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According to a study by AV-Comparatives, there are no Android antivirus apps on the Google Play Store, or elsewhere, that can protect your smartphone from malware.
More than 250 such anti-malware apps were tested by the Austrian antivirus testing company which gathered them from various developers present on the Google Play Store. After that, the apps went through a test that would determine whether they could offer protection against Android’s 2,000 most common malware threats. The automated testing framework from AV-Comparatives was used.
Most of these tests were performed on Android 8.0, on Samsung Galaxy S9 devices, but some of them were also conducted on Android 6.01 on Nexus 5 because they were not working correctly with that set-up. The malware apps were downloaded and installed automatically by the devices, with the assumption that the Android antivirus apps would block most of the security threats.
Android Antivirus Apps Can’t Protect Your Smartphone From Malware
Unfortunately, the tests did not work as planned. Only 23 out of 250 Android antivirus apps involved in the study were able to block and detect 100 percent of the malware samples. Some apps included in the tests were Trend Micro Mobile Security and Antivirus, Avast Mobile Security, Sophos Mobile Security, AVG, and Avira Antivirus.
Over 30 percent of the Android malware, with zero false alarms, were detected by 80 of the 250 apps based on the test from AV-Comparatives. Less than 30 percent of the malware samples were blocked by antivirus apps from 138 vendors while also having high false alarm rates on clean files from the Google Play Store.
The testing company flagged many antivirus apps because they were using a blacklist approach to potentially tag malware. That is a disadvantage because malware creators can easily bypass those lists. The downloaded apps were not scanned for malware, which is precisely the role of such an app.
Adam Thrones is still early into his career as tech and digital marketing reporter but has already had his work published in many major publications including JoyStiq and Android Authority. In regards to academics, Adam earned a degree in business from Fordham University. Adam has a passion for emerging technology and writing on his blog. He is always eager about the new gadgets on the market and likes to cover updates on software.


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Getting an FAA exemption to operate commercial drones in American airspace is almost more trouble than it's worth, what with the litany of requirements and restrictions. That's why Google, according to a Guardian report, has been sidestepping those FAA rules and testing its Project Wing UAV over p...
August 13th 2015 at 10:56pm
Today, we take a look at Google's "Project Wing" delivery drone, go crazy with emoticons, learn about Nintendo's new 3DS and 3DS XL handhelds and more. Read on for Engadget's news highlights from the last 24 hours.
August 29th 2014 at 8:15pm
Amazon is selling a phone and reportedly even getting into the online ad business, so of course Google is ready to compete with its still-in-testing Prime Air drone delivery service. The Atlantic has a report on what is being called "Project Wing," a part of the Google X labs that have worked on P...
August 28th 2014 at 6:47pm

domain: news


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LG Chem (IW 1000/231) is seeking to tap Europe’s booming electric car market by setting up a battery plant in Poland to supply automakers.
The company will invest 1.3 billion zloty (US$339.4 million) in the plant near Wroclaw, southwestern Poland by 2018 with a plan to manufacture 100,000 batteries annually starting in 2019. They will power electric vehicles with a maximum range of 320 kilometers, the Polish development ministry said.
“Investors like LG Chem fit very well into our development strategy,” Deputy Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said during a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the future facility in Biskupice. “We’re moving into a high-tech car industry, protecting the environment and boosting innovation.”
European automakers are pushing to make electric cars more appealing to consumers as regulators demand lower emissions. Volkswagen AG, which is still recovering from its scandal over diesel vehicles, has the most ambitious plans, with a target of selling at least 2 million electric cars by 2025, backed by rolling out 30 battery-powered cars in the coming years.
BMW AG will add an electric-powered Mini and X3 sport utility vehicle to its lineup, while Mercedes is targeting at least 10 battery-powered cars.
For Poland, home to a majority of the European Union’s most polluted cities, the deal is part of a strategy to bolster sagging investments by enticing foreign investors into its car industry.
The nation is in the final stage of negotiations with Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz, which in May pledged to spend about 500 million euros (US$560 million) to build an engine factory, according to the deputy prime minister.
“In October or November we will make new steps in the auto industry,” Morawiecki said, without elaborating.
By Marek Strzelecki


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2 sponsors of ADN Telecom has declared that they will sell 25.57 lakh shares of the company worth more than Tk 30 crore in the block market of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE).
They will sell the declared shares within the next 30 days, according to the DSE sources.
Among the two sponsors, Mohammad Ali Sarker will sell 8 lakh 52 thousand 500 shares out of his holding of 17 lakh 5 thousand shares and Md. Abu Yousof Zakaria is going to sell the entire holding of 17 lakh shares of the company.
DSE Records Lowest Trade in 70 Working Days
Dhaka Stock Exchange DSE, Bourse on the third working day of the week, November 28, ended with price Index & turnover drops. This information is known from DSE sources.
297 crore 20 lakh shares were traded on this day. 179 crore 14 lakh less trading was done in DSE today compared to the previous workday, 27 November, Shares worth Tk 369 crores 96 lakh shares were traded last time, Monday. From the DSE website, the lowest trade was done on 17 August, which was around 299 crore taka, which means after 70 working days the stock market hit its lowest today.
The benchmark DSEX lost 6.62 points or 6,202 The Shariah-based index DSES dropped 0.72 points or 1,346, and the blue-chip index DS30 decreased by 1.98 points or 2,099.
Of the issues traded, 17 advanced, 134 declined and 139 remained unchanged.
Ambee Pharmaceuticals PLC ranked top gainer on DSE, the share price increased by Tk 53.60 paisa or 6.83 percent. On this day, the share was last traded at Tk 838.40 paisa.
Bd. Thai Aluminium Limited ranked top loser on the DSE, the share price dropped by Tk 1.40 paisa or 7.73 percent. On this day, the share was last traded at Tk 16.70 paisa.
DSE topped on trade is Central Pharmaceuticals Limited 15 crore 96 lakh takas of shares of the company have been traded.
A total of 52 companies’ shares were traded in the Block on the Dhaka Stock Exchange, 60 lakh 14 thousand 277 shares of the companies were traded. The financial value of which is 29 crore 84 lakh taka.
Ring Shine Textiles reveals Null Dividend
One of the Listed companies, Ring Shine Textiles Limited has recommended no Dividend for the year ended June 30, 2023.
In terms of financial performance, The Company has further informed EPS loss of Tk. 2.53 for the year ended June 30, 2023. The Company has also reported NAV per share loss of Tk. 4.97 paisa.
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the company will be taking place on January 20, through the digital platform. The record date for this has been fixed at December 17.
Bd. Thai Aluminium releases Q1 Financials
One of the listed companies, Bd. Thai Aluminium Limited discloses its financial reports for the first quarter, (July-September 23).
The company’s diluted earnings per share (EPS) loss of Tk 0.19 paisa in Q1 of the current financial year (July-September 23). EPS loss of Tk 0.12 paisa during the same period last year. NAV per share was of Tk. 27.66 paisa as of September 30, 2023.
- DSE Records Lowest Trade in 70 Working Days
- Bengal Group of Industries, BRAC Forge Partnership to Boost Graduate Employability
- Ring Shine Textiles reveals Null Dividend
- Bd. Thai Aluminium releases Q1 Financials
- Jute Spinners declares its Dividend
- DSE Appoints Richard D’ Rozario as Director
- CEC Affirms Commitment to Transparent National Election
- Dhaka Bourse Performed Negative
- Bangladesh to Establish Int. Laboratory for Agricultural Certification
- GPH Ispat releases Q1 Financials
- Silco Pharmaceuticals reveals its Dividends
- Dacca Dyeing Announce Null Dividend & Q1 Financials
- Mashrafe again Nominated for Narail-2 Constituency
- Shakib Nominated for Magura-1 Constituency
- Turnover Hikes on DSE amid Gloomy Indices


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The Met has announced the theme of this spring’s much-hyped Costume Institute exhibition—and it’s about time. As part of the museum’s 150th anniversary celebrations, the Met will launch the new exhibition About Time: Fashion and Duration in May 2020, which will then run through September 2020. The exhibition will also serve as the theme for next year’s Met Gala.
Surreal, David Bailey (British, born 1938), 1980; Image courtesy of The Metropolitan
Museum of Art, Photo © David Bailey.
Spanning a timeline from 1870 through the present, About Time: Fashion and Duration will trace fashion history over the past century and a half on a disrupted timeline. The exhibition will draw inspiration from philosopher Henri Bergson's concept of la durée, which understands time as feeling more flexible to the individual—like when time seems to speed up or slow down—than the straightforward, linear conception of time used by science. Using this idea, About Time will explore how fashion gets associated with time and can meld the past, present, and future, with the help of 160 pieces of women’s clothing. "This exhibition will consider the ephemeral nature of fashion, employing flashbacks and fast-forwards to reveal how it can be both linear and cyclical," Max Hollein, Director of The Met, said in a statement. "As such, the show will present a nuanced continuum of fashion over the Museum's 150-year history."
Visitors to About Time can expect to see displays like a chronology of fashion through black ensembles, which will examine the fast, fleeting nature of fashion, alongside contrasting white ensembles that may come from a different era than the pieces they’re paired with, but relate to them in some way through shape, motif, material, pattern, technique, or decoration. In addition to its look back at fashion history, the exhibition will also explore the future of fashion, and how this idea of duration relates to sustainability and other modern-day fashion considerations. These various ideas in the exhibition will be tied together by “ghost narrator” Virginia Woolf, whose writings will also be used in the exhibition to explore the exhibition’s temporal theme.
The fashion exhibition will be part of the Met’s broader 150th anniversary celebration in 2020, which will also include special programming, the reopening of the museum’s galleries for British decorative arts and design, and other special displays. From March 30 – August 2, the museum will display Making the Met, 1870-2020, a new exhibition guiding visitors through the museum’s history.
Making The Met, 1870–2020, metmuseum.org.
About Time: Fashion and Duration will be on view at The Met Fifth Avenue from May 7 – September 7, 2020. For more information, visit metmuseum.org.


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Asia Watch: Growth Sport…Port Proposal…Chinese Mills To Close…
GROWTH SPURT: The 10 economies of East Asia, excluding Japan, are expected to register growth of 6.7 percent as a whole in 2004, or a 0.8 percentage point higher than the 5.9 percent this year, spurred by the “continuing strong...
GROWTH SPURT: The 10 economies of East Asia, excluding Japan, are expected to register growth of 6.7 percent as a whole in 2004, or a 0.8 percentage point higher than the 5.9 percent this year, spurred by the “continuing strong expansion” of the Chinese economy and the recovery and acceleration of growth in other Asian countries, according to the latest forecast by the Institute of Developing Economies of the Japan External Trade Organization.
The 61-page report, “2004 Economic Outlook for East Asia,” said China’s economy is likely to attain a high 8.5 percent growth in 2004, or only a 0.1 percentage point lower than the 8.6 percent estimated for 2003.
China, “with its enormous industrial labor reserve in the countryside and rural areas,” will continue to maintain an advantage in labor costs. But on the negative side, the report noted, the country is faced with a lack of proper infrastructure, as evidenced by the shortage of electricity in Shanghai.
China also is confronted with the possibility of a revaluation of its currency or a switch to a floating exchange-rate system that, the report noted, might discourage direct foreign investments into China.
The report forecasts a growth of 5.1 percent for Hong Kong in 2004, or 2.2 percentage points higher than the previous year, because the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, which Hong Kong concluded with China last June, will take effect. The agreement will relax regulations on individual tours from China to Hong Kong, lower tariffs on Hong Kong’s domestic exports to China and allow Hong Kong easier access to service industries in China.
With the prospect of economic upturns and increases in private consumption in 2004, the South Korean economy is heading for growth of 5.1 percent (compared with 3 percent in 2003), Taiwan should register 4.3 percent (against 3.3 percent) and Singapore expects 4.2 percent (against 1.1 percent), the report said.
Growths estimated for other East Asian countries in 2004 are: Indonesia, 4.5 percent (compared with 4 percent); Thailand, 7 percent (6.5 percent); Malaysia, 5.6 percent (4.6 percent); the Philippines, 4.7 percent (4.4 percent), and Vietnam, 7.5 percent (7.2 percent).This month, the Japanese government announced a forecast projecting Japan’s economic growth in fiscal 2004 at 1.8 percent compared with an estimated 2 percent for fiscal 2003 ending next March. — Tsukasa Furukawa
PORT PROPOSAL: In the clearest signal yet that Hong Kong’s Kwai Chung container port is losing business to its rivals in mainland China, The Federation of Hong Kong Industries has appealed to the government to lower charges at the port. Currently, Hong Kong is the busiest container port in the world, but its terminals handled 1.1 million 20-foot equivalent units in September, a 6.6 percent drop from 2002.
The Federation is concerned that the geographic advantage of ports in the mainland will soon outweigh the efficiency of Hong Kong’s terminals. Federation chairman Andrew Leung pointed out that many shipments were diverted from Shenzhen to Hong Kong because the former port is at full capacity. In September, Hong Kong handled just 10,000 more boxes than Shenzhen, in the Special Economic Zone just north of the border.
CHINESE MILLS TO CLOSE: Twenty of the 34 biggest textile mills in Xinjiang, the northwestern province in China, have closed plants or cut production because of escalating cotton prices and a shortage of the fiber. Xinjiang Textile Group, a state-run enterprise that is the largest cotton yarn producer in the province, has closed three of its four mills. It expects to cut production by 50 percent this year. Last year, it had sales of $145 million.
According to a survey by the provincial textile bureau, all the closures or cutbacks have come since September, when cotton fiber prices reached $2,235 a ton. The plant closures have led to numerous protests and demonstrations, prompting Beijing to order officials to ensure that there is no holdup in the delivery of fiber to mills.
High prices isn’t the only problem facing China’s cotton fabric producers. This year, floods ruined the domestic crop, forcing yarn buyers to turn to India and the U.S. for raw material. Officials hope that purchasing large orders of cotton from American suppliers will help ease trade tensions between the two countries.
FIBER PATENT: Bamboo fiber is finding its way into the textile and apparel market in Japan in a big way next spring. Nomura Sangyo Corp., a wool textile manufacturer based in Ichinomiya near Nagoya, which holds the patent rights on the viscose process for production of bamboo fiber, has formed a group with its licensees to promote the fiber and related products.The group, which involves Toray Industries Inc., Kurabo Industries Ltd. and Japan Wool Textile Co., has instituted a system of quality standards and certification to guarantee the high quality of bamboo fiber products to be marketed by the suppliers and prevent patent infringement by other firms. The four companies have established a logo or mark that will be on every label to be attached to products they supply and sell. The logo indicates use of bamboo fiber and Nomura’s patent number, or 3448526.
The four companies are expected to generate bamboo fiber sales of $20 million, or 2.2 billion yen at current exchange, next year. Toray’s production will center on products involving mixtures of bamboo and man-made fibers. Kurabo will be heavy on cotton or wool blends with bamboo fibers, while Japan Wool will concentrate on bamboo and wool mixtures. Raw materials will be imported from India and China.
In addition, two more companies, Chuo Woolen Mills Ltd. and Toabo Corp., have licensing arrangements to use bamboo fibers for specified uses only.
Taking the final spot on the mens’ portion of New York Fashion Week calendar next month will be none other than @tomford. Though he’s shown his men’s wear in New York in the past, this will mark the first time the designer has shown his men’s collection alone during New York Fashion Week: Men’s. His runway show will debut on February 6 at the Park Avenue Armory. #wwdfashion
London-based couture house @ralphandrusso has certainly been in the spotlight, having its dresses worn by @beyonce, Angelina Jolie, Meghan Markle in her engagement photos and more. For couture, Tamara Ralph focused on ornamentation — think: feathers with chain mail, jet embroidery and clusters of pearls and crystals. See the rest of the collection on WWD.com #wwdfashion #couture (📷: @giovanni_giannoni_photo)
Minnie Mouse celebrated her 90th birthday by getting her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. For her celebratory luncheon, @coach’s creative director @stuartvevers dressed her in a custom made prairie dress, complete with Vever’s take on the polka dot – black sequined versions – under a cropped motorcycle jacket. The designer also put his own mark on Minnie’s classic red shoes, infusing the color with sparkles and adding some Coach crystals. “We chose colors that were very Minnie and also represented quintessential Coach elements,” said Vevers. #wwdfashion #nationalpolkadotday (📷: George Chinsee)
@nickjonas is unveiling his first-ever apparel collection through a partnership with John Varvatos. The limited-edition capsule, which makes its debut in spring, also marks the first time the designer has collaborated with anyone on a line. “The process in working with Nick is amazing. It’s inspiring to be around someone who is not only connected with the trade that they do, but also with what’s happening in the environment around him, and how that connects to what we do with style,” said Varvatos. (RG: @johnvarvatos) #wwdfashion
@margotrobbie steps out onto the red carpet wearing @miumiu. The actress is nominated for “Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role” in “I, Tonya” at the #SagAwards. (📷: Stewart Cook) #wwdfashion
For @massimogiorgetti of @msgm, the Nineties are his favorite decade. “They had a huge impact on my personal growth. What I like of the Nineties is that they are not so precise in terms of style as other decades…there was actually a bit of everything,” he said. As seen on MSGM’s Spring 2018 show: tie-dye and a bit of grunge, two styles that are synonymous with the decade #wwdfashion #wwddecades (📷: @kukukuba)


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Fredericksburg Redner’s wins liquor license
Beer and wine could soon go on sale at Redner’s Warehouse Market along Route 22 in Fredericksburg, pending approval from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB).
Redner’s was the highest bidder for a restaurant liquor license in Lebanon County at a PLCB auction in April. The supermarket chain, headquartered in Reading, agreed to pay $151,000 for the license.
The next steps for Redner’s are to get approval from Bethel Township, then file a license application with the PLCB.
A spokesperson for Redner’s touted the potential addition of alcoholic beverages to the grocery store’s offerings as another accommodation for shoppers.
“Any time we get a license, it adds another level of convenience for the customer,” said Eric B. White, director of marketing for Redner’s Warehouse Markets.
The license was one of 30 up for auction in Pennsylvania.
A restaurant license would allow Redner’s to sell canned and bottled beers and alcoholic beverages for takeout in single containers, all the way up to cases. A section for mix-and-match six packs would be available as well.
Once the license is approved, Redner’s plans to begin working toward an additional license to sell wine at the Fredericksburg location as well, Redner's officials said.
White pointed to the rural area where the Fredericksburg store is located as one reason why Redner’s sought the restaurant license.
“Especially at a store like Fredericksburg, which is already on an island, we’re excited about the possibility of selling beer and wine,” said White. “We think our customers will be excited, too.”
Redner’s has one other store in Lebanon County, in Palmyra, which already has a restaurant license. Like the Palmyra site,The Fredericksburg building would be retrofitted to house a café upon PLCB approval.
There is no timetable for Fredericksburg to begin selling beer or wine, but local customers will be notified in advance via in-store and off-premises marketing materials.


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Untouched Agency owners Stephtootrill and Derrek Brown announce the company's annual Thanksgiving Food Drive as part of the company's efforts to help bring food to the table this holiday season.
According to Stephtootrill, this year, the team will be donating half of the proceeds from their Fall Clothing drop to buy thanksgiving dinners for families in need.
Beginning November 1st, half of the money made from Untouched Agency’s Fall Clothing Collection will be used to buy food for families in need.
In line with this goal, Untouched Agency has called on all social media influencers and models to help spread the word.
Untouched Agency believes it is vital for all influencers and models to use their influence in raising awareness of hunger and the need to help address this global concern.
"We also will be accepting food donations to give out at the food drive. As well as help for the actual food drive," according to Stephtootrill.
In their own little ways, influencers can help Untouched Agency build awareness of the food drive and encourage maximum participation. Their assistance can help feed more hungry kids, seniors, families, and neighbors this Thanksgiving.
Untouched Agency presently has global offices in Columbia, the UK, and the Dominican Republic. It showcases over 200+ clients and a staff of over 100. Stephtootrill, alongside Derreck Brown, has led the charge in pushing for newer ways to build their clients' brands while at the same time women along the way. It serves as a leading social media marketing agency specializing in the recruitment and management of models.
Influencers and models who want to help in the Thanksgiving Food Drive may reach out to the Untouched Agency team. Others who wish to learn more about Untouched Agency and check out some Untouched Merch may visit its social channels for more information.
Company Name: Untouched Agency
Contact Person: Derrek Brown
Email: Send Email
Country: United States


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- 2 min read
Watch: OLX's new ad campaign for 'Webwise' aims to promote online safety
Under Webwise, OLX will be promoting online safety through its initiatives which includes, Product updates, User safety guidelines, Awareness programs with Law Enforcement Authorities and Customer support
OLX has launched its consumer safety initiative, OLX Webwise. The initiative aims to raise awareness among users about measures to keep oneself safe while transacting online. Under Webwise, OLX will be promoting online safety through its initiatives which includes, Product updates, User safety guidelines, Awareness programs with Law Enforcement Authorities and Customer support.
Keeping user experience at the heart of the platform, OLX has been working towards building a safe and secure product. The current mobile app features Mandatory registration login, Chat first interactions and Hyper-local browsing, which takes away the inconvenience of interacting with unknown users.
OLX India works closely with Law Enforcement Authorities and Civil Society Organizations to conduct workshops with Cyber-crime cells on emerging trends in online space and assisting them with tools for their investigation. In 2017-18, OLX facilitated workshops with police authorities in Noida, Gurugram, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad, it intends to continue the outreach with authorities across other cities in the coming fiscal year.
With its Social media channels, OLX is addressing some of the prominent issues faced by users by urging them to follow simple tips such as – avoid making advance payments, meet at public places to buy/ sell, make transactions face-to-face and verify product before buying. By addressing these issues, OLX wants to nudge users to wisely take actions to safeguard themselves online.
To take the initiative offline, OLX launched a Trust & Safety help centre, which is managed by a specialized team trained to handle and address issues affecting user’s trust and safety. The helpline will assist users seeking redressal for matters around safety such as fraudulent transactions, suspicious ads, advance payments and more. Further, the team will provide safety guidelines , which offer users a more detailed insight into staying safe on the platform. OLX encourages users to report fraud as well as alert the team of any suspicious activity they encounter while using the platform.
Said, Irwin Preet Singh Anand, COO, OLX India, “Online fraud, like offline, are a reflection of the ailments plaguing our society. We believe addressing this larger eco-system issue is a shared responsibility. As a consumer centric brand, we take Trust & Safety as a key priority across functions. With our awareness initiatives such as OLX Webwise combined with constant improvement of our product, our attempt is to educate and help create a safer online experience for our users”
Abhishek Upadhyay, Marketing Head, OLX India
Nisheeth Srivastava, Creative Lead, OLX India
Agency Name: Enormous Brands LLB
Account Management Team: Shivi Verma, Heena Kohli,Samrat Motilal
Creative Team: Ashish Khazanchi, Abhishek Chaswal, Khurram Haque, Ashish Adpur, Gaurav Uppal, Vageesh Gautam, Harshil Bhardwaj
Production House: Uncommonsense Films, Director: Ankur Kapoor,
Executive Producer: Ashutosh Joshi


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(CNN) A coalition of attorneys general from 17 states and the District of Columbia on Thursday called for a federal recall of Hyundai and Kia vehicles they say are dangerous and too easy to steal.
The attorneys general called for the recall “following the companies’ continued failure to take adequate action to address the alarming rate of theft of their vehicles,” said a statement from California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who leads the coalition.
In a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the coalition called for the recall of “unsafe” Hyundai and Kia vehicles manufactured between 2011 and 2022 “which have easily bypassed ignition switches and lack of engine immobilizers. engine make them particularly vulnerable to theft”.
The vehicles in question, 2015-2019 Hyundai and Kia models, such as the Hyundai Santa Fe and Tucson and the Kia Forte and Sportage, when fitted with turnkey ignitions – as opposed to cars which only require a button to start. — are about twice as likely to be stolen as other vehicles of the same age. According to the Highway Loss Data Institute, an industry group that tracks insurance statistics, many of these vehicles lack the basic car theft prevention technology included in most other vehicles, even during these years.
NHTSA responded that this is not the kind of thing the agency could require a recall for.
“This particular case involves intentional criminal conduct on the responsibility of law enforcement authorities,” the motor vehicle safety agency said in a statement. “However, since last year, NHTSA has met repeatedly with Hyundai and Kia to discuss causes contributing to the theft vulnerability, review the scope of different software and hardware in affected models, and receive regular updates on business action plans.
These models were the subject of a viral social media trend in which thieves filmed themselves and others stealing Hyundai and Kia vehicles and taking them for a spin. In some parts of the country, the problem has become so severe that some insurance companies have refused to underwrite new policies on these Hyundai and Kia models in places where thefts have become extremely common.
The models in question do not have electronic immobilizers, which rely on a computer chip in the car and another in the key that communicate to confirm that the key belongs to that vehicle. Without the correct key, an immobilizer would have to do just that – stop the car from moving.
“Hyundai and Kia have announced that they will initiate voluntary service campaigns to provide software updates for certain vehicles with this starting system vulnerability. Unfortunately, however, this is an insufficient response to the issue and does not does not adequately address the safety issues facing vehicle owners and the public,” the letter to NHSTA reads.
In a statement Friday, Hyundai said it is “committed to ensuring the quality and integrity of its products.”
“A subset of Hyundai vehicles on the road in the United States today – mostly base or entry-level models – are not equipped with push-button ignitions and anti-theft anti-theft devices,” said said Hyundai. “It is important to clarify that an ignition interlock is an anti-theft device and these vehicles are fully compliant with federal anti-theft requirements. The thieves discovered a specific method to bypass vehicle security features, then documented and promoted their exploits . on TikTok and other social media channels.”
The automaker went on to say it has taken “comprehensive steps” to help customers. This action includes, in part, standardizing engine immobilizers on all vehicles from November 2021 and rolling out a software upgrade to “prevent the method of theft involved, two months ahead of schedule.” “.
Kia said Friday that it “remains very focused on this issue and we continue to take action to address the concerns raised by these attorneys general. We are committed to working with them and their respective state law enforcement agencies to car theft and the role social media has played in encouraging it.”
Kia added that it “will continue to roll out a free and improved security software update to restrict unauthorized operation of vehicle ignition systems and we are also providing steering wheel locks to affected owners at no cost to them. “.
“To date, Kia has contacted more than two million owners and lessees of Kia vehicles to inform them of the availability of the software upgrade, and more than 165,000 eligible customers have already installed the upgrade,” said said the automaker. “Additionally, in addition to providing more than 39,000 free steering wheel locks to more than 275 law enforcement agencies across the country for distribution to affected Kia owners, we have also shipped nearly 8,000 locks directly to owners concerned. locks as required.”
The two South Korean automakers have created a software patch to fix the problem, the automakers said. Hyundai and Kia operate as separate companies in the United States, but Hyundai Motor Group owns a significant stake in Kia, and various Hyundai and Kia models share much of their engineering.
The patch will be installed for free on models that require it, along with software that requires an actual key in the ignition to turn on the vehicle. The software will also block starting the car after locking the doors using the key fob remote. The vehicle will need to be unlocked before it can be started.
The software also extends the duration of the alarm sound from 30 seconds to a full minute. Hyundai dealers will also affix stickers to the windows indicating that the vehicle is equipped with anti-theft software.
“Ultimately, the failure of Kia and Hyundai to install standard safety features on many of their vehicles put vehicle owners and the public at risk,” Attorney General Bonta said. “We are now calling on the federal government to demand that these companies correct their mistake through a national recall and assist us in our continued efforts to protect the public from these dangerous vehicles.”
Recalls are ordered by NHTSA or, much more often, undertaken by automakers to correct safety-related defects. The letter from the attorneys general claims that the ease of theft of these Hyundai and Kia vehicles poses a safety hazard and that the vehicles do not meet federal theft prevention standards.
“In addition, thieves drove these vehicles recklessly, speeding up and performing wild stunts and causing numerous crashes, at least eight deaths and significant injuries,” the letter reads.
CNN’s Aaron Silverman contributed to this report


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— -- Michelle Carroll and her husband, Donald, can count nine of the same knee pillows, all in Amazon boxes, spread across their living room in their Folsom, California, home.
In fact, the couple would have had at least 14 knee pillows if they hadn't insisted that the drivers making deliveries take some of the packages back.
"Yesterday my husband chased down the driver to return two packages," Michelle told ABC News.
The couple said that they have been receiving Amazon packages since the beginning of February, but they thought the first package was a prank.
"[The first package] was a talking hamster toy and it was pretty funny at first," said Michelle.
The packages don't have a return label and all of them were addressed to Donald, she said.
After a call to Amazon, the company assured them that the deliveries didn't affect their account and they took record of the tracking numbers.
"Our review detection systems are trained to catch this type of behavior and we will continue our ongoing efforts to detect and prevent abuse. Our investigations thus far indicate that there have been few reviews written on these shipments. We have removed these and will continue to remove any we do find immediately. We will hold offenders that have violated our policies accountable," said a spokesperson for Amazon in a statement to ABC News.
There had been multiple five-star reviews of the product on Amazon, which Michelle claims could be an example of "brushing," which is when manufacturers send items to random Amazon customers and then use their names to post fake reviews on the retailer's site.
She said she left a review for the knee pillows calling them a scam.
"Do I feel like I'm a victim of a scam? Yes, absolutely," she said.
Amazon allegedly put a hold on two accounts associated with different tracking numbers that belonged to people with names that Michelle said she didn't recognize.
Despite more calls to Amazon and to the local authorities -- in addition to a sign posted to the front door asking drivers not to deliver Amazon packages addressed to the Carroll family -- the packages kept arriving.
Packages continued to be delivered because they had different tracking numbers, Michelle explained.
"I just want this to stop," she said. "It's just really frustrating that someone has our address, and our phone number is on the boxes."
She also said that Amazon told her that she could keep the pillows and consider donating them to charity.
"I'm waiting to see what Amazon will do and I want to hear from the local authorities," she said. "So right now I have no plans to do anything [with the pillows]."
She went on to add: "Our concern is what is the next package going to be. That’s scary."
In a statement from an Amazon spokesperson the company said: "We are investigating inquiries from consumers who have received unsolicited packages as this would violate our policies. We have confirmed the sellers involved did not receive names or shipping addresses from Amazon. We remove sellers in violation of our policies, withhold payments, and work with law enforcement to take appropriate action."


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The B.C. government is keeping all of its options on the table for legal marijuana sales, including the government monopoly retail model announced by Ontario, Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said Thursday.
Farnworth was going into two days of meetings in Vancouver with federal Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould and other provincial ministers.
They are facing a deadline of July 1, 2018 set for recreational pot sales to become legal, amid warnings from police that it’s not enough time to prepare.
Click here to read the complete article
Tom Fletcher ~ MerrittHerald.com via 420Intel.com ~


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Bank of Kigali has announced the eight winners of its BK Urumuri initiative which awards interest-free loans worth Rwf 60 million in total.
The initiative is part of the bank’s golden jubilee celebrations, to give something back to Rwandans.
According to BK’s CEO Diane Karusisi, the announcement of the winners was the end of a great journey that started at the beginning of the year.
“When we designed this initiative, we wanted to contribute to the businesses that keep us in business,” she explained.
Karusisi said over the past 50 years, the bank has grown because there were many entrepreneurs worked with it to create value both for themselves and for the bank; they became successful and the bank became bigger.
BK Urumuri attracted more than 400 applications since March, and 50 of them were withheld for a mentorship training conducted by Inkomoko. 13 finalists were then selected, which subsequently resulted in 8 winners.
“When we started we were not sure how to do this, but when we sat down with Inkomoko we saw a very great partner who has made initiative a great success,” Karusisi said.
Inkomoko screened the applications and selected start-ups with diverse, ambitious and innovative projects.
“We announce the 8 winners, but we are all winners: the 400 applicants are winners, the 50 that went through the trainings are winners, we as the bank are winners and above all our country is winning,” Karusisi said.
She promised the competition will be repeated next year in an even bigger way.
SafeMotos, a tech start-up which developed an app that connects customers to safe taxi-moto drivers, was the biggest winner with a loan of Rwf 11.7m, followed by PuroPro Windshields (Rwf 9.3m) and Karisimbi Wines (Rwf 9m).
Mudacumura Publishing received Rwf 8m, DSIS&T Rwf 4m, Yummy and Fresh Delivery Rwf 3.5m, and Murukali Online Rwf 6m.


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The internet currency bitcoin has experienced a massive setback, with one of its most popular trading platforms closing after a suspected theft worth over £200m.
MtGox, one of the oldest and most popular online bitcoin exchanges, went offline without an explanation on Tuesday, two days after its chief executive resigned from the board of the international group that oversees the currency.
The news sent bitcoin’s value tumbling amid fears that the currency could be killed off by security flaws. The online currency, which has attracted the attention of regulators and economists in recent months as it enters the mainstream, has been touted as a replacement for traditional internet payment systems, which charge expensive transaction fees.
But users attempting to visit the MtGox website – which allows people to buy and sell bitcoin – were yesterday met with a blank page, all but confirming that the website had been shut down.
It came two days after chief executive Mark Karpeles stepped down from the board of the Bitcoin Foundation, which oversees the virtual currency, and the company deleted all of its messages on the social network Twitter.
For weeks, MtGox users had been unable to convert their bitcoin holdings back into cash. The exchange halted withdrawals earlier this month, citing “unusual activity” in trading.
It emerged, according to leaked documents believed to be from MtGox, that around 745,000 bitcoin worth roughly $375m (£224m) had gone missing from the exchange, forcing it to shut down. Withdrawals being suspended means thousands of users have investments in bitcoin locked in the exchange, potentially without any chance of retrieving it.
The alleged security breach could deal a serious blow to the virtual currency, just as it was beginning to gain mainstream acceptance. Bitcoin was founded in 2009 by a developer known only by the pseudonym “Satoshi Nakamoto”.
Until last year it was used largely by a small community of enthusiasts but, despite becoming a conduit for the online black market who were attracted by the fact that bitcoin is almost untraceable, has exploded in popularity over the last year.
Regulators have suggested the currency could be a legitimate alternative to cash, while businesses have become increasingly interested in it. China, meanwhile, has become one of the world’s biggest users of bitcoin, with many middle-class individuals believed to be using it to circumnavigate the country’s banking and currency controls.
Bitcoin’s legitimacy has also been bolstered by last year’s closure of The Silk Road, the infamous bitcoin-based online marketplace that sold drugs and firearms.
The currency, whose supply is restricted by the power-intensive computer process used to create them known as “mining”, has soared in value amid increased demand. This has been exacerbated by speculators betting on further price rises and its value rose above $1,200 in November against $50 a year ago. On Tuesday, bitcoin’s price on popular exchanges fell to below $500.
Ben Lawsky, New York financial regulator, suggested that more regulation may be needed. “While all the facts surrounding the situation at MtGox in Japan are not yet clear, these developments underscore that smart, tailored regulation could play an important role in protecting consumers and the security of the money that they entrust to virtual currency firms,” he said.
A group of other online exchanges moved to distance themselves from MtGox, claiming that bitcoin is fundamentally secure and the currency itself was not at fault for the Tokyo-based platform’s issues.
“This tragic violation of the trust of users of Mt.Gox was the result of one company’s actions and does not reflect the resilience or value of bitcoin and the digital currency industry,” they said in a statement. “As with any new industry, there are certain bad actors that need to be weeded out, and that is what we are seeing today.”
A statement from MtGox appeared on its website on Tuesday afternoon claiming that transactions had been suspended “for the time being in order to protect the site and our users”.


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JAKARTA – For the sake of spurring exports to the Islamic Cooperation Organization (OIC) countries, the Government of Indonesia will maximize the formation of bilateral and regional trade agreements.
Expert Staff for International Relations at the Ministry of Trade Arlinda said, one of the biggest obstacles to Indonesia’s exports to OIC countries was tariffs. According to him, import tariffs in these countries are classified as very high.
“For this reason, we are currently trying to reduce tariffs in several OIC countries through trade pacts that we are discussing with a number of countries. Because the potential for exports to OIC countries is huge,” he said in the Discovering Opportunities to Access Halal Market of the OIC Workshop. Member Countries, Monday (2/9/2019).
He gave an example, import tariffs imposed by Egypt on products from RI reached 60%. According to him, almost the same tariff applies in several OIC countries.
He continued, for that reason, the government of the Republic of Indonesia hoped that with the trade cooperation pact between the Republic of Indonesia and several OIC countries, the import tariff of Indonesian products would be reduced to 0% – 5%.
According to him, so far Indonesia is negotiating the establishment of trade cooperation with several OIC member countries. The trade cooperation pact a.l. Indonesia-Iran Preferential Trade Agrement, Indonesia-Turkey Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, Indonesia-Tunisia Preferential Trade Agrement, Indonesia-Pakistan Trade in Goods Agreement and Indonesia-Morocco Preferential Trade Agrement.
In addition, the Indonesian government is also conducting an initial assessment phase of cooperation between the Indonesia-Gulf Cooperation Council.
Meanwhile, the cooperation pact between Indonesia and the OIC countries that have been implemented are Indonesia-Pakistan Preferential Trade Agrement and Indonesia-Palestine Memorandum of Understanding.
Based on data from the Ministry of Trade, the value of Indonesia’s trade with the OIC country reached US $ 45.75 billion in 2018, up from the previous year which reached US $ 41.44 billion.
Last year, the value of Indonesia’s exports to OKI countries reached US $ 22.25 billion. Meanwhile, imports reached US $ 23.51 billion. That makes the Indonesian trade balance with the OIC country recorded a deficit of US $ 1.82 billion.


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The falling price of the 5G phone specialized semiconductors helped make faster mobile service affordable to more lower-income consumers globally, the Wall Street Journal reports. The trend could likely continue over the next two years.
The average price of a 5G system-on-a-chip costs $40 - $45 and could reach $20 late this year or early next year, Counterpoint Research observed. It saw mobile-phone makers putting 5G chips in devices with a retail price of around $150.
Asia's prioritization of 5G chips by chip manufacturers in China and Taiwan is pushing chip prices lower and driving the production of budget 5G-capable devices, Counterpoint admitted. U.S. carrier Consumer Cellular Inc looks to offer a 5G phone priced at $199 by June and one priced at around $150 by early 2023.
WSJ noted that Canalys sees 5G capability spreading to at least 80% of phones priced under $200 globally over the next two to three years, from less than 5% currently. In 2021, Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries postponed the budget smartphone launch with Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ: GOOG) (NASDAQ: GOOGL), citing an industry crisis.
Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) recently launched its third-generation iPhone SE, priced at $429.
China's budget phone makers Xiaomi Corp (OTC: XIACY) (OTC: XIACF), Oppo and Vivo are trying to win contracts in India to manufacture phones locally for export, Bloomberg reports. India will likely accomplish $60 billion in exports by 2026."
Price Action: AAPL shares traded higher by 1.83% at $161.42 in the premarket on the last check Friday.


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U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for June 7
WASHINGTON, June 7, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Following is the daily “Profile America” feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:
FRIDAY, JUNE 7: GOING TO THE TAPE
Profile America — Friday, June 7th. A home entertainment revolution began on this date in 1975, when the videocassette recorder was introduced. It was Sony’s Betamax format recorder, which in a very few years was superseded by the rival VHS format. At its peak, some 9-out-of-10 households across the country had a VCR. Then, the DVD was introduced in 1997, and quickly eclipsed videocassettes. Now, the rising format is the Blu-ray system, allowing video quality to match high-definition television sets. Renting out discs and what’s left of videocassettes is a nearly $9.5 billion a year business in the U.S. You can find more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau, online at www.census.gov.
2007 Economic Census, NAICS 532230
Profile America is produced by the Center for New Media and Promotions of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on a monthly CD or on the Internet at http://www.census.gov (look for “Multimedia Gallery” by the “Newsroom” button).
SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau


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TWO Devon barristers' chambers are to merge, creating the largest chambers south of Bristol.
Rougemont and Southernhay Chambers, both in Exeter but covering Plymouth, will formally link next month after nine months' negotiations.
The enlarged chambers will boast 43 members and 15 associate members, plus an eight-strong clerking team. It will unveil its new name and branding next month.
THE Plymouth HQ of retail chain The Range found its Twitter feed inundated with messages and its inbox full of emails from well-wishers following Chris Dawson's appearance on Peter Jones Meets... on BBC2 last week.
Among those sending their congratulations to the retail magnate, and founder of the chain, was Duncan Bannatyne, Mr Jones' Dragons' Den co-star, who wrote: "All entrepreneurs are down-to-earth people".
WEST Devon businesses swapped resources and expertise at a Business Voice networking event organised by the Borough Council at its Kilworthy Park HQ, in Tavistock.
Among items exchanged were furniture and temporary storage space. Business support organisation BIP and film production company, Oddbodies also gave presentations.
PUBLIC sector hiring has fuelled an 11 per cent increase in temporary employment across the South West, according to the quarterly Venn Index, an overview of vacancy levels, average salaries and in-demand skills.
The study suggests the professional contract and interim employment market has grown due to increased demand from the NHS.
START-up business the Ioutlet has moved into new premises and announced a turnover of £1million just over a year after setting up in Plymouth.
The firm deals in recycled iPhones, forging partnerships with UK mobile networks, buying iPhones in bulk and selling onto the public as single units for profit. The firm, which has grown from a £5,000 self-investment, is now based at Plympton's the Ridgeway.
WOODBURY-based pre-school business The Creation Station's has branched into Plymouth, with art and craft sessions now run by Kerry Bargewell in Plymstock and Woolwell.


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Semblance, the squashy platformer from independent studio Nyamakop, will hit the Nintendo Switch, PC and Mac on July 24th, 2018 -- a date that will go down in video game history. Semblance is the first South African-developed game to ever make its way to a Nintendo platform, and it comes from a small studio run by designer Ben Myres and programmer Cukia "Sugar" Kimani.
In Semblance, players bounce a purple blob named Squish around 2D, side-scrolling levels, shaping the terrain to create platforms and solve spatial puzzles. Since players actually form the game as they go, Semblance is the world's first true platformer, according to Myres.
After nearly three years of development, Kimani says he's "excited AF" to finally have a release date for Semblance. Now the Nyamakop developers have to wait just a few weeks until their game is out in the wild.
"It'll definitely be tricky not careening off the anxiety cliff face, but we're just going to try and have fun with it," Myres says. "Talk about the game in fun ways and be playful with people who are keen to play -- lots of memes and jokes probably. It's been a long haul to get the game here, so we're mostly just excited to get the game into people's hands."
Semblance wasn't originally designed to be a Switch title, but after Nintendo revealed its new console in October 2016, Kimani and Myres plotted to get on the system. Since there were -- and are -- no big video game conventions or publishers based in South Africa, they bootstrapped their way around the globe to network and show off the game. They ended up demonstrating Semblance to a Nintendo representative outside of a San Francisco restaurant during GDC 2017, and Nyamakop was approved to develop for the Switch on the spot.
Nintendo has been actively courting indie developers to the Switch over the past year, and Semblance is one of many new games made by small teams to hit the system. However, thanks to Kimani and Myres' hustle, it'll be the only game out of South Africa on the Switch or any other Nintendo console.
"You don't have reps that live in your country," Myres told Engadget at E3 2018 in Los Angeles. "The press that matter are all here. There isn't a big enough market locally to sell to, so you have to make works to sell to the West, which means you have to go to Western shows and you have to meet Western press. So basically, if you're not traveling a ton, you're not going to be able to make it."


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HOWELL, Mich., December 10, 2009 — Howell, Mich.-based LaVida Massage, a massage center providing health and wellness services, today announced the opening of its Mandeville, La. center. John Hoose, founder of LaVida, made the announcement.
The center is the first of several planned locations in the state of Louisiana. Franchise developer partners Bill Miller and Chuck Turner are currently recruiting franchisee partners to spearhead the regional expansion of the Mich.-based franchise throughout the state.
As previous franchise owners with experience in the salon industry, the men identified an opportunity in the growing health and wellness industry and the largely untapped market for professional massage services in the area. The Mandeville location, which is located at 1976 North Causeway Boulevard in the North Lake Shopping Center, is opening Friday, December 11th.
“Health and wellness is something that’s just not going anywhere. There is so much potential in Louisiana to introduce people to the unparalleled benefits of massage,” said Miller. “80% of the American population has never a massage. This is our opportunity to showcase a service that not only provides immediate muscle relaxation, but that paves the way for continued mind and body rejuvenation—it’s a healthy lifestyle change.”
After their initial introduction to LaVida, the men were immediately impressed by the unique qualities distinguishing the company as a standout in both massage therapy and the smoothness of franchise operation, a stark contrast to their previous franchising experience. LaVida provides attentive franchisee mentorship and overhead marketing support; exceptional customer service; tried and true products; affordable price points; an elegant gender-neutral ambiance; and convenient and easy to navigate online booking tools. Exclusive to Louisiana, a state economy that has seen the worst, LaVida offers customers something to take their mind off the woes of the recession and of the devastation of several natural disasters.
“We are fortunate to have been allowed the opportunity to forge a place for massage in Louisiana,” said Turner. “We have confidence that the quality of our services and the strength of our business structure will prevail regardless of the economic downturn. It is a privilege to be able to provide an outlet that functions first as a business, but that also so positively affects each customer.”
LaVida massage therapy services include relaxation, couples, deep tissue, hot stone, prenatal, chair and corporate massages and aromatherapy.
“As the health and wellness industry continues to thrive, we are happy to be introducing LaVida to several regions across the country,” said Hoose. “I am looking forward to the coming success of the Mandeville location and the enthusiastic response of the Southern customers as they discover and prioritize great value in personal wellness.”
For the month of December, the Mandeville location will be celebrating its grand opening with special offers, including a free $50 gift certificate with the purchase of another, and one-hour massage sessions for $39.95. For more information, please visit www.lavidamassage.com or call the center at (985) 727-7340.
Founded in 2007, LaVida Massage is a health and wellness massage center, providing massage, facial and cosmetic services that revitalize and reinvigorate clients’ emotional and physical health. As more Americans find value in personal care and therapeutic relief from negative outside influences, LaVida introduces a new franchise to the fast-growing health and wellness industry. With locations nationwide, LaVida is headquartered in Howell, Mich.


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The CyanogenMod team continues to develop builds for new phones, and today we get support for two budget-oriented options that are popular with the unlocked crowd. The Moto E 2015, a phone with a relatively small screen and a tiny price, and the Huawei Mate 2, a phone with a relatively enormous screen and a price that's still pretty small, both have CyanogenMod 12.1 (Android 5.1) ROMs waiting for them on the official download site. Read More
The Mate S isn't the only device Huawei brought to this year's IFA. The company also announced the G8, a phone that is still premium but not quite as powerful as the Mate S. The G8 comes with a similar metal body and a 5.5-inch FHD display, but on the inside we're looking at a Snapdragon 615 instead of the 810. On the positive side, that's paired with 3GB of RAM.
The fingerprint sensor still comes included on the back, which you can use to unlock your device, answer calls, or control alarms.
The back also offers a 13MP camera with a sapphire lens, which is paired with a 5MP shooter on the front. Read More
If you're wondering when you'll be able to get your hands on those new Nexus phones that have been leaking like a newborn on laxatives, Cnet has an answer for you: September 29th. The tech news agency quotes "people familiar with the company's plans" in its unconfirmed post, saying that the two new devices from Huawei and LG will get their official debut at a press event in San Francisco. Google itself didn't comment, of course. Read More
At this year's IFA Huawei has taken the lid off its latest flagship phone, the Huawei Mate S.
It's easy to overlook Huawei. This latest device, like previous hardware, continues to look not unlike an HTC One without the logo. And despite sticking its toe in the US market, the Mate S isn't yet set to hit the US.
But in Asia, Huawei remains one of the most competent smartphone makers in the business. The Mate S builds upon last year's impressive Mate 7. It features a full metal body surrounding a 5.5-inch AMOLED 1080x1920 display. The sides, at only 2.65 millimeters, call out to bezel haters everywhere. Read More
It's been a long time since there's been a new Android Wear watch available for pre-order, but this is the big day for the much anticipated Huawei Watch. This device starts at $349 and will eventually go all the way up to $799, but the expensive gold versions aren't part of today's pre-order. You can get the other versions at Amazon, Best Buy, and more. Read More
Given how young Android Wear is as a platform, it's not terribly surprising that a new "best" Wear device pops up every six months or so. But the Huawei Watch, announced way back in March at MWC in Spain, has all but stolen the proverbial show since it was first unveiled. Let's get the important parts out in front: pre-orders start today at GetHuawei.com, Google Store, Amazon.com and BestBuy.com, and ship beginning September 17th. The Huawei Watch will start at $349 for the stainless steel body and basic black leather strap and go up to $799 for the rose gold version with matching links. Read More
A lot of people are excited about the Huawei Watch (which we've taken to calling the Huawatch around the Android Police virtual office). This is probably because it's the most watch-like Android Wear device that's been shown so far, and has a round screen that's actually round. All the way around. 360 degrees of roundness, you might say. Would-be purchasers have been waiting to buy one since the watch was announced way back in March, and the first pre-orders went live on Amazon earlier this week.
Unfortunately, those pre-orders were quickly dismissed by Huawei itself - the company said that it had nothing to announce, implying that the listings on Amazon (which quickly disappeared) and the September 2nd launch date weren't actually approved by the manufacturer. Read More
We got our best look yet at the Huawei Nexus phone (codename Angler) earlier today, and now we've got a few more pics from the same source. This time the phone is in a protective case that obscures many of the features, but there's one thing we can see plain as day—a USB Type-C port. It's happening.
We've seen what might be leaked photos of the 5.2-inch, LG-made successor to the Nexus 5, now we've got photos that are claimed to be the Huawei phone that's coming at the same time. Google+ user Tiessen Fu posted three photos of a previously unseen phone with both "Nexus" and "Huawei" labels on the back.
The photos show the front and back of the device, and what looks like a standard protective case. There's a circular area on the back (which is more or less the same as the design from the previous leak), and considering that the case has an access hole cut out for it, it's presumably a fingerprint reader. Read More
Huawei has had a complicated relationship with the Ascend Mate2 and its software update. It originally announced that the device would stay on Android 4.3 last year, but then reversed itself and said the Mate2 would jump straight to Lollipop. It's taken a long time, but there's finally a public version of this update, but it's still technically a "preview."


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When it was revealed at CES 2015 last week, Dell claimed that its new 2015 XPS 13 is the smallest 13-inch laptop in the world. Judging from what we have just seen moments ago at the ongoing Dell regional launch here in Thailand, we have not much reason to doubt that claim.
In fact, it seems like the new 2015 XPS 13 might just be the best XPS laptop to date.
It might only been a week since Intel unveiled the brand new Broadwell U 5th generation Core processors at CES 2015 but it seems like the company’s OEM partners such as Acer and Lenovo have wasted no time to introduce products with the new chips in Malaysian market. You can now add Dell into the list as well since plenty of laptops with Broadwell U chips have appeared on Dell Malaysia’s website.
There are plenty of things you can buy with RM 14,000 such as a brand new motorcycle, a brand new large screen TV or perhaps, even both of them. Alternatively, you are also able to get your hands on the new MSI GT80 Titan SLI Gaming Laptop for the same amount of money.
What made it cost so much though? Well, read more below to find out.
Jide Technology, a company founded by three ex-Googlers, will be introducing a tablet that appears to merge the best parts of Microsoft and Android; into a form that mimics the Surface Pro. Called the Jide Remix, it also runs a customised version of Android 4.4.2 that resembles Windows 8.
The ongoing Malaysia IT Fair in Mid Valley Megamall is proving to be quite interesting for prospective laptop buyers. Not only did MSI announce two new gaming laptops (including the GT80 Titan equipped with a mechanical keyboard), Acer also took the opportunity to put its new 2015 models on sale. The final surprise came from Lenovo, where the company’s 14-inch Y40-80 gaming laptop also made its debut here.
You might have seen its name being tossed around at CES 2015 through new gaming laptops that were launched at the event but somehow NVIDIA didn’t make it a hoo-ha and put more emphasis on its new Tegra X1 instead. Nevertheless, heads up gamers: the GeForce GTX 965M GPU is officially here.


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When it comes to understanding the Aussie economy, you can shelve the complicated Reserve Bank of Australia reports.
They never get it right anyway.
Dump the budget forecasts from the government too.
That’s nothing more than a political fairy tale.
What they use to justify their pay increases…
And you don’t need economic forecasts from the banks either.
While they’re more accurate than anything the government or central bank puts out, they’re often so full of jargon you get lost Googling every second word.
Sometimes the easiest way to understand the health of the Aussie economy, is to look at how people are spending their money…
Your crystal ball to the Aussie economy
The head publisher of Fat Tail Media returns from holidays today.
And I just know today’s article will see me summoned into his office.
The minute my boss sees the words ‘retail’ and ‘shopping’ roll across the screen in the latest Daily Reckoning Australia issue, I get sent an email asking, ‘Have you got a minute?’
We have a chat.
He reminds me that people don’t really care about new bags or shoes or puffer jackets.
In turn, I remind him that the retail sector is the Aussie economy’s crystal ball.
Because you couldn’t ask for a better barometer of individual prosperity in Australia.
Now, allow me to let you in on a secret.
As an investor, you don’t need to go through complex trade surplus reports…or even wait for the retail trade data to tell you retail sales dropped.
There are clues that can help you pick the trend along the way.
Australia is a consumerist society.
Our gross domestic product (GDP) growth depends on people spending money within the economy. Not iron ore. Not gold. Not natural gas.
The junk you buy at the shops and the services you pay for — so you don’t have to do the job yourself — are the lifeblood of Australia’s growth.
You can actually analyse the health of the Aussie economy yourself, with ease.
The idea is simple.
Track the performance of retail companies.
For example, financial data for retailers like Kmart, Target, and Bunnings — which all belong to the Wesfarmers Ltd [ASX:WES] family — as well as Myer Holdings Ltd [ASX:MYR], JB Hi-Fi Ltd [ASX:JBH], and Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd [ASX:HVN] are all excellent indicators of how Aussies are spending their money.
Watching simple profit increases or decreases indicates which way Aussies are leaning — before months-old GDP, trade surplus, construction, or production data comes out.
The most basic information of all can give you, as an investor, an edge as to how the overall country is going.
Just because something is easy to understand doesn’t mean it should be dismissed.
That’s why I believe all Aussie investors should have a good understanding of Australia’s retail environment.
In other words, use the retail market to understand consumer behaviour. And knowing this gives you an edge in today’s market.
New year, new data
Last week, the Australian Bureau of Statistics was back in full swing.
Already there’s been a data dump of job vacancies, building approvals, and trade surplus data.
But the data I was most interested in was retail spending for November 2019.
Now last November was a particularly important month for Aussie retailers.
See, for the past few years, some of our retailers have tried to mimic the US by introducing ‘Black Friday’ and ‘Cyber Monday’ in the last week of November.
And for the second half of 2010s, there was limited success.
But November just past was different.
One thing I noticed this time, was that almost all Aussie retailers had Black Friday specials.
And they were good.
Some of the brands I follow were offering discounts of 30–40%. The sort of brands that rarely drop prices more than 20% — even during Boxing Day sales.
Discount retailers like Big W and Target got in on the action too. Even Kmart — which tends to shun sales periods — offered limited products up for Black Friday sales.
And guess what?
People spent money.
The recent batch of retail sales data from the ABS showed that retail sales increased by 0.9% for November 2019.
Spending on discretionary items was high.
Shoes, clothing, toys, and gaming were all up.
Department stores — the place consumers don’t want to go — saw spending increase by 3%.1,2
Australian retail sales month-on-month change
Source: Focus Economics
The 0.9% jump was the highest in almost two years.
So much so, that ABC News ran a headline saying there was a ‘rebound’ in consumer spending.3
I noticed another economist over on Twitter talking the higher retail sales up as part of the wealth effect filtering through to Aussies.
He argued that, while delayed, rising house prices meant people were feeling wealthier and willing to spend money once again.
However, both those takes miss the point completely.
The November data wasn’t a rebound, nor was is it about people feeling wealthy.
It was about opportunistic buying while deep discounts were offered at a time when we spend most of our money.
Not only that, but $1 billion was spent with Afterpay. Giving the company their highest month’s turn over ever.4
People weren’t spending from their savings…they were buying goods on a delayed payment basis.
That’s not people feeling wealthier.
To boot, research from ANZ has pointed out this morning that the November sales are probably nothing more than a blip. Noting that credit card use between December 16 and Boxing Day fell compared to previous periods.
There’s a couple of takeaways from this investors should note.
The obvious one is that the November retail sales data is likely a blip, and the higher spending won’t last.
And that will show up in financial earnings later in the year as I suspect more retailers will announce lower profits.
The side story to this is that buy now, pay later services are still growing. People are opting to use this.
By bringing purchases forward, it slows down consumption in later months.
But perhaps the biggest thing to note, is that Aussie retailers are going to continue to mimic the US retail sales calendar. Disrupting our spending habits.
This means holding off on purchases until November for a deep discount…
That’s what I’ll be doing.
Until next time,


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According to its weekly statistics of cargo operations, Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) cleared 1,646 TEUs of cargo between 2nd and 8th June.
MPL’s weekly cargo statistics indicate that they cleared 480 20-foot containers and 686 40-foot containers during this period.
In addition to clearing containers, MPL handled the arrival and departure of seven container vessels and four general/perishable cargo vessels in the first week of June.
The efficient unloading and loading operations at MPL resulted in the processing of 1,584 TEUs, equivalent to 1,117 containers.
MPL’s performance in May saw the processing of 5,273 containers, equivalent to 7,519 TEUs. This figure signifies a notable 14% increase compared to the average number of containers cleared in April.


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AFFIRM Helps ESI Group USA Celebrate 25th Anniversary
(Pewaukee, Wis…January 7, 2016) ESI Group USA, a nationally accredited design-build engineering and construction management firm specializing in the food industry, is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2016. To promote and recognize this milestone, ESI Group USA looked to AFFIRM to help develop a wide range of internal and external communications.
AFFIRM worked with ESI Group USA on a commemorative 25th anniversary logo and has extended the milestone brand to the company’s internal documents, sales materials, and website. AFFIRM will oversee similar updates throughout 2016, including the production of an anniversary video, as ESI Group USA continues to celebrate its 25 years of excellence.
“Working with ESI to celebrate their 25th anniversary is very exciting. It’s such a great story… taking this small-town design-build construction company and turning it into a national force in the food industry. It’s pretty special,” said AFFIRM Senior Account Executive, Rick Panten.
AFFIRM, formerly Staples Marketing, is a full-service marketing communications agency with headquarters in Pewaukee, Wisconsin. The agency serves local, regional and national clients in Business-to-Business and Consumer markets and has special expertise providing transit, transportation and health benefits marketing and communications. For more information, call 262-650-9900, or visit AffirmAgency.com


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A company let go by the government in November after months of financial disagreement is expected to resume inspecting goods coming into Cambodia by May, officials said Sunday.
Customs Director Pen Siman said the Societe Generale de Surveillance of Geneva (SGS) was chosen over four other contenders through open bidding.
SGS will once again perform “pre-shipment inspection,’’ the job of checking the quality and the quantity of goods coming into the country to allow the government to properly assess any fees that might apply.
In addition, the inspections check on smuggling and other illegal operations.
Such inspections are standard for developing countries engaged in world trade, and the International Monetary Fund has strongly urged Cambodia to resume the inspections as soon as possible.
“Resumption of pre-shipment inspection is a benchmark of the International Monetary Funds’ recommendations,” said Pen Siman. “We will finalize the contract next week and we’re expecting to start the pre-shipment services by the end of April.”
Robert Collier, SGS’ senior vice president, said Sunday the deal is close.
“We’re satisfied that the government is handling the deal in a very professional manner,” said Collier.
“We’re looking for a long-term relationship with Cambodia, hoping to work in other areas such as Camcontrol [a division of the Commerce Ministry] and exports promotion,” said Collier.
Last November, the government terminated a five-year contract with SGS after an agreement on the government’s $6.8 million outstanding debt.
The government claimed at that time that SGS did not invest enough in human resource development for the Cambodian customs staff. At the IMF’s suggestion, the government sought bids on the contract late last year.
According to the bid requirements, the winning bidder must inspect imported goods worth more than $4,000 on invoices. Importers must pay SGS a minimum flat rate of $250 for goods worth between $4,000 and $28,000.
Those who import goods worth more than $28,000 must pay 0.9 percent of the import value in service fees to the Swiss firm.
During the two-year contract, SGS will be required to transfer technology and technical skills to Cambodia and spend $500,000 per year for human resource development, Pen Siman said.
The contract will “improve collection of customs duties, reduce smuggling and corruption and improve quality control and quantity control,” he said. In the past, the government generated $5 million to $7 million annually in revenue from the inspections, Pen Siman noted.
While many traders welcome resumed inspections, others suspect they may raise prices.
“Without the pre-shipment services, the government would lose a lot of money because the customs is not able to collect an exact amount of tax on goods,” said businessman Mong Reththy.
(Additional reporting by Kay Kimsong)


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|Bid||39.34 x 800|
|Ask||39.35 x 2200|
|Day's range||38.86 - 39.40|
|52-week range||34.50 - 46.76|
|PE ratio (TTM)||N/A|
|Earnings date||25 Jul 2018|
|Forward dividend & yield||1.52 (3.82%)|
|1y target est||49.39|
Waymo, the Google subsidiary testing self-driving technology on public roads, is picking up speed. The company’s autonomous vehicles just drove 8 million miles on public roads. What’s more, it took the company just one month to go from 7 million miles to 8 million miles driven. “We’re driving now at the rate of 25,000 miles every day on public roads,” CEO John Krafcik said Friday while addressing the National Governor’s Association.
When Detroit's automakers report earnings on Wednesday, they are likely to highlight escalating tariffs and use the opportunity to warn investors of far greater pain ahead should U.S. President Donald Trump impose broader tariffs on the industry's vehicles and parts, consultants and analysts said. "The automakers really want to get that narrative out there," said Jeff Schuster, president for the Americas at consultancy LMC Automotive, who stressed it is unusual for General Motors Co (GM.N), Ford Motor Co (F.N) and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV (FCA) (FCHA.MI) to post quarterly earnings on the same day. "All three automakers are on the same page with tariffs," he added.
The automobile sector is known to be highly capital-intensive due to huge fixed and raw material costs in the auto manufacturing business. That’s one of the key reasons that major automakers (VCR) General Motors (GM), Ford Motor (F), Toyota Motor (TM), and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCAU) extensively utilize debt.
Domestic automakers will suffer equally if tariffs are imposed on car imports, as a number of U.S. carmakers have their production units offshore.
In the previous part of this series, we looked at analysts’ estimates for General Motors’ (GM) Q2 revenue. Its revenues are expected to be flat YoY (year-over-year) in the second quarter. Let’s move on to analysts’ estimates for GM’s Q2 2018 profit margins.
In value investing, investors pick stocks that are cheap but fundamentally sound. So, chances are high that these stocks will allow investors to book profits when the market trends upward.
Strong sales of Chevrolet and GMC are likely to have a positive impact on General Motors' (GM) soon-to-be-released second-quarter results.
In Q1 2018, General Motors (GM) reported revenue of $36.1 billion, which reflected a decrease of 3.1% from $37.3 billion in Q1 2017. Its lower global sales volume continued to hurt its first-quarter revenues. It was the fourth consecutive quarter for GM’s revenue to fall. Now let’s find out what analysts are estimating for GM’s Q2 2018 revenue.
Major companies tentatively scheduled to post quarterly earnings next week: MONDAY Alphabet Inc. reports quarterly financial results after the market close. WEDNESDAY Boeing Co. reports quarterly financial ...
Trump signed an executive order creating the National Council for the American Worker, intended to beef up training and education for American workers.
Asian markets wobbled Friday on signs that China and the U.S. were preparing to impose more tariffs on each other's products. KEEPING SCORE: Japan's Nikkei 225 lost 0.5 percent to 22,652.42 and South Korea's ...
While Ford (F) stock underperformed the S&P 500 in Q2 2018, General Motors (GM), Tesla (TSLA), and Ferrari (RACE) outperformed broader markets. Ford faced negative sentiment due to trade concerns. On the brighter side, growth in Q2 US light vehicle sales boosted investor confidence and prevented auto stocks falling significantly.
In the previous part of this series, we looked at analysts’ expectations for General Motors (GM) in Q2 2018, which indicated a minor weakness. Other than earnings estimates, investors should also be aware of Wall Street analysts’ ratings since they could have an impact on the stock. Now let’s see what analysts are recommending for GM before its second-quarter earnings event.
This week I discuss two companies within the Income Investor portfolio; Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and General Motors (GM).
US auto giant General Motors (GM) is set to release its Q2 2018 earnings on July 25. According to 2017 US auto sales volumes, GM had the largest market share in its home market, surpassing Ford Motor (F), Toyota (TM), and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCAU).
According to a CNBC report, analyst Rajvindra Gill at Needham expects the Model 3 cancellation rate to have doubled in less than a year. Before Tesla reached its Model 3 production milestone of 5,000 units per week at the end of the second quarter, Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas was not expecting Tesla to achieve a rate of 5,000 units per week until the first half of 2019. In fact, Tesla’s efforts to exponentially boost Model 3 production might have given confidence to Model 3 reservation holders who have already waited for many quarters to stick to their reservations a little longer.
Zacks.com featured highlights include: General Motors, Microchip Technology , NRG, AMC and Celanese
The procession of industry groups and foreign governments lining up to oppose President Donald Trump’s car tariffs is starting to look like a rush-hour traffic jam. The Commerce Department will hold public hearings Thursday on its probe into whether imports of passenger vehicles imperil U.S. national security. Judging from the list of speakers, the administration will find little if any support for the idea that foreign cars undermine America’s ability to defend itself.
IBM, General Motors Co. and Lockheed Martin Corp. are among a slate of companies that will advise the government on how to deal with the threat of automation facing American workers, according to a person familiar with the arrangement. Representatives of the companies will form an advisory board for a council led by Ivanka Trump and Secretary of Labor Alex Acosta. FedEx Corp. and Home Depot Inc. were also confirmed for the board, while Apple Inc. and Blackrock Inc. had considered joining as well, the person said.
A group representing major automakers will tell the U.S. Commerce Department on Thursday that imposing tariffs of 25 percent on imported cars and parts would raise the price of U.S. vehicles by $83 billion (63.47 billion pounds) annually and cost hundreds of thousands of jobs. The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, whose members include General Motors Co (GM.N), Volkswagen AG (VOWG_p.DE) and Toyota Motor Corp , said it plans to issue the warning at a public hearing on Thursday. "Higher auto tariffs will harm American families and workers, along with the economy" and "would raise the price of an imported car nearly $6,000 and the price of a U.S.-built car $2,000," the group said in its testimony released on Wednesday.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Having started a trade war with China and enraged U.S. allies with steel tariffs, President Donald Trump is primed for his next fight. He is targeting a product at the heart of the American experience: cars.
Jul.18 -- U.S. President Donald Trump and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker will meet next week to explore the possibility of beginning talks on auto import tariffs. Bloomberg's David Welch reports on "Bloomberg Markets: The Open."


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Facebook completely failed to protect Americans' data. Is anyone surprised?
Facebook has a less-than-stellar track record on consumer privacy. In fact, it was already under a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) consent order when it gave Aleksandr Kogan access to the data of 87 million people. That data, in turn, ended up in the hands of Cambridge Analytica, a firm staffed by foreign nationals working with the Trump campaign.
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg will testify before the House Energy and Commerce on April 11, something my colleagues and I first demanded on March 23. As head of his company, Mr. Zuckerberg must personally answer for Facebook's failure to adequately protect consumer data. Companies deserve to be shamed when they fail to protect consumers.
When Mark Zuckerberg testifies, I expect a detailed accounting of how Facebook shared the data of its 2 billion users – most of whom didn't know their data was being shared – with Aleksandr Kogan and other app developers.
I expect to hear how Facebook is strengthening its privacy protections and empowering consumers to understand and choose how their data is shared. The big question for Congress is what comes next.
Facebook is just the latest corporation that failed to protect Americans' data. In the last year alone, I have responded to poor data practices at Equifax, Uber, and Alteryx. Corporations that hold enormous amounts of consumer data simply haven't made consumer protection the top priority.
In fact, corporations like Facebook and Equifax profit from collecting and selling Americans' data – all too often without consumers' knowledge. In a system with few safeguards, scandals like Facebook-Cambridge Analytica and data breaches like Equifax aren't just possible. They're inevitable.
If we want to change that dynamic, we need to change federal law. If consumer protections like those in my bill, the Secure and Protect Americans' Data Act (SPADA), had been in place, the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica scandal would have played out very differently.
First, Facebook would have been required to have processes to identify vulnerabilities, mitigate those vulnerabilities, and oversee those who have access to personal information through Facebook (e.g. Aleksandr Kogan). Instead, Mr. Kogan was allowed to gather the personal data of not only his app users but also their Facebook friends.
After Facebook found out that Kogan shared user data with an unauthorized third party (e.g. Cambridge Analytica), it would have been required to notify law enforcement within 5 days and consumers within 30 days. Instead, Facebook learned about the scandal in 2015 and kept it under wraps for three years until it was unveiled by a whistleblower.
Finally, the FTC would have been empowered to enforce data security and breach notification requirements with civil penalties. With the FTC investigation into Facebook ongoing, it remains to be seen how Facebook will be held responsible.
In SPADA, I laid out specific proposals to establish data security standards and require prompt notification when data is misused. But that is just a first step. We also need to consider comprehensive privacy legislation to limit the collection and sharing of Americans' data in the first place.
I urge my Republican colleagues to put forward their own ideas so we can negotiate a bipartisan bill to improve data security and consumer privacy. Americans deserve answers from Mr. Zuckerberg, and then they deserve action from Congress.
Commentary by Jan Schakowsky, U.S. representative for Illinois's 9th congressional district since 1999. She is the top-ranking Democrat on the Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee, where Mr. Zuckerberg will appear on April 11. Follow her on Twitter @janschakowsky.


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What started off as a trending topic on social media, #SorryNotSorry now has a new meaning. Apart of their #ShineStrong campaign, hair care brand Pantene recently released video that poses the question: “Why are women always apologizing?”
The viral clip, with more than three million views, shows various events in which women are apologizing for things that do not require an apology: asking a question, scooting over at a conference table, making statements at meetings, voicing their opinions (acts that look all too familiar). With no mention of hair care products at all, the brand encourages women not to stop being sorry and instead, “Be strong and shine.”
The video has sparked many gender-related debates, while many women have admitted that they are guilty of the act and view the video as an encouraging way to kick the habit.
Earlier this year, Pantene released a video that questioned why when a woman takes charge in the workplace, she’s considered bossy, but when a man takes charge, he’s a boss? That video also went viral and led to many discussions about gender in the workplace.
It is clear that Pantene does not just produce hair care products; they are using their platform to spark conversations, create social awareness, and ultimately change the way we view certain situations. So, as you continue about your day, ladies, don’t be sorry, “be strong and shine.”


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A Cooley and TechUK Webinar Over the summer, the European Commission proposed a new General Product Safety Regulation, which has major ramifications for anyone in the products supply chain. The regulation is intended to update the 20-year-old General Product Safety Directive with a clearer focus on tech products, new rules […]
The European Commission has published a draft of the Digital Services Package, which proposes important changes for online platforms, product manufacturers and suppliers.
The EU has confirmed agreement on its proposal for a directive on contracts for the supply of digital content and services. This covers a whole range of digital media – from streamed and downloaded music and movies to apps, games, computer programmes and cloud services.


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We have been waiting for confirmation about the arrival of the 2017 Honda Civic Si and finally we have now been given it.
At the moment the Honda Civic Si offers up 205 horses along with 174 torque but the new version is expected to surpass these numbers. Of course we don’t think that the new vehicle will offer up power figures that are insane.
The Honda Civic Si should offer up about 220 horses to 230 horses as it is going to be a coupe. Spy shots showed us a two door camouflaged version when it was being tested. But it is possible that Honda could pull off a switcheroo at the last moment.
At the moment the Honda Civic is the sportiest vehicle in the form of the Type R, we cannot see Honda wanting to send out three five door vehicles, with two of them designed for offering up performance. Right now the coupe happens to be the odd one out and it is more costly than the sedan but doesn’t have the same practicality.
If Honda make the Honda Civic Si a two door it would make it stand out from the Type R and bring more attention to the standard coupe. For the moment this is really all that we know about the vehicle.


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The man instructed the employee to open and empty the cash register.
Posts published in “Bellingham Washington News”
Stories about what is happening around Bellingham, WA
Any individual who launches a watercraft in violation of local ordinances may face penalties of up to $1,000.
Candidates are required to be registered to vote in the geographic area represented by the office.
The pole and wires were reported to have been strewn across the road after the crash.
EMS units will also have other lifesaving equipment added and upgraded as well.
Initial reports from the scene were that no one was injured as a result of the crash.
Property owners can opt-out of the herbicide program.
And some areas may come close but not quite reach the 70s.
The parent company of Fred Meyer stores announced store closings in other cities that have approved similar ordinances.


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The Sony W802A series of LED-lit LCD HDTVs performs well, but you can find other models that offer better performance for the price—or a lower price for similar performance.
Irrational Games today released the first downloadable content pack (DLC) for its best-selling BioShock Infinite.
Sony and Panasonic are teaming up to develop a standard for professional-level optical drives.
In preparation for the launch of its new Xbox One console, Microsoft has opened pre-orders for a handful of gaming accessories.
Sony today confirmed to Joystiq that a movie based on its PlayStation game series is in fact in development, but declined to provide further details.
Rovio announced today that it will launch the Angry Birds Star Wars game on all consoles this fall.
The Apple MacBook Air 11-inch (Mid 2013) is the Haswell updated version of the iconic ultraportable laptop. It lasts over 10 hours running on battery power, so it's a highly recommended choice if you must have the thinnest possible laptop with the most battery life.
At the weekend's Evo gaming event, Capcom announced Ultra Street Fighter IV, as well as five new characters and six new levels, expected for release in early 2014.
Sony has agreed to drop its appeal and pay the £250,000 ($400,000) fine for the 2011 hack of its PlayStation Network.
The Sony VAIO Duo 13 is a slick-looking hybrid ultraportable that gives you solid performance and a full workday's worth of battery power. The 13.3?inch touch screen display delivers a crisp picture with brilliant colors but its viewing angle performance could be better.
The Sony Xperia Z is a powerful, sleek new smartphone for splash-prone T-Mobile customers.
Topping tech headlines Tuesday, the new Dropbox Platform syncs app data, Rockstar teases Grand Theft Auto V gameplay, and Sprint's first Windows Phone 8 device will launch July 19.
Today, Rockstar dropped almost five full minutes of Grand Theft Auto V gameplay, showing off the expansive world players will get to explore.
If you want to watch full HD 1080p movies at home, Blu-ray is the way to go. Here are the top five players we've tested.
Get the max out of your Netflix experience, with the new "Max" recommendation guide, rolling out today to PlayStation 3 users.
Topping tech headlines Thursday, Facebook opens Android beta testing, Verizon's nationwide LTE mostly complete, and iOS 7 is reported to include head motion controls.
Sony unveils an upgraded version of the RX100 with a few improvements, and a version of the full-frame RX1 without a low-pass filter.
Should you get your next phone from Samsung or Sony? We compare specs to help you decide.
Topping tech headlines Tuesday, Ouya's mini game console receives drab early reviews, Sony unveils a waterproof smartphone and second-generation smartwatch, and Acer has teamed up with Pokki and Zynga to bring Web-based games to desktops.
Sony is getting more serious about its music streaming service.


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zooplus AG: 2017 earnings forecast revised to accelerate sales growth
zooplus AG: 2017 earnings forecast revised to accelerate sales growth Munich, September 15, 2017 – The Management Board of zooplus AG (WKN 511170, ISIN DE0005111702, ticker symbol ZO1), today decided to revise its existing forecast for earnings before taxes (EBT) for the 2017 financial year, reducing it from a range of EUR 17 m to EUR 22 m to a single-digit million amount.
Prompting this revision is a strategic decision to use funds that will be made available to invest even more heavily in sustainable growth and in expanding zooplus AG’s leading market position in an intensely competitive market environment.
Based on the company’s business performance year-to-date and the current projection for sales development going forward, zooplus AG is revising its full-year 2017 sales forecast from its previous forecast of at least EUR 1,125 m to a forecast now of around EUR 1,125 m.
Online at: www.zooplus.de
Investor relations/media contact:
Unter den Eichen 7
Phone: +49 (0)611-205855-61
Fax: +49 (0)611-205855-66


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As the supply chain crisis continues in the United States, one Republican congressman’s car dealership is serving as an important anecdotal example of just how bad things are.
The Committee to Unleash Prosperity, a conservative economic group, revealed photos of Texas Republican Rep. Roger Williams’ auto dealership in Weatherford, Texas, before and after the current crisis.
In the first photo from July 2019, under the Trump administration, the Williams Chrysler Dodge Jeep dealership can be seen full of automobiles ready for sale.
The report from the committee then contrasts the image with one from recent days, which shows a seemingly empty lot.
Williams told the group that he normally has 500 to 1,000 cars and trucks on its lots but said that they now have only 14 for sale.
He also suggested that because of the supply chain woes, along with the computer chip shortage, people are not able to get good deals on automobiles.
“We don’t sell anything below sticker price today,” he told the committee, which was co-founded by economists Arthur Laffer and Stephen Moore, who served as an adviser to former President Donald Trump.
According to Cars.com, there are actually 81 vehicles for sale at the dealership as of Thursday.
The Western Journal is awaiting comment from the dealership in order to get an exact number, which would still be significantly below the 500-1,000 figure that Williams considers normal.
This report is only one example of the issues happening across the United States and around the world that are deeply hurting the consumer economy.
Stores throughout the country are running low on merchandise, largely because of the cargo ship backlog in the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
Inflation was already driving prices higher, but the low supply will cause prices to surge even higher, making for a tough holiday season for millions of Americans.
There are concerns that President Joe Biden’s agenda, including a coronavirus vaccine mandate for federal contractors and his spending plan, will only make the situation worse, according to CNN.
Raytheon CEO Gregory Hayes said Tuesday on a conference call that the mandate will make matters worse for his company, which is responsible for manufacturing tools for both the private and defense sector.
“We certainly expect that there will be some disruption in both the supply chain and with our customers as a result of this,” he said. “But we’re going to work our way through it.”
Most of the economic problems we're facing (inflation, supply chains, etc.) are high class problems. We wouldn't have had them if the unemployment rate was still 10 percent. We would instead have had a much worse problem.
— Jason Furman (@jasonfurman) October 14, 2021
While liberal economists and the Biden administration would like to dismiss the economic concerns of Americans, this is undoubtedly impacting everything from grocers to car dealerships and yes, even the military-industrial complex.