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Back in November 2019 the largest MacBook Pro gained a new design with a larger screen, but other than the outward redesign the 16in MacBook Pro kept the components of the 15in model. Those components date back to June 2019.
With more nearly two years having passed since those components used in the 16in MacBook Pro were introduced it's high time for the 16in MacBook Pro to get an update. What can we expect and when can we expect it?
In this article we'll look at the rumours about the 2021 16in MacBook's new Apple-made processor and graphics options, talk of a redesign - maybe even a titanium case - and reports that the MagSafe charger will be making a comeback, while the Touch Bar makes a departure.
16in MacBook Pro: Release date
We were almost certain that we would see a new Intel version of the 16in MacBook Pro in December 2020, which would have marked just over year since the model's introduction. However, when Apple made a new product announcement on 8 December it wasn't a new 16in MacBook Pro, it was the AirPods Max.
And yet there was evidence that a new 16in MacBook Pro model would launch in 2020: documentation in an update to Boot Camp in October 2020 referred to an unreleased 16in laptop. The documentation indicated that the update: "Fixes a stability issue that could occur during heavy CPU load on 16in MacBook Pro (2019 and 2020) and 13in MacBook Pro (2020)".
Hopefully we won't have to wait much longer. LeaksApplePro tweeted in November 2020 that Apple is working on a 12-core chip for the 16in MacBook Pro. LeaksApplePro then tweeted at the end of December 2020 that this 12-core Mac would launch in March 2021. What wasn't clear was whether this was the 16in MacBook Pro, the rumoured 14in MacBook Pro, or the iMac.
Next Mac March 12 cores— LeaksApplePro🎄 (@LeaksApplePro) December 31, 2020
In January 2021 a Bloomberg report indicated that the new MacBook Pro models will launch around the middle of the year - this could be at WWDC in June. As Bloomberg's Mark Gurman tweeted:
New story: For new high-end 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros, Apple indeed plans return of MagSafe, the end of the Touch Bar (finally), brighter screens, minor design changes, next-gen M-series chips and more. Launch around mid-2021. https://t.co/eL3r06oexW— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) January 15, 2021
One report even suggested that work had begun on this new Mac laptops at the end of February 2021, with Radiant Opto-Electronics supplying the mini-LED backlight units and Quanta Computer assembling the new Mac laptops. Read more here: New 14in MacBook Pro with mini-LED a step closer.
However, we could have a longer wait. The usually accurate analyst Ming-Chi Kuo thought that the 16in MacBook Pro may not arrive until much later in 2021. He originally believed that new 16in MacBook Pro models would arrive before the end of 2020, but due to coronavirus-related delays affecting a new screen technology Apple is using (more on that below), the launch wouldn't happen until 2021.
One reason Kuo notes for the delays are shortages in the mini-LED panels that Apple wants to use for the new MacBooks. But it's not only mini-LED panels that are facing delays. According to Asian newspaper the Nikkei, global component shortages mean Apple's MacBook Pro is delayed. Some components that should have been available before the summer are now not expected to be delivered untli the autumn.
This shortage of chips that is said to have led to difficulties getting the circuits mounted on the motherboard on the MacBook model, according to Nikkei.
As a result of these shortages Nikkei in March 2021 suggested the MacBook launch could be pushed back to autumn.
What seems certain is that there will be new MacBooks in 2021. Apple apparently has an "aggressive production schedule" for its MacBook Pro 2021, so the company certainly has something big planned. Read: New MacBook Pro in 2021.
Read our review of the 2019 16in MacBook Pro.
16in MacBook Pro: New features and specs
What can we expect from the 16in MacBook Pro update when it does arrive? The most obvious improvement will be the inclusion of Apple Silicon - either the M1X Chip, or perhaps an M2 Chip. We can expect a few more new features and changes as well.
New Apple processor
In May 2020 the 13in MacBook Pro gained 10th-generation Intel processors – and the smaller MBP was the first to ditch Intel for Apple's own processor line for Apple Silicon in November 2020. This is perhaps unsurprising as the first Apple Silicon chip, the M1, is relatively low-powered – appearing in Apple's new MacBook Air and mini as well.
But what of the 16in MacBook Pro? Will the more powerful MacBook Pro soon offer the new Apple Silicon processors based on the ARM-architecture?
When the 16in MacBook Pro arrives it seems likely that Apple will include its own Silicon ARM-based processors suitable for the 16in MacBook Pro. There will be a number of benefits to the switch from Intel, but creative pros are understandably concerned about whether Apple's chips will meet their demands. We run through how Apple Silicon compares to Intel in a separate article.
The good news is that Apple does indeed appear to be working on impressive next generation M1 Chips. We have a separate article that discusses what we know about the M1X Chip and what could be coming in the M2, but read on to find out what that could mean for the new MacBook Pro.
According to a Bloomberg report in December 2020, "For its next-generation chip targeting MacBook Pro and iMac models, Apple is working on designs with as many as 16 power cores and four efficiency cores."
As we mentioned above, LeaksApplePro has tweeted that he believes a 12-core chip is destined for the 16in MacBook Pro.
Apple M1X:— LeaksApplePro🎄 (@LeaksApplePro) November 22, 2020
- 8 performance cores.
- 4 high efficiency cores.
- Coming first on a MacBook Pro
16” unveiling as a press release.
- According to a source who used a prototype, “if you think M1 is fast, you haven't seen M1X”.
-Name isn't final though. pic.twitter.com/tpBhXpDCad
It Apple brings Apple Silicon to the MacBook Pro we can expect to see Apple's own graphics solution. Currently the 16in MacBook Pro offers the AMD Radeon Pro 5300M with 4GB or the AMD Radeon Pro 5500M with 4GB and the AMD Radeon Pro 5600M with 8GB. Many will be concerned that the new Silicon 16in MacBook Pro will lack discrete graphics.
Hopefully there is no need for concern. Reports suggest that Apple is working on a 16-core graphics solution for the M1X. We could even see a 32-core graphics option, and by 2022 we could see 64 and 128 dedicated cores in Apple's highest-end machines, according to Bloomberg's sources.
When it announced the plans to move to ARM-based processors, Apple also sought to put minds at rest regarding graphics: in a developer document it said "Don't assume a discrete GPU means better performance," and "The integrated GPU in Apple processors is optimised for high performance graphics tasks."
There is hopefully no reason for concern. Reports suggest Apple's Silicon graphics processors will ever be able to match the solutions from AMD. Read this for more information about Apple's graphics plans: Details of Apple's Silicon graphics.
As we discuss in our Apple vs Intel article, Apple is setting expectations high - claiming that we can expect "higher performance GPUs" inside the new Apple Silicon Macs. It is entirely possible that Apple will be able to achieve its promise: Apple uses Tile Based Deferred Rendering (TBDR) rather than the Immediate Mode Rendering (IMR) as used by Intel, Nvidia and AMD GPUs and there are a number of benefits to this.
You might also like to read: Apple's plans for the Mac Pro.
RAM will also change if Apple moves to its own silicon in the new 16in MacBook Pro. We can probably expect to see 16GB as standard, but the way that RAM is allocated will be different, so it is less likely that the new MacBook Pro will have separate graphics memory.
As for whether a new Silicon MacBook Pro could be equipped with 64GB RAM, like the current model, we don't know. Rumours do suggest that the M1X will still max out at 16GB RAM though, which could be a disappointment for high-end users.
One reason why analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects that the new 16in MBP will not arrive until 2021 is that his sources' indicated that Apple is looking to adopt mini-LED screen panels for its Macs - these mini-LED screens have been suffering from COVID-related delays.
These new mini-LED panels offer a rich wide colour gamut as well as high contrast ratios, high dynamic range, and more. Mini-LED should also result in thinner, more power-efficient panels that don't suffer from burn-in (which is an issue with OLED).
According to Kuo, the mini LED screens being used for the MacBook Pro will have slightly flatter edges - like the iPad Pro and the iPhone 12 models.
Camera and Face ID
We'd love to see a better FaceTime camera on the MacBook Pro. The MacBook Pro still offers a shockingly poor 720p camera. As a comparison the FaceTime camera (aka Selfie camera) on the iPhone 11 range offers 1080p HD video recording and a 12MP camera.
Apple really needs to up its game with this camera, something that has become very apparent in this age of video conferencing.
We'd also like to see the TrueDepth camera appear on the MacBook range, enabling Face ID. It looks like we might indeed get Face ID on the Mac - the Big Sur beta contains code that hints that the TrueDepth camera is coming to the Mac.
The new model could include an updated Touch Bar. Read: Apple Patents Force Touch for MacBook Pro Touch Bar.
No Touch Bar
According to the January 2021 investor note from Ming Chi Kuo Apple is removing the Touch Bar from the new MacBook Pro. The physical function buttons will be restored. Read: MagSafe in and Touch Bar out for new iPhone-like MacBook Pro.
Kuo went on to reiterate this claim in an investor note in February 2021, so it looks like the Touch Bar's days are numbered.
As you can see from the above link, the return of MagSafe is also predicted for the new MacBook Pro. Both Kuo and a January 2021 Bloomberg report state that Apple will be restoring the MagSafe charging connector, which was popular with people who didn't want their Mac to crash to the ground when they tripped over the power cable. Find out more about MagSafe here: What is MagSafe?
Kuo also suggests that we could see the return of other ports including the SD card slot and the HDMI port. Read more here: Apple will correct old mistakes with new MacBook Pro models.
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) as a Wi-Fi standard is still in its infancy, but it is starting to arrive - and it features on the new 13in MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models.
It seems a safe bet to expect that it will be available on the new 16in MacBook Pro.
For more information about what Apple's plans for the coming months, read our guide to the New Apple products coming in 2021.


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Pegatron, one of the few companies to assemble iPhones, has closed two of its assembly plants in the cities of Shanghai and Kunshan to comply with the Chinese government's strict new coronavirus curbs.
The company makes around 20% to 30% of all iPhones worldwide, leaving a significant gap in Apple's supply chain. It says it hopes to "resume production soon".
Quanta, a company that makes MacBooks, has also had to shut its doors, causing further mayhem for Apple.
Apple has been approached for comment and this article will be updated with any statements it provides.
China's strict new coronavirus lockdown comes amid a spike in cases of the virus, particularly in the city of Shanghai, the country's most populous.
In what has been called China's strictest lockdown yet, Shanghai has been placed in a 'two-part' lockdown which only lets half of the city out at a time to get essentials while the other half must stay home.
A video recently posted on Chinese social media platform Weibo showed a drone patrolling the skies around Shanghai flashing red and white lights.
Using a loudspeaker, it barks at residents: "Please comply with Covid restrictions. Control your soul's desire for freedom. Do not open the window or sing."
The drone was reportedly deployed after residents took to their balconies to sing in protest at the 'two-part' lockdown, which only lets one half of the city out at a time to get essentials and be tested.

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Just when the Canadian tech sector is booming, it seems like many entrepreneurs are looking for ways out of the workforce.
The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) conducted a study that found over 40 per cent of Canadian entrepreneurs will retire in the next five years. Fifty-two per cent of entrepreneurs expect to sell or transfer their business outside of the family.
BDC also found that those looking to exit are more or less fine with remaining stagnant until they retire; 71 per cent are reluctant to take risks that may improve their business performance while 52 per cent have little interest in expanding their business, which may result in many of these companies selling for below market value.
Some of these values change when owners are running companies with more than 20 employees. Only 3 per cent of those who own companies with 20 or more workers want to liquidate their assets, compared to 22 per cent for all other study respondents. Those with larger companies seem more willing to grow and maximize business value and have a more realistic idea of what transition means.
The overall message of the study points to entrepreneurs who can do more to spruce up their business before they sell or hand it off and retire. Many are content with just coasting through their exit when they should be working just as hard as normal, if not harder, before departure. This recommendation goes even further if you run a company with less than 20 employees.
“Entrepreneurs want to realize the highest possible return on selling their business, most often their biggest retirement asset,” states Pierre Cléroux, chief economist at BDC. “Our study points out that by not properly preparing and improving company performance, some Canadian
entrepreneurs are leaving money on the table.”
Roughly 33 per cent of Canadians intended to sell their businesses in the mid-2000s, compared to the 41 per cent reported by BDC in this new study. The main reason to take the next step is retirement, as close to three out of every five Canadian small and medium-sized businesses are owned by people 50 or older.
The study recommends six steps entrepreneurs can take to enhance business value. These are applicable to those new to the game or those looking to sell.
- Keep reinvesting in the business,
- Continue to pursue growth,
- Ensure financial reports are detailed and reliable,
- Make the business stand out from the crowd,
- Focus on quality, not quantity, when looking for buyers—and get help doing so,
- Don’t be afraid to cast a wide net.
The full study, “The Coming Wave of Business Transitions in Canada,” is available here.


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PPAP Automotive Limited reported financial results for the second quarter and half year ended September 30, 2017.
The company reported Net Profit of Rs. 9.21 crore for Q2FY18, up by 65.65%, as compared to Rs. 5.56 crore in the corresponding quarter of last fiscal.
The total Income for the quarter ended September 30, 2017 stood at Rs. 97.46 crore, as compared to Rs. 81.70 crore in the same period last year. PPAP’s Earnings before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) in Q2FY18 stood at Rs. 21.01 crore, up 35.90%. The company’s EBITDA margin stood at a robust 21.56% in Q2FY18.
Earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter ended Q2FY18 stood at Rs. 6.58, as compared with Rs. 3.97 for the quarter ended Q2FY17.
For the half year period ended September 30, 2017, PPAP’s net profit jumped by 66.37% to Rs. 15.14 crore, as compared to Rs. 9.10 crore of the year ago period. The company’s PAT margin improved from 5.61% in H1FY17 to 8.43% in H1FY18.
Total Income for H1FY18 stood at Rs. 179.55 crore, as compared to Rs. 162.36 crore during H1FY17. PPAP’s EBITDA in H1FY18 stood at Rs. 36.72 crore, as compared to Rs. 27.73 crore during H1FY17.
For H1FY18, EPS stood at Rs. 10.81 as against Rs. 6.50 in H1FY17.
The company has started supply of injection molded parts for Honda Scooters.
The Board of Directors have declared an interim dividend of 20.00% i.e. Rs. 2.00 per share (previous year 12.50% i.e. Rs. 1.25 per share) on equity shares of face value Rs. 10/- each. The record date for the payment of interim dividend has been fixed as 13th November, 2017.
Ajay Kumar Jain, the Chairman and Managing Director, PPAP Automotive Limited, said, “The Indian Automotive industry has done well during the festive season despite of various transformative challenges in our country. We are continuing with our journey to grow faster than the industry, keeping a strong focus on improving our fundamentals and enhancing our customer base”.


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Sri Lanka extends $200m line of credit with India for fuel: Power Min
Sri Lanka has extended a $200 million line of credit with India to procure emergency fuel stocks, the country’s power and energy minister announced on Monday, with four shipments due to arrive in May.
Colombo was also in talks with New Delhi on extending the line of credit for another $500 million, Minister Kanchana Wijesekera told a news conference.
Hard hit by the pandemic and strapped for revenue after Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s government imposed steep tax cuts, the island nation is now also strapped for foreign currency and has approached the International Monetary Fund for a bailout package. emergency.
Rampant inflation and shortages of imported food, fuel and medicine have led to weeks of sporadically violent protests.
Sri Lanka used $400 million, over several shipments in April, of the $500 million line of credit granted by India earlier this year, Wijesekera said. Two fuel deliveries will be paid for with the remaining funds in May.
“The Indian line of credit was extended by $200 million recently and it will be used for four shipments in May.
Talks are continuing for an additional $500 million with India, so in total the line of credit will be $1.2 billion,” Wijesekera said.
However, Sri Lanka still faces payment difficulties for fuel imports, with the state-run Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) owing $235 million for shipments already received, while around $500 million additional will be required to pay maturing letters of credit over the next six years. weeks, he added.
Sri Lanka will also need dollars to pay for crude oil shipments to supplement imports from India.
“We have drawn up supply plans until June, but we still have to figure out how to find sufficient quantities of foreign currency to make the payments,” Wijesekera said.
(Reporting by Uditha Jayansinghe; Writing by Alasdair Pal; Editing by Catherine Evans and Hugh Lawson)
(Only the title and image of this report may have been edited by Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)


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Prices rose less than expected in November, the latest sign that the runaway inflation that has been gripping the economy is beginning to loosen up.
The consumer price index, which measures a wide basket of goods and services, rose just 0.1% from the previous month, and increased 7.1% from a year ago, the Labor Department reported Tuesday. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones had been expecting a 0.3% monthly increase and a 7.3% 12-month rate.
The increase from a year ago, while well above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target for a healthy inflation level, was tied for the lowest since November 2021.
Excluding volatile food and energy prices, so-called core CPI rose 0.2% on the…


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The seminar, which will focus on sustainable tourism, is geared toward anyone who is considering starting a business, or for current business owners who want to learn to operate more efficiently.
LBL Business Performance Manager Scott Turner said, “Every year, nearly two million people travel through LBL from all over the nation; this is a great opportunity to help stimulate the local economies by offering more local services to visitors.”
Topics presented at the seminar will include small business assistance, developing a business plan, business recognition through marketing and branding, and technology essentials for modern business.
Presenters include experts from the Kentucky Cabinet of Economic Development, Murray State University Small Business Development Center, Kentucky Lake Productions, and the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development.
The seminar will be held at the Golden Pond Visitor Center from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost is $20 per person and includes lunch. For questions or additional information, call 270-924-2003 or 270-924-2036, or visit www.lbl.org and click on Alerts & Notices.
Land Between The Lakes is managed by the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, in partnership with “Friends of LBL,” to provide public lands outdoor recreation and environmental education.
We encourage visitors to review our website at www.lbl.org each season, and throughout the season.
This press release was submitted by Kathryn Harper, media contact for Friends of Land Between the Lakes.


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With another bumper year predicted for the staycation industry, Unique Homestays is continuing its search for the UK’s most inspiring homes.
The Cornwall-based luxury rental agency has launched a series of short films and portraits celebrating its owners, as it invites owners of the UK’s most sought-after homes to join its exclusive collection.
Fresh off the back of its most successful year, which also saw the luxury home rental agency mark 20 years in the industry, the brand is looking to build on the 90% occupancy secured in 2021.
Unique Homestays secured over £100k in gross revenue for 35% of its properties in 2021, with five homes achieving upwards of £300k.
Head of brand, Francesca Reed, commented: “The pandemic has seen demand for our homes soar, so to create a campaign that celebrates our owners, the people who make it all possible, has been a joy.
“Unique Homestays hosts are amongst the most creative and inspiring homeowners across the globe and we hope that by sharing their stories, we will not only share the passion that goes into making a stay unique for guests, but also attract likeminded property owners to join a movement of homestay pioneers.”


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The era of omnichannel marketing is now launched for many physical merchants—and even pure players, as Amazon has opened physical stores. Digital opens new horizons for brands, restaurants and even SMEs to create innovative customer experience and become data-driven efficient. Brick-and-mortar are shrinking, but they are still struggling.
Digital Is Already in Your Physical Stores
It is no secret to anybody: there are more and more people buying online. According to the FEVAD (the French professional federation for E-commerce), there were 850,000 more online buyers in France in 2016 and mobile purchases are surging.
Nevertheless, even with all the efforts that have been made by digital marketers (improvement of ergonomic layout, secure payment methods and additional services as reimbursement, guarantees or single day delivery) physical stores keep the higher conversion rate. It seems nothing can actually replace the compliments of some shop-assistants saying “how this clothes is fitting well on you” or the real sensation of holding the product in your hand.
However, new consumer behaviours have changed the physical retail game. Consumers have acquired E-commerce reflexes and it is all a pretext of looking at the phone and therefore at the competition.
Controlling New In-Store Consumer Behaviours with a New In-Store Marketing
The growing use of devices inside the store gave the impulse for a mere new sort of marketing techniques. Smartphones and the increasing use of wearable are valuable records on how consumers move, stay, look, interact or even buy inside the store.
More and more consumers are now comparing product prices and specifications with their smartphones while going shopping. The lack of information on the label is increasing the number of consumers looking for hidden malfunctions, defaults or simply experts and user reviews. This phenomenon has been reinforced with the growing number of tech-savvy consumers who know “exactly what they want” and become less receptive to the sales pitch of sellers — who often occur to be casual users.
Physical retailers are now trying to take advantage of these new habits in order to entice consumers to stay in the store — virtually, as well as physically.
Most of consumers that use their smartphones during shopping may transform into “smart-shoppers” using “digital coupons” that would appear on the screen of our cherish mobile device in proximity of a product.
It is already possible in the USA, where Bluetooth beacons have made their appearance for two years in brick-and-mortar stores. Beacons can add new contents for the customers that are glued to their smartphones, such as providing product specifications, sales or even the possibility to immediately buy the product on its device. They precisely locate the visitors inside the store and collect data that can be helpful for the shop management: Where do people go at first? At which point do they stay? Which is the empty space in the shop? Where are the salespersons most of the time?
Coupled with E-commerce data, this information can be really powerful as it gives the possibility to create a personalized experience to customers inside the stores, like if they were in a proper E-commerce website, hence improving conversions.
Entertainment and Shopping Experience
In the 4.0 physical retail, entertainment and shopping experience are also playing a major role. The strong competition between physical retailers made them create new ways to display products or interact with the consumers.
The use of digital technologies is omnipresent: Huge flat screens, dedicated applications, payment with mobile devices, order of a product that isn’t in the store. The goal is not only to entertain the consumers: The experience they might have experimented on the website must continue in the retail store, and reciprocally.
To go further on that subject:


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Rohildev N is the founder of robotics startup RHL Vision Technologies, whose star product 'Fin', a smart ring that can literally convert your fingers into a TV remote control or a dialling pad for your phone, has been a head-turner in the industry.
According to news reports, Fin is a Bluetooth-enabled ring that could be worn on one's finger, converting the palm into a numeric keypad or gesture interface to interact with appliances such as TV. The gadget would have three in-built sensors beaming signals into a TV loaded with software developed by RHL Vision.
The company has also started a campaign to take the product to the market and to find investors.
The 23-year-old founder started the company when he was in the third year of his engineering course. Last month, they were among the top 15 companies at TechCrunch CES Hardware Battlefield in Las Vegas.
Watch this YouTube video to know how it works:


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CHICAGO (CBS) — A part of Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s Chi Biz Strong initiative is kicking off a firestorm of debate.
The mayor is proposing a permanent 10 p.m. cutoff for alcohol sales at liquor stores, grocery stores, and convenience stores. Those businesses faced a 9 p.m. cutoff during the pandemic until Lightfoot moved back that curfew to 11 p.m. last fall. Previously, stores with packaged goods licenses had been allowed to sell most types of alcohol until 2 or 3 a.m.READ MORE: 2 Mass Shootings Reported At The Same Time In Chicago Hours After President Biden Announces Plan To Address City's Violence
Lightfoot’s proposed change says: “No person holding a package goods license shall sell, permit to be sold, or give away any package goods between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on Mondays through Sundays, except that a supermarket may commence the sale of package goods at 8:00 a.m. on Sundays.”
This goes for all alcohol – liquor, beer, or wine.
As CBS 2’s Marissa Parra reported, the proposal is a recipe for a mixed bag of reactions from liquor store owners.
“I want to hear more,” said Hardik Patel, owner of Lakeview Market. “For the safe side it’s good, and for the business side it’s bad.”
“There does need to be some sort of curfew, but 10 o’clock is a little egregious,” said Adam Silverstein of Garfield’s Beverage.
Chicagoans got their first taste of a liquor curfew with that 9 p.m. cutoff time during the start-time of the pandemic. Now, the city says in a release that a permanent 10 p.m. cutoff will “improve quality of life” and “support public safety.”
Tanya Triche Dawood, vice president of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, said cutting hours is cutting sales – hurting stores that rely on liquor for their bottom line.
“We haven’t seen any data that that has actually made a positive impact on public safety,” she said.READ MORE: Police Searching For Four Suspects After Man Carjacked In River North
We pressed the mayor on the issue at her news conference on Wednesday.
“There was a lot of anecdotal evidence across the city that some of these businesses weren’t being good actors and weren’t taking care of what needed to be done to protect the quality of life of people in the neighborhoods,” Lightfoot said.
Dawood retorted: “We’d like more than anecdotal claims, we deserve more than that, and heretofore we’ve not received anything from the city except from statements we aren’t sure are based in fact.”
The Merchants Association believes the curfew puts them at an unfair advantage.
“The winners would be restaurants and taverns and craft brewers,” Dawood said. “Rather than have a discussion with all of us, they’re just going to the next step. That’s unacceptable.”
Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th) used a parliamentary maneuver to shuttle that proposal, along with much of the mayor’s business relief measures, to the City Council Rules Committee when Lightfoot introduced them to the City Council on Wednesday. Lopez’s move would essentially push back potential approval of the ordinances by a month, so the Rules Committee could assign the package to the proper committee for a debate and vote.
According to published reports, Lopez said he was concerned that the mayor’s package includes lots of items people weren’t aware of before she introduced her plan to the City Council, and his maneuver would give aldermen more time to review it.
Lightfoot called Lopez’s explanation “nonsense,” saying her package was based more than 100 meetings with various business groups, community groups, and aldermen. She also noted that she was simply introducing her proposal today, not asking aldermen for a vote.MORE NEWS: Cook County Nurses Set To Strike Thursday Over Staffing Issues
“I think it’s, frankly, disingenuous for Alderman Lopez, who picks and chooses what he decides he’s going to be involved in, to say aldermen haven’t heard enough. That’s nonsense, when you’re talking about the mere introduction of a package that … are desperately needed” she said. “Alderman Lopez may not care about the urgency of helping our small businesses and moving things forward, but the rest of us do, and we will.”


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Seaton, a fast-growing Chicago recruiting and staffing company, has been bought by rival TrueBlue Inc. for $310 million.
Seaton will become a division of Tacoma, Washington-based TrueBlue, but it plans to continue an aggressive expansion in Chicago.
The company is taking 20,000 square feet at 1333 N. Kingsbury St., across the street from its 88,000-square-foot headquarters at 860 W. Evergreen Ave., said CEO Patrick Beharelle. It plans to add another 12,000 square feet on Kingsbury by year-end. Seaton, which employs 960 people in Chicago, plans to add 200 more people by year-end.
“Several of our existing clients are expanding, and we're adding several new clients,” Mr. Beharelle said.
Seaton operates People Scout, a recruiting and placement firm, and Staff Management, a staffing-management business. The company, founded in 1988, was acquired by Leeds Equity Partners, a New York-based private-equity firm, in 2005. Seaton's growth has taken off in recent years: Revenue rose topped more than $600 million last year, up from $250 million in 2009.


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The blended outcomes maintain coming from Pinterest, which has in the present day revealed its Q2 2022 efficiency replace, which exhibits no progress in energetic customers, and decrease than anticipated income consumption.
Nonetheless, analysts noticed varied positives within the numbers, notably contemplating that they weren’t as dangerous as some had anticipated, given the broader financial downturn that’s impacted all social apps.
And there’s one other necessary level of observe that might play a key position in Pinterest’s future course.
First off, on customers – Pinterest stays at 433 million month-to-month actives, the identical determine that it posted in Q1, when its consumer rely began to maneuver in the correct course as soon as once more.
As you possibly can see right here, amid the pandemic, which compelled extra individuals into on-line buying, Pinterest noticed a giant soar in curiosity, reaching 478 million actives at peak. However as COVID restrictions have eased, and bodily buying has resumed, these numbers have steadily declined – although Pinterest did add an extra 2 million within the final reporting interval.
That, traders hoped, meant that Pinterest had reached its low mark, and would now stabilize and transfer again into progress. Which appears to be holding to a level, and given the aforementioned impacts on the broader market, which have dragged down the outcomes of all platforms, it looks as if an okay end result.
Pinterest noticed its greatest declines in Europe, the place Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has had, and can proceed have, a spread of ongoing impacts. Pinterest’s greatest progress, in the meantime, has come within the ‘Remainder of the World’ class, which incorporates Latin America, the place the platform is seeking to maximize its enterprise alternatives, together with growing markets like India and Indonesia.
That would sign vital alternatives for the app in these areas, with Latin America internet hosting some 80 million Pinterest customers alone. And as its Common Income Per Consumer charts present, areas exterior of the US have an extended method to go in catching up.
Pinterest continues to be within the strategy of rolling out its advert platform to all areas, so there’s much more potential there, which is partly why traders are nonetheless constructive in regards to the platform. That, together with the revelation, as reported by TechCrunch, that Elliott Funding Administration lately took a 9% stake within the firm, making it the only largest shareholder within the app.
Which may very well be a superb factor – Elliott Administration has a monitor document of shopping for up belongings in corporations that it believes may very well be performing higher, then utilizing its ensuing affect to instigate efficient change. Which is what led to Twitter ramping up its strategic plans, within the lead-up to the Elon Musk takeover push – however that might additionally imply that Elliott may even be pushing for comparable modifications and improvement acceleration at Pinterest at some stage too.
Which may squeeze extra money out of the app, however it could imply a shake-up for these concerned.
As per Elliott Administration:
“Pinterest is a extremely strategic enterprise with vital potential for progress, and our conviction within the value-creation alternative at Pinterest in the present day has led us to grow to be the Firm’s largest investor. Because the market-leading platform on the intersection of social media, search and commerce, Pinterest occupies a singular place within the promoting and buying ecosystems, and CEO Invoice Prepared is the correct chief to supervise Pinterest’s subsequent section of progress. We commend Ben Silbermann and the Board on the management transition, and we look ahead to persevering with our collaborative work with Ben, Invoice and the Board as they drive towards realizing Pinterest’s full potential.”
Appears harmless sufficient, nevertheless it’s additionally slightly ominous when of Elliott’s previous initiatives as an activist shareholder group.
When it comes to income, Pinterest continues to be bettering, bringing in $665.9 million, up 9% year-over-year.
Once more, you possibly can see, from these charts, the potential for progress, and you’ll wager that Elliott will likely be pushing Pinterest to capitalize on these alternatives sooner somewhat than later.
Incoming CEO Invoice Prepared, who got here throughout from Google in June to take the reigns from founder Ben Silbermann, could also be in for a difficult time forward as he works to handle expectations round such, whereas additionally maximizing improvement sources and progress.
And this received’t assist:
“Our complete prices and bills grew 29% yr over yr resulting from headcount progress in addition to elevated infrastructure spend.”
Extra performance requires extra funding, and as Pinterest grows its advert platform, and engagement instruments, it’s pumping extra cash into improvement.
On this entrance, Pinterest has additionally launched a brand new app, referred to as Shuffles for placing collectively collages utilizing photographs.
Unsure that it provides a lot to the general Pin expertise, nevertheless it factors to the app’s ongoing course, and concentrate on constructing in new parts.
In its accompanying notes and earnings name, Pinterest has outlined its key areas of progress, with video now as much as 10% of time spend within the app.
And like all apps, Pinterest can also be seeking to transfer into line with the short-form video pattern.
As per Pinterest CFO Todd Morgenfeld:
“We’re seeing relevance nearly at parity throughout Concept Pins and our static photographs, which is a giant enchancment.”
Trying forward, Pinterest has forecast ‘mid-single digit’ income progress for Q3, whereas bills will develop ‘within the vary of 35-40% yr over yr’.
So once more, a blended bag of outcomes and insights, which both recommend that Pinterest is stabilizing, and could be about to see a major increase in progress and exercise. Or that it must restrict its bills, as a way to maximize its consumption.
Both path may have a huge impact, and it’ll be fascinating to see if Pinterest accelerates its launch schedule within the second half of the yr.


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By Chris Smith 18/01 Updated: 18/01 11:47
CITY-based energy giant E.ON has cut its electricity prices and announced a panel of experts to look at ways of reducing customers' bills even more.
The independent customer council will look at tariffs and bills, how customers pay, how products are sold and how support is offered to customers struggling to meet the soaring cost of energy bills.
It will be chaired by former Asda chief executive and Royal Mail chairman Allan Leighton and made up of Justine Roberts, founder and chief executive of influential website Mumsnet; and Paddy Tipping, the former Labour MP and chair of the energy and climate change select committee.
All of the big six energy companies have cut the price of either gas or electricity in the past week, but none have cut both.
E.ON chief executive Dr Tony Cocker said: "We understand household bills are the most pressing concern for families across the country.
"Reductions over the last few months in the wholesale price we pay for our customers' energy have now allowed us to help as many of our customers as possible by cutting our electricity price and 75 per cent of our customers will benefit.
"Whilst we're pleased to pass on this recent slight fall in wholesale prices, most experts agree global energy prices will continue their long-term rise.
"No stone is being left unturned as we look at the products we offer, how we support our customers and how we make clear what goes into a bill. The Reset Review, led by the customer council, will make sure our customers not only know we are transparently fair but see that we are too."
In September E.ON announced it was axing 500 jobs, some from its headquarters on Westwood Business Park, just weeks after putting up prices by 11.4 per cent for electricity and 18.1 per cent for gas.
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McDonald’s is on a mission to reduce its environmental footprint, and one of their many goals is to recycle guest packaging in every restaurant. The fast food hot spot is trying to be more sustainable, so their packaging for their products will be fully recyclable material. Now, they are set to open two Green Concept restaurants in London, Ontario and Vancouver, BC.
The locations will be at 1033 Wonderland Road South in London and 3444 E Hastings Street in Vancouver. These restaurants will have incubator locations in order to test new packaging options and recycling initiatives.
McDonald's Canada announces country's first "Green Concept Restaurant" as part of its sustainability journey https://t.co/AQCQV4ro6l
— Afsana Mansoor (@afsana1971) June 19, 2019
These Green Concept restaurants will still use a lot of the current packaging they use now, in addition to new items that have the potential to be permanent. The first innovations will begin testing in the upcoming months, which include items like a fully re-pulpable cup for cold drinks, new fibre lids, paper straws, wooden cutlery, and wooden stir sticks.
McDonald’s is aiming to reduce waste and offer sustainable packaging on a global scale. According to a release, there have been a series of immediate enhancements and changes in items like napkins, cartons, foam, small coffee cups and more over the recent years, and over 1,500 tons of packaging materials will be removed. “Our Green Concept Restaurants are an exciting new innovation as part of our on-going sustainable journey,” CEO John Betts explained in a release.
McDonald’s ultimate goal is to ensure that 100% of fibre based packaging is sourced from recycled or certified sources by 2020, and has promised that by 2025 100% of packaging will be renewable, recycled, or from certified sources.


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Beauty and hair vlogger Alissa Ashley had Black Twitter in a frenzy today when word of her new hair style made it to the internet. Ashley shared that she had box braids done by celebrity hairstylist Dr. Kari Williams. For those who don’t know, Dr. Williams is a trichologist (a medical cosmetologist) who created the goddess locs we’ve seen on celebrities like Meagan Good, Brandy and more.
Basically, she studies hair and scalp from a scientific perspective. Ashley went to Dr. Williams for her to install her long, thin box braids and told the internet that she paid $550 for them…and $700 after tip.
Black girls around the country who’ve spent hours in chairs getting their edges snatched chimed in to question Ashley’s judgment. You can get braids just like these—or very close to them for less than $200 in some cases.
And when we learned that Ashley had to come wash and blow dried and paid for her own hair…whew chillay.
But to put some additional perspective on this, Ashley is a vlogger with 1.8 million subscribers. She’s likely got some money. And as a Black woman entrepreneur perhaps she wanted to support another woman in the movement. And given all the photos, video and Instagram stories dedicated to the braids, there may have been something in it for her as well. But either way, she is promoting a Black woman’s business. And those who can afford it, likely won’t be discouraged or dissuaded by the price point.
And when Ashley saw that she was trending for her financial decision, she responded, basically telling folks to mind their business.
And then to stunt on y’all, Ashley offered to pay $550 for another woman to get Dr. Williams’ braids.
In other words, she got it. And since she does, I can’t be mad at her for deciding to spend her money on a Black woman. With fashion and mainstream brands acting a fool every week, spending money with a Black woman who provides good work is an investment into the community.
We’re constantly talking about employing Black women and paying them what they’re worth but because $550 might be out of our price range or there are people on the street who can do it for less, folks will attempt to shame another woman. Ashley paying $550 for her braids doesn’t mean you have to do the same. Do what you can. And let Ashley rock.
Truth be told, we spend exorbitant amounts of money on products and services we think are worth it. And there’s nothing wrong with a Black woman thinking another Black woman is worth it.
Live, shop and beautify within your means and stop counting other people’s money.


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If there’s extra unhealthy information from retailers within the coming week, that could possibly be a destructive catalyst for an already cranky inventory market.
Market professionals are looking ahead to extra indicators that shares could possibly be bottoming, although strategists say that could be a difficult prospect and there could possibly be false indicators.
The S&P 500, on an intraday foundation Friday, broke by its prior low to achieve bear market ranges – buying and selling greater than 20% under its report excessive reached in January. But it didn’t shut there. Instead, it reversed the day’s steep losses and ended the day simply barely optimistic.
“It is a process. … This week was scary in breaking through last week’s bottom. These things take time,” stated Julian Emanuel, head of fairness, derivatives and quantitative technique at Evercore ISI.
Emanuel stated that taking out the lows might sign a shopping for alternative, and that the market is in a bottoming course of. “Looking medium to longer term, toward the end of the year, we continue to see higher stock prices ahead,” he stated.
Stocks had been decrease previously week, regardless of the actual fact strategists had been anticipating the oversold market to bounce. The market initially rallied, till earnings misses from Walmart and Target blew up the good points.
The stunning weak point in these two large stalwart retailers crushed their shares, hammered the retail sector and took your complete market decrease on fears the patron is wobbling and different corporations will even have earnings points.
Earnings from Costco, Best Buy and others, in addition to private consumption expenditures information, could possibly be necessary within the coming week as traders weigh how a lot the patron is stumbling. The PCE consists of information on spending, revenue and inflation.
The S&P 500 Friday dipped into bear market territory when it fell below 3,837.24, however didn’t shut there. Some Wall Street professionals take into account it a bear market if a 20% decline is reached in an index on an intraday foundation, however others insist the index should shut at that degree to ensure that the bear market to be efficient.
Regardless, it is the largest downturn of this magnitude because the swift bear market decline in March 2020 in the beginning of the pandemic.
“This is another step in the bottoming process, but we’re going to need follow through. You’re getting a slew of retailers reporting next week – the place that is under the largest microscope of investors, given the blowups we saw this week,” stated Emanuel. “It will be absolutely vital for the broad market to respond in a positive fashion to whatever those retailers report.”
While there isn’t any official dedication on what a bear market is, strategists so agree that the extent of the bear market, or how far shares might fall, relies upon strictly on the efficiency of the financial system.
“The whole thing comes down to whether or not there’s going to be a recession. In the last three bear markets, where there was no recession, the decline was 21.3% and we’re basically there,” Emanuel stated.In the final three bear markets when there as a recession, the common decline was 47.9%, he stated. Those bear markets had been in 2000, 2008 and 2020.
Other retailers reporting earnings within the coming week embody Ulta Beauty, Macy’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and discounters Dollar Tree and Dollar General. Their reviews and feedback might assist make clear whether or not the patron is extra broadly weakening, and the way a lot inflation and provide chain snarls proceed to harm the shops and the financial system.
“Any retailer reporting in this environment is a reason for an investor to be fearful, given what we’ve seen this week,” Emanuel stated.
The reviews from Walmart and Target got here because the market was additionally assessing a really sturdy April retail gross sales report, displaying spending jumped 8.2% 12 months over 12 months.
In the approaching week, the financial calendar consists of the Federal Reserve’s minutes from its final assembly on Wednesday, the second take a look at first quarter gross home product Thursday, in addition to PCE information on Friday. The PCE information additionally consists of the PCE inflation index, watched intently by the Fed.
“We’re likely to shift gears to focus on economic data. We get the April read on new home sales, which looks to be down but not as much as it was in April,” stated Art Hogan, chief market strategist at National Securities. “We get durable goods, and that’s likely to show improvement as well. One thing that’s been consistent is the data and the economic calendar has been better than the market’s reaction to it.”
Stocks took a battering previously week, with the S&P 500 down 3% to three,901. The Nasdaq was bloodied much more, declining 3.8% as some large cap tech favorites cratered. Apple was down 6.4% on the week, and Tesla fell 13.7%.
Emanuel stated traders ought to proceed to remain defensive. “This is an environment where you have to look for all the edges you can, which is projected better earnings growth, depressed multiples and high short interest,” he stated. When a inventory has a excessive brief place, which means traders count on the value to fall, any transfer greater in worth might power these traders to cowl shorts, propelling the inventory worth to even higher good points.
Emanuel stated he additionally likes worth names. “Long term, it’s a very very viable area of the market,” he stated. Emanuel added that worth shares are under-owned by people, and he stated the are a hedge in a rising price atmosphere and likewise towards inflation.
Week forward calendar
Earnings: Zoom Video, Advance Auto Parts
12:00 p.m. Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic
7:00 p.m. Kansas City Fed President Esther George
Earnings: Autozone, Nordstrom, Best Buy, Abercrombie and Fitch, Ralph Lauren, Petco, Agilent, Toll Brothers, NetEase
9:45 a.m. S&P Global Manufacturing PMI
9:45 a.m. S&P Global Services PMI
10:00 a.m. New house gross sales
12:20 p.m. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell speaks at National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development summit
Earnings: Nvidia, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Express, Bank of Montreal, Box, Nutanix
8:30 a.m. Durable items
12:15 p.m. Fed Vice Chair Lael Brainard
2:00 p.m. FOMC minutes
Earnings: Costco, Macy’s, Autodesk, Gap, Dell Technologies, Dollar Tree, Dollar General, Ulta Beauty, Lions Gate, VMware, Baidu, Alibaba, Medtronic, Burlington Stores, American Eagle Outfitters, Toronto Dominion, Jack within the Box, Buckle, Workday, Sumo Logic
8:30 a.m. Jobless claims
8:30 a.m. Real GDP (Q1 second estimate)
10:00 a.m. Pending house gross sales
1:00 p.m. San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly
Earnings: Canopy Growth, Big Lots
8:30 a.m. Advance financial indicators
8:30 a.m. Wholesale Inventories
8:30 a.m. Personal revenue/spending
8:30 a.m. PCE deflator
10:00 a.m. University of Michigan shopper sentiment


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Dacia Duster Black Edition launched
The Dacia Duster, an incredibly cheap SUV model, has taken the UK by storm since the first examples arrived to showrooms at the start of this year. So far in the year to date the Duster has picked up over 4,000 orders from UK customers.
The Duster Black Edition made its first public appearance earlier this month at the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed. Now the dark and tough-looking SUV is available to order now from £17,575.
Dacia decided to put the Black Edition on sale due to the large amount of interest it garnered from the public at Goodwood.
The Black Edition is based on the Duster in the Ambiance trim level and with the 110bhp 1.5-litre dCi diesel engine.
It features a large amount of extra equipment inside. The most noticeable update of course is the brushed black vinyl wrap finish, matched with striking 18-inch alloy wheels and a luxurious ash leather interior.
Other features include a media system with a 6-inch high resolution screen, satellite navigation, Bluetooth and a DAB radio. The Duster Black Edition also includes iPod connectivity, DVD playback and rear USB connection.
The UK marketing director for Dacia, Phil York, commented: "The Dacia Duster Black Edition is a mean, more upmarket version of what is already a great selling vehicle. I challenge anybody to drive home such a great looking SUV, with or without 4x4, with so much kit for anywhere near the money."
First deliveries of the Dacia Duster Black Edition will begin from October 2013.
The standard Dacia Duster range is still available for test drives and purchasing now at Perrys Dacia Dealership in Aylesbury. Prices for the Duster currently start at £8,995.


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An instant tourism revenue boost could be in the pipeline for Dubai as discussions about revolutionary underwater tourist sites get underway.
Revolutionary underwater tourist sites designed to capitalise on the $3 billion dive and tourism market could be on the cards for Dubai and the rest of the UAE.
Los Angeles-based Dynamic Reef developer, Reef Worlds, is reportedly interested in building sustainable underwater tourism sites in the emirate, and a decision could be made as early as March.
Intended to pique the interest of the thriving dive and tourism market, the revolutionary sites would be designed to look like an ancient Lost City.
As discussions get underway, the underwater tourism design company hopes the sites will become the centre of dive and snorkel tourism in the region and provide scope for further habitat creation.
Dave Taylor, Director of Development for Reef Worlds, said the company is expecting to make an announcement about the Dubai development by March.
He continued: “The Reef Worlds brand is all about sustainability and the creation of new habitat while at the same time adding instant tourism revenue and excitement to waterfront resorts.”
He added that the company will work with selected resort partners on unique underwater habitat projects that “directly support our clients’ sustainability and revenue goals”.
While Dubai is among the first destinations where Reef Worlds is looking to expand, the company is looking to launch similar developments in far-flung locations like the Philippines to boost tourism and regional habitat.


text: For years, packing products companies have run into difficulties when it comes to the question of packing and shipping meat. There is a plethora of benefits for both the consumer and the manufacturer in exploring the arena of packaging within the food industry. If one were to merely snapshot the volume of the fresh meat market alone, one would be astounded. According to reports, that one product accounts for approximately 4 billion pounds and $15 billion in sales annually. The packaging involved must take on several facets, including protection against contamination, ranging temperature levels and lighting. It also must provide an appealing, transparent package on which a label can be displayed. In an effort to extend the shelf life of meat, the industry looks to the development of new products to facilitate potential geographical sales, improve the ease of shipping, lower the cost of meat production on the environment and reinvigorate the product’s premium nature.


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Popular Nollywood director, Okiki Afolayan recently took to his Instagram page to share photos of the brand-new Lexus SUV he gifted his wife for her birthday.
The talented movie director was happy to splash huge money in acquiring the most befitting birthday gift for his lovely wife as a heartwarming gesture. He is definitely an amazing husband, isn’t it?
Nollywood movie director, Okiki Afolayan buys a brand-new Lexus SUV as a birthday gift for his wife
Okiki Afolayan shared photos of the new SUV on his official Instagram page with a teasing caption that reads;
“My girl on a brand-new everything”
The caption confirms that the SUV is a brand-new one and from the photos, we could clearly see that it is indeed a new Lexus RX 350 luxury SUV which is currently among the “hottest” in the Nigerian auto market.
As a matter of fact, our current listings of Lexus RX 350 SUVs for sale in Nigeria have been getting so much attention than many other car models in recent times than before. This is probably due to the amazing level of luxury it offers at really affordable prices compared to other SUV models from competitor brands.
>>> Read also: These 7 Nollywood stars drive Toyota Venza? Why?
Below we have embedded Okiki Afolayan’s original Instagram post in which he shared more photos of the Lexus SUV birthday gift;
Just after sharing the above photos on Instagram, Okiki Afolayan similarly shared another post in which he penned down a long heartfelt message to his wife appreciating her as a “priceless treasure” and more.
And at the end of the lengthy message, he wrote: “I Love You Agbekemi”. Quite obvious that the filmmaker is not only good at directing romantic scenes in movies but also a romantic handsome man in real life, Lol 😊.
Did you know that just 1 week ago, Okiki Afolayan's wife - Bimbo actually gifted her parents a new and well-furnished house? Check out this video that confirms the news with photos of the house;
Yoruba Actress Bimbo Afolayan Buys Her Parents Fully Furnished House As Sallah Gift, CONGRATULATIONS


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Pakistan mangoes exported to Australia amid fruit fly scare
By Matt Brann
The Australian mango industry wants quarantine services to heavily scrutinise any imported fruit from Pakistan after a recent shipment of Pakistani mangoes to the United Kingdom was found to be infested with fruit fly.
Mangoes from Pakistan have been exported to Australia for just the second year in a row, with the first trays delivered to the Perth markets in Western Australia.
President of the Australian Mango Industry Association (AMIA), Gavin Scurr, says the trade with Pakistan makes a lot of people in the industry nervous.
“Pakistan does have some pretty nasty pests and diseases which Australia doesn’t have and doesn’t want,” Mr Scurr said.
“The fact that the [fruit fly infested] fruit was picked up through quarantine when it arrived in the UK, meant it had left Pakistan under their conditions and hence inspection… they had missed it.
“We understand international trade, but all we’re asking as an industry is that our quarantine inspection services are doing their job thoroughly and go through this with a fine-toothed comb to ensure that these pests and diseases don’t enter our country.”
Mr Scurr says the first trays into Perth appear to be ok.
“From all accounts these mangoes seem to be of reasonable quality, a few spots and marks on them and selling for around $30 a tray,” he said.
Unlike last year, the Pakistani mangoes won’t be competing against much local fruit, with the Australian market currently made up of mangoes from Mexico and some ‘super-early’ mangoes from the Northern Territory.
AMIA says it doesn’t have details on how many mangoes will be imported from Pakistan this year.
According to newspakistan.pk, UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on June 17 inspected a shipment of mangoes from Pakistan which was found to be infested with fruit fly.
It says this is the first case of fruit fly infestation of Pakistani mangoes in the UK and if four more such shipments are found, the European Union will impose a ban on the importation of Pakistani mangoes.
It says the Pakistan Department of Plant Protection has taken precautionary measures to avoid any possible EU ban and has decided to only export mangoes which have received hot water treatment.


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The investments are expected to help Electrify America boost its growth plans through technological advancements in charging and energy solutions across public, home and commercial offerings
Volkswagen and Siemens have announced an investment of $450m in open ultra-fast electric vehicle charging network Electrify America.
The equity investments have given a post-money valuation of $2.45bn for Electrify America.
Siemens will make a low triple-digit million investment into the company, through its financing arm Siemens Financial Services (SFS). With the investment, the German technology and electrification company will become the first external investor in Electrify America.
The investment is part of Siemens’ efforts to boost open and accessible electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the US.
It is also expected to facilitate collaboration between Siemens Smart Infrastructure and Electrify America on the technologies and services for charging solutions.
Siemens Financial Services CEO Veronika Bienert said: “Representing one of Siemens’ largest investments in electrified transportation, this strategic partnership with Electrify America aims to grow a collaborative ecosystem that propels EV adoption across the United States and Canada.
“Our unique ability to combine financial and technology know-how helps to fulfill Siemens’ commitment to decarbonize key industries, accelerate the shift to sustainable mobility, and do so in a way that’s accessible for all.”
Volkswagen Group will increase its investment in Electrify America to advance its eMobility strategy and speed up the growth of its coast-to-coast charging network.
The new investment from the automobile company is in addition to its original commitment of $2bn through 2026.
The investments from Volkswagen and Siemens are expected to help Electrify America boost its growth plans through technological advancements in charging and energy solutions across public, home and commercial offerings.
The company plans to expand its network to 1,800 charging stations and over 10,000 ultra-fast chargers in the US and Canada by 2026.
Electrify America recorded 1.45 million customer electric vehicle (EV) charging sessions in 2021, compared to 268,000 customer EV charging session in the previous year.
As of May this year, the company had 800 EV charging stations and about 3,500 individual chargers open or with construction completed.


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Stablecoins are a niche part of the ever-growing crypto ecosystem, primarily used by crypto investors as a convenient and profitable way to conduct cryptocurrency transactions.
But there is another key player with an eye on stablecoins: Uncle Sam.
US government officials are rushing to regulate stablecoins, which are different from other, more volatile types of crypto. Where Bitcoin and Ethereum rise and fall day by day and even hourly, stablecoins promise to hold their value as they are pegged to less volatile assets, such as the US dollar or the euro. Due to their potential use as real currency, U.S. government officials fear potential risks stablecoins pose for consumers and financial markets if left unregulated.
“A stablecoin is basically a coin that is pegged to another asset and acts almost like a reserve currency. It’s like a common denominator between other cryptocurrencies,” says Humphrey Yang, the personal finance expert behind HumphreyTalks.
Here’s everything investors need to know about stablecoins.
What are Stablecoins?
A stablecoin is a type of cryptocurrency that relies on a more stable asset as the basis of its value. Most often, people refer to stablecoins as tied to fiat currency, like the US dollar, but they can also have value tied to precious metals or other cryptocurrencies. Stablecoins are essentially a less volatile cryptocurrency with greater potential to resemble the types of currencies people already use every day.
“Its purpose is to provide price stability when people transact in coins or between fiat and digital currencies, as crypto markets can be volatile,” says Doug Boneparthfinancial adviser and president of Bone Fide Wealth in New York.
All stablecoins are backed by some kind of asset or a combination of assets in a reserve; it can be gold, cash, or even short-term corporate debt called commercial paper. The idea is that the reserve money acts as collateral for the stablecoin – each time a stablecoin holder cashes in their tokens, an equal amount of assets is taken from the reserve.
There are many types of stablecoins and not all are created equal. Tether (USDT) is known as the first and largest stablecoin, and it was created in 2014. Around 85% The advantages of Tether are cash, cash equivalents, short-term deposits and commercial paper, according to its website. “USDT is owned by Tether, so Tether should have $1 on hand for every stablecoin,” Yang explains.
USD Coin is another popular stablecoin that was launched in 2018 by Circle. The USD coin is pegged to the US dollar and short-term US Treasury bills with an outstanding supply of $49 billion, according to Circle. Other stablecoins like Dai, Binance USD, and TerraUSD are also popular, but have smaller market caps and different reserve allocations.
How do you use stablecoins?
Stablecoins are useful because they allow people to transact more seamlessly in cryptocurrencies that function as investments, such as Bitcoin or Ethereum. They form a bridge between volatile cryptocurrencies and stable real-world assets, like fiat. By trading with stablecoins instead of US dollars, you are able to maintain all of your trades within crypto exchanges, which can save you the fees you would likely be charged on many exchanges.
Suppose you have Solana and Ethereum and want to buy more Solana with your Ethereum. You can exchange your Ethereum for stablecoins, like USDT, at a value in US dollars and from there you can buy more Solana with your stablecoins. Since Solana and Ethereum are separate blockchains and remain largely isolated from each other, using stablecoins as an intermediary can save you on fees and maintain the value of your crypto during trading periods. volatile.
“Sometimes a conversion from Solana to Ethereum is a bit more difficult because they’re on two different layers, like in two different projects, but the stablecoin acts as the common denominator between the two,” Yang explains.
Although crypto traders sometimes use stablecoins for more advanced investments, such as staking and lending, most beginners use them to avoid trading fees. Many crypto exchanges do not charge fees when exchanging US dollars for stablecoins. Coinbase, for example, does not charge any fees on transfers between USD Coin and US Dollar.
Another use for stablecoins is in international remittances or sending funds across international borders, although this can be risky as there is little or no official regulation. Since stablecoins are a form of private money, i.e. money backed by a company and not by the government, there is a real risk that stablecoins will not be as stable as one would expect. claims so, especially in times of economic hardship. There are also security and fraud issues. Essentially, if you put your money in stablecoins, there’s no guarantee you’ll get it back.
Can you invest in stablecoins?
Stablecoins are used as a niche currency in the crypto world and are not big investments. They are better suited for digital transactions and converting digital assets to and from “real” money.
Since crypto trading and prices can go up or down very quickly, it may be easier, faster, and cheaper to trade coins for stablecoins than to trade coins for real dollars in and out of your bank account. For example, you could quickly convert your Bitcoin into stablecoins pegged to the US dollar, like USDT, and it would continue to live on the exchange you operate on and retain its value. You can then exchange these stablecoins for other coins. If you were to convert your Bitcoin directly to US Dollars, it might take longer to enter your bank account and actually withdraw it from the crypto exchange.
“You don’t want to lose money just by switching between currencies,” says Boneparth.
The future of stablecoins
Regulation is likely to be an important topic for stablecoins in 2022, experts say. Like other cryptocurrencies, stablecoins operate outside of the U.S. monetary system, and officials have repeatedly raised concerns about them falling through the cracks of the regulatory net.
Federal authorities such as Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Gary Gensler, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, among others, are primarily concerned about stablecoins because these types of crypto have the most potential for future use by everyday consumers. to buy things. For this reason, expect continued conversations about stablecoin regulation this year, and possibly even legislation, experts say.
“I think 2022 will be a bigger regulatory year than any year before,” Boneparth says. “The more mainstream crypto becomes, the more attention regulators and policymakers are going to pay to it.”
Stablecoins have been “scrutinized” in particular because regulators are unsure what to make of them and are rushing to figure out how to establish laws and guidelines on how to deal with stablecoins, Boneparth says. It’s unclear whether U.S. regulators will choose to treat them like securities, banks, or something else entirely. The White House plans to release an initial government-wide strategy for crypto and other digital assets, and will ask federal agencies to assess their risks and opportunities, according to a Bloomberg Report.
This debate is also linked to another hot topic: will the Federal Reserve come up with its own central bank digital currency (CBDC). The Fed released a long-awaited report in January exploring the pros and cons of a CBDC, but postponed a final decision on whether to move forward. Instead, the Fed is giving the public and other stakeholders until May 20 to provide feedback before taking further action. The Fed acknowledged in the report that the move “would represent a very significant innovation for the U.S. currency.”
According to Grant Maddox, a certified financial planner and founder of South Carolina-based Hampton Park Financial Planning, whatever the Fed does next could “fortify cryptocurrencies or hurt their value.” “It depends on the direction our government chooses to take,” he recently told NextAdvisor.
Additionally, some experts say that the Fed’s planned interest rate hikes this year could boost demand for the US dollar and thus draw Americans’ attention to cash-backed stablecoins. Since the Fed is likely to raise interest rates multiple times this year, it “should basically provide tailwinds for the dollar” and “dollar-linked stablecoins can capture that rise as well,” according to Scott Bauer, a former Goldman Sachs trader. who is now CEO of Prosper Trading Academy, and as reported by Coindesk.
While that remains to be seen, it’s something to watch this year, and it could potentially affect any regulatory action the US government takes on stablecoins.


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On January 11, 2022, the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) released a report entitled Expensive Drugs for Rare Disorders: Canadian Trends and International Comparisons, 2011-2020 as part of the National Drug System initiative. Prescription Drug Utilization Information (NPDUIS).
Expensive drugs for rare diseases (EDRD) are defined in the report as drugs with at least one indication designated as orphan by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the European Medicines Agency (EMA), and whose estimated treatment costs exceed $100,000 per year. for non-oncology drugs or $7,500 per 28 days for oncology drugs.
The report provides an overview of the EDRD market, including a comparison between Canada and PMPRB comparator countries. Notable findings include:
- By the end of 2020, a total of 104 EDRDs had been approved in Canada. Oncology drugs represent 54% of EDRDs approved in Canada.
- The total number of EDRDs more than doubled between 2011 and 2015, and doubled again between 2016 and 2020. The majority of EDRDs currently on the market were approved after 2015.
- Most EDRDs received a refund recommendation from CADTH with a discounted price as a condition.
- Between 2011 and 2020, the compound annual growth rate of EDRD sales in Canada was 31.6%.
- EDRD sales in 2020 accounted for more than one-tenth of the total Canadian pharmaceutical market. Almost three-quarters of EDRD sales in Canada in 2020 can be attributed to just 10 drugs, the majority of which are used for oncology indications.
- Biologics account for nearly half of all Canadian EDRD sales. The sales shares of organic and non-organic EDRD have remained relatively constant over the years.
- Current Canadian prices for patented DRDUs are comparable to those in international markets. However, the results do not reflect the confidential discounts negotiated in each country.
- EDRDs represent an important segment of recent international approvals. New EDRDs are launched in Canada at a similar pace to comparator countries.
- Orphan drugs represent a substantial part of the global development pipeline. This is particularly true in phase III and pre-registration, where a third of drugs have an orphan designation.


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Inbuilt obsolescence and the pace of technical improvements in computer, cell phone and IT equipment is leading to toxic landfill problems in cities like Orlando because of what’s known as e-Waste
In the opinion of Florida e-waste recycling experts Sensible Recycling, Moore’s Law, Intel Corporation co-founder Gordon Moore’s observation that computer chip density roughly doubles every 2 years has an alarming, less beneficial consequence for large tech-heavy cities like Orlando, Florida.
New, more capable chipsets lead to faster obsolescence of working computers, cell phones and the network server equipment that enables the interconnected world. As a result, businesses need to update their IT infrastructure frequently in order to compete in the fast moving electronic economy, and in doing so, create massive stock piles of old computing equipment known as e-waste that ends up in local landfills.
Orlando FL is the world’s best known family tourist destination, but it is also home to one of America’s fastest growing technical communities, which includes aerospace, computer chip and finance companies. In addition,Orlando’s well educated tech workforce and the low cost of living in Florida compared to California’s Silicon Valley, is attracting a great number of new tech startups to the region which will likely make the e-waste and computer recycling problem more acute for Orlando’s city hall in the future.
Aaron Enos, CEO of veteran owned and operated Sensible Recycling of Jacksonville FL notes “Public awareness of the dangers of electronic waste is pretty low. The sleek exteriors of smartphones, laptops and computer systems makes it hard to envision them as dangerous, but underneath that outer shell there are materials like lead, cadmium, lithium and a host of other toxins that will eventually leak into ground water.”
The most often used alternative to landfill is the incineration of these devices, but that only leads to toxic compounds like dioxins being released into the air. The fact of life firms and city halls are beginning to come to terms with is these materials have to be handled in a way that neutralizes the danger to the public and doesn’t simply swap ground water pollution for air pollution in the waste handling process.
Fortunately there is a wealth of recyclable materials in all electronic devices, and especially in equipment such as computers, disk drives and cell phones where there is a large number of chips on each printed circuit board. Recycling of copper and aluminum from e-waste is fairly obvious, common place and easy to do, but surprisingly, there is also more gold and silver per pound of compacted electronic waste than in the alluvial deposits of most commercial gold and silver mines. That simple fact is helping to create a market for ultra low cost recycling options for businesses with aging IT infrastructures.
Enos adds “There is a solid enough business model in e-waste that it’s possible for our company to offer a completely free, zero dollar service to any size of business. Devices are picked up for free then processed safely and securely, all free of charge. Witnessed and certified destruction services like hard drive shredding are also provided free of charge because there is enough money in the residual materials of a typical disk drive, computer or cell phone.”
Visit the company website using the link at the top of this article and schedule a free pickup of obsolete computers, cell phones and IT infrastructure products and begin a zero cost relationship that will have great benefit for the people of Orlando and the local environment.


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ATI's RV570 to Cost $199
Fudo over at The Inquirer reports that their sources have indicated that ATI's upcoming RV570 GPU will be released with a surprisingly low $199 price point. Originally, it was believed that this GPU would compete at the $299 price point. Here, ATI's RV570 would be facing some stiff competition from NVIDIA's (rumored) GeForce 7950GT. Shockingly, RV570 will now do battle with NVIDIA's GeForce 7900GS and will likely have a solid performance advantage. In an market as volatile as the GPU segment, vendors always have contingency plans for situations like this. One thing is certain, it will be interesting to see how NVIDIA reacts should RV570 be offered at $199 as suggested.


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We spend a lot of time thinking about our online advertising strategy, but recent studies have shown than 82 percent or more of the money
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What is TAGFEE? It is an acronym that stands for the things you should be doing on Facebook to generate organic traffic for your website:
The recent changes to Google have the whole SEO world in a tailspin, it seems. Some people are now saying that SEO is dead while
Social media changes so fast that it is hard to keep up with the latest innovations. Most of us have a Facebook page, and that
It has happened to the best of us—a mistake on a Facebook post. In fact, with some industries it is a regular occurrence, as information
Twitter is the platform of choice for legal bloggers and firms who want to provide instant updates on cases, new laws and other “hot” topics.


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Straight from the horse’s mouth, this time, folks. Finnish device manufacturer Nokia recently outlined the company’s future in an investor-focused presentation at the Capital Markets Day event and, as expected, it involves a return to smartphone development.
It’s important to note that Nokia will be coming back only as a brand, and not a manufacturer. The company will oversee its stake as the owner of the brand and its patents. Taiwanese manufacturing giant Foxconn will be in charge of research and development, as well as production, with newly-formed HMD Global in charge of tying it all up.
As for feature phones – handsets which aren’t exactly smartphones – FIH Mobile Limited, a subsidiary of Foxconn, has already acquired the manufacturing rights from Microsoft. The recently launched Nokia 216 Dual SIM handset is the last Nokia feature phone to come out of Microsoft’s stable, with FIH taking over the reins in 2017.
According to online rumor mills, Nokia’s new Android smartphones are due for a Q2 debut next year. Gossip points to the upcoming Mobile World Congress 2017 (MWC) as the event where Nokia will be unveiling its new devices. Nokia CEO Rajeev Suri will be part of the congress’ keynote address, along with several notable industry players.


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Scotch Whisky tourism saw record numbers of visitors in 2017, with 1.9million visits to Scotch Whisky distilleries from tourists from all over the world as well as from across the UK.
The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has successfully registered ‘Scotch Whisky’ as a certification trademark in South Africa – the seventh largest Scotch Whisky market by volume.
The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) is delighted to announce the appointment of Dagmar Droogsma as the new Director of Industry.
Recipients of funding from the Scotch Whisky Action Fund have shared their experiences and what they have learned in conducting their work at an event in Edinburgh.
The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has released an analysis of the industry’s 2017 export performance that indicates the UK trade deficit would be almost 3% worse without Scotland’s national drink.
It may have been a long time in coming but finally, in early May, excise taxes for spirits in Turkey were harmonised. The same duty rate now applies to the Turkish national spirit raki as to Scotch Whisky.
The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) is delighted to announce the appointment of Gerry McFall as Director of Strategy and Communication.
SWA Chief Executive Karen Betts addresses Members' Day 2018
The Scotch Whisky industry's recent growth must be maintained beyond Brexit, delegates at the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) conference heard today.
The Scotch Whisky Association is delighted to annouce that it has acheived its 2020 non-fossil fuel target four years ahead of schedule.


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Can you cut 1 Tonne of carbon pollution out of your life?Take the challenge
Here at 1 Million Women, we've been thinking a lot about this link ever since we launched a series on happiness . Now there's even more proof, thanks to the results of a recent survey commissioned by Tetra Pak of 2,000 residents across the United States and Canada.
The researchers concluded, "adopting a few simple, renewable lifestyle habits that help protect the earth's natural resources can help people go from feeling glum to good, with 70 percent of those surveyed claiming they felt happier when making eco-minded choices."
Here are some other findings on happiness that point to a planet-strong lifestyle as a good way to go about finding it!
Consumerism isn't the answer
If we do feel enjoyment from buying a new pair of jeans or a chocolate bar, how long does the happiness we feel from this action last? If the answer is "until I get home from the shops", then perhaps it's time to take a new approach to how we navigate our hyper-consumerist society.
Getting outdoors is good for your brain
Harvard Medical School has found multiple mental health benefits of going outside and soaking up the sunshine.
Firstly, there's the benefits of Vitamin D: "Sunlight hitting the skin begins the circuitous process — the liver and kidneys get involved — that eventually leads to the creation of the biologically active form of the vitamin. Over all, research is showing that many vitamins, while necessary, don't have such great disease-fighting powers, but vitamin D may prove to be the exception."
They also note that "light tends to elevate people's mood", so getting outdoors whenever you can tends to help you to feel more cheerful and optimistic.
1 Million Women is empowering women and girls around the world to lower their impact on the planet. If you love what we do, please support our work by donating a couple of dollars. For the price of a cuppa, you can help us inspire millions more! (click to donate)
Planet Ark has also weighed in on the issue with its own research, pointing to the link between children playing outside and adulthood happiness: "Children who engage in just one third more outdoor activities than their peers grow up to be happier adults."
Eating well = feeling well
It's not surprising to hear that the food that we eat can impact out mood. From a sustainability perspective, choosing a plant-based diet is the planet-friendly option, but did you know that there have also been studies done into the links between cutting down on meat consumption and improved mood?
In one study, researchers found that meat-eaters who switched to a plant-based diet saw improvements to their mood. One conclusion is that omnivorous (meat and plant-eating) diets are high in arachidonic acid (AA) compared to vegetarian diets, and high intakes of AA promote changes in brain that can disturb mood.
From a first hand perspective, switching to a plant-based diet has certainly made me more aware of what I'm eating, and I tend to spend more time growing, buying and cooking my own food. I also tend to eat less processed food and more fresh produce, which in turn helps me to feel positive about myself because I know I'm giving my body nutritious fuel.
What helps you to feel happy? Do you think that switching to a sustainable lifestyle has improved your mood? Let us know in the comments below!
READ THIS NEXT: One Man Single-Handedly Plants Forest Bigger Than Central Park


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Furniture huge Ikea has taken As-Is — its market for discontinued merchandise, ex-screen and pre-cherished goods — on line.
Boasting major savings and sustainable browsing, it allows consumers to reserve their solutions on-line just before going to their picked store to acquire the products from the As-Is location, located just before the checkouts.
It’s a person of two current bulletins from Ikea, the 1st remaining the Ikea Organization Community — a no cost initiative released in June, which aims to support Australian modest corporations.
Along with membership discount rates on Ikea solutions, the method delivers services, gains and shared awareness in 3 vital spots: ‘business’, supplying Ikea knowledge to assistance boost efficiencies ‘space’, which will help to affordably generate areas that meet the demands of a enterprise and its clientele and ‘people’, which supports employee wellbeing and a greater daily life at function with access to positive aspects, applications and delivers.
Membership to the network consists of items like inside style and design consultation, online training in business fundamentals, and accessibility to workout videos, recipes, wellbeing means and financial assistance in the ‘Perks for your People’ service.
“Small businesses may generally not have the assets or resources to supply these kinds of wellbeing providers to staff,” explained Hannah Kiellerup, Ikea Organization Community expert at Ikea Australia.
“We know that shedding an worker in a small small business can be devastating.”
Ikea launched As-Is On line in Queensland in April, and has now rolled it out to all 10 of its Australia shops.
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With so many Australians procuring on-line, Lachlan Mitchell, item restoration leader at Ikea Australia, calls it a “natural addition”.
Ikea interior investigate conducted in partnership with GlobeScan uncovered that 22% Australians buy secondhand merchandise all or most of the time, even though 21% totally stay away from acquiring anything new.
Mitchell says organizations will need to pay attention to what their consumers are telling them.
“Bringing sustainability closer to your customers is undoubtedly a good small business decision.”
“Customers are getting more and more aware of how their intake and obtaining behaviours affect the natural environment.”
Far more sustainable materials sourcing, initiatives and goods to preserve vitality and drinking water, and circular overall economy trading practices are a handful of of the procedures underway at the business.
How can businesses boost their sustainability? Mitchell encourages all to appear at how every section of the company — “from offer chains, operations, product ranges, services and workforce – can make large or smaller modifications to help change into a much more sustainable business enterprise overall”.


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Jaguar Land Rover is to discontinue the three-door version of its all-conquering Range Rover Evoque.
The axing of the three-door model comes ahead of the launch of an all-new Evoque, which is likely to be unveiled next year.
Originally launched six years ago, the Evoque was hailed as the vehicle which transformed Jaguar Land Rover’s fortunes in a remarkably short time-frame.
It was judged by many to have hit the spot as a stylish and sporty SUV and helped Jaguar Land Rover’s sales and profits soar.
The three-door model was the most coupe-like and described by some at its launch as the closest thing Land Rover would ever get to a sports car.
Despite the three-door model’s sporty-styling, it was its five-door stablemate which became the bigger seller.
Both models, which have been subject to the customary mid-life makeover, were later joined by a convertible model.
Jaguar Land Rover bosses said both the five-door and convertible models would continue in production ahead of the launch of the all-new model but the three-door version has had its day.
A Land Rover spokesman said: “From the 2019 model year, Land Rover has rationalised its Range Rover Evoque bodystyle offering to concentrate on the five-door model and convertible, which account for the majority of sales.”
Experts at Autocar said discontinuing the three-door was a likely sign there would not be a three-door version when the all-new version is launched.
Confusingly, although Jaguar Land Rover bosses talk about the 2019 model year, that does not refer to the all-new model.
The 2019 model year version is the one currently being produced.
Due to arrive next year, the all-new Evoque is being tipped to look a lot like the Range Rover Velar.
It is also thought there could also be a mild hybrid version.
Jaguar Land Rover’s latest move is no great surprise, given current automotive industry trends.
There was been a move away from three-door hatchbacks across the board.
Audi and Volkswagen have ditched three-door and coupé variants of the Audi A3 and Volkswagen Scirocco have in the past 18 months, while many models are becoming five-door only with the launch of new generation versions.
Ironically the three-door Evoque harked back to the original Range Rover.
Launched in 1970, originally the Range Rover was a three-door vehicle.
It was only developed as a five-door vehicle as it evolved.
As part of Land Rover’s 70th anniversary celebrations a special three-door Range Rover was unveiled - and it is being made in Coventry.
The fastest and most expensive Range Rover yet, the Range Rover SV Coupé costs from £240,000.
It is being produced at Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations facility in Ryton-on-Dunsmore.
No official word has been given on whether the second-generation Evoque will be available as a three-door, but it’s now almost certain that it will not be.
This week Jaguar Land Rover announced it was making a major investment in its Halewood plant on Merseyside to produce the all-new Evoque.
In November last year Jaguar Land Rover announced it was discontinuing sales of the three-door Evoque in the US.
The next generation Range Rover Evoque is currently in its testing stages, with spy shots having emerged of the car being driven on the roads of Coventry and Warwickshire.
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NOIDA: At least 13 malls are likely to come up across NCR over the next five years, an Anarock research has found, buoyed by a 6% rise in shopping activity between 2016 and 2017.
The new malls will take the number of such shopping facilities in Noida, Ghaziabad, Greater Noida and Gurgaon to 58 in total. While Greater Noida will see four new malls — IDI mart, Galaxy Diamond Plaza, SBTL RST Galleria and Imperia Bandhan — Gurugram will see five — Spaze Tristaar, Orris Market City, JMS Marine Square, SVH 83 Metro Street, Aipl Joy Square and Satya The Hive. One new mall will come up Noida, ATS Kinghood Drive, while two new shopping plazas will be set up in Ghaziabad — Vihaan Shopping Plaza and KW Delhi 6.
Anuj Kejriwal, the MD and CEO of Anarock Retail, attributed the need for more malls to a sudden spurt in investments by shoppers. “The overall share of funding for the retail sector has grown from a mere 5-6% in 2016 to nearly 11% in 2017. Investors are showing confidence by beginning to make long-term commitments.”
“Recent data indicate Delhi-NCR has been one of the most active markets as far as retail activity is concerned. Leasing activity, too, has been the highest in NCR markets in the first quarter of 2018,” he added.
According to Anarock, Delhi-NCR will see the highest growth in the number of shoppers visiting malls, followed by, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru and Pune.
Asked how malls have been witnessing a spurt in the number of shoppers at a time e-commerce is expanding rapidly, Subhranghshu Pani, managing director, retail services, JLL, said: “Besides existing brands, this new spurt in retail will see online brands converting to brick and mortar stores.”
India’s elevated core inflation, which strips volatile food and fuel prices from the headline, has kept borrowing costs high. Even though the RBI’s mandate is focused on managing headline consumer prices, core inflation has made its way into policy deliberations. The indicator has stayed above 6% for 17 straight months.
New Delhi, Mar 14 (PTI) American toy and clothing retailer Toys 'R' Us is said to have shut within 24 hours a store it opened in Hyderabad to mark its second entry into India over some legal complexities with the mall owner, sources said.


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When you finish reading this story, what should you read next? This question is becoming a growing preoccupation for web publishers who are turning to a variety of story suggestion tools in hopes of keeping you on the page. The latest offering comes from a company called Reverb, which believes its background as a dictionary publisher makes it well poised to find readers relevant content.
Reverb, which officially launched today, draws on the semantic knowledge of its parent site, Wordnik, an online dictionary that assigns meaning to words based on both standard definitions and real-life context. Reverb believes Wordnik’s technology will allow it to do a better job finding relevant stories than other content suggestion engines.
“We want to go beyond the lowest common denominator of celebrity posts,” said CEO Tony Tam in a phone interview, and claimed that Reverb’s ability to surface relevant content means publishers will get more life from their old stories. Tam says more than 1,500 publishers and blogs are so far using the technology, including sites like Laughing Squid and Dressaday.com
For now, Reverb’s service is free to publishers. The no-charge model appears to be an attempt to get a foothold in the market for story suggestion engines. Right now, that market is dominated by Outbrain, a New York company that helps publishers surface their own stories but also place links to content from around the web. If a reader clicks on one of the outside stories or ads, the publisher gets a commission that it shares with Outbrain. Meanwhile, commenting service Disqus has also launched an ambitious plan to make money from proposing suggested stories and ads in the reader comment section of websites.


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French startup Moove wants to give small and medium-sized European businesses access to cost-efficient private flights with a fractional-share program using Daher TBM 960 turboprop singles. It expects to launch services next year.
Options start with a one-sixteenth share for €280,000 ($298,000), with the aircraft to be positioned with local operators at airports convenient to each group of owners. On top of the acquisition cost, owners will pay €43,000 to cover 20 flight hours over the course of a year at an average hourly rate that equates to around €2,150.
Moove founder Arthur Ingles is the former marketing director of Daher and told AIN he launched the company to create what he feels is a more effective platform for marketing the TBM 960 to new customers. The company launched an app earlier this year and is already offering it as a tool for users to calculate the cost of private flights, which it can then arrange with local charter operators. It compares the cost of a flight with options such as trains, scheduled air service, and use of private cars.
According to Ingles, the fractional program will be particularly valuable to customers in smaller cities and more remote regions where there is generally limited availability of aircraft for charter. He said costs can be contained by avoiding the need for expensive positioning flights.
Moove will make arrangements to position the aircraft with suitable operators, who will also handle aspects of maintenance and support. The company can help to arrange financing for the co-owners.


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Westport is set for a big economic boost this summer as the new Saltwater festival comes to the grounds of Westport House on the June Bank Holiday Weekend.
The brand new festival is set to become the Mayo equivalent of Bundoran’s Sea Sessions and will showcase top International and Irish talent with over 60 acts playing across 3 stages.
Dermot Kennedy and Johnny Marr are set to headline Saltwater from the 29th to 31st of May and they will be joined by a host of Irish and international acts.
The Saltwater Festival is one of the first festivals of 2020 and will aim to celebrate Music, Food, Culture, Wellness and the rich heritage of Westport.
Day and Weekend tickets go on sale from Ticketmaster outlets nationwide next Friday (13th December) at 9am.


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Pride 2019 is around the corner, and Sam Adams has rainbow-hued cans ready.
The brewery will host a beer garden party at its Jamaica Plain location on Wednesday, June 5 to celebrate both Pride Week and the re-launch of its beer for the occasion, “Love Conquers Ale.”
Debuted in 2018, the brew is a blackberry basil lime gose, “a refreshing twist on the Gose style that celebrates all the color, unique spirit, and undeniable energy of Pride week,” according to an event description. It will be available on draft and in four-packs, with $1 from each pint and $2 from each pack going toward Boston Pride.
For the party, the libation-makers will supply brewery-exclusive beers on tap, pretzels by Boston Pretzel, and an array of bites for purchase by LGBTQ vendors. Additionally, they’re bringing in all-male dance crew Queens With A Mission.
A $15 general admission ticket includes a sample of “Love Conquers Ale,” one 16-ounce beer, a pretzel, and the dance performance. For an additional $15, a “Can Package” ticket will get you all of the aforementioned, plus a four-pack of the Pride beer.