of the top ten vehicles for reaching 200,000 miles
The Honda Odyssey is one of the top ten vehicles for reaching 200,000 miles
The Honda Accord is one of the top ten vehicles for reaching 200,000 miles
The Honda Pilot is one of the top ten vehicles for reaching 200,000 miles
A number of Honda models were honored by Consumer Reports for their ability to last forever. The Honda Civic, Pilot, Odyssey, Accord and CR-V were in the top of the list of “Best cars for making it to 200,000 miles.” So if you’re looking for a long-term investment in your next vehicle, look no further than Honda.
Consumer Reports looks at real-world reports and survey data from readers and mechanics to create this list. Each vehicle also had to be Consumer Reports recommended to qualify. We here at Waikem Honda are not surprised that all of Honda’s top models we made the top ten.
The all-new redesigned 2016 Honda Pilot debuted Thursday at the Chicago Auto Show.
The totally redesigned 2016 Honda Pilot made its world debut Thursday at the Chicago Auto Show. The new SUV has an all-new look inside and out and it has shed 300 pounds for better fuel economy and cabin quietness.
The new 2016 Honda Pilot will hit the dealership in summer 2015. If the first reviews are any indication, you’re really going to like this new family-friendly SUV.
Brand New Look
The third-generation Honda Pilot looks nothing like the previous model. Instead of the boxy look of the current models, the new Pilot has a modern, sleek look with a smaller, thin front grill, wide headlines and creases leading down the sides. The Pilot has new thin rear headlights and overall it looks much more like a modern vehicle. Think about an extended CR-V when you think about the new Pilot.


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A new partnership will allow BMW drivers to find, reserve and pay for parking spaces before they set off on their journey. BMW is the latest company to signal that it is directing its resources in order to address that one area of driving that, despite a century of technological advances, just isn’t getting any easier — finding a parking space.
The company Thursday announced a partnership with NOW! Innovations, a company that provides mobile payment and billing solutions across a number of countries and that has developed a flexible and easy-to-use billing and payment platform for parking services.
As part of its BMW i Mobility Services arm, the German carmaker has already developed and implemented a service called ParkNow which enables users to find, reserve and even pay for a parking space in advance via either the desktop browser or an iPhone/Android app. The service also ties in with a device’s or the car’s navigation system to give the driver clear directions to the space in question. Currently designed for off-street parking garages, the system is up and running in San Francisco.
The new partnership will allow BMW to add on-street parking spaces to its existing service and to start to roll out the services beyond the US.
In January, INRIX unveiled what it clamed to be the world’s first parking navigation service. Offering users access to real-time information about a total 60,000 available spaces in the US and 36 European countries, INRIX Parking helps drivers identify and get directions to the parking space closest to their destination and also provides information regarding fees and other pricing information. The system made its debut in Kenwood’s 2013 range of in-car DVD entertainment receivers, which were launched at this year’s International Consumer Electronics Show. Copyright


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South Korean blockchain payments aimed to help elderly citizens will be launched soon in Seongnam city. The payment system aims to bring blockchain technology to the country’s elderly population and create a contactless payment mechanism that helps the country’s senior population.
South Korea is a technologically advanced nation, and they are pioneer in blockchain-related solutions. Seongnam is well known for being abreast of the latest technological solutions that not only simplify life but add a digital flair to citizen lives.
These latest South Korean blockchain payments will enhance the elderly people’s lives via virtual gift certificates. It will bring digital financial education for the senior citizen population through contactless payments.
South Korean blockchain payments empower senior citizens
According to the latest news reports, the Seongnam city authorities will create a mobile application to serve senior citizens using a simplified payment mechanism. The South Korean blockchain payment will also be an initiative to bring senior citizens to on-board the blockchain revolution.
Seongnam has earned the reputation of a technologically advanced city with numerous firsts to its credit. Blockchain technology is at the center of this city’s numerous daily operations. Korea’s Minting and Security Printing Corporation is also a partner in the project. Chak mobile application will be used to access the gift certificates for payments without any QR code requirements.
More than 45,000 merchant partners are part of the project. Emphasis on mobile payments is central to the project’s success. Senior citizens will make payments via their current debit and credit cards.
Serving the non-tech-savvy population
Senior citizens, regardless of the country, are usually less aware of the fat-paced technological operations. Building trust among this non-tech savvy population will be critical to any country’s financial success. Bringing contactless payments through the South Korean blockchain payments app will also reduce elderly people’s outdoor mobility in COVID-19 times.
Seongnam blockchain system is not only a technological prowess but also a social need. Involvement of senior population into the tech march will bring uniformity to any country’s financial progress.


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MSI Alliances with FNATIC: Ready to Dominate eSports
Ultimo aggiornamento: Fri, 07 Apr 2017
Fnatic CS:GO Team: (From Left to Right) Flusha, JWonderchild, olofmeisteR, Dennis, krimz.
Fnatic League of Legends Team: (From Left to Right) Caps, sOAZ, Rekkles, Jesiz, Broxah.
[Taipei, Taiwan] MSI, world-leading brand in gaming hardware, is pleased to announce the company entered into a formal strategic alliance with FNATIC, a professional organization in eSports, rooted in Europe. FNATIC will be using MSI gaming devices and is all ready to fight and win the upcoming 2017 tournaments across multiple competitive games.
“FNATIC is one of the world’s best eSports teams and a great ally of MSI. We are expecting to find new chemistry between our partnership and we are looking forward to a record-breaking championship of FNATIC in the near future. We invite and welcome all fans worldwide to join us into the amazing gaming world,” says Sam Chern, MSI Global Marketing Director.
“FNATIC is thrilled to be continuing its partnership with MSI. For years now, the PC giant has been a key ally in supporting our organization’s success and growth. MSI is a leader in the industry with a proven track record of prioritizing quality in their products and MSI shares the same values that have made FNATIC and FNATIC GEAR so successful. Having now reaffirmed our friendship, we're looking forward to developing an even stronger collaboration, with more opportunities than ever on the horizon.” says Wouter Sleijffers, CEO of FNATIC.
FNATIC was crowned CS:GO champion and LoL 2nd prize at 2016 IEM ESL Katowice Poland, and LoL 3rd prize at 2015 IEM ESL Cologne Germany.


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Technology firm, Huawei, said it has successfully trained over 600 students through the “Seeds for the Future” programme in 14 sub-Saharan countries covering emerging ICT technologies such as 5G, cloud computing and AI, helping them be job-ready for the digital economy era. Seeds for the Future is Huawei’s global CSR flagship programme. Launched in 2008, it aims to help nurture local talent, promote knowledge transfer, increase people’s understanding and interest in the ICT industry, and encourage countries and regions to participate in digital community building.
By 2021, the programme has been implemented in 131 countries and territories worldwide, with nearly 9,000 students participating. Since 2014, the programme has been held in sub- Saharan African countries. So far, 25 countries in Africa, including Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya and Ghana, have participated in the training, which has so far benefitted over 1,000 students. In this year’s training, Huawei said it has paid more attention to bridging the gender divide in science and technology training. More than one-third of the total number of Seeds candidates were women.
According to the Mobile Economy in sub-Saharan Africa 2020 report, released by the Global Association for Mobile Telecommunications Systems, sub-Saharan Africa is the fastest-growing region in the world and African countries have entered a rapid development of the digital economy era. In this process, ICT technologies are an important engine that drives countries’ development and mastering ICT technologies is the engine’s key. “Through programs such as Seeds for the Future, Huawei cultivates ICT knowledge and skills for local youth. During COVID-19, the programme took place via online learning and in-person where possible.


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Scaling Up Tan Limes
Back in December, we published our 2020 Release Calendar, and we were thrilled to see that we had more happy fans than sad fans. We’re pretty proud of this year’s lineup, and we were totally stoked to find that our fans had our backs.
After all, there’s a lot to be gleeful about coming down the pike this summer. (Or, we should say, “…coming up the Parkway…”.) Cape May White is out on draft now and cans will be everywhere within a few weeks. The Bog, Crushin’ It, and The Grove will all be available soon.
But, this week, we can see the very first of those delicious, refreshing, easy-drinking summer beers on the horizon — and, with it, summer itself. Tan Limes releases in 12-ounce cans on March 12th!
“Tan Limes has been a home run,” says Ryan. “When we released it on draft last April, the response was absolutely fantastic. Our loyal fans went wild, immediately asking us to package Tan Limes in cans. When we did, we couldn’t keep them on the shelves. It was obvious to all of us that Tan Limes deserved a bigger place in our lineup, and we couldn’t be happier to bring this refreshing and drinkable brew to taps and shelves throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.”
And it wasn’t only fans who loved this beer: everyone around the brewery loved it, as well. If you ever happen to visit the Tasting Room around 4pm and want to know what the next big beer will be, pay attention to what the staff is drinking — when Tan Limes first came out, the vast majority of us gravitated toward it for our shifties.
“It’s zesty and fresh, extremely crushable, and pairs well with a bunch of food,” says Innovation Director Brian Hink. “The lime and the sea salt take center stage, the hops are barely perceptible, and the malt bill is completely out of the way. This beer is ridiculously drinkable.”
It didn’t take long for us to realize that Tan Limes needed some room to grow, but exactly what that would look like required a bit of thought. We had to make some tough decisions.
“We noticed a dip in sales of canned Devil’s Reach over the summer,” says our Director of Sales, Bill Zaninelli. “Devil’s Reach is a great beer and has long been a mainstay of our core lineup, but, with an ABV of 8.6%, it’s not exactly a lawnmower beer.”
However, we know that we couldn’t completely push aside Devil’s Reach in favor of Tan Limes — there are a lot of bars out there that have it as a permanent draft line. We weren’t going to abandon them.
“So, we made the decision to keep Devil’s on draft year-round,” Bill says, “but only package it in cans in the fall and winter. This way, our long-time draft accounts are happy, and we have room in the schedule for a light, simple brew for the warmer months.”
Once we figured out how to get Tan Limes into the lineup, we turned our thoughts to how to package it. We loved the 16-ounce wrapped can that we used for the initial canned release, but we wanted to release it in 12-ounce cans that fit in with the rest of our wide-release branding.
And our design team totally knocked this one out of the park. Look at that lime: she’s out there living her best life.
“I absolutely love this can design,” says Director of Marketing Alicia Grasso. “The straightforward image conveys everything you need to know about this beer: it’s simple, it’s refreshing, and it’s definitely what you’d want to drink during a day on the beach, working on your tan lines.”
You’ll have the chance to work on your tan lines with a six-pack of 12-ounce Tan Limes beginning March 12th. Well… you may have to wait a bit to actually work on your tan, but, luckily, Tan Limes will be available all summer long. Don’t miss it!


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Leasys UK hits 10,000-vehicle landmark
Leasys UK, the contract hire company of FCA Bank, has passed the 10,000 figure for the number of vehicles currently on its fleet.
Roberto Bellavia, the newly appointed head of Leasys UK, said the 10,000-vehicle achievement is down to the success of the firm’s PCH and BCH (business contract hire) offers and the rising popularity of FCA products including Alfa Romeo Giulia, Jeep Renegade, Fiat Tipo and Fiat Fullback.
He commented: “All FCA brands are represented in this success and we are already collecting contracts regarding the new vehicles recently launched: Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Fiat Fullback Cross will be contributing to the success over the coming months. We want to be a leading contract hire company offering competitive and comprehensive mobility solutions through our dealer network.”For more of the latest industry news, click here.


text: ALBANY, New York, November 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- As per TMR's estimations, the global HVACR systems market, which stood at a value of US$81.1 bn in 2015, is likely to progress at a CAGR of 5.50% between 2016 and 2020 and reach an opportunity worth US$130.7 bn by the end of the forecast period. Boosted by the augmenting demand for refrigeration equipment in cold storage and food processing units, the shipment volume of HVACR systems is estimated to rise at a CAGR of 8.0% over the same forecast period. Evaporators have emerged as the most valued product in this market in the last few years and are expected to remain so throughout the forecast period. The revenue generated by evaporators is estimated to cross US$34.1 bn by 2024. Get PDF Sample Brochure for Professional & Technical insights athttp://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=16883HVACR Systems to Continue to Witness Strong Demand in Asia Pacific Geographically, the worldwide market for HVACR systems is spread across South America, North America, the Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific, and Europe. Among these, Asia Pacific acquired the leading position in 2015 with a share of nearly 36% in the overall market. Thanks to the robust rise in the tourism industry, researchers expect this regional market to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. Due to the high pace of urbanization, Australia, India, Japan, China, and South Korea are likely to drive the market for HVACR systems in Asia Pacific over the next few years. Apart from this, North America and Europe are also expected to register a healthy rise in their respective markets for HVACR systems market in the forthcoming years, states the research report. Mushrooming of New Hotels and Restaurants to Reflect Positively on Demand "As new hotels, restaurants, cafes mushroom across the world, HVACR systems gain a significant rise in their demand," says the author of this study. The expansion in the global tourism industry has boosted the emergence of a number of hotels, restaurants, and cafes, worldwide.


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COSCO Shipping Ports(CSP) thinks a “repricing” of overseas port assets is on the cards as it scours Latin America, Southeast Asia and Africa for targets.
The Chinese state-owned port operator, which owns the Noatum Port Terminal in Spain and Piraeus Container Terminal in Greece, maintains a “proactive attitude” towards overseas port assets investments, vice-chairman and managing director Zhang Wei told reporters in a post-earnings press conference.
But COSCO may remain on the sidelines for now as it awaits a revaluation of port assets amid heightening global trade tensions.
“We are still evaluating whether trade tensions will have an impact on sellers’ pricing of port assets, though we have not seen any impact as yet,” said Zhang.
CSP has targeted Latin America, Southeast Asia and Africa as key markets for future port project investments. The state-owned enterprise is one of the most aggressive Chinese buyers of overseas ports that span Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe and North America.
“Our investment strategy is basically in line with current market strategy and requirements of Ocean Alliance members,” Zhang said, referring to the vessel- and slot-sharing agreement signed in 2016 among the world’s four leading shipping lines CMA CGM, China COSCO Shipping, Evergreen Marine and Orient Overseas Container Line.
The alliance network covers the Asia-Europe, Asia-Mediterranean, Asia-Red Sea, Asia-Middle East, Trans-Pacific, Asia-North America East Coast, and Trans-Atlantic trades.
The company’s interest in Southeast Asian port assets was partly driven by expectations for a rise in long term international manufacturing and trade activity across the region because of the escalating trade dispute between China and the US.
While CSP has been looking at ports in Brazil and Argentina during its global asset buying spree, it sees some assets as a bit “overvalued”, executive director Deng Huangjun told Inframation.
“Some of them are not reasonably priced,” Deng said adding that the minimum internal rate of return the Chinese port operator is seeking should be “generally above 10%.”
CSP will opt for a mix of greenfield and brownfield investments in port terminals and try to strike a balance between the two, Zhang said.
“Greenfield [projects] are cheaper and you have more flexibility regarding cost control as you develop the projects yourself,” he said. “On the other hand, greenfield [projects] normally have a long investment cycle.”
The port operator intends to partner with the local port authorities, as well as companies from China and overseas for major port deals.
But for deals valued at around several hundred million US dollars, the state-owned firm might also opt to invest independently, Deng told Inframation.
In July, CSP agreed to sell a 10% equity stake it had in Zeebrugge Terminal in Belgium to CMA CGM, following a 5% stake sale to the port authority of Zeebrugge in May.
The Chinese company plans to develop the terminal, which it took over last year, into a major hub port in Northwest Europe.
Abu Dhabi Terminal, the firm’s first greenfield subsidiary, will officially commence operations in the first quarter of 2019 with capacity of 2.5m TEU annually.
First half 2018 earnings
The company posted a better-than-expected 70% year-on-year increase in adjusted net profit to USD 169m for the first half of 2018, up from last year’s USD 99.3m profit if excluding one-off items from the Qingdao Port International transaction. The figure was helped by a 80% jump in revenue to USD 495.5m. CSP saw total throughput climb 27% to 56.7m TEU versus the year ago period.
CSP is the port offshoot of Chinese state-owned shipping conglomerate COSCO. As at 31 March 2018, it operated and managed 270 berths at 35 ports worldwide, with a total annual handling capacity of about 103.72m TEU.


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Euro fish to flood Manila if bilateral trade deal is Ok’d
By Gerry Albert Corpuz and Trinity Biglang Awa
Manila, Philippines– Small fishermen identified with the activist fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) said once the Philippine government approves a bilateral free trade pact with the European Union, imported fish from member states of EU will flood the local market to the detriment of subsistence fishermen across-the-country.
Quoting a study made by Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PDIS), Pamalakaya vice chairperson Salvador France said the small-scale fishermen are the biggest losers in the one-sided deal since they will face increasing competition with highly subsidized and cheap fish imports from European countries.
According to PIDS: “Potential losers are the small-scale fishermen who will face lower prices for their catch due to increased competition from imported fish and small-scale fish processors and marketing agents, including women, who will also face lower prices for their products.”
Pamalakaya’s France argued that the that upcoming Philippine-EU Free Trade agreement would result to elimination of tariffs between the Philippines and EU and this increase the quantity and exports of fisheries products to the Philippines, and would result economic losses and destruction of livelihood to 1.8 million subsistence fishermen and the 8 million people dependents to local fishing industry.
Balance of trade
The PIDS study however, argues that imports of aquaculture, pearl culture and pearl-gathering products will decrease and will improve the balance of trade, while imports of processed fish products and seaweeds will increase which will lower the balance of trade, asserting further that in percentage terms, the fall in imports of fisheries products is highest among aquaculture while the increase in imports is highest for processed products.
The PIDS study noted that the negative effect of freer trade on fisheries to the small fishermen is due to the structure of the chain of custody of procurement particularly for tuna exports.
It said the importation of fish will also further affect group of women fish workers, or those selling locally caught fish in the wet markets, “because the imported fish may compete with the local fish sold by them so as a result the women may have to bear the loss from unsold fish as a consequence.
The PIDS study also concluded that freer trade could potentially worsen the exploitation of already overfished fisheries stocks and resources. The government research arm group said the government must implement the proper resource and environmental management that will allow sustainable exploitation even with increased fisheries trade.
“The government should back off from entertaining a new free trade deal with Europe. It is an invitation to catastrophe that would inflict pain and hardships to 1.8 million small fishermen and 8 million dependents to local fishing industry.
We are talking here of more than 10 percent of the population relying mainly on the livelihood the local fishing industry provides.
Pamalakaya said about 900,000 metric tons (MT) of imported fish enter the country annually. Om 2011, marine product imports reached 800,000 MT, of which 60 percent is galunggong (round scad fish).
The group said the landing cost of the locally produced fish is P40 per kilo but those from China, Taiwan or Japan is only P20 ($0.465) per kilo.
The group said institutional buyers and local fish traders will buy heavily subsidized foreign fish products because these are 50 percent cheaper than the locally produced ones which are battered by the high cost of production.
Pamalakaya said with the new free trade deal with Europe, the country will be flooded with other kinds of fish stuffs such as salmon and other fish produced by member states of the European Union.
Pamalakaya stressed that there is no need to import fish from other countries, saying the 1.8 million fulltime and part time work force in the fisheries sector can produce and meet the fish needs of 99 million Filipinos and there is no need to rely on heavy importation.
The average annual production growth rate within that period was at 5.8 percent. In 2010, the total volume of fisheries production was 5.162 million metric tons and grew by 1.61 per cent.
Pamalakaya said the Philippines ranked sixth among the top fish producing countries in the world with its total production of 4.97 million metric tons of fish, crustaceans, mollusks and aquatic plants (including seaweeds).
Pamalakaya blamed the country’s membership to the World Trade Organization (WTO), saying that the country’s adherence to neo-liberal trade policies has aggravated the dumping of food and agricultural products surpluses of developed countries resulting in the country’s heavy reliance on food produced by other countries.
The largest fisherfolk alliance also assailed previous plan to impose fish bans in 10 of the 13 major fishing grounds in the country. According to the BFAR’s national stock assessment program, ten of the 13 fishing grounds that had been mapped in the country are “very heavily exploited.” These include the Lingayen Gulf, northern Zambales, Visayan Sea, Camotes Sea, Honday Bay, Babuyan Channel, Lagonoy Gulf, Sorsogon Bay, Hinatuan and Dinagat Bay, and Davao Gulf.
Pamalakaya said the ban would affect no less than 500,000 Ilocano, Bicolano and Visayan fishermen and their families. The group said that the current fish ban imposed on sardine producing region in Mindanao has displaced over 100,000 small fisherfolk.
Pamalakaya questioned the veracity of the BFAR’s study, saying it is biased against the small-scale fishermen and only “meant to justify the importation and mass flooding of fish imports.”
“BFAR is promoting a nationwide displacement of small fisherfolk by peddling this lies to the Filipino public,” Pamalakaya said.
BFAR said there are 70 fishermen per square kilometer. Pamalakaya said small fishermen, with backward fishing boat and passive gear, could not even go beyond the 10 to 15-kilometer municipal fishing water.
According to the group, commercial fishing which is composed only of 50,000 operators get 50 percent of the total fish catch annually while municipal fisheries composed of 1.3 million small fisherfolk cover the other 50 percent.
“The DA and BFAR want to eliminate small fisherfolk so the government through the Public-Private-Partnership can sell our fishing waters to corporate clients of Malacanang. The government wants us to eat formalin-peppered fish from abroad,” the group said.###


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Over the past few years, the Chinese communist regime has received compelling allegations that hundreds of millions of Uighur citizens in the semi-autonomous region of Xinjiang are being fiercely persecuted for their religious beliefs.
Allegations indicate that the victims of this persecution are locked up in “re-education camps” where they are violently tortured, exploited for labor, and killed. In addition, women are frequently raped, forced to have abortions, and forcibly separated from their children.
Other prisoners of conscience, such as practitioners of the Falun Gong spiritual discipline, are also persecuted and imprisoned in forced labor camps where they are forced to work, often to death.
The denunciations have gained international relevance, and many industries linked to the exploitation of Uighur workers are beginning to take action and disengage their production from that region. But unfortunately, others continue to feed the perverse exploitation but suffer, in part, the international condemnation of human rights organizations and governments that limit the importation of these products.
Cotton and its textile derivatives are one of the primary industries linked to Uighur exploitation. More than 80% of the cotton grown in China comes from Xinjiang, accounting for about one-fifth of the cotton produced worldwide.
A coalition of nearly 200 human rights groups launched a worldwide campaign in 2020 demanding that companies stop profiting from the low costs involved in producing Uighur slaves from Xinjiang.
“Almost every major apparel brand and retailer selling cotton products is potentially implicated,” the Coalition stated when it launched the initiative. “Right now, there is near certainty that any brand sourcing apparel, textiles, yarn or cotton from the Uighur Region is profiting from human rights violations, including forced labour, both in the Uighur Region and more broadly throughout China.”
Consequently, many large Western firms have stopped producing in China, and others, such as the well-known Swedish brand H&M, had to close most of its successful clothing stores located in mainland China following terrible harassment by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) after it announced in 2021 that it was refusing to use Xinjiang cotton on the grounds of human rights abuses.
The world markets low-priced clothes at the cost of Uighur blood
With seasonal changes, the textile industry is usually reactivated, when people choose to renew their wardrobes according to the new fashions and temperatures brought by winter or summer, as the case may be.
In June, Europe officially leaves the winter cold behind and dresses for summer. The Chinese brand SHEIN, focused on European and American styles, has gradually managed to lead the market based on the concept of fashion at the lowest price.
However, more and more people are trying to expose what is behind these low prices, and many responsible consumers are trying to avoid consuming their products. Even some officials and politicians have managed to impose regulations to discourage the textile trade linked to labor exploitation, although it is a difficult fight to carry on due to the large economic interests at stake.
During the first day of the discount season, French MEP Raphaël Glucksmann posted a video on his social networks which read:
“Behind SHEIN’s ten-euro dresses and two-euro T-shirts is a massive system of exploitation. Twelve hours of work a day, only one day off a month, no employment contract or work insurance, and extremely bad work safety conditions.”
Glucksman pointed out that the exploitative system allows SHEIN to sell at low prices in Europe and tried to explain why society still consumes this merchandise. Many are unaware that the products purchased are thanks to the sweat and blood of Uighur enslaved people.
Glucksman argued: “Because the brand lies, the website, with false declarations and false certificates, has deceived the market surveillance mechanism”.
Former President Trump crusaded against Uighur labor exploitation
During his term in office, former President Trump was one of the first to implement measures that forced importers and international firms to review their supply chains to try to prevent the marketing of products manufactured, in whole or in part, in clandestine sweatshops in Xinjiang.
The Biden administration deepened some of the measures initially adopted by Trump. For example, on Jan. 13, 2021, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) authority announced an outright ban on all products made from cotton and tomatoes from Xinjiang province, arguing that these are the result of forced labor by Uighurs persecuted by the Chinese Communist regime.
A day before the Biden administration’s announcement, British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab also announced that his government would severely fine UK companies whose production chain is linked to the forced labor of Uighurs.
Recent measures that could end Europe’s complicity
At the same time, the European Parliament announced in mid-June this year the adoption of two landmark human rights resolutions that could directly affect sectors of the textile industry that profit from the labor exploitation of prisoners of conscience.
The first resolution calls for a series of new trade instruments aimed at banning the import into the European Union (EU) market of all goods produced with forced labor.
The second resolution focuses on human rights in the semi-autonomous region of Xinjiang and the research files warning about the persecution and exploitation of the Uighurs. Accordingly, it again calls for a trade instrument to ban the import of goods, mainly textiles, produced with forced labor in the region.
If both resolutions are properly implemented, it will be possible to require that products manufactured and shipped by forced labor enter and leave the European market.
Heidi Hautala MEP, Vice-President of the European Parliament, commented on the new resolutions:
“Europeans demand a trade policy in line with EU values, human dignity and social rights. Under pressure from the Parliament, the Council and the Commission had to withdraw their support for the investment agreement with China. And today, the European Parliament is signaling that it no longer wants the EU to be complicit with the Chinese totalitarian regime, which has been perpetuating a crime against humanity in the Xinjiang province for five years.”
She added: “The EU is the second largest market for Chinese exports. By banning the import of forced labor products, we will finally act against exploitation and protect workers in China and Europe.”
It is clear that none of these measures have been successful enough to immediately break the regime’s system of persecution and exploitation of millions of citizens. However, the chain effect generated by these control policies allows the situation to be exposed and made visible. As a result, more governments are encouraged to impose such measures, and consumers are more responsible and conscientious when choosing where to spend their money.


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A NEW direct flight route from the UK to New York has been launched, with fares from £179 each way.
Aer Lingus’ first direct flight from the UK into the US was launched yesterday by flights from Manchester Airport to New York JFK.
Beginning on December 11, the airline will also launch a direct flight from Manchester to Orlando, with fares from £209 each way.
Fly to New York from Manchester every day at 12.25pm. Arrive in JFK at 4.15pm local.
There are four weekly flights available for holidaymakers who travel to the Sunshine State.
They leave at 11:15 every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, and at 11 on Saturdays.
Both flights offer luggage discounts – you can bring a 10kg bag with you and check it in your hold.
Flyers will also be able to choose seats in advance.
Flying economy passengers will be provided with a meal, snack, and soft drink. Entertainment is also included.
For those splashing out on business class, with fares from £1,550, there are 16 seats that lie flat, Wi-Fi and fine dining.
Fly in economy to get a bargain January flight.
The US reopened to foreign travelers last month, resulting in a surge in bookings from Brits looking for trips.
Prices rose by up to 300 percent as more people booked their trips abroad through airline websites.
A one-way ticket from the UK to New York in November cost up to £1,777.
If you’re looking for a cheaper city break, two-night holidays including flights from £22pp are available to destinations like Krakow and Prague.


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Kotobukiya is ready for this week’s New York Comic Con, and the company is bringing an exclusive Sakura Bishoujo statue to the convention.
Offered exclusively at NYCC 2015 this limited edition Bishoujo statue presents Sakura in her Japanese PE uniform with her last name (Kasugano) running across the front of her outfit. Captured in a mid-air stance, Sakura practices her Shoryuken in the schoolyard in anticipation of her next big match!
Sakura in her PE uniform will be available for sale at Kotobukiya booth #1645 and in limited quantities at Capcom booth #1420 beginning Thursday, October 8th.
As an added bonus those who purchase a Sakura Bishoujo statue during NYCC will have an opportunity to have their statue signed by Mr. Yoshinori Ono, legendary Street Fighter producer! Signings will take place at the Capcom booth (#1420) on Saturday, October 10th from 2 -4PM and Sunday, October 11th from 1 -3PM.
If you can’t attend the convention, Kotobukiya let us know that a limited number of statues will be made available after the show at Kotous.com.


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Crypto skeptic turned enthusiast Peter Schiff, who has long criticized Bitcoin and tried to discredit its value over the past decade, has surprisingly embraced the cryptocurrency by announcing his plans to release an NFT collection on the Bitcoin network.
In a seemingly satirical twist but with genuine intent, Peter Schiff, an economist known for advocating gold and skepticism towards cryptocurrencies, has revealed a collaborative nonfungible token (NFT) art collection on the Bitcoin network. This unique collection will be auctioned soon, adding an unexpected chapter to Schiff’s relationship with the crypto world.
Crypto Community Reacts With Shock To Peter Schiff’s Nft Collection Announcement
The cryptocurrency community on Twitter was taken aback and bewildered by the economist’s announcement, with some users even questioning whether his account had been compromised due to the surprising nature of the news. Crypto entrepreneur Anthony Pompliano tweeted, “Welcome, Peter, We have been awaiting your arrival” expressing anticipation for his involvement. Schiff responded by emphasizing that he had yet to embrace the crypto world fully but presented the opportunity for others to acquire commemorative items symbolizing the early days of Bitcoin and his position as its unwavering critic. He further mused that the signed, original prints might gain substantial value if his skepticism proves wrong.
According to Schiff’s statement, the collaborative NFT collection with Market Price includes the primary artwork titled “Golden Triumph,” along with a collection of prints and Ordinals recorded on the Bitcoin blockchain.
Despite unveiling his NFT collection and expressing his involvement in blockchain and Bitcoin, Schiff’s fundamental stance on the leading cryptocurrency remains unchanged. He still does not consider himself a member of the Bitcoin community.
“This is art, and it’s a tribute to gold. But there is something here for Bitcoiners as well. But I’m still not a member of that club”
Schiff’s criticism of Bitcoin stems from his traditional economic beliefs, particularly his adherence to the Austrian School of Economics and his strong advocacy for gold. He contends that tangible assets and government-backed currencies, like gold, hold intrinsic value, while Bitcoin lacks such essential qualities. Schiff’s main concerns with Bitcoin revolve around its perceived lack of intrinsic value, volatility and risk, security and regulatory concerns, limited scalability, and energy consumption. He doubts the security of Bitcoin transactions and highlights the risks associated with hacking, theft, and digital wallets. He raises environmental concerns regarding Bitcoin’s energy consumption, considering it excessive and unsustainable.


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Business Doctors’ unique style of small business support is coming to Ireland
Business Doctors’ unique style of small business support is coming to Ireland – both to the Republic and north of the border.
And not a day too soon, say founders Rod Davies and Matt Levington.
The pair are all too aware of the Irish ‘sweet spot’ lying just across the sea from their Merseyside head office.
“The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland were always high up on our hit list,” explains Matt, “as both have very significant SME economies.”
“More small companies in Northern Ireland hit the magic £1m milestone in revenues within their first three years of trading than anywhere else in the UK.
“And in the Irish Republic, SMEs account for 99.7 per cent of all active business enterprises”.
A recent survey by the Federation of Small Businesses found that 80 percent of SMEs in the North intended to grow, providing a fantastic opportunity for Business Doctors.
John Nelligan, 41, from County Kerry, is the man responsible for bringing the Business Doctors’ brand across the Irish Sea. A serial entrepreneur, he has bought the Business Doctors master franchise for Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
The former industrial engineer plans to launch three franchises a year, up to a total of 20 across the North and South. Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway are amongst the prime territories earmarked for the first wave of openings.
He said: “I love the franchising model and when I read about Business Doctors, their holistic approach to small business support really struck a chord.
“This is a business I really believe in and one that Ireland’s SMEs are crying out for.”
Rod Davies, Business Doctors’ co-founder said: “When we met John, we knew we had found a safe pair of hands to take our brand forward throughout Ireland.
“He is a very competent and approachable businessman, with tremendous drive.
“John wanted to get Business Doctors up and running within weeks of our first meeting and he is well on track to achieve this. We wish him every success and are right behind him”.
From the get-go, Business Doctors has been a company with an international outlook.
Since humble beginnings above a Cheshire takeaway in 2004, franchisors Rod Davies and Matt Levington were set on building a global brand: the go to company for SME consultancy services.
With 40 Business Doctors territories now operating around the UK, the ambitious pair took their first steps beyond British soil when they launched in South Africa in May 2014.
Today, Business Doctors’ territories are up and running in eight regions of the country, including Johannesburg, its largest and wealthiest city. Business Doctors launched in India in January 2016.
Business Doctors will be amongst exhibitors at the first Irish Franchise Show at the RDS in Dublin on 9 &10 September 2016. Free tickets are available here.
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New Delhi, December 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) Union Rail Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Wednesday that Kisan rails had become a boon to small farmers during the pandemic and even after it.
Talavi Rangaiah of the YSR Congress says this service is a “game changer” for small and farmers who produce fruits and vegetables.
Responding to a question during Question Time at Lok Sabha, the Minister of Railways also informed that to date, 1,642 Kisan Rails were in operation and that by inserting the sleeping cars into these rails, the damage caused to the goods were considerably less.
The minister also said that the cost of transport via Kisan Rail is always cheaper than the truck. He also said that these are freight trains, therefore, farmers are not allowed to travel on these trains.
Responding to a question from BJP member Sanghmitra Maurya to initiate a Kisan rail from Badaun in Uttar Pradesh, Viashnaw further said that if the reservation of goods arrived in bulk, the ministry would certainly consider the proposal to start a new Kisan rail from there.
He also informed the House that for perishable goods like vegetables and fruits, air-conditioned containers are used. And the government also provides a 50 percent freight subsidy for perishable items. The minister also said that for the transport of milk, special tankers are used.
The provision of Kisan Rail was announced in the Union budget for 2020-2021 and was launched for perishable goods in September of this year. Kisan Rail transformed smaller stations into large loading centers for agricultural products and enriched small farmers and marginal farmers due to stops at small stations. Smaller stations like Sangola, Jeur, Rahuri, Kopargaon, Yeola, Niphad have become major fruit and vegetable loading centers.
Indian Railways operate Kisan Rail’s rail services, to transport perishable foodstuffs and agricultural products, including milk, meat, fish, fruits, vegetables and dairy products. Major crops or agricultural products transported via the Kisan Rail train include oranges, onions, potatoes, bananas, mangoes, tomatoes, pomegranates, creamed apples, peppers, chikoo, carrots from small villages to big cities and farmers now get a better price compared to the local sale.


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Canadian pension fund CPPIB plans to invest $150 mn in logistics firm Delhivery for 8% stake
In March this year, Piramal Enterprises had said it signed an initial pact with CPPIB to co-sponsor a $600 million renewable energy-focused infrastructure investment trust (InvIT).
Nexus Venture Partners, an early investor in Delhivery, is also expected to liquidate some of its shareholdings
In March this year, Delhivery raised more than $400 million in a financing round led by SoftBank Vision Fund
In December last year, Naspers, CPPIB had invested $540 mn in online education startup Byju's
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) is planning to invest about $150-million (Rs 1,040-crore) in the new-age logistics company, Delhivery, according to a media report.
CPPIB, a professional investment management organisation, is buying the shares from domestic private equity firm Multiples Alternate Asset Management, said a report in The Economic Times quoting two people familiar with the deal. Accordingly, CPPIB will pick up a stake of nearly 8 percent in the Gurgaon-based company.
Venture capital firm Nexus Venture Partners, an early investor in Delhivery, is also expected to liquidate some of its shareholdings, the report said.
In March this year, Delhivery had raised more than $400 million (Rs 2,766.82 crore) in a financing round led by the SoftBank Vision Fund.
Carlyle and Fosun, both existing investors in Delhivery, have also participated in this round of financing, the company said in a statement.
"With these funds, Delhivery plans to rapidly scale up its reach from 15,000 to 20,000 pin codes by the first quarter of the financial year 2019-20, aggressively grow e-commerce market share investment, and expand its end-to-end supply chain platform to enterprise customers and SMEs (small and medium enterprises)," the company added.
In March this year, Piramal Enterprises had said it signed an initial pact with CPPIB, one of the world’s largest retirement funds, to co-sponsor a $600 million renewable energy-focused infrastructure investment trust (InvIT).
"With an initial corpus of $600 million( about Rs 4,162 crore), and the option to scale further, the InvIT would seek to acquire up to 1.5-2 GW of stable and cash generating renewable assets on a hold-to-maturity basis, with a firm focus on diversification of both asset type as well as off-taker profile," Piramal Enterprises said in a release.
Both Piramal Enterprises and CPPIB will act as co-sponsors of the proposed InvIT and hold up to 75 percent of the units.
The Canadian pension fund had committed $360 million and holding up to 60 percent while Piramal Enterprises has committed $90 million and holding 15 percent.
In December last year, online education startup Byju's had raised $540 million (Rs 3,865 crore) in funding, led by Naspers with a significant portion also being contributed by the CPPIB.
The new round of funding will drive innovation for tech-enabled learning products and also fuel plans for international market expansion for Byju's, a statement said.
Amid global expansion, Oyo denies media reports on lay off at Chinese subsidiary; says recruited over 1,500 people
On Tuesday, Oyo said it crossed 5 lakh rooms inventory in China, and planned to invest $100 million in that country in the next two years as part of the ongoing expansion.
Uber has entered new era of focussing on profits, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi feels he's the right guy for the company now
Khosrowshahi said Kalanick had done “an incredible job” of building the company. But Uber has entered a new period of focusing on profits.
Flipkart may get up to $2 bn from SoftBank after deal talks with Snapdeal collapse
In April this year, Flipkart had raised $1.4 billion from Microsoft, eBay and Tencent at a valuation of $11.6 billion.


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India on Tuesday stated it was approving incentives underneath a federal plan to spice up home smartphone manufacturing to 16 corporations, together with high Apple suppliers Foxconn, Wistron and Pegatron.
India’s smartphone trade has turn into a showpiece for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make In India” drive. The $6.65 billion (roughly Rs. 48,894 crores) incentive scheme is a part of the federal government’s goal to make the nation into an export and manufacturing hub.
Two sources beforehand informed Reuters these three corporations plan to invest a complete of just about $900 million (roughly Rs. 6,614 crores) in India within the subsequent 5 years to profit from the scheme.
Samsung, which runs the world’s greatest cell phone manufacturing plant on the outskirts of New Delhi, additionally obtained approval, India’s tech ministry stated in a press release.
Five Indian corporations, together with Lava and Micromax additionally obtained affirmation, the assertion stated. The authorized corporations are anticipated to provide smartphones and elements of greater than Rs. 10,50,000 crores, the assertion additionally stated.
The scheme gives a production-linked incentive involving money price four p.c to six p.c of further gross sales of products made regionally over 5 years, with 2019-2020 as the bottom 12 months.
© Thomson Reuters 2020
OnePlus 8T leaked specs look nice however the place is the cheaper Nord? We mentioned this on Orbital, our weekly know-how podcast, which you’ll be able to subscribe to through Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or RSS, download the episode, or simply hit the play button under.


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Stealthy Travelpost cuts staff
- John Cook
Travelpost, the stealthy online travel startup, has hit some turbulence. The company -- created by Rich Barton and other former Expedia executives -- today cut eight employees and announced changes to its management team. As part of the restructuring, Greg Slyngstad and Simon Breakwell have stepped down from the CEO and COO positions, respectively. They will remain on the Travelpost board, while former vice president of product management Jason Karas has been promoted to CEO.
In an email, Barton declined to offer many details about the cuts. But he did say that the company -- which has yet to launch its service -- decided "to alter the scope" of the launch product. He said they will have more details to share about the product later this year.
Originally formed as NewTravelco, the startup changed its name to Travelpost last May after purchasing assets from travel search powerhouse Kayak. At the time of the name change, Breakwell -- a former Expedia board member -- said that the Travelpost business would eventually create a "great leap forward" in online travel.
In addition to its high-profile founders, Travelpost has attracted significant funding. It raised $9.8 million last year from an investor group which included Ignition Partners, Benchmark Capital and General Catalyst. As part of the asset sale of Travelpost, Kayak also became an investor in the startup.
The cutbacks of eight employees represents roughly half of the company. It is a bit unusual to see a startup company cut staff -- especially a heavily-funded one like Travelpost -- before it launches the product.
Perhaps the company started down a particular path and discovered a dead end, forcing a change in management and employees.
Karas joined the team at Travelpost last October. He is the brother-in-law of Rich Barton, and the two men have been working together on another startup project known as Pozit.
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TTC stuff-the-buses to collect new, unwrapped toys
On Saturday, December 1 and Sunday, December 2, TTC employees will be holding the annual Stuff-the-Bus toy drive at participating Walmart stores across Toronto. This year, a total of eight of the TTC’s 12-metre buses will be set up as drop-off stops for new, unwrapped toys, which will be donated to the Canadian Centre for Abuse Awareness.
The Stuff-the-Bus weekend drive officially kicks off on Q107’s Derringer in the Morning on Thursday, November 29, from 5:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. A TTC bus will be parked outside the Corus Quay Building at 25 Dockside Drive to accept donations. The Stuff-the-Bus drive makes its next preview stop on Friday, November 30 when it accepts donations in front of the Walmart store at Eglinton and Pharmacy from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
What: TTC Stuff-the-Bus Toy Drive for the Canadian Centre for Abuse Awareness.
When: Saturday, December 1 and Sunday, December 2, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., both days.
Where: A TTC bus will be parked at each of these eight Walmart stores:
- 165 N Queen Street (Hwy. 427/Queensway).
- 799 Milner Avenue (Milner/Morningside).
- 1900 Eglinton Avenue (Eglinton/Pharmacy).
- 2245 Islington Avenue (Islington/Rexdale).
- 2525 St. Clair Avenue West (St. Clair/Runnymede).
- 3132 Eglinton Avenue East (Eglinton/Markham).
- 3850 Sheppard Avenue East (Agincourt Mall, Sheppard/Kennedy).
- 5995 Steeles Avenue East (Steeles/Markham).
TTC employees have been conducting a Stuff-the-Bus toy drive during the holiday season for the last six years. This is a labour of love for TTC Operator Kevin Kane and his team of volunteer Operators. Last year’s drive gave a Christmas gift to more than 500 families with children. This year, the group hopes to raise more than $60,000 worth of donations.


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California Attorney General cracks down on mobile app makers
California Attorney General Kamala Harris is cracking down on mobile app makers in effort to comply with California privacy law.
As many as 100 companies that produce mobile apps are getting letters this week formally informing them that they violate the state’s privacy law.
Read the Attorney General's press release here.
Shana Lynch is Managing Editor at the Business Journal. Her phone number is 408.299.1831.
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MAIN NEWS HEADLINES
May 15-31, 2004 Edition
to Expand Products
05/06/04Alibris, the online retailer that specializes in used books, will launch a public offering later this year to raise an estimated $30 million for company operations. Documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission say the company plans to offer 2.5 million public shares at about $10 to $14 per share. It plans to lists its stock on Nasdaq under the symbol “ALBR.”
The new infusion of capital will be used to expand Alibris’s product line, and sales and marketing operations and general corporate expenses. Some funds may also be used for acquiring other companies, though Alibris says it has not signed contracts with anyone.
Alibris reported a 33.6 percent increase to $13.8 million in first quarter revenues for the first quarter of 2004, ending March 31. The company trimmed back losses from $1.5 million in last year’s comparative period to 4901,000 this year.


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Sunimei Products Launched in Jingdong Mall
Following the opening of the official flagship store of Sunemei Tmall, the biotechnology company has started cooperation with Jingdong Mall. Starting from June 15, Sunemei related products will be officially sold on JD.COM, Jingdong website.
Jingdong Mall is the largest 3C online shopping professional platform in China's B2C market, and one of the most popular and influential e-commerce websites in China's e-commerce field. Biotechnology companies are currently making every effort to expand online sales channels, using well-known shopping websites such as Tmall Mall and Jingdong, and carrying out joint sales with third-party platforms such as Zhejiang Haizheng Pharmaceutical to enhance the popularity and influence of their products. After the channels are fully covered, the company will focus on brand promotion in the next stage.


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LA pioneers cross-sector cyber resilience project
The Port of Los Angeles has convened a maritime stakeholder working group to discuss the creation of an industry first cross-sector cyber resilience centre to support closer collaboration and help manage cyber security threats.
Stakeholders, including shipping lines, marine terminal operators, railroad companies and representatives from the trucking industry, met on 24 April to develop ideas for the proposed centre. The centre would be a collaborative effort to share cyber threat information across a multitude of companies within the port complex to help companies prepare against myriad cyber risks that could impact the cargo supply chain ecosystem.
“In partnership with our maritime industry stakeholders, we have the opportunity to enhance the ability of the port ecosystem to see cyber threats on the horizon and improve information sharing to help manage respective, and collective, cyber risk,” said Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles. “I’m proud that the Port is taking the lead on the first ever cross-sector Cyber Resilience Center.”
“Ports are a key part of a complex system that must address cyber risks,” said Tom Gazsi, deputy executive director and chief of public safety and emergency management for the port.
In 2014, the port established the Port of Los Angeles Cyber Security Operations Centre, a first of its kind for the US. The centre is operated by a dedicated cybersecurity team and acts as a centralised location to proactively monitor network traffic to prevent and detect cyber incidents under port control. The port has also maintained its ISO 27001 certification for cyber security, the only port to have this certification.
By Rebecca Jeffrey
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Tesla’s stock price ($TSLA) surprisingly tumbled following a new report from the review magazine Consumer Reports highlighting some quality issues with early Model X units. The stock fell over 4% after the report was published this morning, but gained in the afternoon and it is now down only 2%.
I say the tumble is surprising due to the report hardly containing any new information. The magazine cites one particular case of a Model X owner having some issues needing a few service center visits and then add some data point by also citing “message boards” complaints about the vehicle.
Quality issues with Tesla’s early production models have been reported and acknowledged by Tesla in recent past. Here’s our article on it from last month:
- After some quality issues, Tesla CEO Elon Musk is personally testing Model X as it come off the line
Following Consumer Reports’ comments, a Tesla spokesperson issued a statement:
“We are committed to making the world’s most reliable cars. While we have seen some issues with early Model X builds, the issues are not widespread, and we are working closely with each owner to respond quickly and proactively to address any problems. We will continue to do so until each customer is fully satisfied. This commitment is one of the reasons why 98 percent of our customers say they will buy another Tesla as their next car.”
Earlier this month, Tesla confirmed it delivered 2,400 Model X SUVs during the past 3 months and that it recently managed to ramp up production to 750 units per week following the quality issues and supplier parts shortages. The company expects to be at full production capacity of about 1,000 units per week by the end of the quarter.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.


text: News Press Release Zong Zong offers discounts on its 4G devices during Zong Flash Sale By Press Release Posted on May 31, 2017 0 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Google+ Share on Reddit Share on Pinterest Share on Linkedin Share on Tumblr Press ReleaseZong has announced what it calls “unbeatable discounts” for a limited time on its 4G devices. Zong is giving discounts of up to Rs. 500/- on purchase of new device from its Customer Service Centers across Pakistan. Discount applicable on following Zong 4G Devices Customers can avail the discounts on the following products: Zong 4G Bolt+ Zong 4G Bolt Online Shop Zong also offers an e-commerce platform called ‘Online Shop’ which allows users to learn about the available bundles and allows users to subscribe to them simply by entering their numbers. Recharge Online Users can also recharge online by visiting the Recharge Online page and filling out their details. On recharge of PKR 500 and PKR 1,000 users will be eligible to get unlimited Zong to Zong minutes, up to 500 SMS or upto 100 internet MBs. Press Statement “This offer is in line with Zong’s commitment of creating a complete 4G ecosystem in Pakistan. Zong’s objective, as expressed through the brand promise of A New Dream is to leverage the technological edge in 4G LTE to digitally transform the lifestyle of Pakistani people and this remarkable offer is in line with Zong’s ambition to lead Pakistan into a new digitized age.” “Zong, is the leading 4G operator of Pakistan with a 75% 4G market share and 4G coverage in over 300 cities nationwide. The company recently announced its plans to upgrade 100% of its network to 4G by year end. Zong will upgrade all 2G sites to 3G and 4G with the overall tally of 4G sites to reach 10,500 by end of 2017. The company has also announced plans to invest over $200 Million in Pakistan in 2017” This article contains content from a press release issued by the company and does not reflect any opinion or recommendation from Tech Prolonged.


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"Alarming" rise in thefts hurts big retailers' bottom lines
Retailers have a problem: People aren't paying for stuff.
Why it matters: Retailers are already grappling with an uncertain economy, a shift toward spending on services, and rising labor costs — so the last thing they need is another threat to the bottom line.
Driving the news: Two major chains reported Tuesday that their earnings are suffering from consumers not ponying up, albeit in two very different ways:
- Dick's Sporting Goods CEO Lauren Hobart said in a statement that "elevated inventory shrink" — in particular, theft — is "an increasingly serious issue impacting many retailers," and that it was a large factor in why the company's second-quarter earnings fell short of expectations.
- Macy's said it was caught off guard by the rising number of credit card customers who aren't paying their bills. Delinquencies caused sales in the company's "other revenue" segment to plunge from $234 million a year earlier to $150 million in its most recent quarter.
The big picture: The scale and complexity of organized theft schemes is on the rise, the National Retail Federation reported in April.
- In many cases, thieves are reselling items after altering expiration dates or repackaging items, Axios' Hope King reported.
- NRF reported that retailers experienced a 26.5% increase in organized retail theft incidents in 2021.
- Organized retail theft schemes typically involve "careful planning" and "deliberate targeting," NRF said, while perpetrators have specialized roles, including inventory management, marketing and sales fulfillment.
Context: A slew of retailers have blamed theft for bludgeoning their bottom lines, including Target, CVS and Walgreens.
- "It's quite alarming what's going on," Hobart said on an earnings call Tuesday.
Yes, but: There is some debate about whether the problem is truly systemic or just a scapegoat for other challenges.
- "Maybe we cried too much" about theft, then-Walgreens CFO James Kehoe said on an earnings call in January, adding that the problem had "stabilized."
The impact: Dick's stock plunged 24% Tuesday after the concerns helped prompt the company to lower its earnings outlook.
- For Macy's, the company said it had expected more delinquencies in the rising rate environment, but it was caught off guard by "the speed at which the increase occurred for the company and the broader credit card industry" over the past three months.
- Its shares closed down 14% Tuesday.
Of note: Both companies also reported old-fashioned sales declines, highlighting the continued struggle for retailers of apparel and sporting goods.


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Year-over-year, the brand's value jumped 19 percent from $153.3 billion.
Other tech firms also saw strong rankings this year, with IBM in second at $116 billion and Google in third at $108 billion.
BrandZ bases their valuations on the "company's financial data, market intelligence, and consumer opinions related to brand equity."
Rounding out the top 5 were McDonald's and Microsoft, at $95.2 billion and $76.7 billion.
(Pic via Cnet)
Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 23 May 2012 0:31