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Frozen fruits and vegetables contaminated with Listeria are currently under investigation by the CDC and FDA.
Earlier this month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration began investigating a recent multistate Listeria outbreak linked to bagged salads and frozen fruits and vegetables. So far, eight people have been sickened after eating products contaminated with Listeria.
While any single preventable death or illness from foodborne pathogens is one too many, there are reasons for optimism.
Investigators are increasingly making use of whole genome sequencing technology, which allows them to more accurately detect and respond to foodborne illnesses. Whole genome sequencing identifies the “DNA fingerprint” of bacteria and enables investigators to match the bacterial strain collected from contaminated food with bacteria collected from a person sickened by a foodborne infection. As a result, outbreaks are now being identified earlier, which means that contaminated food products can be recalled sooner and fewer people might get sick.
Another cause for hope: After five years of public hearings, written comments, and proposed, re-proposed, and final rules, most food processors regulated by FDA will be required to follow prevention-based regulations beginning in September 2016. These “preventive controls” are an important part of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), legislation that aims to reduce foodborne illnesses by overhauling outdated food safety oversight.
For the first time, processors must identify potential food safety hazards such as Listeria monocytogenes and create a food safety plan that includes reducing, monitoring, and correcting those hazards. If food companies don’t satisfy these requirements, FDA has the authority to take action before a single contaminated product leaves the facility. FSMA also establishes a minimum frequency of inspection for food processing facilities, and FDA has said it is committed to meeting—and even exceeding—these frequencies.
An effective oversight and inspection regimen requires robust funding. While FDA received more than $100 million in additional funding in fiscal year 2016, Congress must provide the agency with adequate resources for fiscal 2017 so that enforcement can begin in earnest.


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Jan. 17, 2023 — Cannabis litigation is a rapidly growing area of law that presents unique challenges for both plaintiffs and defendants. This is because cannabis is still considered a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law, despite being legal for medical or recreational use in many states.
One of the key unique attributes of cannabis litigation is the conflict between state and federal law. While many states have legalized cannabis in some form, it remains illegal under federal law. This creates a legal gray area that can make it difficult for plaintiffs and defendants to navigate. For example, a cannabis business that is operating legally under state law may still be subject to federal prosecution.
Another unique attribute of cannabis litigation is the fact that the industry is still relatively new. Many states that have legalized cannabis have done so only in recent years, and the legal landscape is still evolving. This can make it difficult for businesses and individuals to fully understand their rights and obligations under the law. Additionally, as the industry matures and more players enter the market, the potential for disputes over intellectual property, contracts, and other legal issues increases.
One area that cannabis litigation is seeing a lot of activity is in the area of intellectual property. As the industry grows, there is an increasing need for businesses to protect their brands, trademarks, and other intellectual property. This can include disputes over trademarks, trade dress, and trade secrets. For example, a cannabis company may sue another company for using a similar name or logo, or for stealing trade secrets related to a new strain of cannabis.
Another area of cannabis litigation that is becoming increasingly common is disputes over contracts. As the industry matures, more businesses are entering into contracts with each other for the sale, distribution, and cultivation of cannabis. These contracts can include disputes over delivery and payment, as well as disputes over the quality of the cannabis being sold.
In addition to these unique attributes, cannabis litigation also presents some unique challenges for plaintiffs and defendants. For example, it can be difficult for plaintiffs to find qualified experts to testify about the medical benefits of cannabis or the risks associated with its use. Additionally, defendants may struggle to find lawyers with experience in cannabis law to represent them.
Despite these challenges, however, cannabis litigation is an area of law that is poised for significant growth in the coming years. As more states legalize cannabis and the industry continues to mature, the need for experienced lawyers and legal experts will only continue to increase. Whether you’re a plaintiff or a defendant, understanding the unique attributes and challenges of cannabis litigation is essential for successfully navigating this rapidly changing legal landscape.
In conclusion, cannabis litigation is a rapidly evolving field of law that presents unique challenges and attributes. It is important for businesses and individuals to be aware of the legal landscape, potential disputes and to be proactive in protecting their rights. As more states legalize cannabis and the industry continues to mature, the need for experienced attorneys and legal experts will only continue to grow. It’s important to be aware of the legal landscape and potential disputes, as well as being proactive in protecting your rights.

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It’s one of the great rituals in the tech industry. In the days leading up to the launch of a new Apple product, whether it’s a new iPhone, iPad or MacBook, loyal customers queue at their nearest Apple Store to be among the first to get their hands on the new tech gadget.
However, according to a leaked memo obtained by Jim Edwards of Business Insider, Apple wants to consign the launch day queues to history:
Apple retail chief Angela Ahrendts is trying to usher in a new way for the company to handle product launches. She wants to encourage customers to avoid their local Apple Store when the Apple Watch goes on sale and instead order online, according to instructions she sent to store staff obtained by Business Insider.
“This is a significant change in mindset, and we need your help to make it happen,” the memo says (see the text and imagery below).
The memo is interesting because it suggests that the publicity Apple’s stores normally enjoy on product launch days — when customers line up for hours or days ahead of a new iPhone launch — isn’t entirely welcome at the company.
So why is Apple doing it?
At The Verge, Jacob Kastrenakes speculates it could be because Apple is keen to ensure its brand remains upmarket:
The gist of the memo isn’t simply that Apple’s retail stores are going to have low supplies of these two new products, it’s that Ahrendts is trying to make Apple’s stores into something a bit classier. Apple has long gained publicity for having people wait in lengthy lines for hours — if not days — in front of its store for new iPhones. While that’s generated a nice camaraderie for the brand, it certainly doesn’t leave an impression of Apple as a high-end, classy fashion company. That’s what Apple has been going for while selling the Watch, and that’s the world Ahrendts comes from: her former position was CEO of Burberry.
It’s a strange shift, too, that seems to be transforming Apple Stores from actual stores into showrooms. It’s unclear if this trend will continue with future product launches — we’ll really see what Ahrendts is planning if this continues with the iPhone — but for now, Apple very much wants people to check out its new products in stores and then go home to buy them (and then wait for them to arrive).
Meet Samsung’s latest innovation: Bendgate 2
You might remember late last year, following the launch of the iPhone 6, there were a series of stories about how users were (accidentally or otherwise) bending their new devices.
To the surprise of some, it emerged that aluminium is a very malleable metal and that a large, thin object made out of it could potentially bend. At the time, Apple’s largest rival, Samsung, took great delight at making fun of its rival’s misfortune.
Fast forward a few months and Samsung has released its latest flagship smartphones, the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge. The company did away with many features, such as removable batteries, waterproofing and plastic covers, in favour of a thin, aluminium design. (Gee, I wonder who gave them that idea.)
Unfortunately, as Forbes’ Gordon Kelly reports, the South Korean tech giant ended up copying Apple in one way they probably never intended: Just like the iPhone 6 Plus, the S6 Edge bends with just 49 kg (110 pounds) force, far less than the 68 kg force it takes to bend a Galaxy Note 3.
Needless to say, Samsung’s attitude to the latest bout of bendgate is a little different to last time:
Late last week extended warranty provider SquareTrade applied pressure to the Galaxy S6 Edge and found it not only bent at 110 pounds of pressure (lbf), but that under this strain the screen shattered. It concluded that for Samsung fans this means “Instead of a bent phone, they may have a pocket full of glass.”
Unsurprisingly Samsung fired back. It did not dispute SquareTrade’s results, but claimed 110 lbs of pressure is extreme when “the normal force generated when a person presses the back pocket is approximately 66lbf.”
What did Samsung find? “Our internal test results indicate that the Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge are not bendable even under 79lbf (32kgf), which is equivalent to putting pressure to snap a bundle of five pencils at once.” SquareTrade wasn’t impressed.
Abandoning the PC for the mobile-first internet
One of the most profound tech changes of the last few years has been the rise of the mobile-first internet. Increasingly, the default device for internet users is their smartphone, rather than a desktop or laptop computer.
So it’s interesting to read, in The Atlantic, that as many as one-in-five internet users have ditched the PC or Mac altogether, and now rely solely on their smartphones to access the internet:
The idea that new Internet users will come online on smartphones rather than computers is now well established. But it is often assumed that this population is composed entirely of people from the world’s poor countries. A new report from Pew punctures that assumption: It turns out that one in five American adults access the Internet primarily from their smartphones.
The latest scientific research on allergic reactions
Finally, from peanuts to papayas and pollen to perfume, millions of Australians suffer allergic reactions when exposed to one substance or another. The symptoms range in severity from mild discomfort to sudden death from anaphylactic shock. But what causes these reactions?
Over at Ars Technica, Carl Zimmer takes a look at the latest scientific research on allergies and the role played by a substance called IgE, which could potentially be measured by wearable devices in the future:
One summer afternoon when I was 12, I ran into an overgrown field near a friend’s house and kicked a hornet nest the size of a football. An angry squadron of insects clamped on to my leg; their stings felt like scorching needles. I swatted the hornets away and ran for help, but within minutes I realized something else was happening. A constellation of pink stars appeared around the stings. The hives swelled, and new ones began appearing farther up my legs. I was having an allergic reaction.
Anyone with an allergy has their origin story, a tale of how they discovered that their immune system goes haywire when some arbitrary particular molecule gets into their body. There are hundreds of millions of these stories. In the USA alone, an estimated 18 million people suffer from hay fever, and food allergies affect millions of American children.
We might have more effective treatments if scientists understood allergies, but a maddening web of causes underlies allergic reactions. Cells are aroused, chemicals released, signals relayed. Scientists have only partially mapped the process. And there’s an even bigger mystery underlying this biochemical web: why do we even get allergies at all?


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DeFi is one promising avenue, says CoinDesk's chief content officer.
The man solicited at least 22, Is crypto the answer for Argentina's financial crisis or should Argentines work within the system to get the government they deserve? Whale Shark has bought , NFTs, including some well-known ones. Here's how he thinks about the market. Volatility is a measure of risk, and that's often measured in relation to returns. By that measure bitcoin is a beast so far this year. Persistence is helping institutions find yield with its white-labeled staking service. Although the bitcoin price has been wavering since March 13, there are historical, technical and foundational reasons to be optimistic.
Bitcoin mining adds challenge to fight against climate change: BofA. ETF Edge. Trading Nation.
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Bitcoin volatility is here to stay, top technician warns. We asked 20 strategists where bitcoin prices are headed. Here's what they said. Fast Money. Fed Chair Jerome Powell on crypto: It's a speculative asset that's a substitute for gold. Trading Nation: Bitcoin backs off highs after Powell comments.
What is Cryptocurrency Bill ; how it will impact bitcoin investors
What the latest bitcoin ETF filing could bring, according to one investor. Powell calls cryptocurrencies 'not really useful stores of value'. Power Lunch. Bitcoin's carbon footprint creates dilemma for ESG-minded investors. The Exchange.
The real reason to own bitcoin, according to Bank of America's Blanch. Squawk Alley.
What is bitcoin?
Jill Carlson of Slow Ventures on the bitcoin boom. However, realistic implications of the ban still remain uncertain, and it's unlikely they will effectively eliminate cryptocurrency trading completely. China is home to a large number of bitcoin mining farms as a lot of regions offer cheap subsidized electricity, making mining a profitable venture. Many agree that the ban by Chinese authorities will have a negative impact on the overall digital currency market.
Don’t miss the cryptocurrency boat, experts say on India’s proposed regulations
Stricter regulations by the PBOC will "definitely weigh on the cryptocurrency universe," said Wayne Cao, who runs a company that recently offered 10 billion tokens in an ICO. Questions remain on the effectiveness of the regulations because taming the decentralized, regulation-free blockchain-based virtual currency market will remain a big challenge for any real-world regulator.
Investing in cryptocurrencies and other Initial Coin Offerings "ICOs" is highly risky and speculative, and this article is not a recommendation by Investopedia or the writer to invest in cryptocurrencies or other ICOs. Since each individual's situation is unique, a qualified professional should always be consulted before making any financial decisions. Investopedia makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy or timeliness of the information contained herein.
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Shortly after launching the beta of its Google+ social network last week, Google slammed the shutters down. Like many new Google offerings, Google+ is, for the time being, accessible only by invitation. But after distributing invites rather liberally for a day or so, Google pulled back, citing “insane demand.”
It’s unclear when Google will kick its invitation giveaway back into full gear, but in the mean time, wannabe Google+ users have gone to great lengths to find active invitations, sometimes even scouting eBay for sales.
What happened? Did Google underestimate the response to Google+? Was it caught flat-footed? Could its engineers have discovered a horrible flaw that would result in major embarrassment, leading management to call a halt?
Google, not unexpectedly, tried to put the best face on the issue.
“We launched Google+ in a field trial in order to test the product and gather more feedback,” Google spokesperson Katie Watson told TechNewsWorld.
“As part of the field trial, we may open and close Google+ to new users at any time,” Watson continued. “We’re thrilled so many people are interested in trying out a new approach to online sharing.”
High-Tech Muscle at the Googleplex
Google certainly can close down a trial project at any time it wants. But isn’t one day a smidgen too short a timeline?
So maybe Google was swamped by the crowds flocking to Google+. Or maybe someone did discover a potentially embarrassing problem in the service and wanted it fixed before anyone else was allowed inside.
Since Google has multiple data centers with gigajillions of servers and enough network capacity to offer to build and test ultra high-speed broadband networks in some cities in the United States, it would take some mighty big crowds to swamp its systems.
Google “have solid infrastructure to handle search queries all around the world, and I don’t think they have a culture of being afraid of embarrassment,” Jia Wu, a senior analyst at Strategy Analytics, told TechNewsWorld.
“They’re just trying to prevent hidden problems and improve the service before a large-scale launch,” Wu added.
Remembrance of Things Past
If so, that would be a first for Google, which is known for its tendency to often put products out into the wild before they’ve fully matured. So why the sudden attack of coyness?
“It’s a lesson they learned from the Google Buzz rollout,” Wu suggested.
Since social network services have a lot to do with users’ personal information and privacy, a large-scale launch could lead to problems Google didn’t expect, just like the Google Buzz backlash, Wu told TechNewsWorld.
Google wishes to “avoid the PR snafus that came with Buzz,” opined Greg Sterling, founding principal of Sterling Market Intelligence.
Google Buzz, which was launched in February of 2010, was an attempt to create a social network around Gmail. Among other things, it publicly shared details of users’ contacts. Buzz was quickly and thoroughly hammered over privacy issues.
Caution or Marketing Savvy?
Is Google perhaps being overly cautious with its approach to launching the Google+ service?
Slamming the doors shut on the Google+ beta one day after launching it is perhaps contradictory to the whole point of social networking, which is to reach as many people as possible.
“I think the … approach gets in their way of having a full-scale test,” said Carl Howe, director of anywhere consumer research at the Yankee Group.
“It’s possible that Google is being too cautious, but it also has a lot more to lose if it gets it wrong,” Howe added. “Google’s phrase for the term ‘excess caution’ may simply be ‘adult management,'” he added.
“Speed is important,” Wu said. “But after making multiple unsuccessful attempts, it’s more critical for Google to get this right than to do it swiftly but run the risk of failure.”
On the other hand, perhaps restricting subscriptions to Google+ could incidentally pay off with a marketing benefit.
“Scarcity helps boost demand, which Google is now seeing,” Sterling Market Intelligence’s Sterling told TechNewsWorld. “I don’t think the [Google+] rollout strategy will backfire.”
What is Google+, Anyhow?
The Google+ Project is “real-life sharing rethought for the Web,” the project’s website reads.
Sharing is “awkward. Even broken,” and Google aims to fix that, the site pontificates. The idea is to “bring the nuance and richness of real-life sharing to software” by including users, their relationships and their interests.
Google+ consists of various features, including Circles, Sparks, Hangouts, Mobile and Huddle.
Circles lets users create different circles of friends with whom they share different things. Sharing the same thing with everybody is “scary” and “insensitive,” the site asserts.
Sparks is, in essence, an online sharing engine that delivers a content feed from across the Internet on any topic users want, in more than 40 languages.
You can think of Hangouts as the virtual equivalent of your local watering hole. It combines casual meetups with live multi-person video so users can spend time with their circles face to face over the Web.
Mobile is what it says — using GPS, cameras and messaging for mobile sharing.
Huddle is a group messaging capability that keeps everyone in a particular circle up to date.
Google+ vs. Facebook
Comparisons to Facebook abound.
“I think Google+ is really just Facebook for those who actually have a more nuanced view of privacy than ‘little’ or ‘none,'” the Yankee Group’s Howe said.
“I like the idea of Google+ to make it easier to establish subgroups,” Andrew Eisner, director of community and content at Retrevo, told TechNewsWorld.
“It’s difficult to do that on Facebook,” he added.
“Google+ is aimed at Facebook. It’s coordinating the communications, which is what Facebook’s trying to do,” Tole Hart, a senior analyst at the Yankee Group, stated.
“Facebook hasn’t really done a whole lot with communications in groups,” Tole told TechNewsWorld.
“It turns out there’s some ambivalence toward Facebook among the early adopters of Google+,” Sterling Market Intelligence’s Sterling said. “People like the group and privacy controls that Google+ offers.”


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The Ohio, Columbus-based brand opened the Shanghai store to the public on Thursday. Located in the city’s Huangpu district on Huaihai Road, the strip was once known as the ‘Fifth Avenue’ of Shanghai. The arrival of brands like Victoria Secret has city personnel hopeful the street will return to its former retail glory.
The Victoria’s Secret store, together with some other new commercial projects to be launched this year, will reinvigorate the commerce environment of Huaihai Road and help it to restore its former glory.
Owned by L Brands, Victoria’s Secret is ramping up its Asia expansion, eight months after first announcing it planned to officially open standalone stores in China. Accompanying this week’s Shanghai flagship, a 12,294-square-foot store in Chengdu will open Friday, while a Beijing store is coming later this year.
L Brands expects the three China stores to generate $150 million in annual sales, with China expected to equal or even surpass the U.S. in sales in the long term.
According to Euromonitor International, China’s retail market for women’s underwear has seen a compound annual growth rate of 9.7 percent from 2011 to 2016, reaching 139 billion yuan ($20.1 billion) in 2016.


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The Government of India has been associated with Bhutan’s planned development since the start of planned development when the first five year plan was launched in 1961 and continues to be our main development partner. The mutually beneficial economic ties have been the centrepiece of the Bhutan-India relations. Currently, India is not only Bhutan’s main development partner, but also its leading trade partner.
A free trade regime exists between Bhutan and India. The framework of trade relations is provided by the India-Bhutan Friendship Treaty of 2007. The Agreement on Trade, Commerce and Transit was first signed in 1972 and is renewed every 10 years. It was last renewed on July 2006 and the meeting between Bhutan and India on the renewal of the Bhutan-India Agreement on Trade, Commerce and Transit was held from 5-6 July 2016 in New Delhi. Subsequently, the new Agreement on Trade, Commerce and Transit between India and the Royal Government of Bhutan was signed on 12 November 2016 by Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Commerce and Industry, Government of India, and Lyonpo Lekey Dorji, Minister for Economic Affairs, Royal Government of Bhutan. It will be valid for 10 years until 2026.
The Bhutan-India Bilateral Trade and Transit meeting to discuss trade related issues is held regularly between the two sides. The last trade talk was held on 25 May 2015 in Thimphu.
The volume of trade with India has steadily increased over the years and India continues to remain Bhutan’s largest trading partner. Presently, the balance of trade is greatly in India’s favour. In 2015, total value of imports from India was Nu. 53.74 billion while total value of export to India (including electricity) was Nu. 31.80 billion.
Major imports from India to Bhutan are diesel, parts of hydraulic turbines, including regulators, ferrous products, petrol, wood charcoal, other coal, coke and semi coke, portland cement, mineral products, base metals and articles, machinery, automobiles & spares, animal products, chemicals, wood, plastic, rubber and agricultural products.
The major items of export from Bhutan to India are electricity from the four Hydropower Plants of Basochhu, Chukha, Tala and Kurichhu; ferro silicon, portland cement, dolomite, carbides of calcium, carbides of silicon, cement clinkers, timber and wood products, and a range of agricultural products.


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Home-bound with little to do — we are all scrolling our feeds and surprising ourselves with fresh content every day. Today, more than any other time in recent history, social media has become our main source of information.
Surprisingly, the COVID-19 situation has acted as a catalyst to the ever-increasing rise of social media adoption. However, it is challenging for us as marketers or content creators to stand out unless we have a clear social media marketing strategy.
“COVID-19 will continue to govern what we do and how we do it. Innovation will not be a nice-to-have; it’ll be necessary.”
– Michelle Park Lazette, senior writer, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland
The main concern is how to survive and thrive again?
The good news is that it’s not all doom and gloom. In 2021, Marketers must be quick and nimble in adopting new strategies.
What will the future look like for people working in social media or digital marketing? Let’s have a look at the predictions:
Video content will be the king & will continue to rise in production and demand
2021 has been a full-on video revolution year for marketers. According to WYZOwl, an animated explainer video company, 94 percent of marketers say using video has helped increase user understanding of a product or service.
Video sharing apps like Youtube and TikTok have experienced massive spikes in downloads since the start of the pandemic. TikTok alone was downloaded 115 million times in March.
“I think we are going to see the online video continue to explode,” predicts Tabitha Jean Naylor, Owner of TabithaNaylor.com.
What’s the best part? Google Loves Videos! Videos allow you to increase the time spent by visitors on your site. Thus, longer exposure builds trust and signals search engines that your site has good content.
Social media jobs and creativity skills will be valued more than ever
Out of all marketing strategies, social media will be the main one to thrive in the post-COVID world.
According to GlobalWebIndex Research, 53.6% of the world’s population uses social media. The average daily usage is 2 hours and 25 minutes.
There is a 1.4% increase from 142 minutes the previous year, and up 38% in the past 5 years.
A special report by Datareportal in July 2020, examines changes in social media usage during the beginning of the COVID-19 lockdown period. Notably, a monumental increase in online and digital activities can be seen below:
It is easier and cheaper for brands to leverage this opportunity. Hence, social media jobs and content creation jobs will be valued more than ever.
“I feel social media content and digital marketing post-COVID might be taken more seriously. Brands that had an engaging online presence were able to still pull their audience and create traffic, sales, and new opportunities. Many brands used social media to communicate and keep their audiences updated.” — Dhariana Lozano, President, Block & Ave.
Embracing honesty, empathy, and social consciousness will win on social
Social Media Marketing will be more sensitive to the needs and values of the audience. Socially conscious content, whether it is a pledge to save the world from the global pandemic by social distancing or a statement during a political moment, goes a long way in humanizing a company and setting it apart from its competitors.
However, as a marketer, remember that to make your campaign a success, you need to be genuine. Consider a unique cause and content that resonate with your audience.
Social listening and community engagement will be at the forefront of marketing strategies
Focused social listening will help business owners and marketers to figure out which social networks work well for them by constantly tracking their audience’s likes and dislikes.
“ Social media will become what it has always meant to be: social. Brands will ask consumers for their feedback on how they are doing and what they can offer that has the ability to make the consumer’s life easier.”- Deborah Sweeney, CEO, My Corporation.
It will help brands to analyze sentiment about the brand, products, competitors, or industry.
Most popular social media platforms
In 2020, Facebook is the leading social network with people with 2.70 billion of the 3.96 billion social media users worldwide. YouTube and WhatsApp follow this with 2 billion, then Messenger, WeChat, and Instagram, all having 1 billion or more users.
The world will forever be changing around us, but as marketers, we seem to be well-prepared in advance to handle any obstacles thrown in our direction. Emotionally charged, creative content can be spread on the Internet in a matter of days, getting millions of views. And this is the whole point of social media marketing: the only creative survive!


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Kirkland Helps Thoma Bravo Close $1.25B Fund
Like its previous nine funds, the firm's Fund X will continue its "buy-and-build" strategy of targeting mid-level software and business services companies and expanding them through acquisitions. Since 1980, the firm has grown out 20 software companies, whose annual earnings total about $1 billion.
The Chicago-based firm had aimed for $900 million for...
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By Claire West
The world’s largest advertising and marketing group WPP have announced half year pre-tax profits of £244 Million — up by 36%.
Often seen as a leading indicator of future economic trends WPP believes that the global economy has probably avoided a ‘double-dip’.
WPP said that; “the results reflect the recovery in the world economy, following the massive fiscal and monetary stimulus in response to the sub-prime, insurance monoline, Lehman and other elements of the crises.”
WPP suggests that “The world is growing at least three different speeds. Even Europe, it can be said, is growing at different speeds — Germany and Eastern Europe growing faster than Western Europe.”
Using a football analogy WPP puts “the BRICs (Brazil, Russia, India, China) and Next 11 (emerging economies; Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, South Korea, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Turkey and Vietnam) digital media and consumer insight” into the Premier League. The United States and Television “both big and resourceful, never to be under-estimated” are in The Championship. Western Europe and traditional print media make up Division One.


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Its been an eventful five years for Pakistan’s mobile industry. The South Asian country has seen a dramatic increase in mobile broadband penetration and the introduction of 3G/4G services has impacted the lives of millions.
In December 2017, 3G/4G subscribers in Pakistan numbered 47 Million. According to a recent report issued by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), at the end of December 2018, there were 62 million 3G/4G Subscribers in Pakistan with penetration rate of 29.55%. That is a very significant increase indeed.
Presently four mobile operators provide services to the country. Here are there most recent market shares/figures.
Jazz (created by the merger of Mobilink and Warid) is the current market leader with the largest number of subscribers. In 2016/7 they merged with Warid and adopted Warid's 4G network and offer their 4G/LTE to all of their customers as a single brand. In 2017 they received an own license for 4G on 1800 MHz (band 3). Their tagline is “Dunya ko Bataa Do” (tell the world) and their partnering with travel vlogger Eva Zu Beck to showcase their coverage and the culture of Pakistan has been a popular advertising strategy.
Norwegian owned Telenor is the third largest operator in the country. They cover more than 80% of Pakistan's population in urban and rural areas with a network of over 11,000 cell sites of which 80% are 3G and 70% are 4G enabled.
4G/LTE was started in August 2016 in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Peshawar and Sawaton on 850 MHz (band 5) and has spread to other major towns. Telenor was the first network to enable VoLTE and officially launch 4.5G (LTE Advanced) in Pakistan. It has done so by aggregating two LTE bands, FDD-LTE Band 5 (850 MHz) and FDD-LTE Band 3 (1800 MHz), a portion of which has been re-farmed for LTE, it was previously used on the 2G (GPRS/EDGE) network. Telenor's new LTE-A network will initially be available in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
Zong in Pakistan is owned by China Mobile Pakistan. It has a limited network on 3G in many towns but was the first to launch 4G/LTE on 1800 MHz (band 3) in the centers of 7 major cites in 2014. It presently has over 9 million 4G subscribers, more than any other network.
According to Zong when it comes to 4G coverage, subscribers, internet speed and innovation, no other network can reach the heights of Pakistan’s No.1 data network. They more than 10,000 4G towers with plans in place to launch 5,000 more 4G sites in the next 3 years.
Ufone owned by Etisalat is the fourth operator in the country. It has 3G network coverage in over 9,000 locations and across all major highways of Pakistan. There is no 4G/LTE yet.
A recent Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) survey found Ufone takes 5.73 seconds to connect a call, the fastest among all networks in the country.
2018 was a great year for Pakistan’s Technology industry with substantial growth and development in IT Sector and for 3G/4G penetration. Supported by growing tech-savvy population, increasing businesses and rising internet penetration, Pakistan is destined to become one of the fastest growing economy by 2030 and has the potential to be one of the leading digital economies. There is a lot of promise in the IT sector of Pakistan with young population turning to computers and other digital technologies creating a huge market for local and foreign investors.


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A post-90s guy’s cartoon emoji “Well-behaved Baby” has taken Chinese social media by storm. The emoji has been downloaded 150 million times on WeChat, generating nearly 500,000 yuan ($76,000) for its creator.
Nowadays, emojis are regarded as an important way to add fun to online chats. Zhong Chaoneng started designing emojis out of interest in 2015. His first series on the popular Chinese messaging app didn’t become a hit until “Well-behaved Baby” was released.
The “Well-behaved Baby”, with its sweet smile and chubby rosy cheeks, has been rewarded over 150,000 times on WeChat. A reward is a sum of money voluntarily donated to emoji creators by WeChat users.
Zhong said that he didn’t expect for “Well-behaved Baby” to become a hit, but its success has inspired him to keep going.
Liu Wenjia, a female emoji creator, said not all cartoon creators earn as much as Zhong does.
Zhong said the ultimate goal for every cartoon creator is to authorize their copyright to an agency to make it a recognizable brand.
Are you a fan of the “Well-behaved baby” emoji collection?


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Stainless steel consumption in India will rise by at least 140,000tns over the next one year or so after the railway minister announced plans to build new freight wagons and passenger coaches from the metal.
Titanium Industries has announced that it has signed a 4 year agreement with United Technologies Corp. (UTC) to support UTC’s emerging market initiative in India.
Outokumpu Oy will invest EUR 300 million to set up a cold rolling mill in India and is also looking at sites in Maharashtra and Gujarat for locating its first manufacturing plant in India.
India-based Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) will invest up to USD 9 billion through 2011 to create a petroleum and petrochemicals complex at Jamnagar in Gujurat, India.
Gujarat-based Jain Group’s Sona Alloys, which pioneered ship breaking, will be setting up a Greenfield integrated steel plant at Lonand in Maharashtra with an investment of INR 350 crore.
Acerinox has concluded a study on a project to build a plant, probably a cold rolling mill, in India, in a joint venture with its Japanese partner Nisshin Steel.


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Though CELINE‘s initial runway presentation may not have sat well with most critics, the fashion house is already making moves for its next showcase. Along with Givenchy, the Parisian label will be separating its menswear and womenswear collections, with the next mens’ collection set to debut in January for Fall 2019. While CELINE and Givenchy segregate their collections, other major brands, including Gucci, Balenciaga and CALVIN KLEIN 205W39NYC have recently consolidated their runways.
CELINE neglected to confirm the rationale behind its decision, though the move will allow for much more succinct presentations — Hedi Slimane‘s debut collection weighed in at an imposing 96 looks.
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A £20m Series B funding round has been announced by UK-based kerbside management and smart parking technology firm Appyway.
The company said it plans to invest in data capture and improving parking yield, put money into Data-as-a-Service (DaaS) for mobility service providers and vehicle OEMs, accelerate city adoption and expand product functionality.
The new funding will build on some £10.8m raised to date, including a £7.6m Series A round that drew in investors including Sumitomo Corporation, Hyundai Motor Company and Aviva Ventures, West Hill Capital and Breed Reply. These funds were used to grow AppyWay’s mobility team, expand its sales and marketing functions, and accelerate new product and IP development.
This latest fund-raising round is being managed by Cavendish Corporate Finance.
Dan Hubert, CEO and founder of AppyWay, said: “We’re thrilled to announce this funding round, which will help us move further towards our goal of helping local authorities and businesses unlock the potential of their kerbs. Whether it is residents, drivers, businesses and councils, all stand to benefit from the mobility revolution that is underway.”
AppyWay’s platform utilises IoT sensors to establish robust kerbside demand data, further enhanced via payment operators, navigation and traffic solutions, mobility and last-mile operators, MaaS apps, EV and infrastructure apps, plus other tools.
Aimed at aimed at local authorities, drivers, fleets and logistics firms, Appyway’s Mobility API is designed to address parking difficulties, ease congestion, reduce pollution and improve air quality in cities, as well as help raise safety standards and enable kerbside compliance for drivers, fleets, and CAVs.
Milton Keynes, Cambridgeshire, Portsmouth, Harrogate, Coventry, Southwark, Cornwall and Dorset are among the councils cited by Appyway as using its technology to more effectively utilise parking space, integrate payments and implement local traffic regulations. Furthermore, fleet and logistics firms such as Safo and Domex, and transport bodies such as Transport for West Midlands, currently use AppyWay’s platform to support their services and operations.
“Under-utilised on and off-street parking, along with outdated and inefficient processes and technology with high operating costs are features of many cities and towns across the UK,” added Hubert. “Councils are missing out on fair, effective and efficient revenue generation, along with the opportunity to reduce congestion and air pollution.
“A different approach is clearly needed if zero carbon targets are to be met and cities are to have the necessary infrastructure for electric and autonomous vehicles.”


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The company removed thousands of bad ads and websites from its advertising network a year ago as it improved the technology it uses to police its system. Google LLCsaid it removed more than 3.2 billion ads from the web in 2017 of which 79 million ads were scrubbed for luring online clickers to websites with malware.
"We've seen enough consumer harm or potential for consumer harm that it's an area that we want to approach with extreme caution", said Scott Spencer, Google's director of sustainable ads, in an interview with CNBC.
The policy will be implemented across its platforms, including Facebook, Audience Network and Instagram, the company said.
This new ad policy will be enacted in June and is part of a wider set ofrestrictions against the promotion of nontraditional methods of betting on future stock prices.
The move follows a similar ban by Facebook in January. "And, we removed 66 million "trick-to-click" ads as well as 48 million ads that were attempting to get users to install unwanted software". Searches through Google for things like "Bitcoin" that now will deliver ads to buy the digital currency, will likely begin fading away and then disappear come June. Then, it removed over 3.2 billion bad ads previous year.
Schiff says GOP walked away from responsibility
Conaway is the Republican leading the House probe, one of several investigations on Russian meddling in the 2016 elections. It left Democrats exasperated, as they charged that Republicans were doing all they could to shield the President.
Serena Williams edges Kiki Bertens to face Venus
The Williams sisters have set up a highly anticipated encounter at Indian Wells, where they have never faced off before. The sisters first played each other in the second round of the 1998 Australian Open , which Venus won 7-6 (7/4), 6-1.
Last year, Google removed 320,000 publishers from its ad network for violating its publisher policies and blacklisted almost 90,000 websites and 700,000 mobile apps. Google is also honing in on adverts promoting gambling and ads that make a song and dance about health products and schemes that are rather illegitimate.
Cryptocurrencies are known to be notoriously volatile, so some governments are working to clamp down on the digital money.
The decision means ads for cryptocurrencies, the most famous of which is Bitcoin, on Google-owned sites, most notably You Tube, or any of the third-party sites where Google sells advertising space, will be forbidden.
Facebook's policy has already been subverted by some crypto advertisers who used tactics such as deliberately misspelling "bitcoin" to bypass the social network's automated systems. "This policy will apply globally to all accounts that advertise these financial products".
"There are also lots of misleading speculations around cryptocurrencies".
Startup Company To Build 3D Print Homes For $10000
Incredible houses printed from cement could help to end the global housing crisis, according to the company behind their creation. The company also added that its 3D printed homes will significantly reduce labor costs and will also create minimal waste.
Donald Trump's Empty Words on Trade
There was some bipartisan concurrence on the idea of focusing any tariff plan on China rather than more broadly. In a tweet , Trump has said the USA will be flexible and cooperative with those nations who are "real friends".
Pennsylvania House Race Seen as a Test for Both Parties
Others are openly wondering if the only solution is to beat Trump at his own game. "Go out on Tuesday and just vote like insane ". Republican congressional candidate Rick Saccone speaks during a campaign event on February 2, 2018, in Bethel Park, Pa.
Lenovo S5 teased ahead of its official launch on March 20
The smartphone is expected to feature a 12MP camera for rear and 5MP camera for selfies with Beautify 3.0 to enhance selfies. In terms of specifications, the Redmi 5 features a 5.7-inch display with a 1440 x 720 pixels resolution.
Texas Strikes Back Against Sanctuary Cities
The decision by a three judge panel Tuesday overturns a lower court ruling that blocked portions of the law past year . This is a big slap in the face for several large Texas cities who were hoping to hand immigration hawks a loss...
Trump backs away over gun purchase age
A full audit and review of the FBI's tip line in light of missed red flags during the recent Parkland, Florida shooting. Cox also said the background check legislation being supported by the White House would go too far, these people said.
Indigo airlines cancels 47 flights today
Pratt & Whitney is an American aerospace company that manufactures both military and civil aircraft engines. Apart from IndiGo, three GoAir aircraft have also been grounded by the DGCA's ruling.
Honor 7C smartphone officially unveiled
Design-wise, the camera is located on the top left corner and is aligned horizontally with an LED flash on the inner edge. Some of the other features included in the device are Bluetooth v4.2, Wi-Fi, GPS, Fingerprint sensor and more.


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Check out these hot new micromixes showcasing the hottest and most sought after artists Katy Perry, Mabel, Jonas Brothers, Chris Martin, Imagine Dragons, Ed Sheeran and Khalid – if you play these artists then your listeners are in for a treat.
Micromix Avicii Chris Martin Imagine Dragons Ed Sheeran Khalid [G2PROD]Product on sale
Micromix Katy Perry Mabel Jonas Brothers [G2PROD]Product on sale
Micromixes are great for radio chart shows, DJ mixes and podcasting. In some related news about podcasting,
On Spotify, brands can now target those who listen to podcasts.
Spotify is definitely focusing on the world of podcasts. In the last few months the streaming app has achieved a series of acquisitions, those of the specialized companies like Gimlet Media, Anchor and Parcast, which have allowed it to strengthen its offer of this kind of content above all from an editorial point of view, laying the foundations for a subsequent step: that is of monetization.
Currently, even in Europe podcasts can be branded , but the Swedish company is still refining the development of an advertising model dedicated to these contents, based on better targeting, measurement and reporting capabilities. And with regards to targeting, Spotify has just announced a novelty: the possibility for brands to target the podcast listener.
This means that the advertisers of the app will be able to identify and reach with their campaigns not only Spotify Free users who listen to music, but also those who listen to podcasts. The new segmentation tool is available in various countries: in Italy, also in the USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, UK, France, Germany, Spain and Australia. In these markets, it will be possible to target users based on the themes of the podcasts they listen to , such as comedy, lifestyle and health, and business and technology.
Samsung and 3M are among the first brands that are testing the novelty .
On the occasion of the last quarterly, Spotify stated that it had 123 million monthly users on the free version of its app (the one on which there is advertising). Overall, the service has 217 million users.


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Press Release: Jackson is pleased to announce an expansion of its Soloist models including a brand new Pro Series SL2M, X Series SL3X and SLXTQ.
Press Release: Gretsch proudly announces new additions to its popular Roots Collection, including the G9241 Alligator™ Biscuit Round-Neck Resonator Guitar with Fishman® Nashville Pickup.
EVH has added brand new colors to its 2016 lineup, including an Ivory finish for the EVH Wolfgang USA.
Rule the Stage with Classic Single Cutaway Style
Ultimate Stability, Maximum Comfort and Powerful Sound. Every Song. Every Night.
Press Release: For the legion of fans who attended the 2015 Van Halen Tour, it’s unlikely they failed to notice the striking, aged-looking Ivory Wolfgang USA guitar that Eddie Van Halen played onstage.
Press Release: The Women’s International Music Network (the WIMN) is proud to announce its partnership with Memphis-based radio station Radio Memphis for the launch of the WiMN Artist Spotlight.
Introducing the first series in a new generation of performance acoustics
Rotosound is delighted to announce it has added the new Heller Vintage Guitar straps to their range. These limited edition guitar straps have been manufactured using authentic woven jacquard material from the late 1960’s early 1970’s which was originally made in Switzerland and found recently on a treasure hunt in New York City.
To mark the discontinuance of the Tiny Terror, Orange have made a documentary, which shows how the lunchbox amplifier started life, shows you the prototype, talks about the design and discusses its legacy.


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Macrovision, which bought Gemstar-TV Guide a few months ago for $2.8 billion, announced the sale of one of the pieces it didn’t ever plan to keep – TV Guide Magazine. The buyer is OpenGate Capital, a private equity company. The price was not disclosed, but it was not enough to be considered material to Macrovision and trigger an SEC filing.
OpenGate Capital issued a statement hailing TV Guide as a powerful brand and calling it an “entertainment industry icon.” Just what the new owners plan to do with the magazine is unclear, other than to have TV Guide President Scott Crystal declare that his new employers are “committed to taking TV Guide to the next level in terms of their investment and desire to expand our unique franchise.”
Macrovision made it clear when it bought Gemstar-TV Guide that it was only after the technology assets. The company is said to be still shopping the unit’s two cable networks, TV Guide Channel and TVG, a horseracing channel.


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The monetary policy committee (MPC) members voted 4-2 in favour of the RBI rate cut and 5-1 in favour of maintaining the neutral stance of monetary policy.
RBI's concerns about the slowing Indian economy are echoed in its revised macroeconomic projections. The central bank has revised its retail inflation projections downwards from its February estimates: 2.4% for Q4 of 2018-19 (against 2.8% in February) and 2.9-3% for the first six months of 2019-20 (3.2-3.4% earlier).
GDP growth projections have also seen similar downward revisions—7.2% for 2019-20 (against 7.4% estimated in February), and, 6.8-7.1% in the first half of the current year, against the estimated 7.2-7.4% just two months ago.
Concerns, meanwhile, remain on whether bank lending rates will eventually reflect the 50 bps rate cut over the past two months. Addressing reporters, RBI governor Shaktikanta Das said, “I had earlier held a meeting with banks and some of them have marginally cut the MCLR (marginal cost of funds-based lending rate), but more needs to be done… We will come up with guidelines that will ensure effective transmission of rates."
Apart from repo rate cuts, RBI has been increasing systemic liquidity through a combination of tools, including buying government securities from the market through its open market operations (OMO) and conducting three-year dollar-rupee currency swaps. “We will use all instruments, depending on the requirement and other relevant factors… We are particular that effective transmission of rates takes place. It is a work in progress," Das said.
The marked slowdown in consumption, the mainstay of economic growth over the past few years, spans both public and private segments. This is also reflected in the sharp downward revision in GDP estimates. Overall investment demand, as reflected by gross fixed capital formation, has shown a slight improvement, largely due to continuing government capital expenditure in roadways and affordable housing. While this should have translated into a corresponding uptick in private investment, data shows a shrinking of the key indicators of investment demand: production of capital goods in January and import of capital goods in February.
And while the central bank’s projections show a downward trend in consumer inflation, accompanied by slowing economic growth, these could easily be upset by the vagaries of the monsoon. RBI’s policy document does acknowledge the likelihood of an El Nino affecting crop output or a hardening of vegetable prices during the summer months. In addition, global oil prices continue to be the joker in the pack, with trade tensions or demand conditions determining its future trajectory.
RBI remained rather non-committal about two other factors that could affect the path of consumer inflation in the near future: a pre-election expansionary fiscal balance sheet and the impact of RBI’s own liquidity operations on money supply and prices. When asked, Das responded laconically: “The fiscal situation requires careful monitoring."


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Read the original story in Chinese at World Journal
Translated by Rong Xiaoqing
Several Chinese restaurants in Sunset Park have decided to close temporarily to prevent coronavirus from spreading and to relieve economic pressure on their businesses, as restaurants in Chinese neighborhoods have been especially hard hit during the epidemic.
Some restaurant owners feel they have no choice but to close for now, as customers shun away from dining out, previously booked banquets have canceled and both employees and customers are worried about their safety.
A post at the door of the Bamboo Garden Restaurant says the restaurant would temporarily close starting March 6, but customers could still call to book tables for the future. The eatery’s manager, Mr. Moy, said the decision was made for the safety of the community, given that the epidemic is getting worse in New York. He said he doesn’t know when the restaurant will reopen, but rebutted a rumor circulating in the community about a confirmed case with an employee there. Mr. Moy called for the public to follow official updates from the authorities and to not believe rumors.
Park Asia, which closed on March 9, was facing a similar situation. Pin Gu, who is in charge of operations there, said that the number of customers has dropped drastically since the epidemic started. Many previously booked tables were cancelled, and employees and customers were all worried. So the restaurant made the tough decision to close.
While Golden Imperial Palace was still open, employee John Chen said the restaurant will disinfect intensely to guarantee the safety of employees and customers. Chen iterated that the authorities haven’t required any restaurant to close for the epidemic.


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Knowledge Technology Solutions PLC (KTS), the real-time data technology company, has opened a new City sales office in preparation for its launch this summer of ktsMarketTerminal, the international version of its popular ktsQuoteTerminal live financial data and news system.
Based at its new City office will be Richard Burtsal, the newly-appointed Director of Sales and Marketing, and his team of sales executives. In March, KTS raised Â£750,000 in a placing of new shares to expand its sales and marketing operations. Since March, KTS has announced a growing number of blue chip clients for ktsQuoteTerminal, including Royal London Asset Management, Prudential-Bache and most recently Williams de Broâ€˜.
ktsQuoteTerminal is used by finance professionals in the UK who need access to premium market data, news and analysis sourced from well-known providers such as Standard & Poor’s, Dow Jones Newswires, RNS and AFX News.
KTS will be demonstrating ktsQuoteTerminal at the global trading and risk management forum, Dealing with Technology (DWT) 2003 on Wednesday 30th April. KTS will be at stand ten at DWT which is being held at The Brewery, Chiswell Street, London, EC1Y 4SD. The website for DWT is http://www.dwt-event.com.
Dr Marc Pinter-Krainer, Chief Executive of KTS, said:
“We’re already feeling the benefits of our sales and marketing team working out of our new City office. As our customers are financial institutions that are predominantly based in the City we wanted our sales team to be well established in their new location as we lead up to the launch of ktsMarketTerminal this summer.”


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The days of ultra-cheap labour and little regulation in China's manufacturing sector are gone. The Pearl River Delta, a former rice growing region, was remodelled into an industrial powerhouse for textiles, sporting goods and toys by the economic reforms of the 1980s.
Twenty years ago, Guangdong province was the place most manufacturers in Asia flocked to, making it China's top exporting province and a magnet for migrant labourers from the hinterland. But since 2005, wages have risen by 14% per year and the trend has been reversed.
Tougher labour, tax and environmental legislation combined with spiraling energy and materials costs have made thousands of factories close their doors and shift their operations elsewhere. In all, Guangdong's factories used to employ 17 million migrant workers from other provinces. Economic experts predict that one third of factories will close their doors in the coming years.


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PS4 Link, a companion app for the PlayStation Vita that will tie the handheld device to Sony's next-gen console, will be released as part of the Vita's next firmware update. Sony Computer Entertainment's Worldwide Studios President Shuhei Yoshida confirmed the news today on Twitter, but gave no other details.
A similar app, originally announced as "PlayStation App," will be released for iOS and Android devices alongside the PS4's launch in November. The app — at least the one announced for smart devices — will offer supplementary material during gameplay, similar to Microsoft's SmartGlass for Xbox One.
Already confirmed features include having the mobile device act as a secondary controller or screen with compatible titles, connect to the PlayStation Store, purchase and download games directly to your PS4, view Trophy information, and support other chat functionality. It can be assumed that all, or many of these at least, will also be offered through PS4 Link on the Vita.
We'll be sure to keep you updated with any new information we learn about PS4 Link, including its official release.


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Yeezy and Hov got awarded commemorative plaques backstage last night at their Watch The Throne tour in NYC. The album has gone on to sell 1,013,000 copies. Source: GlobalGrind Advertisements
Footage of the Taylor Gang leader across the pond, performing his hit anthem off Rolling Papers.
Take a look at the video shoot for @Wale‘s single off Ambition. Miguel appears in the footage as well. Ambition in stores now.
In case you forgot, @Ludacris is dropping a brand new body of work on November 15th. Here’s a new joint off the 1.21 Gigawatts: Back To The First Time project, produced by Drugs. [audio:http://www.ddotomen.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Ludacris-Can-You-Buy-That.mp3] Source: HHNM
@DJDrama will host @FredTheGodson‘s anticipated mixtape, City of God. Here’s a promo clip with some pop in’s from Maino and DJ Drama. The project drops on November 14th and features appearances from Pusha T, Meek Mill, Cory Gunz, Jadakiss, Raekwon, Vado and more.
@Wale steps in front of the lens with Jon J behind the camera for a quick viral for a freestyle he dropped earlier this summer. This also gives you a glimpse of Meek Mill and Rozay’s “Work” visual.


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Browser ballot leads EU to drop Microsoft antitrust caseMicrosoft's Windows browser ballot proved to be enough for the European Union to drop its antitrust case against the Redmond, Wash., software giant.
European regulators announced Wednesday they had officially dropped their antitrust case against Microsoft, now that the Windows maker will give users a choice of which browser to install on their system. Competing options include Apple's Safari, Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome. In all, there will be 12 options.
According to The New York Times, a forthcoming update to the Windows operating system will give European users of Internet Explorer, Microsoft's own browser, an option to switch to another. The settlement allows Microsoft to avoid a costly legal battle, and is also more evidence of American technology companies conceding to European sanctions.
That stance has likely been taken due to huge fines paid by Microsoft. In the past decade, the company has paid 1.68 billion, or $2.44 billion, to the European Union.
The browser ballot will go into effect in March 2010, and the "Choice Screen update" will be available for five years. There are more than 100 million users of Windows XP, 7 and Vista in Europe.
The union turned up the heat on Microsoft earlier this year, giving the company notice that it would have to detach Internet Explorer from Windows. The European Commission — and Microsoft's competitors — felt that the company's Web browser had an unfair monopoly by coming installed on all copies of Windows.
In response to the antitrust claims, Microsoft this summer revealed plans to ship Windows 7, its latest operating system, without Internet Explorer in Europe. But a proposed browser ballot that listed options in alphabetical order was criticized for favoring Apple's Safari.
Earlier this month, Microsoft altered its settlement with the European Union and modified the ballot to randomly display the top five Web browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera and Safari. Users are given the option to select a browser that will then be downloaded from the Internet.
On Topic: General
- Best Buy slashes $100 off iPad Air 2 (from $399), $200 off MacBook Pro with CD/DVD ($899), $150 off iMacs (from $899)
- Natalie Portman rumored for troubled Steve Jobs biopic
- Judge rules Apple entitled to potential ongoing royalties from patent-infringing Samsung products
- Union pushes Apple for better treatment of campus security guards
- More secrets could come from GT Advanced bankruptcy as Apple divulges details to creditors


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888 Sportsbook has launched in New Jersey. This is the first time that 888 brand offers sports betting in the United States.
Players can reach it via mobile, desktop or tablets. Also, there is a single wallet available for players, which they can use to easily make transactions.
888 Sportsbook in the US – “Major Milestone”
“The launch of 888sport.com in New Jersey is a major milestone for the company. It provides 888 with a unique and truly multi-product proposition in what is currently the largest regulated U.S state. 888 puts the maximum effort to develop its position in the U.S. We now have our sport, casino, and poker products all operational in the U.S. florida fake id. They are continually developing our proposition, brands, and technology to ensure that the Group remains exceptionally well positioned to capture the potentially significant future growth opportunities as new regulation allows,” said Itai Frieberger, CEO of 888.
This is just a proof that New Jersey is becoming the main target for many operators. Does that mean that merging the whole US market with the rest of the world is getting near? We don’t know but we all hope it is. It would boost the online gambling industry to the whole new level.
To check all the benefits you can get from 888, click here. Register and enjoy!


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There’s more than one reason Kobe Bryant can be considered a baller. He took a $6 million investment and turned it into $200 million in four years.
Back in 2014, Bryant bought a 10 percent stake in sports drink #BodyArmor. On Tuesday, #CocaCola announced it purchased a minority stake in the drink company, which has turned Bryant’s $6 million into a whopping $200 million investment.
Body Armor was co-founded by Mike Repole who also co-founded Smart Water and Vitamin Water. The beverage is marketed as “natural” and “healthy,” which is now going head-to-head with popular sports drink Gatorade. This come-up adds to the $323 million Bryant has made in his career, according to ESPN’s Darren Rovell.
Other investors and endorsers for the drink are #JamesHarden, #MikeTrout, #SkylarDigginsSmith and #DustinJohnson.


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Procter & Gamble Profit, Market Growth Outlook
Aug. 5 (Bloomberg) -- Jon Moeller, chief financial officer of Procter & Gamble Co., talks about the company's fourth-quarter profit and the outlook for the sales in the U.S. and Europe.
The world's largest consumer-products company said profit rose 15 percent as sales gained in emerging markets and forecast annual revenue that topped some analysts’ estimates. Moeller speaks with Carol Massar on Bloomberg Television's "Street Smart." (Source: Bloomberg)


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Its shares have been hugely popular this year, and confidence is high after a ground-breaking year.
Boardroom buying of shares at Kenmare Resources (LSE:KMR) has continued after a year in which the company completed Africa's heaviest ever relocation of mining equipment.
The 23km move in northern Mozambique to a higher-grade area involved transporting plant weighing the equivalent of 550 double-decker buses and taller than a seven-storey building.
Kenmare, which is one of the world's biggest suppliers of titanium feedstock and zircon used in everyday items such as paints, plastics and ceramic tiles, is now reaping the benefits from the relocation through much higher production levels and lower costs.
Its shares have surged 40% so far this year and have doubled since last summer, with the Dublin-based company also benefiting from favourable market dynamics after the average price for its products rose 9% in 2020. Supply problems elsewhere in the world have also benefited the company at the start of 2021.
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- Read more from Insider here
Long-time managing director Michael Carvill called 2020 a ground-breaking year for Kenmare, with the move to Pilvili the final part of a multi-year growth programme that should now mean ilmenite production grows by between 45% and 60% in 2021.
His optimism was reflected in a 22% jump in the company's final dividend to $7.69 a share, which Kenmare shareholders are due to receive on 19 May. The company is also targeting an increase in the payment from a minimum of 20% profit after tax to 25% for 2021.
Carvill and four other directors bought shares worth in excess of £200,000 after the company's results were published at the end of March, with non-executive director Elaine Dorward-King the latest director to buy on Wednesday.
The American non-executive, who has over 30 years’ experience in the mining, chemicals and engineering industries, bought £28,000 worth of shares. She did so at a price of around 436p, which compares with 188p last summer.
Carvill has been at the helm since 1986 when, after several years of oil exploration, the company changed its name to Kenmare Resources and acquired an interest in licences containing the Congolone heavy mineral sands deposit in Mozambique. Construction of the current Moma mine began in 2007 with the first production starting two years later.
It's been a roller-coaster ride for shareholders since the company first listed in 1994, with debt fears and the need for dilutive fundraisings following some significant highs for the shares.
Peel Hunt picked Kenmare at the start of this year as one of its 31 value stocks to watch in 2021.
With the investment programme now out the way, the broker said in January's note that strong cash flows should give management “tremendous discretion” for allocation of capital between growth projects and returns to shareholders.
Peel Hunt said: “Over the next four years we see the group generating more than its market capitalisation in free cash flow, even on our conservative-looking price assumptions.”
Share purchases celebrate new deal
Two senior directors at Studio Retail Group (LSE:STU) rounded off a landmark week for the online retailer by purchasing shares in the old Kleeneze company worth a total of £40,000.
Paul Kendrick, who stepped up to the role of CEO last month, and chief financial officer Stuart Caldwell bought a similar number shares on Thursday at a price of 304p.
Their moves were made in the week that Studio ended a formal sale process but struck a long-awaited deal to offload its Findel Education division for £30 million.
Prospects have been boosted by “exceptionally strong” trading in the traditionally quieter fourth quarter, with sales up 88% after total customer numbers grew 36% to 2.5 million.
Studio now expects profits for the year to 26 March to be in the region of £48 million and £50 million, up by as much as 83% on the 2020 level. Its medium-term goal is to achieve revenues of £1 billion, a target the company will elaborate on at a capital markets day in late June.
Shares ended the week at 290p, which compares with 263p in December when it was effectively put up for sale amid pressure from biggest shareholder, Mike Ashley's Frasers Group.
The Sports Direct owner said that its 37% stake was “significantly undervalued” and that the company was “misunderstood” by the market, prompting the call for a strategic review. Frasers built its stake following a failed bid worth £140 million for the company in April 2019.
Studio used to be known as Findel and previously owned sports merchandise retailer Kitbag and home shopping business Kleeneze. Its educational resources arm is being sold to investment funds managed by Endless after a previous attempt to sell the business to a different bidder for £50 million was blocked by the Competition and Markets Authority.
These articles are provided for information purposes only. Occasionally, an opinion about whether to buy or sell a specific investment may be provided by third parties. The content is not intended to be a personal recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument or product, or to adopt any investment strategy as it is not provided based on an assessment of your investing knowledge and experience, your financial situation or your investment objectives. The value of your investments, and the income derived from them, may go down as well as up. You may not get back all the money that you invest. The investments referred to in this article may not be suitable for all investors, and if in doubt, an investor should seek advice from a qualified investment adviser.
Full performance can be found on the company or index summary page on the interactive investor website. Simply click on the company's or index name highlighted in the article.


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By Tanna M. Friday
Fire safety equipment has a big impact in reducing loss of life and property in a fire. When it comes to your home, a fire extinguisher is layer of security that you can add to your home’s fire safety plan. But what about the needed security of fire protection in other places such as local restaurants, mining, school buses, or in the United States’ military tactical wheeled vehicles? All of which could save lives, time and money should a fire occur.
Amerex Corporation in Trussville is recognized worldwide as a leader in the manufacturer of commercial and industrial fire extinguishers and fire suppression products. Established in 1971, Amerex Corporation continues to manufacture and provide fire protection products in portable extinguishers, and fire suppression systems for vehicle, kitchen, industrial and military applications.
For almost 50 years, Trussville’s Amerex Corporation has earned a reputation for excellence in the fire protection industry and continues to be innovative in their mission to protect people and property. In fact, thousands of Amerex products are produced and shipped to customers worldwide. But regardless of the high production levels, employees say safety has always been a top priority at Amerex.
“We provide life, building, and equipment safety products,” said Jonathan Carter, Marketing Manager for Amerex Corporation. “Most people are familiar with portable fire extinguishers. They see them and the diamond logo every day, even when they don’t realize it.”
“We hang our hat on quality, service, and innovation,” said Carter. “Throughout the decades we have innovated newer products that the industry did not have but were needed. We went to third-party testing agencies to discuss potential fire hazards, and look for a new development. A couple of examples are the water-mist extinguisher for the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) rooms and the Class K extinguisher for commercial grease fires.”
You may be familiar with the portable fire extinguisher, where it’s located in your home or business, but may not realize that a fire extinguisher does not work on all types of fires. Carter explains that there are many different types (or classes) of fire extinguishers just as there are many different classes of fires. These five classes include Class A (wood, paper, or pulp); Class B (flammable liquid or gas); Class C (live electrical equipment); Class D (metals such as titanium, zirconium, magnesium, and sodium); and Class K (cooking media).
“We make a premium, quality product,” said Guy Jones, Product Manager, Extinguishers. “We have the ability to make up to 19,000 fire extinguishers per day, but currently produce around 15,000 per day. When the market demands, we can flex up to that 19,000.”
“My job as product manager is to make sure that we are getting the right products to the right place,” said Jones. “We are a compliance and a life safety industry. We want to make sure that we are not only supplying the right product, but also a high-quality product. This is people’s lives and property that we are dealing with here. We want to make sure that we are supplying the best product for that application.”
According to Carter, new product development is engineered in the Trussville facility and product testing is carried out in the Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL) headquarters in Northbrook, IL.
“We are constantly developing products and product improvements in portable extinguishers,” said Carter. “Extending into kitchen and vehicle systems as well. We are always doing something in our lab and fire testing building.”
“UL is the body that certifies our products,” said Jones, who shares the value of safety at Amerex. “For each program there are standards that have to be fully met. We meet both of those standards for each extinguisher.”
“They are at our facility two to three times a week to see if we are producing the product we tested,” said Jones. “Because we consistently meet and exceed these guidelines, we have the high degree of confidence that we are placing a good product into the marketplace. Along with that, you have quality and reliability.”
“We have controls here to administer a leak check,” said Carter. “This is done on each and every one of our extinguishers prior to being boxed and shipped to our distributors.”
All of which Carter shares that meet UL guidelines and testing and what the industry calls for. Exceeding them is how Amerex sells their products competitively.
In addition to Amerex’s major product line of hand-portable and wheeled fire extinguishers, another business unit, Amerex Defense, occupies a 3,000 square foot office building with a 4,000 square foot test and development laboratory which was developed specifically for live fire simulations designed specifically for rugged and demanding military applications.
“We provide innovative and reliable fire suppression solutions to our war fighters at home and abroad,” said Mier. “We work primarily through well-established government distributors and defense industry original equipment manufacturers (OEM). We offer a full line of hand portable extinguishers, specialty wheeled units and fire suppression systems. Our product offering is currently used to protect U.S. military personnel and tactical ground vehicle assets, as well as those of U.S. foreign government allies.”
“For instance, we have created a product for a four door or two door tactical wheeled vehicle that houses up to five crew members,” said Mier. “If an improvised explosive device (IED), otherwise known as roadside bomb, were to come in contact and cause an internal fuel explosion inside the cab, our high-speed optical detection system is designed to suppress a fire in a fourth of a second. Our goal is to continue to develop a product to support troops and aid in their survival during combat.”
“We designed a system that fits a very specific area inside a crew cab, where there is no wasted space and is very tight,” said Mier. “Once it is designed and integrated, the OEM’s like Oshkosh, will take the vehicle to Aberdeen, Maryland where everything is tested. They blow it up, shoot rocket propelled grenades (RPG) at it, and generally expose the vehicle to catastrophic events. Our equipment has to survive.”
In addition to military tactical wheeled vehicles, Amerex Corporation also focuses on fire suppression for on-road and off-road vehicles found in the mass transit, mining, waste management, and forestry industry.
“We apply vehicle suppression systems on mega sized mining equipment all the way to something pretty simple like a pick-up truck,” said Alan Fulton, Project Manager of Vehicle Systems. “This system automatically detects and suppresses a fire. We have brand name recognition in the transit industry. People refer to it as the Amerex system. We are heavy in the waste industry, forestry, agriculture, and active in the mining industry.”
Fulton adds that a majority of buses in the mass transit industry, rely on Amerex vehicle systems as an important life safety measure.
“There is a bill pending that was introduced by U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen Tennessee, and Sen. Tammy Duckworth Illinois, that directs the U.S. Department of Transportation to implement new school bus safety rules,” said Fulton. “The bill would require school buses be equipped with fire suppression systems and a firewall to keep engine fires from spreading into the passenger compartment.”
“Much like a thermostat in your home that says okay I need more heat or cold,” said Fulton. “This system works very similar to that, in that it turns the fire suppression system on.”
Fulton adds that there are three pieces to the vehicle system: detection (detecting the fire); actuation (opens the valve); and suppression (flowing of the agent). There is a controlled device that is placed in the hazard area, which is in the engine compartment, that looks for the detection which actuates the cylinder. There are nozzles surrounding the engine connected to a cylinder that is automatically actuated.
“It is very effective and thorough in what it does,” said Fulton. “You would be surprised that a little amount of agent can create that great amount of action.”
Fulton adds that Alabama is not required to have these fire suppression systems on buses.
In addition to portable/wheeled extinguishers and reliable fire suppression solutions to our war fighters and vehicles, Amerex offers fire suppression systems to commercial kitchens around the world.
According to Michael Gaston, Product Manager of Amerex Kitchen and Industrial Systems, this business unit is designed to accommodate the needs of building and restaurant owners in order to protect their property and ensure the safety of the people.
“Restaurant and industrial systems is one of Amerex’s smaller product lines, but one that is growing,” said Gaston. “Every commercial kitchen has to have a fire suppression system. The industrial systems, however, are a little more varied. They go into places like vehicle paint spray booths, which protect the fire hazards that exist with these flammable vapors.”
Gaston adds that Amerex produces systems for around 8,000 kitchens per year.
“Our largest area of growth has been internationally,” said Gaston. “We have a pretty good chunk of kitchen systems out there. Now we are going overseas to protect kitchens around the world.”
“The United States has always had strong safety rules for commercial kitchens somewhat driven by the insurance agencies, said Gaston. “And International markets have realized the need for this, so they are starting to come around to the same rules and standards that the U.S. holds. So, as those markets develop rules to protect kitchens, we are starting to see a lot more demand in those markets.”
The latest development in the restaurant and industrial systems area is electronics.
“The restaurant systems that we are most familiar with are mechanical,” said Gaston. “They are not like Mier and Fulton’s technology of detecting the fire electrically. It relies on technology that has been around for decades, maybe a century. Most of the systems are requiring a mechanical device to melt away before it can trigger the fire system.”
“We pride ourselves in innovation here at Amerex,” said Gaston. “We are the first kitchen fire suppression company to offer electric detection. The list of ground-breaking features and benefits of this new system is extensive, and it is gaining traction in the marketplace. We really think it is the future of the kitchen suppression industry.”
“It really allows us to build off of the other existing technology and systems we already utilize elsewhere,” said Gaston. “So, by having those different areas, protecting the vehicle, the military, and the portables, we take the expertise from each of those and make the other areas better.”
Gaston shares that the most exciting thing he has experienced in the industry is the amount of change internationally in kitchen systems.
“I would say 10 years ago that we sold very little kitchen systems internationally, which is completely different today,” said Gaston. “Watching how the world realizes the need for similar safety rules to protect their employees and equipment and seeing how we are seen as experts in the industry is exciting.”
“Knowing that you are protecting people, especially with some of these industrial systems we manufacture, and that you are protecting families, fathers, mothers is motivating to me,” adds Gaston. “Without those systems, people are in danger of not making it home each day. That really brings me to work.”
“Truly, our team protects people around the globe,” said Gaston. “I would say that everybody here, when they take a step back and think what Amerex is really about, it’s really about protecting people, protecting their property and making the world a safer place. That is what we really do.”


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The Bank of Canada may be pulling back on hiking interest rates, but Canadians are still dealing with the fallout from the rate hikes we’ve already seen.
Consumer insolvencies in Canada jumped by 9.3 per cent in April, compared to the same month a year earlier, according to data from the federal Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy. The number includes both consumer proposals and bankruptcies. Consumer proposals are an increasingly popular alternative to bankruptcy, where the debtor works out a deal with creditors to pay a portion of their debt.
The 11,785 insolvencies recorded in April are the highest for the month since 2010, when Canadian consumers were still recovering from the Great Recession.
Insolvencies rose most in Newfoundland (up 51 per cent) and Alberta (up 18.7 per cent) but also saw significant increases in Ontario (up 11.2 per cent), British Columbia (up 5.8 per cent) and Quebec (up 5.3 per cent). Saskatchewan (down 11.7 per cent) is the only province to have seen a decline.
The data suggests many households are unable to adjust to higher debt payments, especially given that consumer debt once again hit record-high levels in the final months of 2018.
And many debtors are beginning to realize the extent of the problem. In a survey carried out for FP Canada and Credit Canada this spring, one in five Canadians said they would have to liquidate assets this year to pay off debt — meaning cashing in RRSPs, selling a car or otherwise raising cash to cover debts.
Watch: Canadians are dipping into their RRSPs to survive. Story continues below.
And while mortgages have been responsible for a great deal of the run-up in household debt, it may be more frivolous forms of borrowing that are driving households to insolvency.
“What I’ve been hearing from Canadians is (they are) overspending,” said Kelley Keehn, a personal finance educator and consumer advocate with FP Canada. “Some of it is just not paying attention (to your finances).”
One common mistake, she says, is making only the minimum payment on your credit card. Many people with high credit card balances will need decades to pay off what they owe ― decades of paying very high interest rates.
“That high rate is working for the credit card company and grossly working against you,” she says.
Keehn says keeping an emergency savings account ― and keeping it funded ― is crucial. Additionally, many people fear their financial statements, or are bored by them.
“You’ve got to open up your bills, know what your credit card rates are,” she says. And while a spending budget may be unrealistic for many people, she suggests “a 30-day anti-budget”: Simply keep track of everything you spend money on for 30 days. Check your credit card and debt card balances, and keep receipts for cash purchases.
“Your spending can be a huge eye-opener” when you add it up over a month, Keehn says. “You will find there is always some fat to trim.”
Forget about keeping up with the neighbours
For those facing money trouble, a financial planner or counsellor can make a big difference, Keehn says, and their services can be bought by the hour. There are also non-profit credit clinics that can help those in need.
Finally, don’t let yourself get caught up in trying to keep up with others’ lifestyles, Keehn says. You may not realize the Joneses you’re trying to keep up with are in financial trouble themselves.
“You have no idea who you’re comparing yourself to, trying to keep up with that lifestyle,” Keehn said. “That person is probably going into debt.”


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Published on February 2nd, 2009 | by James Smythe0
Intel rumoured prepping eight-core Xeon for launch next month
Intel plans to detail an eight-core Xeon processor at the International Solid-State Circuits Conference in San Francisco next month, offering an early look at what appears to be the company’s first eight-core chip.
Apparently Intel will discuss an eight-core, 16-thread Xeon processor manufactured with a 45-nanometer fabrication process.
The processor in question is likely to be the Nehalem EP processor, an upcoming chip that is designed for dual-socket servers and workstations.


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Every week the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) takes a look at the most interesting data compromises from the previous week. The ITRC has the most comprehensive databases of information about publicly-reported U.S. data breaches. The ITRC has been compiling data breach information for the last 15 years, recording close to 12,000 publicly-notified data breaches. This week we are highlighting a couple of longer-term unconventional 2020 data breach trends and what is behind them (specifically, publicly-reported breaches in the U.S.) and what cybercriminals are doing with all of the personal information they have stolen the past few years.
Since 2015, data breaches and the number of people impacted has been on the increase, with the exception of one year. However, 2020 is shaping up to be very different. While many believed employees working remotely due to COVID-19 would lead to a spike in data breaches and identity theft, the data tells a different story. The number of publicly-reported data breaches are down 33 percent in the first six months of 2020 over the same period in 2019. More importantly, the number of individuals impacted by data compromises is down 66 percent compared to last year. In the first six months of 2020, the ITRC tracked 540 data breaches and approximately 164 million people affected, including those who received more than one breach notice.
While the 2020 data breach trends are good news for businesses and consumers, the emotional and financial impacts on organizations and individuals due to data breaches are still significant. In fact, the impact on individuals could be even more damaging as criminals use stolen identity information to misappropriate government benefits intended to ease the impact of the coronavirus. While the ITRC sees a drop in data breaches reported, it also sees an increase in reports of identity-related fraud.
There is never just one reason why data breaches go up or down. It is a complicated issue with many moving parts. However, related trends give a clue about one of the primary drivers of the reduction in mass data theft: all the identity information stolen in data breaches over the past few years. In fact, a new research report shows there are 15 billion credentials for sale in the marketplace where identity criminals buy and sell personal information. That is a lot of information – and right now, cybercriminals are cashing in on all of that data by running COVID-19 and other scams that require identity data. Cybercriminals are striking with phishing attacks and other automated attacks using apps designed to crack open accounts using stolen credentials that cost as little as $4.
In other words, right now identity thieves do not need any more data. They are consuming more data than they are gathering. Unless there is a significant increase in the number of reported data compromises, 2020 is on pace to see the lowest number of data breaches and data exposures since 2015, an unconventional 2020 data breach trend that might not have been expected at the beginning of the year – and is counter to other reports. With that said, there is reason to believe the 2020 data breach trends of a lower number of breaches is only temporary.
At some point, cybercriminals will have to update their data warehouses. When they do, the ITRC expects a return to the normal threat pattern. It could happen in the second half of 2020, or early 2021. Whenever it happens, it is not expected to happen overnight. Rather, it is expected to gradually happen over time.
For more information, as well as analysis of the 2020 data breach trends, subscribe to our data breach newsletter.
If someone believes they are a victim of an identity crime or believes their identity has been compromised, they can live-chat with an expert advisor or call toll-free at 888.400.5530 to get started on the resolution process. Victims can also download the free ID Theft Help App. The app lets them track their case in a case log, access resources and tips to help them protect their identity and more.
Join us on our weekly data breach podcast to get the latest perspectives on the last week in breaches. Subscribe to get it delivered on your preferred podcast platform.
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About a month and a half ago, Google launched its Android Device Manager website to help locate and erase lost your Android device. At launch, the web-based utility allowed users to pinpoint a device’s location on a map, sound an alarm, and erase its storage. Now, Google has given the web utility a new and very useful trick.
Just as before, Android Device Manager works on devices running Froyo or later, and it installs itself as a Device Administrator (visible in Settings –> Security). Building on previous functionality, however, Android Device Manager now lets you remotely lock your device. This is particularly useful in the event that you misplace your device but find yourself unwilling to wipe its internal storage. After all, if your normally unlocked tablet is in the possession of a friend of yours, you’re probably better off securing it remotely than you are wiping all of your precious data.
While many may wonder why this seemingly simple feature wasn’t present in the first place, we’re just glad to see it there now. You can get started by visiting the Android Device Manager website. You can also learn more over at the official Google blog.


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The very big 18 version of Google browser finally hits just after a few months of last release. This time the browser is enabled with GPU-accelerated Canvas 2D along with some smoother interactions with games and other media-heavy content. Furthermore the WebGL also provided with a look-in through a new software-based addition which would efficiently help older computers access simple 3D web content. Those who are already equipped with Chrome should get auto-updated to the latest version today, and those who still are not connected should get it for download from Google Chrome.
Trackback from your site.


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Japan, World's 2nd-Largest Economy, Reports Rare Trade Deficit
Saturday, September 27, 2008
TOKYO, Sept. 26 -- Japan, a nation that rode exports to become the world's second-largest economy, posted a highly unusual trade deficit in August.
It was an alarm signal for the country's already shrinking economy and yet another worrisome indicator for troubled global markets. The August figure was Japan's first monthly trade deficit in 26 years, excluding the atypical month of January, when exports here always drop for the holidays.
Exports to the United States dropped 21.8 percent from a year ago, the steepest monthly decline on record, the government said. Japan's trade surplus with the United States has fallen for 12 consecutive months.
The government attributed the trade deficit to a short-term imbalance: falling car exports and higher energy costs. Four of Japan's five largest carmakers said this week that global demand was falling, especially in the United States. At the same time, the cost of imported oil and coal soared to record highs.
"I expect it will only be a temporary phenomenon and believe that the Japanese economy has not been seriously ill," Kaoru Yosano, the economy minister, told the Kyodo news agency.
Others are not so confident. The Japanese economy shrank in the second quarter at the fastest rate in seven years. Rising fuel and food prices have pushed inflation to the highest rate in a decade. Exports, the primary engine of growth in the economy, contributed nothing to growth in the second quarter of the year -- and have apparently fallen since then.
If a Japanese trade deficit persists, it would also hurt the U.S. economy, said Shumpei Takemori, an economics professor at Tokyo's Keio University.
He said that a prolonged trade deficit would stall capital accumulation here and limit the vast amount of money that the Japanese have for decades pumped into U.S. Treasury bonds and other dollar-based accounts.
Japan's aging population -- and the declining earnings and savings of retiring baby boomers -- is certain to be another drag on the long-term capacity of Japan to invest abroad, he said.
The Japanese government, however, will continue to invest in the United States, officials say.
Japan has far too much invested in the American economy, at this point, to risk upsetting it by slowing down its investments or withdrawing money, two government officials said in recent days. Such steps could drive down the value of the dollar, endangering the value of Japan's foreign assets that remained there. About $860 billion of a $1 trillion reserve that is controlled by the Bank of Japan and the Finance Ministry is invested in U.S. government securities, most of it in Treasury bonds.
Unlike China, Singapore and other cash-rich countries, Japan has rejected the creation of a sovereign wealth fund -- and of moving its money to regions of the world where it can maximize investment returns.


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Cork`s 96FM News gets first hand account of the illicit trade.
Retailers Against Smuggling have slammed the 50 cent increase
on cigarettes announced in Budget 2017 and introduced overnight.
The Dail did not even vote on the increase ,
and the cost of a packet of 20 went up at midnight ...
The anti-smuggling organization says it will push consumers
to buy more affordable smuggled products thereby helping
criminal gangs to expand their illicit trade.
Cork`s Anti Austerity Alliance TD Mick Barry says , the increase will
only drive people underground in search of cheaper products ,
despite the health benefits in the initiative ...
The illegal tobacco trade is thriving in Ireland as 96FM and C103`s
senior news reporter Fiona Donnelly found out
when she spoke to agents carrying out
an undercover test purchase operation in Cork....
More in hourly news bulletins ....


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Saturday, august 24th, the 2nd edition of the Porsche Classic Coast Tour started in the Belgian coast village De Haan. Last year, the Porsche Classic Coast Tour had its inaugural edition. It all began as a tour with some friends who all shared the same passion for classic Porsches. The inaugural edition was that successful and liked by the participants, that the organization started preparing the 2nd edition immediately.
Only 45 cars were allowed in the 2nd edition of the Porsche Classic Coast Tour. It only took 1 week to sell them out. In the morning the participants were welcomed with a glass of champagne and a brunch. Visitors could meanwhile enjoy the classic Porsches at the parking. At noon, the 120 km long tour started. The roadblock took all the participants from De Haan to the Netherlands over Houthave and Lissewege. The Porsche Centre in Knokke invited all participants for a coffee.
Due to the succes, the organization considers allowing 60 to 70 cars, and a concours d’Elegance for the Porsche 356 and the early Porsche 911. Mark August 24th in your agenda for the 3rd edition of the Porsche Classic Coast Tour
Picture Gallery of the 2nd edition of the Porsche Classic Coast Tour
Pictures by Wilfried Geerts.


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The head of George fashion at Asda has unexpectedly quit her job.
Angela Spindler executive director of Asda and global managing director of George resigned with immediate effect last week.
The official line from Asda is that she has left due to "family reasons" but she leaves the company as it's growth slows compared to it's discount clothing rivals, including Primark and Tesco.
Andy Bond,Asda chief executive, who previously ran the George label, has taken day-to-control of the business until a replacement is found, reports the Guardian.
He will be supported by chief operating officer Mark Daynes and brand director Fiona Lambert, a former George executive who recently who rejoined Asda from Next.
Ms Spindler was responsible for bringing in Coleen McLoughlin as the face of George and recently announced plans to start selling Asda clothes online next year.
Caz Moss- Female First