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February 17, 2014 |
Starting your own business venture is a tempting thought. You can be your own boss instead of being hectored around. You have seen friends, relatives, neighbours and even colleagues do it. Yet, being your own boss is no easy task. For every business venture that is successful, there are two that bite the dust, and for good reasons too. To begin with, one of the biggest challenges that new entrepreneurs face is to convert the idea into a profitable business model. Have you done sufficient research?
November 20, 2007 |
Under normal circumstances both lamp posts and market research (MR) are supposed to throw light. Unfortunately some marketers tend to use market research in the same manner as a drunk clutches a lamp-post for support. This has long term implications for both credibility of the marketing community and accountability of the MR profession. This behaviour is more prevalent in organisations where there is bureaucracy, low transparency and marketing decision making is in multiple hands.
September 23, 2014 |
KOLKATA: When Philips India recently launched a specially designed entry-level shaver targeted at male consumers in smaller towns, what convinced the Dutch firm about its market potential was data culled primarily from e-commerce and search sites, validated by its own research. A Philips official said tracking sales and browsing data of such products helped the firm notice high interest in shavers in tier-II towns and the features and price range they were looking for, which convinced the firm to roll out a new product with a starting price of Rs 900, about 40% less than the previous entry-level product.
July 3, 2006 |
NEW DELHI: Rich Americans seem to be going gaga over designer bathrooms and kitchens adorned with Indian granite. Americans now prefer Indian granite in place of Italian marble. While India has already amassed Rs 3,050 crore from the export of this product in '04-05, export demands are on the rise. In fact Indian exporters have started buying granite slabs from Brazil to process them into tiles and export them to the US. Market research on the sector shows that it is black granite that is hot in American households.
December 15, 2014 |
ISTANBUL: The Turkish lira fell to its weakest since Jan. 29 on Monday, underperforming emerging market peers after a weekend raid by police on media outlets close to an opponent of President Tayyip Erdogan . The lira was at 2.3120 to the dollar by 0916 GMT, easing from 2.3015 late on Friday, as fears of political tension inflamed underlying concerns about Turkey's large current account deficit. The 10-year benchmark bond yield inched up to 8.7 per cent from 8.67 at Friday's close.
April 2, 2012 |
A leaky faucet or a busted geyser are invariably followed by endless calls to locate a plumber/electrician, many of whom delight in keeping one hanging. In this age of dial-a-service , be it a cab, meal, movie or even a chequebook, why should one not be able to dial a handyman to fix imperfections at home? That's the thought which prompted 25-year-old Shaifali Agarwal to start EASYfix Solutions, a one-call repair and maintenance service provider. The adage 'necessity is the mother of inventions' proved true in her case.
February 4, 2013 |
KOLKATA: Ruchi Soya Industries today said it aims to expand the Nutrela brand five-fold to Rs 5,000 crore in the next five years. Stating that Nutrela was a small brand compared to the Ruchi brand which accounted for sale of Rs 7,000-8,000 crore, Ruchi Soya AVP Marketing Sandipan Ghosh said the company wanted to make Nutrela a Rs 5,000 crore brand in the next five years from Rs 1,000-1,200 crore now. On reports of raids by the...
March 27, 2013 |
NEW DELHI: Kalpik Nigam, a software engineer in Noida, wanted to buy a smartphone for his sister with a budget of around Rs 12,000. After scouring the market for options, he picked the Canvas HD - a smartphone from Micromax, for around Rs 14,000. The Canvas HD is a device that runs on Jelly Bean, one of the latest versions of Android, and has hardware that, according to Nigam, "is almost similar to that of Samsung Galaxy S III. " The Galaxy S III costs over twice the amount. In a growing trend, budgetconscious Indian consumers are now looking at handsets sold by indigenous brands instead of getting one from international players such as Samsung , Sony or LG. A report published in the first week of March by market research firm IDC said that Micromax was the second biggest smartphone vendor in India's 16-million-unit-strong smartphone market in Q4 2012.
August 5, 2013 |
In a bid to enter the Rs 900 crore mattress market of India, the US-based mattress retailer Sealy is trying to develop premium mattress market in India. The company has Koramangala as one of the focus centres where it realises plenty of business opportunities for the mattress retailers to work together and propel changes. In a candid interview on company's growth plans in Indian premium mattress market, Puneet Verma, GM, Sealy India talks to Tasmayee Laha Roy. Edited excerpts: Tell us a little about Sealy...the initial days and the journey so far...
June 12, 2012 |
BANGALORE: Five years ago when founders of Zoho Corporation got a call - an acquisition proposal - from the chief executive of Salesforce.com, a pioneer in offering software as-a-service, it was validation of the fact that they were on to something big. Today, Zoho that competes with Salesforce.com, Google and Microsoft, is one among a handful of Indian software product companies that has made a name for itself. However, in India, it is still little known and that is something Sridhar Vembu and Raju Vegesna is looking to fix, by entering the Indian market.


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Engadget notes that the design and features of the YouTube app on the Echo Show created a sticking point between the two tech giants. "But Amazon doesn't carry Google products like Chromecast and Google Home, doesn't make Prime Video available for Google Cast users, and last month stopped selling some of Nest's latest products", a Google spokesperson said in an emailed statement. Last week though the YouTube app returned to the Echo show but Google didn't release that app it came from Amazon and Google didn't learn about it until they saw it in the press according to TechCrunch. "There is no technical reason for that decision, which is disappointing and hurts both of our customers", said Amazon in a statement obtained by The Verge. YouTube is also cutting access again today for a second time to Amazon's Echo Show video device.
This time though, the block hammer has been dropped over the Amazon retail empire's perceived lack support for Google's growing array of hardware. "We hope we can reach an agreement to resolve these issues".
Buys 3877 Shares of Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX)
PIR's profit will be $10.05M for 10.31 P/E if the $0.12 EPS becomes a reality. 1St Source Bank & Trust invested in 54,989 shares. The firm has "Hold" rating by Argus Research given on Friday, February 10. (NYSE:NPO) on Monday, July 31 with "Buy" rating.
As a result, the YouTube app won't work on the Echo Show from today, while the Fire TV will lose support from January 1st, unless there's a solution in the next couple of weeks. Recently, Amazon also stopped allowing owners of Roku devices to download an official Twitch app (although current users can continue to access that app).
While it would definitely be better for consumers if Google and Amazon worked together, it looks like it won't happen anytime soon.
While YouTube is a key service on Echo Show, namely due to its huge number of recipe videos, Echo Show itself doesn't have the same level of popularity as Fire TV. Whether or not things get resolved by the end of the year remains to be seen, though.

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There’s a double celebration on the cards as we mark the 150th anniversary edition of Electrical Review magazine.
We’ve been shortlisted for not one but two big prizes at the Electrical Review Excellence Awards 2022!
Our modular powerhouse Multi Power is the winning choice to protect the new £70 million Merchant Square office redevelopment in Belfast.
In an exclusive interview, our Managing Director Leo Craig talks Data Centre World 2020, smart grid-ready UPS and an exciting addition to our modular Multi Power range.
We explain the efficiency benefits of modular UPS systems ahead of the official UK launch of our new and improved Multi Power MPX.
With Dublin overtaking London as Europe’s largest data centre cluster, modular uninterruptible power supplies are key to powering this processing revolution.


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Germany-based Villeroy & Boch, a sanitaryware brand catering to the premium segment, is planning to open 25 stores in India by 2015 from the current 14.
Villeroy & Boch, which entered India in 2008, has aggressive plans to tap the growing Indian market and set up stores in Tier I and Tier II cities, including the four metros. Of the 14 existing stores it has now, two are HOF (House of Villeroy & Boch), exclusive stores housing all products of the brand.
The luxury sanitaryware market in India is expected to be around 25 million Euro. With rapid urbanisation and growing income, the demand for luxury products in India is growing, especially in southern India where urbanisation is happening at around 35 per cent.
“We have targeted 50 million Euro sales revenue from the Indian market in the next five years,” Thorsten Bies, sales director (Africa, India and Middle East), Villeroy & Boch, said. Its India operation has been growing at 50 per cent since the last three years, and it expects to grow at the same rate in the coming years.
The brand is well-known in Europe, and now the company is focusing on developing markets, with special focus on India, China and Russia, Bies said.
Villeroy opened its store here recently. The store, spread across 1,800 sft, is the first HOF in south India and third in the country. The starting range of a Villeroy product is Rs 8,000 for a wash basin, whereas the upper price range differs according to customisation of the products.
“The need for all grades of sanitaryware is obvious” says Derek Burston, Exhibition Director, Indian Ceramics 2012, “and it is clear from V&B’s announcement that it is not only the low grades that are in demand, but increasing quantities of higher grade, more quality-based products” he adds.
“Certainly, the feedback from exhibitors coming to next year’s Indian Ceramics exhibition is that they see sanitaryware as a huge growth sector for them, with top quality raw material suppliers and technology suppliers all lobbying to get a slice of this massively expansive industry” comments Burston.
To take part in next year’s exciting event, and to be sure of your place at the industry’s most rapidly expanding show, you can register to follow Indian Ceramics 2012 on twitter or subscribe to our RSS feed. Full details are also contained in our official publication, Asian Ceramics (www.asianceramics.com).
For direct sales and sponsorship enquiries, contact Derek Burston on Des@gattacaltd.com; or Tel: + 44 (0) 203 239 6759


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: Turkish aviation firm Celebi Aviation
on Friday said it is operationally ready to handle Covid-19 vaccines
and is working closely with existing airline operators and freight forwarders to understand their specific requirements.
The company has the infrastructure and capabilities to handle as many charters as required, at its facility and ensure a quick 'turnaround time', it said in a release.
Besides warehousing, the company offers ground handling services to these freight operators, Celebi Aviation said.
Stating that it is "operationally ready" to handle the Covid-19 vaccines, the Turkish firm said the distribution of the vaccine will take place through its state-of-the-art pharma logistics center situated at Delhi Airport
, which has a capacity of 72,000 MT annually.
"Celebi is able to play a leading role in the distribution of Covid-19 vaccine in India and globally. We understand the need for a strong emphasis on pursuing the highest standards in pharmaceutical cargo handling. These vaccines require rigorous temperature control throughout the entire supply chain, therefore, Celebi is operationally ready to handle the Covid-19 vaccines," said Murali Ramachandran, CEO India, Celebi Aviation.
The company has also set up a special 24x7 duty managers desk to oversee these movements, he said.
The Center is equipped with the facility of temperature-controlled chambers for storage of consignments ranging between minus 25 to plus 25 degrees centigrade with humidity control to prevent moisture damage, according to Celebi Aviation.
In preparation for a domestic and global distribution of the Covid-19 vaccine, Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management is working on preparing proficient handling scenarios for the import and export of various types of vaccines in a safe and efficient way, the company said.
Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management is the joint venture between Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), which operates and manages Delhi Airport, and Celebi Ground Handling
Handling of trucks carrying vaccines, dedicated truck dock bays at Export Pharma Logistics Center, dedicated delivery gate for import of vaccine and quick turnaround time of all trucks are some the measures the company has put in place as part of the preparations, it said.
Other facilities include cool dolly and "Tyvec" cover availability, along with dry ice, batteries, thermal blankets, among others, at pharma mini shop, it said, adding there is also provision for unitizing in temperature-controlled zones and data tracking and monitoring.
Celebi at present carries out ground handling activities at seven airports -- Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore
, Hyderabad, Cochin, Ahmedabad and Kannur -- in the country.
The company claims it to be the first handler in India to deploy "Cool Dollies" to extend the cool chain (-20 to +25 Celsius) till the aircraft bays on the airside.
These are refrigerated containers on wheels, which ferry one complete aircraft pallet/two baggage containers to/from aircraft at a pre-defined temperature and adjustable to suit the requirements of the temperature-sensitive products, according to the company.


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During the third quarter of 2019, Resorts World Manila reported a revenue jump of 49% in consolidated net revenues, reaching €294 million.
Philippines.- The casino industry is having a great performance in the Philippines and operators are thriving on it. That’s the case of Resorts World Manila, whose consolidated net revenues jumped 49% to €294 million in the third quarter.
The company reported a great performance, as seen in its 52% GGR increase to €373.3 million. It reached such an improvement thanks to the recovery in the VIP segment and healthy growth in the mass business and improved hold rates and increased traffic.
Non-gaming revenues jumped up 43% as well, to €82 million at the Resorts World Manila.
Potential impact from Chinese measures
China and the Philippines are mixed up in a conflict over online gambling. That’s why the latter may get less Chinese tourists in the next months.
According to a report by the Malayan Banking Berhad (Maybank), China’s online gambling ban will impact in the Philippines. However, they forecast Japanese and South Korean tourists to make up for it.
China recently enforced a ban on Manila-based online casinos servicing gamblers in the mainland. However, Philippine operator Megaworld Corp. says it won’t impact on its home sales and office leasing business.


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GE Links Up With Silicon Valley Startup to Peddle Electric Car Charging Gear
GE wants to find homes for its newly introduced charging equipment, and Better Place needs a partner with buff financial muscles to help it build a network of charging and battery replacement stations around the country. The two companies, which didn't disclose the financial terms of their agreement, plan to work together on marketing and service programs targeting consumers and fleet owners.
GE moved into the electric car market when it unveiled its WattStation charging equipment in July. The tech giant hired Yves Behar, the well-known industrial designer behind Jawbone's Bluetooth headset and the chandelier sculpture installed at JFK International Airport, to give WattStation a sleek, clean look that sets it apart from the boxy, grimy feel of today's gas stations.
The partnership is significant for Better Place, which has trumpeted its ambitious plan to build a network of car charging and battery-swapping stations around the world. Better Place is rolling out pilot projects in Israel and Denmark, where it has gotten handsome financial and regulatory support. Better Place also has announced plans to build stations in the United States.
The Pros and Cons of Battery Swapping
Better Place wants to offer battery replacement services because it believes consumers might not want to pay for and own the expensive lithium-ion batteries, which are the primary reason that electric cars coming to the market are so much more expensive than your typical family sedans. The idea is that consumers will pay for a service plan where they can stop by any Better Place station to trade in depleted batteries for fully-charged ones. Better Place will then re-charge the empty batteries, often at night when electricity is cheaper, and offer them to customers the next day.
The battery swapping seems both creative and impractical to many people in the electric car industry, however. There is no standard size or placement for the bulky lithium-ion battery packs, so a Better Place station will have to stock up on different battery brands and be able to install them quickly. The company has designed a robotic system that it says can replace batteries efficiently. It has signed an agreement with the Renault Nissan Alliance, which plans to roll out electric cars and make their batteries available to Better Place's stations in Israel and Denmark.
But the need for the robots and stations to recharge depleted batteries means Better Place will need a lot of money to make its business plan a reality. The company raised $350 million earlier this year: Investors included HSBC Group, Morgan Stanley Investment Management and Lazard Asset Management. Better Place also previously raised $200 million to help build a network in Israel and €103 million ($135.8 million) from Denmark's utility, DONG Energy, for the pilot project in that country.
Competing to Recharge
Charging electric cars like you would at a gas station today is a concept that is easy to grasp for consumers. In fact, while Better Place is out raising the hefty sums and lining up partners, other companies have been rolling out charging stations across the country.
Coulomb Technologies, another Silicon Valley startup, has installed charging stations in many states, mostly on the West and East coasts. The company also sells chargers for use at home.
Some market analysts believe most electric car owners in the United States will do most of their refueling at home. Residential charging gear will represent 64% of the 974,000 charging stations to be installed in the United States by 2015, predicted Pike Research. By comparison, in Europe and Asia, which have fewer single-family homes, residential charging spots will make up on 35% of their markets.
Globally, 4.7 million charging points will materialize from 2010 and 2015, Pike said.
GE said it will work with Better Place to finance 10,000 batteries to "help bring the first 10,000 electric cars to consumers" in Israel and Denmark, but it didn't offer details on the plan. The two companies also want to market their equipment and services to fleet owners in the U.S. and other parts of the world, likely by offering financial and other incentives to make a switch to electric cars more affordable.


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Good morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of the world economy, the financial markets, the UK’s supply chain crisis and business.
The supply chain problems gripping the global economy are threatening to undermine the recovery, and raising fears of stagflation — that sickly mix of rising prices and slowing growth.
With energy prices surging, and companies still struggling to get their hands on parts and raw materials, policymakers fear that the rebound from the recovery is faltering.
Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey has warned the UK’s recovery to its pre-pandemic size will take longer than hoped, as supply chain problems drag on growth — and help to push the pound to its lowest level this year.
The pound has come under pressure as fears over “stagflation” stalk the economy amid a supply chain crisis and surging energy prices https://t.co/CqzjfjGWvv


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The Belgian government, which declared loot boxes to be a form of gambling earlier this year, has reportedly launched a criminal investigation into EA after the publisher refused to modify FIFA's randomised card pack loot boxes in order to comply with the country's gambling laws.
Back in April, Belgium's Gaming Commission determined that loot boxes found in FIFA 18, Overwatch, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive were an "illegal game of chance", and thus subject to Belgian gambling laws.
Failure to adhere to these laws - which include ensuring that minors are unable to access the gambling elements within a game - is illegal.
Following the ruling, Blizzard, Valve, and 2K Games all elected to disable loot boxes in their games in Belgium.
EA, however, has done nothing, and as a result (according to Belgium publication Metro, via Google Translate) is now the subject of a criminal investigation by the Brussels public prosecutor's office.
If it decides to prosecute, the case will go to court.
The Belgium government's Gaming Commission considers loot boxes to be a game of chance because players don't know exactly which items a box may contain when purchasing it. »


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The first 'Fashion Week' to be held in the world's 'metaverse' universe will be held in Decentraland, the 'metaverse' platform. The event will be held from March 24-27.
It was stated that the event will be held in the 'Luxury Fashion' area of the 'metaverse' platform Decentraland. It was known that this sandbox was developed by Vogue Arabia magazine and NFT marketplace named UNXD to represent the most iconic fashion brands in the 'metaverse'.
Cavalli, Dolce & Gabbana, Elie Saab, Etro, Jacob & Co. It was pointed out that many fashion giants such as Tommy Hilfiger and Tommy Hilfiger are already lining up to be included in the event staff.
According to the news from GlobeNewswire; Decentraland will host the event, which will be implemented completely digitally between 24-27 March. The 4-day fashion show event will also feature 'pop-up' shops and parties. The event will kick off on March 23 with the London-based retail giant Selfridges' fashion show. Paco Rabanne and Victor Vasarely will also be present at the opening event.
Other famous fashion brands such as Dolce & Gabbana, Dundas and Etro will likewise collaborate with famous designers for the fashion show process.
Fashion is not new to the Metaverse Universe
On the other hand; In the 'metaverse' universe, creators are known to have made over $1 million in revenue from wearable sales for avatars last year. Therefore, it is stated that fashion and luxury consumption are not a new category for the 'metaverse'.
The region that will host the event in Decentraland is also inspired by the 'Montaigne Street' in Paris. The aforementioned street; It is stated that it is surrounded by the stores of world-famous fashion giants such as Tommy Hilfiger, Dolce & Gabbana, Eli Sabe and Cavalli.


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Porsche releases first photos of Mission E production model
On Thursday, German automaker Porsche released the first photos of the production model of its Mission E electric sedan. The photos have appeared two years after an announcement that the company has plans underway to put the electric sedan concept into production.
The concept of Mission E was introduced by Porsche at the Frankfurt auto show in 2015. The car is expected to hit the markets in late 2019.
The photos of the Mission E production model indicate that most of the lines of the spectacular concept have been retained for the production model. However, the production model has a higher roofline towards the back side, in an apparent effort to provide some additional headroom for passengers in the rear seat.
The Mission E electric sedan, despite being a small car, will seemingly have more interior space than a mid-sized car because of its flat battery design which facilitates an efficient packaging. The car will also boast a low center of gravity, air suspension, and top-of-the-class handling due to its track-honed steering.
Furthermore, going by the specifications confirmed by Porsche for the top-end model of Mission E, the car will have two electric motors, delivering an output of over 600 horsepower. It will also have 800-volt electrical system to provide the potential for an 80 percent charge in barely 15 minutes; and will be able to reach 0-60 mph acceleration in less than 3.5 seconds, with a range approaching 300 miles!
South Korean automaker Hyundai recently introduced its Nexo FCEV at the 2018 CES event. The car marked the next generation of hydrogen fuel cell cars, as it boasts some significant improvements over the old Tucson FCEV.
Chinese automaker BYD has recently indicated its support of global standards for charging plug-in vehicles with a noteworthy move --- the company has joined the Charging Interface Initiative (CharIN).
German automaker Audi’s forthcoming e-tron electric SUV will apparently be the first production car to have cameras in place of exterior rearview mirrors.
With German automaker Audi’s electric vehicle (EV) efforts now underway, as is evident from an early peek at its first mass-produced electric car -- the ‘e-tron quattro SUV’ -- in Berlin recently, a Digital Trends report has revealed that the auto
Shenzhen-based BYD Auto has signed an agreement with Philippines-based Columbian Motors Corporation (CMC) for export of electric buses and trucks.
According to recent media reports from Norway, the cost of the 64kWh Hyundai Kona EV in the country will be 325.900 kr.


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We’re not entirely sure they’re being serious right now.
THQ Nordic has quite the cavalcade of releases this year, chief among them being the long-awaited Darksiders 3 and the intriguing BioMutant. However, you shouldn’t expect to see the publisher at this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo. Why? Well, because of this year’s FIFA World Cup. No, seriously.
The FIFA World Cup 2018 begins on June 14th which is smack dab in the middle of E3 week. And since it takes place in Russia, the publisher said that trying to watch it in a bar “would mean a 7am beer – that’s too early, even for Austrians, let alone the Swedes.” If you’re still wondering where the rib is, we’re still not sure.
However, THQ Nordic did confirm that it would attend other events like Gamescom in Cologne, Germany and PAX West. The above mentioned games will be present along with Fade to Silence, Wreckfest and a few unannounced games. It could be that THQ Nordic doesn’t want to get lost in the crowd at E3 2018, especially with the number of games usually present.
What are your thoughts on THQ Nordic taking a rain check? Let us know in the comments.


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NBA 2K20 hasn’t gotten off the best of starts. Following a review bomb across the likes of Steam before it even launched, post-launch sentiment surrounding microtransactions, glitches and bugs, and load times has driven much of the discussion around the game.
Thankfully, 2K Sports is well up to speed on what needs to be addressed in-game, and Patch 1.02 is the first albeit small update to the game.
Now rolled out across PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Switch (in the coming days), Patch 1.02 appears to focus on player speed, whilst also implementing a slight stamina buff.
Unfortunately, no patch notes have been posted, but this information comes by way of Mike Wang, NBA 2K20 gameplay director, on Twitter.
Interestingly, the update led to some not-so-intended consequences.
“The park speeds were boosted a bit further than desired and will be toned down asap. Apologies,” Wang said.
Additionally, a bug impacting hop steps has also been addressed.
“If you’re getting unwanted hop steps when trying to dunk, you need to hold the RS diagonally up right/left (2 or 10 o’clock).
“Don’t push directly left or right or it’ll feel random.”
So how big is this seemingly small update? It clocks in at around 7GB.


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On The Stock Exchange, Mumbai (BSE), the stock of Hero Honda lost Rs 11.20 to close at Rs 222.75, on volume of 2.17 lakh shares.
Dealers said the stock is likely to consolidate from current levels.
He said the rally in the stock was mainly due to an attractive dividend yield. For the year to March 31, 2003, the company proposed a hefty dividend of Rs 18 per share (900 per cent). In the last four weeks or so, many of the funds had accumulated the stock on the back of attractive dividend yield, he added.
The rise in the scrip was also on reports that CD-Dawn, the motorcycle launched by the company recently in the economy segment, has received good response. CD-Dawn was launched in mid-April and achieved volume of 7,500 units during the month.
However, analysts are not optimistic about the Hero Honda stock.


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MacBook Pro 2016 could be released in the upcoming Apple event on March 21, alongside a new 9.7-inch iPad Pro, according to new rumors. However, Apple has not yet announced the list of its products scheduled for launch at the March 21 event, so a new MacBook by next week is still unconfirmed.
House of Cards Season 5 could be the finale and is rumored to premiere in March 2017, according to new rumors. It's only a few weeks since "House of Cards" 4 launch and fans have already begun clamoring for the next season.
Google has been working on their Nexus 2016 line up to add a new tablet, according to latest rumors. The upcoming tablet could be manufactured by Chinese tech giant, Huawei.
Microsoft Surface Pro 5 release might be coming soon, as the early versions of the Microsoft hybrid laptop are on discounts.
In the latest promotional trailer for the upcoming three episodes of The Flash Season 2, Flash is seen dealing with Zoom!
"Call of Duty" 2016 is rumored to be launched on Nintendo NX this year with subtitle 'Bloodlines'. The rumors comes from a prolific tipster Geno, who has proven himself credible with numerous accurate leaks.
GoPro Hero 5 release date might have been pushed to October, in time for the holidays, according to rumors. The action camera could feature drone capabilities and 8K shooting support.
Samsung is one the few technology companies that provides at least two flagship lineups every year. Now that it has already released the Galaxy S7 series, fans have begun wondering about the Galaxy Note 6 release.
It's almost for sure that the upcoming Apple event on March 21 will see the launch of a new 9.7inch iPad Pro. Here're five things that you should definitely know about the upcoming iPad Pro 2:
Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge were one of the most anticipated phones of the year, and they're not even widely available yet. However, the wait might be over for Samsung phones, as according to reports, Verizon, Sprint, Cricket will start sales of the device on March 18.
Apple has announced a March 21 event to Debut iPhone SE, a 4-inch iPhone. In the same event the Apple might also introduce an updated iPad Pro. Rumors further claim that the company might use this as a chance to launch an update to iOS 9.
If you're waiting for an iPad Air update, you're out of luck as according to rumors the company might launch 9.7in, iPad Pro 2 instead an iPad Air 3. The 9.7in iPad Pro 2 will go alongside its 12.9in predecessor, 9to5Mac reported.
Apple might be releasing an updated MacBook Air later this month, according to the latest rumors. The ultrabook could be launched alongside an updated MacBook Pro 2016 at the upcoming Apple event.
Next patch of Fallout 4 will arrive on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 by the end of the week, Bethesda, the video game company behind Fallout 4 said. The upcoming patch, 1.4, would bring add-on support, new signs, more metal and wooden door options, along with multiple bug fixes.
Clash of Clans 2016 might be getting another update, scheduled to be released this month, according to reports. The update could include three brand new troops that will be unlocked at Town Hall 10.
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The Canadian province of Quebec banned fast-food advertising to children in TV and print – 35 years ago. With more than a third of kids and teens today considered to be overweight, should there be a ban on junk-food ads aimed at the under-18 crowd? Isn't it high time that the U.S. government did something about food companies and their “pester power”? Or will nutrition recommendations from the likes of SpongeBob continue to rule the day?
The video game marketing landscape is constantly changing. With gamers responding to developments mere milliseconds after being announced, it’s hard to stay out in front of the masses. Which means that video-game marketers are, like so many Call of Duty casualties-to-be, destined to the degradation of re-spawning (aka, dead and needing a restart) – unless they can somehow widen – or at least hang onto -- their razor-thin lead.
For whatever reason, modern male fashion has, for several decades, become an actual trend in need of following. And not just thin vs. wide ties. Or pinstripe suits vs. solid ones. No. You're expected to pay attention to colors and patterns. You also need to see whether certain “hot” fashions have any chance of being worn by regular-guy you. Fortunately, GQ’s Spring 2013 Trend Report has you covered. Kind of.
Digital advertising is poised to follow you wherever you go, on whatever communication platform you choose to use. And it will lay in wait until you flip, click or like something that gives the ad cheetahs the perfect excuse to pounce. Need the proof? Look no further than your own mobile devices, or various pundits’ predictions. Or how about a startup that sends out coupons over radio waves?
The bluefin tuna, a giant of a saltwater fish that’s prized for its sushi-quality flesh, has been plummeting in numbers worldwide since the 1950s. So why is that bastion of all that is holy environmentally, The National Geographic Society, associating its name with a reality TV show that all but glamorizes the catching of bluefin? Is it to raise awareness about a critical conservation issue? Or is something else at play?
Recycled clothing has become something of a commodity these days. Practically everyone -- from thrift shops to activist organizations to a designer with a household machine that could recycle and re-make clothes -- wants us all hopping onto the latest recycling bandwagon. Is recycled clothing a timeless fashion statement? Or just another faux fad?
Victoria’s Secret recently started – then pulled -- a Spring ad campaign, “Bright Young Things”, which some felt targeted under-age girls, known as “tweens” – no longer children, not quite teens. Was it all just a misunderstanding? Did parental types over-react? What’s considered fair game when marketing products associated with sexual activity? Is lingerie really the problem, or is it something else?
Companies that use plastic in the packaging of their products have been experimenting with the use of a plant-based substance that seems to work just as well as its petroleum-based cousin. With corporate giants like Coca-Cola and Heinz using PlantBottle technology, is plant-based plastic the real thing? And just how recyclable is it?
Everyone knows that gadgets aren't supposed to get us in shape. Yet we still seem to have a need for them. Now that they've gotten even more high-tech and portable, have fitness gadgets finally turned a corner? Are they worth more than what you’d pay a personal trainer? Can a price even be placed on the willpower needed to achieve real workout results?


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On 6 July, the Italian contract development and manufacturer, Procemsa Group, has revealed the extension of its portfolio adding pet care supplements and cosmetics. The company hopes to meet the increasing demand because of pet humanization.
Pursuant to data of the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), 53% of UK adults own a pet which leads to a total number of 22 million cats and dogs. This increasing ownerships also follows an increased awareness in pet health which is why more pet owners buy products related to health or wellness.
This development was the reason for Procemsa to present its new portfolios at Vitafoods Europe 2023. It contains different products like probiotics, vitamins, cosmetics and mood-regulation supplements.
Procemsa was founded in 1939 and has specialized in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals. Operating 3 facilities and 5 production plants across Italy and Germany, the group produces different products like pet food and food supplements, cosmetics and medical devices. Procemsa comprises three companies: Farmaceutici Procemsa, OFI and Aakamp.
„As a leader in nutraceuticals, diversification into pet products was the natural next step for the business,” said chief revenue officer Robert Walker.
According to the company, it’s new portfolio addresses several pet health issues such as skin, gut, oral health, and mobility. Furthermore, the formulas support overall pet health including brain, kidney, liver, eye, and heart.
“Much like people, variety is the key to a healthy diet for dogs and cats and adding a vitamin and mineral supplement is a fantastic way to ensure extra nutrients are absorbed to keep a four-legged friend healthy,” Walker continued. “With the average life spans of cats and dogs being on average 14 and 10.10 years respectively, pet parents are trying to do as much as they can to prolong the life of their furry friends. Whether its digestive issues, problems with anxiety or dermatological concerns, nutraceuticals can enhance the physical state of our animals.”
The supplements will be available in various formats and flavours. Additionally, they are free from added sugars, artificial colors, preservatives and GMO.
“At Procemsa Group, we pride ourselves on a forward-thinking approach to research and development, anticipating demands before there’s a need, and our evolution into pet supplements is just one example of that,” he ended.


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The inflation rate held at 7.1% in the last month under Joe Biden and the Democrats.
US inflation soared under Joe Biden and Democrats skyrocketing to 40-year highs.
The current rate of 7.1% is still the highest inflation number in nearly 40 years since 1982.
The AP reported:
Consumer prices rose 7.1% in November from a year ago, the government said Tuesday. That was down from 7.7% in October and a recent peak of 9.1% in June. It was the fifth straight slowdown.
On a month-to-month basis, the consumer price index rose just 0.1% in November, down from 0.4% in October.
Even with last month’s further easing of inflation, the Federal Reserve plans to keep raising interest rates.
The liberal media and Joe Biden cheered the news.
‘Things are getting better’: Biden says US economy ‘headed in right direction’ as inflation rate falls https://t.co/TpwhblhzbN
— Andrew Feinberg (@AndrewFeinberg) December 13, 2022
Joe Biden calls this progress.
Biden: “Now, 21 months later, we can see how our economic plan is working.”
Biden’s “economic plan” created surging inflation, sky-high energy costs, and poorer American families. pic.twitter.com/Ozu6tBKaut
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) December 13, 2022


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read Latest articles about Marriott International
Located a six-minute drive from Nara railway station, the 158-room property is also Marriott International’s 50th property in the country ...
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Its move towards sustainability is expected to prevent about 500 million plastic bottles from going to landfills annually.
Massive expansion plans are in the works for well-loved brands including The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, W, and more.
From February 13 onwards, loyalty members can look forward to a new mobile app, exclusive travel experiences, and more.
Come August 2018, members can enjoy a brand-new program with exciting benefits, and access to over 6,500 hotels worldwide.


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Dwight Lloyd, owner of Lloyd Carpentry and Remodeling in Somerset, said last fall he saw a spike in the number of homeowners looking to install new windows.
“I think most people were interested in that tax credit,” Lloyd said. “Obviously you can save money and burn less fuel with more energy efficient improvements.”
Replacing windows may not be a cheap improvement, but the costs will pay for themselves over time.
“A person replacing windows is going to save money just by getting rid of their old wood windows or single-pane glass windows. If you go to a more energy efficient window you can multiply your savings,” he said.
Terry Knopsnyder, a shipping and receiving handler at Aepcor-Geothermal in Somerset, said making energy efficient improvements is a financially sound decision in the long run.
The company sells geothermal heat pumps and furnaces.
“Some geothermal systems are usually about $5,000 to $10,000 more than if you were getting a furnace,” he said. “With the tax credit it pretty much makes things the same price or even cheaper.”
Maxine Cook and her husband, Art, have been transforming their home into a more energy-efficient habitat for years. The pair also act as consultants for energy-efficient companies and sell items like refrigerators and hot water heating systems. They do not, however, have contractors to install products.
“We’ll sell anything that we have installed,” she said.
The Cooks are mostly interested in educating others about energy efficient homes, but said the federal tax credit could be enticing to homeowners.
Cook said that she has received more phone calls from people interested in energy savings, however, most are from outside of the county.
“The federal credit is wonderful because you get up to 30 percent and I think some people are really taking advantage of that,” she said.
Lloyd said that as long as there is a financial incentive people will look to install energy-efficient products in their homes.
“I would think that as long as the government gives an energy tax credit for buying Energy Star products that people will be more apt to make replacements in their homes,” he said.
Homeowners who installed renewable energy systems in their homes are also eligible for tax credits for 30 percent of the cost. The credit is available through 2016 for solar panels, geothermal heat pumps or wind turbines.


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PASCAGOULA, Mississippi -- The state's fifth annual tax-free holiday will take place this weekend to help residents buy back-to-school clothes and shoes.
During the holiday, the seven percent sales tax will be waived on certain items priced at $100 or less.
Joe Stout, co-owner of Coast Clothing Company in downtown Pascagoula, called the tax-free holiday "a frenzy."
"We expect it to be a good weekend," he said. "Last year was good, so we
based everything on that."
Coast Clothing Company sells mostly boys' school uniforms, such as pants, shorts and shirts.
"We'll have bare racks by Saturday," Stout said.
The Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce - Main Street - Tourism Bureau is continuing their annual July Sidewalk Sale this year in conjunction with the tax-free weekend.
More than 30 businesses will participate to promote their specials and have a chance to clear out their inventory and get ready for the fall as well as prepare for students to return to school.
"It's downtown, uptown, and all around town businesses this year," chamber spokeswoman Cynthia Sutton said.
Some of the stores participating include Coffee Fusion, who will be handing out free eight-ounce cups of coffee; Lee Tracy; What's 'N, which will have buy one, get one pairs of shoes; and Common Thread, a uniform shop.
School supplies, computers, accessories, backpacks and similar items do not qualify for the holiday.
Alabama and Louisiana will host their annual tax-free holiday the following weekend.


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Al Jazeera has had success building its distributed brand AJ+ on Facebook with short videos that work well in the platform’s news feed, amassing hundreds of millions of views per month. But the publisher sees social platforms as more of a means to an end.
“We view social media as kind of the top of the funnel,” said Yaser Bishr, global executive director for Al Jazeera Media Network, on the Digiday Podcast. “Our strategy has to be built in a way to drive the audience down to the bottom of the funnel, which is our platforms.”
Bishr discusses how Al Jazeera uses social media, the relationship between publishers and platforms, ad blocking and more on the episode. Edited highlights appear below.
Social media is a tool to drive traffic to owned platforms
“Social media platforms are very bad to retain the audience. That is why we developed Jetty [Al Jazeera’s new podcast network]. We are developing, as people will see, strategies to drive the Facebook audience of AJ+ into Jetty. Because I want to give them more in-depth [information] about Black Lives Matter, for example. And that is not going to happen by seeing a one-minute video.”
Loyalty is more important than views
“We’re not into the scale issue. This is a game I’m not sure we will win, and we’re not into that. What we’re looking for is how long can I keep my audience. If [someone] comes to visit Al Jazeera, how long can I keep him on Al [Jazeera’s] platform? So the loyalty, to me, is more important than the number of views.”
Publishers are turning into a ‘sweatshop’ for platforms
“The marginal cost of video production is very high. The marginal cost of adding a new publisher on [the] Facebook platform is almost zero. So from our perspective, it doesn’t make sense to increase the number of videos. I don’t want to be harsh here, but I see the relationship between the social media [platforms], Google and Facebook, and the publishers is like, we’re becoming more like a sweatshop.”
Publishers are at fault for the growth of ad blockers
“There is a reason why ad blockers’ installations have increased and continue to increase. And that is because we abused the intelligence of the audience. And we bombard them with ads to force them to really go and download ad blockers. And not only that, some media companies now will never display content until I stop or I pause my ad blocker. That, to me, is disrespectful to the audience. We should respect the audience. We should give them what they’re looking for, not shove some ads down their throat.”
We’re hosting our first live podcast at the next Digiday+ member event on Dec. 5 at Vox Media’s offices in New York City. Digiday editor-in-chief Brian Morrissey will interview Vox Media CMO Lindsay Nelson and discuss driving sustainable business growth, female leadership and navigating a fast-changing, complex media landscape. Become a Digiday+ member now to attend.
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Mr. Russell Alan Reed, 65, of Jefferson City, passed away Monday, March 9, 2020.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Russell’s memorial service has been postponed until further notice. Once his service times are confirmed, they will be published online at www.freemanmortuary.com.
Friends may send condolences online or mail sympathy cards directly to Freeman Mortuary to be given to his family. You may choose to remember Russell with a memorial to the Missouri River Relief, P.O. Box 463 Columbia, MO 65205.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary.


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Outstanding loans in the Luxembourg Retail Banking (LRB) sector have risen by 7.9% over one year, according to a report published by BNP Paribas.
The report, summarising the bank's results for 2018, revealed that outstanding loans in the LRB sector rose almost 8% in the fourth quarter of last year compared to 2017, with good growth in mortgage and corporate loans. Deposits were up by 11.8% with very good inflows in particular in the corporate segment. Digital development continued with the growing use of e-signature at Leasing Solutions and Arval as well as the rollout by Arval in Europe of an offering to individuals, already operational in the Netherlands, to rent cars online (Private Lease).
For the whole of 2018, the business activity of domestic markets was on the rise. Outstanding loans rose by 4.9% compared to 2017 with good growth in loans both in the domestic networks and in the specialised businesses (Arval, Leasing Solutions). Meanwhile, deposits rose by 5.2% compared to 2017 and were up in all countries. There were also good net asset inflows in Private Banking (€4.4 billion).
The revenues of the five domestic businesses, which totalled €2,986 million, were up on the whole by 7.3% compared to 2017 due to scope effects and good business development. Operating expenses rose by 10.6% compared to 2017, to €1,779 million, as a result of scope effects and development of the businesses as well as the costs to launch new digital services. The cost of risk, at €123 million, was up by €34 million compared to 2017. Thus, the pre-tax income of these five business units, after allocating one-third of Luxembourg Private Banking’s net income to the Wealth Management business, was €1,064 million (-5.4% compared to 2017). In the fourth quarter 2018, the revenues of the five businesses, which totalled €771 million, were up on the whole by 5.6% compared to the fourth quarter 2017 due to good business development and scope effects. Operating expenses rose by 5.5% compared to the fourth quarter 2017, to €443 million as a result of scope effects, business development and the costs to launch new digital services at Arval and Leasing Services. The jaws effect was thus positive by 0.1 point this quarter. The cost of risk was down by €1 million compared to the fourth quarter 2017, at €29 million. Thus, the pre-tax income, after allocating one-third of Luxembourg Private Banking’s net income to the Wealth Management business, totalled €289 million (+2.3% compared to the fourth quarter of 2017).
At the European level, BNP Paribas saw business increase in an environment of economic growth, outstnading loans up 3.9% (compared to 2017) and 2017 revenues of the various divisions held up well despite low rates and an unfavourable financial market context. 2018 similarly saw the development of the specialised businesses of domestic markets and international financial markets, decreased costs in retail networks and CIB (operating expenses of the operating divisions increased by 1.7%) and a decrease (-4.9%) of the cost of risk compared to the previous year.


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Axalta Coating Systems (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA) recently announced the worldwide launch of its new protective coatings brand, Corroless.
The portfolio consists of the manufacturer’s most durable products, engineered to provide long-term chemical and corrosion resistance to a wide array of iron and steel substrates while remaining cost effective, according to company officials.
“The portfolio contains products that have become a staple among customers that require the upmost protection and battle the harshest of environments,” says Alfredo Villalobos, global director for the company’s oil and gas segment. "We are excited to launch these innovative technologies that will result in a world-class protective coatings portfolio designed to keep customers competitive."
All products in the portfolio are tested to demanding standards by independent, national, and international authorities, according to the company. To view the full array of launch materials or learn more about the brand, visit the group’s web site.
Source: Axalta Coating Systems, www.axaltacs.com.


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The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday that General Motors will move
production of its Sierra Hybrid pickup truck to its plant in Silao,Mexico,from its current location in Oshawa,Ontario.
A company spokeswoman told
the paper that the Mexican plant already produces the Crew Cab version of the
Sierra,with a non-hybrid engine,as well as several other models of pickup
More information on the move,including production numbers,is
expected next month.
General Motors' operations in Mexico haven't been
directly affected by the company's U.S. bankruptcy proceedings.
financial daily said General Motors will not operate its plant in the Mexican
city of San Luis Potosi for seven weeks this summer due to weak demand,but its
three other Mexican plants - in Toluca,Ramos Arizpe and Silao - are expected to
continue operating normally.


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The AHL Group says the ongoing tobacco market’s future looks promising although high rejection rates are weighing down on the market.
Speaking during a press briefing on Friday, AHL Tobacco Sales general manager Graham Kunimba said there has been good price offering and adherence to coronavirus (Covid-19) measures despite the market registering high rejection rates and low volumes.
He said: “As you are aware, the Tobacco Commission [TC] has released a statement highlighting concerns on mixing of different tobacco grades. This has contributed to the 37.7 percent rejection rate so far.
“In order to catch up with volumes, the floors will be opening even on Saturdays since the staff are working in shifts to control congestion in the floors,” Kunimba said.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Francis Kasaila opened the 2020 Tobacco Market Season on April 20 2020 with Lilongwe and Chinkhoma floors being operational last week while Limbe Market is expected to open today and the Mzuzu Market is expected to open next Monday.
Meanwhile, the country has realised $2.8 million (about K2 billion) through the Lilongwe and Chinkhoma markets from the sale of 1.8 million kilogrammes (kg). The highest price on the week on contract market was $2.50 (about K1 900) per kg while on auction market it was $1.80 (about K1 330) per kg while the average price was $1.55 (about K1 150) per kg


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Sergio Marchionne has stepped down from his position as CEO of Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) about a year earlier than expected due to significant complications from shoulder surgery. The automaker’s board of management appointed Mike Manley, who previously ran the Jeep and Ram divisions, as Marchionne’s replacement during an emergency meeting.
Outspoken and influential, 66-year old Marchionne had surgery on his right shoulder in early July. His recovery took an unexpected turn for the worse on July 21. FCA has not released additional details about Marchionne’s health, stating only he will be unable to return to work, but comments from other top executives suggest he’s in serious condition.
“I am profoundly saddened to learn of Sergio’s state of health. It is a situation that was unthinkable until a few hours ago, and one that leaves us all with a real sense of injustice,” wrote John Elkann, FCA’s Chairman and a descendant of Fiat founder Giovanni Agnelli, in a heartfelt statement. He praised Marchionne’s management skills, intelligence, and generosity. “He taught us to think differently and to have the courage to change, often in unconventional ways, always acting with a sense of responsibility for the companies and their people,” he added.
Support for Marchionne has poured in from all over the automotive industry. Posting on his personal Twitter account, Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer called him a giant in the automotive industry and wished him a speedy recovery.
Our thoughts and prays are with Sergio Marchionne of @fcagroup & @Ferrari this evening, that he may recover from his worsened health. He is a giant in our industry and we @astonmartin hope he recovers quickly.
— Andy Palmer (@AndyatAston) July 21, 2018
Marchionne joined Fiat in 2003 as an independent director and became its CEO a year later. He was the main architect behind the merger with Chrysler in 2009. The troubled, bankrupt American brand would have likely disappeared without the deal. Marchionne later worked tirelessly to achieve cost-saving, profit-boosting synergies between the two automotive giants and ruffled a few feathers along the way. He notably urged motorists not to purchase the electric 500e because Fiat lost $14,000 on every example it sold.
His team recently performed a volte-face and embraced electrification. Marchionne’s last major public appearance was on June 1 when he presented FCA’s ambitious five-year plan. The roadmap calls for the launch of hybrid and electric models from key brands like Jeep, Maserati, and Alfa Romeo. It also outlines a technology offensive including semi-autonomous technology, a subscription service, an in-car purchasing service for commodities like movie tickets, tolls, and parking.
Marchionne also ran Ferrari, which FCA spun off as an independent company in early 2016. The storied brand appointed Elkann as its chairman and Louis Camilleri, one of its board members and the chairman of Philip Morris International, as its CEO.


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- Read Product Launch Promotion by Marshalk
- Find and put together a compelling story
- Re-check the design in all the major browsers (Firefox,..
NVIDIA has announced that YouTube is for the first time giving users the ability to view thousands of 3D videos in rich, high-quality ..
Facebook has done a lot redesign lately. Page redesign and Profile redesign have mostly been accepted, but some Facebook users do not appreciate..


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This week, TP-Link Technologies, maker of SMB networking products and wireless LAN solutions, announced plans to reinforce its SMB business in the Middle East and Africa (MEA). The company says that this step will help channel partners unlock opportunities in the Internet of Things (IoT), smart home and SMB segments.
Denny Liang, Vice President, TP-Link Middle East and Africa (MEA), said:
Although 2016 has been a challenging year for the regional IT industry, smart initiatives and various collaborations through public and private partnerships (PPP) are opening up opportunities for SMBs across the region.
The company says that their strategy to strengthen SMB business is as a result of private and public sector organizations in the region who are pushing for more people to get Internet connectivity and access services through smart city initiatives.
IoT, smart home and SMB segments will be key for our channel partners’ progression in the year ahead.
In addition, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and North Africa as a whole will prove the strongest in terms of channel growth and business development during 2017.


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Flea market crack-down
After getting complaints about yard sales lasting all summer, the Beloit Town Board decides to change an ordinance.
Town residents will be allowed to hold two yard sales per year, and they're limited to selling items on the property that they already own. Town Administrator Bob Museus says the ordinance also helps police have access to pawn shop records and defines the difference between yard sales and flea markets.
The ordinance passed unanimously.
Scroll down for an audio feature on this story.
Last updated: 9:57 am Thursday, December 13, 2012


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SolSource Sport is the next project that the company One Earth Designs has in hand, which wants to bring to the market a new model of portable solar cooker that works up to five times faster than a charcoal grill, all without emissions to the atmosphere and without fire hazards, since the model does not ignite a flame.
To carry out this idea, the company launched a crowdfounding campaign that was a success. And it is that at a time to launch out to eat out as conducive as summer, the proposal redoubles its appeal, by facilitating 100% environmentally friendly cooking anywhere.
The operation of SolSource Sport is simple: set up the kitchen, a process that does not require more than five minutes, position it in the direction of the sun and start cooking with any of the containers that are commonly used at home and applying the most common cooking systems (fry, cook, roast, etc.).
Although the idea is launched for the summer, this kitchen can be used in almost any temperature, from below zero to above 37 degrees. The same happens with the wind, which is not an impediment to the operation of the kitchen, as long as it does not blow above 30 miles per hour. What is essential is the sun, since it is the only thing the invention needs to work.
Designed for use in multiple places, from terraces to campsites, picnics or boats, SolSource allows you to cook in a totally sustainable way, without emissions and without risks since the cooking area does not need even a flame. This is important because it prevents burns and all kinds of risk of fire spread, common in summer. Therefore, this innovation would allow cooking even in protected areas, such as natural parks, where fire is prohibited.
Another aspect of this portable kitchen that its drivers stand out is the ease it offers for transport. With a weight of less than five kilos, this kitchen can be disassembled and placed in a 60-centimeter bag that can be carried anywhere on the shoulder.
Although the market price of this solar cooker will be $249, those who support the crowdfounding campaign on Kickstarter for its manufacture can get one of these models for $149.
More information at One Earth Designs.


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About- Stacey Goers
Featured imaged photo credit: Portner Brewhouse’s facebook page.
Portner Brewhouse is trying to do many, many things: resurrect pre-Prohibition family recipes, encourage local experimentation among homebrewers, serve delicious German food and of course, brew and serve beer.
And prost! They are actually doing it all — and doing it well.
The largest independent craft brewery in Virginia is expanding swiftly, but doing so with intent. Starr Hill Brewery has doubled its Virginia sales team within the past year, and from July 2015 to now, has increased Virginia sales by 16 percent — and packaging in particular by 20 percent.
We’ve had a hound dog for years and, with a new home, decided it was time for a second furry family member. We decided on Max, a 70-pound German shepherd/hound mix. We were seemingly seasoned pet owners and confidently walked into this decision with delight. We forgot there’s a learning curve. This Ultimate 6er is for new pet owners and those who discover their pets have a burgeoning affinity for chewing the couch or those of us who just love their dogs.
The 7-year-old beloved Washington, D.C. brewery, DC Brau, announced this week that they are setting up infrastructure to increase their production capabilities — by 360 percent over the next 8 to 10 years, according to a release on Friday.
ABV: 4.8% | IBU: 16
You know when you eat too much turkey at Thanksgiving and you regret it? Or you pour yourself a spicy pumpkin porter and realized it’s exhausting? This doesn’t happen with this beer. ?
Heritage Brewing Company was started in 2013 via a Kickstarter campaign, so it’s fitting they looked to the same tool to help launch their next big move: An Arlington-based brewpub and coffee roastery, about 30 miles from their home location in Manassas, Virginia.
ABV: 4.7% | IBU: 29
It’s cliché but sometimes you want a beer that you can drink in the fall while wearing a flannel. Maybe you’re wearing brown boots, maybe you’re sitting on a haystack or maybe you’re just sitting on your back porch on a sunny, somewhat warm afternoon.
Instead of just attending the Bands, Brews and Barbecue event on September 10th in Manassas, Virginia, my husband and I decided to volunteer and get to know some of our neighbors (who also happen to love music, beer and smoked meats).
It was a sweltering Saturday for the 6th year of the event, which was again located in Old Town Manassas, near its picturesque small-town train station, Civil War museum and local bars and causal restaurants. Despite the heat, folks turned out; we passed out wrist bands, glasses and sent eager imbibers on their ways.
ABV: 5.6% | IBU: 21
Old Bust Head Brewing Co. has appeared on taps throughout bars in my new hometown and because it’s made in Warrenton, which isn’t far from me, I knew I had to give it a shot. At my glorious Harris Teeter, I bought a 6-pack of their English-style pale ale, interested in both the beer but also the beer category itself — I’ve circled around English pale ales, but never dove into the style.
The first time most people visit Washington, D.C., they are in middle school. They are hustled from monument to monument, eat in overcrowded food courts and rarely adventure to spots beyond the National Mall.
It is a special thing to celebrate the Fourth of July in places up and down the East Coast, in cities that relish their historical relevance. It’s also a special thing to drink plenty of beer, develop a t-shirt tan and relish in the glory that is overcooked burgers and sour cream and onion chips, with ridges, of course.
My husband and I recently moved from a tiny 2-bedroom basement apartment on Capitol Hill to a 4-bedroom, 3-bath home on a wooded lot in Virginia. It’s been a whirlwind of changes and we’re blissfully happy learning the nuances of a compost pile and how to repair a pool vacuum.
Now that DC has solidly established its brewing scene, it’s time to see how the beloved facilities will be spreading their wings. One of the first to open a second location is …
Washington D.C. may be buried in frigid temperatures, but the cherry blossoms are still on tap to bloom in early April. This means that homebrewers are also on tap to compete in the DC Homebrewers Club‘s 3rd annual competition featuring the best in inspired brewing, for beer lovers of all experience levels.
Among the pile of New Year’s resolutions from PorchDrinkers, I’m adding one of mine: Explore more Virginia beer. The state is chockablock with amazing, well-known breweries and new ones are expanding, popping up each month.


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BEDFORD — Often exposed to Virginia’s sweltering summers, farmers and other outdoor workers are encouraged to take precautions against heat-related illnesses.
“Farmers are frequently working in the hottest times of the day, and the immediate concerns are heatstroke, heat exhaustion and dehydration,” said Dr. Amy Johnson, a nurse practitioner with Centra Medical Group, farmer and Bedford County Farm Bureau president. “In the long term, we worry about sunburns and sun exposure leading to the risk of skin cancer.”
To protect skin from harmful rays that increase the risk of developing skin cancer, it’s recommended that outdoor workers wear long-sleeved clothing with built-in ultraviolet protection.
Workers also should wear wide-brimmed hats to protect against skin cancer on their ears, noses and necks, and sunglasses to protect against eye cancer.
Any exposed skin should be covered with sweat- and water-resistant sunscreen rated SPF 15 or higher. Sunscreen should be applied 30 minutes before going outside and every 2 hours thereafter.
As well as providing UV protection, clothing and hats create a cooler environment for the body. In times of excess humidity, Johnson said it’s harder for the body to cool down, leading to increased risk for heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
Symptoms of heat-related illnesses may include dizziness, nausea, headache, altered mental status, cool or cold skin and a lack of perspiration.
To prevent symptoms, workers should take regular breaks between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to cool down and rehydrate. In addition to drinking plenty of water, sports drinks can help replenish potassium and sodium lost through perspiration.
Most importantly, Johnson said, farmers and outdoor workers should have someone available to help in case of an emergency.
“It’s important to be cognizant of how others are acting and making sure everyone’s not dizzy or stumbling around,” Johnson said. “If you’re concerned somebody is having a heatstroke, the most important thing to do is to remove them from the heat, and get them into a cooler area.
“If you have the ability, cool them down with cool rags or ice packs. Place them in the groin, armpits and around the neck to cool them down quickly. Or, if they’re not responding well, call 911 to assist you and get them the help they need.”


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At 401 Games, shelves are stacked with board games like the popular Catan series and collectibles from Star Wars and Marvel comic book figurines hang on the walls.
At the counter of the downtown Toronto store, there's a palpable buzz about fantasy card games. At the far end of the store, where sports cards are on display, it's much quieter. John Park, who's owned the shop for 23 years, says sports cards have accounted for a diminishing proportion of his sales over the past decade; roughly 6 per cent, down from a peak of 40 per cent in the nineties.
It's a reflection of an industry implosion a couple decades ago that vanquished brands and forced owners like Mr. Park to stock products from other genres. In recent years, fantasy card games like Magic have supplanted the popularity of sports cards, and more poignantly, hockey cards in Canada, amongst younger generations.
This trend isn't likely to shift any time soon. Yet there's considerable optimism that a messiah-like emergence of one player next season, Connor McDavid, will generate the kind of excitement that will lure fringe collectors back to the hobby.
"He's going to spark a lot of interest in the collectability of hockey cards," Mr. Park said. "But it can never go back to the old days."
If history is an example, Sidney Crosby is a textbook precedent of what Mr. McDavid's arrival potentially brings to the pastime. When Mr. Crosby began his career in 2005, there was a pent up urge to rip open packs of hockey cards, exacerbated by the prior year's lockout that caused a double cohort of rookies – the most coveted type of card of a player with a long and illustrious career.
The Crosby effect happens when what many in the industry call a "generational player" surfaces. It's rare, but the hype can cause a temporary spike in sales at a time when prices are much more modest than the past and highly sensitive to performance on the ice.
Still, the trading card industry has stabilized since the mid-1990s or the so-called Dark Ages, when companies toppled over one another to capitalize on the hobby's popularity and inadvertently drove down card valuations.
"The great myth in that era is that everybody was going to put their kids through college with trading cards," said Jason Masherah, president of Upper Deck, now the NHL's and its player association's exclusive licensee to produce hockey cards.
Now with Mr. McDavid, a new, unpredictable cycle is about to begin.
David Moore, owner of Cardboard Memories in Brampton, Ont., predicts he'll get a barrage of requests for 12-box cases of Upper Deck's flagship series a month ahead of its release in November. While Mr. McDavid has already made an appearance in another brand in his junior team uniform, his de facto rookie card will come out in the fall as part of Upper Deck's Young Guns series (unless he fails to lace up, which would prohibit Upper Deck from releasing a card, according to its NHLPA agreement).
This year, Mr. Moore is looking to quadruple the couple dozen or so cases he usually orders. "People will come out of the woods," he hopes.
If supply falls short of demand, Mr. McDavid's rookie card will instantly be worth $150 and, depending on his performance, could double in a short time, forecasts Mr. Moore, who's owned his shop for more than 25 years.
Mr. Masherah is coy about how big Upper Deck's production run will be and said the company will only produce what the market demands.
"Just because we have, potentially, a generational player, we can't change that formula," said Mr. Masherah, while careful not to ignore McDavid's marketability. "[He] represents the rare opportunity for us to grow the hobby and introduce it to people who are not collecting today."
Just a block away from Mr. McDavid's home in Newmarket, Ont., Don Preston is prepared to double orders from last year after what was, statistically at least, an uninspiring season.
"It's nice to see a guy like McDavid coming along that can give [the industry] that shot in the arm it needs again," said Mr. Preston, who started off only selling hockey cards at All Star Cards and Comics a quarter century ago. "As far as it being sustainable, only time will tell."
Twice a month, a distinct breed of collectors gathers at a hockey card show in Toronto, alternating between a local brewery and the banquet room of an arena. There are cards on display dating back to the 1930s and memorabilia ranging from a California Seals paperweight to a signed Bobby Orr photograph.
For the most part, the people here scoff at McDavid-mania. The only acknowledgement is an Oilers jersey with his name, prematurely, on the back; the vendor has 10 on order.
Show regular Chris Pavnovski, 38, who estimates his collection has a book value of $500,000 (and, indicative of the industry, an approximate sticker value a fifth of that), has a warning for speculators.
"I've seen it before. [McDavid] is not the first guy who's come in and all the hype has been around him," said Mr. Pavnovski, who got most of his collection in 2002 when a card shop in Chicago liquidated its inventory. "A lot of guys will play it like a stock market, but right now they're going to be buying high and eventually it will die down and they'll be selling low."
He's more likely to show off one of his Bobby Orr rookie cards – even though he says it doesn't resonate with most young people – and mull over offers like a recent one for $400 cash and $1,000 back in trade. It's a proposition he can sit on, because the value of vintage cards doesn't fluctuate like they do for modern day prints.
"The newer stuff goes up and down according to how good they are," said Mr. Pavnovski's partner Chad Dobbin, reinforcing his point while he flips through a Beckett magazine, the definitive guide for appraising hockey cards (although e-commerce sites like eBay are a better gauge of what people actually pay).
Calgary Flames forward Johnny Gaudreau, a strong contender to be this year's NHL rookie of the year, is listed at $62.50 in mint condition, more than $15 higher than Brett Hull, who ranks third on the NHL's all-time goals list. But, if Mr. Gaudreau suffers through a sophomore jinx, there's a good chance his value will adjust in kind.
If Mr. McDavid lives up to his potential, speculators, bandwagon collectors and hardcore hobbyists could cash in for years to come, says Wayne Wagner, the proprietor of Wayne's Sports Cards and Collectibles in Edmonton, where Mr. McDavid is destined to land after the Oilers won the lottery to pick first in the NHL draft later this month.
"Providing he performs the way he's expected to play, we'll have a residual effect for the next five or 10 years."


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New vehicle sales in Malaysia fell 19% to 46,583 units in April 2023 from 56,213 units a year earlier and by 41% month on month, according to registration data released by the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA).
Last month’s sharp market decline followed the 31 March cut off date for deliveries of passenger vehicles bought tax free last year under the government’s Covid recovery programme. There were also fewer working days in April compared with last year due to the annual Eid holidays.
In the first four months of the year, the vehicle market was still up by 10% at 239,183 units from 217,452 units in the same period of last year, with passenger vehicle sales rising by 11% to 213,344 units while commercial vehicle sales were just slightly higher at 25,839 units.
Market leader Perodua has not released its April sales data so far, in the wake of the rigged crash test scandal at its key shareholder Daihatsu Motor in Japan. Malaysia’s largest automaker last reported a 27% sales rise to 78,564 units in the first quarter of the year, driven by popular models such as the Bezza, Axia and the recently launched Alza.
While the Malaysian Institute for Road Safety Research (Miros) said it will assess the latest generation Axia model, Perodua said it does not expect any significant local fall out from the scandal. The company previously said it is targeting 314,000 local vehicle sales this year and output of 330,000 units.
Proton YTD global sales rebounded 40% to 49,702 units from weak year earlier volume, including 603 exports. The Saga was its best selling model YTD with 21,395 sales, followed by the Geely based X50 compact SUV with 12,312 units. The company launched its first hybrid model earlier this month, the also Geely based X90 SUV, and said it plans to launch one new energy vehicle (NEV) model per year to help strengthen its sales.
UMW Toyota reported a 9% sales increase to 31,900 units year to date, lifted by the introduction of new models and new variants of exiting models including the new Vios compact sedan in March. The company plans to launch a second hybrid model in additional to its Corolla Cross and possibly a new BEV later this year.
The MAA expects the country’s vehicle market to decline by 10% to 650,000 units in 2023 after sales surged 42% to a new record high of 720,658 units last year, reflecting slowing economic growth and rising interest rates.


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"Our investments, strategies and focus are paying big dividends in 2010," said David Johnson, President, RP Solutions. "For the past couple of years, we have put significant R&D in our core remittance processing products and in emerging electronic payments. We saw the market shift to electronic payments as an opportunity for us to build a fully integrated payments solution, allowing our customers to accept any payment, from any source. And to support our overall plan, we hired staff in every department. Our newest product, ExpertCASHIER for walk-in payments, is already installed at customer sites and our Electronic Payment Gateway has grown to over 1 million transactions per month. Clearly our strategies are gaining traction."
"We believe another reason we're winning new business in these difficult times, is our continued focus on customer service. It may sound simple, but this is a corporate value that has defined our company for 15 years. And with recent mergers and acquisitions in our industry, some competitors are struggling to maintain their focus. That's created market opportunities for RP Solutions," said David. "Even in tough times, customers are still looking for service and commitment."
"Customers may be especially cost conscience in today's economy, but they still expect value from their investment. We've demonstrated the ROI customers need to justify their purchase," said Jim Mills, VP Business Development, RP Solutions. "We've been able to grow our customer base in these difficult times by focusing on the value propositions we bring to our customers."


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Barcelona-based Desigual launches its own stores in Mexico and Canada
The Catalan fashion multinational Desigual will be strengthening its presence in the Americas over the coming months. In 2015 it will be entering new markets, with the opening of its first three stores in Mexico and three in Montreal, Canada. Its entry into the Aztec country will be made through a franchise, alongside the company El Palacio del Hierro (the Iron Palace) which owns luxury boutiques in Mexico, a market considered a “priority” by Desigual. Thanks to this cooperation, Desigual clothes will be sold in almost 30 different department stores throughout Mexico. In addition the Catalan brand will open its own boutiques in Andares in Guadalajara, Antea in Querétano and in Mexico City. Moreover, Desigual has also committed to strengthening its presence in the US before the end of 2015, with the opening of two new stores, one in Miami and the other in Las Vegas.
Barcelona (ACN).- Catalan fasion label Desigual will be strengthening its presence in the Americas, with 8 openings in Mexico, Canada and across the United States in the coming months. This includes 3 new stores in Mexico, and 3 in Montreal, Canada, planned for 2015. Its arrival in Mexico will be made through a franchise alongside the company ‘El Palacio del Hierro’ (the Iron Palace) which owns luxury boutiques throughout Mexico, a market Desigual considers “a priority” for its expansion into Latin America. The Catalan brand will open its own boutiques in Andares in Guadalajara, Antea in Querétano and in Mexico City. The three new stores will have an average of 200m2, for the sale of clothing and accessories. The agreement between ‘El Palacio del Hierro’ and Desigual also foresees the opening of 30 new stores before 2018, with contracted Mexican department stores, and the launch of an online shop from April. ‘El Palacio del Herro’ was founded in 1888 and belongs to the Bal Group, which owns 13 stores in Mexico. Until now, the Catalan brand has been available in the Aztec country through its presence in multi-brand stores or online sales platforms, but they did not have their own shops. Desigual also foresees the opening of 2 new stores in United States, in Miami and Las Vegas.
While even further to the north, Montreal in Canada will soon be home to its first three of the firm’s own stores, one of which will be located in the shopping mall Carrefour Laval. In this way, Desigual is committed to asserting its presence in the country, in which it arrived in July through its online sales platform, which has already received over 85,000 visits since it was first launched.
Two new stores in the US
Another “priority” market for Barcelona-based Desigual is the United States, where it plans to open two new stores by the end of 2015. One of these will be in the iconic shopping mall on the Lincoln Road in Miami, and the other will be located in Las Vegas.
According to statement released by the company, its new shops in Mexico and Canada “keep the style of the fashion brand” which aims to reflect the concept that “life is cool” and through this spread “their joy and optimism”.
Currently, Desigual is to be found in 109 countries and has 475 stores. In addition, its clothes are present in 11,000 multi-brand shops and 2,500 outlets in department stores.


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All Time Low Release New Single 'Birthday'
All Time Low have surprise released their summer single and brand new track, ‘Birthday’.
‘Birthday’ is available now at all digital music retailers and streaming services: https://fbr.lnk.to/birthday
The band had earlier this week sent a handful of lucky fan club members, who had turned another year older this week, huge birthday cakes complete with a link revealing the band’s new single. ‘Birthday’ is the second new song in as many weeks from the Baltimore quartet, following fan-track ‘Everything Is Fine’.


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Chennai-based customer support platform Freshdesk has acquired Airwoot, a startup which offers brands social media support, for an undisclosed amount, the latter announced on its blog. According to Airwoot, its entire team has already moved to Chennai and that Airwoot will remain a standalone product. This is Freshdesk’s fifth acquisition.
Airwoot plans to expand its team size, while Freshdesk plans to use the startup’s AI algorithm. Airwoot claims to have 70,000 customers globally, including Zoomcar, Paytm, Snapdeal, MobiKwik, Xiaomi, Goibibo, Ola, MakeMyTrip, Fresh Menu, Cleartrip and Grofers. The startup also claims that its interface helped brands to respond to 98% of their Twitter mentions and messages in under 2 minutes. Its dashboard lets its clients sift through relevant social media mentions instead of engaging with all, along with a ‘virality score’ that alerts the company before the ‘conversation goes out of control’.
Airwoot funding: In August 2013, the Delhi-based Airwoot raised an undisclosed amount of investment from Kae Capital and angel investors like Rajan Anandan, Sasha Mirchandani, Sunil Kalra and Samir Sood. The company was launched in January 2012 by Prabhat Saraswat and Saurabh Arora and then offered a social media customer support helpdesk solution for companies.
Freshdesk’s previous acquisitions: In February, Freshdesk acquired Framebench, an online collaboration platform that enabled teams to share, review and comment on videos, images, documents and presentations etc. The acquisition was an all cash and stock deal. In December last year, the company acquired Konotor a marketing and customer relationship manager for mobiles for an undisclosed amount. It had previously acquired Frilp in October 2015 and 1Click.io in August 2015. Frilp is a social recommendations platform while 1Click.io provides customer support services.
Freshdesk funding: In April last year, Freshdesk raised $50 million in a round of funding led by Tiger Global along with Accel Partners and Google Capital. It had also raised $31 million in Series D funding round led by existing investor Tiger Global and participation from existing investor Accel Partners and new investor Google Capital in June 2014. Including both these investments, Freshdesk has raised a total $94 million investment across five different rounds, including a $7 million round from Accel Partners and Tiger Global in November 2013, a $5 million round from Accel Partners and Tiger Global in April 2013 and a $1 million round from Accel Partners in December 2011.
COO appointment: In October 2015, Freshdesk appointed Nishant Rao as chief operating officer. Rao would be responsible for all non R&D aspects of Freshdesk. Rao joined Freshdesk from LinkedIn, where he was the country manager for India for almost 3 years. At the same company, Rao worked as the director of business operations and head of global sales strategy for about a year and half.


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Automotive News Europe reports, this spin-off division will also take over the VW Trinity project. The project creates a new generation of flagship electric sedans that will be available in 2026 with level 4 autonomy which sits one level below Level 5, where the driver simply hops into the car, tells them where they want to go, and the car does the rest. Meanwhile, level 4 will allow the driver to drive hands-free in most situations.
VW’s new department will be led by Thomas Ulbrich, a 56-year-old Volkswagen veteran, who is currently the company’s head of development. Auto News also reports that Ulbrich gained a large fan base among Volkswagen executives after he recalled the ID.3 electric hatchback after detecting a software glitch.
Ulbrich’s appointment will also give him a seat on the supervisory board of Volkswagen’s software unit, Cariad, in the hope that he will improve relations between Cariad and VW’s development department, which will now be chaired by Kai Gruenitz. Gruentiz previously held an equivalent role in Volkswagen’s commercial vehicle division where one of his responsibilities was the ID.buzz electric minivan.
Ulbrich’s new career could be on for a bumpy ride, based on Cariad’s past performance. The division has been accused of inflating its budget and delaying the launch of key Audi, Bentley and Porsche models because the software was not ready.


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California may soon become the first US state to officially ban non-biodegradable plastic bags, if a new state Legislature bill gets the go ahead. Similar legislation exists in 100 Californian municipalities, including San Francisco and Los Angeles. The new law would effectively consolidate this approach, creating a uniform, statewide position on plastic bags.
California’s governor, Jerry Brown, looks set to sign the bill by the end of September 2014. If he does, the law would come into play in July 2015, with grocery stores and pharmacies among the first to be affected. More durable, reusable plastic bags or paper bags could be sold at grocery stores, for a minimum of ten cents.
“Littered plastic bags are a real blight on the landscape and often end up in the ocean, harming marine life,” says Nigel Hunton, CEO of MBA Polymers. “It’s important that policymakers take a strong stance on limiting their use in order to protect the environment and conserve natural resources.”
Many plastic bag and paper bag producers have opposed the law, saying it will harm jobs and serve as a tax on consumers. In contrast, the California Grocers Association and the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), a union that represents grocery workers, both support it. UFCW says it wants the money currently spent on plastic bags to be used for worker training and food safety initiatives.
To help pave the way for manufactures to shift toward producing reusable bags, the new legislation makes provision for some $2m in loans. Packaging company Command Packaging has already made a head start by retooling some of its machines in preparation for the ban, moving to create reusable plastic bags from recycled agricultural film used for wrapping crops.
Elsewhere in the US, bans are in place in Seattle and Portland, as well as most counties in Hawaii. In Europe, Italy passed a law banning non-biodegradable plastic bags in 2013. California has already proved its progressive stance on waste, with San Francisco banning the sale of plastic bottled water in city-owned properties and outdoor spaces earlier this year. The new plastic bag ban would be another step forward in the state’s journey toward sustainability.
To learn more about how plastic can be recycled into raw materials, please visit the MBA Polymers website.


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Revealed just a few months back, the Air Jordan 9 “Cactus Flower” remained a tough sneaker to track down. Not much was known of its appearance, with initial mock-ups predicting a Kobe-like white leather and patent overlays. But today, as part of Jordan Brand’s unveiling of their Spring 2021 collection, official imagery — and also a first look — at the Air Jordan 9 “Change the World” has arrived.
This exclusive model marks the first time Jordan Brand has introduced the Air Jordan 9 to its women’s line, and it does so in style. Using vegetable-tanned materials and natural plant-based dyes, the pair sports a myriad of textures and tones in a mismatched fashion. There are some consistencies, though, with white leather uppers, navy tongues and rear pulls, and uniform white rubber outsole. Each shoe features their own respective accentuation, the right with soft orange, the left in lemon, while overlaying panels each come dyed in its own unique color.
Grab a detailed look at the pair in question further below, and be sure to keep your eyes locked on our official Twitter account for further updates as we edge closer to their release early next year.Update 12.08.20 Official product images for the Air Jordan 9 “Change the World” have arrived ahead of their expected release in early 2021.Update 02.28.21 A release date for the Air Jordan 9 “Change the World” has been changed from March 4th to March 13th, 2021Update 03.14.21 A last-minute postponement for the Air Jordan 9 “Change the World” has the pair launching on March 31st, 2021.
Air Jordan 9 “Change the World”
March 13th, 2021 March 31st, 2021
Style Code: CV0420-100
Color: White/Desert Berry-Healing Orange-Cactus Flower
Official Unveiling //
In-Hand Looks //


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As Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) gears up to release its December quarter earnings scorecard, a data point released Wednesday increases confidence in a strong showing.
Apple Back On Top: Apple has overtaken local player Vivo to become China’s top smartphone vendor in the December quarter, Counterpoint Research said in a recent report. This is the first time Apple has climbed to the pole position since the fourth quarter of 2015, when the iPhone 6 supercycle was underway.
The tech giant commanded 23% of the overall smartphone market in China in the December quarter of 2021, its highest percentage ever, and up from a 16% share Apple held at the same time last year.
The strong market share comes on the back of 32% year-over-year growth and a 79% sequential increase.
Apple’s success was attributed to the relatively lower starting price of the iPhone 13 at the time of its release in China, along with the new camera and 5G features of the latest iPhone iteration, as well as the travails of Huawei, which competes with the company in the high end.
The second-ranked Vivo had a 19% share of the overall market, up from 18% in the year-ago quarter. The market share of Oppo, Honor and Xiaomi stood at 17%, 15% and 13%, respectively.
Related Link: Apple Analyst Explains Why Cupertino Is Tracking Ahead Of Expectations In December Quarter
China Smartphone Market Sluggish: Overall Chinese smartphone sales, however, declined 9% year-over-year and were down 2% quarter-over-quarter in the fourth quarter.
The annual performance was also lackluster, as shipments fell for the fourth consecutive year in 2021. Sales fell 2% in the year.
“The market in China continues to decline due to various factors in both the supply side and the demand side,” said senior analyst Ivan Lam.
The ongoing component shortages, the lengthening of China’s average smartphone replacement cycle and a softer domestic economic environment are primarily impacting shipments, the analyst said.
Smartphone designs within brands have also become more homogeneous, especially in hardware, failing to motivate consumers to upgrade, he added.
At last check, Apple shares were advancing 1.78% to $162.63.
Related Link: Apple Becomes First Company To Top $3 Trillion Market Cap; Analyst Says Rally Has Further Legs
Photo: Courtesy of gunman47 on Flickr
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