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Remember The Last Starfighter? The 80s sci-fi movie told the story of a boy recruited by an alien race for his mad gaming skillz. Something similar is happening in the racing world. Several years ago, MBA student Lucas Ordoñez won a European PlayStation competition that set out to find the best Gran Turismo driver. From there, Ordoñez went onto the PlayStation GT Academy, which pits regional winners against each other for a shot at turning their virtual skills into real-world racing chops. Ordoñez won the competition and has been racing ever since.
Making the transition from gamer to racer is one thing, but Ordoñez has also compiled some pretty impressive results. Last weekend, at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, he nabbed second place in his class as part of the Signatech Nissan racing team. Le Mans is kind of a big deal in the auto-racing world, so it's impressive to see Ordoñez on the podium after what amounts to only a couple of years behind the wheel. He's certainly faring better than some folks who have tried to match their Gran Turismo lap times in the real world. Thanks to Slashdot for the tip.
|Intel reports flat revenues and lower year-on-year profits for Q3||6|
|MSI's Nightblade gaming barebones are now Skylake-ready||0|
|Acer puts a curve on G-Sync with the Predator X34 ultrawide monitor||29|
|Apple refreshes iMac lineup with upgraded displays||72|
|Toshiba's dynaPad follows in the Surface's pen strokes||15|
|Latest Win10 insider build activates with older Windows product keys||54|
|Acer's Aspire Z3-700 all-in-one PC can pack up and go||15|
|ITC says Samsung and Qualcomm didn't infringe some Nvidia patents||15|
|MSI GS40 Phantom squeezes GTX 970M power into a 14" chassis||16|


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has responded to comments made by Abigail Disney
, granddaughter of Disney co-founder Roy O. Disney
, condemning what she sees as gross imbalances in the company’s salary practices. In a lengthy series of tweets made on Sunday, Ms. Disney said “by any objective measure a pay ratio over a thousand is insane,” adding that such an imbalance has a “corrosive effect on society.” She began her remarks referencing Disney CEO Bob Iger
, who made $65.6 million last year, or 1,424 times that of the median Mouse House employee.
In a statement given to the New York Times
, the company defended it salary practices, aggressively disputing Ms. Disney’s characterizations.
“Disney has made historic investments to expand the earning potential and upward mobility of our workers, implementing a starting hourly wage of $15 at Disneyland
that’s double the federal minimum wage,” the statement said, adding that the company had committed up to

domain: news


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NOTE: GrowthBeat -- VentureBeat's provocative new marketing-tech event -- is next week! We've gathered the best and brightest to explore the data, apps, and science of successful marketing. Get the full scoop here, and grab your tickets while they last.
Review site Yelp, which has turned into a ubiquitous guide to restaurants, opened 60 percent above its strike price of $15 today, valuing the company at $1.43 billion or roughly 17 times its annual revenue.
That’s not bad for a business with only $83 million in revenue last year, on which it managed to lose a record high $16.86 million.
We’ve included a handy graph from Statistica below with lots of detail about Yelp’s user base and financials. Check back in for more analysis at the closing bell.


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Around the country, sewing machines are humming as crafters make face masks as a barrier to stop people constantly touching their faces and to leave precious supplies of medical grade masks for frontline professionals.
In her studio in Caherdaniel on the Kerry Way, Australian fashion designer Melissa Dwyer of Meld Apparel is making double-sided cotton masks instead of her usual line of activewear.
"I had to do something when I saw the Irish doctors coming home from Australia to help so instead of sitting around and moping, I decided to use my fabric to make masks," says Ms Dwyer, who comes from Queensland and now lives on a south Kerry sheep farm.
Ms Dwyer is giving away the washable, reusable masks free to people and her intention is to reach out to people who are most vulnerable and maybe have auto-immune conditions or who are having cancer treatment.
"I've had so many replies from people including a mother with a child with cystic fibrosis who said she felt reassured having some sort of protection for them."
Ms Dwyer acknowledges that the homemade masks are not medical grade, but said people wanted to wear something in order to leave the medical grade masks to the frontline staff who really need them.
Meanwhile, in Co Sligo, Nicola Durkin from Ward's Pharmacy and Active Life Pharmacy in Dublin's Talbot Street has a steady supply of double-sided cotton masks courtesy of her mother Margurite who is using her 'cocoon' time to be ultra practical.
"We were inundated with requests for surgical masks and we knew we were not able to get them so I asked my mother to make some and so far, she has made about 300.
"She does patchwork with the ICA and the point of wearing these masks is that they stop you touching your face."
Irish linen is also used because it is antibacterial and anti-fungal.
The Stable of Ireland lifestyle brand has used linen supplies to make double-sided masks which it sells and also distributes to vulnerable people.
Homemade masks are no substitute for the high grade ones but, in the US, it has been reported that hospital staff are wearing homemade fabric ones over their surgical masks in a bid to try and prolong the coveted masks' limited life span.


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The Olympus Stylus Tough is one tough digital camera, able to withstand drops of more than 6 feet and temperatures below freezing. (Read "Waterproof Cameras: Olympus Stylus Tough" for more details.) This waterproof camera listed for about $300 when it launched a couple years back, and the price has dropped since then. Right now, BuyDig.com is selling the Olympus Stylus Tough for only $160, and shipping is free.
For hot tech bargains in your inbox every week, subscribe to the PCWorld Bargain Bulletin newsletter.
This story, "Olympus Stylus Tough Compact Camera, $160" was originally published by PCWorld Exclusive.


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Main Street Columbus is planning several downtown events to make sure that the community enjoys a fun, holiday season.
As in the past, Christmas shopping begins at the Downtown Christmas Open House. Shop in beautiful downtown Columbus as retail businesses showcase holiday items and specials. The open house will take place from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 5 and Nov. 6. Some downtown stores also will be open from 1-5 p.m. Nov. 7.
Downtown merchants will be donating gift certificates worth hundreds of dollars for a grand prize which will be given to one lucky shopper. The annual Christmas Open House is an opportunity for the many downtown merchants to showcase their products, including great food, clothing, gifts, jewelry, art and more!.
“It is also a time when our community can show its support for small, local businesses, which in turn helps to boost our local economy,” said Barbara Bigelow, Main Street Columbus executive director. “Windows will be decorated and the holiday spirit will be in the air.”
As in the past, the Hitching Lot Farmers’ Market will offer an opportunity to purchase locally homegrown, homemade and handcrafted holiday food and gifts. The 14th Holiday Farmers’ Market will be held on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, Nov. 20, from 9 a.m.-noon. Pick up last-minute Thanksgiving goodies and even do some holiday shopping. The presenting sponsor for the Holiday Market is Financial Concepts.
Farmers market space is first-come, first-serve. Applications are available now in the Main Street Columbus office, at 107 5th St. N., online at columbusmainstreet.com and on the Hitching Lot Farmers’ Market Facebook page. For information, call (662) 328-6305.
Small Business Saturday will be observed on Nov. 27, the Saturday following Thanksgiving. Downtown small businesses will be open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Wassail Fest returns this year, offering downtown merchants the chance to compete for bragging rights for the best holiday brew. Celebrating its 17th year, the festival is scheduled from 5-8 p.m. Dec. 3. Wassail will be served at various businesses and restaurants within the historic downtown district.
Wassail Fest is designed to catch the holiday spirit for everyone and draws hundreds to the streets of downtown Columbus. Christmas carols will be sung and merchants will offer special holiday activities, in-store promotions and door prizes for guests.
Shoppers will be able to cast their vote for their favorite wassail as participating merchants battle for the coveted People’s Choice award. Wassail, a drink whose name means “to your health,” is a mixture of juices and spices that has been served over centuries as far back as Robin Hood and his merry men. Many downtown merchants will go to great lengths to prepare their special wassail to serve their guests. This year’s Wassail Meister will be announced Dec. 10. Main Street Columbus thanks Financial Concepts for sponsoring this year’s Wassail Fest.
Saving the best event for last, the Bicentennial Christmas Parade, featuring the Budweiser Clydesdales, will be held at 3 p.m. Dec. 5. Submit your parade application to Main Street Columbus today and be ready to enjoy the return of the annual Christmas parade and the celebration of 200 years of Columbus.
Downtown shops will be open, providing another opportunity for you to pick up those holiday gifts. Financial Concepts is the presenting sponsor for the parade.
“Yes, there will be lots going on during this season of joy. We are so grateful to our friends at Financial Concepts who are generously sponsoring the Christmas Parade, Wassail Fest and the Holiday Farmers’ Market this year and to our partner, the City of Columbus. Be sure to make plans on the following dates to join us in historic downtown Columbus,” Bigelow said.
As you attend the downtown events, please keep yourself and others around you safe. Wear a mask, social distance and enjoy the holiday season!


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Image via Shutterstock
Virtual card payments are helping OTAs and travel management companies to fulfil their promise of offering customers the best service and prices while protecting their cash flow, according to Wex.
The global payments solutions provider provides single use card numbers that can be used to pay suppliers, backed by credit to ensure payments processes are optimised and meaning agents can move away from corporate credit cards that can be susceptible to fraud and can incur additional costs.
Lee Jackson, Wex head of travel Europe, said it was virtual cards that have allowed OTAs to start offering low deposit deals to secure early bookings as tour operators have traditionally done direct and through their retail partners.
OTAs selling holidays including low-cost carriers have to pay upfront and under Atol regulations must also protect all client cash in a trust fund, so have previously been unable to offer low deposit deals.
“The customer wants to be able to secure their holiday now, but at low-cost. Therefore the OTA has to take on risk in funding that air fare and clearly there’s an impact on cash flow.
“As far as payments strategy is concerned adopting virtual cards as a means by which you operate that low deposit then you cover the exposure in terms of cash flow.”
Firms can also select what type of virtual card to use meaning they can always offer their customers the cheapest price, for instance by opting for a debit card to avoid the higher credit card fees.
For TMCs facing the imminent change in Iata rules for paying airlines, virtual card payments can help to protect cash flow which is “under fire” added Jackson.
Another advantage of virtual cards Jackson said is making it possible for agents to move to distribute dynamic rates from hoteliers rather than traditional fixed contracted rates that add to the administrative burden and are often not the best prices available in the market.


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From flying kites to paying his tribute at the Gandhi memorial to making a big announcement and facing a protest, Jeff Bezos completed his three-day visit to India.
Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s CEO was in India for a three-day visit and he took the most of all the experience India had to offer him. He was in India to review Amazon India’s operations and to meet some industrialists, decided to pay homage to the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat in Delhi. He wore kurta and bandhgala jacket on his first day in India.
He also became part of the Makar Sankranti celebrations, as he joined children in flying kites. He shared the video on his Instagram account of him flying a kite as the kids instructed him. Jeff also recalled his childhood memory when he used to fly kites.
He later made a big announcement at the company’s event in Delhi. Calling India’s democracy the reason behind the country’s energy, dynamism and growth, Jeff said that the 21st century is going to be Indian century. Announcing an investment of 1 bn US dollars, he said that the online retail giant expects to export $10bn worth of India-made goods by 2025.
However, the Amazon CEO witnessed huge protests from thousands of small traders across 300 cities. The protestors claimed that the sharply discounted products are affecting their businesses and on the local retail market. The company which dominates the Indian e-commerce sector had also faced a major setback last year after the introduction of a new law by the government that restricts the foreign-owned companies to sell goods from their own subsidiaries.
Here’s how Twitterati reacted to Jeff Bezos visit:
#Amazon chief #JeffBezos, who is visiting India, announced on Wednesday an incremental investment of USD 1 billion to digitise small and medium businesses in India. #AmazonSmbhavhttps://t.co/xbpeU6qvR0
— The Hindu (@the_hindu) January 15, 2020
#JeffBezos: #MahatmaGandhi truly changed the world.
For a peaceful world, the real hope is Mahatma!!! pic.twitter.com/HdPcQvje7F
— Dr Sundara (@DrSundara3) January 15, 2020
#AmazonGoBack #JeffBezos Amazon Go Back… https://t.co/O6UTe8sIs2
— ANSHUL JAIN (@AKJ9191) January 15, 2020
21st Century will be an Indian Century. Thank you #JeffBezos for such an inspiring prediction. pic.twitter.com/1j92zzFsro
— Pallav Gogoi (@pallav_) January 15, 2020
Also Read: Microsoft India posts a clarification after Satya Nadella comments on CAA
Nice gesture #JeffBezos paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi https://t.co/EHdqOQaxfo
— amitabha amitabha?? (@amitabhafirst) January 15, 2020
Something good finally happening in Delhi during a bad time in India! #JeffBezos thank you!
— Mádháv Mákádíá (@makadia7) January 15, 2020
Welcome to the land of Gandhi. Welcome to India #JeffBezos https://t.co/KvSDOIVpKJ
— Shrey singh (@Shreeyy__) January 14, 2020
And as a mark of respect to Gandhi Amazon will pay taxes from this day on.? #JeffBezos https://t.co/cnXNZ5lYNf
— vineetha mokkil (@VineethaMokkil) January 15, 2020
India Inc concludes select business leader meeting with @JeffBezos @CNBCTV18Live @CNBCTV18News #JeffBezos pic.twitter.com/TQxw7wujxq
— Priya Sheth (@PriyaSheth7) January 17, 2020
World richest actor met richest Person in the world. Person like @iamsrk in this world are rare.
#JeffBezos #iamsrk pic.twitter.com/DmPTH0DyuP
— Mr Eloquent (@jrcharismatic) January 16, 2020
#Amazon will export $10 billion #MakeInIndia goods by 2025,
21st century is "going to be the Indian century",
The alliance between the United States and India will be most important in the 21st century. #JeffBezos on India. pic.twitter.com/vyTqlazVwV
— animesh sarma (@iAnimeshS) January 16, 2020
Fun and learning evening with the Zordaar Zoya Akhtar & the Zabardast #JeffBezos Thanx everyone at Amazon Prime Video for arranging this. Aparna, Gaurav & Vijay Thx for ur kindness. #AmitAgarwal ur bow tie was a killer… pic.twitter.com/vrQEHhnlsF
— SRK FC-Priya Cinema (Kolkata) (@srk_priyacinema) January 16, 2020


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Now a days smartphones are come with hardware and software based security features such as fingerprint sensors, iris scanners, encryption and more.
But even though these are more than enough for majority of the users, there are some users who require nothing but the best when it comes to data security and privacy. For those security buffs, here are the top 5 securest phones in smartphone market.
In these days of data vulnerability, the Blackphone 2 by Silent circle streamlines its users like primarily business and the core privacy-minded nerds with the security features.
The phone maker promises its consumer to receiving the security patch updates by google within 72hrs. of launching, while other companies even google promises to receive the updates within 30 days. This promise keeps this phone in the first in the list.
On the other hand we are talking about the Securest smartphone makers.
Yes we are talking about the Blackberry. If it is 2015-2016 the securest phone of the world is the Blackberry running on the Blackberry 10 OS based on the QNX Kernel. But unfortunately, the Blackberry OS is shutted down for its number of apps available in the Blackberry World.
But in these days Blackberry manufactures the android smartphones comes with DTEK security level monitoring. It is also a fully secured android device. This device has a bootloader which can’t be unlocked till now by hackers, which point makes the phone fully secured. And the phone also receives the security patch from google within a month.
Scrolling further down into the DTEK checklist, I also found security options including the ability to set up a custom unlock combination of password, PIN, and fingerprint biometrics. Multiple two-factor authentication options is a strong feature. I also found a “Trusted app sites” setting, which adds an additional layer of security atop Google Play vetting to scan for malicious apps before download. According to BlackBerry, the KeyOne is also set to go through full US government certification processes in order to be usable by the Department of Defence.
Unlike the more common smartphone encryption method known as full disk encryption, or FDE, the Pixels make use of a type of encryption known as file-based encryption, or FBE. FBE means that different files are encrypted with different keys that can be unlocked independently.
Google also discussed its use of ARM’s TrustZone software, which provides two benefits. Firstly, TrustZone enforces the Verified Boot process, which means that it won’t decrypt disk encryption keys if it detects that the OS has been modified/compromised. Secondly, TrustZone enforces “a waiting period between guesses at the user credential, which gets longer after a sequence of wrong guesses.” With this in place, Google says that trying all of a smartphone’s four-point lock screen patterns would take more than four years.
It was a fairly swift, unexpected turnaround from what the company touts as hacker-resistant and “ultra secure”. Chao didn’t deny the phone has “groundbreaking security”, buthis backtrack seemed to raise more questions than Chao had answers. The long-awaited Turing Phone was first slated as an unbreakable, security-heavy smartphone that’s able to withstand the greatest of malware, hackers, and nation states attacks.
We got our hands on the long-awaited smartphone, dogged by delays and setbacks, in part because of a switch from Android to the lesser-known Sailfish OS. Yet, after a detailed and examined look, the device is yet another device in a long list of “secure” smartphones from a company, which nobody’s ever heard of, touting theoretical security and unproven privacy.
The phone’s flagship feature, a hardware encryption chip, dubbed the Turing Imitation Key, encrypts the Turing Phone, and it lets a device owner communicate securely through end-to-end encryption, said Chao.”When you initiate a communication, the other user’s private key is generated by the chip,”. That means every email, text message, and VoIP call to another Turing Phone will be encrypted, without having to rely on a third-party key server. If you want to communicate with someone who doesn’t have a Turing Phone, you have to rely on a third-party app
Boeing Black is the result of a collaboration between aerospace and defence giant Boeing and smartphone maker BlackBerry.
The smartphone comes with a self-destruct feature. This ensures that any attempt to break open the casing of the device triggers the auto-deletion of the data and software on it, thus rendering it inoperable.
The CPU throttling has led to the filing of 32 class action lawsuits naming Apple as the defendant....Read More..
Many OnePlus customers have reported that their credit cards used to buy handsets from their official website have been used for fraudulent transactions.....Read More..
Subsidiary of Reliance Industries Jio is gearing itself to bring its own cryptocurrency. The telecom operator giant is planning to bring “JIO COIN” just like the first decentralized digital currency Bitcoin.....Read More..


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Samsung's phone business takes an even nastier dive
If there's one thing we all really need, it's another enterprise mail service, right Exchange?
Je suis Charlie? Je suis imbécile
CEO Rahim: 'we are moving with urgency'
Moniker re-emergence the final unravelling of a doomed deal
All it took was a reduction of 70 per cent. Margin, what margin?
+Comment Western Digital sold 61 million drives in its latest quarter, 2.1 million less than a year ago, but made $30m more profit, and it out-shipped and out-earned rival Seagate – CEO Steve Milligan's men must have ear-to-ear grins on their faces.
Details of Microsoft’s fledgling Windows 10 Spartan browser are emerging with a suggestion of possible support for Windows 7.
Daisy Group to take UK ops, Oakley Capital the rest: tipsters
Oracle-Sun anniversary They said Java, MySQL and Solaris were all doomed
Oracle-Sun anniversary Feeling calm and relaxed? Join the Reg on a journey to an alternate reality where Oracle’s cloud business is the envy of all of its competitors. It holds two trillion objects and is growing faster now than at any time in its history.
The Regin malware, often described as the devil spawn of Stuxnet and Duqu, is the handiwork of the Five Eyes nation state spy apparatus, analysis reveals.
New businesses are doing well, but cloudy cash comes in spurts
Cook: Don't panic, Apple fans, I will FILL the ACHING VOID inside you in April
Quick, pass the HoloLens
Also, you could be sold for parts. Sorry.
Trouble at t'mill as scandal-hit board member steps down
Darktrace: No, no, customers, you've got security all wrong
Small matter of £500bn down the drain if it goes titsup – MPs
But are you making money?
Partners: Take sky bridge to cloud conference and pucker up
Oracle-Sun anniversary One swallow didn't make a summer
Oracle-Sun anniversary Five years on, what did Larry's lot do to Sun's partner network?
Whitman and Weiseler confirmed as heads of Enterprise and HP Inc.
Stock market's not feeling Redmond's way
Storage biz's margins slowly but steadily embiggen
The now privately-owned B2B comms and tech biz Daisy Group is looking for the incoming CEO to plot a course to rule the SME customer space within the next half a decade.
Avnet Technology Solutions is on the slide again as its sales and operating profit went south in Q2 fiscal ’15. The distie’s latest president has clearly got his work cut out to turn in consistent and sustainable growth.
Less than two months after rocking up as Dell UK’s public sector enterprise solutions director , Dave Poskett is set to perch his backside on a new hot seat at, erm, the Texan tech baron.
Analysis First the good news: Windows 10 will be free – for one year.
Big Blue's lost year
SO cosy and safe, mummy
European Commission still silent despite Ireland's plea
Claims that cloud will drive Oracle's future growth ring hollow
WD gros fromage: It wasn't $400m
Partnering up with XtremIO rival
- Spartan on Windows 7? Microsoft is 'watching demand'
- HMRC fails to plan for £10.4bn contract exit... because it's 'too risky'
- Horrifying iPhone sales bring Apple $18bn profit A QUARTER
- What's that, Microsoft? Yep, a Lumia and Surface SALES BOOM
- Bill Gates: I WISH I was like Zuck and spoke Chinese. Or even French
AWS and Salesforce match up to Ellison's hardware
Five years on, what did Larry's lot do to Sun's partner network?
But here's why we're (probably) not staring at a crash
Network intelligence - our secret weapon
Meet the man who accidentally created the smartwatch hype
No, silly... he was the fall guy for years of Finnish folly


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News by Topic
- Search Marketing
- Email Marketing
- Loyalty Marketing
- Mobile Marketing
- Social Marketing
- Viral Marketing
- Trends & Ideas
- Internet Marketing 101
Half of British holidaymakers don't trust mobile apps
British holidaymakers don't put much faith in mobile apps for booking accommodation and travel, according to a recent survey by budget holiday company Sunshine.co.uk.
The mobile app market is worth billions, but not all Brits are taking to the channel to book hotels and flights. Sunshine.co.uk's survey of over 1,500 UK adults found that over half (53%) did not trust holiday booking apps due to security concerns (32%), concerns they might not get what they expect (25%) and little knowledge of which third-party was behind the app (16%) (except for big brand apps).
Adding to consumers' mistrust of hotel or holiday booking apps is that a few users have had bad experiences. Of the 4% who had had problems, 22% felt they had been misled by app content and were disappointed with their holiday. Another 16% were disappointed to find that they hadn't got as good a deal as they had thought.
While 13% of all respondents had previously used an app on their smartphone or tablet to make a holiday booking, the preferred channel remains 'online', cited by over two-thirds (67%). This was closely followed by 'high street travel agents' (41%) and 'telephone bookings' (29%).
While apps may have a way to go before gaining consumer trust, mobile-optimized websites already play a significant role in holiday booking. Recent figures released by Travelbag show that, since the launch of their mobile-optimized website, conversion rates are up. In fact, the average order value of bookings made on Travelbag.co.uk is, for the first time ever, higher among smartphone users than desktop users. Demonstrating that high value purchases are no longer a barrier to mobile use, the highest order made on a smartphone with Travelbag.co.uk totaled $12,807.
Image via Shutterstock
- Ecommerce Roundup: As digital increases, so does fraud
- Survey: Health Lifestyle grabs consumer interest
- Alibaba forms alliance with big brands to fight counterfeiting
- Expert: What marketers need to know about RegTech
- Mobile 'click injection' fraud forecast to become prevalent in 2017
- Less than half of consumers satisfied with retail app experience
- Study: Order struggles a problem for B2B
- Ad Roundup: Solution expansions, investments
Featured White Papers
- How to Deliver Content Your Employees Will Love to Share
Your employees are your greatest asset. It makes perfect sense that companies would double down on their own talent, empowering...


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The presenter was lambasted online after he told a cancer patient that his ill health may have been caused by a "negative attitude".Read the full story ›
Part of Bath's charm is its mix of unique independent shops and cafes but, unless we use them, we risk losing them for good.Read the full story ›
Traders on Bristol's Park Street have called on landlords to consider the impact of the rents they charge following recent closures.Read the full story ›
The Food Connections festival highlights the work of people who have given up the day-job to do something they really love.Read the full story ›
Elderly and vulnerable people in Dorset have been conned out of more than a million pounds in two years by 'phone fraud' gangs.Read the full story ›
Wiltshire based tech company Dyson have made a move from hoovers to hair. Carrying a hefty price tag, what makes this dryer so special?Read the full story ›
Trials of a potentially ‘world-changing’ technology aimed at prolonging the life of fresh produce have proved successful.Read the full story ›
Llanthony Secunda Priory is a former Augustinian priory founded in 1135. The grant will allow a major renovation project.Read the full story ›
There are fresh warnings over tumble dryers after yet another fire here in the West.Read the full story ›
Thank you Lyn Harding from the North Devon Forum for Autistic Spectrum Conditions for getting in touch with Ask Ellie.
She wanted me to let you know if you live in North Devon and are seeking advice,they may be able to help.
For more details about Autism and information from The National Autistic Society please see our article below.
Hope this helps


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Kodiak Robotics, a self-driving trucking company, has expanded its autonomous freight service to Florida with 10 Roads Express, a provider of time sensitive surface transportation for the US Postal Service.
To launch this partnership, Kodiak completed a round trip consisting of four commercial deliveries, including a coast-to-coast commercial run.
A Kodiak autonomous truck carried 10 Roads Express freight nearly 5,600 miles from San Antonio, Texas; to the San Francisco Bay Area; to Jacksonville, Florida; and back to San Antonio. The route was completed in just 114 hours. [Read more…] about Kodiak Robotics expands autonomous freight service to Florida with USPS partner


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The economy is rebounding from one of its deepest recessions in post-war history [GDP contracted 5.2% in 2009]. The recovery in Japan has gained strength in recent months, fuelled by robust exports and government stimuli: growth accelerated to 5% in Q1 of 2010 as exports increased 30%, due mainly to strong demand from Asia. Despite a decline in disposable household income in 2009, private consumption contributed positively to growth, with spending supported by fiscal stimulus, especially by subsidies on green durable goods that have encouraged this increase in spending.
Along with the recession, unemployment too reached post-war record levels in 2009, peaking at 5.1% of the labour force, but the employment situation has gradually improved and, although still at unacceptably high levels, the jobless rate is expected to improve slightly: to 4.9% in 2010. Deflation has been a persistent problem for the Japanese economy for many years and in 2009 the consumer price index [CPI] fell 1.4%. Deflation continues to be a threat, but there are signs of improvement, with the International Monetary Fund [IMF] predicting a slowdown in deflation in 2010 and 2011.
Payment morality in Japan remains very high: usually buyers will settle their invoices on or before due date. However, because so many Japanese businesses continue to pay diligently right up until the point of entering bankruptcy, punctual payment isnt necessarily indicative of healthy cash flow generation. For many businesses, these punctual payments are possible only because banks have been generous with their funding, leading to a weak and highly leveraged balance sheet.
Outlook for recovery still looks fragile
Our Consensus Economics expects Japans GDP growth for the whole of 2010 to increase 3.2%. But the recovery still looks fragile and the pace of rebound is likely to moderate in the second half of the year as stimulus measures expire and export growth levels off. The strength of the yen against other currencies will further dampen export growth - and may price Japanese export goods out of the market.
Japan's government debt has been steadily rising for the last few years, reaching a record high of 883 trillion yen at the end of the fiscal year 2009 [218% of GDP]. The IMF has forecast that this debt will rise further: to 227% of GDP in 2010 and to 235% of GDP in 2011. While the self-funding nature of Japans sovereign debt sets it apart from many other high debtor nations and the yield provided by this debt suggests that it remains manageable, the increasing trend is not sustainable. The government has indicated its commitment to limiting further increases in debt and reversing the upward trend. Given the limited scope for cutting expenditure, fiscal adjustments will need to rely on new revenue sources and limits on spending growth, which can be achieved through comprehensive tax reforms [such as increasing consumption tax] and by containing non-essential public spending growth.
Standard & Poors warned Japan at the end of January that it would reduce its country rating from AA stable to AA negative outlook if economic data remained weak and medium-term growth is not boosted, especially in the light of the countrys high government debt burden and its weak demographic profile. This threat has now materialized and Japans country rating has been downgraded to AA negative. However, Japans sovereign risk is still rated AA.
Mantenha-se informado. Receba a nossa Newsletter


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Companies active in the digital currency industry on the Isle of Man will have to comply with the laws on anti-money laundering (AML) in the future and will probably fall within the remit of the Financial Service Commission (FSC) this summer.
The government of the Isle of Man has adapted the Crime Act 2008 in such a way that the Bitcoin exchanges located on the Isle of Man, for example, will now also be affected by the law.
The changes to the laws have already been approved and the following companies will have to comply with AML from 01.04.2015:
„Companies that issue, transfer, store, administer, manage, lend, sell, exchange or accept from persons as a means of payment for products or services the transferable virtual currencies (including crypto currencies or comparable currencies) will be affected by the new regulation.
These companies will have to report to the authorities as soon as they suspect that a user is engaged in illegal money laundering. As a result, companies are encouraged to use „Know Your Customer“ or KYC (know your customers) practices and request personal information for verification.
The amendment also includes an obligation to notify the companies concerned so that they can be supervised by the Financial Service Commission (FSC) of the Isle of Man.
The bill will be approved by Parliament on Tuesday. As soon as the law receives the royal approval, which is expected in summer 2015, the FSC will become the competent supervisory authority for anti-money laundering matters.
Phil Braidwood, a member of the Ministry of Finance, pointed out that companies must register within six months of the law coming into force.
„In summary, the news can have a positive impact on businesses as they struggle for the legitimacy and trustworthiness of customers and banks,“ said Sian Jones, co-founder of the European Digital Currency & Blockchain Technology Forum.
However, Andrian Forbes, co-founder of Bitcoin company TGBEX, is not so pleased with the news:
„The new legislation sends a positive signal to the Bitcoin companies located on the Isle of Man, but the extra costs involved seem too high for the startups.
Until now, the Forbes company only had to apply the Know-Your-Customer procedure to customers who wanted to buy Bitcoin worth over 12,000 euros. Under the new law, however, the company would already have to collect this data from customers who buy BTC worth 1,000 euros.
Forbes sees the law as a positive development for Bitcoin companies in terms of customer confidence. However, he does not believe that the banks will be influenced by it and will provide Bitcoin companies with an account with immediate effect.


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Mexico City | Reuters — Global commodities trader Cargill does not expect a significant impact on freight costs or logistics from the massive flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey in Texas and Louisiana, its top executive said Friday.
Cargill CEO David MacLennan said while it was still too early to assess the full impact of the storm on U.S. farm trade from nearby ports, he suspects freight rates have inched up but that the change would likely be minimal.
“I think it’s still early to tell, but I think it will not have a significant impact on freight and the logistics of agriculture products coming down the Mississippi River and into the port of New Orleans,” said MacLennan.
Barge rates are not impacted by adverse weather conditions in the Gulf of Mexico, and ocean container rates “might spike over the short-term” but increases will likely be temporary, Cargill spokeswoman Valeria Olson wrote in an email.
Operations at Houston’s port will not fully re-open until early next week following plant inspections and the resumption of rail freight service, she said.
A notice on the Port Houston website Friday said all its facilities have resumed operations and its BCT and Bayport container terminal gates will be open Monday.
Cargill, which has not experienced any price spikes in rail rates, does expect to see an increase in certain types of freight to the region as relief and rebuilding efforts get underway in Texas and Louisiana, she added.
MacLennan also said he was “cautiously optimistic” that the outcome of talks to redo the North American Free Trade Agreement would be beneficial for Canada, Mexico and the U.S. and that it would be a mistake to ditch the pact.
While he said an updated NAFTA should allow for “greater convergence for food safety and animal health regulation,” the deal overall has been a boon for the region’s farm trade.
The executive said agriculture trade under NAFTA has grown from roughly $9 billion to $39 billion over the 23 years that the accord has been in effect (all figures US$).
— David Alire Garcia is a Reuters correspondent based in Mexico City. Includes files from AGCanada.com Network staff.


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350 Ferrari Special Edition for Ferrari’s 70th Anniversary. 350 Ferrari Special Edition can be said as the unique way from this Italian car manufacturer to commemorate their 70th anniversary. This plan, or we can say the crazy plan, has been announced in Venice, Italy as Ferrari Cavalcade event. There are 100 Ferrari owner and collector that attended this event and competed in it.
350 Ferrari Special Edition Specifications
According to Enrico Galliera, Ferrari’s marketing, and commercial boss, this plan involved everyone in Ferrari team. They have discussed the best concept that they can use for this project, by looking at all iconic car in this company 70-year history. They did this at Maranello and try to choose the exterior and interior that become the trademark of those cars.
Galliera said they have successfully picked the 70 cars with its trademark that successfully attract public attention. These 70 most iconic cars will become the base of the new special edition of 5 model that they also have chosen on that event. These five cars are California T Convertible, F12 Berlinetta, Ferrari 488GTB, Ferrari 488 Spider and new GTC4 Lusso. It means, each of these five models will get some touch of 70 most iconic car from Ferrari from the past. So, Ferrari will launch 350 unique cars for this project.
However, even though it got some touch of classic and iconic old car, Galliera said that those cars would get some treatment from Tailor-Made division. It means they will be equipped with the latest technology and the best design from this company.
Sergio Marchionne, Ferrari boss, said that the most difficult part of this project was deciding which car that they want to use as the base and inspiration. He said he and Galliera didn’t want to do it because all cars from Ferrari can be said unique.
However, it has to be done for the brand, especially for the particular moment, the 70th anniversary. They said this at the dinner event at the Cavalcade when they also announced this project. Maybe, some of the series won’t get chosen, but, they releasing next limited edition and fix all the error and mistake that this company made in this particular edition project.
350 Unique Ferrari Special Editions Release Date
Previously, Ferrari also has been launched one of special edition model, which is F12 TDF. It got a good response from the customer, and its price has been doubled since it was launched. For the new special edition, it said they would reveal it at Paris Motor Show, this October. At that event, we will eventually see the 350 Ferrari Special Edition.
you might also like another new future car 2017: Toyota GT86 Initial D Concept Specifications, Review


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The craft beer industry is not one that one typically thinks of as having a lot of Black owners, but in Inglewood, California, business partners Beny Ashburn and Teo Hunter are brewing something to change that.
“There was a lack of Black people in craft beer, period,” Hunter said during an interview with Atlanta Black Star. “Beer is probably one of the more universal beverages on this planet, and to see it done on a local and premium craftsman level and to not see your community present was a bit difficult for me to understand.”
Ashburn felt the same. “Imagine loving beer, going to breweries and as soon as you step in the brewery, you don’t see anyone that looks like you, you don’t hear the music that you love,” Ashburn said. “It can oftentimes be a little uncomfortable.”
When they did see Black culture in the industry, they noted it was subject to appropriation. “We started to see our culture presented on beer cans and in craft beer but yet the culture wasn’t there. It wasn’t in craft beer. So, one, it was a cultural appropriation, and, two, we just saw that also as an opportunity to have an authentic cultural representation within an industry that hadn’t really seen us up to that point.” Hunter said.
Together, they founded Crowns & Hops, a craft beer lifestyle brand built with Black culture in mind. They began researching the industry and realized they had to start within the community. The best way, they found, was to do pop-up marketing events at strategic locations.
“We did them in the back of barbershops, we did them in shoe stores. Wherever we could have an authentic conversation about what we were experiencing, we realized was the key and that was the first step,” Hunter said. “Start with community, build community and then give the community something they could be proud of,” Hunter said. “We wanted to create more of a beer lifestyle brand which really hadn’t been done before,” Ashburn added.
The Crowns & Hops flavors included a West Coast India Pale Ale with floral, tropical notes called Elevated Cypher, a hazy IPA called BPLB — Black and Brown people love beer — a clean, crisp, pilsner called Beat Messenger and an American Stout made with chocolate wheat with notes of coffee, cocoa, and a touch of smoke called Urban Anomaly. “On our beer packaging, there’s a message on every single can that speaks to the name. So if there’s an Urban Anomaly, we speak about what that means,” Hunter said.
In addition to impactful flavors, the beers come with a side of service to the community in the form of an initiative called 8 Trill Pils, focused on providing resources to Black-owned craft beer businesses.
“Right now out of about 8,000 plus breweries in the US, less than 1 percent are owned by Black people, which is about 60,” Ashburn said. “Our focus, and what we’ve realized our focus has always been, is that beyond introducing people of color into craft beer, it’s really about creating equity inside of the craft beer space.” She emphasized. “For people that built this country, we should probably have more than 1 percent ownership in the breweries, right? Hunter adds. We got the term 8 Trill Pils from a report written by the Kellogg Foundation called A Business Case for Racial Equity, and what it stated is that if you focus on racial equity today, by 2050, we stand to see an impact to our GDP of $8 trillion. We saw that for the first time as truly making a business case and strategy for economic growth.”
The initiative includes an $8,000 grant focused on giving financial capital support to Black-owned businesses.
“Opening a brewery can be very expensive,” Ashburn said. “It can range from $700,000 to two or $3 million. It really just depends on the kind of brewery you open, your location, your city — all of those factors are determined. I think what’s great about what we’re doing with 8 Trill Pils is we’re focusing on craft beer businesses. So if you don’t want to open a brewery, but you want to open a tap room, or bottle shop or there are so many points of entry into the craft beer space that we don’t have any ownership in, that we want to help support so we can grow the industry and see more of us on the inside.”
For now, Crowns & Hops is available in California and some of its border states. As the owners approach their sixth year in business, they find they’re still having fun with it all.
“What’s the most fun is we’re honestly kind of making it up as we go along,” Ashburn admits. “I think that’s the beauty about getting into something that doesn’t really have a footprint. We are creating whatever we want it to be and we’re doing it as our most authentic selves. Everything you see in Crowns & Hops is Teo and it’s Beny. It’s who we are, it’s the places we like to go, it’s the flavor profiles that we like to drink. It’s the art that we love. I don’t think those opportunities happen very often and you don’t get to do something that you truly love, but we love this business. We’re building a legacy brand. So hopefully our grandkids’ grandkids’ grandkids are drinking Crowns & Hops in 50 years.”


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Obsessed with kitsch aesthetics, pixel art and clothes with slogans on them, the type designer explains why she decided to use an old Passap knitting machine fo


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Historic department store makes a comeback in central Rome.
Rinascente, the Italian department store whose former flagship base on Via del Corso was taken over by Spanish retail giant Zara seven years ago, opens a new outlet on nearby Via del Tritone on 12 October.
The opening in the central shopping district - celebrated with a day of live music and special events - is seen as a triumphant return by the firm which abandoned its Via del Corso base 11 years ago.
Located on the Via Due Macelli corner of Via del Tritone, the 14,000-sqm store is spread out over eight floors, including a rooftop terrace and four restaurants.
The basement houses a 60-m section of the Aqua Virgo, one of ancient Rome's acqueducts dating to 19 BC, which was discovered during the building's 11 years of construction and restoration works.
Founded in Milan in 1865, Rinascente is a nationwide chain of high-end stores selling mainly Italian brands of fashion, accessories, beauty, home, design and food items.
When the firm's former flagship store in Rome was taken over by low-cost foreign clothing chain Zara it was seen as a slap in the face for the so-called Made in Italy brand. Rinascente's return to downtown Rome 11 years later has been described by Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera as "revenge".


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After presenting earlier on the new PlayStation Vita handheld console, we can present now the latest from Nintento, who has just announced their next generation home console – the Wii U.
The Wii U is Nintento’s entrance into the HD graphics market. The most special feature is certainly the new generation controller, which comes with a 6.2 inch touchscreen, that also works as a second display, showing you the same as on your main screen. Furthermore it can provide players with additional important information. Furthermore the Wii U can run older generation games and comes with motion-sensor capabilities.
The Nintendo Wii U will hit retailers somewhere between April and December 2012.


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The range of five pizzas will be available to purchase in more than 500 supermarkets across the UK from this week.
The expansion into retail complements the restaurant portfolio to drive brand awareness and introduce the brand to consumers where it does not have a restaurant presence yet, according to the company.
The group plans to expand into more stores and partner with more retailers from late 2023.
“After many months of careful development we are thrilled to launch our debut range of Franco Manca cook-at-home sourdough pizzas which are now available in over 500 supermarkets," says executive chairman David Page.
“This is a very exciting new strategic development for Franco Manca and The Fulham Shore, which complements the appeal and success of our consistently busy and growing portfolio of restaurants, and we are looking forward to seeing it develop."
In a trading update, Franco Manca owner Fulham Shore said that trading in the six months to 25 September was in line with expectations. The Franco Manca and The Real Greek operator reported that revenues for the period grew approximately 35% compared to the same period in 2019, and 25% compared to 2021.
“We’re delighted that underpinned by the relevance of our Franco Manca and The Real Greek brands and their value-for-money propositions, both our established and new restaurants performed well during the first half of the Group’s financial year," adds Page.


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High Street stores push shoppers into debt and rake in millions with instant credit schemes
Industry News | 06/12/19
Consumer debt levels rose to a record high of £225 billion last month. Britain’s biggest high street stores are accused of pushing shoppers into record levels of debt as they pocket hundreds of millions of pounds from credit schemes that charge up to 30 per cent interest. As shoppers splashed out an estimated £2.5 billion on Black Friday bargains last week, companies such as Next and Argos ramped up profits from selling expensive credit, a Times Money investigation has found.
Source: The Times
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President Trump has signed an order denying the petition by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA) to ban chlorpyrifos (Lorsban), a pesticide that some say causes neurodevelopmental effects in children at exposure levels below EPA’s existing regulatory standard. The EPA claims that the “science addressing neurodevelopmental effects remains unresolved.” The next reevaluation of the safety of this product is not scheduled until 2022.
Not willing to take the risk? According to the Virginia Cooperative Extension, when it comes to local produce, this will allow peanut growers in our area to continue to use this insecticide. The Environmental Working Group suggests that if you want to avoid feeding your family produce that may contain chlorpyrifos residue even after it has been thoroughly washed, choose organic versions for these fruits and vegetables:
- Imported peaches from Chile (20 percent of samples tested positive)
- Imported nectarines from Chile (13 percent of samples tested positive)
- Imported bell peppers from Mexico (22 percent of samples tested positive)
- Imported hot peppers from Mexico (15 percent samples tested positive)
- Domestic and imported cilantro (27 percent of samples tested positive)
Unfortunately, chloropyrifos is not the only potentially toxic pesticide in use. There are a number of organophosphates, chemicals that are specifically designed to damage an enzyme in the body called acetylcholinesterase, that are responsible for 70% of pesticide use in the United States, according to PANNA.
The argument for consuming organic produce is compelling. Consider buying organics and seeking out fresh LOCAL produce at area Farmers Markets. You can just ask the farmer what is used to manage pests and make an informed consumer choice.
For more information about Fairfax County Farmers Markets and organic produce check out https://ourstoriesandperspectives.com/2016/07/27/fairfax-county-farmers-markets/. A listing of all area Farmers Markets can be found at www.cleanfairfax.org — Programs.


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Frank Asbeck turned 60 years old on August 11, and many will remember him for his company SolarWorld AG, which once led German PV cell and module manufacturing before its bankruptcy in March 2018. But Asbeck also did pioneering work on another front: his efforts were critical in getting the European Union to adopt a Minimum Import Price (MIP) to protect European PV manufacturers from overseas competition, mainly from China.
Asbeck and SolarWorld were also instrumental in getting the Obama Administration to levy anti-dumping (AD) and countervailing (CVD) duties on Chinese manufacturers in 2012, the first round of trade measures adopted to protect U.S. manufacturers (like SolarWorld’s former operation in Oregon) from cheaper modules made in China.
In both cases the aim was to protect domestic industry from what was alleged to be unfair competition from Chinese manufacturers, which were (so the claim goes) either selling below their actual costs (antidumping) or benefiting from unfair subsidies their government was providing (the gist of countervailing duties or CVD).
These cases took a rather narrow view of “domestic industry”, being concerned mainly with upstream PV manufacturers and not the solar PV industry at large. On the downstream side, most consumers, installers, developers and EPCs were against putting up walls to shield domestic manufacturers. Protectionist policies, whether in the form of MIPs, AD or CVD, increase prices, making PV projects more expensive, and in some cases prohibitively so.
Since Asbeck and SolarWorld championed tariffs as the way to protect European and U.S. manufacturers, much has happened in the solar industry and for that matter, trade relations in general. The principles of free trade and globalization have come under attack from many sides, with the Trump Administration being the most vocal. In fact, the embodiment of free trade and globalization, the World Trade Organization (WTO), has been lambasted by Trump, who is blocking appointments to the WTO’s Appellate Body, saying its judges have overstepped their mandate.
For the solar PV industry, which became mainstream as a globalized industry around the turn of the century, the specter of increased trade tariffs in a wide range of countries risks undermining the great strides solar has made in reducing its LCOE. On the other hand, having an extended solar value chain in place has its benefits: if a country lacks a significant manufacturing base and relies to a great extent on imports to feed its solar installations, it will suffer in terms of energy independence, especially as PV and battery storage continue to displace conventional energy generation.
Each market also has its own characteristics (environment, roof structures, etc.) and the more extensive the solar value chain, the better the country can fashion its solutions to such characteristics. Finally, there is the employment argument, which equates a more extensive solar value chain with a more diverse and technologically advanced workforce in the strategically important field of renewable energy. The employment argument can also go the other way along the following lines: the lower the cost of solar, the more projects are planned and built, which in turn stimulates employment on the downstream side.
The United States probably offers the most complex picture, since the old AD and CVD duties remain in place and have been sandwiched together with myriad other tariffs established during the Trump presidency. These Trump tariffs include Section 201, 232 and 301 duties, the final of which is part of the Trump administration’s broader campaign to pressure China to change the way it handles foreign trade and investment.
Even before Donald Trump was elected, China had responded by introducing its own tariffs, with one of the victims being U.S. polysilicon producers. This was one of the last areas where the U.S. still has a significant production footprint in the PV industry. Unlike Section 301 duties, which apply only to China and cover cells, modules and inverters (at a duty rate of 25%, up from 10% starting May 10), Section 201 and 232 duties cover all countries exporting to the United States.
Chile’s open borders
Chile exempts the import of solar modules from custom duties. This has made it possible for the country to become the most dynamic PV market of Latin America over the past years, at least in the utility-scale segment, thanks to low module and project costs. As a consequence, however, zero efforts were made to create a local industry for panels, inverters, mounting structures or other components. Emiliano Bellini
In India a 25% safeguard duty has not stemmed the influx of foreign modules. According to analysts at Bridge to India, one year after the tariff was imposed in July 2018, the share of foreign modules continues to hover around 90%, showing how difficult it is for governments to steer markets with tariffs.
In the European Union, the abolition of the MIP created a virtual solar renaissance, with solar installations in the EU forecast to grow by as much as 80% year-on-year in 2019, after the MIP was rescinded last September.
In both India and the EU, the lack of manufacturing depth, not only on the PV side but also with batteries, remains a central issue. And with Trump erecting barriers across the Atlantic we could see governments in the Old World consider putting up their own walls to protect and grow their technology and manufacturing base.
The concern is that such measures and countermeasures could spiral out of control and turn a truly globalized market into many walled gardens with artificially high prices. This is clearly not a scenario in line with fostering clean energy and combating climate change. On the other hand, a mega-deal between the United States and China could bring us back to the path of globalization and free trade and with it the hope of addressing climate change on a truly global level.
Eckhart K. Gouras
Unintended consequences in Brazil
Brazil is currently applying a 12% tariff on imported capital goods and IT/telecommunications equipment, which also includes solar products. However, in June the Brazilian government published new regulations, with which it hopes to eliminate such barriers. The Ministry of Economics Affairs (MEA) claims that the duty can be removed, as imported panels should not be considered similar to those made in Brazil. The local electronics and solar industries, through their respective associations, Abinee and Absolar, said domestic panels can currently already be purchased at prices that are 30% higher than imported ones, while stressing how the latter are also exempt from the Industrial Product Tax (IPI) and Merchandise and Service Circulations Tax (ICMS) and another tax under a special program for infrastructure projects, while Brazilian panel makers are subject to the payment of several purchase taxes on raw materials. As a result of these requests, the Brazilian government decided to freeze the new regulation until August 30, with the associations urging senators to ask the MEA to include the import of raw materials in the new rules, which would exempt them from the duties. But regardless of how these new rules may be shaped, the production of solar modules in Brazil will remain quite challenging. Emiliano Bellini
Trump’s (clean energy) trade war
U.S: President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping meet at the G20 summit in Osaka in June 2019.
The United States has developed a pugnacious trade policy under President Trump, and the solar and energy storage industries have found themselves caught in the middle of new trade wars. But while many have argued that the imposition of the Section 201 tariffs was an attempt by the Trump Administration to destroy the nation’s solar market, there is as much or even more evidence to suggest that this really is about protectionism and the use of trade as a weapon in international relations.
To make sense of this, it is important to recognize that President Trump is not the only player here. Most of the important actions that the Trump Administration has engaged in have come from the desk of U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, a veteran of the Reagan Administration and a proponent of an aggressive, protectionist trade policy.
Tariffs, tariffs, tariffs
There have been multiple sets of trade duties initiated by Lighthizer’s office, often under dictates from Trump himself. The Section 201 global trade duties on solar cells and modules had the most obvious impact on the U.S. solar market, but there are also the Section 232 global tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum and several rounds of Section 301 duties on a wide range of products that include PV cells and modules, PV module components and inverters from China.
Taken together, there is essentially no part of the U.S. solar and energy storage markets that is not affected by one or more of these tariffs to some degree. As shown in the chart to the upper right, together the components affected by one or more tariffs make up more than half of the cost of a utility-scale PV system.
However, the Trump Administration has also provided two big exceptions to Section 201 – one for modules using SunPower’s Interdigitated Back Contact (IBC) PV cells, and a more recent one for bifacial solar panels.
And this is not over yet; Trump is planning to impose tariffs on a range of products being imported from China at a rate of 10% as of September 1, including lithium-ion batteries.
None of this has been good for the U.S. solar market; however the actual effects are more complicated than one may guess. Even with the Section 201 tariffs most PV systems still pencil, and solar projects are still being built to comply with renewable energy mandates, to meet corporate clean energy goals, as well as simply because they make sense economically.
What Section 201 did more than anything was to interrupt the market for a good six months or so while the U.S. solar industry knew that a change was coming but did not know what level of tariffs would be set.
And even when taken together, the various tariffs imposed by this administration did not fundamentally change the attractive economics of PV systems in most areas. However, they did have more serious effects on specific companies and even whole industry segments.
Aside from the Section 301 tariffs, which appear to have been imposed primarily as a punishment/aggressive bargaining tactic by the Trump Administration, the rhetoric behind most of these tariffs, including the Section 201 duties, is that they will protect and enable U.S. manufacturing industries.
The Section 201 tariffs were definitely a key factor in the four large U.S. solar factories totaling 3.8 GW of annual production that have either come online or are currently under construction. However, every manufacturer who pv magazine spoke with also identified Republican tax reform, which cut corporate tax rates, as another main factor.
Also, by raising the costs of raw materials, these tariffs are negatively affecting the very industries they are supposed to be supporting. A prime example is the racking, tracking and mounting systems makers, who were affected by higher steel prices due to the Section 232 tariffs, and U.S. PV makers have also said that their supply of aluminum frames and other materials is being affected by Section 301 tariffs on their Chinese suppliers.
Additionally, some companies, including First Solar, are now arguing that the exemptions to Section 201 – more the bifacial exemption than the exemption for SunPower’s IBC – undermine the effectiveness of the tariffs as a tool to incentivize manufacturing.
So like other aspects of the Trump Administration’s trade policy, the rapid and unpredictable changes created by these exemptions makes long-term business planning difficult and throws supply chains into chaos.
In the end, nothing is certain except that under the current administration the trade war isn’t going away any time soon.
The impact of United States’ removal of preferential treatment for Indian PV cell imports, whether assembled into modules or not, will be fully reflected in Q2 2019 figures, however, it is clear that India’s PV manufacturers are already looking at alternative markets – and having some success.
The United States continued to be India’s largest export market at INR 16,500 lakh (US$23 million) in Q1 this year – the situation may change as figures for following months become available, with the impact of 25% tariffs coming into effect – but there is a huge jump in exports to some markets.
While the figures for Denmark, India’s second largest PV export market in 2018-19, are not available for the quarter, Belgium emerged as the second largest market at INR 3000 lakh (US$4 million) – more than for the full year 2018 total of INR 2400 lakh (US$3 million). Exports to South Africa stood third at INR 1100 lakh (US$1.5 million).
Open doors Down Under
As a country with a relatively small manufacturing sector and an economy heavily reliant on mineral and agricultural exports, Australia has few tariffs in place. With East Asian trading partners any attempts at a trade war with China would be folly. “Australia has quite a free and open market for solar power components compared to some countries such as the United States under President Donald Trump,” says Darren Gladman, Clean Energy Council director for distributed energy. Given this, Australia’s ports are wide open to PV imports resulting in low system prices and healthy run rate for the rooftop segment and strong pipeline of large scale projects. Low system prices are also a credit to Aussie installers given high labor costs within the country. Installed rooftop system costs are now a quarter what they were one decade ago. However, as PV antidumping disputes gripped other parts of the world, authorities did investigate the matter. “The Commonwealth Government’s Anti-Dumping Commission terminated an investigation into the importation of solar panels into the Australian market in 2015,” continues Gladman. “The introduction of additional tariffs or duties on these products would have made solar technology substantially more expensive for consumers.” He adds though that there are “some complications” regarding aluminum product imports – impacting some mounting structures.Jonathan Gifford
Topping the countries which registered significant growth in Q1 is Somalia, where India’s exports reached INR 900 lakh (US$1 million) against year 2018-19’s total of INR 2 lakh (US$2,800).
Market trends show the European Union (Belgium, Portugal, Sweden) and African countries (South Africa, Somalia and Ghana) – in addition to Asian countries like Korea and Pakistan – are emerging as significant markets for Indian modules.
These reported figures tend to be in line with the views of Vikram Solar’s Chief Financial Officer Rajendra Kumar Parakh, who said that with the United States becoming a costly proposition, Indian solar manufacturers that have already lost the domestic market to cheaper Chinese imports, “will now target Africa, The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and other rapidly growing solar markets to export.”
However, given that Indian solar manufacturers are finding it challenging to match aggressive pricing of Chinese solar equipment within the global markets as well, the demands are rising for the Government of India to provide incentives on export to help them go toe-to-toe with the global suppliers.
In July 2018, India applied a two-year safeguarding duty on solar PV cells and modules from China and Malaysia, in order to protect domestic players from the steep rise in cheaper imports. In line with the notification issued by the ministry, a 25% safeguard duty was imposed between July 30, 2018 and July 29, 2019. The duty tapers down to 20% between July 30, 2019 and January 29, 2020, and to 15% from January 30 to July 29, 2020.
The duty, however, didn’t deliver the intended results: Solar developers have chosen to shift source of import rather than sourcing higher-priced products from domestic manufacturers. So, there has been a surge in cheaper imports being rerouted though locations such as Vietnam, Singapore and Thailand, where the duty is not applicable.
In fact, a recent Bridge to India report says that the share of imported solar modules used in Indian solar projects is still around 90% – the same as before imposition of safeguard duties.
With a foothold lost in the domestic market to cheaper solar imports, Indian solar manufacturers are eyeing the untapped and emerging solar markets globally to generate revenue.
One year without tariffs – alive and kicking still
The European minimum import price (MIP) came into effect in 2013. After it failed to save the upstream fleet, the EU waved goodbye to the anti-dumping measure about one year ago, to the delight of many in the European PV industry. Right now, the market is in full steam, and to some extent, this can be attributed to the scrapping of the MIP – modules have become cheaper after all. With current installation speeds, Europe will break the 20 GW mark by the end of the year, an 80% increase compared to last year. Several new entries, like Ukraine which exploded into a gigawatt market in little more than a year, and Spain, which catapulted itself right back to the top of the pack following a change in leadership, are to be held accountable for the increase in installations. In neither case, however, could one confidently claim it was the MIP that caused the wheel to turn. It was more political will or necessity to comply with the Paris Agreement that saw many new markets turning more towards renewable energy. A few percentages off module prices were a warmly welcomed confluence. An effect might be seen in the rise of subsidy-free projects. Severe financial tinkering and attention to detail for marginal savings allow the trick to be pulled off. Not very strong on volume yet, the segment could take off fairly soon, and cheap components will be a driver. On the business side of things, “we are also pleased to see [that] several European companies, both upstream and downstream, in the past months announced plans to expand their business in Europe,” SolarPower Europe CEO Walburga Hemetsberger told pv magazine. And that is probably where the real tenet can be drawn. Put in place to protect the domestic solar industry, the MIP did little but increase component prices for European module makers. Now without the measures in place, there are first reports that Europe could be producing modules on par with China. Marian Willuhn
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Nokia might be preparing to add another mid-range device with a gigantic screen to its Windows Phone lineup, as a successor to the Lumia 625.
Evleaks first revealed the Lumia 1320 with the Nokia “Batman” codename, and now The Verge believes the device will be a large-screen handset that fits in Nokia’s budget lineup, just above the Lumia 625, which is currently Nokia’s largest smartphone. Exactly how big the screen will be is unknown, but if we were to hazard a guess, 5-inch would seem just about right – not as large as the 6-inch Lumia 1520, but large enough to not feel like an unnecessary addition to the Lumia portfolio.
The Lumia 1320 will reportedly be Nokia’s top low-end Windows Phone, with specs similar to the Lumia 625, including a 5-megapixel camera accompanied by Nokia’s feature-packed Camera app that debuted on the Lumia 1020. Expect to see a formal announcement at Nokia’s October 22nd event, where we’ll also be introduced to devices like the Lumia 929 and music-focused Lumia 525.


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Hamleys scrapes back into black
Toys group Hamleys has scraped back into the black over the first half, with a profit of £9,000 against losses last time of £2.6m. But chairman and chief executive Simon Burke warns that the market remains depressed and Christmas is likely to prove particularly challenging.
Though the refurbished store in London's Regent Street has been well received by customers, there is no blockbuster product, such as last year's best-selling Who Wants To Be A Millionaire game, to excite shoppers this year.
Sales of scooters have fallen off recently, though Burke predicts strong demand for the new cyber pets, which retail at between £4.99 and £100.
A fall in tourist numbers left like-for-like sales flat, though there was some improvement in margins from reduced 'shrinkage' (theft and stock losses), together with a higher proportion of Hamleys own-brand sales. The interim dividend is a same-again 2.2p.
Burke stepped up as chairman of Hamleys following the departure earlier this year of the controversial Howard Dyer, but Burke said he does not plan to continue in the dual role.
He also said there are no plans to take the group private following the failed bid approach from venture capital group Charterhouse Development Capital four months ago.
The shares rose 1p to 132p.
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Ninety percent of Japanese people and 83 percent of Chinese say relations between the two countries are no good, according to an Asahi Shimbun survey of public sentiment as the 40th anniversary of normalized ties approaches.
The results, released Sept. 24, reflect a bitter standoff over sovereignty of the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.
In Japan, The Asahi Shimbun mailed a questionnaire on Aug. 8 to 3,000 eligible voters chosen at random in 341 constituencies across the country. Of them, 2,178, or 72.6 percent, gave valid responses by Sept. 20.
In China, a Chinese research center working at the behest of The Asahi Shimbun interviewed 3,600 people aged 20 or older at random in 300 locations across the country from Aug. 10 to 18. Of them, 2,550 people, or 70.8 percent, gave valid responses.
On Aug. 15, a group of Hong Kong activists landed on Senkaku Islands, called Diaoyu in China. On Sept. 11, the Japanese government decided to purchase three of the uninhabited islands from private ownership and make them state property. The decision ignited a wave of protests in dozens of cities in China.
The Asahi Shimbun's survey in China was carried out before Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda announced the decision to buy the islands.
Only 5 percent of respondents in Japan said Japan-China relations are good. Ninety percent thought otherwise.
In China, 14 percent of respondents said bilateral relations are good. Eighty-three percent did not think so.
A similar opinion poll was carried out in Japan and China in 2002 to mark the 30th anniversary of normalized ties.
In that survey, 41 percent of respondents in Japan said Japan-China relations are good. Forty-five percent disagreed.
In China, the corresponding figures were 22 percent and 50 percent.
Japan and China will mark the 40th anniversary of normalized diplomatic relations on Sept. 29.
As for future relations, 49 percent of respondents in Japan were eager for deeper ties with China. However, 40 percent thought it was preferable for Japan to keep a distance from China.
Among young people, more respondents championed deeper ties with China. This sentiment was voiced by 56 percent of respondents in their 20s. But in that same age bracket, 31 percent of respondents thought it was preferable for Japan to keep a distance from China.
In China, 42 percent of all respondents were eager for deeper relations with Japan. However, 53 percent thought otherwise.
The survey also asked respondents to pick the main obstacles to bilateral relations. They were given five categories to choose from.
"Problems concerning territory" and "problems on historical recognition" were high on the list for respondents in both countries.
In Japan, the two categories were picked by 38 percent and 30 percent of respondents, respectively. In China, the corresponding figures were 35 percent and 41 percent.
Respondents were also asked if they thought the Japanese government's decision to make the Senkaku Islands state property was helping to solve the issue over territory.
Thirty-eight percent of respondents in Japan viewed the decision in a positive light. Nine percent said it will "dramatically" promote a solution and 29 percent said it will do so "to some extent."
However, 53 percent replied that the decision hindered a solution.
In China, 15 percent said the Japanese government's decision will help to promote a solution while 79 percent said it will delay a solution.
The deterioration in bilateral relations was evident from the increase in the percentage of respondents who dislike the other country.
In the 2002 survey, 19 percent of respondents in Japan said they like China, while 17 percent replied that they dislike China. In the latest survey, only 3 percent said they like China, while 38 percent said they dislike China.
In China, 10 percent of respondents in 2002 said they like Japan, while 53 percent replied that they dislike the country. In this year's survey, the percentage of those who said they like Japan was unchanged at 10 percent, while those who dislike Japan increased to 63 percent. Among those in their 70s or older, 70 percent said they dislike Japan.
The survey also asked respondents to choose two of eight headings as impressions of the other country.
Thirty-nine percent of respondents in Japan said China has a long culture and history. Thirty-eight percent replied that China is an authoritarian country.
Those figures were followed by 30 percent who said China is a military power, 22 percent who replied that China is a developing country, and 21 percent who said it is an economic power.
As for impressions of Japan, 63 percent of respondents in China said Japan is advanced in science and technology. The figure was followed by 44 percent who replied that Japan is an economic power and 30 percent who said Japan is an authoritarian country.
The ratios of those who chose "science and technology" and "economic power" were smaller among Chinese respondents in the 20s, at 55 percent and 34 percent, respectively.
However, the ratio of those who chose "authoritarian country" was higher at 38 percent.
In terms of the respective weight of their economies, 78 percent of respondents in Japan said the Chinese economy exerts a major influence on Japan. Eighteen percent did not agree.
In China, 44 percent of respondents said the Japanese economy exerts a major influence on China. Fifty-one percent did not agree.
Asked which country's companies will wield a bigger influence in global affairs in the future, 40 percent of Japanese respondents cited Japan. However, 54 percent answered that Chinese firms will fulfill that role.
In China, the corresponding figures were 28 percent and 68 percent, respectively.
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Google-DoubleClick skated through its quarterly earnings call, with a healthy $5.19 billion in revenue for the quarter ending March 31, and operating income of $1.55 billion. At this rate Google is on track to top $25 billion in annual revenue. The company has a nest egg of over $12 billion in cash. The stock price is up $76 (about 17 percent) in after-hours trading as of 3:30 p.m. PDT. And, Google's search share in the U.S. is nearly 60 percent. All is well at the Googleplex.
Yahoo announces its first quarter earnings on Tuesday, and the results will likely be acceptable to the Street given the signaling from the company. Earlier the company said that it expects to post revenue within a forecast range of $1.28 billion to $1.38 billion. For further reference, Yahoo's full year 2007 revenue was $6.97 billion, with an operating income of $695 million. Revenue for Q4 2007 was $1.83 billion.
Yahoo has a good, profitable business, but Google did $4.83 billion just for its fourth quarter in 2007. In essence, Google is pummeling Yahoo, and Microsoft, in the lucrative ad/search space.
On the other hand, Microsoft is doing just fine in its current set of businesses, which are coming under a little stress as the cloud inhabited by Google, Yahoo, Salesforce.com, and others affects the perception and future of the Windows and Office franchises. For its fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, Microsoft is expecting revenue in the range of $59.9 billion to $60.5 billion, and operating income in the range of $24.2 billion to $24.4 billion.
During the earnings call, Google CEO Eric Schmidt referenced the ad "test" his company is doing with Yahoo: "It's nice working with Yahoo and we like them very much," he said. The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that Yahoo is getting closer to a deal to outsource its core ad search business to Google.
In view of Google's revenue, profit, and romancing of Yahoo, how does this make Microsoft feel? Jealous and angry, I presume. The longer the mating dance lasts, and Google continues to print money and Yahoo plays hard to get, you might expect that Microsoft is more motivated to get the deal done. Microsoft covets Google's business model and its growth potential, so it makes good sense to Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer to join up with Yahoo to stop Google from taking over the world, as Microsoft did with Windows and Office.
While some pundits don't see the deal as the right strategy to attack Google, Microsoft's exec team appears to be wedded to the idea. And, Ballmer and company are nothing if not persistent and relentless when they want something.
Whether Microhoo can stop Google's growth is questionable, the two could be a very large No. 2. Shareholders want a resolution. Will it be AOL + Yahoo with a little help from Google, or some other combo, or Microhoo? Perhaps Google's continued dominance in the Web era will be a tipping point for Microsoft to sweeten its offer.


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According to Japanese Newspaper, Nintendo Will Unveil its Own Approach to Mobile Gaming
Japanese newspaper, The Nikkei, reports that Nintendo will be unveiling its own strategy concerning mobile gaming
The company will not be putting major titles, such as Mario and The Legend of Zelda, on mobile devices. Instead, as The Nikkei writes, Nintendo wants to use smartphones to expand its potential user base by spreading information about new game releases, i.e. by using video to introduce future titles. This would most likely be through some sort of Nintendo app, and all content would be entirely free with no cash shop or freemium games planned for the near future.
Nintendo will be making an official announcement in their latest investor’s meeting this coming Thursday.


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Some 22% of South Africa’s adult population, or 7.6 million people, are cryptocurrency investors, results of a study by cryptocurrency exchange Kucoin show. According to the study, 72% of the respondents said that they get information about particular crypto projects through social media. Influencers and media personalities were also found to be key opinion leaders promoting cryptocurrencies.
Influencers and media personalities found as key opinion leaders
According to the findings of a new Kucoin study, around 22% of South Africa’s adult population between the ages of 18 and 60 (or around 7.6 million people) are cryptocurrency investors. The study also found that 65% of crypto investors “consider crypto to be the future of finance.” The report added that a large percentage of users seem to prefer digital assets as their favorite means of saving for stable returns.
Explaining how South Africans obtain information about crypto projects they choose to invest in, the study’s findings reveal that nearly three-quarters (72%) of respondents obtain this information through social media. Aside from social media, influencers and media personalities were found to be the top thought leaders in the cryptocurrency promotion space.
Commenting on South Africans’ apparent preference for social media platforms as their first-choice information source, Kucoin CEO Johnny Lyu told Bitcoin.com News:
Data revealed by Statists shows that 30 million South Africans are social media users, with this number projected to rise to 40 million users by 2026. The country is seeing rapid growth in influencers, TikTok bloggers and creators for whom Social networks have proven to be an easy and accessible source of income. The examples of well-known bloggers of African descent like Khaby Lame are encouraging many Africans to spend more and more time on social media in search of work, income and dating.
Lyu also pointed out that social media has become the fastest way for users to get information. He said this is particularly true now that “users’ time is now fragmented and getting information quickly and effectively has become a mainstream way of life.”
Unequal distribution of wealth in South Africa
In terms of demographics, meanwhile, the cryptocurrency exchange study found that South African crypto investors are predominantly “younger and male generations.” Men are estimated to make up 60% of cryptocurrency investors, while around 42% of investors are believed to be between the ages of 18 and 30. Meanwhile, the study exposes the unequal distribution of wealth in South Africa and how low-income people seem to use cryptocurrencies as a tool to remedy the situation.
“The unequal distribution of wealth in the country is well illustrated by the report’s findings, with 22% of crypto investors earning less than $5,000 per year, while 16% earning more than $50,000 during the same period,” the study report explained.
While the study’s findings suggest that interest in cryptocurrencies is growing, consistent reports of South African crypto investors losing funds to scammers have drawn the attention of regulators who have responded by cracking down on crypto entities or warning the public that do not invest in cryptocurrencies. .
However, despite the response from regulators, the study still found that South African crypto investors are “maintaining a positive attitude” towards cryptocurrencies, as they are proving to be “capable of improving people’s financial situation”. Such adoption of cryptocurrencies is having the right impact on the local crypto market in general and this, in turn, helps weed out fraudulent individuals and players, according to the report.
What are your thoughts on the findings of this study? Let us know in the comments section.
image credits: Shutterstock, Pixabay, Wiki Commons
DisclaimerNote: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not a direct offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or a recommendation or endorsement of any product, service, or company. Bitcoin.com does not provide investment, tax, legal, or accounting advice. Neither the company nor the author is responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in this article.


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The Ford brand's next-generation B-car will be the same around the world, Ford's global product chief says. And the car is coming to the United States, filling Ford's long-empty subcompact category.
There will be slight differences in vehicle tuning among markets, Ford's Derrick Kuzak says. "Roads are different in China than they are in Germany than they are in the United States," he says. "Customers may like a slightly different face of Ford in terms of the way the grille and the headlamps look. But a Fiesta will be a Fiesta worldwide."
That doesn't mean Ford will revive the Fiesta name here. The B-car's U.S. name hasn't been decided, Kuzak says. Also uncertain: the number of variants and the assembly location. At one point last year, Ford was working on three models to be assembled in Mexico. Suppliers and industry forecasters expected them to go into production in 2009.
Kuzak wouldn't talk about timing or repeat a past comment that Ford would have a U.S. portfolio of B-cars.
Ford will use a new Mazda architecture for global B-cars. The first product on the architecture is the Mazda2 subcompact, scheduled to be unveiled this week at the Geneva auto show.


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Welcome to Friday Futures, our weekly guide to the latest visions of The Future from around the web. This week: Facebook and telepathic typing; technology based on light; aerogel vs lava; spotting autism; the rise of the Chinese internet; bulletproof backpacks; creative computers.
Facebook is developing a device that types your thoughts
Facebook has announced a major breakthrough in its plans to allow people to type just by thinking of the words they want to use. But the US web giant says it is still some way away from a finished product. Read more…
Future technologies could be based on light
The future of faster, more efficient information processing may come down to light rather than electricity. Mark Lawrence, a postdoctoral scholar in materials science and engineering at Stanford, has moved a step closer to this future with a scheme to make a photon diode. Read more…
For parents in America, back-to-school shopping this year is about more than buying notebooks and binders — it’s about giving their child the best possible chance of surviving a school shooting. Read more…
The rise and rise of the Chinese internet (from 2018 but still good)
Turns out that Einstein’s theory holds up, for now
In the most comprehensive test of general relativity near the monstrous black hole at the center of our galaxy, researchers report that Einstein’s theory of general relativity holds up, at least for now.
This microphone can listen to a single sound particle
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a “quantum microphone” that’s sensitive enough to measure the individual particles of sound known as “phonons.” “We expect this device to allow new types of quantum sensors, transducers and storage devices for future quantum machines.” Read more…
Here’s how computers are learning to be creative – sort of
(Compiled by Alex Leslie and edited by Tony Poulos)
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Starbucks, the world's largest coffeehouse company, said yesterday that the recent closure of its 661 underperforming cafes in the US and Australia would not affect the company's sustainable expansion in China.
The Seattle-based coffee giant has 660 chains in China, of which approximately 330 operate across 26 cities in China.
"China is now the fourth largest market of Starbucks outside the US, following Canada, Japan, and the United Kingdom," said Li Jing, Starbucks' public manager in Greater China, adding that the company aimed to extend its expansion into more second and third-tier cities in China later this year.
In Shanghai, the company has set up seven more chains giving it a total of 102 cafes so far this year.
The company also made aggressive inroads into central China this February in Wuhan, followed by another two openings in the city within three months due to the unexpected popularity, Wang Jinlong, its Greater China president, said.
Beset by shrinking sales in the US, Starbucks sees the country as pivotal to its overseas progression. "China is one of the most important markets and projected to be the largest market for Starbucks outside the North American market in the future," Wang noted.
The famous coffee chain has opened "dozens" of operations in China last year, and "more stores will come in 2008", Li said.
Starbucks, which has raised prices by 3 to 5 yuan for beverages last year, said it had no plan to lift its coffee prices further this year in spite of heavier pressure from increasing operation costs.
(China Daily August 6, 2008)


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Topper Cigar Company is a fourth generation U.S.-based cigar company that has been in business since 1896. Each year they are at the IPCPR it’s nice to reconnect with the history of the company. The 2018 IPCPR Trade Show was no exception.
Topper Cigars are best known for value-priced short filler cigars that utilize 100% tobacco without incorporating homogenized wrapper or additive fillers. The company was founded in 1896 by B.P. Topper in McSherrystown, Pennsylvania. Today, the company is run by B.P.’s great-grandson Chris Topper. For many years Topper Cigars produced handmade cigars utilizing Cuban tobacco and Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. Faced with the Cuban Embargo and rising labor costs during the 1960s, Topper Cigars switched to machine-made cigars utilizing 100 percent natural tobacco. In 2013, Chris Topper made the decision to return to handmade production focusing on short-filler offerings.
Two years ago, the company celebrated its 120th anniversary and opted to make a more premium line. For this project, Chris Topper teamed up with Phil Zanghi of Debonaire House at the De Los Reyes factory and the result was a series of two perfectos – the Topper 120th Anniversary Natural (Habano) and the Topper 120th Anniversary Broadleaf.
This year, the company was showcasing two line extensions to the Topper 120th Anniversary blends. The first was a Rothschild (4 1/2 x 52) and the second was the Breva Especial (5 1/2 x 46). While the Natural and Broadleaf perfectos were jointly packaged in ten-count boxes, the Rothchild and Breva Especial sizes will not do this. Topper also said there will be an increase in production for both of these sizes.
Meanwhile, Topper is getting ready to take over production and U.S. distribution for Marsh Wheeling. This machine-made brand had been off the market for some time, but now it is getting ready to return. Founded in 1840, Marsh Wheeling is considered the oldest cigar brand in the U.S. Ownership of the brand is still held by National Cigar Company. Topper is already handling distribution for FX Smith’s Sons, another old machine-made brand founded in 1863.
Following the 2018 IPCPR Trade Show, Prime Time Special Edition’s Bear Duplisea interviewed Chris Topper on #ElOsoFumarTakes.
Photo Credits: Cigar Coop; Video Credit: #ElOsoFumarTakes


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The state of Mississippi has filed a lawsuit against Experian, the world’s largest credit-reporting firm, alleging that the company made numerous data errors and violated consumer protection laws. The lawsuit was filed last month in a Biloxi state courthouse and transferred to Mississippi federal court late last week. The state accuses the company of jeopardizing their customer’s ability to get loans and pass job-related background checks because of the data errors. The credit reporting industry is currently under investigation by 32 states.
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