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Sony Corporation, a Japanese multinational conglomerate that specializes in developing consumer and professional electronics, has announced the launch of its Blockchain Common Database (BCDB) platform. The firm says BCDB is a next-generation Mobility as a Service (MaaS) solution designed to support a vast array of transportation systems and provide users with accurate information on the best routes to their desired destinations and more, according to a press release on April 23, 2020.
Sony Transforming Transportation with DLT
In a bid to revolutionize the transportation system and promote open data, as well as decentralized transportation data management, Sony has rolled out an innovative blockchain-based Mobility as a Service (MaaS) solution.
Dubbed Blockchain Common Database (BCDB), the MaaS solution which is powered by IT and cloud technology supports numerous transportation systems including trains, buses, taxis, car sharing, and on-demand mobility services.
BCDB makes it possible for users to get highly accurate information about the best route they need to follow to get to their desired destinations on time, including the total costs, as well as the entire process from booking to the clearing.
Reportedly, the Sony BCDB was developed from the ground up and it comes with high-speed data processing and it’s highly scalable, allowing over seven million users to record and share anonymized travel history and revenue allocation on a daily basis.
A Game Changer?
Sony says its BCDB solution is tested and trusted, as it participated in the Netherlands Ministry of Infrastructure and Management Blockchain Challenge Program organized in 2019 and it was the only BCDB to meet the ministry’s specifications.
With Sony’s BCDB solution, players in the transportation industry, transport firms, and transaction processors can now record and share information in a decentralized, transparent and reliable manner, while also being able to deploy it as a service.
Notably, Sony has made it clear that several government parastatals and organizations are now working hard to promote MaaS solutions that support multiple transportation operators. Sony says its BCDB solution has all it takes to make travel more efficient and improve smart city plans.
Interestingly, apart from its BCDB solution, Sony has been creating innovative distributed ledger technology (DLT) based systems in recent times.
In October 2018, Sony Computer Science Laboratories, an arm of Sony Corporation a contactless crypto hardware wallet.
More recently, Sony and Fujitsu joined forces to develop a blockchain-based solution for tackling forged Japanese proficiency certificates.


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Small Tree, a leading designer and manufacturer of robust, affordable Ethernet shared storage and networking solutions for Mac-based post-production professionals, today named Adimex as the companyâ€™s new distributor for Australia and New Zealand.
â€œWith the continued expansion of our GraniteSTOR line of shared storage systems and the creative industryâ€™s migration to 10 GbE, the time was right to secure a relationship with an international distributor who could assist us in meeting our business objectives,â€? said Corky Seeber, president of Small Tree. â€œOver the past 20 years, Adimex has developed a sterling reputation for opening doors and creating growth opportunities for the brands it works with.â€?
Specializing in importing the worldâ€™s leading brands of hardware and software specifically applicable to the video, post-production and broadcast industry, Adimex works closely with highly focused professional resellers throughout Australia and New Zealand to ensure end-users have seamless
access to the best â€œtoolsâ€? on the market.
â€œAt Adimex, we constantly look to build our lineup of world-leading brands,â€? stated Gavin Gilbert, business manager at Adimex. â€œAdding Small Treeâ€™s highly regarded line of shared storage and networking products to our existing collection of brands further solidifies our companyâ€™s position as a one-stop shop for industry professionals.â€?
For Seeber and Small Tree, this newly formed relationship with Adimex has the potential to substantially increase its reach outside the United States.
â€œAdimex has developed business relationships with top tier Mac-dealers and system integrators who require Mac-based Ethernet products,â€? Seeber continued. â€œGiven our strong reputation for delivering quality products and unparalleled customer service to this space, we are confident that this partnership will extend the reach of both companies and provide an improved level of service to dealers, systems integrators and end users in Australia and New Zealand.â€?

domain: news


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- Bella Hadid posted a series of photos of herself on a New York City street on Thursday.
- Hadid wore an oversized neon top under a black vest with no pants, creating a daring look.
- Fuzzy blue earmuffs completed the irreverent ensemble.
One of Bella Hadid's latest winter getups sure has legs.
Although Hadid, 25, struts down runways as a high-fashion model for her day job, she's also famous for her streetwear, often posting photos of her laid-back looks.
On Thursday, she posted a series of nine photos of herself on the street in Tribeca, a trendy New York City neighborhood. In the photos, the model wears an oversized, long-sleeve sweatshirt that reaches her mid-thigh. She layered the neon green top with a bright tie-dye pattern under a black vest.
Hadid, who is 5'9", didn't wear any pants beneath the sweatshirt, turning the casual outfit into a daring ensemble that showed off her legs.
She paired the bold outfit with glasses and fuzzy, blue earmuffs. Black-and-green sneakers and black socks completed the look. The model swung a black tote bag from Treasure of NYC, a luxury vintage retailer.
Also on Thursday, Hadid — who recently rejoined Victoria's Secret as an ambassador after the lingerie company ditched its use of "Angels" — stepped out in another ensemble that offered more coverage.
Hadid wore a yellow top, loose black cargo pants, a black parka, and black sneakers. A knit scarf and striped hat brought color to the look, and Hadid wore black gloves for warmth. Hadid also showed off her love of funky sunglasses, donning a pair of sporty, yellow-lensed shades.
In December, Hadid told Marie Claire that she felt "empowered" as she rejoined Victoria's Secret after a year and a half of negotiations. She also said she had a change of heart from when she viewed the company as being "run by men for men."
"I feel empowered in lingerie," she said, "instead of feeling like my body is some sort of money maker."


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First Farmer’s Market in Dexter
(ABC 6 News) – The ongoing drought didn’t stop farmers from gathering in Dexter for Sunday’s farmer’s market.
Everyone was welcome to stop by Patriot Travel Plaza to check out the various items for sale.
This included homemade sourdough bread, baked sweets, and crafts.
The recent drought had an effect on Sunday’s market as there was not as much produce as usual.
“Normally by this time of the year I would have a table of vegetables and right now I have Kohlrabi. Usually we have cucumbers and other things, beans maybe by now, but it’s been bad,” farmer Christine Hayek said.
This won’t be the only Dexter Farmer’s Market.
They plan to host this every Sunday from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Patriot Travel Plaza.


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Aluminum prices have climbed to their highest levels in over a decade, providing a boost for processors extracting the non-ferrous metal from scrap electronics.
According to the London Metal Exchange, the price was over $2,700 per metric ton, or about $1.23 a pound, as of Aug. 31. The last time it was this high was in early 2011, although it did hit nearly $2,600 a metric ton in April 2018, LME records show.
Aluminum is one of the metals e-scrap companies recover from electronics, in addition to precious metals, copper and steel. Copper hit record prices earlier this year, topping out at over $10,700 a ton (about $4.85 a pound) in May, but the price has since retreated a bit to less than $9,500 a ton.
The Wall Street Journal published an article explaining the international trade dynamics underpinning aluminum’s recent rise.
More stories about markets
- Smelter investment, gold prices and other metals news
- Iron Mountain, others dish up insights in earnings reports
- Research firm: PC sales should pick up this quarter


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From great to fantastic.
Hans and Christy share updates from the November Leadership Forum, including VZPulse results and more.
Our editorial transparency tool uses blockchain technology to permanently log all changes made to official releases after publication. However, this post is not an official release and therefore not tracked. Visit our learn more for more information.
On today’s Up To Speed, host Diana Alvear was live from the November Leadership Forum with Hans and Christy.
Holiday shopping with Walmart
Once again this year, Verizon Media and Walmart are teaming up to offer "30 Days of Savings," a holiday campaign empowering consumers with new commerce content, gift guides and interactive series to help them navigate shopping, save time and enjoy the season with the ones they love.
Hans will be leading our November Leadership Forum for the next two days. He reminded us that it was almost exactly two years ago that we launched Verizon 2.0. Today, we’re reflecting on what we’ve achieved so far, our priorities for the future and how we can continue to improve.
In many parts of the world, cases are rising. Please stay vigilant and keep yourself and your family safe. Be sure to check our COVID-19 resource page for the latest updates.
We’re excited that 83% of the V Team participated in our latest VZPulse survey. Christy shared the results. Going forward, leaders will review this feedback and continue to refine their action plans. Thanks to all for helping us as we continue to move from “great” to “fantastic.”
What Good Looks Like
As part of Global Network & Technology’s Moment to Movement initiative, we’re sharing a preview from the “What Good Looks Like” campaign. The campaign will share V Teamer stories as part of a toolkit to help people leaders build more inclusive teams. What Good Looks Like will launch in a few days and will consist of themes created through powerful V Teamer stories from various levels, races, genders and abilities.
Our first story highlights Josh Andrews, End User Support in Reading, UK, who inexplicably began losing his hearing at the age of 35. Check out the video to see how Josh’s manager made a simple gesture that made an incredible impact on his life.
Dinner table tips
Hans shared his suggestions on what we can discuss with friends and family at the dinner table, be it Thanksgiving or any other meal.
- What we offer to our customers ‒ Fios and Wireless ‒ including Friends & Family, Mix & Match, Verizon Up, Verizon Visa card, etc.
- Our pandemic response; how V Teamers have supported our customers and each other through all of the challenges.
That’s all for now. Stay safe. Let’s finish the fourth quarter strong!
Click here for a transcript of the webcast.
If you have any questions, email them to firstname.lastname@example.org.


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Online search and SEO services company InfoSpace has acquired 2nd Story Software, the holding company for online tax solutions provider TaxACT for $287.5 million in cash, the company announced today. InfoSpace, which operates so-called ‘metasearch’ engines like Dogpile and metacrawler, says the acquisition is expected to close this quarter.
Based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 2nd Story Software / TaxACT is the second largest provider of online tax solutions for individuals and businesses (after Intuit’s TurboTax), with approximately 70 full-time employees.
InfoSpace, which is listed on NASDAQ and has a market cap of approximately $435 million, says the transaction is expected to be accretive to its earnings per share straight away, and that year one return on shareholder capital is expected to exceed 16 percent.
The company says it will fund the acquisition through a combination of cash on hand and debt, and that it has secured a commitment for roughly $95 million to fund the transaction. TA Associates, the majority shareholder of TaxACT, will sell its full holdings as part of the deal.
For the twelve months ending September 30, 2011, TaxACT is said to have clocked $78.1 million in revenues. The combined company is expected to have estimated cash and short term investments in excess of $90 million.-


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Bondholder Kenneth Dart, after staying quiet, says he wants full payment—just like Paul Singer
Does SodaStream's turn toward branding itself as a sparkling water vendor—and its dismal financial performance—suggest that it's seeking a different future?
A federal judge in New York refuses to exterminate an asbestos union's inflatable rat, saying "Scabby the Rat" is covered by the First Amendment
In October, more than two customers joined T-Mobile from a competitor for every customer that left it
Dominique Strauss-Kahn acquired a 20 percent stake in a Luxembourg finance firm last year, but quit his chairmanship on Oct. 20. His ex-partner Thierry Leyne died on Oct. 23
Ministry of Supply’s Aviator jacket combines the structure of a tailored garment with the functionality of a windbreaker
Marvel isn't keeping quiet about its movie plans now that DC has publicized its long slate of superhero vehicles
The schools are spending $52,000 to mail 100,000 apology letters to Montana voters
This year's must-have Silicon Valley office accessory: a $199 bear costume
By Rita Gunther McGrath and Ian C. MacMillan
Harvard Business Press; 256 pages; $27.95
Acknowledging that innovation is a tricky beast to implement even at the best of times, McGrath, from Columbia Business School, and MacMillan, professor of entrepreneurship and innovation at the Wharton School, offer a guide for executives looking to focus on growth while minimizing risk. With a wealth of examples showing the diversity of potential approaches—from top-down, CEO-driven innovation to stealthy, guerrilla-style initiatives—this is a smart, supremely practical guide.
Listen to Rita McGrath in conversation with former BusinessWeek writer and editor Jessie Scanlon
Buy This Book


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Grocery store a key issue at Silt candidate forum
SILT — Each of the four candidates running for the town board attempted, at times, to lay out their unique vision for the town Tuesday evening, but the need to land a grocery store or some similar business was one issue all the candidates repeatedly agreed on.
The desire to see a grocery store, or as candidate Paul Taylor, a former Silt trustee and police chief, said, an anchor retail business, was far from the only thing the candidates agreed on at a forum hosted by the Rifle Area Chamber of Commerce.
However, the need for a grocery store persisted throughout the nearly 90-minute forum as a key issue to increasing the sales tax base for the town, which the candidates said was necessary for improving infrastructure and other quality-of-life needs.
A grocery store would create a domino effect, said Kenneth (T.J.) Tucker, who was appointed to a vacant seat on the board last fall. It starts with a grocery store, and then leads to a bank or fast food restaurant coming to town, he added.
To that point, candidate Dina Prieto said she agreed, and echoed Taylor’s statement concerning the need to keep sales tax dollars in the town, rather than have that money spent in Rifle, New Castle or another neighboring municipality.
Keith Richel, who was first elected to the board four years ago, said a grocery store has to be the No. 1 economic development priority for the town. He referenced a recently updated demand analysis that concluded there is still a significant amount of retail potential leaking outside of the town.
The topic is nothing new, Taylor said, adding that there have been talks of a grocery store since he moved to Silt in 1987. But it’s been all talk and no results.
Bringing a grocery store to Silt was cited as a crucial part of overall economic development in the town during a 2014 candidate forum, although a report from that time pointed to disagreement among some candidate as to the preferred method for attracting a store.
Taylor on Tuesday seemed critical of the desire to locate a grocery store on town-owned parcels next to the Kum and Go. Rather than waste money on a swamp — a reference to the wetlands and mitigation required — Taylor suggested there were plenty of other locations that could be looked at. He also suggested alternatives to the typical large chain grocery store, such as a Wal-mart convenience store, or as he called it, “a mini Wal-mart.”
Richel said that the grocery store was a more complicated issue than some people seem to think, but he and Tucker stated their optimism that the town was making progress.
Richel pointed to the fact that the town recently changed its approach, and rather than only reaching out to grocery stores, the town also is contacting commercial developers that could potentially construct a building to house a store.
“We’re knocking on two doors instead of one.. hopefully we can knock one of those doors down,” he said.
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Australian lifestyle brand Piping Hot has tapped international surf champion Sally Fitzgibbons to serve as its new brand ambassador.
Saban Brands is expanding the Paul Frank brand in China through a strategic, long-term licensing agreement with Grand Union International Trading Company.
Saban Brands has announced “Power Rangers Dino Super Charge” as the title of the upcoming season of "Power Rangers," premiering on Nickelodeon in early 2016.
As Saban Brands celebrates its fifth anniversary, the company has grown from one iconic franchise to 11 brands and approaching $1 billion in retail sales worldwide.
Carte Blanche Group has inked a new deal with Saban Brands to bring the Power Rangers and Paul Frank brands to its line of 3D lenticular cards in the U.K. and Eire.
Saban Brands is launching an advisory committee for its new lifestyle group that will counsel the company on its current brands and future acquisitions.
Saban Brands has appointed Corus Entertainment's Nelvana to represent the Power Rangers brand for licensing in France.
Saban Brands has teamed with Frisky Nineteen to create a new line of kids’ footwear and accessories featuring "Power Rangers Dino Charge."
Saban Brands has acquired another new brand for its burgeoning portfolio of fashion and lifestyle properties–the Australian surf brand Piping Hot.
Saban Brands has unveiled a lineup of new soft goods licensees for its Power Rangers franchise in North America and also signed two new toy partners.
Haim Saban, founder of Saban Brands, writer and director Chris Columbus, and Jeremy Zag have joined forces to launch Zag Animation Studios.
Saban Brands has launched the first-ever pop-up shop for its lifestyle brand Paul Frank in New York City's Times Square.
Saban Brands and Nick Jr. announced that Season Two of the animated preschool series, “Julius Jr.”, will launch with a week of premieres.
StoryToys and Saban Brands have released “Julius Jr.’s Playhouse,” the first fully interactive 3D app based on the preschool series “Julius Jr.”
My Gym Children’s Fitness Center and Saban Brands have partnered for a national holiday campaign focusing on the preschool series "Julius Jr."
©2015 ADVANSTAR COMMUNICATIONS INC. All rights reserved.


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Broadcom Hits Resistance As The Street Braces For Solid Earnings
Broadcom (BRCM) is scheduled to report 1Q 2012 earnings after the close of trading on Tuesday, May 1. Results are usually available at 4:05 p.m. EST and will follow with a conference call at 4:45 p.m. EST. Expectations are quite high headed into the release given the company’s exposure to the Apple iPhone. According to iFixit, Broadcom’s Bluetooth and Wi-Fi combo chip are embedded in the popular device, along with a host of other premier smartphones.
For the full report, click HERE.


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salt Lake City–(business wireAtomic, a market-leading provider of payroll connectivity, is today announcing its partnership with Hydrogen, a fintech platform that helps businesses quickly launch white label debit cards with no coding and a single, all-inclusive platform. make capable. By partnering with Atomic, Hydrogen enables organizations to seamlessly integrate payroll connectivity with its platform, unlocking features for employers, employees, gig-economy workers and payroll providers. For companies and organizations that operate with unbanked or underbanked, they can now offer a wallet or card for consumers to deposit their payroll, which includes additional bonuses such as cashback and on-card rewards. which is a win-win for both workers and employers.
“The rise to EWA prominence in recent years is a sign that workers’ wages are not going as far as they used to,” said Atomic CEO and co-founder Jordan Wright. “We anticipate that workers are going to demand financial health benefits that help them move beyond bill payments and scenarios that drive frequent use of EWAs between pay cycles. Our partnership with Hydrogen organizations enables employees to quickly and seamlessly launch applications to help them cope with financial stress and retain and attract talent for employers.”
“This partnership is a unique opportunity for organizations to bring a custom debit card program to market for workers,” said Avi Natan, Senior Partnership Manager, Hydrogen. “In turn, these card programs create opportunities to monetize revenue from interchange fees—versus penalty or interest charges—encouraging timely recurring use and loyal customers.”
The announcement comes at an uncertain time in the US job market, with wages tightening and unemployment near a half-century low of 3.7 percent, according to the Labor Departments. Workers are financially stressed as the cost of household goods rises from inflationary pressures. Simultaneously, the cost rate outweighs the wage increase, forcing workers to find alternatives to meet bill due dates or charge a fee. Workers are also using employer-sponsored Earned Wage Access (EWA) benefits and direct-to-consumer solutions to access earned but unpaid wages.
The hydrogen-nuclear partnership provides a number of value propositions for hydrogen and its customers. Gig economy companies can take advantage of Hydrogen’s Atomic Widget to use to pay their 1099 employees with a great user experience to boot. Employers can offer automatic deposit switching and automatic financing of hydrogen cards, rewards for consumers and earning cashback on purchases, and profits from interchanges for employers. Meanwhile, consumer-focused organizations can re-channel profits earned from interchange fees to community building and other needs.
For both companies, the partnership brings nuclear and hydrogen to the fore in their shared vision to close the financial health gap for all workers by powering the next generation of financial wellness benefits.
about the atom
nuclear is a market leading provider of payroll connectivity, trusted by over 125 financial institutions, fintech firms and partners, including 12 of the largest fintech apps offering digital-first neobanks, alternative lending, crypto exchanges and digital brokerages We do. Atomic’s payroll integrations provide the infrastructure for consumers to connect, automate, set-up and update their financial data direct depositDigitize income and employment verification, repay financial liability from their paychecks, access to earned but unpaid wages, and tap do filing benefits.
Atomic simplifies complex payroll integration with a suite of API solutions that include over 480 unique payroll connections, including existing payroll providers, bespoke enterprise solutions, modern HR tech providers, gig-economy platforms, and government systems. Atomic’s payroll APIs cover 75% of the US workforce, with a combined reach of 125 million workers.
Atom to a. was selected for 2022 Fintech Breakthrough Award for Best Banking Transaction Solution, recognized as Top Work Locations 2022, and has raised $78.6 million from investors, including Mercato Partners, Core Innovation Capital, Portage, and Greylock. For more information on the intersection of Fintech and Payroll, you can subscribe to Atomic intelligence Newspaper.
Hydrogen embedded finance is simplified. We enable businesses to quickly launch white label debit cards with no coding and with one, all-inclusive platform. No fintech experience required. Launch new programs, generate new income, and be on the market in weeks. Our latest Web3 offering is white labeled crypto debit cards that can be spent at millions of merchants globally. This new offering is branded as ChainSwipe, and will help the next 100 million crypto users make it easy and intuitive to spend crypto in their wallets.
Hydrogen has been awarded World-Changing Technology from Fast Company, Fintech Startup of the Year from KPMG Luxembourg and BBVA Open Talent USA winner. Hydrogen is also a graduate of the MasterCard StartPath, MassChallenge Fintech and Plug and Play Fintech Accelerator programs. Hydrogen is committed to empowering organizations to develop financial products for customers in the US and around the world. for more information please visit https://www.hydrogenplatform.com and follow us Twitter And Linkedin,


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As startups scale up their teams, they tend to make a few common mistakes. Here’s how to avoid falling into that trap.
An interview with Nichole Elizabeth DeMeré on her experience with growth and community engagement at Inbound.org, Growth Hackers, and Product Hunt.
We sat down with Chris Messina, inventor of the hashtag, to discuss the future of privacy and social networks, how to define success in software, and more.
Marcus Gosling of Highway1, a hardware startup accelerator in Silicon Valley, explains what it takes to turn a good prototype into a great product.
Interview with Homejoy’s VP of Growth, Bastian Purrer, about the company’s approach to scaling and the challenges of balancing global and local markets.
Entrepreneur Pieter Levels is trying to launch 12 startups in 12 months. In our interview, he shares what he’s learned about idea validation, taking action, getting press coverage, and more.
Former IDEO designers are changing the way Yoga classes are taken. Yoga classes will never be the same.
Google’s Larry Page told this founder to “Build something that would positively impact a billion people within ten years.” Here’s how Sam Zaid grew Getaround.


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Walt Disney, Peloton Interactive fall; AppLovin, Unity Software rise
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks that traded heavily or had substantial price changes Thursday:
Walt Disney Co., down $8.83 to $92.31.
The entertainment giant gave investors a disappointing update on streaming subscriber growth.
Beyond Meat Inc., down $2.28 to $10.20.
The company said demand for its plant-based burgers fell in the first-quarter.
Unity Software Inc., up $3.72 to $32.46.
The video-gaming software company beat Wall Street’s first-quarter earnings and revenue forecasts.
AppLovin Corp., up $4.19 to $22.
The mobile app technology company gave investors an encouraging revenue forecast.
Alarm.com Holdings Inc., up $1.83 to $49.73.
The security service company reported strong first-quarter profit and revenue.
Sonos Inc., down $5.01 to $16.14.
The maker of wireless speakers and home sound systems reported disappointing second-quarter earnings.
PacWest Bancorp, down $1.38 to $4.70.
The bank said 9.5% of its deposits left last week after news reports said the bank was talking with potential investors and partners.
Peloton Interactive Inc., down 67 cents to $6.86.
The exercise bike and treadmill company is recalling around 2.2 million bikes because of a seat defect.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.


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News Analysis |
Automobile companies like Toyota, Suzuki, and Honda have begun their new year by surprising their customers with a gift of substantially increased prices of in-demand vehicles. Honda Atlas Cars announced that it is compelled to increase vehicle prices from Rs 50,000 to Rs 100,000 with effect from October 22 last year, on account of the negative impact of the falling exchange rate.
The company has now, once again, decided to raise prices in January 2019, which will take the cumulative increase to Rs 210,000. Prices of Civic variants had been increased by Rs100,000, which will be increased again in this month, taking the total rise to a massive Rs 210,000. Indus Motor Company (IMC), which had recently stopped car bookings, also made an enormous increase in vehicle prices following the recent round of rupee depreciation.
Honda has so far increased car prices three times. This trend seems to find no halt in its path.
The company raised prices in the range of Rs 50,000 to Rs 175,000 for November and December deliveries and Rs 100,000 to Rs 350,000 for deliveries from January 2019 onwards. Pak Suzuki Motor Company has jacked up the price of WagonR, Cultus and Swift by Rs 40,000 under the same pressure. Prices of Mehran, Bolan and Ravi were increased by 15%, 11% and 9% respectively, last year.
This caused a sudden drop in the sales of these three price-sensitive cars, which allowed United Motors and Master Motors to tap the low-priced segment cars which were previously dominated by Pak Suzuki. The rupee’s depreciation of over 26% against the US dollar in the past 10 months has left a devastating impact on many businesses, particularly the ones that rely heavily on imports.
Read more: Honda, Suzuki lose 50 percent profits
According to research analyst Farheen Irfan, “Auto companies are trying to pass on the impact of rupee devaluation, but the increasing car prices will hurt demand significantly,”. She also added that expensive cars and costly auto financing coupled with growing supply to the market with the entry of new players had painted a negative outlook for the industry. This is the fifth time this year Indus Motor has increased car prices following the rupee depreciation, which began in December 2017.
Suzuki has already raised prices four times and is expected to increase prices again following the 7%-rupee depreciation. Honda has so far increased car prices three times. This trend seems to find no halt in its path. It can be analyzed that automobile companies are trying to cover up the annual fall in sales that occurs at year-end. Traditionally, the premium on vehicles also drops in December.
Hence, one is inclined to think that these companies had announced the increasing cost of vehicles last year, to indirectly prompt and scare people into buying their vehicles before that actually happened – which worked to some extent. However, the second round of increasing prices this year is expected to anger customers more than warn them, and ultimately lower the broader realm of demand of their respective vehicles.


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Smilesss PFP Claim Goes Live
The claim for the Smilesss PFP went live for holders according to a recent announcement from the team.
Holders can head over to the portal to claim their Smilesss PFP. Once there, users can connect their wallet and select the NFT(s) they wish to claim a PFP for.
The PFP version of the NFT cannot be bought or sold on its own, users who buy Smilesss on secondary must go back to the portal to transfer the PFP NFT that matches up with their Smilesss.


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LANSING, June 21, 2007 – She had to look twice, and then look again! It took careful review before a very lucky Montrose woman could believe that she had scratched a winning $40,000,000 Spectacular ticket worth $1 million!
The longtime Lottery player hid the winning ticket in a book and plans to use her prize money to pay bills and buy a new house up north.
The lucky ticket was purchased at F&M Petroleum, 4313 W. Mt. Morris Rd., in Mt. Morris.
$40,000,000 Spectacular is just one of many Michigan Lottery Instant tickets available at nearly 11,000 Lottery retailers statewide.
All proceeds from the Lottery are contributed to the state School Aid Fund which supports kindergarten through 12th grade public education in Michigan. In fiscal year 2006, the contribution was $688 million.
For additional information, please visit the Lottery’s Web site at https://www.michiganlottery.com/.
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- Subscribe NowLimited Time Offer
Microsoft to open temporary store in the Galleria
The announcement comes as the Redmond, Wash.-based technology company said it will open more than 30 holiday stores in the U.S. and Canada.
Offiicals at the Saint Louis Galleria said the store will be located in the Garden Court area, which is close to Microsoft’s main competitor, Apple Inc.
Microsoft reported a net loss of $492 million for its fiscal fourth quarter, compared with a profit of $5.87 billion in the same period a year ago. Revenue increased 4 percent to $18 billion its fiscal fourth quarter due to strong growth in its office unit.
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Netflix Inc. has appointed Zimbabwean billionaire Strive Masiyiwa to its board, adding its first African director as it looks to new markets for future growth.
Masiyiwa is the founder and executive chairman of Econet Global, a telecommunications company that operates across Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. Econet offers phone, broadband and satellite service, and is also a major provider of mobile payments.
Masiyiwa brings a fresh set of connections and experience as the first African — and the third international media executive — to join Netflix’s board in recent years. The streaming giant already has two directors from Europe, which has been its fastest-growing region.
Netflix now has more than 190 million subscribers, and is looking to regions beyond the U.S. and Europe for its next batch of customers.
For now, Africa is a small market for paid streaming video. In a continent of more than a billion people, Netflix has just a couple million customers, according to Digital TV Research. But the company has long argued that it would play the long game adding customers in Asia and Africa, home to the majority of the world’s people.
Toward that end, Netflix has started offering cheaper, mobile-only plans and has commissioned a slate of original series and movies.-Bloomberg


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"What we will say is there will never be loot crates in Sea of Thieves".
According to Rare, this second beta "is to test a lot of the work we've done since the closed beta, and to try and hit a higher concurrent players number than we've ever seen before". Rare expects to see problems like: sessions being interrupted, the inability to join games at certain times during the weekend, and issues with using the shops in-game. Things will kick off this weekend, when Rare has announced it will hold a scale test created to stress its services and pinpoint any issues that crop up. AMD is hoping to get more Radeon cards up and out there customers, but if you didn't pick up a GTX 1080Ti last year, you're going to have a really hard time getting your hands on one this year. Content will be identical to the closed beta and gameplay will be restricted to the Gold Hoarders trading company and accompanying Voyages.More news: On the Street Where You Live singer Vic Damone dies
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The scale test will run from Friday, Feb. 16 at 4am CT to Feb. 18 at 4am CT. Sea of Thieves releases on Xbox One and Windows 10 on March 20. There'll be another scale test at some point after that, and Rare say that they "do plan on running another beta closer to the launch of the game". You can start speculating on what that could mean whenever you want. If you're an Insider, simply grab the Sea of Thieves test build from the Insider Hub on your console.
"While you're welcome to partake in the tests, this added scale is expected to bring to light issues that Rare can learn from and address, and is not reflective of the final game". Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.


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Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, an association of manufacturers and exporters worries the country will fall further behind competitors in peer nations without the right push now.
Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters
A new survey by Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters found nine out of 10 companies in the sector are grappling with supply chain issues.
Mark Kaluski says the province needs to crack down on big-box retailers such as Costco and Walmart if it really wants to get the virus under control.
Resumption of Ottawa-Montreal Via service welcomed amid concerns about impact of prolonged blockades
Roughly 5% of tourists reach Ottawa by rail


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As reported a couple of days ago, Gorilla Mind’s highly effective and standard-setting energy drink, Gorilla Mind Energy, has begun showing up in the sports nutrition retailer The Vitamin Shoppe. The well-put-together beverage with hefty highlights like 400mg of alpha-GPC, 200mg of uridine, and a smooth 200mg of energy has also hit shelves at the supplement store in a completely new Sour Watermelon Candy flavor.
More information on the massive partnership between Gorilla Mind and The Vitamin Shoppe has since surfaced, outlining how it is all going to play out and support the reputable sports nutrition brand and giant retailer. The official launch of the Gorilla Mind Energy drink at Vitamin Shoppe is going down on Monday of next week, so in a couple of days, although, as mentioned, some locations already have it on shelves.
In regards to the all-new Sour Watermelon Candy Gorilla Mind Energy, as you might have suspected, not only has that debuted at The Vitamin Shoppe, but that is currently the only place you can purchase it. We’re not sure if it will forever be exclusive to Vitamin Shoppe or join the other eight flavors of Gorilla Mind Energy in the brand’s online store, but for now, you’ll need to head to your local store to get your hands on it.


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British retailer The Co-op has committed to reducing food waste by calling on local authorities to accelerate the introduction of food waste collections from homes.
According to a UK charity and campaign body WRAP, around 1,000t of food waste ends up in landfill daily, which rots and produces methane gas.
It believes that the food waste can be composted, or used to create energy reducing greenhouse emissions.
Co-op is also running a campaign with the hope of eliminating 1.75 billion single-use plastic bags, which can be replaced with compostable-friendly alternatives.
The retail chain is also planning to write a letter to all local authorities, who are not taking any initiative to collect food waste.
Co-op noted that 156 English councils do not have a kerbside food waste collection, and 12% of the 169 local authorities who collect food waste, do not accept compostable bags.
The retailer has already asked 20 of these local authorities to join the commitment. It believes the support from the authorities will help stop the production of an estimated 60 million plastic bags.
Co-op chief commercial officer Michael Fletcher said: “How we do business really matters. The world is experiencing a climate crisis and we need to work together to avoid it. Accelerating action is the only way to mitigate and reduce impacts on our natural world, and to ensure stable food supply chains in the future.
“We are committed in helping our members and customers to make environmentally-friendly choices and reducing the environmental impact of products is and always has been at the core of Co-op.
“That’s why we are writing to local authorities to encourage universal kerbside food waste collections and acceptance of compostable bags, sooner than 2023.”
The retailer is currently offering compostable bags through more than 1,000 stores to communities, where authorities are accepting them in the household food waste collections.


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Shops & Markets
Plans newly-submitted to the local authority in Glasgow propose a small cafe at the back of the shop.
A market for the discerning buyer is coming to the West End this weekend. The SWG3 venue on Eastvale Place…
A new type of market is coming to the West End later this month. Nice Markets is the idea of…
The company has been sold to English-based family chain Stevensons.
All you have to do to have a chance pf winning is share this post via Facebook or Twitter.
The West End stores’ new co-owner Andrew Duncan talks about plans to use technology to compete with online giants.
The new artisan bakery on Lauderdale Gardens is the latest outlet in the Hyndland empire that includes Cafezique and Delizique.
A tech entrepreneur and food businessman buy West End deli stores and say they have plans to restore the brand to its former glory.
Plans could see the Kibble Palace in Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens used as a new home for the city’s farmers’ market. Talks are at an early stage.
The traditional toy shop will cease trading on Saturday July 1, owner Claire Kilmurry said this week.


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March saw a surprising decline in sales of video game hardware and software, despite hardware growth over last year for the Xbox 360. The Nintendo Wii is still the most coveted hardware on the market, but even Nintendo’s cash cow was struggling.
At first I was a little surprised, but as far as life cycle goes, the current generation of consoles is heading toward a mid-life crisis. There are certainly enough peripherals now to extend the life of any console, but as games like Resident Evil 5 show, developers seem to have caught up with the hardware, producing games that can start to truly tax the machines we love.
My question, then, is who goes first? Sony, whose PS3 is looking like the Gamecube of last generation, could desperately use some new life. And though the Wii is still selling out of…everywhere, there could definitely be improvements on graphics and game design. As for the 360, well, do you really want to see the next Bungie App on the same console?


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Ten years ago as a student, Kathleen Cassidy discovered the power of coupon When shopping for food.
Nowadays, with a rise Food prices Taking a bite out of Canadians’ wallets, Cassidy took to social media to share her experiences saving money at the grocery store.
said Cassidy, founder of the company Live at loonie social media blog.
“Depending on what you use and how loyal you are to the brand, you can definitely save a lot of money.”
Canadians are turning to coupons to save money amid soaring inflation
Coupons made headlines throughout the year as the Bank of Canada works to bring down the inflation rate. according to A recent CIBC surveyMany Canadians use savings strategies such as coupons to save money on purchases. So how does it work?
Coupons are often offered by manufacturers and can be used to obtain discounts on their products, said Sylvain Charlebois, director of the Agri-Food Analytics Laboratory at Dalhousie University.
Coupons stimulate the market by offering consumers a discount against the purchase of their products. Coupons are different from grocery flyers, which are a form of advertising run by supermarkets, Charlebois said.
“The coupons will actually incentivize consumers to buy the product by offering a discount, so you have to take physical action to save money, while there is some vertical coordination between the grocers and the manufacturers in the flyers, so the manufacturers want the grocers to promote as much as possible.”
“A lot of times, the financial incentives aren’t necessarily just for the consumers, but for the grocer as well. So PepsiCo will say ‘If you actually put my chips on the front page, left hand corner this week, we’ll give you credits, we’ll give you kind of a profit based on sales’ and things like that. .”
Tips for saving money while shopping
Charlebois added that sometimes coupons can be found in a grocery flyer and can be snapped up. It is a way for a food manufacturer to establish a relationship with a customer.
Usually, manufacturers do not sell directly to consumers. This coupon creates that relationship with consumers. This is the incentive for manufacturers.
“In return, you will give them some data at some point because you may actually have to mail a voucher or use it at the point of sale. If it is used at the point (of sale) itself, it will be returned, it will be recorded, and the manufacturers will know when you bought their product and what other product from whom you purchased their product. This is very important market data.”
Where can I find coupons?
According to the November 7 CIBC poll, which collected a sample of 1,520 Canadians online from Sept. 14-15, 37 percent of respondents said they use strategies such as coupons or searching for deals in-store.
Coupons can be downloaded online from manufacturers’ websites or from thrift sites, Cassidy said, and they can also end up in the mail.
“The other would be when you’re already in the store, so when you’re in the store a lot of times (the paper coupons) are straight from the products in the aisle,” she said.
“So it’s kind of keeping an eye open for those.”
While Cassidy said the coupons have saved her thousands of dollars, when used with other tools like loyalty programs, the savings can add up even more, she said.
“How much money you’ll save when you give out coupons really depends on how much time and effort you want to invest in things,” Cassidy added.
How can Canadians use these tools to save food?
Before going to the grocery store, Canadians should think about a meal plan, Cassidy said. This includes thinking about what they should eat each night, and what is already in the fridge and freezer.
“What items do you actually need to buy? That alone can help you decide which items you need to buy that week, and which proteins are on sale.”
It also helps you cut down on waste because a lot of Canadians will go to the grocery store and pick out a bunch of things that they think they need, but they haven’t kind of thought through what their plan is. So by having a meal plan in place, even before you go to the grocery store, it can really help you save in all of those areas.”
Inflation rates stabilized in October as economists expect another rate hike
By spending some time online before going to the grocery store, Canadians can find out the fair market value of the items on their grocery list, Charlebois said.
“Do your homework first,” he said, “and then when you show up at the grocery store, if that price doesn’t match the price on your piece of paper or on your phone, just walk away.”
“Don’t go to the same store all the time, go to a different store every two weeks. You don’t have to go to two or three stores a week – just go to one store a week, but alternately, and you’ll find things are very different from store to store, Even if it is owned and operated by the same owner.
“A lot of stores are fighting for your money and your attention… There’s going to be a lot of loyalty point offers,” she said.
“When you come into the store and spend X dollars, you’ll say, $25 in points or something, so that can really help you redeem loyalty points to get $25 off your grocery bill or whatever the offer is in the store.”


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Restaurant, cineplex named as tennants of South Side Works
July 29, 2003
South Side residents can look forward to cheesecake and a movie next summer. The Soffer Organization has been working to bring the Cheesecake Factory to the South Side Works to be located adjacent to the new 10-screen Cineplex.
Soffer received approval from the Planning Commission for design plans for the Factory in April. The restaurant will seat 360 customers indoors and 70 in outdoor patio seating. Construction should begin later this year.
The 10-screen Cineplex will begin construction this summer and the Soffer Organization has entered into a partnership with John Harper, president of the Pittsburgh Theater Company, to create a state-of-the-art cinema that will emphasize art films as well as mainstream movies. There will be stadium seating and the best in visual and sound technology. Moviegoers will be able to purchase their tickets online and select a reserved seat for each performance.
The cinema will be located on Sidney Street in a landscaped town square with a fountain and benches. The 100,000 square foot structure will include a two-story lobby leading to a second floor theater with 2,000 seats. The first floor will have specialty shops and include restaurants and cafes with outside dining.


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Are you looking for a thrilling and exhilarating experience on the Pacific Map? Well, the Warzone Pacific Map has got you covered.
Join this exciting journey to explore and uncover the secrets of the Warzone Pacific Map. You will be amazed by what awaits!
New warzone map release date
The new Warzone Pacific map for Call of Duty: Warzone is set to be released on December 8th, 2020. This is the first map expansion for Warzone since it launched on March 10th, 2020.
The new map will bring a brand new setting to Verdansk – the vast expanse of Pacific Ocean. Players can explore this environment with five different game modes that offer up intense 24-player battles across a range of terrain and elements. These options include classic battle royale, deathmatch, search and destroy, plunder, and one more surprise mode reveal coming in the future!
Additionally, the new map presents a different form of challenge as players traverse the island’s vast landscape with its steep heights and treacherous drops. There are many routes available to create unexpected strategies that could give an edge over opponents. The expansive environment provides an entirely different experience from Verdansk’s dense battlefields as players experience various micro terrains with kayaks, ATVs and even a fully-functional helicopter you can use to travel further distances faster than ever before.
Furthermore, players can expect brand new weapons exclusive to this map as well as original scoring systems for each of the unique game modes that enable challenging but balanced matches at all skill levels.
So mark your calendars and prepare for an intense adventure in the South Pacific when Warzone’s latest expansion releases on December 8th!
Warzone new map release date
The release date for Warzone Pacific, the new map for Call Of Duty’s Battle Royale shooter, was announced on February 11th 2021. The new map adds an entirely new warzone to the popular shooter franchise, offering new locations and seasons to explore. Players can expect a tropical setting on the Pacific Island, with fresh weapons, vehicles and secrets all waiting to be discovered.
Warzone’s launch day brings with it some exciting content updates and rewards from in-game items. Additionally, players will also experience game-changing mechanics courtesy of the interactive terrain system that alters the landscape of Verdansk as time passes and adapts itself dynamically to each match!
For those excited about getting their hands on Warzone Pacific, stay tuned for more details about what’s available in the upcoming patch that is set to arrive soon after launch day. Other changes include an all-new progression system which will grant players access to all-new rewards throughout their Warzone journey! So get ready for this new warzone experience and make sure your squad is ready when June 29 arrives!
New warzone map 2021 release date
Warzone Pacific is a new map released in 2021 that is set in the future and features many new locations, weapons and vehicles. The map covers the entire Pacific Rim with time zones adjusted for real-life geography. Players will have access to a range of new abilities, such as stealth and invisibility, as well as an additional set of objectives to complete. The release date for Warzone Pacific is scheduled for early 2021.
The Warzone Pacific map features over 18 unique cities, ranging from Tokyo to Singapore. Players will be able to explore a variety of environments from tropical forest to snowy mountain tops, resulting in more possibilities when playing the game. New land-based and air vehicles consist of tanks, helicopters and planes that players can use to traverse around the map quickly.
Furthermore, players can use seven new advanced weapons such as tactical rifles & sniper rifles (with laser designators); upcoming customizable operator skins & armors; deployable walls to protect their location while they enter or leave a battle; an AI director which helps you customize your experience; night vision & thermal scopes; various traps like pirate ships or mines; improved vehicle controls; 3D spotting; active reload system; new night events including zombie spawns & much more.
New warzone pacific map release date
The new Warzone Pacific map for the popular online shooter game, Call of Duty: Warzone has been officially announced. Fans have long anticipated the launch of this battlefield, promised to bring updated gameplay and a different environment from other installments of the franchise. This highly sought-after battleground will receive its official launch date as April 16th.
The latest installment of the Warzone franchise accurately depicts a Pacific theater environment and will feature historic locations, including Iwo Jima and Midway Island. Admirers can expect to see heavily fortified naval installations spread out across numerous atolls dotting the oceanic horizon, in addition to locations inspired by real-world Japanese and American fortifications located on remote islands in that part of the world.
Developers have built upon all aspects both in terms of visuals and mechanics, which not only improves aesthetics but also offers new ways to experience gameplay that previous Warzone games might not have been able to provide. There will also be a whole range of new weapons and vehicles available for players to take advantage of during their experience on this sprawling digital theatre come April 16th!
Call of Duty warzone new map release date
The new Warzone Pacific map is set to be released soon within the highly anticipated Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. This epic addition to the Warzone franchise is one of the largest maps ever created for a Call of Duty game, so let’s dive into what fans can expect from this latest addition.
The expansive map is divided into multiple distinct zones, each with its own unique setting and objects found within them. Players will explore Far East cities, frigid mountains, luscious jungles and even a mysterious Group 935 laboratory. The sheer scale of the map commands that some parts are only revealed through players’ experience, as they encounter various interactive areas like secret bunkers or hidden weapon caches along the way. The map also features two points in which players can parachute down to begin their journey – Port Yuuva and Severen Sprite Campgrounds.
Given that this highly anticipated update contains such an expansive world to explore, there has been no set release date yet for when it will become available in game updates. However, given the recent news that the maps are being primed for official launch, we expect to see it appear on our screens by early 2021. Be sure to check all Call of Duty news outlets for future updates about when Warzone Pacific Map will be officially released!
New warzone map release date 2021
The release date of the Warzone Pacific Map was announced in the game update on March 16th, 2021. The new map is located in an alternate reality version of the South Pacific and includes several new locations to explore. It promises a much larger playing field for warzone fans to enjoy with up to four hundred players battling it out in wide open water and on five highly detailed islands featuring twisting jungles, rolling fields, battlefields and abandoned coastal villages. Activision has promised a wide range of intense tactical weapons scenarios that will challenge even the most experienced players.
Players unfamiliar with the Warzone series may be surprised at the level of detail featured in this title. Every shooter fan’s opinionated desires are addressed with an abundance of guns and perks that can be switched among before entering a match or buying them from merchant NPCs. Players also have huge map sizes, vehicular combat elements, perks, Operators and much more to look forward to when they enter battle! Technology has also been developed to create completely immersive sound environments while playing on headsets as well as stunning visuals rendered in 4K resolution with HDR and Ray Tracing support.
Whether you’re a seasoned shooter veteran more than ready for some fast-paced online competition or a fan looking for an immersive story-driven campaign experience – Warzone Pacific promises everything you could ask for when it releases later this year!
New map warzone release date
Warzone Pacific, the new map for Call of Duty Warzone, is set to release soon. Activision has not officially announced the release date yet, but fans are speculating that it will be available sometime in mid-2021.
Being one of the biggest game releases in recent history, Activision is staying tight-lipped about the exact date until they have all the details ironed out.
The new Warzone Pacific map will be playable across all platforms: PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. It will offer an entirely new experience to players with its own set of exciting challenges, secret missions, and locations never seen before in the world of Warzone. Built upon a whole new engine called ‘Modern Warfare Engine’ players can expect a much smoother gaming experience with advanced graphics while they explore dozens of Asian inspired locations ranging from underwater bases to abandoned cities.
For those who can’t wait for Warzone Pacific’s official release date there are possible leaked developments for gamers to try out including exclusive beta testing for pre-order customers which should give gamers a chance to enjoy playing the game before anyone else does. With this and many more news still yet to come from Activision regarding their newest installment in their incredibly popular franchise we can only wait in anticipation for what’s coming next!
Cod warzone new map release date
The Call of Duty Warzone is an exciting battle royale game that has recently been released for PS4, Xbox One and PC. The game features a variety of weapons and maps, each bringing its own style of gameplay. Players can experience over 150 combat engagements in Verdansk, now with a brand-new Warzone Pacific map.
The new Warzone Pacific map is set to arrive on May 18, 2021 and it brings with it plenty of great content to check out. This map provides players with the chance to see some new places within the world they’re playing in while also providing them with exciting missions and battle experiences that come along with it.
The new map will bring a whole host of updates including new respawn points, additional vehicles, locations that offer unique tactical opportunities for players as well as powerful gear for players who are looking to take on the more difficult challenges at hand. This includes a range of powerful weapons such as shotguns, sniper rifles and more!
In addition to these updates being introduced with the Warzone Pacific map there will also be several game modes added so you can experience even more different ways to play in this intense war-based battle arena. If you’re looking for extra excitement or challenge then be sure to check out all these newly implemented changes when they become available on May 18!


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Maserati To Unveil Kubang SUV In Detroit
Let’s hope this alliance will bear better fruit this time around, as Maserati is set to unveil their Kubang SUV concept at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next month.
The Kubang, which will be the first SUV to wear a Maserati badge, will be based on the chassis of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. While power will be provided by an Italian engine (Maserati uses Ferrari engines in their cars), the vehicle is expected to be produced in America at Chrysler’s Jefferson North facility.
The Kubang concept was last seen at the Frankfurt Motor Show back in September, and while we cannot confirm if the Detroit unveil will be of the same vehicle or something different, we do know that Maserati will unveil an SUV at the N.A.I.A.S.
Put the two together and its easy to figure out that possibly a more production ready version of the Kubang will bow in Detroit.
We will be covering the Detroit auto show and will bring you all the latest news from the show, as it happens.
[Source: Detroit Free Press]


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Reserve Bank of India has scaled down printing of Rs 2,000 note to minimum, say goverment sources
The printing of Rs 2,000 banknote, introduced post-demonetisation in November 2016, has been reduced to the 'minimum' by the Reserve Bank, a top finance ministry official said on Thursday.
New Delhi: The printing of Rs 2,000 banknote, introduced post-demonetisation in November 2016, has been reduced to the "minimum" by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), a top finance ministry official said on Thursday. Soon after the sudden decision to ban old Rs 500/1,000 currency notes by the government, the RBI had come out with the Rs 2,000 currency note along with a new look Rs 500 note as part of its massive remonetisation exercise.
The senior official said the RBI and the government from time to time decides on the quantum of currency to be printed on the basis of money in circulation. When the Rs 2,000 note was launched, it was decided that the printing would be "scaled down" going forward, since the new high currency value note was meant for meeting the remonetisation need. "The printing of 2,000 rupee notes has been substantially reduced. It has been decided to limit the printing of 2000 currency notes to a minimum. This is nothing new," the official said.
According to the RBI data, there were 3,285 million pieces of Rs 2,000 notes in circulation at end-March 2017. A year after (on 31 March, 2018), there was only a marginal increase in the number at 3,363 million pieces. Of the total currency in circulation amounting to Rs 18,037 billion at end-March 2018, Rs 2,000 notes accounted for 37.3 percent, down from 50.2 percent at end-March 2017. The old 500/1,000 bank notes that were scrapped in November 2016 accounted for around 86 percent of the total currency in circulation at that time.
India's retail inflation surged to 7.79 per cent in April, the highest since May 2014. Experts note that steeper edible oil and supply chain disruptions owing to the Russia-Ukraine war are responsible for rising prices
Introduced by the Reserve Bank of India in 2016, MCLR is the minimum interest at which banks can lend to their customers. MCLR is generally revised on a monthly basis
Inflation has remained above the RBI's comfort zone of 6 per cent for four months in a row mainly due to the Russia-Ukraine war which has impacted the prices of commodities across the globe


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69.25 +0.10 (0.14%)
After hours: 5:29PM EDT
|Bid||68.86 x 800|
|Ask||69.25 x 1100|
|Day's Range||68.33 - 69.67|
|52 Week Range||57.29 - 81.64|
|PE Ratio (TTM)||105.25|
|Earnings Date||Oct 31, 2018 - Nov 5, 2018|
|Forward Dividend & Yield||0.34 (0.49%)|
|1y Target Est||80.69|
Alan Valdes of SilverBear Capital tells Yahoo Finance's Seana Smith why there's still time for investors to make money in tech stocks.
Later this year, Nintendo Switch players the world over will join the fray with the Diablo III Eternal Collection™ and wield their systems’ portable power to slay demons and amass vast hoards of loot anytime, anywhere. The Eternal Collection is the definitive edition of the award-winning action RPG, including everything from the original Diablo III, the critically-acclaimed Reaper of Souls® expansion, and the Rise of the Necromancer® pack. With seven powerful character classes, a five-act campaign that spans the lore-rich and demon-infested world of Sanctuary, and an endlessly replayable Adventure Mode, the Eternal Collection is the perfect all-in-one package to introduce newcomers to a lifetime of adventure.
Tencent's stock fell around 3 percent in Thursday morning trade following a quarterly earnings report that missed analysts' expectations. The news comes days after the Chinese tech giant halted the sale of the video game "Monster Hunter: World" due to complaints raised by regulatory authorities. Tencent's 700-HK stock was in focus after the company posted a quarterly earnings report on Wednesday that missed analyst expectations.
NEW YORK and LONDON, Aug. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- King, a leading interactive entertainment company for the mobile world today announces the launch of Legend of Solgard, expanding its portfolio of games into the popular RPG genre. Developed by Snowprint Studios, this epic, new fantasy adventure sends players to the world of Solgard, where they must find a way to save the world from the icy doom of Ragnarok. Available to download for free from the Apple App Store and Google Play, players will travel through nine fantastical worlds, where they will need to combat enemies and bosses with the creatures they collect.
The Culmination of a $4.2 Million Season Prize Pool, the Largest in Call of Duty® Esports History
Electronic Arts (EA) has sold more than 130 million units since of the release of the franchise. The company cited strong weekend sales of the latest title as the key catalyst.
PiperJaffray is upbeat about all three—Take-Two, Activision Blizzard (ATVI) and Electronic Arts (EA), all of which are Barron’s Next 50 stocks—with “overweight ratings” on each of the companies. The analysts cited optimism about the coming “Read Dead Redemption” game and “re-acceleration in recurrent consumer spend.” At Activision, PiperJaffray wrote, its crucial Call of Duty Black Ops 4 game “will perform well, despite a crowded title slate.” (Last year’s “Call of Duty” installment was the biggest game of 2017.) Barron’s Next took a look at what’s coming in the second half of the year back in June. PiperJaffray cited a survey of about 300 gamers, asking them to name the games they were most excited about playing over the coming year.
Without much background, you’d imagine that GameStop (NYSE:GME) is a company on the resurgence. Since the end of May, GME stock has gained more than 19%. Furthermore, with video games being a popular activity cutting across many demographics, GameStop’s rally seemingly has strong fundamental support.
BOULDER, Colo., Aug. 14, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- LÍLLÉbaby and Blizzard Entertainment, the premiere game developer and publisher of internationally renowned entertainment experiences, such as World of Warcraft®, Hearthstone®, and Overwatch®, have partnered to launch a new pattern inspired by the online role-playing game World of Warcraft. Today, players can celebrate the release of World of Warcraft's newest expansion, Battle for Azeroth™, along with the new "Cute But Deadly" print from LÍLLÉbaby. Blizzard's "Cute But Deadly" collection of products was originally inspired by "murlocs" – ancient, amphibious creatures that are beloved by World of Warcraft players throughout Azeroth.


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TOKYO/DUBAI (Reuters) – Custom-made Rolls-Royces, stretch Hummers and bright red Maseratis line the entrance to Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates, where the spoils from booming oil prices are feeding a buying frenzy among the wealthy.
It’s the other face of what a five-fold spike in crude prices since 2002 has done for car makers, whose sales of big, gas-thirsty vehicles are tanking in the West.
Far from feeling the pinch at the pump, drivers in the Gulf Arab region have been enjoying booming economies and government-subsidized gasoline as low as 12 cents a liter (55 cents a gallon).
No official statistics are available, but automakers expect the combined car and light trucks market of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates (UAE) — collectively known as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) — to grow around 10 percent to 1.2 million vehicles this year.
While that would only make the market equal in size to South Korea or Australia, automakers are increasingly finding the region a haven from their difficulties elsewhere.
With mature markets in Europe, the United States and Japan shrinking, and even China and India not living up to expectations, Morgan Stanley forecasts global car sales to dip 0.3 percent this year.
“The Gulf market is fairly unique and quite attractive — there’s high growth and a rich mix,” said Terry Johnsson, Middle East managing director for General Motors Corp.
Climbing sales are just one of the region’s many attractions.
Because the region has no local auto-making industry, it places few regulatory restrictions and import tariffs of just 5 percent on vehicles. Carmakers can simply ship cars in without worrying about producing a wide range of models or meeting local parts content requirements imposed by many governments. Emissions and safety standards are also low.
In Saudi Arabia, the Gulf’s biggest car market, consumers like their cars and sport utility vehicles as big as they come, in stark contrast to the United States, where $4 a gallon gas is turning consumers to hybrids and small, fuel-efficient models.
“There’s good demand for big SUVs and pickups that people don’t want in the U.S. or Europe,” said Tim Armstrong, director of emerging auto markets at Global Insight, noting growing supply from the United States and Thailand.
Replacement demand is also high because the scorching heat, sand storms and rough driving lead to shorter vehicle lives. Raising product prices to absorb dearer raw materials is easier here, since demand is so strong, executives say.
SMALL CARS IN DEMAND
The oil-rich region is a big market for super-luxury cars with its wealthy locals, but the fastest growth is occurring at the low end.
As the local mass market gets richer with strong economic growth and expatriates flow in to work on development projects, brisk demand for cheap, small cars is what GM and Hyundai Motor Co are counting on to challenge Japanese automakers, which control roughly 70 percent of the market.
Thanks to the popularity of Chevrolet-badged cars built by Seoul-based GM Daewoo, GM was ranked No.2 in GCC sales behind Toyota Motor Corp in 2007, while Hyundai was fifth behind Nissan Motor Co and Mitsubishi Motors Corp, but ahead of Honda Motor Co.
“What we’ll need for the future is a car in the very small segment, below the Tiida (hatchback),” said Atsuo Kosaka, general manager of Nissan’s Middle East department.
“That’s the fastest-growing segment, especially in Saudi Arabia, where a lot of young people are coming of age to buy their first car.”
JAPANESE BRANDS RULE
Japanese automakers’ grip on the market remains firm.
Car purchase decisions are heavily based on family tradition or reputation spread by word of mouth, meaning automakers with a long, successful history in the region, such as Toyota, Nissan and Mitsubishi, have an advantage.
Japanese vehicle exports to the Middle East surged 38 percent last year to 823,000 vehicles, up for a seventh straight year. Mitsubishi Motors now sells more vehicles in the region than it does in the United States, the world’s biggest market.
Reliable products are a must, but solid after-sales servicing is equally key to winning customers over. Breakdowns are not infrequent, with temperatures at 50 degrees (122F) in the summer.
“In the Middle East, air-conditioning is a safety equipment, not a luxury,” said Katsuya Onoda, general manager of Mitsubishi Motors’ Middle East & Africa Department.
Safety is also the reason why SUVs such as Toyota’s Land Cruiser and Mitsubishi’s Pajero do so well.
“I like being up high so I can see what the idiot drivers are up to and plan accordingly,” said Georgia Lewis, an Australian ex-pat residing in the UAE since 2006.
“I’d never have a Pajero back in Sydney but here with cheap fuel, bad drivers and the deserts, it makes more sense.”
Still, the Gulf isn’t without its hazards.
Inflation is driving up the cost of living, outstripping salaries, while roads are already congested. Meanwhile, big pickups and SUVs being dumped from developed markets have ignited a price war that is eating into otherwise healthy profit margins.
And for Japanese executives who have lived through the bubble and burst of their own economy in the 1980s and 90s, the conspicuous spending is somewhat unsettling.
“We’re told that projects are in place to keep the economy going for at least five years,” said Mitsubishi’s Onoda. “But it’s hard not to wonder whether this will really continue.”


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Kylie Jenner was titled Forbes’ youngest-ever “self-made” billionaire in March 2019, but new records have come out and the outlet says that the Jenners provided inflated numbers in order for Jenner to reach that status.
During Forbes’ review, they were told that the annual revenue for Jenner’s company between 2016 and 2018 was somewhere between $307 million and $360 million a year, but the numbers were actually much smaller in reality, they say. Now, Forbes says the numbers were $125 million for 2018 and $177 million for 2017, and they also claim the number for 2016 was exaggerated.
Forbes reports that they were invited to the Jenners’ mansions and their CPAs’ offices during the initial review, but the new information was revealed after Jenner sold half her company for $600 million in November 2019.
Jenner Is No Longer Listed as a Billionaire
Jenner’s not a self-made billionaire yet, Forbes says, but Forbes still has the young business mogul listed as having a net worth of $900 million as of May 29, 2020.
After the sale of half of Kylie Cosmetics to Coty Inc., Jenner pocketed $540 million pre-tax, according to Forbes. Then documents were released showing that the business was smaller than the family had claimed.
Jenner’s cosmetics company was founded in 2015 after she used $250,000 of her earnings from modeling to pay an outside company for her first 15,000 lip kits. Those kits sold out in just minutes at the time, Forbes reports.
The Jenners Allegedly Gave Inflated Numbers to Reporters
According to Forbes, soon after Kim Kardashian West was given a cover story in July 2016, Jenner’s publicists wanted a “Forbes cover for Kylie.” They proceeded to show proof of revenue numbers of $400 million for the business’ first 18 months and a take-home of $250 million for Jenner.
They also showed tax returns detailing $306 million in 2016 revenues, with Jenner herself taking home $110 million for the year. The report says that the numbers weren’t convincing, though, because they claimed the company grew from nothing to over $300 million in revenue in just one year. In 2017, Forbes placed Jenner at the number 59 spot on their Celebrity 100 list after speaking to analysts and industry experts.
In July 2018, Forbes reported that Jenner was worth $900 million and would soon be the youngest self-made billionaire ever. Jenner took to Instagram following the list’s publication, writing, “Wow. I can’t believe I’m posting my very own @Forbes cover. Thank you for this article and the recognition. I’m so blessed to do what I love every day.”
Different Numbers Came Out When Jenner Sold Half of Kylie Cosmetics
In 2019, after Jenner sold part of Kylie Cosmetics, the numbers were different than those that had been reported previously. Coty Inc., the public company that bought 51% of the company, presented that the revenues over a 12-month period were $177 million and that those were up 40% from the previous year.
That meant that the business was much smaller than had been previously reported.
Forbes emphasized that they cannot prove that the Jenners created fake documents, but they say it is clear that Jenner has been lying about the size of her business and her net worth.
Documents Indicate Jenner Did Not Own 100% of Kylie Cosmetics Prior to the Sale
Also indicated in Forbes’ report is that Jenner never owned Kylie Cosmetics altogether. Instead, the agreement for sale indicates that a “KMJ 2018 Irrevocable Trust,” which is controlled by Kristen M. Jenner, owned a profit interest in Kylie Cosmetics.
Now, Jenner is said to own an estimated 44.1% rather than the 49% she would have owned if she originally owned the entire company.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Coty’s share price has fallen more than 60% and “even better-performing competitors like Ulta Beauty and Estée Lauder are still down single digits,” Forbes says.


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On Monday evening, J.C. Penney CEO Ron Johnson told the Associated Press that his company would reintroduce some sales this year, particularly around holiday events. Investors greeted the news with relief, sending the stock as much as 10% higher on Tuesday. The move to reintroduce sales is probably a good decision. However, bringing back sales is not guaranteed to return J.C. Penney to profitability. Accordingly, investors should wait to see tangible signs of a turnaround before buying the stock.
Last year, J.C. Penney controversially eliminated most sales and coupons in an attempt to simplify operations and improve the company's profit margin. However, the elimination of discounts was a disaster. Through the first three quarters of fiscal year 2012, revenue was down 23% to $9.1 billion, while the company's GAAP loss widened from $0.30 per share to $1.98 per share. On an adjusted basis, EPS for the first three quarters dropped from $0.73 to negative $1.55. Analysts currently expect another dreadful performance in the fourth quarter, with revenue down more than 23% even though the quarter has an extra week compared to last year!
This rapid deterioration of operating results was unprecedented in the retail industry. While Ron Johnson understood that a sudden change in pricing strategy could alienate some customers, he believed that most customers could see through the "gimmicky" nature of markups and markdowns in the retail industry. Instead, customers abandoned J.C. Penney in favor of competitors like Macy's and Dillard's that maintained a promotional stance while offering high-quality merchandise. These competitors managed to post 3% to 4% same-store sales growth in spite of a weak retail spending environment by taking share from J.C. Penney.
A shift foreshadowed
J.C. Penney returned to moderate promotional behavior in the past few months. During the back-to-school period, the retailer offered free children's haircuts in its salons. This promotion returned during the holiday season, along with a $10 "gift" to entice customers into the stores, a friends-and-family discount day, a Black Friday sale, and other promotional events.
J.C. Penney's management studiously avoided referencing "sales" or "coupons" while communicating about these events. Nevertheless, J.C. Penney had clearly begun a move back toward the promotional model before this week's announcement.
What does the change mean?
There are two possible interpretations of the "return to sales" at J.C. Penney. The first is that revenue has remained extremely weak in the fourth quarter, in spite of the added promotional activities. This has forced management to throw in the towel and return to a reliance on promotions as the primary driver of store traffic. Alternatively, the decision could be evidence that the limited return of promotions in the fourth quarter drove better revenue results. In this scenario, J.C. Penney is just extending its holiday-season strategy to the rest of the year.
Rather than buying the stock now, investors might want to wait to learn which of these story lines is true when J.C. Penney reports fourth-quarter earnings later this month. Macy's and Dillard's are formidable competitors; J.C. Penney will have a hard time regaining the market share it lost as a result of its strategy shifts. Therefore, the company needs to demonstrate revenue momentum in order to become a viable investment candidate.
Investors are invited to claim a copy of The Motley Fool's new must-read report on J.C. Penney. Learn everything you need to know about JCP's turnaround -- or lack thereof -- and as a bonus, you'll receive a full year of expert guidance and updates about the company as key news develops. Simply click here now for instant access.
The article Bringing Back Sales May Not Bring Back Profits at J.C. Penney originally appeared on Fool.com.
Fool contributor Adam Levine-Weinberg is short shares of Dillard's. The Motley Fool owns shares of Dillard's. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.


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A new mobile app will enable International Pool Spa Patio Expo visitors to quickly track down leading representatives of hot tub and swim spa brands who are seeking to enhance their dealer networks.
Among hundreds of exhibitors in the Bayside Halls B-D at the Mandalay Bay Convention Centre in Las Vegas this week will be 2015 WhatSpa? and WhatSwimSpa? Best Buy Award-winning hot tub and swim spa specialists Artesian Spas, Catalina Spas, Coast Spas Manufacturing, Hydropool, Marquis; and Tuff Spas; along with their wet leisure counterparts and outdoor product suppliers from November 10 to November 12,
Last year’s event was hosted in Florida for the first time in seven years and attracted 11,103 attendees and for the return to its traditional Las Vegas host venue organisers are promising to provide this year’s USA and international visitors with a wide variety of products to provide dealers with the capability to bring the ‘FUNdamentals of outdoor living’ back to their respective showrooms.
Organisers have also been promoting the fact that visitors can enhance their ability to efficiently devise their trade show plan and schedule using the Expo’s new mobile app, available for iPhone, iPad, Android and BlackBerry users.
It is free of charge and can be found by searching “PSP” in the Apple App Store or Google Play. BlackBerry and all other web browser-enabled phone users should point their mobile browser to http://app.core-apps.com/psp2015
Tracy Garcia, CEM, Director of the PSP Expo, reported that the mobile app allows users to easily navigate the show floor, access exhibitor lists and profiles, the interactive show floor plan and conference level floor plan, the conference schedule, session details, and speaker profiles. In addition, it offers a personalised planner that can help attendees organize their Expo schedule – all in a matter of minutes.
“By downloading the Expo’s free mobile app, attendees can quickly view the most up-to-date information including the floor plan, exhibitor details, educational sessions and more from any web-enabled mobile device,” said Tracy.
“The easy-to-use interactive capabilities and real-time event communications will the Expo experience more enjoyable than ever for attendees.”
APSP President & CEO Rich Gottwald, whose organisation is the Expo’s official sponsor this time round has also jumped on board to help to promote the mobile app to APSP members who are planning to visit this year’s event.
“I encourage our members to download the app and start using it to get the greatest value from their Expo experience,” said Rich.
“I personally use the mobile app to maximize my time on the show floor and to make sure I don’t miss key sessions.”
Among the International Pool Spa Patio Expo exhibitors, with their Booth number, will be: Artesian Spas, 2844; Bullfrog Spas, 1845 and 4475; Catalina Spas, 1657; Coast Spas Manufacturing, 2565; Covana, 1840; Dream Maker Spas, 3832; Gecko Alliance, 2053; Hydropool Hot Tubs, 2253; Jacuzzi Pool Equipment by Corvin, 3662; La Motte Company, 945; Leisure Concepts, 2857, Lonza, 4453; Lucite International, 2263; Marquis, 2253; Mspa, 1238; Passion Spas, 1440; Pleatco, 1545; Signature Spas USA, 4662; Strong Spas, 1453; Tintometer Inc, 4755; Tuff Spas, 3843; and Viking Spas, 3469.
Opening hours will be from 10am to 5pm on November 10 and 11; and on November 12 the show will commence at 10am and conclude at 2pm.


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There was more good news for UK manufacturing today with the release of the Index of Production and UK trade data for November.
Index of Production
Manufacturing output got back on track in November, increasing by an impressive 1.3%. This followed what had been a disappointing set of figures in October in which output contracted by a hefty 1%, stalling the post EU Referendum recovery.
As we said at the time, a rebound in manufacturing output was expected (yes economists occasionally get it right) with impressive PMI recordings, as well as EEF’s Manufacturing Outlook Survey pointing to healthy business sentiment in the industry as the year drew to a close.
This was all underpinned by the prevailing weak exchange rate and the boost to manufacturing exports as the positive effects on commoditised sectors starts to filter through to high-value industries as well.
The star performer was the notoriously erratic pharmaceutical sector which saw output expand by a remarkable 11.4%. The pharmaceutical sector is prone to large swings in output, with significant monthly changes, often due to the delivery of large contracts.
However even taking the erratic nature of these figures into account, the expansion in output was widespread across sectors with electrical equipment and rubber and plastic sectors posting notable growth, 3.3% and 2.1% respectively.
This impressive output data happily points to a strong end to the year for manufacturing, and overall growth in 2016, in line with EEF forecasts.
Despite the deficit on trade in goods widening by £2.3 billion from October to November, there was good news for manufacturing with exports up 0.2% from their level in October. Remarkably manufacturing exports in November were up a staggering 17% compared to the same month a year ago.
Again this can be primarily attributed to the pick-up in demand from key export markets, as well as the weaker exchange rate providing a further boost to exports. We expect the benefits from the weaker exchange rate to continue to be felt going in to 2017, as the effects spread across manufacturing sectors.
However with future trade deals shrouded in uncertainty, manufactures will be keeping a close eye on any developments over the coming months, if in fact there are any.


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This is not a black mirror, this is reality.
Sam Altman, the founder of OpenAI, known as the “father” of ChatGPT, doesn’t just invest in artificial intelligence. The entrepreneur also has a cryptocurrency project, WorldCoin, which raises many questions.
Would you scan your iris for cryptocurrency? That’s what Worldcoin offers, a “global finance and identity program” co-founded by Sam Altman in 2019. His name is not new: Sam Altman is also the co-founder of OpenAI, an artificial intelligence specialist that develops ChatGPT.
So far, the American entrepreneur is best known for his chatbots. But the world’s currency is getting more and more attention. The company recently announced a “world tour” to register new members, and on May 25, 2023, Sam Altman managed to raise $ 115 million for the development of the project. However, as well as being particularly ambitious, WorldCoin is also controversial.
What is WorldCoin?
On its website, WorldCoin describes itself as a project that attempts to answer a very specific question: “What if there was a way to distribute a new digital currency to everyone on the planet for free? Specifically, WorldCoin’s goal is to “create universal access to the global economy” for all humans, and it promises to distribute cryptocurrencies for free to anyone who registers on its crypto wallet, WorldApp.
WorldCoin promises to accomplish this through a number of tools. First of all, thanks to the “World ID“, it must be guaranteed that there is no cheating, that everyone registers only once, and that there are no malicious robots. To create this “World ID”, WorldCurrency has developed a special tool: The Orb. It is a “biometric imaging device that can privately and securely verify each person’s identity”. The orbs scan participants’ biometric data to “prove” that they are indeed human and that they have not yet created an account.
The spheres scan participants’ irises with multiple cameras and use machine learning models to analyze their facial features. Once the machine determines that the person is indeed human and has not yet registered, it creates an “iris code,” a “digital representation of the most important features of the eye. Worldcoin says on its website that each code is unique and that no one can be sure of a participant’s identity.
In order to register, volunteers need to find an “Orb operator,” an employee who collects biometric data. However, these machines are expensive and not always available – which is why WorldCoin announced a “world tour” in early May. During the event, employees will be able to scan volunteers’ eyes, which will give them a World ID. The company promises to send its own cryptocurrency, the Worldcoin Token, as well as Bitcoin and Ether, free of charge to all registrants.
What are the controversies?
Aside from the overkill nature of the project, several aspects of it were controversial – the first being the use of biometric data and spheres. However, World Currency assures World Currency that the machines do bring an anti-utopian aspect to the project and add to people’s fears, but do not pose any risks. The company guarantees that its users’ biometric data is protected and their identities will not be compromised. “WorldCurrency does not sell users’ personal data, including biometric data, and never will,” she said. “All data is securely encrypted. ”
Nevertheless, security problems have already been identified. In 2021, a few months after the launch of Orbs and the first registrations, experts warned of the risks posed by Woldcoin. The following year, the company made a number of improvements, including the development of “zero knowledge proof” to enable anonymous transactions – which was not the case before.
Yet this would not be enough. Trade magazine Coindesk reported on May 24, 2023 that there was a black market for Worldcoin credentials in China, where the company is not licensed to operate and crypto-currencies are closely monitored. At the beginning of May, TechCrunch reported that hackers had stolen the passwords of orb operators. The criminals had access to all the information contained on the devices, and some identifiers ended up for sale on the black market. According to Worldcoin, which does not require its operators to have two-factor authentication, “no sensitive data was compromised”.
Contacted by Numerama, the company clarified, “Protecting privacy is fundamental to Worldcoin. […] Every aspect of Worldcoin was designed with privacy in mind. Following an investigation after TechCrunch’s revelations, Worldcoin concluded that “no sensitive or personal user data was accessed or compromised.” The company announced that it had “accelerated the implementation of 2FA for the Worldcoin operator’s application and, out of an abundance of caution, reset all connections to the Worldcoin operator”.
Finally, in April 2022, a Buzzfeed investigation raised additional questions. Sphere operators are reportedly focusing their efforts specifically on “low-income African and Asian countries”. Wolrdcoin employees allegedly persuaded locals to sign up by promising them free money in exchange for a retinal scan. The article also reveals that operators will be under immense pressure from the company to meet their targets and that technical problems with the spheres will recur.
More than a million subscribers
Despite all these problems, World Currency continues to operate and raise funds. The company also announced in January 2023 that it has more than one million subscribers in countries such as Argentina, Chile, India, Kenya, Portugal, Spain and even Uganda. “World Coin has become one of the most downloaded apps in cities like Nairobi and Lisbon, where it has over 360,000 registrations,” she said.
This is just the beginning of the WorldCoin program. By 2023, the company plans to increase distribution of the spheres (made in Germany) and offer them to new operators “around the world”. The company’s cryptocurrency, the Worldcoin token, will be launched in the “first half of 2023”.
For the future, Worldcoin has an even bigger vision. The company announced in 2021 that it aims to make its services and cryptocurrency available to “everyone on the planet”. It still has a long way to go, but it already has 700,000 more subscribers than at the beginning of the year.


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Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi currently tops the Indian market. The company’s smartphones are in high demand in India.
Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 8 smartphone series has set a new record in global sales. This phone series has sold over 3 crores worldwide.
Xiaomi’s group vice president Liu Wibing made the announcement in a post shared on Chinese microblogging site Weibo.
In the first month of the sale, the Redmi Note 8 series sold more than 10 lakh smartphones. Two months later, the smartphone series sold 50 lakh smartphones.
Redmi Note 8 Pro Features:
- It is powered by a Snapdragon 665 processor with 6GB of RAM. Redmi Note 8 runs on MIUI 10 operating system based on Android 9. It has a 6.39 inch full HD + display.
- The phone has a quad rear camera setup for photography. It has a 48-megapixel primary camera, a 2-megapixel depth sensor, and a 2-megapixel tertiary sensor.
- The phone has a 13-megapixel camera. This phone comes with an internal storage of up to 128 GB. The phone has a 4000mAh battery, which supports 18-watt fast charging.