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There’s a very good chance that the phone you have now has a 5G modem, and there’s also a good chance that you’ll get a somewhat regular 5G signal, depending on whether you Where do you live? We’re already sold on the speed benefits that come with 5G connections, but what to look forward to when it comes to 5G in 2022?
We asked experts from Qualcomm, AT&T, Verizon and others to give us predictions about how 5G will play out in the coming year, and what exciting new developments the technology will drive. If you were struggling to get excited over 5G, prepare to think a little differently right now, as plans include everything from better connectivity and new devices to autonomous cars and the opening of the metaverse.
Before we drill down into the specifics, Qualcomm’s Enrico Salvatori, Senior Vice President and President of Qualcomm Europe, briefly explains how the industry is approaching 5G in 2022, and gave us an overview of what to expect. Go.
“2022 is going to be an exciting year for 5G, with great advances in both 5G handsets and networks that will further enhance the 5G experience for consumers,” Salvatori told Nerdshala in an email. “In 2021, we had over 170 commercial 5G networks launched by operators globally, of which more than 75 were in Europe. In 2022, 5G will become even more widespread, and we will begin to see operators launch 5G stand-alone networks, which will provide consumers with even more incredible speeds and quality of service. As demand for greater speeds and unique use cases grows, we will see more 5G mmWave launches in Europe in 2022, expanding to consumer and enterprise 5G use cases. ,
David Christopher, executive vice president and partnership and general manager for 5G ecosystem development at AT&T, agrees that 2022 will be an exciting year for 5G, but adds that it will also be a good year in what he calls the “5G decade.” is of short duration.
“The next 12 months is very little time in terms of the ‘5G decade’ that will be incredibly transformative and disruptive. Innovation is accelerating and will continue into 2022. Big trends that will last a decade or more have matured. Will continue and we will see interesting progress in 2022.
The scene has been set, and expectations are high, but what about the specifications? Let’s take a closer look at 5G in 2022.
speed and technology
Right now, most of us associate 5G with increased data speeds, so will that change and get better in the coming year? Absolutely not, but don’t take it as a bad thing. AT&T’s Christopher told us. “We will see a big increase in speeds over the next few years on devices nationwide with multi-Gbps home connections and 200 Mbps, or even 300 Mbps,” he said, adding that “5G’s super-low Latency will become more the norm.”
Ben Wood, Chief Analyst and Chief Marketing Officer CCS Insights, agreed, telling Nerdshala that “2022 will not be about 5G getting faster, but really about being smarter, more flexible, and therefore more powerful as a technology. A significant milestone.” The stone will be the transition from non-stand-alone 5G to stand-alone 5G, which will provide some performance improvements, for example, lower latency.”
So while 5G speeds will pick up, don’t expect to see much of a difference in the next 12 months. But watch out for changes in where You use 5G, and also to improve latency. Wood also explained how the underlying technology of 5G will change this year.
“The next big development from a specification perspective will be arrival” Release 16 of the 5G Standard, It will improve 5G connectivity in several ways, such as multiuser MIMO [multiple input, multiple output], like Wi-Fi 6 offers, uplink aggregation for speed improvements, as well as latency improvements for ultra-reliable applications.”
The UK’s EE network has seen improvements in how 5G works indoors, according to a spokesperson: “We will see a continued roll out of 700MHz 5G spectrum, which will strengthen indoor 5G performance and capacity in areas with existing 5G, as well.” It also provides new connectivity to other areas.”
mass market, more phones
Talk of network latency, additional spectrum and new standards doesn’t sound very exciting, but there is great hope that all this and more will mean 5G reaches more people this year, and therefore the mass market. An EE spokesperson told Nerdshala that “the mass adoption and awareness of 5G is going to really accelerate next year.”
CCS Insights Wood agrees. “We believe that 2022 is poised to be a year when 5G will become a mass market offering with 5G enabled smartphones and more extensive network coverage,” he added.
Should it do so, more 5G devices are inevitable. Qualcomm, perhaps unsurprisingly given its business, predicts how 5G will change in the next year, we’ll have even more reasons to upgrade to a 5G device if we haven’t already. Salvatori told us: “On the handset side, we will see some exciting launches in 2022, especially in premium-tier Android smartphones.”
Wood says that growing awareness of 5G in 2022 will not only affect smartphones. “We also believe that speeds will increase with business users starting to see the benefits of offering 5G, for example, with cellular-capable laptops,” he said.
5G at home
Mobile devices, be they phones or laptops, are unlikely to get a 5G makeover only in 2022. If carriers have their way, your home will be 5G-equipped this year as well. Verizon’s chief revenue 0 officer, Frank Bolben, explains how its ultra-wideband network, the name given to its mmWave 5G service, has the potential to change broadband at home for the better this year.
“With the expansion of Verizon’s 5G ultra-wideband network, we are on the cusp of a digital revolution that will transform the way we use technology in our daily lives,” he enthused in a lengthy email to Nerdshala. “We’re talking more than just faster phone speeds – it’s about a big increase in broadband capabilities nationwide, allowing for more home Internet options so you can have game-changing connectivity and access to work, sports, and everything in between. By the end of January, Verizon’s 5G ultrawide network will be accessible to 100 million people in 1,700 cities, giving more people the opportunity to enjoy the power and benefits of 5G in their homes.
We’re talking more than just faster phone speeds – it’s about a big increase in broadband capabilities nationwide…
Boulben says that Verizon’s ultra-wideband service provides 10 times faster data speeds than 4G LTE connections, a greater level of security, low enough latency for uninterrupted 5G cloud gaming, and easier and faster setup than other home Internet systems. Will do
Wilson Electronics, which produces cellular repeaters, says the investment in midband spectrum will help promote 5G in the home.
“Cell phones have historically operated on low-band signals, but with the proliferation of 5G, 2022 will see a major rollout of midband signals,” Wilson Electronics CEO Bruce Lancaster told Nerdshala. “Carriers are making major investments in midband technology with a particular use case: fixed wireless replacement. The ability to access the Internet in your home and/or business via just a single wireless connection will be possible with midband technology, and customers will be able to access the Internet through a single wireless connection.” will benefit from faster speeds at lower costs as carriers scramble to compete on price.”
In 2022, you can leave your 5G home with your 5G phone and laptop, and step into your 5G connected car. At least, that’s the outlook for the near future from Qualcomm and AT&T. Qualcomm’s Salvatori says that along with the Internet of Things (IoT), 5G will have a big impact on automotive technology this year and into the future.
“In 2022, we will see the first cars coming to market with 5G capabilities enabled by Snapdragon,” he revealed before giving us a glimpse into the future. “Looking ahead, we see massive screens in the cockpit of the car, augmented reality with smart mirrors and premium audio systems and [A.I.]- Driven experience. High-speed cloud connectivity will deliver immersive content, services and advanced navigation, all updated over the air, to keep the experience fresh and engaging for consumers. Travelers can stream 4K video, live television and sports, or enjoy multiplayer gaming experiences that rival desktop PCs and consoles.
In 2022, we will see the first cars with 5G capabilities enabled by Snapdragon hit the market.
Sticking with the cars, Christopher says AT&T is looking at how 5G will advance autonomous cars in 2022 and over the next few years.
“While we will still be driving cars in 2022 they haven’t driven us, autonomous vehicles may become more common,” Christopher said. “Delivery vehicles and trucks may start to emerge on freeways and connect to each other and to the road by 5G. Your pizza can come in autonomously – in fact, it’s already being tested in Houston and we could scale that up in 2022. Your package can be delivered without human. If it can go slow on the road, it can go fast in development,” he said.
Gaming, Augmented Reality and the Metaverse
Christopher is also excited about the potential of 5G to bring advancements in two technologies that we are just beginning to understand: augmented reality (AR) and the metaverse.
“We will see the first version of AR Glass in the next …


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That scream you heard? That’s what the tech slump led to the stock market slump: The overall market is down 18% this year, with tech stocks down about 30%.
That voice is also the “I told you” chorus of those who compared the bull market that investors have enjoyed over the years to the dot-com bubble of the late 1990s — who say things are going to get worse. During the dot-com bust that began in March 2000, tech stocks ended up falling nearly 80%.This collapse could affect everyone, even if they don’t work in tech and don’t bet on stocks (or rather, they don’t think they bet on stocks).
There are of course many similarities: just like the dot-com era, the stock boom started in 2009 and then became hyperscale during the pandemic, largely driven by extremely low to nonexistent interest rates, That makes investors more interested in companies that promise outsized returns.Just like in the internet age, we’ve seen a lot of companies promise products and results they can’t deliver, like Hydrogen powered truck.
But there is a significant difference between 2022 and 2000. The main point: unlike the internet age, many of today’s most valuable public tech companies are real companies—they make and sell things that people value, and often make money by doing so. So while Facebook, Google Shares of companies like Amazon and Amazon have fallen this year, but that doesn’t mean their businesses are disappearing — it’s just that investors no longer see their growth prospects as compelling as they once were.
It’s also worth pointing out that while the tech industry employs a lot of people — an estimated 5.8 million in 2021, According to the Computing Technology Industry Association — That’s only about 4% of total U.S. employment.
A wildcard in this comparison and contrast is the deflation of the cryptocurrency bubble, which is independent but closely related to the overall tech and stock bubble. On the one hand, the prices of bitcoin and other cryptocurrency-related currencies and products appear to be evaporating rapidly: last fall, one bitcoin was worth $67,000; now it’s worth about $28,000. On the other hand, if you bought Bitcoin in 2014, when it was priced around $700, you are still rich today.
The main question for cryptocurrency watchers is: is this a complete collapse, or is it one of many ups and downs the tech world has seen over the past decade?Others’ problem: If crypto does crash, it will only affect people who have bought or used Dogecoin, Boring Ape NFTs, or some other crypto — a group it purportsly represents 16% of Americans – or it could create a “infect“Will that destroy the global economy? If we knew, we would have told you.
In the meantime, here are three charts that lay out some of the reasons it feels a lot like 2000 now — and some of the reasons it doesn’t.
Although you’ve probably heard a lot about stocks and stock trading over the past few years – largely because Trading powered by mobile apps like Robinhood — Americans’ exposure to the stock market hasn’t increased significantly from what it used to be: About 58% of the country owns some kind of stock, either individually or through 401(k)s and other retirement accounts. It’s not too different from the bubble era, but it’s not a peak either.
In the dot-com bubble, if you wanted to invest in tech stocks, you had to look for tech stocks—and a lot of people did. But now, even if you don’t want to invest, you might invest in tech. That’s because many of the largest tech companies — like Google, Facebook, and Apple, collectively valued at over $4 trillion — It now forms an important part of the large stock indexes. That means relatively conservative investment vehicles, such as index funds run by Vanguard and Fidelity, have a slew of tech companies. So even if your only exposure to the stock market is through your 401(k) or IRA, you may be exposed to tech stocks.
One way to measure the relative risk of a stock is to measure its price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio – how much does a company’s stock cost compared to its profits? In the dot-com era, it was entirely possible to create a public company with little revenue and no profit at all, with a P/E ratio that exceeded expectations. Big tech companies routinely lose billions of dollars in profits these days, making ratios more conservative and stock prices supposed to be more durable.One important outlier: Tesla stock, which makes Elon Musk the world’s richest man, capable Acquires Twitter for $44 billion, still trading at 100 times earnings. If they came back to Earth, Musk would still be rich — but not as much.

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Virgin Media is now offering existing customers additional free Virgin-to-Virgin mobile calls across a range of tariffs.
Virgin has unveiled this extra bonus on its new prepay tariff Addict, the monthly £8.50 contract and the new monthly £20 contract tariff. Customers that have broadband, TV or landline service with Virgin Media and sign up to any of these three tariffs will be offered the free minutes incentive.
It’s the first time the company has awarded free Virgin-to-Virgin calls to existing customers.
Virgin Media managing director of mobile Graeme Oxby said: “The launch of these new tariffs has been a resounding success and we are delighted to offer further, fantastic incentives to our customers. Virgin Media customers can now get free mobile calling between family members, whether they choose to pay monthly, or pay-as-you-go.”


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The move comes as PayPal, which has 148 million active users, faces tougher global competition from Amazon.com Inc, which launched a recurring payments program earlier on Monday, as well as Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holdings Ltd, which is going public later this year.
The claws under the belly of the "octopeter" then latch onto a standard sized plastic bucket that rolls down a conveyer belt at Amazon's distribution center. Inside the bucket is the order. The drone lifts off and whizzes into the air like a giant mechanical insect to deliver the package just 30 minutes after clicking the "pay" button on Amazon.com. Then it buzzes back into the air and returns to base.


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According tomedia reports, users in Brazil can now use WhatsApp to pay, allowing them to transfer money to friends and family within WhatsApp chats, or pay when buying items from supported retailers. These transactions are protected by a six-digit password or fingerprint and are free for the user. Only businesses are required to pay commissions, similar to the cost of credit card transactions. WhatsApp users must link a valid debit or credit card to their profile to enable the feature, which is made via Facebook Pay.
It is no secret that Facebook has a bold plan to use the power of blockchain to deliver near-instant cross-border transactions that radically change the way remittances are sent. But Facebook’s cryptocurrencies have faced considerable resistance from regulators, and it will take some time before the payment system is up and running.
Until then, Facebook will offer users a different way to transfer money to their contacts and even pay for goods online. With the support of Facebook Pay, WhatsApp now has its own digital payment system.
WhatsApp is Facebook’s most expensive bet to date, costing $19 billion. However, WhatsApp is also one of the world’s most popular chat apps, supporting more than 2 billion people across platforms. WhatsApp, Facebook’s only chat app that supports end-to-end encryption, will be integrated into the company’s future universal chat system, which will include Facebook Messenger and Instagram.
WhatsApp has piloted payment services in India, but the first market to go into operation will be Brazil. WhatsApp said in a statement that users in Brazil will be able to send payments directly to local businesses from the app. The feature will also support transfers to family and friends.
Transfers between individual users will be free, and payment of goods will be subject to a fee paid by the business. These fees will be similar to those paid when accepting credit card transactions. The transactions are protected by a six-digit PIN or fingerprint, but are not face recognition, the report said.
Initially, the feature will support Visa and MasterCard debit and credit cards issued by Bank of Brazil, Nubank and Sicredi. Brazil’s largest payment service provider, Cielo Prize, processes payments.
The feature is currently only available in Brazil. WhatsApp has a page that offers a demo of the new payment feature. Once Facebook clears the regulatory hurdle, the feature is likely to be rolled out in other markets, but the company has yet to reveal any other markets. Facebook Pay may be used in the future to support payments for the unified chat system the company is developing.


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Marks and Spencer saw sales fall over the key Christmas period, while Tesco reported record trading over the festive season.
M&S said its like-for-like revenues fell 1.4% in the 13 weeks to 30 December. Clothing and homewear fell 2.8%, while food was down 0.4%.
By contrast, Tesco’s UK sales rose 2.3% in the 19 weeks to 6 January.
The supermarket said it saw “record sales and volumes” in the four weeks leading up to Christmas Day.


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McClatchy posted net earnings of $47.8 million, or $1.02 per share, for the final three months of 2004 compared to earnings of $45.6 million, or 98 cents per share, in the fourth quarter of 2003.
Thomson First Call analysts expected fourth-quarter earnings of $1 per share.
Its shares rose 10 cents to $70.60 in morning trading on the New York Stock Exchange. They have traded in a range of $67.14 and $74.38 over the past 52 weeks.
Revenue rose 5.2%, to $308.2 million, from $293 million a year ago. The company purchased the Merced Group, a chain of nondaily newspapers in California's Central Valley, in the first quarter of 2004. Excluding the Merced Group, fourth-quarter revenues rose 3.9%.
Fourth-quarter ad revenues were $260.4 million, up 6.2% over the same period last year.
"December advertising revenues, particularly in retail advertising, were better than we had expected," McClatchy CEO Gary Pruitt said.
Fourth-quarter circulation revenue rose 0.3% to $41.5 million.
For the full year, McClatchy earned $155.9 million, or $3.33 a share, up from $150.2 million, or $3.23 a share, in 2003. Revenue rose to $1.16 billion from $1.10 billion in 2003.
The company said it expected its first-quarter earnings to come in at 62 cents to 64 cents per share, below the 68 cents per share that three analysts surveyed by First Call expected.
Headquartered in Sacramento, McClatchy publishes 12 daily and 18 non-daily newspapers in California, Minnesota, the Carolinas, and the Pacific Northwest, including the Anchorage Daily News in Alaska, the Star Tribune of Minneapolis, and The Sacramento Bee.
By: (AP) The McClatchy Co., publisher of The Sacramento Bee and other newspapers, reported higher fourth-quarter earnings today, citing advertising gains.


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The use of eco-friendly office supplies within UK businesses presents a mixed picture, an environmental website has suggested.
A study by Kyocera, a Japanese company which manufactures printers, found that 41 per cent of UK organisations with more than 1,000 staff had a clear policy on the environment.
In contrast, the findings of the same survey by the firm in 1993 revealed that 54 per cent of organisations had a clear policy.
Additionally, the research indicated that one-fifth of respondents would pay extra for environmentally-sound office products, down from 60 per cent in 1993.
Kyocera told the website that it believes the shift in attitude is related to the complexity of the task at hand.
Fifteen years ago, recycling office supplies such as Paper was the biggest obligation of businesses, it explained, while now they are asked to recycle printer cartridges and use energy-efficient office equipment as well.
"The evidence that businesses are going green when buying office products remains mixed. For some, it appears limited to looking for ways to recycle Paper," the article concludes.
At Paperstone we can supply your firm with a wide selection of office supplies.


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In a move to empower digital literacy, Reliance Jio has announced its ‘Digital Udaan’ initiative for first-time internet users to understand the Internet. The company is working closely with Facebook to create the digital literacy program with audio-visual training and support for various regional languages.
With Digital Udaan, Jio will engage with its users every Saturday to help them learn about the JioPhone features and the use of various apps like Facebook and internet safely and connect with friends and family in secure way.
Jio will be employing audio-visual training in 10 different regional languages in India. The company has worked with Facebook to ensure that the modules are relevant for people in these cities and localities, and will provide train-the-trainer sessions and training videos and information brochures.
Jio’s Digital Udaan will be launched at nearly 200 different locations across 13 states with an aim to reach 7,000 locations in the near future.
Speaking about the announcement, Reliance Jio Director, Akash Ambani said, “Jio is always looking to work with key global partners to enhance the digital life experience of the Indian consumer. The Digital Udaan initiative is one such example, which will help eradicate barriers of information asymmetry and provide accessibility in real time. It is a program for inclusive information, education and entertainment, where no Indian will be left out of this digital drive. Jio envisions to take this to every town and village of India, achieving 100% digital literacy in the country”.
Facebook India VP and MD, Ajit Mohan also commented saying, “Jio is playing a vital role in driving India’s digital revolution by empowering millions of Indians and expanding access to the Internet. Facebook is an ally in this mission, and we are delighted to partner with Jio in attracting new Internet users and creating mechanisms for them to unleash the power of that access”.


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Super Kirby Clash celebrates first anniversary
Super Kirby Clash is officially a year old. The game was both announced and released as part of the last general Nintendo Direct on September 4, 2019.
To celebrate the milestone, Nintendo and HAL Laboratory have sent out a special piece of art. You can also use the code “FIRSTANNIVERSARY” over the next month to obtain various items.


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May 21, 2014 |
NEW DELHI: The viability of KIOCL, earlier known as Kudremukh Iron Ore Company , lies in merging with state-owned NMDC, says global consultancy firm PWC. "Considering both intangible and financial synergies of the combined entity, merger with NMDC would be a highly favourable scenario for KIOCL," PWC said in a report on KIOCL's sustainability and viability assessment report which is yet to be made public. PWC was asked by KIOCL to prepare a way-forward report as the Bangalore-based firm was passing through challenging times with production, sales of pellets, halt of blast furnace operations, uncertain market conditions and lack raw material availability.
August 5, 2008 |
KOLKATA: Auditing and consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers on Tuesday said it wants to double the number of professionals in the next three to four years and the technology centre in India could be turned as global outsourcing hub for the group. "We have some 5,000 professionals and we are aiming to double this number in the next three to four years," PwC India Chairman N Ramesh Rajan said. PwC is also open for acquisitions for inorganic growth to maintain a sharp progress rate.
January 15, 2009 |
NEW DELHI: PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), which is facing a multiple-agency probe within the country for its "unreliable" audit of Satyam Computer Services leading to a Rs 7,000-crore accounting scandal, holds a further risk of being quizzed by US accounting regulator in India, said Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) president Ved Jain. For this, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), the US accounting regulator, does not even require an approval from the Indian government.
February 13, 2007 |
MUMBAI: Global accountancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) on Monday said it plans to merge tax and advisory services company RSM with itself, boosting its employee base in this crucial sector and increasing its revenues from advisory services. RSM has some large clients such as General Electric, Wal-Mart, Microsoft, Sony, British Airways, Bayer group, Visa, Dell Computer, and in India companies from the Tata group. ET had reported on February 9 that RSM was looking for alliance partners and could sell a part of its business to one of the Big Four companies.
October 7, 2004 |
NEW DELHI: India is one of the top investment destinations in Asia for retail and consumer sector which is expected to witness rapid growth, aided by its IT capabilities, global consultant PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) said on Thursday. "Consumer goods companies have already established themselves with success in India and there is huge potential for future development as the country modernises," PwC' leader for retail and consumer products in India NV Sivakumar said, releasing a study.
July 4, 2007 |
MUMBAI: Four senior executives from PricewaterhouseCoopers have joined rival and professional services major Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu signalling a pick up in consolidation activity in the tax and consulting space and also highlighting the frequent movements by top professionals in the Big Four firms. Roopen Roy, a former managing director at PwC, Joydeep Datta Gupta, Jaideep Ganguli and Arindam Guha, all senior executives with PwC, have joined as senior partners with Deloitte barely months after PwC acquired tax practice firm RSM Ambit.
October 30, 2002 |
ì¥5@ ð¿¿ bjbjÏ2Ï2 "XX¿ÿÿÿÿÿÿ?> > > > > > > t ( t[ @@@@@ÚÜÜÜÜÜÜ$ Rc :> ÜÜÜ> > @@ÛºººÜ?> @> @ÚºÜÚººº> > º@4 ?ò?] jFºÚ+0[º? °? ºRf > > > > ? > º Zu@ºµ4éóttx¤° ttxBANGALORE: The union of IBM India's business innovation services with former PwC consulting business has created a new division called IBM Business Consulting Service (BCS). BCS, like the earlier business innovation service, will be a division within IBM Global Services, the services arm of IBM. The business head for this division will be announced soon said, Abraham Thomas, MD & CEO of IBM India.
April 29, 2004 |
NEW DELHI: PricewaterhouseCoopers, appointed by the Asian Development Bank to review the legal and operational framework of asset reconstruction companies in India including the securitisation law, has recommended 100% foreign ownership of ARCs. It has also suggested exempting them from Foreign Exchange Management (Fema) regulations. The securitisation law which allows banks and FIs to take over assets of defaulters provides the legal basis for the setting up ARCs in India.
July 14, 2015 |
MUMBAI: The 20-somethings who are brimming with ideas but don't know how to convert them into successful business models can take heart. Experts are available on hire to handhold budding entrepreneurs through the journey from ideation to funding and, if they desire so, exits. Consultancies such as EY, PwC, KPMG, BMR Advisors and VentureBean have formed teams to guide startup entrepreneurs and investors. Some 500 consultants are on the job in India as startups mushroom everywhere, said people in the consultancy business.
April 13, 2010 |
NEW DELHI: India will join the league of top 10 global pharmaceuticals markets in terms of sales by 2020 with the total value reaching USD 50 billion by then, according to a report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). The country's population is growing rapidly, as is its economy--creating a large middle-class that can to afford western medicines, consultancy firm PwC's report said. An ageing population together with increase in problems associated with cardio-vascular disorders and central nervous system will lead to higher demand for drugs, the report said.


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Tesco scraps overnight re-stocking roles making 1,600 jobs now at risk
The retailer said it was moving its overnight re-stocking to the daytime in stores across the UK.
Tesco has announced another round of role restructuring at its stores across the UK, leaving 1,600 jobs now at risk.
The retailer – which is Britain’s biggest supermarket, with 3,400 stores across the country – said it was moving its overnight re-stocking to the daytime in 36 large stores and 49 convenience stores, and is also converting 36 of its petrol stations to become ‘Pay-at-Pump’ only sites during overnight hours.
Tesco said the changes to overnight roles came after it found that moving stock replenishment to daytime trading hours means it could ensure more staff were on the shop floor to help customers at peak times.
This announcement also comes a day after Tesco announced it was scrapping its discount store brand Jack’s, with the closure of seven stores and loss of around 130 jobs.
Tesco also said it is shutting meat, deli, and fish counters at more than 300 sites.
With all these closure announcements combined, it’s said that around 1,600 roles are at risk of redundancy across all Tesco branches, but the retailer said it aimed to offer alternative roles to as many as possible, with 3,000 vacancies currently needing to be filled.
Speaking on the role restructuring, Jason Tarry – Head of Tesco’s UK and Ireland – said: “We operate in a highly competitive and fast-paced market and our customers are shopping differently, especially since the start of the pandemic.
“We are always looking at how we can run our business as simply and efficiently as possible, so that we can re-invest in the things that matter most to customers.
“The changes we are announcing today will help us do this.
“Our priority now is to support our impacted colleagues through these changes and, wherever possible, find them alternative roles within our business.”
Featured Image – Tesco / Altum Capital


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We are fans of Virgin products and we think that the brand's founder does good work. But we'd also like to see a workplace relatively free of the type of sexist images it promotes at launch events and anywhere else the founder shows up.
Last year at a conference in Los Angeles, women in black bathing suits and red overcoats mingled with a group of guests that was decidedly much, much older and much, much more male.
It wasn’t an auto show, or a consumer electronics show, or even a sci-fi fan gathering, where behavior like that is the norm. It was the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) for 2016, the annual gathering of hotel brand executives and the investors who finance the properties the brands flag with their names. And the young women parading around were there to promote Virgin Hotels, Richard Branson’s extension into hospitality in the United States. So far it has one open property in Chicago and hotels under construction in Nashville, Tenn.; Dallas, Texas; and next to Skift headquarters in New York City.
Virgin Hotels has been promoted to the public as a female-friendly brand, with apps and snacks geared toward a female clientele. But around the money men and brand leaders, the females they are friendly to are there as hired help, and their clothing is slim.
This obsession with barely dressed, young women is a factor whether Branson is promoting Virgin Voyages, Virgin Hotels, Virgin America, Virgin Atlantic, or even Virgin Galactic. It extends beyond the Virgin travel brands to anything Branson licenses with the brand name.
The cruise line Virgin Voyages made an announcement last week about its new vessel, and a teaser tweet from the brand continued the tradition:
— Virgin Voyages ⚓ (@virginvoyages) March 20, 2017
At the event on Thursday, young women with plunging necklines were joined by young men in sailor outfits.
We get it: He likes young, attractive women dressed in a provocative way. Sex sells, and he wants to sell a certain kind of sex appeal that promises a carefree experience.
But while consumer profiles and services for his brands may promote a gender-neutral world, when it comes to announcing or promoting a product, the clothes come off, the age goes down, and the talk makes even Hugh Hefner and Austin Powers cringe.
The British press may like it, but why does everyone else need to sit idly by?
Seriously, how many men or women above the age of 12 thought this April Fool’s Day Twitter Joke from last year was funny?
— Virgin America (@VirginAmerica) March 31, 2016
Richard Branson is a very nice guy when it comes to talking about an equal workplace. The Virgin brand blog has an entire section devoted to women in business. And we know that he has done much to encourage female entrepreneurs — people like Sarah Blakely, the youngest female self-made billionaire in the U.S., regularly credit him as a mentor — to achieve and build their businesses.
When we asked the brand for comment about this story last week we didn’t receive an official statement, but it did respond (in a way) with a new blog post two business days later about the woman leading the brand.
So why is he stuck in a yeah baby! version of promotions? We don’t know. It could be because building a brand beyond simple sex appeal is harder than having a few women in skimpy clothing show up at events in major markets. One could argue that there’s a reason why unsexy Alaska Air had a better route map than very sexy Virgin America did.
It’s not a one-off. Whether it’s a Virgin Atlantic event two years ago where Branson asked the assembled press “Who joined the mile high club on the way here?” or the Virgin Hotels event where he packed a float full of women meant to appeal to sexual aesthetics rather than a consideration of their leadership skills, Branson and his Virgin brand appeal to the least common denominator in a way that is in stark contrast to everything else it does. And every time he posts a tweet about leadership and women we can’t help but think about the time in Miami he handcuffed super model Karolina Kurkova in a boat and then carried her out of a pool while a clearly uncomfortable press corps looked on.
Branson tries to appeal to what he thinks is youthful and sexy, but it’s always old and dated. He’s the carefree uncle who says an off-color joke while everyone else quietly cringes.
So Richard, this is your intervention. Find a new prop for your big events that is not a scantily clad woman. More people are cringing than clapping at your events, and there’s an easy way to fix it. You’ve already proved that you’re so much better than this.
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NEW YORK (AP) -- A weakening recovery in the auto sector and higher raw material costs will keep profits for check into next year for North American auto parts suppliers, Moody's said Tuesday.
Moody's cut its outlook for auto suppliers to "Stable" from "Positive" saying it now expects global light vehicle demand to grow just 3.5 percent this year, down from its previous prediction of 5.1 percent growth. The ratings service also cut its 2012 growth prediction to 6.5 percent from 7.4 percent.
In afternoon trading, shares of auto supplier shares fell along with the broader market. The Dow Jones Industrial average fell 190 points, or 1.7 percent, to 11,050.
Moody's Investor's Service said weaker-than-expected gross domestic product growth in established markets and rising interest rates in emerging markets such as China and India, will result in weaker credit conditions for the overall automotive sector in the next year to 18 months.
Yet suppliers should benefit from a comparatively strong 8 percent increase in U.S. vehicle sales this year and a 16 percent increase next year, Moody's said.
"This will benefit the U.S.-based parts suppliers, most of whom still have a significant portion of their business with the U.S. automakers' domestic manufacturing operations," Moody's said.
"Nevertheless, flat demand in Western Europe -- the North American suppliers' largest overseas market -- and margin pressures temper our outlook for the sector."
Moody's added that suppliers that do significant business with commercial truck makers, such as Meritor Inc. and Accuride Corp., could get a boost through 2012, as trucking companies are forced to replace their aging fleets.
In afternoon trading, shares of Accuride dropped 10 cents to $7.68; American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. fell 31 cents, or 3.7 percent, to $8.05; BorgWarner Inc. dropped $1.77, or 2.6 percent, to $66.30; and Federal-Mogul Corp. fell 85 cents, or 5.3 percent, to $15.30.
In addition, Lear Corp. dropped $1.71, or 3.9 percent, to $42.40; Meritor fell 33 cents, or 4.3 percent, to $7.29; and TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. lost $1.83, or 4.6 percent, to $37.74.


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A farmer’s market is a lot of fun—for parents only, usually.
Kids often just tag along, glumly, as their parents busily shop for fresh fruits and vegetables.
That is, until the Market Sprouts Kids Club.
Kaely Summers and other farmer’s market managers in Oregon teamed up to create the Market Sprouts Kids Club program to teach Latino kids and other kids who come to the market about farming, fresh produce, and healthy eating.
Now kids ages 5-12 who visit local markets, like Summers’ Forest Grove Farmer’s Market in Forest Grove, Ore., (23.1% Latino), do fun, interactive activities alongside farmers and volunteers who teach about healthier foods and healthier choices!
Farmer’s Markets and Children in Oregon
Officials with Adelante Mujeres, a non-profit organization focusing on Latinos in Forest Grove, have been keenly aware of the need for Latino families to enjoy healthier lives.
About 40% of the Latinos in the community served by Adelante Mujeres live in poverty. The gaps in opportunity and achievement can be seen by age 3, according to the Social Venture Partners Portland Blog newsletter.
That’s part of the reason Adelante Mujeres has been managing Forest Grove Farmers Market since 2005.
The market not only provides small farmers and food producers an outlet to unite communities with fresh, local foods, it also serves low-income residents through acceptance of federal food assistance programs (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program [SNAP], Women, Infants and Children [WIC] and Farm Direct Nutrition Program [FDNP]) and allowing farmers to participate in Sustainable Agriculture and Empresas Small Business Development programs.
On a weekly basis, the market brings in 2,000 visitors of all ages and race/ethnicities to share fresh food and listen to local musicians.
Summers is the manager of the Forest Grove Farmer’s Market
She says there are challenges with bringing kids to farmers markets. Parents are often busy with shopping and rarely have time to educate kids about new foods or healthy eating habits.
“We do see a lot of families come to the farmers market, and sometimes it’s hard—there’s music or there’s different things going on—but sometimes it’s like parents are just coaxing [their kids] along,” Summers said.
Washington County, Ore., is home to several farmers markets, including Forest Grove, North Plains, Hillsboro, and Beaverton.
At the time, none had educational activities for kids to boost their knowledge of healthier eating or farming.
Summers learned about a nearby program that was having success.
The Power of Produce (POP) program in Oregon City, Ore., allows kids to use tokens to buy their own produce or plants and has volunteers teach kids the importance of health through fun, interactive activities and classes.
Could something similar work in Washington County farmers markets?
Summers and other farmers market managers in Washington County believed they needed to do something to educate children who come to their farmers markets.
“We understood that if we didn’t reach kids, we were really missing out on an opportunity to really empower the kids to know where their food comes from, to inspire them to make healthy choices and really be involved in the eating process,” Summers said. “[Then] our young eaters are going to be supportive of vegetables in the future…and lead these larger public health changes in our future.”
A New Idea to Engage Kids in Learning at Farmer’s Markets in Oregon
Summer and the other managers of the farmers market in Washington County had previously arranged regular meetings to discuss market progress, new ideas and best practices.
In addition to Summers, managers included Vanessa Vandomelen (North Plains Farmers Market), Ginger Rapport (Beaverton Farmers Market), and Laura Conroy (Hillsboro Farmers Market).
At one of their meetings, they expressed a desire to work together to give kids a better market experience.
Summers said that the market managers often think about obesity and diabetes issues. She explained that if they could just get the kids involved in making healthier choices, it would be a win-win for everyone.
So they all joined in supporting the creation of a new program that would allow all kids to have fun and enjoy farmers market activities that encouraged healthy eating.
But, without funding, no educational program could get started.
Needing supplies for a curriculum, activities, and food tokens, the market managers thought they would try to differentiate their program from the famous POP program.
“We don’t have the funds year after year to give out tokens to kids every week,” Summers said. “We thought we would try just doing more activities.”
Getting the Market Sprouts Kids Club off the Ground
Since 2009, Summers and the other market managers knew of a grant opportunity through New Seasons Market, a local grocer in town that helps farmers markets with funding for educational and SNAP programs.
Forest Grove and many other farmers markets had applied for funding in the past to help apply SNAP matching dollars to their markets. Knowing they could apply together for the grant, the market managers drafted up a joint grant proposal to start their educational programming idea: the Market Sprouts Kids Club.
“We started rolling around different name ideas, and Market Sprouts sounded cute and fun and welcoming,” Summers said.
Knowing that this would be an expansive program across all markets, the market managers also planned on saving money together. They decided to use grant funds to share expenses of a graphic designer to create shared marketing materials, including a Market Sprouts logo. All markets also decided to save money through bulk ordering for program materials and giveaways.
They also worked together on a shared curriculum that each market could use along with shared resources.
“In Beaverton farmers market, they actually have the biggest farmers market in the state. They see thousands and thousands of shoppers every week,” Summers said. “So we realized each market would have to adapt those Market Sprouts curriculum pieces differently.”
Making fruits and vegetables at the local farmers markets more exciting than kids’ favorite cartoon characters found on boxes of processed foods at the grocery store, would be a challenge. Summers and the market managers team planned on combating marketing schemes targeted at kids, by giving kids free items and getting kids involved in interactive games, races, cooking classes, and scavenger hunts within the markets.
“As you know, there’s a lot of pressure from marketing companies of processed foods. They can make cutesy packaging; things that kids are going to ask their parents to buy for them,” Summers said. “So I think that was part of it, too. We wanted to make it fun, we wanted to make vegetables look inviting and cute and something that the kids would want to eat, and would ask their parents to buy them and be involved in that process.”
The program would be run by volunteers and allowed for flexibility in activities and learning agendas.
“Knowing that each market is different on the volunteer basis they have, and the folks in the community, if there’s a nurse or someone that wants to do an activity [for the kids] we’re able to accommodate for that and bring in that expertise,” Summers said.
They also sought to brand the Market Sprouts Kids Club with logos, specially made shopping bags, and market passports that kids would get every year they signed up for the club. The passport would encourage them to visit different market vendors and get their passport stamped at each location, filling their passport and allowing them to receive prizes for a completed passport. The overall plan was to expose kids to healthy eating, by incorporating fun games and activities to encourage kids to keep to coming to the markets weekly.
“You have to make things fun for kids, for them to get engaged in eating healthier we wanted to make sure that everything we were doing is fun,” Summers said.
Summers decided to translate the curriculum and have “key words” in Spanish for Latino kids at the markets, as Oregon’s Latino population has “boomed,” as reported by USA Today.
In May 2013, they received funding to introduce the Market Sprouts Kids Club to all the local markets.
The program, with a motto of “growing healthy kids” and materials in English and Spanish, offers kids who attend local farmers markets the ability to sign up for club and receive a free bag, a passport, and the opportunity to participate in fun, interactive events, such as cherry-spitting contests, making superheroes out of vegetables, scavenger hunts, vegetable relays, and zucchini carving contests.
Market Sprouts Kids Clubs Grow in Popularity
Since the funding approval, each year from June 24 to Sept. 2, each local market encourages kids to sign up for the Market Sprouts Kids Club.
Summers said participating kids are trying new vegetables, having fun, and coming back to the markets weekly for kids club activities.
According to Summers, one of the favorite activities was when they allowed kids to grain mill by riding a bike and seeing how grain is turned to mill, then to dough, and finally to bread.
Being a nurse that, on a daily basis, views the effects diabetes can have on patients who have amputations due to severe diabetes, Vanessa Vandomelen, manager of the North Plains Farmers Market decided to expand the club’s awareness to reach local schools.
Vandomelen shares the Market Sprouts Kids Club in the local North Plains Elementary School by putting up a club banner, handing out flyers and free Market Sprouts branded bags. She also encourages parents and families to get involved in market activities by giving out free blueberries for back to school night and free strawberries from the market to students on field days.
“We really wanted to encourage young people to have fruits and vegetables, knowing that if they don’t get those opportunities before age 6, a lot of those kids won’t even look at fruits and vegetables as an option,” said Vandomelen. “That’s why I took my four girls [to the farmers market] for them to have the option to pick out fruits and vegetables on their own.”
All the markets that applied are now reaching thousands of families and hundreds of kids over the summer, introducing kids to healthier veggies and fruits that they may not have tried before.
“It’s so encouraging to watch parents and kids shop together at the farmers market,” Vandomelen said. “The vegetables are right at kid’s level, so they pick up things they want to try and the experience is so different from your regular grocery store.”
Summers has run into parents who have kids in the club, and the parents tell her they appreciate and are surprised that their kids are eating vegetables that they have tried to get the kids to eat before at home, with no avail.
Market Sprouts Kids Club also reaches Latino families in the Adelante Mujeres organization not just through the Forest Grove Market, but also through their day care centers using Market Sprouts curriculum as a resource.
Summers also said that when parents come to the markets to get coupons for SNAP, kids always want to see what activities are going on for the Market Sprouts Kids Club, allowing them to reach more and more Latino families receiving SNAP.
Funding is applied for each year from the markets.
New Seasons funding has lasted three seasons, but Summers said that the Forest Grove Farmers Market could still continue on with the program if the funding was cut, as they could modify the activities and find private donors through Adelante Mujeres.
The club is 90% run by volunteers and continues to thrive through their contributions. Volunteers consist of public health students, farmers market summer interns, and community volunteers.
Summers stated that the volunteers add so much to the curriculum every year that they have created the Market Sprouts Kids Club Tool Kit, which allows them to share their ideas for other farmers markets wanting to do the same program.
Farmers markets that want to incorporate the program, but are short on funds, can still have success with starting their own kids club as Summers explained that often times farmers will donate produce, or give a discount to their programs. She experienced how a vendor in the past threw in an extra pound of cherries so that the kids could try them in their cherry-spitting contest.
Vandomelen said she believes the Market Sprouts Kids Club is a great place for “expanded education” for the parents, grandparents, and kids to be able to have experiences shopping together and enjoy foods together.
“I think it’s those experiences that take it out of the school realm, where the kids and parents can enjoy that [the farmers market] together,” Vandomelen said.
Explore More:Healthy Food
By The Numbers
This success story was produced by Salud America! with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
The stories are intended for educational and informative purposes. References to specific policymakers, individuals, schools, policies, or companies have been included solely to advance these purposes and do not constitute an endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation. Stories are based on and told by real community members and are the opinions and views of the individuals whose stories are told. Organization and activities described were not supported by Salud America! or the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and do not necessarily represent the views of Salud America! or the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.


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Consumers Beware, Dangerous Chemicals from Packaging can sometimes Leach into Food Products
EMSL Analytical provides testing solutions to both consumers and manufacturers.
Westmont, NJ, July 29th, 2009
In June of this year the Environmental Working Group (EWG) sent a letter to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) commissioner, Dr. Margaret Hamburg, warning that dangerous chemicals are finding their way into our foods through plastics. The EWG has stated that the use of plastic pallets containing decabromodiphenyl ether (Deca) to ship, cool and store fruits and vegetables should be halted on safety grounds.
Dr. Elizabeth Sanchez from the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition responded that Deca is not an authorized component of plastic pallets used for food processing. Also in a study that recently appeared in the journal Science of the Total Environment it was reported that at least 50 chemicals that are capable of interfering with human hormones are currently permitted in packaging in the United States and European Union.
These latest findings come on the heels of public concern over bisphenol A (BPA) which is used in plastics, including drinking containers, as well as a liner in many canned food products. The chemical is a known endocrine disruptor and low amounts may mimic a person’s own hormones. Media reports in 2008 regarding BPA caused several states to already ban the use of the chemical in food packaging.
“As the public has grown more aware of the potential for chemicals to leach into their foods from containers we have seen an increase in calls to our laboratory for testing from both consumers and food manufacturers,” stated Joe Frasca, Executive Vice President for EMSL Analytical, Inc. “The consumer products testing that EMSL’s state-of-the-art laboratory provides can quickly and effectively answer people’s questions and safety concerns.”
To learn more about consumer product testing or other testing services contact EMSL Analytical at (800) 220-3675 or visit www.ConsumerProductsTesting.com.
About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a leading, national provider of environmental, consumer products and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.
- Contact Information
- Joe Frasca
- Senior Vice President, Marketing
- EMSL Analytical, Inc.
- Contact via E-mail
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When it comes to Juventus’ home jersey every season, we know exactly what it’s going to built around. There will be stripes, they will be black and white and likely have a couple of patches to be sown onto the front of the jersey as well. It’s just how those same stripes will be arranged and how they will be presented is what we wait for.
The away kit is a little bit different.
And now we know, officially, what adidas has rolled out for the 2017-18 away kit.
It was a Friday full of unveilings at the Artist Formerly Known as Juventus Stadium. Not only did the new Juventus Store open its doors for the first time, but the club’s brand new away kit was released to the general public at the very same time. Not a bad little time to do so — especially considering there’s a whole lot of new going on when it comes to Juve’s branding as the calendar flips from June to July.
Here are some more details and background about why the away kit looks like it does, courtesy of Juventus’ official website:
The away jersey - the third to be made by adidas football - is a celebration of the Bianconeri’s ties to Turin, sharing the city’s traditional yellow and blue colours while also paying homage to the iconic shirts of the 1980s.
Most importantly, this year’s home and away designs will be the first to bear the club’s new visual identity: the distinctive new logo - which officially comes into action from 1 July onwards - stands out in a bold blue colour against the yellow shirt.
Three blue adidas stripes on the shoulders and sleeves complete the classic look; a retro style with a modern revival.
That’s just beautiful. It’s a beautiful, beautiful thing.
When it comes to comparing last season’s blue away kit and this new yellow one, it’s hard to say which one is better. They’re both beautiful — and that’s not just because they have the Scudetto/Coppa Italia patch combination.
I feel safe in saying adidas has done a damn good job once again with the away kit. No all we have to do is to wait for Juventus to wear the actual thing for the first time instead of our only pictures of them being Miralem Pjanic and friends modeling them. We want more yellow on the blog, Juventus! Chop, chop and get here, new season!


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Is this the best value for money smartphone? With a four-inch screen, a five megapixel camera and access to Android’s ever
Imagine a website of just breasts. Nothing more. It’s not hard, the internet is flooded with them. But imagine one that’s
When it comes to the tackling of thorny issues in the world of comedy, it's not so much a case of 'What would Jesus do?' but
It's no secret that one of Rihanna's favourite pastimes is sharing pics of her new hair, teaser shots from upcoming music
This week saw the surprise $1bn acquisition of hipsterlicious photo-sharing app Instagram by Facebook, making overnight multimillionaires of its 13 employees. Facebook is no stranger to picking up small businesses here and there, largely for talent acquisition, but this is clearly bigger than hoovering up a few more skilled coders.
You might have heard by now that Facebook has acquired Instagram for nearly a billion dollars in cash and stock. Incredible
Instagr.am do not need to intervene in any of the sniping that's taking place. I'm sure that given the acquisition, Facebook will been even less inclined to get involved. They have said that Instagr.am will remain independent, let's see how that plays out.
Instagram, the photo-sharing app that has had iPhone users evangelising about the worthiness of their device over Android users since 2010, finally launched on the Google mobile platform on Tuesday but I must admit I'm struggling to see what all the fuss is about.
You've heard iPhone snappers blather on about it, now Instagram is live on Android. According to Techcrunch, Instagram has
Chacho Puebla's grandma is not the kind to warn you about going out in a clean pair of underpants or holding doors open for


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DHAKA: A fire that killed 111 workers at a Bangladesh garment factory last month was an act of sabotage and managers at the plant prevented victims from escaping, the head of an official inquiry said Monday.
Speaking to AFP after submitting his report on the tragedy to the government, Main Uddin Khandaker also said his team had recommended the owner should face murder charges over the deadliest fire ever at a Bangladeshi garment factory.
The factory, based on the outskirts of Dhaka, was supplying clothes to a variety of international brands including US giant Walmart, Dutch retailer C&A and ENYCE, a label owned by US rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs.
“We have found that the fire that gutted Tazreen Fashion factory in Ashulia was an act of sabotage,” Khandaker said.
“The statements of the witnesses revealed that it was an act of sabotage. There was no possibility of the fire originating due to an electric short-circuit or any other reason,” he added, without suggesting who might have triggered the fire or why.
He said the fire was small when it broke out on the night of November 24 in the middle of the factory warehouse in the ground floor.
“But there was no attempt to douse it. We suggested that the government set up a taskforce to find out the people responsible for this heinous act,” he added.
Khandaker also said his inquiry team would recommend that Delwar Hossain, the owner of the factory in the Ashulia industrial district, should face murder charges for “gross negligence and unpardonable crime.”
“We have suggested legal action against him and nine of his mid-level managers who barred the workers from leaving the burning factory,” he said.
The owner told reporters after the blaze that he believed it was started deliberately but gave no details.
The victims, mostly women who were paid as little as $37 a month, found themselves overcome by smoke or jumped from elevated windows. Firefighters have told AFP that all three of the fire exits led to the ground floor.
Fire investigators had earlier said the nine-story factory lacked a valid safety licence at the time and only had permission for three floors.
Abdus Salam, a member of the inquiry committee, told AFP that the building lacked proper fire exits on the upper floors.
“All fire exits led to the ground floor. The staircases were not enclosed or separated, which allowed the smoke to easily spread to the upper floors,” Salam said.
“The workers were trapped or just had to jump from the upper floors. Still the casualties would have been much less had the supervisors allowed the workers to leave the factory when the fire broke out.”
The garment industry, which accounts for up 80 percent of Bangladesh’s $24.3 billion annual export, is the mainstay of the impoverished country’s economy. Its 4,500 garment factories account for 40 percent of the industrial workforce.
Around 700 people have been killed in fires in garment factories since 2006.
Western retailers have openly criticized Bangladesh factories for not ensuring workers safety but major brands continue to place orders.


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(Crain's) -- Asking rents for retail space in the Chicago area fell for the first time in a year in the second quarter amid growing concerns that the housing slump will force consumers to cut spending and prompt retailers to slow their expansion plans.
Retail rents fall for first time in a year
|RETAIL REAL ESTATE|
|A surge in construction, combined with a dip in asking rents, could point to a potential slowdown in the local area market for retail real estate.|
class="smaller" align="center">2nd qtr. 2007
class="smaller" align="center">2nd qtr. 2006
(per sq. ft.)
(in million sq. ft.)
(in million sq. ft.)
The vacancy rate for retail space in the Chicago area held at 7.5%, while average gross asking rents fell to $22.72 per square foot from $22.93. Rents had risen three straight quarters since a year ago, when they stood at $20.58, according to data from CB Richard Ellis Inc.
In addition to the housing slump, consumer spending may be further pressured from high energy prices and the prospect that many homeowners could soon be facing sharply higher mortgage payments.
"We're getting a little bit of a trickle down where some of this might start affecting retail," says Sharon Kahan, a first vice-president with CB Richard Ellis who specializes in downtown Chicago retail. "We've been lucky so far."
Retail vacancies in the region have hovered at or below 8% for three years.
But the amount of construction activity, which swelled to 11.63 million square feet in the quarter, up from 8.8 million square feet in the first quarter, could push vacancies higher. The amount of retail space in the Chicago area stood at 117.67 million square feet on June 30, up 4% from a year earlier.
Much of the retail construction in the second quarter was in the far-flung suburbs, with Kane County and the far southwest suburbs accounting for almost half of it.
Clearly, developers and some merchants are betting that retail won't suffer as much as the housing market. Home sales in the Chicago region have fallen 16 consecutive months, according to the Illinois Assn. of Realtors.
"Those houses will eventually sell and they will eventually need retail," Ms. Kahan says. "I still feel positively about consumer confidence."


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Vevo appoints Nic Jones to lead global launch
By Sarah Shearman, mediaweek.co.uk, Wednesday, 14 September 2011 11:45AM
Vevo, the online music video platform, has appointed former Starcom MediaVest Group digital chief Nic Jones as its international senior vice-president to launch the service globally.
Jones was chief digital officer at Starcom MediaVest Group (SMG) EMEA, but left the agency a few months ago. Prior to this role, Jones was managing director of digital at SMG Asia Pacific.
Jones has a background of pioneering digital in Australia, having joined Microsoft’s MSN as its founding sales director, before moving to Yahoo Australia and New Zealand in 2000 as its chief executive for three years.
He also worked at News Corporation as managing director for its Australian digital business, News Interactive, for three years after Yahoo.
He will be based in the company’s London office and will report directly to Rio Caraeff, chief executive of Vevo.
It has since launched in Canada and the UK. It has not disclosed any specific targets for the global rollout, but a spokeswoman confirmed it would be looking to launch in key European markets.
The announcement comes as Vevo is building its UK team, having recently appointed Microsoft's Jonathan Lewen as commercial director, and Carat's Christian Kimberley-Bowen as ad sales marketing director.
Vevo claims that in the four months the platform has been live in the UK, it has reached nearly one million UK downloads of its apps across Android, iOS, Windows Phone and BlackBerry PlayBook. It claims that 55% of its downloaded apps are in usage.
This article was first published on mediaweek.co.uk
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Elie Saab unveils collaboration with Emaar and receives first ever Dubai star
On Friday, Lebanese designer Elie Saab and real estate giants Emaar unveiled a one-of-a-kind collaboration. In an event at the Dubai Opera, the region’s biggest celebrities, fashionistas and businessmen gathered for the revelation of Elie Saab at Emaar Beachfront.
This new development will include a one to three-bedroom apartments. Moreover, the tower with interiors by the 54-year-old designer will also have an exquisite collection of four-bedroom penthouses. The tower will serve as a landmark of elegance and composure. It will stand out courtesy of height and mixing between fashion and architectural design. The luxurious estate will feature boutique fashion stores, galleries and cafes as well as lobbies.
The designer, who is a red-carpet favourite said, “Over the years, Elie Saab has evolved into a lifestyle brand, through the development of diversified product categories that deliver a unique experience of the brand’s universe. Through this new collaboration, brought by Emaar, leaders and experts in real estate, Elie Saab is confident that its aim at extending the brand experience into home and interiors will be a granted success.”
The gala where the project was announced had a huge turn-out, as friends of the designer came out to show their support. This included Lebanese diva Elissa, Egyptian singer Carmen Soliman and Dubai-based influencer Ola Farahat.


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Investigation reveals Aussies being given dog meat in Bali
AN ANIMALS Australia investigation has found that Australian tourists are unknowingly eating dog meat in Bali.
The information, provided to the ABC's 7.30 program, will air on television tonight.
The animals are brutally caught and then butchered not far from the beaches visited by more than 1 million Australians every year, according to Animals Australia and the ABC.
Some of the animals are poisoned, posing a risk to human health, according to a leading toxicologist.
Whilst eating dog meat is not illegal in Bali, killing animals cruelly or eating meat contaminated with poison is against the law, Animals Australia's campaign director Lyn White said.
"The dog-meat trade breaches animal cruelty laws and food safety laws. That is a statement of fact," she said.
Footage shows a dog meat vendor selling meat to Australian men who ask if it is dog meat, saying they don't eat it if it is.
However, the man tells them it isn't dog and they eat the meat.


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For many years, Andrea Hankins thought Santee needed a farmers’ market.
She’d traveled to markets all over San Diego County and couldn’t understand why her own community didn’t have one.
Santee is a , so why not? Why should residents have to drive to Hillcrest or Little Italy to buy sweet corn, or or get to browse through products made by and artists?
Because she and her husband, Dave, have a in the Imperial Valley, she’s been a longtime vendor at all the big county markets and she’s seen how their communities embrace them.
Plus, a market in her own town gave her one more outlet – and a convenient one at that-- for the dates Dave was growing.
“I do sell to 14 different markets a season, and I always wanted one in Santee,” she says. “I tried to get another market manager to start one and they wouldn’t do it. They finally told me, ‘You do it.’ So I did it.”
In April of 2009 the opened in a parking lot along Mission Gorge Road at the old Santee School site, with about 20 to 22 vendors.
Hankins, 61, is the market’s sponsor and manager – “I’m it,” she says-- having done all the work to get it off the ground and keep it running.
Today the market features 30 to 35 vendors (3-6 p.m. in winter and 3-7 p.m. in summer).
“I’m proud of it,” she says. “I’d like to see it get better, of course. It’s going good, not fantastic.”
Getting customers – putting out the word the market exists, changing the habits of Santee residents who are used to driving to other markets– is “the hardest part,” she says.
But, all the work has been worth it.
“It’s a community benefit,” she says. “In every possible way.”
Lots of duties
Only a government (such as the ), a non-profit organization or a farmer can start a farmers market.
Because she and her husband are farmers, they qualified.
In order to get it up and running, she had to get the required city permits, grade the parking lot, sign an agreement with the (which owns the property), recruit vendors, do the marketing and advertising, arrange for portable toilets and agree to do the site preparation and cleanup after every market. Plus she had to find a day and time that didn’t conflict with vendors’ already established dates at other markets.
And, as sponsor, “I pay for everything,” she says.
In return, vendors pay her for their spots each week.
She says raising awareness, even after more than two years, is still a crucial part of her job. She distributes flyers around town and at local events and advertises in several publications.
There’s an ebb and flow to visitors– some weeks busy, some weeks not– but, she admits, “It’s still a struggle getting customers.”
Some people either aren’t used to going to farmers markets, or simply .
“I recently asked one of my neighbors, ‘Why don’t you go?'” she says, and her neighbor cited the where she can buy everything at once, from milk to medicine and bread to batteries.
Despite the inconsistent flow of visitors, she believes the Santee market has now been around long enough to have a solid foundation for long-term survival. And, she’ll be a part of it as long as it’s alive.
“I will always be the sponsor, whether or not I manage it,” she says.
The main assets the market has, she says, are the vendors and the fresh fruits and vegetables.
“They make the market,” she says of the farmers and crafts people. “They are fantastic people.”
Her work comes before and after each market Wednesday. The vendors take it from there, setting up, selling and cleaning up. Many are pros who have done it for years, and they bring a sense of community to their group, helping and looking out for one another.
“One rainy night they were all helping each other, all pitching in,” she recalls. “My popcorn guy was great, offering to give everyone a hand… At some of the bigger markets you don’t see that.”
, it’s the star of the show.
The , the tomatoes tastier and everything is healthier than what comes from a supermarket, she says. The overall rise in popularity of farmers markets is because of taste and health issues.
“People want to eat healthier,” she says. “People are trying to take control and trying to eat healthy, organic food.”
From the area
Hankins’ family has deep roots in the east county. She grew up in the Fletcher Hills area and met Dave in school, even before they both attended Grossmont High. One set of her grandparents lived in Santee.
Today, she stays busy managing the Santee market, as well as farmers markets in Spring Valley (now closed for the winter) and Carmel Mountain.
Dave stays a good part of the year in the Imperial Valley tending to their farm, but spends as much time in Santee as he can.
Andrea works six days a week, and when the seventh day rolls around, she tries to spend as much of it as she can with her son, who lives in Ramona, and her two grandsons.
About 2½ years after taking the challenge to start the Santee market, she’s glad she did.
“Just getting people to eat the fresh, local food makes it worth it,” she says, listing items such as grass-fed beef, fresh breads, , baked goods, eggs and locally grown chickens. “It’s good and it’s fresh.
“I buy very little at grocery stores.”


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Latest Hrishitaa Bhatt Photos,...


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htc in pictures
News about htc
Features about htc
The majority of Android devices currently in use contain a vulnerability that allows malware to completely hijack installed apps and their data or even the entire device.
HTC has posted a second quarter tax net profit before tax of $NT2.76 billion (AU$98 million).
HTC posted a year-over-year gain in net profit for the second quarter, following the release of the company's latest flagship phone, and new low-end handsets coming to China.
If Apple were to launch a 5.5-inch iPhone 6 later this year it would be beneficial to both the vendor and the wider ‘phablet’ market, according to Telsyte.
The battle between shrunken flagship smartphones is heating up with the arrival of the Galaxy S5 mini, which will go head-to-head with HTC's One mini 2.
Kaspersky Lab claims to have identified previously undiscovered mobile trojans that work on both Android and iOS.
Dick Smith has entered the direct post-paid mobile market through a new partnership with Vodafone, and has confirmed it is holding talks with both Telstra and Optus.
Release date, price and specs have emerged for the Google Nexus 9 tablet, by HTC and codenamed Volantis.
LG has put forward its flagship smartphone contender, the G3, and it is a beaut. A 5.5in Android smartphone clad in aluminium with display technologies superior to what’s available today. But LG has made great phones before, and they’ve lingered behind in sales due to the brand prestige of its South-Korean rival, Samsung. Is this the moment LG turns the tide? Can the G3 really be that good?
Flagships from the leading Android manufacturers are on sale now in Australia. There’s the 5.2in Xperia Z2 from Sony, the 5.1in Galaxy S5 from Samsung and the 5in One (M8) from HTC. All three are fantastic choices, but one of them will go down as an all time great.
Samsung's Galaxy S5 bristles with features. Some we care very little for, but others make it one of the best smartphones available on shop shelves today. Here are the top 5 reasons to love the Samsung Galaxy S5.
Australia's three largest telecommunication carriers have confirmed to Good Gear Guide that the HTC One (M8) will be available in stores on the 1st of April. To help you decide which carrier you should buy the smartphone from, we have collated the various One (M8) plans Telstra, Vodafone and Optus are offering.
HTC announced its One M8 smartphone on Tuesday, boasting its premium styling and asserting that it offers the world's best innovations. Those include a dual rear camera for adding depth to photos and a battery with 40% longer life than last year's HTC One M7.
Happy birthday, Android! Although you were technically announced six years ago, it wasn't until October 22, 2008, that you made your debut. You've had an interesting five years, and it's only right that we take the time to celebrate one of the most revolutionary things to happen to mobile.
We pit together iOS 7 and Windows Phone 8 to see which is the best for choice of phones, apps, and look, feel and features.
Last week's rollout of the Motorola Moto X was headline-making for several reasons. Beyond the obvious novelty of being the first flagship release from the company since the RAZR HD line last fall, it's also the first since Google completed its acquisition of Motorola Mobility in May.
- Zero-day flaws found in Symantec's Endpoint Protection
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- Homeland Security wants corporate board of directors more involved in cyber-security
- Can information sharing stop bots in their tracks?
- Senator pushes new version of bill to limit NSA phone records collection
- Ericsson's to operate NBN wireless, manage satellite migration
- Countdown begins for switch from debit/credit card signature to PIN
- Ford and GM sued for millions over CD-ripping tech in cars
- Vodafone says it's 'right in the middle' of turnaround
- Samsung, Apple still dominate smartphones, but their shares slip
- Television is still king, but not for long: Deloitte
- Ericsson Australia wins four-year NBN Co contract
- Concur adds Airbnb and Uber to growing partner list
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- View all events


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April 2 (Reuters) - Superdry said on Tuesday an indicator of votes showed that more than 50 percent of votes to be cast at a shareholders’ meeting would be in favour of founder and former boss Julian Dunkerton returning to its board.
The British fashion group also said 50.74 percent votes would give a nod to industry veteran Peter Williams being elected.
Superdry has been engaged in a battle with Dunkerton since the former CEO called for a shareholder meeting in an attempt to force a return to the company’s board after a raft of profit warnings.
Superdry’s shares were up 5 percent at 575.5 pence at 1040 GMT. (Reporting by Noor Zainab Hussain in Bengaluru; Editing by Arun Koyyur)


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MANILA – Swedish fast fashion giant H&M has released its newest swimwear advertisement featuring its first Filipino ambassador, Nadine Lustre.
Uploaded on H&M’s Facebook page on Monday, the short film shows Lustre wearing pieces from her namesake swimwear line with the brand.
Here’s a look:
H&M’s Swim Essentials Selected by Nadine will be available nationwide starting March 14.
According to Metro.Style, it will feature “over 40 key swim pieces that are not only on-trend and in season, but offer a range of styles and cuts suitable for different body shapes.”
It added that pieces will go as low as P599.


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PayPal wants to be a key distribution channel for central banks’ digital currencies
PayPal CEO Dan Shulman has confirmed the company’s intention to become a distributor of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).
During a conversation with investors, he said that the largest electronic payment system is the most suitable channel through which central banks and governments can distribute CBDC internationally. The roadmap also states that the company is exploring the possibility of supporting tokenized assets and using smart contracts.
Best CryptoCurrency Exchange Sites To Buy/Sell All CryptoCurrency
The current financial system is outdated, which is why PayPal has created a new division focused on blockchain and the digital economy, Shulman said. The company expects modern technology to fundamentally change the ways and forms of moving value around the world over time.
The company is currently promoting its cryptocurrency service and plans to open access to it to residents of the UK.


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Ed Sheeren To Rogue One – Here’s Everything Singaporeans Consumed In The App Store For 2017
On 1 Jan 2017, Apple Earned US$240M – And It Wasn’t From The iPhone
The App Store To Welcome National Day With The Ultimate List Of Apps For Singaporeans!
Ivory: A Dating App For Elites? Here’s Why I Think The App Is Bad For Singapore.
Apple To Increase Prices Of All Paid Apps In Singapore In The Next 3 Days
This “Faster-Than-Domino’s” Healthy Food Delivery Service Just Launched Their Mobile App
Vulcan Post Goes Mobile With This News App From One Of M’sia’s Leading Online Portals
This Malaysian Game Crossed The 3 Million Download Mark And Reached Play Store Fame
There’s No Need To Freak Out Over The Apple App Store’s Malware Attack
Top 10 Reasons Behind Apple’s App Rejections, And Why It’s Excellent Marketing
5 Singapore Apps To Help Keep Your Health In Check
Apple to increase app store prices, pressured by tough competition?
Waiting for Flappy Bird to return? Clone yourself one with just $99
Apple hops onto the selfie phenomenon, adds selfie section to app store
Singapore has undoubtedly been a bright spot for the global startup landscape in recent years, and is home to a number of unicorns.
In recent years, there has been a rise in the popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) and governments have released policies and grants aimed at boosting its adoption.
Ever since the Covid-19 pandemic hit, e-commerce has boomed in popularity, with consumers buying everything from home appliances to groceries online.
foodpanda is a leading delivery platform in Asia dedicated to bringing consumers a wide range of food, groceries and more, quickly and conveniently.
Amid soaring demand for online and mobile alternatives, new digital players are transforming banking for individuals and companies.
Interest in cryptocurrency is at an all-time high, and Singapore has emerged as a key blockchain and crypto hub in Asia.
A look at how the Singapore government has been harnessing technology to improve lives for all.
The global pandemic has disrupted lifestyles, healthcare, workplace cultures, business operations, and more.
Vulcan Post aims to be the knowledge hub of Singapore and Malaysia.
© 2021 GRVTY Media Pte. Ltd.(UEN 201431998C.)


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THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) -- Long famous for "coffee shops" where joints and cappuchinos share the menu, the Netherlands' famed tolerance for drugs could be going up in smoke.
A judge on Friday upheld a government plan to ban non-Dutch residents from buying marijuana by introducing a "weed pass" available only to residents.
The new regulation reins in one of the country's most cherished symbols of tolerance -- its laissez-faire attitude to soft drugs -- and reflects the drift away from a long-held view of the Netherlands as a free-wheeling utopia.
For many tourists visiting Amsterdam the image endures -- and smoking a joint in a canalside coffee shop ranks high on their to-do lists along with visiting cultural highlights like the Van Gogh Museum.
The city's left-leaning Mayor Eberhard van der Laan is hoping to hammer out a compromise with the national government.
Coffee shops also have not given up the fight. A week ago they mustered a few hundred patrons for a "smoke-in" in downtown Amsterdam to protest the new restrictions.
A lawyer for owners, Maurice Veldman, said he would file an appeal against the ruling by a judge at The Hague District court, which clears the way for the weed pass to be introduced in southern provinces on May 1.
The pass will roll out in the rest of the country -- including Amsterdam -- next year. It will turn coffee shops into private clubs with membership open only to Dutch residents and limited to 2,000 per shop.
The most recent figures from the government's statistics bureau says the country has more than 650 coffee shops, 214 of them in Amsterdam. The number has been steadily declining as municipalities have imposed tougher regulations, such as shuttering ones close to schools.
But the new membership rules are the most significant rollback in years to the traditional Dutch tolerance of marijuana use.
The government argues that the move is justified as a way of cracking down on so-called "drug tourists," effectively couriers who drive over the border from neighboring Belgium and Germany to buy large amounts of marijuana and take it home to resell. They cause traffic and public order problems in towns along the Dutch border.
Such issues do not exist in Amsterdam, where most tourists walk or ride bikes and buy pot purely for their own consumption.
The weed pass "doesn't solve any problems we have here and it could create new problems," said city spokeswoman Tahira Limon.
It is not just hardcore potheads taking a toke in the city. Limon said four to five million tourists visit Amsterdam each year and around 23 percent say they visit a coffee shop during their stay.
Amsterdam argues that the reasons coffee shops were first tolerated decades ago are still relevant today -- they are well-regulated havens where people can buy soft drugs without coming into contact with dealers of hard drugs like heroin and cocaine.
Coffee shops also are banned from serving alcohol and from selling drugs to people under 18.
The government in The Hague said Friday there would be no exceptions to the new rules.
"Amsterdam will also have to enforce this policy," said Job van de Sande, a spokesman for the Ministry of Security and Justice.
The conservative Dutch government introduced the new measures saying it wants to return the shops back to what they were originally intended to be: small local stores selling to local people.
However the Dutch government collapsed this week and new elections are scheduled for September. It is unclear whether the new administration will keep the new measures in place.
Coffee shop lawyer Veldman called Friday's court ruling a political judgment.
"The judge completely fails to answer the principal question: Can you discriminate against foreigners when there is no public order issue at stake?" he asked.
Coffee shop owners in the southern city of Maastricht have said they plan to disregard the new measures, forcing the government to prosecute one of them in a test case.


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Google will acquire a 7.7% stake in Jio Platforms for ₹33,737 crore, the culmination of a series of global investments that have cumulatively brought more than ₹1.52 lakh crore ($20 billion) into Reliance Industries’ technology and telecom arm.
In future, there will be strategic partnerships in retail and petrochemicals and the energy business that will be overhauled, RIL chairman Mukesh Ambani said.
Ambani said RIL was “truly blessed” to have Google, Facebook and Microsoft as partners, the latter in a separate foray into cloud services.
For Google, this is the “first and biggest investment” from the recently announced $10-billion India fund, CEO Sundar Pichai said. The two companies will jointly develop an operating system for an entry-level smartphone that will support 5G and target India’s 350 million feature-phone users.
This would be a rare instance of two FANG – Facebook, Apple, Netflix, Google – companies investing in one firm anywhere in the world and is another stamp of approval from global digital behemoths who now accept RIL turning a technology and digital firm from an energy to retail focussed conglomerate, say analysts. Facebook has invested Rs 43,574 crore for a 9.9% stake.
Shares of parent RIL closed at Rs 1845.60, down by 3.71% on the BSE on Wednesday.
“We welcome Google onboard and are excited about our partnership for what it can deliver to Indians, from universalising Internet usage to deepening the new digital economy and providing a prime mover to India’s economic growth,” said Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries.
Jio Platforms houses RIL’s telecom business under Reliance Jio Infocomm, which is the largest in the country with nearly 400 million subscribers, besides other digital properties and investments.
With this, the total investment from financial and strategic investors into Jio Platforms stands at Rs 1,52,056 crore for a combined 32.97% stake in about two months. Google’s investment in Jio Platforms comes at an equity valuation of Rs. 4.36 lakh crore, lower than the Rs 4.62 lakh crore that Facebook had invested at in April. The Google deal is subject to regulatory approvals.
The partnership is a multi-pronged one and the two companies have entered a commercial agreement to jointly develop an entry level affordable smartphone with optimizations to the Android operating system and the Play Store. The smartphone that will even support 5G is targeted at the 350 million feature phone users in India.
“We think the time is right to increase our commitment to India significantly, in collaboration with local companies, and partnership with Jio is the first step. We want to work with Jio and other leaders in the local ecosystem to ensure that smartphones-together with the apps and services in the Play Store-are within reach for many more Indians across the country,” said Google in a blog post.
Jio so far had offered Jio Phone -a 4G feature phone again targeting the same audience who are yet to migrate from their 2G feature phone anf so far has sold above 100 million.
“Everyone should have access to the internet. Proud to partner with @reliancejio to increase access for the hundreds of millions in India who don’t own a smartphone with our 1st investment of $4.5B from the #GoogleForIndia Digitization Fund”, tweeted Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet on Wednesday.
The investment from Google comes in at a time when the number of internet users in India is expected to rise to about 850 million in 2022, according to PwC, up from 450 million in 2017.
Google already dominates search, video, maps and email in India. Nine out of 10 smartphones sold in India come with Google’s Android OS. RIL has been making efforts to position Jio Platforms and its telecom venture Reliance Jio Infocomm as more digital, consumer technology companies, with experts saying key investors it has brought on board underline that strategy.
“The pace and scale of digital transformation in India is hugely inspiring for us and reinforces our view that building products for India first helps us build better products for users everywhere,” Pichai added in a statement.
Besides Google and Facebook, the eleven other investors include-Qualcomm ventures, Intel Capital, Abu Dhabi’s two largest sovereign investment arms – Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and Mubadala, private equity firms Silver Lake (which invested in two tranches), Vista Equity Partners, General Atlantic, KKR, TPG, L Catterton and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), have invested in Jio Platforms.
The investments and a Rs 53,124-crore rights issue has helped RIL pare debt and in June the conglomerate said it was debt free.


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Gawker.com—the domain and brand, but not the now-offline site and its decades of postings—was sold to a media group in Singapore, among whose possessions are the British music and culture magazine NME and various other music-related brands. Shut down after a lawsuit funded by billionaire Peter Thiel, then sold to Bustle, Gawker was briefly rebooted there and now will see new life once again. Kuok bought 49% of Rolling Stone in 2016, but was bought out not long after; the stories then read exactly like this one.
Meng Ru Kuok, CEO and founder of Singapore-based Caldecott Music Group, acquired the assets of Gawker from Bustle Digital Group. In an email to Variety, Kuok confirmed that he has closed the deal buying the Gawker trademarks and domain name but not its article archives. He said the deal for Gawker is unrelated to his existing operating businesses.
"As it relates to the future for Gawker, as a brand that spent many years in the public consciousness, my personal opinion is that it has the opportunity for reinvention," Kuok said in the email. "Whatever plans materialize, what's for sure is that it won't be the same as it was before."
I noticed a few days back that the archives were wiped at some point, but assumed it was Bustle itself cleaning house of the relevant liabilities. Au contraire! Bustle bought Gawker, and its archives, for a sum not far north of $1m—the bulk of the network, including profitable sites such as Gizmodo, were separately sold off to Univision for $135m. What Kuok is paying now hasn't been disclosed; lose another zero.


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New puzzles from Ravensburger ‘highlight’ fun for kids
NEWTON, N.H. — Gearing up for the 2011 Toy Fair, Ravensburger announced that it is releasing four new Highlights-branded puzzles this year.
Each puzzle is inspired by the popular children’s magazine and encourages children to find items in the completed scene.
The 2011 offerings include:
The 60-piece Highlights Hidden Pictures "Fun in the Classroom" puzzle is presented in a special yellow school bus tin for easy cleanup and portability, and retails for $14.99;
The 35-piece Highlights Hidden Pictures "Dog Wash" puzzle for $10.50;
The 100-piece Highlights Hidden Pictures "Amusement Park" puzzle for $10.50; and
The 100-piece double-sided Highlights "That’s Silly!" and Hidden Pictures puzzle, which has characteristics of each activity on their respective side, called "at the beach," and features double the fun for a suggested retail price of $12.99.
More information about the new offerings can be found at Ravensburger.com.
Sears names supermarket veteran Michel chief of food, health and pharmacy efforts
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Fast on the heels of her departure from Ahold USA’s Giant Foods of Landover supermarket unit, Robin Michel has been tapped for an increasingly critical role at retail giant Sears Holdings. Michel, who left as president of Giant-Landover in December 2010, will serve as SVP and president of food and consumables, health and beauty and pharmacy at Sears and its Kmart subsidiary.
Michel is charged with “the oversight, leadership and growth both in-store and online” of those categories, which have become key to the company’s effort to regain its momentum in the U.S. marketplace. She comes well-prepared for the task: At Giant-Landover, she was credited by Ahold USA Retail CEO Carl Schlicker for leading a successful turnaround campaign at the chain, which operates 180 supermarkets and food-drug combo stores in Maryland, Virginia, Delaware and the District of Columbia.
“Robin brings to the company a wealth of expertise in the grocery and pharmacy industry, and we are excited to welcome her to our team,” said Bruce Johnson, Sears interim CEO and president. “Under Robin’s leadership, we’ll be able to uniquely serve our customers by providing them greater value in all areas of health — including wellness, lifestyle, diet and nutrition — while offering [more than] 1,000 pharmacy locations nationwide.”
Those locations are part of Sears’ sprawling Kmart division, which has struggled to regain ground lost to archrival Walmart. Despite Walmart’s stunning ascendancy over the past two decades, Kmart retains a place among the nation’s top retailers of pharmacy and health and beauty aids, and likely will benefit from the infusion of new management and new ideas brought by the supermarket industry veteran.
Michel has held senior leadership roles with some of the industry’s top food and pharmacy retailers, including Roundy’s Supermarkets, 7-Eleven and H-E-B. She started her career with Kroger, progressing from store director to regional VP.


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While it’s true that the official international servers have been down for some time now, it’s been announced that the Japanese servers will be going down at the end of this year. This also means more then ten years after the original Dreamcast release, Sega will be laying Phantasy Star Online officially to rest.
From November 29th the sale of subscriptions will be discontinued and for the next month access to the servers will be free, and for the final fortnight between December 14th and December 27th there’ll be a celebration in the form of 2x EXP earnings along with a 10x increase in rare item drop rates and a 5x increase in rare enemy spawns. At 4.00pm Japanese Standard Time, Phantasy Star Online will end.
Sonic Team have hinted however that current Japanese subscribers may be eligible for a ‘User Participation Test’ for Phantasy Star Online 2, hopefully ensuring that the mysterious sequel will at least have the approval and critique of the die-hard PSO fans who didn’t jump ship to either Universe or any other MMO’s still around. So it’s not all bad news then, but it is pretty sad to see. I still remember my first £60 monthly phone bill having played some hundred hours on my Dreamcast, which didn’t stop me putting in another hundred during BB’s Beta. Here’s hoping for a new decade for the new iteration, rumoured to be releasing in Japan as early as 2011.


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ABC News is promoting the clip above. “ABC’s Brian Ross and his team have exclusive video footage of the bullet-riddled Mercedes SUV the suspects hijacked and used during a firefight with police,” touts the network. That exclusive footage shows an SUV atop a flatbed moving quickly away from the camera, distinctive features barely visible. On a story this big, you take what you can get.
true :: test
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