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Sanderson sees better quarter, but still loses $8M
by MBJ Staff
Published: February 28,2012
Tags: agriculture, chickens, earnings, feed, food, food processing, food processor, investing, investment, investors, loss, manufacturer, manufacturing, market prices, poultry, profit, publicly traded company, revenues, sales
LAUREL — Sanderson Farms Inc., for the first fiscal quarter ended Jan. 31, saw net sales of $517.8 million compared with $427.7 million for the same period a year ago.
For the quarter, the poultry company had a net loss of $8.0 million, or $0.36 per share, compared with a net loss of $33.6 million, or $1.52 per share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2011.
“Our results for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 reflect improved, but still challenging, conditions for our industry,” said Joe F. Sanderson Jr., chairman and CEO of Sanderson Farms. “We experienced higher poultry market prices than the same period a year ago. While retail demand for chicken has remained steady, we continue to see weak food service demand, and we believe food service demand will remain under pressure until the national employment environment improves. Weak food service demand and ample supplies continue to weigh on market prices for boneless breast meat produced at our food service plants. While grain prices have retreated from the highs they set last fall, we also experienced higher feed costs during the first quarter, and this continues to affect our profitability.
“Market conditions steadily improved during our first fiscal quarter compared with last year’s first quarter and compared with our fourth quarter of fiscal 2011, and the company was profitable in January. However, we continue to experience high grain prices, especially for corn. Corn supplies are at their tightest level in 15 years, which will likely keep upward pressure on grain costs at least until the market gets some visibility into the quantity and quality of the 2012 crops.
“Our balance sheet at Jan. 31, 2012, reflects refundable income taxes at Jan. 31, 2012, of approximately $102.1 million, $82.7 million of which relates to a federal income tax refund due as a result of the company’s fiscal 2011 net loss. The company received that refund on Feb. 27, 2012, and will use the proceeds of the refund to reduce outstanding borrowings under its revolving credit agreement.”
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Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) is reportedly favourite to bag the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) rights for the team’s home international games (except Pakistan Super League).
According to CricBuzz, Sony India could become the first major broadcaster to air Pakistani cricket after tensions between India and Pakistan recently. DSport showed the 2018 and 2019 Pakistan Super League tournament but halted it due to the Pulwama attacks.
A PCB leading figure said, “I don’t comment on such things. It is a fact that the matches will be shown in India. I don’t deal in such things, my commercial department is dealing with it. Yes, we are close to a deal with Sony.”
A Sony official told the publication, “We have agreed on everything in principle and if all things fall in place, we could start showing the games as early as January 26 itself,” the Sony official said. “All their games, be it in Pakistan or in UAE, will be on Sony Sports for three years.”
Keep it with BizAsiaLive.com for more.

domain: news


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July 9, 2018
The latest plan also includes introduction of a SAARC money card to aid payments amid traders as well as financing backing for startups in the region
The initiatives by SDF aim to boost trade between the SAARC nations which is reportedly limited to only about 4 per cent of their current total trade
In June 2018, SDF had announced plans to launch a social enterprise development programme (SEDP) to aid developmental projects in the SAARC region
The SDF, which has capital allotment of about US$1.5 billion, is looking to raise its credit portfolio to US$300 million in sectors such as energy and telecom
The SAARC Development Fund (SDF), a unit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) bloc, is developing an ecommerce platform to encourage hassle-free trade of goods and services within the member nations. The plan was announced by SDF chief executive, Sunil Motiwal, in a July 9 interview with the Press Trust of India (PTI). Besides India, SAARC is made up of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, the Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The latest plan also includes introduction of a SAARC money card to aid payments amid traders as well as financing backing for startups in the region. The startup programme will aid entrepreneurs in renewable energy, agriculture, health as well as micro, small and medium enterprises. This is touted to boost some of the world’s fastest growing economies.
The proposals follow the SAARC Development Fund Partnership Conclave that was held July 2-3 in New Delhi. The initiatives aim to boost trade between the SAARC nations which is currently limited to only about 4 per cent of their total trade. Herein, ecommerce is likely to bolster regional trade as well as investment into supporting infrastructure covering logistic, warehousing and transportation. The SDF, which has capital allotment of about US$1.5 billion, is looking to raise its credit portfolio to US$300 million through projects in the renewable energy, transportation, telecom space in the SAARC region. The initiative to strengthen trade SAARC ties is in line with Government of India’s ‘Act East’ policy, which is targeted at increasing people to people contact, trade ties and other relations in Southeast Asia region.
In June 2018, SDF had announced plans to launch a social enterprise development programme (SEDP) to aid regional developmental projects. The entity will provide annual support to around 80 entities in eight SAARC member states, including India. Established in 2010, SDF aims to – 1) Promote the welfare of the people of SAARC region; 2) Improve their quality of life; and 3) Accelerate economic growth, social progress and poverty alleviation in the region. To facilitate these agendas, SDF has three windows – Social, Economic and Infrastructure. The SEDP will be launched as part of the social window of SDF, which is governed by a council made up of finance ministers of the SAARC member countries. Currently, SDF is working on 12 social projects in the SAARC region with funding commitment of US$73.7 million.


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Kim and Todd Saxton: Go for the gold! But maybe not every time.
Q&A: What you need to know about the CDC’s new mask guidance
Carmel distiller turns hand sanitizer pivot into a community fundraising platform
Lebanon considering creating $13.7M in trails, green space for business park
Local senior-living complex more than doubles assisted-living units in $5M expansion
Those of us living in the industrial Midwest are accustomed to wincing before we crack open labor market studies.
But that wasn’t necessary for a new look at the smallest businesses in the nation’s 50 largest markets. Indianapolis, the only Indiana metro large enough to be lumped into Kiva and Visa's "Small Business Trouble Spots," didn't even come in for a mention. The study ranked changes in the number of businesses with fewer than 10 employees, and there was plenty of carnage all around Indianapolis.
Two Interstate 70 peers, Kansas City and Columbus, lost 2 percent of those smallest businesses between 2006 and 2008. (The recession started in December 2007 and ended in June 2009.) Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Louisville, Milwaukee, Memphis and St. Louis all lost at least 1 percent of those businesses.
It wasn’t as if Indianapolis thrived during that stretch. The overall number of jobs barely held steady. But treading water was enough to make the area something of an island.
What’s your perception of Indianapolis as a place for small companies to do business? It’s long been considered particularly stable due to the presence of state government and its diversified economy. Indianapolis doesn’t experience big upsides, but neither does it suffer huge declines.
If you weren’t doing business here, where would you rather be?


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CryptoKitties, which was founded by Vancouver-based Axiom Zen, has raised $12 million USD, according to a report from Bloomberg.
The round was led by Andreessen Horowitz and Union Square Ventures, while other investors included Coinbase founder Fred Ehrsam, AngelList CEO Naval Ravikant, and Zynga founder Mark Pincus.
CryptoKitties is also being spun off from Axiom Zen. The platform aims to make blockchain technology more accessible to the average person; the game, built on bitcoin, is centred around breedable and collectible cats. You can buy, sell, or trade Cryptokitties, while blockchain will track ownership securely.
In early December, CryptoKitties accounted for 11 percent of all transactions on the Ethereum network, according to ETH Gas Station.


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Grameenphone, the most preferred digital service provider of the country, now has 15 million fans on its Facebook page.This has made Grameenphone page the most liked page among all Bangladeshi fan pages on Facebook.
Since the launch of 4G early this year, spread of internet has gained new momentum with mass adoption of digital services and online applications by consumers, enterprises, and the government. GP’s nationwide network touches almost every corner of the country and is preferred network for 37 million data customers.
Speaking on the occasion, Yasir Azman, Deputy CEO and CMO of Grameenphone said,” This is another sign of our growing digital presence. Our Facebook page is a great engagement platform where we not only provide our customers with company information or responding to their queries but engage them on different social issues. People like this page as they can depend on it like they do on our network.”
Starting in 2007, the GP’s presence on Facebook has grown substantially over the years. By early 2017, the number of Facebook fans reached 10 million. While it took 10 years to reach 10 million fans another 5 million added in less than 2 years.
Grameenphone’s Facebook fan page is used as an engagement platform where customers get answers of their queries, solve their problems and provide feedback. The company keeps its fans engaged through various messages, announcements, and updates on various social issues. The company has a dedicated team working round the clock to handle customer queries, answering every comment within a few minutes, which is applicable to 98% of all the queries.


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Murray Goulburn extends deal to supply Kalbe with dairy powders
Murray Goulburn has agreed a deal to supply dairy powders to Indonesian firm Kalbe
Murray Goulburn has announced a new "long-term" deal to supply Indonesian nutritional product maker Kalbe with dairy powders for use in products including infant lines.
The Australian co-operative said the agreement builds on its existing contract to supply Kalbe, which uses the powders in nutritional products including infant and children nutrition lines.
Gary Helou, managing director at Murray Goulburn, indicated the company could work with Kalbe in other ways.
"It ... paves the way for further collaboration between our two companies, particularly as Murray Goulburn looks to grow its high quality dairy foods products in Asian markets, including Indonesia," Helou said.
"Indonesia is an important Asian growth market for dairy foods. It has one of Asia's largest paediatric populations, with approximately one in ten people under the age of 51 and this represents a future growth opportunity for Murray Goulburn and our high-quality dairy foods products, including infant formula."
The new agreement with Kalbe is the second announced today by Murray Goulburn. The company also revealed it is has signed a "framework agreement" to supply US infant formula manufacturer Mead Johnson with nutritional powders.
Murray Goulburn Co-Operative’s strategy is to focus on value-added dairy products in order to avoid the heavy price competition characteristic of the Australian fresh milk industry....
The growth of packaged food slowed in 2015, as a number of consumers chose alternative options....
This quarterly issue provides a review of news and analysis for the infant nutrition industry, covering the July–September 2016 period. Market News includes: the Brazilian health ministry has launched...
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Sometimes, you need a little help from your friends—or in Nissan’s case, Amazon.com. In a new joint marketing ploy, the two companies came together to plant a mysterious, massive Amazon locker in the middle of San Francisco. The locker, which goes by the name “Giant,” was first spotted last week near the city’s Ferry Building, causing many people to question what its purpose was. These questions were soon answered when a large Nissan logo appeared on the structure with the hashtag #giantlocker.
The two companies are asking passerby to comment about the locker using the hashtag. Those who participate receive the chance to earn a code that opens the doors, enabling them to win a variety of prizes, including Amazon music downloads. One participant will even win the change to win a new Nissan Rogue!
While we might not have a giant locker here in Beckley, West Virginia, you can still stop by Lewis Nissan and take a 2014 Nissan Rogue out for a test drive! We promise, you won’t need a secret code to do it.


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NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Video game retailer GameStop Corp. GME, -15.05% on Thursday reported second-quarter net income of $7.9 million, or 14 cents a share, up from $7.7 million, or 13 cents a share, last year. A survey of analysts by Thomson First Call forecast earnings of 15 cents a share. Sales increased 20.3% to $415.9 million. For the third quarter, the company said it expects same-store sales to drop 8-10%, primarily due to difficult comparisons with the prior year quarter when record-breaking titles such as "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" and "Fable" were released. Earnings are seen at 18-20 cents a share in the third quarter. Shares of GameStop closed at $29.45 on Wednesday.
GameStop net income rises slightly


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Oscar de la Renta goes on holidayTwo years into their tenure at the helm of Oscar de la Renta, designers Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia continue to seek new ways to inject a more relaxed vibe into the label – while maintaining its famous craftsmanship. Tuesday, the pair put on a rooftop runway show at the New York Fashion Week that felt like a sunny Mediterranean vacation – well, once it actually stopped drizzling.There were bold prints, lots of fringe, crocheted dresses and loose, comfy caftans taking their place among the elegant, structured gowns the label is best known for.A number of the garments had a relaxed, looser fit, and Kim said that had something to do with the weather this year.
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Although a family holiday in Spain often includes sun, sea and sandcastles, those looking for a fascinating and educational opportunity may want to visit the Prado museum in Madrid.
Housing around 1,000 works of art, the beautiful building has recently been refurbished and is set to reopen this week complete with a new "ultra modern" wing, according to AFP.
The new section is to showcase some 400 paintings that were previously not on display due to a lack or space.
Of the new red brick building, deputy director of Prado Gabriele Finalde said: "It is the most important extension the Prado has ever had.
Checking in for a flight online is good for passengers in terms of practicality and convenience, it was suggested this week.
James Freemantle, industry affairs manager for the Air Transport Users Council (AUC), said checking in via the internet can often enable travellers to arrive later for their flight and avoid the queues inside some airports.
The comments may be of interest to those who take family holidays, as children can often become restless when travelling but online check-in can minimise extra fuss.
In addition, Mr Freemantle said it was cheaper for airlines to enable its customers with this type of service and may therefore make plane tickets less expensive.
Many people book flights to La Manga for luxury holidays in Spain and now it has been reported by Bradford and Bingley that the number of those aged over 50 travelling overseas is growing year-on-year.
According to Bradford and Bingley 57 per cent of Britons owning a property abroad are now over the age of 55 and a recent report from Saga suggested that one in ten people over the age of 55 are considering moving abroad permanently with Spain being the number one destination.
For those who are considering elongating their luxury holidays in Spain, new research from HiFX listing the country as one of the least stressful destinations to emigrate to will be pleasant news.
Spain, along with the surrounding Spanish islands, was listed by swiftcover as the top European destination for holidaymakers this year.
Britons taking flights to Murcia may find their travelling experience "enhanced" if they fly onboard Virgin Atlantic's new Airbus A380, it has been reported.
According to Anna Knowles, head of PR at Virgin Atlantic the vessel will allow passengers to enjoy an "enhanced" experience while they travel to destinations such as La Manga in Spain.
Ms Knowles added that a new Dreamliner aircraft will also offer passengers an "improved onboard experience".
The double-decker Airbus A380 is the largest passenger airliner in the world and its first commercial flight is scheduled for October 25th 2007.
For a holiday and a honeymoon in one, many couples are now looking to marry in overseas countries like Spain, it has been reported.
According to a spokesperson from Confetti, there has been a "huge growth" in couples getting married abroad.
It was reported in September that a growing number of British couples are marrying on luxury holidays in Spain.
Father Manuel Torres, parish priest of Benalmadena, told Sur that couples enjoy luxury family holidays in Spain "with all their friends, staying together in a hotel for a few weeks of celebrations".
Britons heading out for luxury holidays in Spain are increasingly doing so in a manner of their own choosing, it has been reported.
According to Think Spain, thanks to the internet and low cost airlines, DIY trips in which the flights, transfers and accommodation are booked separately are becoming more popular.
Earlier this year, the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) reported that traditional package holidays were in decline as Britons looked to enjoy luxury holidays in places like Spain of their own construct.
According to Sean Tipton, a spokesperson for the ABTA, Spain is a popular location for people who look to enjoy holidays before occasionally buying property there and travelling out on luxury holidays regularly.
Britons enjoying luxury holidays in Spain are doing so while enjoying a quicker and easier check-in prior to departure, it has been revealed.
A new survey from travel technology supplier SITA revealed that half of 100 airlines questioned now use self check-in services over the internet.
The study revealed that 89 per cent hope to offer the service within the coming two years in order to help passengers travelling on luxury family holidays to Spain avoid busy airport terminals.
"Airlines are increasingly using web check-in because they want to make travel easier for their passengers.
An increase in environmental awareness is not deterring people from booking luxury holidays in Spain, it has been revealed.
Travel Weekly reports that during a debate on global warming at the Elite Travel Conference in Jerez, Spain, it was reported that holidays to locations such as Spain would be unlikely to be adversely affected by concerns about carbon emissions.
"I have a client who is a pheasant farmer and has had his crops ruined by climate change. He is still willing to fly, though.
There has been an increase in the number of people travelling abroad to enjoy luxury holidays in Spain, it has been revealed.
According to AFX News figures from the Spanish ministry of industry, commerce and tourism show an increase in the number of tourists heading for luxury family holidays in Spain.
The figures show that 6.1 million tourists travelled to Spain, perhaps to enjoy luxury holidays in La Manga, in September.
Travellers this January may wish to book luxury holidays in Spain to join in celebrations for Saint Sebastian - which take place on January 20th.
Saint Sebastian is the patron saint of Mallorca and those enjoying Spain holidays on this island in January will be able to enjoy the Aiguafoc fireworks celebrations which commemorate his martyrdom.
Another saint to be celebrated during this period is Saint Anthony - one of the founders of Christian monasticism.
Celebrations honouring this saint include parades outside Menorca Cathedral, What's On When reports, when the statue of Saint Anthony is paraded around Ciutadella.


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DeFi Digest, March 29: Will Smith’s slap in the cryptosphere, UK regulations & more!
Today, on DeFi Digest: Will Smith’s slap of Chris Rock at the Academy Awards makes its way as a potential digital asset, The UK is set to announce new a regulations framework for cryptocurrency, The President of El Salvador has lashed out at United States Lawmakers regarding a new bill, and deodorant brand Lynx has filed several trademark applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office regarding the metaverse.
DeFi Digest is the newest crypto podcast on the block. Available on Spotify and Apple iTunes, it is a news bites-style podcast that will keep you up to date with the dynamic world of crypto on your morning or evening commute. Tune in, and let us know what you think!


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Slovenia developing new tourism branch - apitourism
Apitourism is a growing worldwide culture for bee-seeking travellers and is becoming a niche travel trend. Slovenia started actively developing it after hosting the world beekeeping congress Apimondia in 2003.
The congress brought to Slovenia more than 3,000 beekeepers from all continents and when they returned home, they spread the word about the hospitality of Slovenian beekeepers and the beauty of the land; beekepers from across Europe continue to visit the country every year, beekeeping expert Franc Šivic says in the monograph No Bees No Life.
With a strong underlying culture that encourages respect for nature and raises awareness of environmental issues, apitourism is also in line with Slovenia's strategy of sustainable tourism and its slogan "Green. Active. Healthy."
"Honeybee tourism is undoubtedly a tourism product that represents Slovenia in the most authentic way as a country of extraordinary natural advantages," the Slovenian Tourism Board (STO) told the STA.
Apitourism is mainly promoted by the Slovenian Beekeepers' Association and the Aritours travel agency. They are the only ones in the world certifying apitourism providers, of which there are currently 35 in the country.
An "Apitour" in Slovenia includes honey trails, tasting of honey products and honey-based culinary treats, and attendance at workshops and beekeeping classes.
Visitors can also tour Slovenia's unique bee houses, which are distinguished by colourful hive fronts.
This summer, cycling honey tours with electric bicycles will be organised by the Sava Hotels Bled, which will include a stop at the Beekeeping Museum in Radovljica. Those in for a less physically demanding tour will be able to opt for hop-on hop-off bus tours.
An important service provided as part of apitourism is apitherapy, which uses honey bee products including honey, pollen, propolis, royal jelly and bee venom for medical purposes. Visitors are invited to enter a bee house and listen to the relaxing buzzing of the bees while inhaling the aromas from the beehive.
Some apitourism providers and spas also offer honey-based massages, honey and milk baths and beeswax thermotherapy.
The Terme Portorož spa at the coast, for example, uses honey in its saunas and offers a honey peeling, while Terme Paradiso in the south-east will open Slovenia's first Honey Paradise Glamping Resort this autumn.
Sava Hotels & Resorts will offer special honey-based experiences this weekend to mark the first World Bee Day. Several other spas plan to build on Slovenia's primacy in beekeeping in the future.
International experts meet to discuss new findings in apitherapy every two years at a congress of the Slovenian Apitherapeutic Association. The fourth congress was held in Piran last May.
Slovenia also boasts the "father of apitherapy". Filip Terč (1844-1017), a doctor from Maribor, earned the title with his articles in the Austrian medical journals about the use of bee venom for the treatment of rheumatism. His birthday, 30 March, was declared World Apitherapy Day by the International Federation of Beekeepers' Associations, Apimondia.
The first company to start developing honeybee-based products in Slovenia was Ljubljana's Medex, which in 1966 opened a lab dubbed Apicentre to develop new products based on honey, pollen, propolis, royal jelly and bee venom in what was one of the first such laboratories in Europe.
Medex also organised the first international apitherapy congress under the auspices of Apimonida in 1978.


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Peru Common Council approved a five-year tax abatement for Snavely Machine and Manufacturing during its regular monthly meeting on Monday.
The abatement was requested and approved because Snavely is investing more than $4.8 million into their plant and $250,000 in real property, and intends to create 20 new jobs.
“As we’ve grown, the automotive industry has added our products into their vehicles,” Snavely Chief Financial Officer Jason Amonett said at the meeting.
Snavely Machine and Manufacturing uses high-tech equipment to cut and craft steel into automotive parts.
This equipment Snavely is purchasing for their operations is expensive.
The twelve pieces of machinery the company is purchasing to expand operations is expected to cost $4.8 million.
After cutting a part, Snavely “impregnates” the metal parts with resin. To properly protect the product from chemicals and high temperatures, the manufacturers force resin into the metal’s porosity to form a pressure tight part, according to Snavely.
The company then delivers the product to its customers.
Due to the increasing demand to make more products, the employees have to load and unload more stuff—which is why Snavely is investing $250,000 to turn unused warehouse space into new loading docks.
“If you build the stuff, you got to get it out the door,” Councilman Kurt Krauskopf said at the meeting.
This expansion is also why Snavely is adding positions for operators – those who load and unload the trucks – truck drivers and quality inspectors.
The investment will also help secure the positions of the 170 employees that currently work for Snavely, according to Miami County Economic Development Authority Executive Director Jim Tidd.


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Wal-Mart bans Ind. women after fight in aisle caught on video
Reason for fight unclear
Wal-Mart officials say they're banning from company property the two women involved in a fight inside a suburban Indianapolis store that was captured on cellphone video.
Wal-Mart announced the step Tuesday.
Police also say they're reviewing the scuffle last Thursday night in Beech Grove. The video was taken by another customer and has gained attention since being posted online.
It isn't clear what prompted the women to begin yelling at each other and then start punching and kicking each other on the floor of a store aisle.
At one point a 6-year-old boy hits one of the women with a shampoo bottle.
No arrests have been immediately made. Beech Grove Police Maj. Tom Hurrle tells WTHR-TV the women should've avoided the fight, especially in front of a young boy.


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The Colombian trucking and logistics services startup Liftit has raised $22.5 million in a new round of funding to capitalize on its newfound traction in markets across Latin America as responses to the COVID-19 epidemic bring changes to the industry across the region.
“We’re focusing on the five countries that we’re already in,” says Liftit chief executive Brian York.
The company recently hired a head of operations for Mexico and a head of operations for Brazil as it looks to double down on its success in both regions.
Funding for the round was led by Cambridge Capital and included investments from the new Latin American-focused firm H20 Capital along with AC Ventures, the venture arm of the second-largest Coca-Cola bottler in LatAm; 10x Capital, Banyan Tree Ventures, Alpha4 Ventures, the lingerie brand Leonisa; and Mexico’s largest long-haul trucking company, Grupo Transportes Monterrey. Individual investor Jason Radisson, the former chief operating officer of the on-demand ride hailing startup 99, also invested.
The new capital comes on top of Liftit’s $14.3 million Series A from some of the region’s top local investors. Firms like Monashees, Jaguar Ventures and NXTP Ventures all joined the International Finance Corp. in financing the company previously and all returned to back the company again with its new funding.
Investors likely responded to the company’s strong performance in its core markets. Already profitable in Chile and Colombia, Liftit expects to reach profitability across all of its operations before the end of the year. That’s despite the global pandemic.
Of the 220 contracts the company had with shippers, half of them went to zero and the other half spiked significantly, York said. While Liftit’s major Colombian customer stumbled, new business, like Walmart, saw huge spikes in deliveries and usage.
“Managing truck drivers is incredibly difficult, and trucking, in our opinion, is not on-demand,” said York. “At the end of the day the trucking market in all of Latin America is a majority of independent owners. They’re not looking for on-demand work… they’re looking for full-time work.”
Less than 1% of the company’s deliveries come from on-demand orders; instead, it’s a service comprised of scheduled shipments with optimized routes and efficiencies that are bringing customers to Liftit’s virtual door.
“We do scheduled trucking delivery so we integrate with existing systems that shippers have and start planning how many trucks they’re going to need and the routes they’re going to take and … tee it up exactly what is going to happen regardless what the traffic conditions are so we have been able to reduce the delivery times for the trucks,” said York.


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Fiserv, a provider of financial services technology solutions, has partnered with MoneyGram International to enable consumers to pay a wide variety of household bills through financial institution websites the same day they are due.
According to Fiserv, consumers who pay bills at the financial institutions that use the CheckFree RXP online payment service, will have access to the integrated same day payment option. Initially, bills from more than 100 national and regional companies will be available for same day payment, with the potential to add more than 1,000 additional bills based on consumer demand.
Fiserv will utilize MoneyGram’s direct connections with billing companies to deliver the payments.
The bills that will be available for same day payment represent those most common to US households, including auto, mortgage, credit card, utility and mobile phone bills.
The same-day expedited bill payment option is expected to be available to more than 3,100 financial institutions that use the CheckFree RXP online bill payment service in the second half of 2010.
Todd Lesher, division president, electronic banking services at Fiserv, said: “Other same day payment offerings currently in the market have suffered from low adoption due to a small number of available bills and a lack of integration into the existing online payment process.
“Financial institutions can now address these issues by taking advantage of the combined Fiserv and MoneyGram networks to offer a substantial number of bills through a same day payment option that is built into the online payment flow. Offering expedited payments for multiple bills at one website is another way financial institutions can enhance convenience and maintain their position at the center of consumers’ financial lives.”


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Activision CEO, Bobby Kotick, has sent out a clarion call for Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo to cut the prices of their respective games consoles.
"The hardware companies are going to need to reconsider their pricing. Given the difficult economy, a lower-priced PlayStation, XBox and Wii would be a big benefit to consumption", was his plea
following the release of his company's financials.
Despite talk of the video games industry being recession proof, both the big gun publishers - Activision/Blizzard and Electronic Arts - as well as other key players such as SEGA are all predicting that 2009 will be a poor period for games sales. Only Kotick has called for the hardware makers to take a lead in price cutting.
In terms of his own company's most recent financial quarter, however, Kotick had good news. "Activision Blizzard has delivered record December quarter and calendar year 2008", he told investors
"Our balance sheet remains strong with no debt and more than $3 billion in cash", he continued. In fact, bullishness was the order of the day, with Kotick stating that, "In 2008, we had four of the top-10 best-selling games worldwide for the year. Ninety percent of the top-ten best-selling games worldwide were based on proven franchises, validating our strategy of a focused product slate with high-quality titles based on well-established brands.
"We enter 2009 with the finest product slate in our company's history and an organization properly sized and resourced to compete alongside the many new entrants and existing competitors in our industry.
"During the year, we will continue to employ our proven strategies that have worked so well for us over the last decade."
The phrase, "Proven strategies" does not auger well for new IP.Forbes
- among others - however, reads the data slightly differently: "Video game publisher Activision Blizzard Inc. posted a fourth-quarter loss Wednesday, but adjusted earnings jumped past Wall Street's expectations, boosted by strong sales of the latest Guitar Hero
and Call of Duty
further reports that, "However, its shares fell as much as 9 per cent in after-hours trading to $8.60 as forecasts for its March quarter of $550m in sales fell short of analyst expectations of $628m."Reuters
is actually quite brutal in its appreciation of Activision/Blizzard's outlook. It headlines a piece today: "Guitar Hero
fails to save Activision". In it, it states, "The economy is so bad that even the company behind Guitar Hero
, the hottest video game franchise in the world, couldn't muster a profit in the holiday quarter".
The analysts at Reuters explain that, "Activision Blizzard on Wednesday posted a $72 million net loss in the fourth quarter, compared with an $86 million profit last year."
So, will Acti/Blizz travel the same cost-cutting routes as SEGA and EA? Not according to Kotick
, "We won't be distracted by layoffs and restructuring and things that other companies are going to be distracted with.
"We don't respond to managing our operating expenses because there's a financial crisis, we do it all the time."


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Challenges in the Electric Car World
The electric vehicle (EV) world has faced some challenges lately. Making batteries for EVs has been costly for car companies. High prices and a lack of charging stations have made people hesitant to switch to EVs. Plus, Elon Musk’s Tesla has been in a price war, making it even tougher for EVs to make a profit.
In this difficult situation, Toyota’s Chairman, Akio Toyoda, said that people are starting to realize the challenges of EVs.
Toyota made this statement after General Motors (GM) and Honda canceled their plan to create affordable EVs together. They wanted to sell EVs for less than $30,000 by 2027.
But the EV business isn’t as attractive to car companies as it used to be.
GM said that after careful research, they decided to stop the partnership. GM is still committed to making affordable EVs, but they delayed the production of some new EVs to make them more efficient and cheaper to build.
GM also dropped its goal to make 400,000 EVs by mid-2024, but they still plan to make 1 million EVs by 2025.
Ford also announced they were slowing down the production of their F-150 Lightning truck. Even Tesla, known as a leader in the EV industry, didn’t meet delivery expectations and had lower profits for the quarter. Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, blamed high interest rates.
Toyota’s Chairman, Toyoda, said that he has been speaking the truth. He believes there are different ways to reach carbon neutrality, including using hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles. These have been a big part of Toyota’s EV sales because they meet the needs of many customers.
Hybrid vehicles combine electric and gasoline power, making them popular, and Toyota expects the demand for hybrids to keep growing as the auto industry moves toward electrification.


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After a grueling three-year legal entanglement, the Starbucks-Kraft lawsuit has finally come to an end. Earlier today, an arbitrator determined that Starbucks will pay a total of approximately $2.76 billion as a monetary settlement to diffuse their legal dispute with Kraft.
On Tuesday, the Starbucks Corporation and Mondelez International both released statements explaining how the staggering cost were determined. Both companies explained that $2.23 billion would cover damages and the other $527 million would serve as compensation for attorney fees.
Mondelez International, Inc., which comprises the food brands of the former Kraft Foods, will receive the monetary award for the compiled damages. The company, which is also houses the Cadbury and Oreo brands, stated that the appropriated funds will be used for stock acquisition purposes. Mondelez has plans to buy back it’s stock once priority expenses and taxes have been covered.
The stock numbers also depicted the companies intentions in after-hour trading. Mondelez shares rose approximately 97 cents, while Starbucks stock suffered a 1.5 percent decline of $1.20 per share, As a result, the stock price fell to $79.41.
In 1998, Kraft Foods established a marketing merger with Starbucks to exclusively distribute the company’s coffee brand in stores. That contract was renegotiated in 2004, and reinstated for another 10 years, set to expire in 2014. However, in November of 2010, Starbucks opted to sever the agreement with Kraft. Kraft sought to challenge the termination of the contract through arbitration proceedings, stating breach of contract. The two food and beverage conglomerates officially severed ties in March of 2011.
According to the Huffington Post, Starbucks refuted the company’s claims, stating that Kraft had not met all of the requirements mandated under the contract. Kraft Foods was accused of failing to include the company when making executive decisions in reference to marketing and consumer relations. The nationwide coffee chain also stated that the decision to separate from Kraft was consistent with the terms of the initial contract. On Tuesday, Starbucks released a brief statement expressing their sentiments on the arbitration conclusion.
“We believe Kraft did not deliver on the responsibilities to our brand under the agreement, the performance of the business suffered as a result and that we had a right to terminate the agreement without payment to Kraft,” Starbucks said.
“We’re glad to put this issue behind us,” said Gerd Pleuhs, executive vice president of legal affairs and general counsel of Mondelez International, said in a statement. “We can now fully focus on growing our global snacks business.”
Image(s) via Wikimedia Commons | Mondelez International, Inc. Wikimedia Commons | Starbucks
Wikipedia | Starbucks


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After one last delay, the Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker release date finally lands this week – at least for early access. We’ve got precise details on the timing for the launch of Endwalker and patch 6.0, as well as the […]
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Monthly Archives: November 2021
It’s time for another bug hunt: season two of Aliens: Fireteam Elite will begin in December, and the update will include a raft of free content for the sci-fi co-op game. All colonial marines will see free content in the […]
Capcom Arcade Stadium reached nearly a half-million concurrent players on Steam earlier today, making it the eighth-biggest game in the platform’s history. There’s a free download with access to classic shmup 1943 but, uh… well, this isn’t exactly the only […]
Historical 4X game Humankind has been running a seasonal event this month, but it’s run into a few snags. Players have reported losing progress on various challenges in Humankind’s Dia de los Muertos limited time event, which has led to […]
The Genshin Impact 2.4 update is due to arrive in early 2022 and will coincide with the anniversary of last February’s Lantern Rite festival, an extensive celebration with plenty of activities and rewards. Genshin Impact fans have uncovered information indicating […]
Hearts of Iron IV received a new hotfix today, its third in the week since expansion No Step Back’s launch its third since the release of the No Step Back expansion, and a bigger update is on the cards for […]
While Valve has been forced to delay the Steam Deck by two months due to global supply chain issues, many developers are reaping the benefits. One such team is Re-Logic, with the Terraria developer explaining on a Steam blog that […]
Cloud gaming is all the rage these days, with the likes of Xbox Cloud Gaming (formerly project xCloud) facilitating bringing sharp and responsive gaming experiences on Microsoft Edge compatible devices. There’s no doubt that some gamers will use the upcoming Steam Deck for […]
Starfield, the upcoming space game from Bethesda Game Studios, is a “more grounded” experience than Skyrim, but game director Todd Howard says you’ll still have that signature experience of stepping out into a marvellous new world – in fact, Howard […]
Digital Extremes has revealed that Warframe’s The New War expansion will release on December 15, 2021. The release date was announced during Warframe’s final devstream of the year, which also featured a CG story trailer and details on hosted giveaways and Twitch […]
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Google Maps update with support for Apple CarPlay in iOS 12 is now available to download on the App Store [→ Direct link].
Waze is yet to release an updated app, but it shouldn’t take any longer now.
At WWDC 2018 Apple announced support for a few more 3rd-party apps in Apple CarPlay. And it clearly showed Waze and Google Maps on the screen on an Apple CarPlay display.
However, it seems the feature isn’t available yet with the iOS 12 beta. Or maybe we have to wait for an update to Waze and Google Maps to be supported by CarPlay.
Knowing Apple, chances are pretty good you’ll see these apps running on your car’s dashboard only after iOS 12 officially releases in September.
Let’s wait for a couple of weeks to see if any app updates would enable Google Maps and Waze on Apple CarPlay with iOS 12 Beta.


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3 Big Pharma Dividend Darlings
Post on 12-Jul-2015
3 Big Pharma Dividend Darlings3 Dividend Darlings You Need to Know AboutDrug companies are staples in dividend investors' portfolios thanks to their predictable demand and solid cash flow. However, many drug companies, includingBristol-Myers, Johnson & Johnson, and Merck have seen dividend yields slide as markets have pushed shares to new highs.Although it may be tempting to simply buy those drug companies with the highest dividend yield, investors should consider how patent expiration and fast growing products may impact future dividend payments before buying shares.These three dividend darlings offer investors an intriguing blend of income and growth catalysts that could send dividend payouts higher.1. Bristol-MyersBristol hasnt escaped the patent cliff. Plavix lost exclusivity in 2012, putting $2.5 billion in sales up for grabs and forcing a major restructuring to shore up margin.
However, offsetting Plavix are Bristols fast growing Yervoy, Sprycel, and Orencia.Yervoy sales grew 36% to $960 million in 2013Sprycel sales grew 26% to $1.28 billion in 2013Orencia sales grew 23% to $1.44 billion in 2013
Bristol-Myers 2.8% forward dividend yield is supported by fast-growing cancer drugsBristol-MyersInvestors should watch to see if Bristols cash dividend payout ratio, which measures operating cash minus capex and preferred dividends falls. If so, there could be room for future dividend hikes.
2. Johnson & JohnsonJohnson lost patent protection on $2.27 billion worth of sales last year when patents on heartburn medication Aciphex and anemia drug Procrit expired. Johnson also lost protection for its ADHD drug Concerta in 2011
However, offsetting those losses are fast-growing new blockbusters Xarelto, Zytiga, and Stelara.
Xarelto sales grew from $239 million to $864 million in 2013Zytiga sales grew 77% to $1.7 billion in 2013Stelara sales grew 47% to $1.5 billion in 2013
Johnsons 2.7% forward dividend yield is on solid footing thanks to new blockbustersJohnson & JohnsonJohnsons cash dividend payout ratio, which measures operating cash minus capex and preferred dividends falls, is healthy at 57%. That suggests there could be room for future dividend hikes.
3. Merck & CompanyMerck lost exclusivity for its $5 billion-a-year Singulair in 2012. Sales of Singulair toppled nearly 70% to $1.2 billion in 2013, forcing full year sales down 7% to $44 billion.
Merck also lost protection on its $900 million-a-year brain-cancer drug Temodar, and its $600 million-a-year drug Maxalt last year.
However, offsetting those headwinds are Gardasil, Isentress, and Zostavax.Gardasil sales grew 14% to $1.8 billion in 2013Isentress sales grew 16% to $442 million in 2013Zostavax sales grew 16% to $758 million in 2013
Mercks 3.1% forward dividend yield is the highest of the three, but comes with more risk.Merck & CompanyMercks cash dividend payout ratio is a solid 52%, but a potential sales of its nutrition and animal health business could give Merck the room to return more money to shareholders.
9 rock-solid dividend stocks you can buy today! Unlock the secret few financial professionals will admit, that dividend paying stocks handily outperform their non-dividend paying brethren.


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The United States (US) economy is the largest in the world and that has been the case for at least the last 100 years. Some reports postulate that the country had begun leading the world industrially by the start of the 20th century. The US has manifested the key factors of production — capital, land, and labor — to an unparalleled degree throughout its history, led by celebrated persons across science, engineering, business, economics, and more.
Nonetheless, the economy has suffered its fair share of setbacks. From the Great Depression in the 1930s to the 2008 financial crash, such incidents have threatened to capsize the country’s economic ship beyond repair. But through a combination of sound policies, financial reserves, and strong international relationships, the US always has always found a way to rebuild. These three parameters capture just how large the economy is in 2023.
Gross Domestic Product
As the premier determiner of a country’s economic wellness, the gross domestic product (GDP) — referring to the total value of goods and services traded in a country — is usually the first point of information about the size and strength of an economy. But what stands out the most about the GDP of the US, even more than its actual value, is its difference from those of other countries.
The latest available studies report that the GDP of the US stood at $23.315 trillion in 2021, making it responsible for up to 10.4% of the global economy. Second-place China recorded a GDP of $17.734 trillion. The aggregated GDPs of Japan, Germany, India, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Canada (the countries placing third to ninth), they would still create less value than the US.
Even with the coronavirus pandemic, mass layoffs, and inflation, the US still maintains a high level of industrial activity. A look at various sections of the economic calendar reveals when we can expect to see the data for each of a variety of industries and sectors. The option to filter by “High importance” releases makes it even easier for traders and anyone with an interest in the US’s economic performance to uncover that data at the click of a button.
To summarize, though, the US is set to maintain such high performance far into the future. In addition, the country imports the second-highest quantity and exports the third-highest amount of goods and services globally, with $325.8 billion in imports and $257.5 billion in exports. Interestingly, only 10% of its GDP is attributable to exports, implying that the US works to keep its competitive advantage in manufacturing high-value products and contributing across the value chain.
Speaking of companies, it’s unsurprising that the US economy supports massive company growth. Apple is currently the only company in the world valued at more than $2 trillion. Nine of the ten most valuable companies globally are based in the US. The top three alone — Apple, Microsoft, and Alphabet — combine for more than $5 trillion in market capitalization. Through taxes, job creation, and technological development, these companies contribute tremendously to the US economy, making it a prime destination for foreign investment.
Going forward, it would be interesting to see how the US maintains this economic power dynamic. China currently stands as the top threat, as it is steadily increasing economic output, strengthening international alliances, investing in home-grown corporations, and striving to boost the usage and value of the Chinese Yuan. Nonetheless, it is not out of place to expect that the US economy remains on top for at least the next decade.


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Last Tuesday, we found ourselves rushing out to a local Toys "R" Us to pick up Microsoft's official VGA cable after our trusty Dell 2405FPW balked at dishing out 1080p over component. Regardless, we wanted to watch our 1080p upscaled DVDs and -- due to all sorts of arcane legal restrictions -- Microsoft is only able to offer that service over VGA and not component (note: reason #38 why we want an HDMI connection).
So, you'll appreciate our dismay when we plugged in our new ($50!) cable, only to find that our display had serious issues with the 360's VGA connection -- it was entirely washed out, a known issue with the Xbox 360's VGA implementation apparently. But there's more! Any resolution, not just 1920x1080, exhibits a significant amount of screen tearing, which isn't replicated using component. And one last thing. Some televisions, most notably Sony's LCD XBR series
, that are supposed to accept 1080p over component just flat out refuse. Just reading through the AVS Forums thread
on the topic should be enough to convince anyone that something's rotten in the state of 1080p on the 360.
Microsoft podcaster Major Nelson brings word that the team in Redmond is aware of the 1080p issues and are working on a fix ... at around 8 minutes into his latest 'cast
(number 200, congrats!), he says the display issue is "kind of this bug that the guys are working on and they are aware of." He limits it to simply the 1080p over component issue, so let's hope that Microsoft takes the opportunity to isolate and correct the outstanding VGA issues as well.
[Via Engadget HD


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RMI director Sue Robinson said in a statement that:
The move towards more environmentally-friendly vehicles could be a major sales driver for car dealers in 2008. Consumers want to do their part to reduce carbon emissions, and many will be looking at where they can make reductions. Their choice of vehicle will have a significant impact. Company car drivers are also encouraged via the tax regime governing this segment. All this gives dealers an opportunity to help consumers make the choice, maximize sales, and do their part for the environment all at the same time. The new car fuel economy labeling system for cars that is already in place already enables dealers to show which cars will provide lower emissions, and they can build on this. Dealers would like to see the Government do even more to encourage consumers to buy ethically, and think green.
Obviously, there are a lot of questions that can give buyers pause. We might all like to buy a new and cleaner car, but do we have the money for it? Are the options currently available worth buying now or should be use the junker we've got for another year or three and see what's on the lot then? While it's nice to think of the ways we can drive smarter and greener, I haven't seen a lot of comments from our readers that makes me think the green buying revolution is right around the corner.


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Marriott International has put in place a multi-pronged approach designed to meet the health and safety challenges presented by COVID-19. A message from President and CEO Arne Sorenson, outlined an overview of the key components of Marriott’s Commitment to Cleanliness.
- Marriott Global Cleanliness Council: Consisting of in-house and outside experts in food and water safety, hygiene and infection prevention, and hotel operations, the council will work to develop a new generation of global hospitality cleanliness standards, norms, and behaviors for more than 7,300 properties around the globe.
- New Cleaning Technologies: While the council develops its work, plans are being formed to roll out enhanced technologies at properties over the next few months, including electrostatic sprayers (shown) and the highest classification of disinfectants recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization to sanitize surfaces throughout hotels.
- Cleaning Regimen Changes: When guests check into hotels over the next few months, they will notice a number of additions to the cleaning regimen designed to set an even higher standard of cleanliness for the hotels as well as modifications to associate-guest protocols developed to be consistent with recommended social distancing guidelines.
“We don’t know when the COVID-19 pandemic will be over or when our lives will return to some sort of normalcy. But we want our guests and our associates to know that when the time comes to travel once again, we will be ready to welcome them back to a safe and clean hotel environment,” Sorenson wrote in the message.
Photo: Courtesy of Marriott International


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- Due to the increasing risk of scams in the cryptocurrency industry, another significant Australian bank has said it will restrict specific cryptocurrency sites.
- The names of the crypto exchanges that the bank anticipates prohibiting were not provided by NAB.
While most of the world has embraced crypto assets, specific organizations are taking a more cautious stance. One of Australia’s well-known financial institutions, the National Australia Bank (NAB), has decided to put payment bans in place on a few “high-risk” cryptocurrency exchanges.
As part of its “bank-wide scam strategy,” NAB unveiled several new safeguards against fraud on July 17.
In addition to stopping millions of dollars worth of transfers between March and July 2023, NAB will put blocks in place on “some cryptocurrency platforms” to help shield users from fraud.
The main reason for this crackdown is concern about the hazards involved with fraud. These coordinated efforts show the leading Australian banks’ united commitment to preventatively limiting access to cryptocurrency startups.
The names of the crypto exchanges that the bank anticipates prohibiting were not provided by NAB. Chris Sheehan, NAB’s group investigations and fraud executive, only mentioned that the new blocks will affect “high-risk” sites where “scams are more prevalent.” As Sheehan put it:
“These scammers are part of organized, transnational crime groups. Increasingly, we’re seeing them use cryptocurrency platforms to send stolen funds quickly and often overseas.”
Sheehan reportedly suggested that NAB’s crypto bans would impact the Binance cryptocurrency exchange. According to the executive, he said:
“Our approach is going to be consistent with the rest of the industry,”
Additionally, Westpac was the first to implement client protection measures among the four leading Australian banks on May 18. Westpac and the Commonwealth Bank are said to have obstructed payments to Binance during the past few months. On the same day, Cuscal, a payment solutions provider, made a decision that led Binance Australia to declare the end of its Australian currency deposit services.
In the release, NAB repeated the growing claim made by regional banks that almost 50% of scam money reported in Australia are connected to cryptocurrencies. In its statement, the NAB says:
“More broadly, cryptocurrency scams are one of the fastest-growing security threats, with Australians losing more than $221 million to them last year,”
The authority asserted that 40% of Australians are “extremely willing” to accept slower payments in exchange for enhanced fraud protection.


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Kornit Digital, the leading provider of industrial and commercial digital printing, superior pigmented ink and unique chemistr solutions for the textile industry, today announced plans to launch the Kornit Allegro printer for roll fabric at ITMA Asia 2012, Asia’s largest textile machinery exhibition. The one-step solution for digital pigment printing on textile will debut at ITMA Asia, in Shanghai, China, June 12-16 at booth E1-C22. Kornit Digital will also showcase its full portfolio of innovative and environmentally friendly technology solutions for the garment printing market.
Kornit Digital’s presence at ITMA Asia demonstrates its strong commitment to address the demands of business in Asia. The 12th Five-Year Technical Progress Outline for the textile industry in China has been officially introduced to position China as a strong player in the world’s textile industry by 2020. It includes large-scale implementation of clean production and the establishment of a low-carbon, green, cyclic economy system.
With it, China`s government is making manufacturers meet mandatory state government standards in energy saving and effluent reduction. Kornit Digital’s proven solutions will assist Chinese manufacturers in meeting these stringent standards.
"Kornit Digital`s total commitment to cutting-edge technology, customer support and advanced ink and chemistry solutions provide the framework to meet the challenges faced by the Asian market," said Eyal Manzoor, Kornit Digital’s general manager for Asia Pacific. "We are excited to participate at ITMA Asia this year and to showcase our superior technology that enables innovative solutions demanded by this market."
Asia is the world`s fastest growing market, with China as its largest economy and the second largest economy in the world. In response to this regional market growth, Kornit Digital now operates a full-service office and demonstration center in Hong Kong, with a dedicated support team to provide direct cutomer service in Asia Pacific.
| On 27th Jul 2021
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The prices of 5G devices in the US are likely to drop as low as US$200 (A$257) this year, the technology analyst firm Counterpoint Research says, adding that this could come about due to the expanding coverage and OEMs looking to meet demand at different prices.
TCL Communication, better known for its range of cheap television sets, has announced its first lot of self-branded smartphones, the TCL 10 series, all of which are priced under US$500. The devices will be available for sale later this year, with availability dates to be announced over the next few weeks. Two of the models will be sold in Australia.
Thanks Sam! Best article I've read in a little while :)
NetComm was given an early Mac by Apple in 1984. I set about developing a NetComm program for it, and[…]
A partial victory indeed. Meanwhile Julian Assange is still stuck in gaol while lawyers and activists feast on his discomfort.[…]
Yes indeed, unwelcome scam calls are on the rise!add trojan and phishing links in unsolicited SMS to that list :)Interesting,[…]
the G-sync compatible TV is great but I wanted to read more on the LG Rolling Bot to see if[…]


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Southeastern Plans for Future After Bankruptcy Filing
Southeastern Grocers is launching a new loyalty program this summer, SE Grocers rewards, which will allow customers to redeem points on groceries and fuel at participating Shell or other select fuel stations. The new program replaces the Plenti program the grocer had participated in; American Express announced it is ending the program on July 10.
“We are committed to providing a loyalty program for our customers and associates that will best meet their everyday needs. We have listened loudly to our customers about all of the things they value with our current rewards program and how we can make our next loyalty program even better… We will take every step to ensure this transition is clear, smooth and creates quality value and savings for our customers and associates where it matters most – food for their families and fuel for their vehicles,” said Anthony Hucker, president and CEO of Southeastern Grocers.
Jacksonville, Fla.-based Southeastern Grocers also is continuing plans to remodel and upgrade several stores after its bankruptcy filing earlier this year.
“Actually, it’s accelerated it,” Hucker said in local news report from the ribbon cutting ceremony during the grand reopening event of the newly renovated Winn-Dixie in northern St. Johns County in Florida.
The reorganization plan reduced the grocer’s debt by more than $500 million, and after closing 94 stores, the company will continue to operate 580 stores under the Winn-Dixie, Bi-Lo, Harveys and Fresco y Mas banners in seven southern states.
The newly renovated store features 1,400 new natural and organic items as well as artisan pizzas and sub sandwich shop.
Focus on Popular Banner
The company also transformed a Winn-Dixie into a Fresco y Mas in central Florida. The rebranding follows a post-bankruptcy strategy to rebanner certain stores to cater to its specific neighborhood.
“We know that no one community or customer is the same and we have a lot of banners, and we believe in grocery stores that are catered to each community,” Hucker said in a local news story about the store’s rebranding. “The strategy at Fresco y Mas is really simple — we try to provide them with a really authentic Hispanic shopping experience that truly reflects the specific needs of the Hispanic communities.”
The newly rebannered store will cater to Hispanic customers with a butcher, café, bakery and deli with fresh foods such as arroz con gandules, flan and pork tamales.


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Sales up at Straight
29th June 2012
ENVIRONMENTAL products company Straight has renewed its finance facilities.
The Leeds-based bin manufacturer will also tell shareholders at its annual general meeting today that trading is in line with expectations.
Chairman James Newman will say: "I am pleased to report that trading in 2012 is continuing in line with expectations with sales levels higher than at this time in 2011.
"In addition the group is making good progress with its programme of efficiency improvements in its manufacturing facility.......for the full story register now for free or login below...
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Electronic Arts has a deal worked out with the folks from Porsche that gives them exclusive permission to use Porsche models in their video games and in the upcoming Need for Speed: The Run, there
The Hyundai Genesis Hurricane SC has been developed over the last two years by the Hyundai America Technical Center in Costa Mesa, Calif., which develops cars for both Hyundai and Kia.
Considering that Audi already offers the popular mid-size A6 sedan and full sized A8 sedan, one may wonder about the purpose of 2012 A7.
The initial project involves an application designed and developed by IBM scientists in Zurich connected to a data-recording device created by the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW).
Nissan is working on an in-house hybrid system for a midsize sedan that will be available in 2013.
This bridge loan of $97 million US dollars was originally announced back in September and while many may ask “who would loan almost $100 million to a company who is about to go bankrupt?”, this loa
The 2013 Chevrolet Trailblazer will be based on the new mid-sized global platform that will carry the new Chevrolet Colorado, which GM recently announced would be sold in the United States even tho
A representative from Chicago’s UAW Local 551 stated that of the 2,317 workers who voted to ratify the new Ford-UAW labor contract, a whopping 77% voted against the new deal.
Each year, the jury of 50 automotive writers from North America (well Canada and the United States because in this world Mexico is not part of North America) get together in Hell, Michigan to drive
It is Cadillac's comprehensive in-vehicle experience that merges intuitive design with auto industry-first controls and commands for information and entertainment data.
In addition, the Predictive Forward Collision Warning System uses millimeter-wave radar to detect the deceleration of the second vehicle ahead, alerting the driver in advance of a sudden drop in sp
"Arbitration is looking better than voting for this contract ... VOTE 'NO,' " Chrysler worker Bob Weatherholt said just before 5 p.m. today as the end of business approached.
Saab's investment agreement between its parent company Swedish Automobile and prospective Chinese investors Pang Da and Youngman is on track, according to CEO Victor Muller.
The new Chevrolet Colorado is being built in Thailand so not surprisingly, the 2013 Chevrolet Trailblazer will initially go on sale in 2012 in the Thai market.


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We have heard lots of rumors about the new 27 inch iMac Pro, previous rumors have suggested that we may have to wait until September to see the device.
According to a recent report, Apple may launch their new 27 inch iMac Pro this summer. That would mean that the company would reveal the new iMac at WWDC 2022 in June. This would be the perfect event to launch the device.
The news comes in a tweet from Ross Young from Display Supply Chain Consultants, who has said that the device is coming in the summer with a Mini LED display.
We heard recently that Apple will use their M1 Max and M1 Pro processors in the new iMac Pro desktop, these are the same processors that Apple uses in their MacBook Pro.
As we reported in today’s DSCC Weekly, we no longer expect the Apple iMac Pro to launch in the spring. Looks more like summer. Still with a MiniLED backlight, but fewer MiniLEDs/zones than in iPad/MacBook Pro’s.
— Ross Young (@DSCCRoss) January 31, 2022
The new 27 inch iMac will get a range of design changes over the current model, the design is said to be very similar to the 24 inch iMac that launched last year. We are not expecting Apple to use the same bright colors as the 24-inch model.
We are looking forward to seeing Apple’s new iMac Pro, as soon as we get some more details about the device, we will let you know.
Source Ross Young / Twitter
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Kylie Jenner launched her lip kit Instagram (IG) filter in November 2018 and got IG buzzing as everyone was trying out the new lippies. Rihanna shined bright like a diamond with hers in honor of her Diamond Ball in late 2018. Other popular AR filters have come from Ariana Grande and the NBA.
As Instagram continues to fight with SnapChat for attention, creating new features will continue to pop up to engage users. Jamaican Travel blogger Jhunelle Jureidini of Simplylocal.life launched her an IG filter last summer.
In May 2018, Instagram launched a program through Spark AR Community that would allow brands, public figures, celebrities and popular creators to create their own custom filters. It’s a beta program with around 20,000 users, so expect more filters to be launched in the coming months. After two initial project trials and denials, Jhunelle continued to build on her new knowledge. The third time proved to be the charm when her ‘Tropic Shades’ lens got a stamp of approval on June 20th, 2019.
Here’s how to access the filter:
Go to Instagram and select camera mode. Tap the smiley face on the far right side of the capture button.
Her face-detection AR sunglasses frame is placed over users’ eyes in the rasta colours, red, green, and gold topped with the phrase ‘ISLAND LIFE’. It’s meant to provide a tropical vibe to anyone, no matter where in the world they are. To access the exclusive ‘Tropic Shades’, Instagram users would be required to follow her blog’s Instagram page @simplylocal.life then select the effect from the collection of facial recognition filters.
Today’s world is much more familiar with augmented reality (AR) as the technology develops. AI is usually a computer-generated image or animation on a user’s view, often for entertainment purposes.
Facial-detecting AR gained much popularity after their filter inclusion on the Snapchat social media platform in 2015, and even more so when later adopted by Instagram and Facebook. Jhunelle has seen potential in this growing trend and created a custom face filter which is now publicly available on Instagram.
Always keeping up with the latest digital marketing technology, Jhunelle learned that third-party filters would soon be accessible to companies worldwide.
“I’m always looking for new ways to promote Brand Jamaica,” she stated. “Creating custom Instagram filters is a unique way brands get to show their personality while building brand loyalty.” Jhunelle will offer augmented reality filters to brands once Instagram makes it widely available.
Jhunelle offers exclusive discounts and travel tips to locals and tourists about Jamaica through her blog at www.simplylocal.life .
Try her Island Life Instagram filter by following her @simplylocal.life on Instagram and accessing the filter menu.


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Smart contract platforms and blockchain scaling
Blockchain Networks have evolved beyond the use case of digital currencies and transferring economic value in a decentralized way. Newer networks such as Ethereum, Solana, and more provide capabilities to write general-purpose computer programs that can be executed on the blockchain networks.
The demand for blockchain applications is increasing exponentially, leading to scaling challenges. Transactions on the blockchain are slow and expensive.
Today, mainnet chains like Solana, Avalanche, and many others, are trying to solve this through alternative technology approaches. Side chains such as Polygon, Arbitrum, Optimism, zkSync, etc., are building up as a Layer 2 chain on the Ethereum mainnet.
All chains provide different tradeoffs between security, scalability, and decentralization.
Blockchain Networks retain records of time-stamped transactions going back to the founding of the Blockchain. The first broadcast to the Bitcoin network was on January 12, 2009 at 9:00 AM GMT+5:30 from Satoshi Nakamoto to Hal Finney of 50 BTC.


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Apple/Polk, NWU, Tessera
In brief: Apple stores are now selling Polk Audio products, students at Northwestern University are using Facebook and the iPhone to perform a statistical analysis, and Tessera Technologies is in the process of acquiring FotoNation. Starting in March 2008, Apple's US retail outlets will sell the I-Sonic ES2 sound system, which features iTunes tagging for HD radio, allowing users to bookmark songs. Once songs are tagged, users can attach the iPod to their computer, and preview, buy, and download the tagged tracks.
Polk SurroundBar 360 DVD
Polk Audio on Friday marked CES with the creation of its first SurroundBar home-theater-in-a-box setup. The SurroundBar 360 DVD Theater involves just two pieces thanks to virtual surround sound effects: a single, bar speaker and an all-in-one console that includes a DVD player as well as a signal amp, an AM/FM radio, and the necessary connections for the TV. The namesake SurroundBar speaker can simulate bass-rich Dolby Digital or DTS 5.1-channel surround without distinct satellites or subwoofers while fitting underneath a flat-panel HDTV.
Apple HD Radio Plans
Efforts by Apple will have a slew of iPod speaker docks with HD Radio debuting at next month's Macworld show, according to one report. The device maker is allegedly very supportive of the iTunes Tagging feature that launched along with the Polk iSonic ES2 in the fall and wants to see it widespread in the accessory market, with many AM/FM radio docks gaining both HD Radio support and the ability to embed tags in the digital stream. The reason behind the maneuver is not explicitly mentioned but is likely an effort to drive iTunes sales through the accessory business, encouraging listeners to tag songs heard on the radio for a future download once an iPod in a radio dock syncs back with its host computer.


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Laser coding and marking systems are getting faster, as operators seek competitive advantage through greater productivity. In this 24/7 environment, fume and dust extraction technology is playing a vital role in keeping production lines moving, mitigating risk, and delivering both health protection and process improvement.
BOFA Americas, Inc. has announced the arrival of a senior sales professional to support existing West Coast customers – and to help meet growing demand for the company’s market leading industrial fume and dust extraction technology.
Product customisation was once the preserve of the rich and famous, but now lasering is bringing personalised fashion to the masses…and enhancing the brand experience.
People working in printing often refer to the fumes they are exposed to as ‘the smell’.
Of course, what we know is that the health consequences of inhaling airborne emissions given off by chemicals used in printing processes go way beyond simple discomfort caused by an unpleasant odour.
From 1st April 2021, BOFA will have completed a transition of nationally recognised testing laboratories (NRTL) from UL to METlabs.
‘Additive manufacturing / 3D printing safety: What you need to know now’ will be hosted by the company’s industry experts with keynote sessions from R&D, Product Management and Applications Engineering.


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Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister P K Dhumal today urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to declare cement as controlled item and bring it under the Essential Commodities Act to make it cheaper in the state.
The move was taken after cement manufacturers in the state refused to cut down its prices, officials said.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, Dhumal said it is a matter of concern that cement produced in Himachal is cheaper in Punjab and Haryana than that of its producing state.
The Chief Minister said the problem of higher price of cement in the state started after the commodity was decontrolled in 2002 and exempted from the purview of Essential Commodities Act to facilitate market competition.
He said the decontrol of cement has hit the consumers hard in Himachal instead of benefiting them.


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* Steve Ballmer speaks: Lots more Web spending, but “done” with Yahoo.
* GT Solar picked the wrong day to go public.
* The Fed is considering new rules that would make it easier for PE firms to invest in banks. The proposals seem reasonable, but don’t you get a queasy feeling when regulators look to private equity as the financial industry’s savior?
* Lots more Facebook valuation speculation.
* Apparently Thomson Reuters is launching a TV play to compete with CNBC, Bloomberg, et. all. First I’ve heard of it…
* TechCrunch: AOL makes big cuts across its blogs network. It’s also selling XDrive for just a fraction of what it paid to buy it from VCs back in 2005.
* Wallstrip on Metalico. It’s like the band, only not at all: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/w/?v=_Jasvzpo60g]


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- The number of Black-owned firms shrank at the start of the pandemic, but is now higher than before.
- Black women are creating more businesses than their female counterparts in any other demographic.
- In fact, women of color have been fueling the creation of a record-breaking number of new businesses.
The creation of new businesses has been surging among Black women in recent years, in spite of the challenges posed by the pandemic.
A new report from Wells Fargo shows that Black-owned businesses nosedived by more than 40% in April 2020, more than other racial and ethnic groups. However, the number of Black-owned businesses has since come back strong, currently at about 30% above pre-pandemic levels. Women of color in general have been driving new business growth during the pandemic, and overall, a record number of people are looking to start their own ventures, according to the White House.
“At a time when folks are rethinking their lives and choices, it is not surprising that more Black women are electing to become CEOs of their own companies rather than waiting for their intelligence and skills to be recognized at their current firms,” Melissa Bradley, the founder of 1863 Ventures, an agency for Black and brown entrepreneurs, told Insider.
After all, Black women are paid less than any other demographic group and overrepresented in low-paying jobs, so pursuing their own business venture is a way to gain more control over their work lives. Black women’s entrepreneurship gains in particular align with their exodus from the workforce as millions of women have left due to a lack of childcare, adequate pay, or remote options, as well as a reluctance to expose themselves to the coronavirus.
“The potential return of the freedom of time, lack of unnecessary controls and financial success far outweighs the risk of failure for these Black female entrepreneurs when leaving their full time jobs,” Bradley said.
Black business owners had been gaining ground — and then the pandemic hit
The massive hit that Black-owned businesses took in early 2020 undercut the gains that Black entrepreneurs had experienced recently: In 2019, the Wells Fargo report says, 35% of Black-owned businesses were owned by women, which is 10% more than the share of female-owned businesses in the overall US economy.
And that’s just one metric. Educational attainment, median income, and the number of new Black-owned businesses overall increased more for Black Americans than the national average in the last decade, the researchers found.
But the pandemic exposed just how many Black-owned businesses rely on in-person interactions when many of them were forced to close. The government aid program meant to keep small businesses afloat — the Paycheck Protection Program — only reached 29% of Black-owned business applicants, compared with 60% of white ones.
Black people also have less wealth on average than their white counterparts, and therefore less collateral in the event of a financial emergency. That’s been true for business owners of color in general: almost 80% of Asian-owned firms and 77% of Black-owned firms said their financial condition was “fair” or “poor” nearly a year into the pandemic.
Black women looking to escape traditional 9-to-5’s are fueling the rebound
Despite those hardships, 2020 eventually saw more new Black-owned businesses formed in proportion to the total population than at any time in the last 25 years, according the Kauffman Foundation’s annual analysis of Census data.
Black workers, along with Hispanic and Asian-American ones, are more likely to get paid poverty-level wages than their white counterparts, according to a 2018 report by the Economic Policy Institute. Women of color in low wage jobs are also more likely to experience workplace harassment. It isn’t a big leap to assume that Black women want to escape these conditions, Jay H. Bryson, Wells Fargo’s Chief Economist, told Insider.
“If you start your own business, some of those obstacles may not be as acute as if you were relying on employment from someone else,” he said. “There may be avenues that certainly benefit anybody, but proportionally they’d be more beneficial to the Black community than other parts of the population.”


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Dec. 6: 'Consumer Analytics'
Institute for Financial Services Analytics sets conference
2:36 p.m., Nov. 20, 2013--The Institute for Financial Services Analytics at the University of Delaware, a joint institute between the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics and the College of Engineering, will hold a conference titled “Consumer Analytics and Industry Applications” from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, Dec. 6, in 125 Alfred Lerner Hall.
This year’s conference theme will be on consumer analytics and industry applications. Sessions will focus on how consumer transactional data can be used to gain insights of consumer behaviors and shopping patterns, to help create meaningful segments, and to provide better product offerings and services.
June 5: Blue Hen 5K
June 6-9: Food and culture series
The conference will feature presentations by knowledgeable university professors and industry experts, including:
- Jason Van Hulse, vice president and group manager of business modeling and analytics at JPMorgan Chase;
- Chitra Dorai, IBM Distinguished Engineer and Master Inventor at T. J. Watson Research Center;
- Raj Venkatesan, Bank of America Research Professor of Business Administration at the Darden School of Business, University of Virginia; and
- David Schweidel, associate professor of marketing at Goizueta Business School, Emory University.
Van Hulse will speak at 8:50 a.m. on “The Big Data Use Case: Moving Beyond Marketing,” Dorai at 9:25 a.m. on “Translating Insights into Actions,” Venkatesan at 10:20 a.m. on “Customer Analytics in the Era of Big Data” and Schweidel at 10:55 a.m. on “Customer-Centric Marketing.”
A panel discussion by the featured speakers, moderated by Bintong Chen, professor of business administration and director of the IFSA, will begin at 11:30 a.m.
Space is limited and attendees are asked to register online. Attendance is free and lunch will be served after the conference for registered attendees. For details and information regarding conference logistics, contact Alba Bates at email@example.com.


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US president Trump closed a trade deal with Mexico, a minor victory, but putting more pressure on the trade negotiations with China, says business analyst Wang Haiyan at CGTN. For the time being, Trump can afford to play tough on China, she says.
Category Archives: business
Enterprise accelerator MOX (mobile only accelerator) let six startups show-case in Singapore last week. William Bao Bean, partner at the Shanghai-based SOSV explains how his network helps to use big data to enhance their chances on a global market, he tells at E27.
China’s internet giant Tencent had a rocky week with less than stellar quarterly figures and a government ban of a successful game. But while Tencent keeps on doing well, English language media have missed a major threat for Tencent, says internet expert Matthew Brennan on his China Channel website. Competitors like Bytedance and Tik Tok undermine the giant, he says.
Twenty years ago Chinese academics sent their first online message and since then the internet has changed China beyond recognition. Despite efforts by the government to keep freedom of speech in check, China´s internet users are freer than even. A few of our speakers are key experts in this field.
If at any place the switch from brick-and-mortar is going fast, it is China. Permanent online consumers comment, exchange information, and buy 24/7. When you sit down in a restaurant, you first ask the code for the free wifi, before the menu. When you travel abroad, you constantly discuss with friends and family back how, what to buy, or what not to buy.
Chinese companies have been gaining market share in India on a large scale, but in a different way than other foreign companies. William Bao Bean, managing director of the Chinacellerator, looks at their strategies and how they gained market share, for US News. William Bao Bean has a solid business background in both China and India.
The successful IPO of Pinduoduo, the third e-commerce platform in China after Alibaba and JD.com, took many by surprise. But it does not mean Pinduoduo will be equally successful in the future, warns business analyst Shaun Rein, author of The War for China’s Wallet: Profiting from the New World Order, at the South China Morning Post. Just days later, it was accused of hosting counterfeit goods.
The developing trade war between China and the US focuses on tariffs for commodities, while China could hurt the US really nasty by deploying its consumer power by boycotting products, tourism and US-related education. Political analyst Victor Shih, author of Factions and Finance in China: Elite Conflict and Inflation, explains in Bloomberg why China has not done so.


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In the Kaliningrad region, a law was passed that eliminates a number of obstacles to the work of entrepreneurs. Governor Anton Alikhanov commented on the package of amendments, which was approved in March by the President of Russia.
According to Alikhanov, the law, which collects a set of 12 amendments, will eliminate a number of obstacles to the work of Kaliningrad entrepreneurs who deal with the export of goods from the Kaliningrad region. This was reported on the regional government’s website.
In particular, the governor noted the decision to launch an experiment in e-commerce in the Kaliningrad region. It is about creating a network of bonded warehouses for the storage and distribution of goods sold in fictitious places.
In addition, Alikhanov highlighted the importance of amendments regulating the removal of waste and recyclable materials, the identification of auxiliary operations, the movement of personal property from the Kaliningrad region, and some others.
Earlier, The Eastern Heraldin Kaliningrad reported that Kaliningrad authorities are asking for a moratorium on trucks with regional customs clearance.
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COMPLAINTS last year over the quality of water in mainland Shetland are being investigated by the industry watchdog.
Scottish water quality regulator Colin McLaren said this week a large number of complaints about a smell, taste and burning sensation came from customers in the Lerwick and Eela water supply areas in 2007.
Last year The Shetland Times reported on plans by Scottish Water to change the way its water supplies are disinfected, from chlorination to chloramination.
The drawback with traditional chlorinated water was that a high dose had to be added to ensure it was still effective as a disinfectant by the time it reached the end of the line.
With chloramination, small amounts of ammonia are added along with lower levels of chlorine. The compound lasts a lot longer in the water, so requires less to be added.
Some customers complained about the water after the switch was made.
A Scottish Water spokesman said complaints were at a much lower level now, and current water samples do not show up any problems.


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Europe passes world’s first major act to regulate AI
- The EU approved the world's inaugural comprehensive regulatory framework for AI.
- The EU AI Act received overwhelming support with 523 votes in favour.
- Google and other companies are self-regulating AI in sensitive areas like election related content.
The European Union Parliament made history on Wednesday by approving the world’s inaugural comprehensive regulatory framework for artificial intelligence (AI), marking a significant milestone in the governance of rapidly evolving tech domains.
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The EU AI ActCopy link to section
Initiated in 2021, the EU AI Act introduces a tiered risk classification for AI technologies, ranging from “unacceptable” risks, warranting a ban, to low-risk categories, aiming to ensure safety and ethical standards without stifling innovation.
This legislation reflects Europe’s ambition to balance the need for regulation with the desire to remain competitive in the global tech landscape, amidst concerns from leading AI nations like Germany and France about the potential adverse effects of stringent controls on the region’s tech competitiveness.
Tackling tech dominanceCopy link to section
Amid efforts to regulate the influence of tech giants and promote a fair digital market, the EU recently implemented the Digital Markets Act, targeting anti-competitive behaviours and demanding greater openness from companies with significant market power.
This act specifically addresses the dominance of six major companies, including U.S. tech leaders Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, and Chinese conglomerate Bytedance, labeling them as “gatekeepers” in the digital arena.
Will the law highlight AI ethics?Copy link to section
With the rapid adoption of AI technologies by major corporations and the looming threat of misuse, such as the creation of deepfakes, the EU’s regulatory push aims to safeguard against the potential for disinformation and abuse.
The regulation underscores the global urgency to address AI’s ethical implications, especially in the context of critical elections worldwide.
Companies like Google are taking proactive steps to self-regulate AI’s use in sensitive areas, including election-related content.
Implementation of the EU AI ActCopy link to section
The EU AI Act is seen not as the culmination but the beginning of a new era in technology governance, emphasizing human oversight and the potential of AI to drive economic and societal advancements.
Dragos Tudorache, a key figure in the negotiation of the AI Act, highlighted the importance of translating this legislative framework into tangible, on-the-ground realities, heralding a new governance model centered around technological advancement and ethical considerations.


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March 13, 2007
Pharma e-marketers issue call for more user-generated content solutions
Pharmaceutical e-marketers are calling on each other to find new ways to tap into the growing popularity of user-generated content (UGC) to solve their marketing problems.
“Pharma can create user generated content that is regulatory approvable,” said Jack Barrette, former category development officer at Yahoo!, who recently left the firm to head the start-up MovingHealth as CEO. “It is not a regulatory relief issue to put an advertisement next to user-generated content...The fact is you are not responsible for reporting adverse events if your ad appears next to (publisher’s content). That’s something you can go to your regulatory folks with and make sure they really understand. UGC is really no different than expert-generated content or Yahoo-generated content, it’s still content and we are advertising and there’s a distance there.”
Barrette was among the experts to address nearly 150 marketers during The Center for Business Intelligence’s e-Marketing for the Pharmaceutical Industry conference held March 7- March 9 in Philadelphia.
Experts also discussed the use of video to help medical marketers leverage their brand messages.
“There’s a hurricane happening in terms of social networking and video and it’s a good hurricane,” said Google vertical specialist, health, Khee Lee.
With the growth of tools such as MySpace and Google-owned YouTube, Lee added that video can be viewed as one of the best potential opportunities emerging.
“Consumers and physicians are users...It might be a good step.”


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Apple launched Mavericks and some new MacBook models but now some owners of the 2013 MacBooks may be affected by a bug in the Mavericks that mutes all system sounds after they open up the device from sleep.
There are quite a few threads on forums with users complaining that there MacBook has no sound after resuming from sleep and there is no way to enable it. There are also some reports which are saying that after resuming from sleep that the MacBooks are using high CPU which is making battery life poor. Users are reporting seeing this error in there system logs#;
kernel: Sound assertion in AppleHDAController at line 5460
The issue at the moment is only affecting the new Haswell-based MacBooks which includes the new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro retina models. At the moment there isn’t much of a fix, while some users just reboot the machines and it fixes the issue for a while and some users have reported that putting in headphones and unplugging them fixes the issue but at the moment there is no real fix available.
Apple has not commented on the issue at the moment, we will update the post if Apple comments on the issue or releases a fix.