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auto news desk, The demand for electric cars is increasing rapidly in the country. However, it still has some issues and people see it as a city car because of the low range. But now Tata has done something that has silenced many big EV makers. The country’s best-selling electric car Tata Nexon set a sales record. Now the feat that Nexon has achieved is not possible even with many petrol or diesel cars. Nexon has set a record for completing the journey from Kashmir to Kanyakumari in the shortest time as an EV. Giving information about this record of Nexon EV, Tata Motors said that this journey was completed in just 4 days. That is, Nexon EV covered a distance of 4003 km in 95 hours 46 minutes. Traveled from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. Along with this, the name of Tata Nexon has also been registered in the India Book of Records.
drive non stop
It was a non stop drive and charging stations located on the highway were used to charge the car. The Nexon EV took 21 stops to charge and during this time it was refilled at a fast charging charger. The Nexon set an example of saving time in this entire journey as well as saving money compared to ordinary combustion engines.
set more records
The Nexon EV was also driven on a variety of rough roads and inclement weather during this period and the car completed the journey without stopping. If we talk about the mileage, then the car has traveled an average of 300 km. Along with this, the fastest drive from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, the Nexon EV created many more records.
Every 100 Km. at charging point
Shailesh Chandra, MD, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd. said, “The Nexon EV has proved its mettle by setting a record for this drive from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. He added that this achievement is a clear proof of how powerful the Nexon EV is and the availability of better charging infrastructure in other countries. He told that during this journey every 75 to 100 km. Fast charging station was found in the middle. This shows that the ecosystem of electric vehicles in India is growing rapidly.


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Talent agency's tactics under fire
By Sean Hao
Advertiser Staff Writer
A talent agency with a record of complaints on the Mainland is starting to generate similar outrage among Hawai'i consumers.
Concerns have been raised about the large enrollment fee and business practices of Trans Continental Talent Inc. that recently started operating locally under the name of Wilhelmina Scouting Network.
Three complaints against Trans Continental Talent have been lodged with the Hawai'i Better Business Bureau this month, two of which were resolved, and another thus far unresolved complaint has been filed with the state Office of Consumer Protection.
The talent scouting chain faces an ongoing civil investigation by the Florida attorney general. The office is looking into complaints by more than 600 people who paid up to $1,500 each for help in landing modeling jobs. Many ended up only with spots on the company's various Web sites.
"Our No. 1 concern with this company is consumers are led to believe that they've been scouted and evaluated and pursued by someone who knows what they're doing," said Jaqueline Dowd, a Florida assistant attorney general.
Dowd said complaints about the Orlando-based company have arrived in the mail every day, including at least two from Hawai'i.
Trans Continental Talent spokeswoman Elizabeth Neff said the company denies any wrongdoing.
Wilhelmina Scouting is a new business venture of Trans Continental Talent. She pointed out that the company's Web site and other promotional materials note that modeling is a tough business.
"We don't guarantee jobs; we guarantee opportunities," Neff said.
Complaints filed with the Florida attorney general's office and some of the 650 others submitted to the Orlando Better Business Bureau raise questions about Trans Continental Talent/Wilhelmina Scouting's sales and marketing tactics, which include large up-front enrollment fees for exposure on a Web site.
O"Based on complaints, people were led to believe that they had a chance to get a job and make that money back in one job," said Judy Pepper, president of the Orlando Better Business Bureau. "People just felt that they had been misled through the whole process."
Pepper said Wilhelmina Scouting has responded to many customer complaints, and in several cases issued refunds. However, the Better Business Bureau gives the company, as well as its predecessors Trans Continental Talent, Options Talent Inc. and TC Talent, an unsatisfactory rating in part because of a pattern of complaints.
According to Dowd and Pepper, Trans Continental Talent/Wilhelmina Scouting's talent search starts with scouts identifying potential models in public then inviting them for an evaluation into Wilhelmina Scouting's offices.
Then, after informed of their potential during a follow-up phone call, modeling candidates are asked to pay an enrollment fee of $995, as well as nearly $60 every three months to be listed in the company's Web-based talent database, on the Web at www.wscouts.com.
Maxine Shea, who said she worked as a talent scout for Wilhelmina Scouting's Honolulu office for four days early this month, said she was asked to recruit both true modeling candidates as well as people who didn't fit industry standards for appearance.
"Basically what they were looking for is someone who would be flattered who hadn't been approached before," Shea said. "What they were looking for is someone they could recruit easily."
Neff denies that Wilhelmina scouts for people who aren't potential modeling material. She maintained that the company provides a venue for people who can possibly find modeling work.
"We offer a site for talent to advertise themselves," she said. "We explain that you can't get discovered if you can't be seen."
Formed in March, Wilhelmina Scouting is a partnership between Trans Continental Entertainment Group Inc., which maintains the online database of models and actors, and Wilhelmina Scouting LLC, an affiliate of New York talent agency Wilhelmina Models, Neff said.
Wilhelmina's local office is at 7 Waterfront Plaza, 500 Ala Moana Blvd. Trans Continental Talent previously operated out of that location.
Trans Continental Entertainment's Chairman Lou Pearlman is best known for launching the careers of several boy bands including the Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync. Both groups accused Pearlman of deception and cheating them out of money in lawsuits filed several years ago.
Dowd said the Florida attorney general's office hasn't ruled out a possible criminal investigation of Wilhelmina Scouting or its affiliated companies, but she would not provide further details.
"We have some concerns that run deeper than the consumer protection issues that we've begun pursuing," she said.
In general, the Better Business Bureau looks askance at talent agencies that charge advance fees for services, said Anne Deschene, president of the Hawai'i bureau.
"They are dealing with people that are blinded by Hollywood," she said.
Reach Sean Hao at firstname.lastname@example.org or 525-8093.
The Better Business Bureau advises people dealing with modeling and talent agencies to:
- Get all verbal promises and claims in writing.
- Check an agency's complaint history with the Better Business Bureau (536-6956) and the state Office of Consumer Protection (586-2630).
- Ask for a blank copy of a contract to take and review with a family member or colleague before signing.
- Be wary of claims about high salaries or boasts that the company is a "major player" in the industry.
- Don't let flattery cause you to abandon common sense. If you were approached in a shopping mall, see whether the "agent" approaches others with the same offer.
- Don't give in to demands for cash or money-order payments. This is a strong signal that the company is more interested in your money than your career.
- Don't be swayed by promises that a deposit is totally refundable. Typically, you must meet very strict refund conditions.
- Ask for proof of an agency's success. A reputable agency will provide contact information on companies that have hired models and actors trained by them.

domain: news


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The company also manages the QuickNS iNSYNQ Cloud
The mega-cortex is attacked and forced to act independently of external communication
Next week, the company expects a few more days
All customers are online again.
In a blog post on July 22, the company’s CEO, Elliot Lukhansky, said
Access to other iNSYNQ centers has been restored
It is a safe company that removes sales. Where
There is currently no evidence that the information is compressed or outdated.
it’s over. The company says it can stop the attack in advance
It takes time to save and you can download the files
Other downloaded files include the .megacortex extension.
Fortunately, there are many files involved
These files (such as encryption) are small and do not include textbooks or munitions
File, he said it.
The company announced the news on July 18
On July 16, I launched a hunting attack.
Many customers have turned to Twitter to complain that they are not affiliated with the company
Your data is not available.
I know and understand your satisfaction
Problems with this process. There are various payment options
File download: Now you are sure that you have read several messages
a description of the problems to provide more information about different methods
Dealing with attacks and comments that exchange information throughout the process
At the same time, the company offers to give something back to its customers.
Your local files.


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just The Round-Up - The week in drinks
The week in drinks
The top ten stories published on just-drinks last week:
Grupo Modelo has increased its share of Mexico's beer market at the expense of its main rival, Heineken-owned FEMSA Cerveza, according to analysts at JP Morgan.
The Coca-Cola Co will temporarily turn cans of its namesake drink from red to white as part of a tie-up with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in the US.
Moody's has downgraded Kirin Holdings following the group's deal to acquire control of Schincariol.
Treasury Wine Estates is looking to export more wine brands to support growth in key markets, but the group's shares have slipped on an uncertain outlook.
The use of the word 'shampanskoe' on Russian sparkling wine will be phased out for the end of 2022, according to local reports.
Carlsberg will transfer the head of its UK business, Isaac Sheps, to Russia as it seeks to restore confidence in its operations there.
Heineken has said that it is on track to meeting full-year profits guidance, despite seeing net sales come under pressure from currency in its fiscal third-quarter.
Rémy Cointreau has appointed Mark Breene as senior vice president and chief marketing officer of its US business.
Anheuser-Busch InBev believes that its trademark victory against Budejovický Budvar in Austria sets a precedent for rulings in other countries.
Diageo hopes to improve its sales performance in Europe this year by shifting more resources to fast-growth eastern markets and selling more super-premium spirits in western countries.
Anheuser-Busch InBev has squeezed Heineken out of the Dominican Republic via its deal to gain control of the country's largest brewer, Ceverceria Nacional Dominicana (CND)....
Heineken has lined up the creation of a sales business development role in the US....
- Coca-Cola pressure builds as bid rumours swirl
- Gin: Plymouth's from Plymouth, London's from...?
- Comment - IPO Launch a Tonic for Fever-Tree
- Fireball Recall: Putting Out Fire with Anti-Freeze
- Why Chinese beverages won't conquer the world
- NPD - Moët Hennessy’s Glenmorangie Dornoch
- Anheuser-Busch InBev cuts jobs in US shake-up
- Diageo targets Millenial women with Baileys push
- Pernod blames rule changes for Plymouth GI drop
- William Grant unveils bespoke Glenfiddich website
- Early Signals: future scenarios that will drive consumption and product innovation over the next five years
- Global Scotch whisky insights - market forecasts, product innovation and consumer trends research
- Global Beer Opportunities: Beyond Standard Lager
- The IWSR Global Trends Report 2014
- Global Cognac insights - market forecasts, product innovation and consumer trends research


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Can HTC capture buyers' attention with a "selfie" phone and action cam? Also, Apple's invitation to its latest event offers few hints. Plus, a new Tesla and all the latest tech in Tokyo in this look back at the week that was.
A new slate of Chrome OS-powered laptops and all-in-ones top off Google's spring Chromebook lineup, most of which will be powered by Intel's power-sipping Bay Trail chips.
guest post Six months after watching Apple's 1984 Super Bowl commercial, the 19-year-old future Salesforce.com CEO was a summer intern at Apple writing a sample game, "Raid on Armonk."
Racing is a family affair in Texas. The XCAR team left their London headquarters to experience first-hand the rough and ready world of oval racing in the Lone Star State and met some of the Texans who spend their free time in vigorous pursuit of speed.
The search giant should be investigated by the U.K. tax authority over its approach to paying taxes, says a report by a parliamentary watchdog.
The computer, for which you have to supply your own display and keyboard, hadn't been updated in two years.
Apple boasts that its $2,499 iMac Retina 5K Display has a higher resolution that even Ultra HD televisions.
Apple might be offering a new iPad Air to customers, but the company has decided to keep its existing tablet in place for those seeking a cheaper option.
The release of WatchKit will allow developers to start creating apps for the Apple Watch, which is expected early next year.
Apple unveils new iPads on Thursday that for the first time include the iPhone's Touch ID fingerprint sensor. The company says it was "the most-requested feature" in its tablets.


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Illustrious South African fashion designer, David Tlale, stopped traffic when he took to the streets of New York yesterday to unveil his latest collection – in multiple locations.
The audacious street runway show also formed an integral part of a four day trip to the Big Apple in celebration of New York Fashion Week and the trio of David Tlale, Bonang Matheba and Anatii.
The show saw Tlale utilize two iconic New York backdrops as the setting to reveal his dazzling new “Azania” Spring/Summer collection.
Talking about his collection, David said:
“I always enjoy presenting the unexpected and I couldn’t think of a better place than the streets of NYC to show my new collection which is, after all, inspired by this city and its hustle and fast-forward bustle.”
In the street runway show, Tlale used 15 models which included Nigerian Actor Gbenro Ajibade, all of whom travelled to both locations – Times Square and the Highline, a former raised railway line turned park – to express his collection’s narrative.


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Isuzu holds grand opening ceremony at ESIE [ Thailand ]
Isuzu Motors Company (Thailand) Limited recently held the grand opening ceremony for its Knock-Down facility at the Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate (Rayong) developed by Hemaraj Land and Develop...
<Jul 24, 2017>
Related News File
Isuzu Indonesia sees 31.5% sales decline YoY in first 9 months of 2020 to 12,116 units (Nov 16, 2020)
Related Report File
Fuel cell commercial vehicles: Toyota jointly develops FC systems with major Chinese OEMs (Aug 13, 2020)
Bangkok International Motor Show 2020: Major SUV competition (Jul 22, 2020)


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Kate Upton, on last count has 184,291 followers on Twitter, has been in Sports Illustrated twice (the latest as the cover girl ), has her amateur video of doing the Dougie has racked up 3,363,988 hits, and by all means, would be the pioneer Fashion Model Celebrity of the Internet. She has become the latest ‘phenomenon’ of the fashion world even prompting Ivan Bart of IMG Models to comment in a recent interview on Kate Upton in NYT, “Kate is bigger than fashion, she’s the Jayne Mansfield of the Internet.”
A champion equestrienne, overcoming hurdles must have been a delightful challenge, going by her unwavering focus on attaining her goals. She must be one of the rare models who burst into the international fashion scene with already a huge fan-following and her unmistakable ‘clout’ in the social media that promised to add even more ‘momentum’ to the journey ahead to fame. Though her forays into modelling started back in 2008, it was after her sign-up with IMG in NY and her break with Garage as the face for most of her campaigns that put her on the road to ‘popularity’ and then, more significantly, her GUESS portfolio.
The first major milestone was her appearing in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2011, “wearing carefully-placed body paint rather than a swimsuit”, and then her video that was uploaded in April 2011 proved to be the gateway to her becoming the current ‘Model Celebrity’ she is, even being compared to the legendary Jean Harlow .
It didn’t take long for her to be the covergirl of Sports Illustrated for 2012. For someone who had been categorically brushed aside for being “too obvious” a face to be featured on the planet’s most viewed runway show, Victoria’s Secret Show, her career graph, post her latest success just might change all that and might even make the traditional sentinels of fashion eat humble pie. Kate’s career is also a stark reminder of the power of the social media that can take you all the way to the top of a billion-dollar enterprise, sidestepping the traditional routes to fame. Is it time to say, move over Heidi, Tyra and Gisele ? Not too soon, but who knows?


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The latest on what’s happening in our real estate market.
The latest figures from Northwest MLS show pending sales (mutually accepted offers) during August increased 8.7 percent from a year ago. Brokers in the 21 counties served by the MLS reported 9,065 pending sales system-wide. That’s a drop of 500 units from July, but an increase of 727 transactions compared to a year ago (August 2012). In the four-county Puget Sound region (King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish), the total of 6,916 pending sales was the highest volume for August since 2006 when members notched 7,692 sales.


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This was a jam packed week of depressing news for gamers. Well, technically there was a small sliver of hope insofar that unconfirmed reports from BioWare are saying that some of them rejected Sarkeesian’s disgusting message that she tried to spread at the Edmonton studio following her visit in late January. How true this is is anyone’s guess, but pray for the souls of the rebels… for they do not wish to be sacrificed at the altar of the Intersectional Inquisition’s obese glutton of cultural Marxism.
But on to the bad news… the President of the United States, Donald Trump, has been talking with Republicans who have been blaming video games for the Florida high school shooting. This has furthered the moral panic about video games causing violence in America. And if that wasn’t bad enough, Ubisoft has admitted to purposefully altering history in Assassin’s Creed to once again feed the degenerate dragon of the progressive stack. These sad and pathetic stories and more in this February 24th, 2018 edition of the Weekly Recap here at One Angry Gamer.
Republicans Blame Video Games For Florida School Shooting
It’s just like the 1990s all over again, and Republican Conservatives are calling for video games to take the spotlight during the latest bit of debate surrounding the discussion of the recent shooting at the Parkland high school in Florida. And speaking of politicians, Hawaii’s representatives have put together two bills to curb the use of premium loot boxes and major retail and digital releases. Xbox gamers will look forward to being able to play games not quite at 4K and not quite at 1080p, but just right with the 1440p resolution when an update goes live for the Xbox One S and Xbox One X later this year. Journalists got offended that Kingdom Come: Deliverance didn’t kowtow to their diversity agenda, and so now they’re trying to spite the developers at Warhorse Studios in any way that they can.
Some of BioWare’s Staff Weren’t Happy About Sarkeesian’s Visit
It turns out that some of the staff at BioWare apparently weren’t too keen or too happy about Anita Sarkeesian visiting their studio regarding her talk about Anthem and other third-wave feminist topics. Unfortunately we don’t get names or numbers so we have no idea what percentage actually rejected the culture critic’s supposed toxicity. EVO 2018’s registration has opened up, giving gamers an opportunity to fly to Las Vegas and fight it out on the grand stage in front of a live audience. Nintendo Switch owners can get a little bit excited because Shin Megami Tensei V‘s development is officially underway. Soul Calibur VI could make its way to the Nintendo Switch, but it wouldn’t be 1080p but it would be 60fps. Some gamers are okay with loot boxes and microtransactions so long as they’re cosmetic. And a review site decided to politicize their review of Kingdom Come: Deliverance and then disable the comment section.
Ubisoft Admits To Revisionist History Propaganda
Ubisoft has admitted to purposefully revising history in Assassin’s Creed games in order to avoid “historical sexism” from appearing in the game. Yes, they really admitted to historical revisionism for Assassin’s Creed: Origins. The Nintendo Switch managed to narrowly beat the PS4 and Xbox One in the January, 2018 NPD charts but beat them it did, continuing its skyrocketing trend toward legendary status in the gaming world. Medium has taken to censoring Conservatives on its platform, even for off-site behavior. Farmer’s Dynasty is back on Steam after a slight DMCA row, and one of the Overwatch League teams kowtowed to the feminist shrieking by adding a female player to its roster.
President Trump Goes After Video Games… Again
Years before he became President of the United States, business mogul Donald Trump targeted violent video games. Well, a year after being inaugurated Donald Trump is putting violent video games back into the national discussion after other Republican politicians have tried shifting the blame to them following the Florida high school shooting. In an editorial, a discussion about video games and VR porn is discussed and whether or not it’s the way forward for the industry. Soul Calibur VI’s latest trailer revealed that Ivy is back and she’s completely uncensored with huge bouncing boobs. And despite a whole bunch of protests from ess-jay-dubya media, Kingdom Come Deliverance still managed to sell more than a million copies in one week.
Polygon Becomes The Enemy They’ve Attacked
Polygon’s Ben Kuchera tried to vilify Republican politicians for blaming video games for the Florida shooting, but they’ve ignored all the vilification they’ve done to gaming over the years, attacking gamers as being sexists and racists or even trying to drag gaming into the discussion about fictional violence causing gamers to become violent in real life. Speaking of things worth vilifying in gaming, Konami has begun charging $10 for extra save slots in Metal Gear Survive. Spike Chunsoft has four games in the works set to release later this year in the West; the games will be announced at this year’s GDC in San Francisco, California. There’s a lawsuit going on over Star Control, where the original creators are counter-suing Stardock Entertainment who they claim prevented them from making a new spin-off game in the Star Control universe. And finally, there’s CD Projekt Red… hinting at when gamers will finally get to see the first gameplay footage of Cryberpunk 2077.


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Published on March 2nd, 2013 | by James Allen0
Could this be Spyker’s new sports car concept?
Not so long ago, the Dutch sports car maker Spyker revealed it would be showcasing a new sports car concept at next week’s Geneva Motor Show.
As part of the announcement, Spyker revealed a teaser image of what it’s calling the ‘B6 Venator’. However, if a recent report by the Wall Street Journal is anything to go by, the new coupe has been leaked ahead of its debut.
Not only did the WSJ article showcase what it claims to be an official image of the Venator, but several key details have also allegedly been revealed.
For instance, whilst the Venator has been described as a concept by Spyker, the news piece suggests the B6 will become a fully fledged car, with production figures expected by Spyker CEO Victor Muller to be “in the hundreds”, which is substantially more the Dutch firm was used to with its C8 and C12 models.
The article goes on to state the B6 will be similar in size to the current Porsche Boxster and, with a claimed curb weight in the region of 1,400kg, have a similar mass to Stuttgart’s critically acclaimed mid-engine roadster.
However, the claimed specs hint it won’t be a cut-and-paste Boxster clone – not only does the WSJ state the car will have a 375bhp V6 (which should make the Spyker faster than the Porsche), but will cost in the region of 125,000 and 150,000 Euros, no doubt due to the car’s aluminium and carbon-fibre construction.
Muller was even quoted in the piece with saying the Venator isn’t a “Porsche killer”, which suggests the Spyker will, despite being the entry point in the range, occupy its own place in the market.
Despite the Wall Street Journal’s credibility, though, all of this hasn’t been officially confirmed by Spyker, so we’ll have to wait for the Venator’s official debut at the Geneva Motor Show to find out what exactly what Spyker has planned for its resurgence…


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In a secondary transaction announced in late May, New York-based Castle Harlan agreed to buy The Carlyle Group’s Horizon Lines, a North American container shipping company. Castle Harlan will pay $650 million for the business, which Carlyle had acquired slightly more than one year earlier from CSX Corp.
Horizon, headquartered in Charlotte, NC, owns 16 vessels and approximately 21,700 cargo containers. The company handles shipments between the U.S. mainland and ports in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and Puerto Rico.
“The company’s really developed a solid position in its market,” said Marcel Fournier, a managing director with Castle Harlan. “It’s the largest shipping company for those regions… plus its cargo shipments are diversified and the company has a stable revenue base.”
Horizon controls 37% of the marine container shipments between the U.S. and its primary markets, and in fiscal 2003, Horizon reported revenue of $830 million, which represented growth of more than 9% from the year-earlier.
Moreover, Fournier said that the Jones Act provides a barrier to new competition entering the market. The Jones Act, enacted in 1920, mandates that maritime trade between U.S. ports is limited to only companies that are owned and incorporated in the U.S., with ships that are built and registered domestically and crews that are predominantly U.S. citizens.
In addition to restricting foreign competition, Fournier noted, “It also denotes a high degree of quality when you have U.S.-flag vessels and crews.”
To buy the company, Castle Harlan will use equity from its Castle Harlan Partners IV, L.P. fund. The firm closed the fund in September 2003 at $1.163 billion.
Fournier said the firm has yet to finalize a financing agreement to support the transaction, but noted it will probably consist of a combination of bank and bond debt. Horizon management will also continue to hold a stake in the business.
Castle Harlan has been active recently near the equator. Earlier in May, the firm worked out a deal to buy Puerto Rican Burger King Franchisor Caribbean Restaurants for $340 million.
The Carlyle Group, for its part, will do pretty well for its short embrace of Horizon. The firm carved the business out from CSX Corp. in $300 million deal completed in the first quarter of 2003. Caryle, using its 2000-vintage, $3.9 billion Carlyle Partners III Fund, reportedly contributed about $40 million of equity to the investment for an 80% stake in the business. CSX, meanwhile, held onto a 20% stake through the provision of $60 million in seller financing.
Buyer: Castle Harlan
Target: Horizon Lines
Seller: The Carlyle Group
Purchase Price: $650M
Advisor: Carlyle: Goldman Sachs
Legal Counsel: Castle Harlan: Schulte, Roth & Zabel; Carlyle: Latham & Watkins


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Spotlight on Amazon
The True Cost of Amazon Revealed
A recent report from economic analysis firm Civic Economics says that sales by Amazon and third-party vendors — in 2018 alone — accounted for $5.5 to $7 billion in uncollected sales tax. The report also estimates that in just one year Amazon sales displaced the equivalent of 540 million square feet of retail space and 900,000 retail jobs.
That lost revenue would have funded public works, public safety, and public education.
Prime Numbers: Amazon and American Communities was commissioned by the American Booksellers Association. The report concludes that despite the convenience Amazon provides, Americans may not comprehend the nature of the trade-off.
Another recent study, Home Sweet Home: Locals vs. Amazon, demonstrates the significant economic benefit that supporting independent businesses has on local communities. The study, conducted by Civic Economics and commissioned by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA), the Paint and Decorating Retailers Association, and Independent We Stand, specifically compares the impact of conducting business with independent hardware stores versus the sales of hardware and building materials through Amazon. It shows the substantial “local advantage” of indie stores over Amazon in terms of re-circulation of revenue back into the community.
Stacy Mitchell on Amazon's Stealth Invasion
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Haven’t independent bookstores all gone out of business?
A: Not at all!
There has been a renaissance in indie bookselling over the past five years. While not every bookstore or community has seen this growth, the national trends are clear: New stores are opening. There has been a 35 percent increase in the number of independent bookstore locations since 2009, existing stores are opening in new locations, and established stores are being successfully sold to new owners, often younger owners as a new generation of booksellers enters the industry.
Importantly, too, book sales are up across the indie channel. There have been consistent, modest sales gains for four years, and sales were up approximately eight percent in 2015.
All of this is a result of the fact that indie booksellers are a resilient and entrepreneurial group, offering customers a unique opportunity to discover great new titles and a closer connection with authors, fellow readers, and their community.
Q: But what about other indie businesses?
A: Independent businesses of all kinds are seeing growth. Here are just a few examples of the health of independent businesses in the U.S.:
- Indie coffee shops are opening locations at one-and-a-half times the rate of Starbucks,
- Over the last 10-plus years, the number of farmers markets has grown from 3,000 to almost 8.000,
- More than 1,400 small grocery and speciality food stores have opened nationwide,
- More than 4,277 new restaurants have opened over the past four years,
- Locally owned inns and B&Bs have booked a record number of stays over the past five-plus years,
- And more than 300 new pet stores have opened!
Without a doubt, such mega-companies such as Walmart and Amazon have continued to grow, and competition remains fierce, but in contrast to the grim reports of the 1990s and early 2000s, the rise of the localism movement and other factors has resulted in gains for indie businesses.
Q: I hear a lot about localism, but is it all just hype?
A: Certainly not.
The localism movement has become a major influence in the decisions of consumers regarding where they will make their purchases and spend their dollars. Nationally, literally millions of consumers are deciding to shop in a locally owned business because it is locally owned.
Q: That sounds great, but do you have facts to back that up?
Take a look at the growing success of Small Business Saturday, the Saturday after Black Friday. Sales have grown each year since the event started in 2012, and in 2015 total spending among U.S. consumers who were aware of Small Business Saturday increased by 14 percent, reaching $16.2 billion spent at indie retailers and restaurants.
Another great indicator is the annual post-holiday survey of independent businesses conducted by the national group Advocates for Independent Business. The national survey has reported positive growth numbers for the last nine years. The most recent survey–which gathered data from more than 3,200 businesses–showed brisk sales in 2015, with revenue growing at an average of 6.6 percent. Among indie retailers, revenue increased 4.7 percent, including a 3.1 percent increase during the holiday season. These indie retailers beat the results of many national chain retailers as well as overall holiday retail sales, which rose only 1.6 percent.
Communities with an active Local First or “buy local” campaign saw revenue growth among indie businesses of 7.4 percent in 2015, compared to 4.2 percent for those in communities without such an initiative. Two-thirds of respondents in cities with active campaigns said they were having a noticeable positive effect on their businesses, with one-third reporting new customers and 40 percent reporting an increase in collaboration and mutual support among local businesses as a result of the initiative.
Q: Isn’t Amazon.com’s success just a result of a superior business strategy?
Amazon has definitely pioneered online commerce and has excelled at providing a very engaging customer experience and executing the complex supply-chain steps of delivery purchases to consumers. But its success is not the result of that alone. Amazon has also greatly benefited from many years of resolute avoidance of sales tax collection on purchases, giving it an inequitable and potent strategic pricing advantage over bricks-and-mortar retailers that have complied with sales tax requirements. A recent study found that households in states where Amazon collects sales tax reduced their Amazon purchases by eight percent after sales taxes collection was implemented. The effect is more pronounced for large purchases, where the decline was 11 percent. This advantage is slowly coming to an end, but, over the years, it has cost states and cities billions of dollars in lost revenue, while forcing local retailers to compete with one hand tied behind their backs.
In addition, Amazon has demanded special tax rebates and subsidies to locate distribution centers in cities and towns across the nation. This despite the fact that Amazon destroys more jobs than it creates. Bricks-and-mortar retailers employ 47 people for every $10 million in sales, according to an analysis by the Institute for Local Self Reliance of U.S. Census data. (If you exclude chains and look only at independent retailers, the figure is even higher — 57 jobs.) But Amazon employs only 14 people per $10 million in revenue.
Q: I understand why Amazon’s growth has been tough on bricks-and-mortar businesses, but why is it bad for local communities?
A: Local communities prosper and thrive on local business.
A recent study commissioned by ABA from the research group Civic Economics clearly shows that what’s good for Amazon is not good for the overwhelming number of communities in the U.S. The study revealed that Amazon’s total nationwide sales tax gap in 2014 is an estimated $625 million, and the displacement of retail from local communities to the Internet exacts a large (and growing) cost of approximately $420 million in property taxes annually. This results in a total of more than $1 billion in revenue lost to state and local governments in just one year, a huge shortfall in the monies needed to support schools, libraries, first responders, and other key services.
Q: Are locally owned businesses better for my community?
A: Locally owned businesses are far better at creating long-lasting and healthy communities.
Several case studies have found that about $52 of every $100 you spend at locally owned stores stays in your community, supporting other businesses and jobs. (Local retailers buy many goods and services, like printing and accounting, from other local businesses; their employees spend most of their earnings locally; and so on.) That far outstrips the performance of Amazon.
Q: Isn’t Amazon opening distribution centers and creating jobs?
A: Yes, but the overall net effects on job creation are not positive.
Q: Now that Amazon is opening up bricks-and-mortar stores, won’t it be supporting Main Streets?
A: In only the most minimal fashion.
So far, Amazon has opened one physical location, in Seattle, and the company is keeping future plans under wraps. But even assuming a sustained rollout of stores, within a year or two the sales of Amazon’s stores would amount to about only 0.2 percent of its total U.S. retail sales revenue. The bulk of Amazon’s sales continue to be online, sales that, in the long run, are far less supportive of the financial and social health of communities than is a diverse mix of locally owned businesses.
Q: Are you saying that I shouldn’t make any online purchases?
A: Of course not. Indeed, most indie retailers have an online presence.
What we are saying is that your shopping decisions shape your community. Should Amazon achieve its goal of becoming “the everything store”–the dominant retailer across all categories–our hometowns will lose their diversity and vitality. Everyone appreciates low prices and convenience, but we also put a very high value on the local stores, restaurants, and businesses that make our communities unique, fun, and liveable.
In the end, where we spend does shape where we live.
Here's What You Just Did
- You kept dollars in our economy. An independent bookstore recirculates 28 percent of its money locally, whereas Amazon only recirculates 4 percent.
- You embraced what makes us unique. You wouldn’t want your house to look like everyone else’s in the U.S. So why would you want your community to look that way?
- You created local jobs. Local businesses are better at creating higher-paying jobs for our neighbors.
- You helped the environment. Buying from local businesses conserves fuel for transportation, requires less packaging, and means you get products you know are safe and well-made, because we stand behind them.
- You nurtured community. We know you, and you know us. Studies have shown that local businesses donate to community causes at more than twice the rate of chains and online retailers.
- You conserved your tax dollars. Shopping in a local business district means less infrastructure, less maintenance, and more money available to beautify our community. Also, spending locally instead of online ensures that your sales taxes are reinvested where they belong—right here in your community!
- You created more choice. We pick the items we sell based on what we know you like and want. Local businesses carry a wider array of unique products because we buy for our own individual market.
- You took advantage of our expertise. You are our friends and neighbors, and we have a vested interest in knowing how to serve you. We’re passionate about what we do. Why not take advantage of it?
- You invested in entrepreneurship. Creativity and entrepreneurship are what the American economy is founded upon. Nurturing local business ensures a strong community.
- You made us a destination. The more interesting and unique we are as a community, the more we will attract new neighbors and visitors. This benefits everyone!
Here's What Amazon Just Did
- In 2018, Amazon and third-party marketplace vendors sold $189 billion of retail goods in the U.S. Since estimates say third-party sellers likely collect and remit only between 14 percent and 33 percent of potential sales taxes to state and local authorities, this resulted in $5.5–$7 billion in uncollected sales taxes.
- In 2018, Amazon’s third-party marketplace sales displaced the equivalent of 62,410 storefronts and 412 million square feet of commercial space.
- In 2018, by avoiding sales tax and quashing the viability of local bricks-and-mortar retail, Amazon deprived thousands of communities of tax revenue necessary for schools, roads, and police and fire safety, as well as of vibrant downtowns and main streets.
- In 2018, Amazon produced a net loss of 700,000-plus retail jobs nationwide.
- Between 2014 and 2018, Amazon’s sales and operations accounted for a loss of more than $17 billion in sales tax revenue to state and local governments.
- Amazon received the benefits of local subsidies, tax breaks, road improvements, and other government considerations to build its distribution centers, notwithstanding the net loss in jobs, property taxes, and downtown vitality.
- Amazon achieved dominance over the book industry equivalent to Standard Oil’s share of the refined oil market just before it was broken up in 1911.*
- Amazon has cheapened the value of printed and electronic publishing, and dampened opportunities for new authors and diverse ideas, by discounting books to lower than wholesale price and bullying publishers and its marketplace sellers.
- Amazon isn’t involved in the communities where most of its customers live.
- In 2020, Amazon’s total sales and operations revenue have increased, meaning the above 2018 figures are likely to be understated.
Sources: Civic Economics, Prime Numbers: Amazon and American Communities, 2018
*Paul Krugman, “Amazon’s Monopsony Is Not O.K.” (New York Times, 2014)
Find out more
A selection of readings and resources concerning Amazon are available from the American Booksellers Association.


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New release Age of Wonders: Planetfall, alongside existing titles like Cities: Skylines, Hearts of Iron IV, Stellaris, and Surviving Mars, helped Paradox Interactive increase its revenue to SEK 282.6 million (~$29.1 million) for the quarter ending September 30, up 26 percent year-over-year.
Operating profit for the quarter is up 36 percent year-over-year, coming in at SEK 93.1 million (~$9.6 million) and up from last year’s SEK 68.3 million (~$7 million).
This quarter’s report also makes note of an unannounced externally developed project sold for SEK 80.0 million (~$8.3 million) during the quarter, amounting to a net loss of SEK 1.1 million (~$113,450).
Paradox CEO Ebba Ljungerud explains in the company’s quarterly report that Q3 continues the company’s strategy of “methodically building a portfolio of games with long lifespans and strong proprietary IPs,” and keeping interest and revenue for those titles alive through periodic paid expansion drops.
Part of those efforts, she notes, include expanding that same strategy to consoles. This latest quarter saw the launch of expansions for both Cities: Skylines and Stellaris on Xbox One and PlayStation 4, and across the past 9 months console games have generated 16 percent of Paradox’s overall SEK 908.0 (~$93.7 million) revenue for the year so far. Operating profit for those first 9 months of the 2019 fiscal year amounted to SEK 310.0 million (~$32 million), up 1 percent year-over-year as well.


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Experts say prickly pear cactus could help fight hunger in arid regions
Experts say the prickly pear cactus could help alleviate hunger in arid regions due to its ability to thrive in harsh conditions and its multiple uses.
“It’s impossible to describe how many things you can get out of this plant. I really believe it’s a miracle crop,” said Paolo Inglese, a professor at the Department of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences at the University of Palermo in Italy.
As climate change brings erratic rainfall and prolonged droughts, countries should look to the cactus pear, which can grow in desert-like conditions, experts said on Friday at the launch of a book on the plant.
Cactus pear plantations can function not only as a water reserve but also absorb carbon dioxide in arid and semi-arid regions, it added.
The cactus is already a well-established ingredient in Latin American cuisine, where it is eaten fresh, cooked, or pickled, however its use as fodder is less widespread.
The plant is now being cultivated in a handful of countries including Brazil, Ethiopia, South Africa, Jordan, Morocco and India, experts said.
Jose Dubeux Jr., associate professor at the University of Florida, said the cactus’s high water content was ideal for animal consumption in dry areas and could help conserve scarce water sources for humans.
Another benefit the experts told of was that they are easy to grow.
“If you take a cactus pad and you throw it like a Frisbee, it will land flat and make roots from whatever it is that touches the soil,” said Mounir Louhaichi, principal scientist at the International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA).
“It can grow anywhere. It doesn’t need irrigation because it’s made out of water. It makes use of marginal land,” he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation on the sidelines of the launch. “That’s why it’s a miracle plant.”
Publication date: 11/27/2017
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NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- Hardware stocks began to recover Thursday from bear-claw scratches sustained in the last three sessions, as investors warmed up to chip shares ahead of earnings from Dell Computer.
The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index ($SOX: news, msgs) tacked on gains of 3.1 percent, after suffering in the three-prior sessions. The Goldman Sachs Computer Hardware Index ($GHA: news, msgs) – a tracker of personal computer stock movement – crept up 0.9 percent.
Dell Computer will open its books on its first quarter, with analysts surveyed by First Call expecting the PC maker to earn 16 cents a share, which is flat with the year-earlier level. Dell (DELL) shares lost 1 ¼ to 43 11/16.
Hewlett-Packard (HWP), which will release its second-quarter results May 16, felt its stock slipped ¾ to 125 ½. IBM (IBM), meanwhile, mustered gains of 1 ¾ to 104 ¾.
In the chip sector, Applied Materials was one of the few losers as its shares slipped to 82 3/4 the day after it reported net income, excluding one-time items and the acquisition of Etec Systems, of $454 million, or 55 cents a share. That's up significantly from $140 million, or 18 cents, in the year-ago quarter. See related story. Analysts surveyed by First Call predicted the company (AMAT: news, msgs) would earn 55 cents a share.
Applied Materials said sales hit $2.19 billion, up 27 percent from $1.72 in the first quarter and up 87 percent from $1.17 billion in the year-ago period.
Intel (INTC) shares began to come back from a three-day losing streak. The world’s largest chipmaker gained 3 7/8 to 109 7/8 in recent trading. Intel plans to step up its Net push, when it launches its Internet Media Services Business, which will aid companies in the streaming of audio and video clips through its new broadcast operations centers. See related story.
Rival Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) advanced 2 5/16 to 82 ¼.
Memory component maker Micron Technology (MU) jumped 4 11/16, or 9 percent, 55.


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Time to reject the Tory scaremongering over Deposit Return Scheme
First the Tories backed a delay to Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme, then they wanted it sped up, now today they are calling for it to be stopped.
What a reckless message this sends out to the hundreds of business who have quietly invested millions in the scheme.
Reverse Vending Machines are being ordered, product packaging is being re-configured, staff training programmes rolled out, new jobs are being created.
But this Tory flip flopping and scaremongering on DRS doesn’t just stop there. Because over recess the dream team of Fergus Ewing and Maurice Golden hatched a letter claiming DRS would actually be bad for the environment.
How will it be bad for the environment when it has been shown that the scheme will reduce carbon emissions by 4 million tonnes over 25 years.
How will it be bad for the environment when it will reduce litter by a third?
But so much can change in a week in politics and on the Tories have flipped again now claiming DRS will actually be good for the environment, but just not yet. Not this scheme. Now is not the time.
We have heard it all before.
We are being told to wait for the UK Government to make a decision on an English scheme which won’t include glass, despite glass having the biggest carbon impact and causing injuries to people, pets and wildlife as litter.
The English scheme is being kicked down the road to October 2025 at the earliest, DEFRA has even publicly undermined that launch date, effectively handing big business the veto on any progress.
Right now it’s the big business polluters who aren’t paying, the Scottish DRS ensures that they will pay rather than consumers.
In fact industry is making consumers pay twice. Once at the shop for the drink and then again through tax to pay for councils to collect bottles and cans, while the cost of littering again falls onto the taxpayer.
DRS will cut costs for councils. All councils will benefit from reduced collection costs.
I recently visited a plastic film recycling enterprise in Fife which if scaled up could take most of Scotland’s film, but right now council kerbside collections are full to the brim with plastic bottles and cans much of which cannot be easily recycled back to food grade material.
DRS will create space in our bins for councils to innovate and expand the range and volume of materials recycled, increasing recycling rates.
Any scheme as ambitious as Scotland’s DRS will have issues to iron out at the beginning, but the concerns of small independent retailers and producers are being addressed. The announcement by Circularity Scotland on Tuesday addresses the cashflow issues and provides a simple labelling solution for those producing less than 25,000 units a year.
Registration fees have been waved for those with less than £85k turnover, producer fees have been reduced by 40% and handling fees payable to retailers have been increased to help them adapt to the scheme.
Other tweaks to online takeback requirements and the exemption of glass returns for some food handling businesses are also being made.
It is time to reject the Tory scaremongering and join dozens of countries around the world who are helping to save their environment through deposit return schemes.
I’m proud it will be Scottish Greens in government delivering Scotland’s first Deposit Return Scheme.
Care about climate? Join the Scottish Greens today
Image Credit: Michel Faklis


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Egyptian jeweller Azza Fahmy is to launch in the UK with the brand having just signed up to a store in luxury shopping-location-cum-tourist-destination Burlington Arcade as London remains a key focus for high-end brands.
Japanese online marketplace Mercari is planning to go public in June, according to local media reports on Friday. The app-based e-tailer sells domestically, in the US and the UK, and will use funds to expand globally.
Slated for Tranoï, which debuts this Friday, Arche - known for its shoes sprinkled in colour - will celebrate 50 years with a new pop-up store that will travel across four capitals, reflecting its international acclaim.
Coty has launched an on-demand digital personal beauty assistant for the Amazon Echo Show in the UK. Digital innovation with a focus on voice and virtual assistants to be central to company's future strategy
Isabel Marant has launched a menswear collection and a good look at the clothes tells you one of three things: the clothes have all the practical rocker cool and bohemian gypsy groove that one expects from Marant.


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The brand new Apple Watch is ready for release into the market in autumn, as Apple sets to move on from supply chain challenges of the past.
Reports from the Chinese owned Economic Daily News website indicate that the release date for the Apple Watch Series 3 is quarter three of 2017. The Watch, which comes with a series of improved features and upgrades, follows the last Apple model released just three months ago.
It is not thought however that the new device will appear significantly different from previous models in terms of features or included services. The main difference will be the hardware and battery life improvements which will positively affect overall performance. In simple terms this will hopefully mean that the processor for the new Watch will be more powerful and efficient and users will not be inconvenienced by low battery life.
A launch date speculated between July and September falls in line with Apple’s previous releases as they forge ahead in collaboration with Quanta Computer – the company contracted to manufacture the new device.
Apple witnessed a 71 per cent decrease in its sales of wearables in late 2016, compared with the previous year and is keen to re-establish a foothold in the wearables market.
A summary view saw Apple’s share of the overall smartwatch market reducing to just 4.9 per cent in the quarter ending September 2016, in contrast to 17.5 per cent in 2015.
In spite of poorer than anticipated sales Apple remains optimistic about its potential in the wearable technology sector and in the sector itself. These positive remarks come amidst claims by analysts that the company sold approximately 7.5 million Apple Watches in 2016 – a figure much less than forecasted.
It is difficult to speculate on current sales figures of the new device as Apple don’t disclose figures for their wearable device category but according to Tim Cook, CEO, sales are “doing great”.
In conjunction with the announcement of the new Apple Watch (in September 2016), Apple took the opportunity to introduce its newest version of Wearable software – Watch OS 3.0. This upgrade enabled consumers to get more benefit from their device with improved interactivity and easier navigation. Users are now able to keep an eye on their fitness activities, check their calendars for notifications and send/receive messages.
Photo credit: Apple.com


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Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) has won the rights to stream a prequel for the popular television show “Breaking Bad.” The company made a joint announcement with Sony Pictures Television about the show, which will be called “Better Call Saul.”
Netflix gets exclusive rights to “Better Call Saul”
Members of Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX)’s streaming video services in Europe and Latin America will have exclusive streaming access to the “Breaking Bad” spinoff shortly after the show airs, starting in 2014. In the U.S. and Canada, the full first season of “Better Call Saul” will be available right after the season finale airs on AMC Networks. This makes Netflix the only streaming television service provider in all of its territories which will have the rights to stream the show.
“Better Call Saul” tells about Saul Goodman’s past
The new show focuses on Saul Goodman, a lawyer from “Breaking Bad,” in the time before he started working as Walter White’s lawyer. He took on a variety of cases. White is a chemistry teacher in “Breaking Bad” who was diagnosed with terminal cancer and turns to making methamphetamines, eventually becoming a drug lord.
“Breaking Bad” quickly became one of the most popular shows on television. According to Ted Sarandos, chief content officer of Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX), the show was very popular with subscribers of their service all around the globe. He said in a statement that the spinoff of the show “promises to continue its tradition of powerful storytelling.”
Netflix focuses on content
Today’s announcement is one of many Netflix has made over the last year or so. The company has been focused on signing exclusive content in an attempt to make its services more attractive than those of its competitors. As a result, the company has recorded meaningful growth, and its share price has more than tripled over the past year.


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#kamisukareview – realm is ready to launch the realm C15, their monster battery smartphone to Indonesia and the first time in the world. This is the HP realm with 6000mAh battery which is supported by 18W Quick Charge. Really a brave step from vendors who are still the category of onions. Salute!
realm shows commitment to meet diverse and specific user demands in the entry-level segment with trendsetting technology in the battery & charging technology and trendsetting design sector.
HP C15 realme large battery claimed the vendor will lead the monster battery trend in the smartphone industry by presenting a combination of 6000mAh + 18W quick charge for the first time to meet user demand for large batteries and fast charging.
6000mAh Cellphone and 18W Charger
One interesting note, this HP will be launched on July 28 in Indonesia as the first country in the world through live streaming titled # 6000mAh PowerNonstop. And, Iqbaal Ramadhan, Brand Ambassador of Indonesian realm, will be present at the launching event for the first time.
He will invite young people to take part in the # 6000mAhPowerNonstop TikTok Dance competition which has a C15 reality prize and other interesting prizes. In the entry-level segment, realm is always trying to make smartphone users in this segment use their smartphones optimally.
This cellphone is the perfect combination of a 6000mAh mega battery and 18W Quick Charge. This product is the right answer for fans' requests for a large battery that is durable and equipped with fast charging.
Just for the info, realm itself has experienced rapid growth amidst the current challenges. Through its C series, Realme has created a “Entry-Level King” product to meet the diverse demands of users in this segment.
the C-series realm is highly praised for its quality with a large battery, large screen and trendy design among young people. Now, the C-series realm has been used by more than 13 million users worldwide, as proof that entry-level realm smartphones are well received.
“In reality, we are always committed to bringing trendsetting technology to all segments, including entry-level segments. Today, I am very pleased to announce that we will launch the C15 realm for the first time globally.
“Bringing a 6000mAh + 18W Quick Charge mega battery combination to Indonesia. This is all we do because we hear and want to meet the needs of smartphone users in Indonesia for long battery life with fast charging technology, “said Palson Yi – Marketing Director of Realme Indonesia.
C15 realm specifications
For the first time, the reality of combining a large battery with 18W Quick Charge increases charging speed and reduces charging time compared to other large battery smartphones without a fast charging solution.
Indonesia was specifically chosen to be the first country in the world to enjoy the technological sophistication that HP brings. realm will also present trendsetting technology and other trendsetting designs in the C1 realm.
From the camera sector, for example, this HP will be the first entry-level smartphone to carry quad-camera technology. The quad-camera configuration has also been redesigned in a trendy box module which has been liked by many users in the previous C series reality.
This large battery cellphone will be launched for the first time globally in Indonesia with the theme “6000mAh Power Nonstop” on July 28 at 13:00 WIB via live broadcasts from the Indonesian channel YouTube realm, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and realme.com.
Realme has created an energetic choreography and invited young people across Indonesia to join the # 6000mAh PowerNonstop Dance Competition at TikTok. This competition will take place from July 22 to August 8 with abundant prizes.
To take part in the # 6000mAhPowerNonstop Dance competition in TikTok, young people only need to follow the # 6000mAhPowerNonstop dance movement from the realm and upload the video on a private TikTok account with the hashtag # 6000mAhPowerNonstop during the period.
On the day of its release, the latest HP realm will soon be available on the online platform http://realme.com/en, Lazada and Akulaku. Realme also invites customers to collect vouchers for a limited period at realme.com/id and Lazada from 21 – 28 July.


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Britney Spears likes to shop! Alert the media!
Even though Britney has been put on shopping lockdown by daddy, she’s spending money like it grows on trees. But if you were Britney, wouldn’t you be doing the same thing?
In Touch Weekly reports:
She recently shelled out nearly $750,000 to completely renovate her Calabasas, Calif., home — including $150,000 on new furniture, $200,000 on artwork, $100,000 on a new bathroom, $150,000 on electronics and even close to $100,000 on Venetian plaster walls.
A friend said, “Britney remodeled her entire home. She loves spending money and was able to persuade her father to give it to her.”
I guess she could’ve offered to up his salary to look the other way?


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Since news of the Central Bank of Nigeria broke on starting an E-Naira Digital Currency went viral, it had been greeted with mixed reactions from various quarters, and the reason is not far-fetched.
A few months ago, the federal government ordered Nigerian commercial banks not to allow any of their customer use them for any crypto transaction.
As a result of the law, many customers bank accounts were frozen and innovation averse.
However, some Nigerians are clamouring that the FG partners with Professor Archbishop Sam Zuga who has successfully raised his currency Zugacoin to the most expensive and popular coin in Africa.
“Now that they have decided to go into Cryptocurrency, it would be very patriotic for them to officially involve the leader of Cryptocurrency in Africa who happens to be from Nigeria because eventually, the E-NAIRA must run on a blockchain platform. Therefore, if they partner with the CEO of Sam Zuga, they will even be given a cheaper access fee compared to the ones from other countries.
Instead of paying access fee into the foreign economy, it would be more beneficial if they use Sam Zuga’s Blockchain.
The money will stay within our financial ecosystem thereby boosting our economy. The Buhari administration have to do everything to use home grown technology for the ongoing cryptocurrency plan. By so doing, they will mitigate against foreign manipulation and control of E-NAIRA. Austin Ntukogu stated.
It should also be noted that ZUGACOIN is now on 3 different Blockchains, Ethereum, Binance and Samzuga Blockchain.
This is also coming after the first Blockchain Main Net in Africa was successfully Launched by the first professor of Digital Economy in the world, Archbishop Sam Zuga.


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The iCloud Runs on Sunlight
Apple builds another solar farm to keep data centers green
On Monday, Apple Inc. reached an agreement with the city of Claremont, North Carolina, to annex 100 acres of land for the installation of solar panels.
Initial construction of the 17.5-megawatt solar farm will cost Apple $55 million, as the company takes further steps to make good on its promise to keep all of its data centers powered by 100 percent renewable energy. This will be Apple’s third solar farm in North Carolina; two previous installations are already fully operational in Catawba County.
This environmentally conscious approach has long been championed by CEO Tim Cook, whose “green” mentality has even managed to placate the perennial guardians of our planet at Greenpeace International.
As reported in the Hickory Record, the Cupertino-based tech giant will create roughly 75 temporary jobs for construction of its solar plant, which Apple has agreed to source locally, if possible.


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Google has agreed to pay Motorola Mobility $2.5 billion if its planned acquisition of the cell phone vendor fails to close, Bloomberg claims. The report cites an anonymous source as having revealed the figure, which Bloomberg says is more than six times the typical breakup fee for such deals. Google announced on Monday that it plans to acquire Android smartphone and tablet vendor Motorola Mobility for $12.5 billion. While the proposed deal would give Google complete control over future Android device experiences, it would also add approximately 25,000 patents to the tech giant’s portfolio as it prepares to do battle with the likes of Apple and Microsoft. These patents are seemingly so important to Google that it is willing to part with a massive sum should its acquisition fail to get necessary approval. “A high reverse breakup fee shows the buyer’s confidence of getting the deal done,” Donna Hitscherich, a senior lecturer in finance at Columbia Business School, told Bloomberg. “People don’t do deals to get the breakup fee, they do them to get the deals done.”
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Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has revealed a new Volkswagen Crafter police riot van conversion, which made its debut at The Commercial Vehicle (CV) Show 2019.
The unique Police Support Unit (PSU) features new ‘unbreakable’ plastic for the front windscreen, a prison cell in the rear and a bespoke racking solution for riot equipment.
The blue light conversion, carried out by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ Accredited Blue Light Conversion Partner Coleman Milne Specialist Vehicles in Wigan, uses the five-tonne, long wheelbase Volkswagen Crafter in Trendline trim as the base vehicle. Under the bonnet is the 2.0-litre 170 PS diesel engine.
The riot van transformation includes additional seating for seven people in the rear alongside a half width prison cell. A unique storage system has been developed to store riot shields, helmets and other police equipment.
The Crafter body panels have been modified to add new side windows while the front windscreen has been adapted to replace the standard glass with a new strong and flexible reinforced plastic that’s resistant to impact. The new ‘unbreakable’ KASIGLAS® mar-protect material means the riot van no longer requires a regular metal guard screen protector helping to reduce weight and improve driver visibility.
Steven Cowell, Technical Sales Manager at Volkswagen Group Fleet Services, said, “We’re delighted to reveal our latest blue light conversion – a riot van based on the long wheelbase Volkswagen Crafter – after months of hard work by our dedicated team alongside our Accredited Blue Light Conversion Partner, Coleman Milne. Following its much anticipated debut at the CV Show 2019, the PSU will be put into service across the country supporting police forces in their vital roles.”
Public sector fleets, like police forces or ambulance services, often require specialist conversions. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles offers a range of conversions to the Crown Commercial Service purchasing framework for different operational purposes through its expert in-house Technical Sales Manager alongside Recognised Partners.
The Volkswagen Crafter PSU will be on display on Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ stand at the CV Show 2019, which runs from April 30 to May 2 at the NEC Birmingham, before taking its place on the brand’s blue light demo fleet for police forces to loan and trial.


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Costco is expected to open the firm's sixth East Valley store next fall near Chandler Fashion Center.
The Chandler location marks a coup for the city's economic development leaders, who long ago identified the company as a desirable commercial resident.
"We've been trying to attract them since the early ’90s," said Garrett Newland, Chandler's economic development director.
The 150,000 square-foot store is slated to be built on 14 acres at the southeast corner of Chandler Village Drive South and Galleria Way, south of the mall and Target Greatland, said Jeff Kurtz, Chandler's planning manager.
Company officials have submitted initial plans to the Planning and Zoning Commissionplanning and zoning department. The project must receive the approval of both the Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Council before construction begins, Kurtz said.
If approved, its arrival will create a total of than 3 million square feet of retail space within the commercial area that includes the mall and surrounding power centers, Newland said.
Not only will it create jobs, but sales tax revenue generated from the store is expected to be substantial, Newland said. The membership-based warehouse outlet caters to small businesses and individuals, offering a range of electronics, clothing and grocery items as well as financial, optical and pharmacy services at discounted prices. Membership costs either $45 or $100 annually, depending on the services desired.
The store would join five others in the East Valley, including outlets on Country Club Drive in Gilbert, Elliot Road in Tempe, which has both Costco and Costco Home stores, Power Road in Mesa and Hayden Road in Scottsdale.
The Chandler store will also keep city dollars within the local economy, because "all the Costco shoppers in Chandler have been going to other communities," Newland said.
Costco's direct competitor in the membership-based warehouse industry is Sam's Club, operated by Bentonville, Ark.-based Wal-Mart.


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If you’ve been thinking about replacing your old refrigerator with a new one, now is a good time to do it. Under new energy efficiency standards released earlier this year by the U.S. Department of Energy, refrigerators, depending upon the model, can be up to 25 percent more efficient compared to refrigerators made just 10 years ago!
Jill Notini, AHAM’s Vice President of Communications & Marketing, spoke with ShopSmart about the new standards and how consumers can save money in the long term.
“Refrigerators that comply with the latest energy efficiency standards will use 20 to 25 percent less energy,?? says Jill Notini, vice president of communications for the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM). All told, the energy consumption of an average refrigerator has dropped more than 50 percent since 1990. “It now takes less energy to power a 22-cubic foot refrigerator than to keep a 50-wattlight bulb on all day,?? Notini says.
Notini also notes that not only may you be eligible for a rebate from your utility company or the government, but your old refrigerator will be recycled so you’ll be helping the environment too.
You might even be able to cash in on your old fridge. Check with your utility company or the rebate finder on Energystar.gov for rebate programs in your area. “Some programs are paying as much as $75 for turning in an older working refrigerator and clipping the cord so it’s officially off the grid,?? Notini says. Your old refrigerator isn’t going to waste in a landfill for hundreds of years. “The metal gets recycled and reused,?? Notini says.


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Skoda Auto India Private Limited
Skoda Auto delivered 620900 cars globally in the first half of 2019, claims the company in a release.
Skoda Rapid Rider limited-edition sedan is available with a 1.6-litre MPI petrol engine.
Skoda delivered 104,900 vehicles globally in May 2019, lowering the number by 6.6 per cent compared to corresponding month last year
According to the company, dealers will now be able to loan specialized tools and equipment whenever necessitated.
The current situation in the automotive industry as well as the pressure regarding costs and investments are primarily the result of legal changes and regulatory measures.
The Sokda Vision RS is 4,356 millimetres long and 1,810 millimetres wide, with a height of just 1,431 millimetres and a wheelbase of 2,650 millimetres.
The insurer rejected a car theft claim on the grounds that the driver left the vehicle unlocked. The consumer forum ordered it to pay Rs 5.22 lakh along with compensation of Rs 40,000 to the owner.
Skoda Auto plans to re-enter the volume segments and part of strategic role Skoda plays in the VW Group's future plans, the world's largest automobile group has given responsibility to evaluate a global architecture for cost-sensitive markets.
The homegrown auto major is seeking to share its new vehicle platform AMP with potential partner to bring volume and create economies of scale, while also creating access to new technologies keeping in mind future opportunities in the Indian market, he said.
Based on intense and constructive discussions, both the companies have jointly concluded that the envisioned areas of partnership may not yield the desired synergies as originally assessed. Nevertheless, the two companies have decided to keep in touch for future areas of collaborations.
Prior to Skoda, the 53-year-old was Head of Exterior Design for the Volkswagen brand. Stefani studied design in Braunschweig and Pasadena (California). He has worked for different models of Volkswagen in last ten years.
Skoda Auto was supposed to take the lead on behalf of the Volkswagen group and work towards development of vehicle concepts in the economy segment.
The 2018 edition of the Indian Auto Expo will be held at Greater Noida in February and the event is organised by industry body Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam) and business chamber CII.
Rao will serve his term until 30th June and the Czech car maker, a subsidiary of Volkswagen is likely to fill the vacancy created by his exit with an Indian executive.
In April, the brand performed particularly well in Central Europe (+13.7%) and Eastern Europe (+11.4%). Škoda expects further impetus for growth from its new Škoda Karoq compact SUV, according to a company statement. The new model will be celebrating its world premiere on 18 May in Stockholm.
Sources said Tata Motors’ advanced modular platform (AMP) could be one of the routes that could be explored for new products. The highly-flexible platform can produce a variety of vehicle types even as it offers a high degree of commonality of parts across product lines.
Sales of cars, utility vehicles and vans increased more than 9% in fiscal 2017, show data released by companies. That was the fastest pace of expansion in seven years, and auto makers expect the momentum to gain strength this year with growth possibly crossing over to double digits.
"The contractual framework and guidelines for a strategic cooperation between the Volkswagen Group and Tata Motors will be examined and defined in detail over the coming months."
Volkswgen Tiguan will compete with the likes of Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour which are priced in the range of Rs 25.92 lakh to up to Rs 31.12 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).
Paradigms are shifting and gears changing as the auto industry prepares to sell more in tough times.


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Grizzly Toy Instruction Sheet
Cooler Master has announced the release of ELV8 – a universal holder for video cards.
It seems that the Radeon RX 5500 may come out much earlier than anticipated. Such information was published by VideoCardz, indicating October 7 as the release date..
Bobby Prince, the composer who wrote the music for the games Doom, Doom 2, Wolfenstein 3D and Duke Nukem 3D, recently sued Gearbox Interactive and Valve due to copyright infringement on the use of music in the Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour.
A couple of weeks ago, Apple introduced its new iPad 7 tablet.


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China electronics site FocalPrice attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors during its three year anniversary last month.
Online PR News – 07-July-2011 – – Shenzhen, China(www.onlineprnews.com)July 6, 2011:Roughly 64,000 people flocked to China consumer goods store FocalPrice during its three year anniversary, according to the statistics revealed by Vincent Lee, Public Relations manager for FocalPrice.
China electronics dropshipper FocalPrice opened for business on June 22, 2008 and it celebrated its three year anniversary last month. The shop launched dozens of activities to celebrate its three year anniversary including guessing its birthday, sharing and winning.
According to Mr. Lee, people from all over the world flocked to FocalPrice on the first day of the anniversary.
Vincent Lee said, “Visitors came from every corner of the world, from Malaysia to Argentina, Ecuador. The number of visitors went beyond our previous estimate. One fifth of the total flocked to FocalPrice on the first day.”
Vincent Lee also added that, “The number of comments also went up to 10,000. People expressed their feelings about FocalPrice and some people said they kept a constant eye on all the changes FocalPrice had made in the past years.”
Looking ahead to the future of FocalPrice, Mr. Lee said, FocalPrice would make all efforts to be the second world largest online supplier succeeding Amazon.
“FocalPrice has established the mission of being the second largest online supplier after Amazon. We will never give up on the road to success,” said Mr. Lee.
FocalPrice is one of China's leading online consumer goods stores, with more than 70,000 products across approximately 100 categories including consumer electronics, computer accessories, video games, iPod & iPhone accessories, flashlight and communications products in stock with unbeatable prices and worldwide free shipping service for all products.
Find more about consumer electronics store FocalPrice or paste this link into your browser: http://www.focalprice.com/?utm_source=SM&utm_medium=PR&utm_campaign=SM_PR_FP13


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By Sam Blum
The CDC determined the cause of the burrito peddler’s latest food borne illness outbreak.
Chipotle’s latest food-borne illness outbreak was by and large the biggest in its history, with more than 600 people claiming they fell ill after dining at a lone outpost in Powell, Ohio earlier this month. The chain’s latest brush with food poisoning and its newest PR headache garnered headlines and alarm because the cause of the outbreak was initially a mystery.
Read more from MSN…
By: FOX4News.com Staff
Videos out of The Colony and Plano show bobcats on the prowl in neighborhoods. And while they won’t go after humans, they are a danger to small pets.
Wildlife experts say this is a prime time of the year where you’re likely to see bobcats.
Dan McNew was on citizen patrol last week near South Colony and Blair Oaks in The Colony when he caught video of a bobcat creeping.
Read more and watch the video from Fox4News…
By Hayley Peterson
© Hollis Johnson/Business Insider
- Chipotle closed a restaurant in Powell, Ohio, on Monday following reports that customers got sick after eating there.
- More than 170 people said they fell ill after eating at the restaurant, according to reports made to the website iwaspoisoned.com.
- The local health department said that it received illness reports from seven customers on Sunday and Monday and that it sent officials to the Chipotle restaurant on Monday for an inspection only to find the restaurant closed.
- Chipotle had two to five staff members call off work while citing illness on Sunday and Monday, the company told health officials.
Read more from MSN…
By: FOX 13 News staff
TAMPA (FOX 13) – There has been a string of voluntary recalls due to salmonella fears recently, and while federal officials have identified the possible source, they say it could mean future recalls.
After recalls for Ritz crackers, Goldfish crackers, Swiss rolls and Hungry-Man frozen dinners, the Food and Drug Administration is warning that more recalls for possible salmonella contamination could be ahead.
The FDA says they believe the recalled product contain a common ingredient supplied by Associated Milk Producers. Officials said it is likely that other food products containing the same ingredient could be recalled in the coming days.
Read more from FOX 4 News…
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert due to concerns that products may be contaminated with salmonella from whey powder that has been recalled by the producer of the ingredient.
The whey powder is an FDA-regulated product that is being voluntarily recalled by the producer, Associated Milk Producers, Inc. (AMPI). Additional FSIS-regulated products containing the recalled whey powder may be added to this public health alert as more information becomes available.
Read more from FOX4 News…
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.– A woman has a warning for everyone who gets pedicures -watch out for illegal callus scrapers.
Tracy Lynn Martinez shared her story on Facebook and the post has gone viral.
What started as a normal pedicure turned into something much more dangerous.
Read more from WFAA…
No one wants their credit card information “skimmed” when paying at the pump. Here are a few tips and tricks from the Texas Agriculture Department to avoid becoming a victim of credit card thieves while fueling up!
There is only ONE REASON you should ever leave a dog in a hot car, and Alan from Grapevine Animal Shelter and Adoption Center is about to show you why. In addition to the dangers of hot cars, please keep in mind that streets, sidewalks, and patios can also damage your pets’ paws, so please be mindful of the heat. If you aren’t comfortable walking barefoot, neither will your best friend. Stay cool, Grapevine!
Posted by David Reimer
An excessive heat warning has been issued for the Concho Valley, Big Country, North Texas, and portions of Central Texas. These locations all easily made it into the 100s Wednesday and could be warmer the next two days. Peak afternoon temperatures of 106-113 degrees are expected. Temperatures will be slow to cool after sunset with the 90s continuing into the pre-dawn hours. Lows will probably not make it below 80 degrees until this weekend.
Read more from Texas Storm Chasers…
Your car is more likely to be stolen in the summer months, and the top reason in North Texas is from people leaving keys in the car.
Why is that great news? Because you can prevent it from happening!
To learn more, click HERE.


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Simple, one of the first mobile-only banks in the U.S, is in the midst of rethinking its customer experience to keep pace with new expectations. To do this, it’s querying its customer base to understand pain points, an effort led by former Tesla executive Moin Moinuddin, who joined the company as vice president of engineering …Read More
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Retailers are now taking advantage of digital marketing to capitalise on mobile traffic, a study has found.
Results from a recent Shop.org/Forrester Research investigation found that almost nine in ten (87 per cent) online retailers have either implemented or are planning to implement mobile email optimisation this year.
On top of this, seven in ten look set to optimise paid search for smartphones (71 per cent) and tablets (73 per cent).
Recruiters should aim to look for staff who have wide knowledge of digital marketing, as the technology is becoming more and more important in the sector.
If companies hire experts with such prowess, they could benefit from productivity gains and see a significant boost in market performance.
Forrester’s study also covered an array of digital platforms, with email and search being where four out of five retailers are most likely to invest more this year than last, indicating that retailers need to understand how to balance investments and resources.
As well as this, many retailers are altering their staff in order to bolster marketing budget allocations for search and email.
Furthermore, some 40 per cent of retailers plan to hire for open positions in marketing analytics in 2013, showing how organisations must wrestle down volumes of marketing data to develop more effective interactions.
The study also found that almost three-quarters (72 per cent) will invest in integrating video on their sites this year, whereas another 62 per cent have said that recommendations and personalisation features will be a priority.
Shop.org executive director Vicki Cantrell said: “As consumer adoption of smartphones and tablets in the United States reaches critical mass, retailers know that their marketing mix has to work optimally for all customer touchpoints now.
“Email has always been one of most effective customer retention vehicles in the market, so it’s no surprise to see retailers investing to make email engaging and relevant for the increasingly mobile consumer.”
Posted by Jon Aspinell on 22nd February 2013
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Intel Expects Atom “Bay Trail-T” Based Tablets to Cost $150 or Less.
“We believe what [Bay Trail platforms] really does it allows us to get into these markets that we are not in, in a big way today. [There will be] tablets [at] $199 and below, some you are going to see even lower, below $150 and much below that as we go through the holiday season. So, Bay Trail, really first and foremost we believe gives solid performance, solid battery life relative to the competition in price points and markets that were simply not in, in a big way today,” said Brian Krzanich, chief executive officer of Intel, during quarterly conference call with financial analysts.
Intel will officially launch Atom processor Z-series for Bay Trail-T platforms designed for tablets between August 28, 2013, and September 13, 2013, according to an excerpt from an Intel document published earlier this month.


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- Cristina J. Orgaz @cjorgaz
- BBC News World
It’s a long-term fight and no one wants to be left behind. Some already say that the metaverse is the future of the internet. Others believe that there is still much to define.
Whether it becomes a full reality in a few years remains to be seen. But the bet of the big technology companies for this parallel digital universe is generating large trading operations on Wall Street.
The last to jump into the race has been Microsoft, which announced this week a millionaire agreement to take over Activision Blizzard, one of the main video game companies of the world.
Among its most popular titles are Candy Crush, Call of Duty, Warcraft o Overwatch.
Microsoft will disburse US$70,000 million approximately the largest acquisition in its history, which at the same time is also the largest ever carried out in the video game industry.
Short term, the Xbox video game platform could incorporate some of the most popular titles worldwide and would add a huge number of players.
Activision has nearly 400 million active users monthly in 190 countries and franchises valued in billions of dollars.
In the battle to attract more players to their platforms, these exclusive titles and experiences are crucial.
But in the long run, as Microsoft acknowledged, puts it in a good position to become one of the companies that leads the development of the metaverse and attract the business that can be generated there.
“This acquisition will accelerate the growth of Microsoft’s gaming business and provide building blocks for the metaverse,” the US company said in its statement.
Bloomberg Intelligence calcula que the market opportunity for the metaverse may reach $800 billion by 2024, hence no one wants to give up their piece of the pie.
“It’s a strategic operation. It reflects the positioning that the big companies are taking regarding the metaverse”, Víctor Alvargonzález, from Nextep, an independent financial advisory service, explains to BBC Mundo.
“Those who create the best virtual spaces will be the winners and to date those who are experts in creating these digital worlds are the video game companies,” he adds.
In this sense, the analyst estimates that in the coming months we will see more operations of this type, in which the big technology companies are gradually buying “the partners of the metaverse”, as Alvargonzález says.
That is, small companies specializing in one of the technologies needed to build virtual spaces.
From cloud computing to graphics, microchips or reality glasses augmented with which this parallel universe will be accessed.
Ben Laidler, Global Markets Strategist at eToro, thinks exactly the same.
“Microsoft’s $68.7 billion offer for video game developer Activision Blizzard is a move that change the rules of the game. Speed up the race to the metaverse and will drive more acquisitions in the gaming sector,” says the strategist.
Furthermore, the operation shows the enormous financial capacity of large technology companies which could allow them to close more such deals.
“The offering represents a strong validation and acceleration of the new world of virtual reality. Major investments are occurring in it from the biggest names in technology.”
The investment team of the manager Value Partners Group stated that “although the metaverse is in its early stages of development, it has become a hot topic in the last year.”
And remember that top tech leaders like Meta (former Facebook), Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, Baidu, Alibaba y Tencent They have already announced various investments in this field.
It is planned that avatar devices VR (virtual reality) and AR (augmented reality) are the main entrances to the metaverse.
“As technology leaders get more involved in the platform, there will be an increase in demand for related hardware upgrades, which will drive sales and advancement of virtual reality and augmented reality equipment“.
“Surely the metaverse will become one of the most important investment themes in 2022“, adds the Value Partners Group team.
This deal comes a year after Microsoft purchased another influential game company, Bethesda, for US$7.5 billion.
In fact, In the last two decades, Microsoft has made acquisitions in various fields ranging from mobile telephony (Nokia) to software development platforms (GitHub) and social networks (LinkedIn).
The deal is expected to be completed during fiscal year 2023, as the transaction is pending approval by the relevant legal bodies, Microsoft said in its press release.
Activision Blizzard’s problems
Activision Blizzard has spent the last few months dealing with a handful of lawsuits and claims about their supposedly toxic work environment.
In September, the gaming giant announced that it had reached an $18 million settlement agreement with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
The watchdog sued the company after a three-year investigation into the culture of your workplace.
However, the EEOC’s case is just one of several.
Remember that you can receive notifications from BBC Mundo. Download our app and activate them so you don’t miss our best content.
Eddie is an Australian news reporter with over 9 years in the industry and has published on Forbes and tech crunch.


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Belarus: Inflation drops in August
September 9, 2016
In August, consumer prices fell 0.2% over the previous month, which contrasted July’s 0.4% increase and marked the lowest reading since August 2009. The figure mainly reflected lower prices for food, while prices for services were broadly stable and prices for non-food goods increased slightly, according to the National Statistical Committee.
Inflation receded in August to 11.8% from 12.2% in July. Annual average inflation stabilized at July’s over-five-year low of 12.1% in August. The month-on-month variation in the core consumer price index—which excludes prices for more volatile goods, such as seasonal products and government regulated goods—inched down from 0.6% in July to 0.5%. Core inflation jumped from July’s 6.7% to 7.2%.


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TBS’ “Very Funny” brand is simple, but it gets the point across: TBS is the place to go for viewers looking to laugh.
Creating that brand wasn’t as obvious as it may now seem. Molly Battin, senior VP of brand development and digital platforms for TBS, TNT and Turner Classic Movies, started by examining exactly what consumers were looking for.
“We identified viewers that loved comedy with characters and stories to which they could relate. There was a perfect alignment between these viewers and our comedy lineup of Seinfeld, Friends, Everybody Loves Raymond and Sex and the City, and there was no one filling that void for them,” she says.
“So we put a stake in the ground and said, 'We are going to stand for funny,” she adds. “We are going to become the authorities for funny.’”
From that stance, and plenty of research, emerged two notable branding campaigns. First, TBS launched a series of spots in which fictional people phone a call center inside the made-up TBS Headquarters, present their potentially comedic situations, and get an evaluation. TBS then extended that idea into the “Department of Humor Analysis,” complete with clever on-air spots and an elaborate digital extension at www.tbshumorstudy.com. The campaign, featuring John Cleese, went on to win the Cannes Golden Lion Award.
“It evolved into something bigger than even we thought it would be,” says the Princeton (B.A.) and Northwestern (MBA) graduate. “We took the brand and married it to our programming. That really put a place and a face on the network.”
Says Turner Entertainment Networks President Steve Koonin, “Molly has an incredible ability to take a complex problem and make it simple. At TBS, Molly looked backwards before she looked forwards. And she’s an excellent gambler: She knows how to take an intelligent risk. When she’s told to get something done, I tell her once, and that’s the last time I worry about it.”
Since the “Very Funny” campaign launched in 2004, the network has become more aggressive about creating original comedy series to accompany its syndicated sitcoms. My Boys, starring Jordana Spiro and Jim Gaffigan, has its second-season premieres in July.
TBS also launched Tyler Perry’s much-anticipated House of Payne this month and will premiere The Bill Engvall Show on July 17.
Battin’s success in branding TBS led Turner to put the mother of three in charge of the on-air and digital branding of TNT and Turner Classic Movies (TCM) as well.
“What’s great about the two brands is that they are really different. TNT is a brand about emotion. It’s very aspirational; it’s about passion and conflict and heart-pumping. It’s all very 'lean-forward’ drama,” she says. “We do things on TBS that we would never do on TNT.”
And with all the new digital platforms, “it’s more important to have a brand than ever,” says Battin. “Once we create a strong brand, we can take it anywhere.”