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A new privacy-centric cryptocurrency project with some big names on board just raised a round worth noting. On Tuesday, the team at MobileCoin announced that Binance Labs, the major blockchain incubator associated with the Binance exchange, led a $30 million round denominated in bitcoin and ether for the new cryptocurrency. MobileCoin will enjoy “priority consideration” for being listed on Binance as part of the relationship.
New cryptocurrency projects are a dime (or less) a dozen, but the legitimacy of an established name can make all the difference. Moxie Marlinspike, the founder of end-to-end encryption messaging app Signal and Open Whisper Systems, is one such name. As Wired reported in December, Marlinspike began working with MobileCoin as a technical advisor in August of 2017.
Marlinspike is joined by Joshua Goldbard, a general partner at hedge fund Crypto Lotus and MobileCoin technologist, and Shane Glynn, legal counsel, to help the company navigate the choppy waters of cryptocurrency regulation. Glynn has served since 2010 as senior product counsel at Google, though it’s not clear if he is leaving his longtime role for the new project.
In the MobileCoin whitepaper, published in December, the project’s creators describe its mission:
…Most attempts at building a compelling crypto-currency user experience unfortunately resort to trusting a third party service to manage keys and validate transactions. This largely sacrifices the primary benefits offered by crypto-currency to begin with.
MobileCoin is an effort to develop a fast, private, and easy-to-use cryptocurrency that can be deployed in resource constrained environments to users who aren’t equipped to reliably maintain secret keys over a long period of time, all without giving up control of funds to a payment processing service.
MobileCoin transactions will synchronize to the coin’s network using the Stellar Consensus Protocol for scalability and speed. The end product will emphasize user privacy and integration into mobile messaging apps, including WhatsApp and Signal — two apps that use Marlinspike’s end-to-end encrypted Signal Protocol.
“MobileCoin is designed so that a mobile messaging application like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or Signal could integrate with a MobileCoin wallet,” the team described in its whitepaper.
Marlinspike is a rare sort of reverse tech celebrity, a figure who eschews both spotlight and Silicon Valley-style excess and has instead cultivated quiet respect in digital privacy and cryptography circles. That makes him an odd fit for the fraud-laden universe of empty multi-million-dollar ICOs with no product to speak of, but it also means that MobileCoin is probably worth paying attention to. At the very least, the prominent cryptographer’s new project should amuse anyone who’s complained about the digital currency world’s habit of using the term “crypto” as shorthand for “cryptocurrency.”
MobileCoin has funding and talent, but it’s still very early days for the nascent cryptocurrency. As an incubator, Binance Labs concentrates on pre-ICO projects and MobileCoin will use the funding to “build out [its] team and processes” as it develops its product.
“A mobile-first, user-friendly cryptocurrency, like MobileCoin, plays a critical role in driving mainstream cryptocurrency adoption,” Binance Labs said of the funding. “The MobileCoin team and Binance Labs share a common vision and we are proud to be a supporter of what they are doing.”
Along with the news, MobileCoin announced that it is recruiting a “core team” of engineers:
“Specifically, we are looking for those who have worked on large systems (greater than 10,000,000 daily active users) in a senior role who enjoy working on low-level code. Direct memory access is a critical part of our problem set.”
Given the legitimacy of Marlinspike’s best-known project and his reticence to attach his name to things, it’s not unreasonable to give MobileCoin the benefit of the doubt, even if aspects of its raison d’être remain unarticulated. Beyond the core question of why a new cryptocurrency needs to exist at all, MobileCoin will need to position itself as a compelling alternative to existing mainstream mobile payment services like Venmo and PayPal for normal users.
MobileCoin will also face the full slate of regulatory challenges, including fraud prevention, that plague other digital currency projects, though given its stealthy behavior and the fact that one-third of the three-member team listed on its website represents legal counsel, its founders are don’t appear to be charging in recklessly.
“This is a journey and we are excited to build a simple system for trusted payments,” Goldbard wrote in the announcement.
In the digital currency realm, too much style — think celeb-endorsed ICOs and endless press release hype cycles — can signal a lack of substance. The reverse can be true too, and in MobileCoin’s case, a modest mission could be a strong signal for a compelling product a bit further down the blockchain.


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Can WhatsApp help you better engage with your customers?
STANDALONE app WhatsApp Business is making it even easier for its 5 million users to connect with their customers with new features on the desktop and web.
Launched just a little over one year ago, the Facebook-owned app is designed for small businesses to communicate with their customers over WhatsApp. The app allows users to set up profiles with business email addresses, operation hours, and location details.
“Using these features on a computer helps businesses save time and get back to their customers quickly. We’re excited to keep growing WhatsApp Business and introducing new features that make it easy for customers to find and engage with businesses that are important to them,” the app company said in their blog.
Previously, tools to organize and filter chats were unique to the Android mobile version of the app only. These popular, easy-to-use features are now available on the desktop and web app too.
Another feature that will be ported over to its desktop and web app is Quick Replies. The feature will be welcoming news to business owners as it allows them to automatically respond to common customer inquiries with predefined replies.
Similarly to Saved Replies that Facebook launched for its Pages users several years ago, the automation feature saves businesses time on frequently asked questions and personalized greetings that welcome as well as introduce new products and services and ‘away messages’ to ensure customers do not expect immediate replies to their inquiries.
With the new WhatsApp Business desktop and web app features that are rolling out today, Cliff Leong, ‘ana tomy’ Founder told Tech Wire Asia that he would favor WhatsApp Business over Facebook Messenger.
“Anything that is able to bring personalization closer with customers will be good for business. It’ll be more accessible, but on top of that, it will also help us improve engagement and customer experience.”
Leong furthers that communicating with customers on Facebook Messenger could be challenging at times as Facebook is primarily a social media platform whereas WhatsApp is solely a messaging platform.
Forbes reported that people spend 85 billion hours in WhatsApp and 30 billion hours on Facebook in a span of three months.
2018 was a rough year for Facebook from Cambridge Analytica scandal smearing its name in headlines since the 1st quarter to bugs after bugs that affected privacy settings of 14 million users in June and again in July. Another breach occurred in October compromised 30 million users‘ personal information.
The bad press spurred the #DeleteFacebook movement which garnered extensive media coverage.
On the other hand, WhatsApp had an eventful year in 2018 with introductions of useful features throughout the year as well as starting 2019 strong by making clear their stance on tackling fake news.
Now, they roll out the new features on its desktop and web app.
The New York Times reported that Facebook Inc CEO Mark Zuckerberg has plans to integrate the messaging infrastructure of WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook Messenger in another year’s time by end of this year or early 2020.
Zuckerberg once pledged to keep Instagram and WhatsApp independent (acquired in 2012 and 2014 respectively by Facebook Inc).
The merge may look like checkmate to the antitrust regulators that are allegedly trying to reverse the Instagram and WhatsApp acquisitions, but University of Michigan law professor Daniel Crane differs.
“As a matter of antitrust law, that doesn’t really have any impact, and how Facebook chooses to organize its wholly-owned entities is not an antitrust issue,” Crane comments. “The bigger question is how Facebook was allowed to own three media outlets in the first place.”
The integration would reconfigure how the platforms function for consumers as an ecosystem as well as how businesses could repurpose communication with their customers and retarget their database reach.
Business users should note that the expansion of infrastructure within the apps would likely reflect in increased ad buy costs and other investments in targeted services.
- Reimagining customer experience through people, technology and data
- Watch out Lazada and Shopee; TikTok Shop is no longer just a sleeping giant
- The Singapore government is tapping into Google Cloud’s AI tools. Here’s what we know so far
- The rise of the warehouse robots
- It’s a brave new world: How generative AI becomes the game-changer in cybersecurity

domain: news


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Mukesh Ambani’s billion-dollar bet on 4G wireless broadband technology marks the return of a huge player who could (once again) change how the Indian telecom industry operates.
The last time Mr. Ambani dove into telecom — with the nationwide launch of the company that was to become Reliance Communications Ltd. — he changed the industry. He slashed call rates and forced every company in the business to figure out how to make money by charging around 1 rupee per minute. Today, rates have fallen as low as half a rupee per minute and India is adding more than 15 million new subscribers a month.
Does Mr. Ambani plan to do the same with wireless broadband? Over the weekend, his executives outlined their plans to analysts. Reliance plans to spend another billion dollars or so rolling out at nationwide 4G network. If the company can get it up and running fast enough, it could be a viable option to the 3G networks his entrenched competitors are just starting to build.
The sudden announcement Friday that he was buying Infotel Broadband Services – a company little-known outside of Punjab that was an unexpected winner in the auction for nationwide wireless broadband – was classic Ambani. It was big surprise move into a new industry.
When Mukesh spearheaded Reliance’s big bets on the cellular business in the early 2000s, he did the same thing. As a late-comer to the business he came in through the backdoor, picking CDMA technology rather than GSM for his networks. Back then, CDMA was an untested but less expensive option.
Mr. Ambani had to leave the telecom industry five years ago when he divided the Reliance business empire after a falling out with his brother Anil, who was given control of the telecom assets, now known as Reliance Communications, the nation’s second-largest carrier in terms of subscribers.
In his return to the telecom sector, Mukesh is a late-comer again but has found a cheaper way in than paying to build a nationwide network of towers and huge sums for a 3G license.
If he sticks to his old pattern and starts slashing the price for wireless broadband access to the Internet, it could boost more than 10-fold the number of Indians online in the same way his lower cell phone call rates triggered an explosion in the cellular market here.
To be sure, not everything Mr. Ambani touches turns to gold. His bets on petrol stands didn’t pan out because the government has yet to deregulate prices. Meanwhile, his nationwide chain of grocery stores has not been as huge a money-maker as many had predicted.
The scariest news for Reliance competitors may be that there are further signs that Anil and Mukesh may actually be getting along. Their families were on holiday together in Africa, according to Sunday’s Hindustan Times. The two even discussed synergies between their two empires, according to the Press Trust of India.
If Dhirubhai’s boys become chums again and focus their energies on the competition rather than each other, it could change the game in a lot of industries.


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Rolex has been named the leading UK consumer superbrand in an annual independent report of the 1,700 strongest brands operating in the UK market.
The results mark the second year that Rolex has hit the top spot, this year ahead of Apple, Microsoft, Coca-Cola and Google. Other watch brands within the superbrands list included Omega, Seiko, Rotary, Swatch, Tag Heuer and Timex.
The annual results table of superbrands is put together based on the opinions of marketing experts, business professionals and thousands of British consumers by Superbrands UK, a company that offers insight into Britain's strongest brands.
More than 2,900 British consumers and an independent expert council were asked to rank a shortlist of 1,700 brands, which were whittled down to a top 500 brands are deemed to be "consumer superbrands". Each brand was scored using factors including quality, reliability and distinction.


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Right in 2013 Japanese cherry blossom season, Digiarty,an expert multimedia backup solution provider, advises tourists to keep the precious flower viewing memories in proper ways. It stresses the importance of backing up the travel videos onto computer to enjoy the aftertaste.
Hanami is the traditional Japanese festival to appreciate the beauty of cherry blossom held from March to early May once a year. Now, 2013 Sakura viewing season is underway from Okinawa where the cherry flowers are already in full bloom. All the featured regions in Japan, from north to south regions, are expected to welcome countless visitors both home and abroad. Instead of lingering on, tourists can record the happy hours and recall the memories. Upon this, Digiarty brings three tips to follow:[Read More...]


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iQoo 11 Pro charging specifications have been revealed, ahead of the upcoming launch of the smartphone in China. The flagship-grade smartphone will will pack a 4,700mAh battery with support for 200W charging, according to the company. The company recently announced that it had postponed the launch of its flagship iQoo 11 series in the country, which was set to take place on Friday. A new launch date for the iQoo 11 series, comprising the vanilla iQoo 11 and the iQoo 11 Pro, is yet to be announced.
Meanwhile, iQoo has been teasing customers with the key specifications and features of the upcoming iQoo 11 lineup. As per the company's website, the iQoo 11 Pro will be equipped with a 4,700mAh battery. According to the iQoo, the handset will offer 200W fast charging support.
Additionally, the Chinese smartphone company has also confirmed that the iQoo 11 series will sport an E6 AMOLED display along with a refresh rate of up to 144Hz. The display will also offer support for 1440Hz high-frequency PWM dimming. It is also confirmed to offer a peak brightness of 1800 nits and support LTPO technology which allows the smartphone to adjust the refresh rate depending on the on-screen content.
The teaser images shared by the iQoo also confirm that the iQoo 11 will sport a curved display with a hole-punch cutout at the top for the selfie camera.
Furthermore, the iQoo 11 Pro will reportedly be powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC and run on Android 13 with the company's OriginOS Forest skin on top. It will arrive in three configurations — 8GB + 256GB storage, 12GB + 256GB storage, and 12GB + 512GB storage.
The handset is also tipped to feature a triple rear camera setup, comprising a 50-megapixel Sony IMX866 sensor with an f/1.75 aperture. It may also feature a 50-megapixel 150-degree ultra-wide-angle lens, along with a 13-megapixel portrait sensor. The iQoo 11 Pro might also get a 16-megapixel selfie snapper on the front, as per previous reports.
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The ongoing competition for telehealth services, which received a big boost during the COVID-19 pandemic, has seen a new alliance develop. Virtual healthcare provider Teladoc announced a partnership with Amazon that will utilize Alexa smart speakers to provide care.
The new service, which went live in early March, pairs Teladoc’s existing virtual care structure with supported Amazon Echo devices to provide general medical care. While initially only audio visits are available, video visits will be available in the near future.
The service works like this: A patient asks Alexa to be connected to a doctor. The patient is then connected to a Teladoc call center for screening. Medical history and health insurance information are verified. The patient is notified if any payment is required. A Teladoc doctor will call the patient back on the Echo device.
Insured patients may pay as little as $0 for the service; uninsured patients are charged $75.
Although Teladoc and Amazon are competitors, this collaboration makes sense, especially for Teladoc. Amazon’s smart speakers have the largest share of smart speakers in the US, increasing from over 50% in 2020 to almost 70% in 2021. Using the pervasive technology will help Teladoc achieve its goal of meeting consumers where they are.


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The Ukrainian footwear producers will receive preferences from the European Union. Pre-October 1 will be cancelled the duties on exports of Ukrainian shoes (shoes with rubber and plastic sole duty will cancel later than 1 January 2019 — Ed.) in the EU countries. This was stated by the Deputy Minister of economy, trade representative of Ukraine Nataliya Mykolska in an interview Liga.net.
“It is expected that the decision will be officially published at the end of September 2017,” said Gaina and added that benefits will be valid for three years. Shoemakers will be able to increase exports to the EU by about 20%, but the first results will be visible only after a year, predicts Mykolskiy.
- From Ukraine takes a network of Russian stores cheap shoes media
As you know, footwear export from Ukraine to EU countries is increasing. If in 2015 the manufacturers put on the European market of goods for 151 million dollars in 2016 164 million dollars. For five months of 2017, the company has exported footwear to 73,8 million. and by the end of the year the supply volume could exceed last year’s figures.
Recall, 4 July the European Parliament voted to give Ukraine additional trade preferences for duty-free export of some products. Preferences are imposed for a period up to three years. On 17 July the Council of the European Union adopted the temporary trade preferences for Ukraine.


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Toyota (NYSE:TM) was the world's largest-selling automaker last year, and it's determined to repeat the feat again in 2013 -- but the competition is close behind. General Motors (NYSE:GM) outsold Toyota in the second quarter, thanks to strong new products from the General -- and thanks to hot new models from Ford (NYSE:F) that have made life tough for Toyota.
Ford's Fusion Hybrid has been stealing sales from Toyota's Camry and Prius. Photo credit: Ford Motor Co.
Will Ford help GM make a race of it? In this video, Fool contributor John Rosevear looks at what GM will need to do to overcome Toyota and at Volkswagen's (NASDAQOTH:VLKAY) push to make this a three-way race in the coming years.
Fool contributor John Rosevear owns shares of Ford and General Motors. Follow him on Twitter at @jrosevear. The Motley Fool recommends General Motors. It recommends and owns shares of Ford. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.


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By Lyndsay King, Speaker at the Creative Women Conference 2018.
The annual Creative Women Conference, under the patronage of the First Lady of Cyprus Mrs. Andri Anastasiades, will be held 4&5 May 2018 at the Elysium five-star resort in Paphos, Cyprus. This prominent gathering brings together 150+ accomplished female leaders, founders and entrepreneurs from around the world.
The event Founder and Director, Olga Balakleets (@olga-balakleets), CEO of Ensemble Productions invites women from all industry backgrounds to gather, connect and learn from one another with friendly networking, rewarding lectures, hands-on workshops, and even beachfront yoga and a gala dinner.
Together at this event smart, ambitious, creative women are celebrated. “Women in business have a flair for creative solutions and ideas and we want all women to share tips and advice on how to grow profits, cut costs, and become the best you can possibly be in business.” says Balakleets.
Many of the Female Founder speakers have appeared in Forbes, Entrepreneur, popular women magazines, and various global publications. The conference will be addressing topics around entrepreneurship, health and wellness, business growth, innovation and women leadership.
Visit our website for more details at www.creativewomen.co or email to REGISTER NOW email@example.com.


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Ever since Scarlett Johansson appeared as Natasha Romanoff in 2010’s Iron Man 2, Marvel fans have been clamouring for a standalone Black Widow film and at long, lost last, 2021 finally looks set to deliver.
Let’s not forget, however, that the film was originally supposed to release in May 2020 before the outbreak of a certain pandemic led to countless films delaying their release dates or moving online.
But after such a chaotic year, just where will fans be able to watch Black Widow when it releases?
Black Widow: Release date and plot
At long last, Black Widow arrives on screens in the US on July 9th, 2021 while fans in certain countries around the world, including here in the UK, can watch from July 7th.
Set after the events of Captain America: Civil War, Black Widow fills in the missing chapters we’ve yet to uncover about the enigmatic Natasha Romanoff.
Pursued by a relentless force, Natasha must face her complex history as a spy and the messy relationships she left behind before she became a linchpin in the Avengers.
Where to watch Black Widow
- Black Widow will be available to watch in cinemas and on Disney+ with Premier Access.
That’s right, fans have a choice in how they get to watch Black Widow, either in the movie theatre or from the comfort of their own home.
The film begins releasing in cinemas worldwide from July 7th while the film’s Disney+ release will coincide with the film’s arrival in the US at midnight Pacific Time on July 9th.
That translates to 3am ET in the US, 8am here in the UK, 12:30pm in India and 5:00pm in Sydney, Australia.
In countries where Disney+ is not available, Black Widow will be exclusively releasing in cinemas.
How to stream on Disney+
- Black Widow will be available on Disney+ with Premier Access where the streaming service is available.
The streaming service is available on several brands of smart TV, Amazon Fire TV sticks, games consoles, phones and PC.
Fans wanting to watch Black Widow on Disney+ will have to pay for Premier Access (which costs USD $29.99 / GBP £19.99 / AUD $34.99 / EUR €21.99) on top of their existing subscription.
Black Widow is not the first film to arrive using this method as Mulan, Raya and the Last Dragon and Cruella all released via Premier Access.
If you don’t want to pay for Premier Access, Black Widow will become available to all Disney+ subscribers on October 6th, 2021.
As the film is being released on Disney+ (as well as cinemas) Black Widow will not be available on the likes of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video or HBO Max.


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Bitcoin in the Philippines, By the Numbers
With millions unbanked in the Philippines, and remittances booming, the bitcoin solution practically writes itself, says Luis Buenaventura.
Luis Buenaventura is the Head of Product at Satoshi Citadel Industries, and "dreams of a world where everyone has access to everything".
Satoshi Citadel Industries calls itself a “provider of bitcoin solutions” and manages a range of different digital currency services and sites, including Bitmarket, in-beta exchange Coinage, photo-sharing site Bitstars.ph, and remittance service ReBit. SCI is also rolling out pre-loaded bitcoin cards as another fast way to get bitcoin into newcomers’ wallets.
In many ways, the Philippines is probably the perfect environment for the kind of decentralised revolution that bitcoin has the potential to enable.
It has some of the warmest, kindest, most open people in the world, surrounded with all the hallmarks of the developing world – suffocating pollution, tremendous traffic jams, institutional corruption on all levels, poverty on an unreal scale.
Poverty and remittance
About 90% of our population lives on $10 or less per household per day, a statistic which is most staggering when you consider that the international definition of 'extreme poverty' is $2 a day per person.
Not surprisingly, there are about 10 million Filipinos living and working outside the Philippines – so many in the fact that their collective cash remittances account for about 10% ($30bn) of the country’s GDP.
The average Filipino will send $200 home every month, from which international remitters will charge anywhere from 4% to 10% per transaction.
One could say that the bitcoin solution practically writes itself here. Indeed, a handful of young crypto-based services are currently working to drive that figure down to just 1%, potentially upending an industry that has been gouging the market for decades.
E-commerce has only just started to make inroads here over the past five years, as the number of Internet-connected devices has increased. Smartphone penetration is now at 40%, far outstripping desktops and laptops, which have long languished at about 10%.
The problem is, the majority of online sales in the Philippines are decidedly still offline in their fulfillment. Buyers either agree to meet the sellers at a physical location (a food court, maybe, or a train station), or they make a cash deposit at the seller’s bank and then wait for next-day delivery. This is because only 5% of Filipinos have access to credit cards.
Applying for your average Visa or MasterCard requires background checks and plenty of paperwork, and even then the incidence of fraud and chargebacks are still inordinately high. Again, the alternative that bitcoin presents here is a no-brainer – it’s trustless, irreversible and has close to zero setup time. Furthermore, and importantly, no one needs permission or ID checks to use it.
Digital money is still money
Via our company Bitstars, we created a bitcoin-powered daily selfie contest with small daily cash prizes. Initially, due to budgetary restrictions, they were $5-$10 in BTC for each day’s most popular selfie, but as time went on, that limitation became a very strong audience filter.
To put it bluntly, the only users who competed for $5 were those who could really use $5. They weren't taking part because they believed in bitcoin as a technology or revolutionary movement – to them, it’s not that bitcoin is better money, it’s that it is money, full stop.
There were never any philosophical arguments with our users about whether bitcoin was a valid currency or why decentralised systems are better. All that mattered was that it looked like money, and we were letting them have some of it.
The bottom line is that bitcoin represents money that 90 million low-income Filipinos could use in areas and situations where the traditional systems have otherwise failed them. They could start sending and accepting bitcoin immediately with just their mobile phones, with no upfront costs, and without having to ask for permission from anyone.
Bitcoin turbocharges a set of financial enablers that these socio-economic tiers have never had access to.
Imagine 150 people from all over the world chipping in a dollar each to put an underprivileged child through school for a year. Or 50 people putting together $20 to help an aspiring street vendor buy enough goods to start an ad hoc business.
Micro-lending on this scale has never been possible before due to transmission costs, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
The Philippines is one of the few places in the world where you can buy eight individual sheets of paper, four teaspoons of vinegar, or a single cigarette (in USD, those would all cost less than 10 cents).
Fiat currencies often have a hard time supporting the granularity that entrepreneurship at this level requires, but bitcoin is divisible to an almost infinite degree.
It’s difficult to speculate what kind of effect cryptocurrency will eventually have on the population of the Philippines over the next few years. What’s certain is that it already provides us with the tools necessary to make some big changes on all levels of the socio-economic strata.
It will all start with education and distribution. We need to get bitcoin into the hands of as many people as possible, and then support the ideas that naturally come about as a result of diverse adoption. In that respect, at least, bitcoin is exactly like any other nascent technology: it’s all about the numbers.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, CoinDesk.
Follow the author on Twitter.
Manila, Philippines, image via joyfull / Shutterstock.com
The leader in news and information on cryptocurrency, digital assets and the future of money, CoinDesk is a media outlet that strives for the highest journalistic standards and abides by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk is an independent operating subsidiary of Digital Currency Group, which invests in cryptocurrencies and blockchain startups. As part of their compensation, certain CoinDesk employees, including editorial employees, may receive exposure to DCG equity in the form of stock appreciation rights, which vest over a multi-year period. CoinDesk journalists are not allowed to purchase stock outright in DCG.
Learn more about Consensus 2023, CoinDesk’s longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.


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Apple today rolled out their latest update for iOS bringing Apple Music and other updates and fixes to the mobile operating system. Apple Music was announced earlier this month at the Cupertino based company’s annual developer conference. The service which is meant to compete with the likes of Spotify in the music streaming business also includes a live radio service with Apple’s first radio station named “Beats One”. Apple Music also includes a social media type networking platform for artists to post on and for people to follow.
Apple Music offers a three month free trial to entice users to try the service and defaults to $9.99 per month after the trial ends. If your family enjoys music as much as you might there is also a family plan option that costs $14.99 and allows up to six people to use the service.
Apple plans to release it’s new music service later on to Mac and PC users via an iTunes update later this year and even announced at WWDC that it plans on having an Android release as well. Currently the service is only available to iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad users whose hardware is new enough to download the iOS update that it is included in.
There are 5 main pieces that make up Apples streaming service. For You, New, radio, Connect and My Music. Rumors have it that the company also plans on buying exclusive rights to content that it has done in the past with the latest U2 album that was released for free on iTunes. Free might not be part of the equation this time around though we’ll have to see.
Another change to note in the iOS 8.4 update is audiobook playback being moved into the built-in iBooks app and including CarPlay support. Bugs were also fixed that kept GPS accessories from providing location data and a bug that would reinstall apps back onto the Apple Watch after they were removed.


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The Tesla Roadster: Who could argue with its sex appeal? (Tesla photo)
The financial establishment is getting bullish about electric cars. I just talked to a Bank of America/Merrill Lynch analyst who told me that EVs will need "sizzle," or maybe the right phrase is sex appeal, to triumph in the marketplace.
"Cost is not the only factor driving the purchasing decision," says analyst Steven Milunovich. "EVs need to appeal to consumers on a psychological level, such as prestige and driving enjoyment." I totally agree. The good thing is that many EVs already have sizzle to burn. Or is sizzle already burning?
The car magazines are stuck in the past with high-performance dinosaurs, but most of the cars that attract buzz in the financial media today are green. The Fisker Karma, for instance, is a visual outrage--it makes Megan Fox look like a nun. And it's bristling with cool eco-features, including interior wood sourced from river bottoms and a rooftop solar panel to run the heating and cooling systems. And it's not surprising that Fisker is working on some kind of proprietary noise--a Formula One car crossed with a spaceship--so that pedestrians will know it's there when in battery mode.
The Tesla Roadster is, of course, off the charts in sizzle factor, and the forthcoming Model S is the Maserati of electric sedans. General Motors would love to pay for the positive publicity Tesla gets for free.
Another reason Wall Street likes EVs is that it can make money on them. When the battery company A123 (a supplier to Chrysler) went public, its stock--one of the few "pure plays" an investor could buy (most battery makers are either not public or part of large conglomerates) doubled in price on the first day.
Other financial analysts like the switch to cleaner cars, too. A very positive report from Citigroup Global Markets says that the automakers should actually applaud the stricter fuel economy/greenhouse gas standards they once fought (but now endorse). Why? Because the 35.5 mpg fuel economy goal (by 2016) will increase their profits. The report says that under the national program announced by President Obama last May, "Detroit's gross profits are likely to increase by roughly $3 billion a year, compared to an $800 million increase for the Japanese Three," the report said. "And sales are likely to increase by the equivalent of two large assembly plants for the Detroit Three."
Further, the report gets into the reason people buy cars. "Complying with the national program renders the vehicles in the majority of segments more cost effective for consumers," it said. And that's because the extra cost will be less than the fuel saved.
Carol Lee Rawn of the Investor Network on Climate Risk, representing over $8 trillion in combined assets, testified at a recent EPA hearing that the national standards are a key enabling strategy for the U.S. automakers to produce cars that consumers will actually want to buy, and that will be fuel efficient and competitive. "It is critical that American auto companies significantly change their business models to ensure that they are able to compete successfully in the 21st century," she said.
Finally, a University of Michigan survey that just crossed my desk shows strong consumer interest in buying plug-in hybrid electric cars. Some 42% of those surveyed said they might buy one--the acceptance rose as the cost came down, obviously.
A New York Times editor joked to me recently that, given some of the bizarre EVs we've seen recently, it seems anybody can slap up a web page and call themselves an automaker. Yes, it was that way in 1910, too, but the bad ones fell by the wayside and the cream rose to the top. The good thing is that good plug-in cars are already on the horizon, and people will want to buy them.
Test driving the sexy Fisker Karma (and talking to Henrik Fisker):
Enter your city or zip code to get your local temperature and air quality and find local green food and recycling resources near you.


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Hopes high for Memorial Day weekend tourism
Good weather expected to draw visitors to Granite State
New Hampshire travel officials are expecting heavy doses of great weather, out-of-state visitors and tourism money pouring in this holiday weekend.
The New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism anticipates that more than half a million visitors from other states will flock to the state -- an increase of 2 percent over last year. They anticipate those tourists will spend $86 million -- an increase of 5 percent.
Industry experts and resort owners credit the great weather forecast, stable gas prices and a pent-up desire to get out and have some fun and family time for the increase in reservations and heightened expectations for a booming holiday weekend.
Last Memorial Day weekend was rainy, making for dreary revenues for those whose fortunes are tied to the tourism industry.


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April 10, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Sue Beckwith
SueB (at) TexasLocalFood.org
ELGIN, TEXAS – The Texas Center for Local Food today announced this year’s “Fresh Look” partners – farmers markets in Texas that accept SNAP EBT, formerly known as “food stamps.” SNAP is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which provides food assistance to lower income households. The Texas Center for Local Food launched “A Fresh Look at Your Farmers Market” in 2021 to promote farmers markets that accept SNAP EBT.
“Farmers markets are a critical link in our Texas food system, and lower income families have access to fresh, local food — but too many don’t know it — yet!” says Sue Beckwith, Texas Center for Local Food Executive Director. According to 2020 statistics from the USDA, Texas was second in the nation for SNAP benefits issued, but ranked nearly last in the percentage of SNAP funds used at farms and farmers markets. “Our ‘Fresh Look’ project makes Texas-grown, farm fresh produce more accessible to families shopping with SNAP benefits and helps small Texas farmers and ranchers too,” Beckwith said.
The spring growing season offers a great opportunity for families to purchase locally-grown produce at their local farmers markets, like carrots and leafy greens. Families can use their Lone Star Card to buy any SNAP eligible foods including produce, eggs, meat, bread, and more!
These ‘Fresh Look’ partner farmers markets currently accept SNAP EBT, also known as Lone Star Cards. Farmers market hours are subject to change.
- SFC Farmers’ Market Downtown (Austin) Saturday 9am-1pm
- SFC Farmers’ Market at Sunset Valley (Austin) Saturday 9am-1pm
- Texas Farmers Market at Lakeline (Austin) Saturday 9am-1pm
- Texas Farmers Market at Mueller (Austin) Sunday 10am-2pm
- Waco Downtown Farmers Market (Waco) Saturday 9am-1pm
- Waco Bridge Street Farmers Market (Waco) Wednesday 5-8pm
- Beaumont Farmers Market (Beaumont) Saturday 8-11am
- Freedmen’s Town Farmers Market (Houston) Saturdays 10am-2pm
- Coppell Farmers Market (Coppell) Saturday 8am-12pm
- Cowtown Farmers Market (Fort Worth) Saturday 8am-12pm
- Denton Community Market (Denton) Saturday 9am-1pm
- For Oak Cliff Farmers Market (Dallas) First and third Saturday 9am-1pm (Opens May 6)
- Lakewood Village Farmers Market (Dallas) Sunday 9am-1pm
- Lake Worth Farmers Market (Lake Worth) First and third Saturday 8am-12pm (Beginning in June)
- Ledbetter Fresh Stop Farm Stand (Dallas) Tuesday 12pm-3pm
- Owenwood Fresh Stop Farm Stand (Dallas) Friday 9am-12pm
- Saginaw Farmers Market (Saginaw) Second and fourth Saturday 8am-12pm
- Spring Valley Fresh Stop Farm Stand (Dallas) Thursday 12pm-3pm
- White Rock Farmers Market (Dallas) Saturday 8am-12pm
- Brownsville Farmers Market (Brownsville) Saturday 9am-12pm
- Grow Local Farmers’ Market (Corpus Christi) Wednesday 5-8pm
- HOPE for Small Farm Sustainability (Harlingen) Monday, Thursday-Saturday 10am-6pm
- McAllen Farmers Market (McAllen) Saturday 10am-1pm
- Bodega Loya (El Paso) Friday and Sunday 12-5pm, Saturday 10am-5pm
The Texas Center for Local Food was created by small farmers and ranchers in 2016 to strengthen the economic viability of Texas communities and family farms through local food economic development. For more information, visit TexasLocalFood.org or contact Sue Beckwith at firstname.lastname@example.org or 512-496-1244.
Data Points & Sources
- In FY 2020, Texas ranked second in the nation in total SNAP benefits issued at $6.3 billion, second only to California.
- SNAP $5 billion + Emergency Allotment $1.3 billion
- The $6.3 billion total includes regular SNAP issuance and additional emergency allotment COVID relief funds. Emergency allotments ended in March 2023 for all SNAP recipients in Texas.
- In FY 2020, Texas ranked 47th in SNAP redemption at farms and farmers markets as a percentage of total SNAP redemption for the state (.0030%).


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You and your family might go big for the holiday season, but no one does Christmas like the Kardashians. And this holiday season, Kylie's gift to us all is the best one yet (yes, even better than the epic family Christmas cards). The makeup mogul announced via Twitter on Aug. 30 that her namesake makeup line Kylie Cosmetics will be available at Ulta Beauty stores just in time for the holiday season.
Ulta Beauty also confirmed the news on its Instagram with a caption that says, "It’s true! We’re excited to confirm @kyliecosmetics will exclusively be coming to all Ulta Beauty locations and online this holiday season. Stay tuned for details!"
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Since the line launched in 2015, Kylie Cosmetics products have been exclusively sold online at Kyliecosmetics.com. In the years since, Kylie dabbled in short-lived pop-up shops on the West and East coasts, but the only other time Kylie's products have been carried in stores around the U.S. was when she launched at seven Topshop stores during the holidays in 2017. And this holiday season? GIRL. She's doing it bigger and better, bringing her products to the masses. That's the Kristmas spirit, Kylie!
Kylie's tweet hinted that there's more to come, so no word yet on which products will be carried, but it's probably safe to say there will be a lip kit (the product that started it all) in the mix. Or maybe there will be a whole new array of products for a 2018 holiday collection?! The opportunities are endless.
Looks like Kylie Jenner is well on her way to making that billion.
Source : https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/a22884533/kylie-cosmetics-coming-to-ulta-beauty/


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~ Two military veteran students at Citrus College, which serves Monrovia, will be awarded free cars at 1 p.m. on Nov. 25 at Seidner's Collision Centers' Duarte location. California Casualty Insurance, AAA and Seidner's will award the vehicles through the National Auto Body Council program, Recycled Rides, which involves insurers, collision repairers, paint suppliers, parts vendors and others who repair and donate vehicles to deserving individuals and service organizations throughout the country. More than 900 vehicles have been donated since 2007.
~ Smitten on Paper will hold its grand opening on December 6 at 6 p.m. at 114 E. Lemon (at the site of the former Historic Lighting). The company works with brides "to create a perfectly custom wedding invitation suite for their big day." " Our shop will also be filled with tons of unique cards, gifts, and accessories."
- Brad Haugaard


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We’ve seen three new iPhones and an Apple Watch from Apple this year, but the company has one more event left before 2018 comes to a close. On October 30 in Brooklyn, New York City, Apple will take the wraps off new devices, heavily rumored to be a new iPad Pro, an iPad Mini, a Macbook Air, as well as a new Mac Mini.
The event will be live-streamed for the world to see what Apple has been working on. It starts up at 10 a.m. ET, which is 7 a.m. PT.


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While PC gamers and enthusiasts are on tenterhooks waiting for the first RDNA 2 graphics card releases from AMD, the firm is steadily ploughing a furrow in HPC and is showing off its latest wares for this market at the SC20 virtual tradeshow. Yesterday it took the wraps off the AMD Instinct MI100 Accelerator with the claim that it is "the world’s fastest HPC GPU accelerator for scientific workloads".
AMD says the Instinct MI100 is its first to use its new CDNA architecture which was built from the ground up to provide "a giant leap in compute and interconnect performance". Compared to previous AMD HPC accelerators the new MI100 offers a nearly 3.5x (FP32 Matrix) performance boost for HPC and a nearly 7x (FP16) performance boost for AI throughput, according to in-house testing.
Key technologies behind the MI100 GPU include; an all-new Matrix Core Technology with superior performance for Machine Learning, AMD Infinity Fabric Link Technology for 64GB/s CPU to GPU bandwidth and up to 276GB/s of peer-to-peer (P2P) bandwidth performance, PCIe Gen 4.0, and Ultra-Fast HBM2 memory - to deliver up to 11.5TFLOPS peak FP64 performance (or 23.1 TFLOPS peak FP32 performance).
AMD highlights the virtues of combining its award winning 2nd Gen Epyc processors with MI100 accelerators to deliver true heterogeneous compute capabilities for HPC and AI. It says that if you combine these two key innovative solutions and the open and portable AMD ROCm programming ecosystem the biggest challenges in HPC and AI can be tackled.
With regard to the usage of AMD's Instinct MI100 accelerator cards, the famous Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility has already been testing these GPUs as it was provided early access. Facility director Bronson Messer says that the MI100 has proved to deliver "significant performance boosts, up to 2-3x compared to other GPUs," in test platforms. In addition one also must factor in the energy efficiency savings for MI100.


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Huawei introduced the Ascend Mate 2 earlier this year, as a budget solution for users who want a phablet experience.
The device costs just $300, and packs a large 6.1 inch screen display. The downside was that the device runs on an older version of Android, the 4.3 Jelly Bean. Additionally, the company announced that the phablet won’t get the update for the Android 4.4 KitKat. However, fans of the cheap phablet can take a breath, as Huawei has announced that the 6.1 inch device will directly get the update to the Android 5.0 Lollipop.
When Will the Device Get the Update?
The company announced that the device will get the update in the first half of 2015. While that is a vague timeline, sources close to the company suggest that the update should roll out during the first three months of the year. Huawei tends to be competitive with high end, premium phablets, and all of them are getting the Android 5.0 Lollipop update in January or February. According to some of the sources, torment in the form of Android 4.3 Jelly Bean should end for Ascend Mate 2 users by March – April.
Specs in a Nutshell
We mentioned that Huawei wants to bring the phablet experience to users that cannot afford a Samsung or a Sony Xperia device. However, that doesn’t mean that the device has poor specs. On the contrary, the Ascend Mate 2 comes with a quad core processor, clocked at 1.6 GHz, 2 GB RAM, 16 GB internal memory, and the option to add 128 GB of memory space via microSD card. The handset comes with a 13-MP sensor on the back, and a selfie friendly camera of 5-MP on the front. With a massive, 4050 mAh battery, the Huawei Ascend Mate 2 is more than reliable and can last through the day without problems.
The Screen Display
Many budget smartphones stick to the 720p HD display, and the Ascend Mate 2 is no exception. The 6.1 inches screen display delivers resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels, which translates to density of 241ppi.
The Affordable Price
The price for the Ascend Mate 2 is $300. And the added bonus is that the device can connect to 4G / LTE networks. Some of the premium handsets on the market do not support LTE networks, but the Ascend Mate 2 does. That is what makes this device so attractive – low price / excellent specs.


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In its half-yearly assessment of the intentions of big companies, accounting and consultancy firm Ernst & Young said the growing optimism has yet to be translated into more investment or corporate deal-making. The survey was based on responses from 1,600 senior executives in 50 countries.
Anheuser-Busch InBev reached a final agreement with the Department of Justice, settling a dispute over its $20.1 billion acquisition of the Mexican brewer, Grupo Modelo. The world's largest brewer has been trying since June to buy the half of Grupo Modelo that it doesn't already own.
Dell says buyout specialist Blackstone Group is ending a bid to buy the slumping computer maker, less than a month after pitching a plan to trump an offer from the company's CEO and founder. A letter from Blackstone and others involved in the bid says a steep slump in PC shipments and Dell's eroding financial profile prompted them to end their bid.
The European Union's antitrust body has cleared a $2.7 billion takeover of a British rail technology company by German industrial conglomerate Siemens. The European Commission said Siemens AG's takeover of Invensys PLC's rail division does not violate antitrust rules since the merged entity will continue to face strong competitors.
A special committee of the Dell Inc. board says Carl Icahn has agreed to cap his stake in the personal computer maker while the panel considers competing takeover bids from the billionaire investor, a group led by CEO Michael Dell and buyout specialist Blackstone Group.
Royalty Pharma says Monday that it's raising its bid for Irish drugmaker Elan Corp. PLC to as much as $12 per share, or $7.2 billion. Royalty Pharma, a private company based in New York, offered in February to buy the company for $11 per share, or about $6.5 billion. Elan rejected that bid.
Kodak has agreed to sell some of its document imaging assets to Brother Industries Ltd. for about $210 million, its latest deal as it seeks to exit bankruptcy protection. Japan-based Brother also would assume the business' deferred service revenue liability, which totaled about $67 million as of Dec. 31, the companies said Monday.
Thermo Fisher Scientific will spend $13.6 billion to buy genetic testing equipment maker Life Technologies in a cash deal that will create a giant company serving research and specialty diagnostics. That price does not count $2.2 billion in debt that will be assumed as part of the deal.
The management of Dutch coffee maker D.E. Master Blenders 1753 NV says it has agreed to a 7.5 billion euro ($9.8 billion) buyout offer from a group led by private German investment company Joh. A. Benckiser GmbH. Master Blenders was spun off from Sara Lee in June.
Heinz is bringing in Burger King CEO Bernardo Hees as its next top executive, signaling what may be the first of many changes planned by the ketchup maker's new owners. The company had announced in February that it was being acquired and taken private by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway and 3G Capital.
Avago Technologies Ltd., which makes chips for iPhones and other mobile devices, said Thursday that it reached a deal to buy CyOptics Inc. for about $400 million in cash. CyOptics produces indium phosphide optical chip and component technologies for the data communications and telecommunications markets.
The following represent some major or interesting mergers and acquisition (M&A) activity during late March and early April, with news from Klein Tools buying its way into Brazil, Elgin Fastener Group purchasing a Las Vegas-based manufacturer of fasteners and more.
Hostess Brands Inc. won approval Tuesday to sell off the last of its major cake and bread brands, bringing the total proceeds from its liquidation to about $860 million. A U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge in New York approved the two deals, said Hostess spokeswoman Anita-Marie Laurie.
Marchionne has jointly managed the two companies since buying a 20 percent stake in 2009. Fiat has since built up its holding in the U.S. company to 58.5 percent. However, his ambitions to fully merge the two companies have been stalled by a dispute between Chrysler's minority shareholder, the autoworkers union pension health trust.
Mediaroom gives phone companies a way to provide cable-like TV services over phone lines. Ericsson says it's used in 11 million households. U-Verse accounts for about 4.5 million of those. It's also used by Deutsche Telekom of Germany and by Telus Communications of Canada.
The Justice Department had sued to block the combination on concerns it would stifle competition in the U.S. The companies later revised terms, giving more control of Corona maker Modelo's U.S. beer brands to a separate company, wine producer Constellation Brands.
CEO Jeff Immelt is in the process of transforming GE from a sprawling conglomerate to one that is more tightly focused on providing services and equipment to industrial customers. The company has shed divisions such as NBC Universal and is shrinking its banking operations.
Cisco plans to buy privately held Ubiquisys for about $310 million in cash in order to strengthen its mobility strategy more and enable more intelligent mobile internet networks for service providers. Cisco Systems Inc. supplies routers, switches, software and services to corporate customers and government agencies worldwide.
Sony Corp. and Olympus Corp. said Wednesday they will merge their medical businesses on April 16, after it was postponed twice due to a delay in obtaining regulatory approval overseas. The two companies initially planned to set up the new medical equipment company, to be named Sony Olympus Medical Solutions Inc., by the end of last year.
Obagi Medical Products Inc. said Wednesday that Canadian drugmaker Valeant Pharmaceuticals boosted its offer to buy the dermatology products maker, topping a bid made a day ago by a German rival. Obagi said it struck a deal with Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. that calls for it to pay $24 per share, or a total of about $418.3 million, for the company.
Late last month, Valeant struck a deal with Obagi to pay $19.75 per share, or a total of about $343.7 million, for the company. Merz said Tuesday that it had been in private talks with Obagi before that deal was announced and wasn't aware that it was considering signing a deal with another company so quickly.
Here's a breakdown of some of the recent M&A news: The North American-based automated material handling solutions provider has purchased Datria Systems, Inc., and Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE:CW) has completed the acquisition of Exlar Corporation in a $85 million cash deal.
Dell's financial advisers tried to persuade 71 potential bidders to make an offer for the troubled personal computer maker before two of them emerged to challenge a proposed $24.4 billion deal with the company's founder, according to documents filed Friday.
Commodities trader Glencore says its expected merger with mining company Xstrata PLC will take longer than planned to allow Chinese regulators to give approval. Glencore says the deadline for the merger was extended to May 2 and is "conditional" on Chinese regulatory approval and other court matters.
Dole Food has completed its approximately $1.7 billion sale of its worldwide packaged foods and Asia fresh produce businesses to Japanese trading company Itochu Corp. The sale was announced in September and approved by stockholders in December.


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In a move that’s raising some eyebrows, Microsoft has decided to say goodbye to WordPad, a faithful companion to Windows users for almost three decades. Yes, you heard it right; WordPad is getting the boot from future Windows releases. But before you start lamenting its departure, Microsoft has a substitute in mind: the ever-mighty Microsoft Word, the premium word processor that’s been the heavyweight champion of the Windows world.
WordPad, which has been nestled within Windows since the iconic Windows 95, is no longer receiving any fancy updates. Microsoft recently made it official by announcing, “WordPad is no longer being updated and will be removed in a future release of Windows.” It seems like Microsoft believes that if you need to craft rich, formatted documents in formats like .doc and .rtf, you should turn to Microsoft Word, which boasts a treasure trove of features.
But what about those simple, no-frills .txt files? Well, Microsoft has a plan for those too. They suggest turning to Windows Notepad, which, by the way, just got a cool upgrade with features like autosave and tab restoration. The Notepad got its makeover in 2018, after languishing in the dark corners of Windows for years. And with Windows 11, it even got some nifty tab functionality.
Do you know that Google has just notified its customers in the United States about certain modifications to their Nest Aware subscription plans? This subscription service gives your Nest Cams, Doorbells, Smart Displays, and Speakers additional intelligence:
Now, it’s true that WordPad did receive a facelift when Windows 7 introduced the Ribbon UI, but since a minor overhaul with Windows 8, it’s been pretty quiet on the development front. So, brace yourselves, because WordPad is set to bid us adieu in an upcoming Windows release. And word on the street is that the likely contender for this removal will be Windows 12, which is anticipated to hit the scene in 2024, armed with a bunch of AI-powered goodies.
In the end, it’s a bittersweet farewell to WordPad, a trusty companion for so many Windows users. But as technology marches forward, Microsoft is making way for more robust tools like Microsoft Word and the revamped Notepad. Change can be tough, but it often leads to innovation, and we’re eager to see what the future holds for Windows users.


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The ultra-popular fighting franchise will appear on Game Boy Advance with 3D graphics and several gameplay modes.
GameSpot VG reports that Tekken GBA, in development at Sandbox Studios, will be in 3D, although it's not clear whether that label will apply to the graphics, gameplay, or both. Playable characters will include Jin Kazama, Paul Phoenix, Forest Law, Hwoarang, Gun Jack, King, Ling Xiaoyu, Nina Williams, and Yoshimitsu, according to the report.
Update: IGNpocket has posted its own version of this news, with some additional and sometimes conflicting information. According to IGN, the game is NOT being developed at Sandbox Studios (though apparently it was at one point), and it will be a port of Tekken 3 with added "Tag" features, possibly supporting up to three characters per team. Hopefully some of this will be cleared up at Space World in a couple weeks.


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All-New Toyota Yaris debuts with swiveling seats and Volvo-level AEBThis is the all-new Toyota Yaris,
Volvo Car Malaysia today paved a new path for customers with the launch of its 360 total-care used car
To recharge or not to recharge, that is the question that all Volvo XC40 buyers will have to answer when
A recent check on Volvo Car Malaysia’s website has shown that the pre-facelift Volvo S90 has been
Volvo Car Malaysia has revised its warranty programme to a factory five-years/unlimited mileage for all
wheels; which makes this Volvo 480 just plain bonkers.
Volvo Car Malaysia, the premium car maker, has appointed Pekin Auto Sdn Bhd (“Pekin Auto”
’s Volvo Car 3S Centre in Skudai is now open for business.Located in the outskirts of Johor Bahru
Volvo Cars welcomes former Mercedes-Benz designer Claudia Braun and former Facebook web designer Thomas
Volvo Malaysia released a special teaser for the third generation S60 on their social media platforms
Volvo Cars and Geely announced that they have plans to create a standalone business focused on developing
features.Key features listed on: All-New Toyota Corolla Altis Teased – 13 September ASEAN Debut Volvo
Volvo Malaysia has just refreshed their best selling large SUV, the 2020 Volvo XC90.
Volvo Cars have just announced its biggest global recall ever.
Volvo Cars has issued a recall for a total of 700,000 cars globally after the discovery of a possibly
We all know that Volvo is at the forefront of safety.
Sdn Bhd, the official distributor of the Peugeot brand has released a statement regarding the viral news
Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM) has just launched the 2021 Volvo XC40 T5 Recharge in Malaysia.
Volvo Cars Thailand (VCT) has taken quality control to the next level with the opening of a new warehouse
There’s a new Volvo 3S centre in Malaysia and this time it is located in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
But bad news enthusiasts, because this car is only available in JDM-spec variant and only sold in Japan
We previously reported that Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM) has plans to launch the locally-assembled (CKD)
Volvo Car Malaysia will be launching the new 2021 Volvo S90 facelift, now wearing the new ‘Recharge
Volvo is intent on walking the talk when it comes to phasing out internal combustion engines (ICE).
There are 3 variants available for the Volvo XC60 – T5, T8 Inscription, and T8 Inscription Plus
Volvo’s Android-based infotainment system that first made its debut on the Volvo XC40 Recharge
Is Volvo a true rival to Mercedes-Benz and BMW? Can Volvo take the spot currently occupied by Audi?
Volvo Car Malaysia has partnered with E-waste Recycling Through Heroes (ERTH) to provide E-waste Green
Following Volvo’s announcement that all of its models will be limited to 180 km/h starting from
Monday Volvo Car Malaysia adds one more 3S centre in JohorLocated in the outskirts of Johor Bahru, dealership
volvo news-volvo news-Toyota Applauds Volvo's Decision to Attack Tesla By Offering Electric Vehicles
volvo news-Volvo S60 T8 R-Design vs. Volvo S60 T6 Specification & Presentation
volvo news-Episode 137 - 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 AWD Review!
volvo news-volvo news-Volvo V90 Cross Country running footage
volvo news-2022 Volvo XC60(facelift) || Detailed Review of the compact luxury SUV
volvo news-Top Seeds SHOCK UPSET at Volvo Car Open 2021 | Tennis News
volvo news-Episode 66 - 2020 Bolt, Unity One, Mazda MX-30, Volvo XC40 BEV and Nissan Ariya Concept and more!
volvo news-cars news: New Volvo S90 Excellence revealed in China
volvo news-volvo news-2020 VOLVO XC 40 T5 Twin Engine Geartronic: In-Depth Walkaround
volvo news-2022 Volvo S90(facelift) - Stylish Goods Looks, Luxury and Performance
Volvo's electric XC90 to include lidar as standard equipment https://t.co/zmKaOeE37t
Great news for the Robert Burns team - picking up two awards at Ultimate Trucks Whitchurch 2021, held 19/20 June, with their stunning John McGuinness-inspired Volvo FH 540 Dual Clutch with Globetrotter XL cab. 👏 🏆 1st: Best Semi-Custom Truck 🏆 3rd: Best New Truck https://t.co/tnUfxZYJpH
Volvo Cars EV road map includes better batteries, longer range https://t.co/CD0bvB97hw
Our trawl of the archives from ten years ago (2011) sees @Stagecoach_East buses in use on the Sixfields shuttle service for the British Grand Prix. The Bedford Bus Enviro 400s were new, whilst the Volvo Olympain was on borrowed time... https://t.co/ocgcB777nc
News! Volvo Penta starts production of E-driveline for world’s first serial electric fire truck. Read more: #electricfiretruck #volvopenta #rosenbauer #innovation #firefighting @ABVolvoPenta @RosenbauerGroup https://t.co/d9UxVwWy81
The Volvo Concept Recharge Is Rewriting The Brand's EV Rulebook: News - https://t.co/TJFTL7GXIB
The Volvo B9s on loan at Stagecoach North East from Ensign Bus, 80044-47, have now been returned whilst MAN/Enviro 200s 39718/24/28, which had been delicensed here are now for disposal.
VOLVO CARS SAYS FOR FIRST SIX MONTHS, EUROPEAN SALES GREW BY 35.4 PER CENT TO 166,822 SOLD CARS, COMPARED TO SAME P... https://t.co/PoTjSAEs9S
More from Stagecoach West Scotland: Van Hool Astromega 50284 has transferred from the Megabus fleet at Cumbernauld to Kilmarnock whilst Volvo B7R 53319 is stood down from Stranraer and is now in the Reserve Fleet.
Volvo forms a joint venture with sustainable battery company Northvolt https://t.co/1WDEsnOHU4


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New Delhi, Mar 25 (PTI) Union Tourism and Culture Minister Prahlad Patel will inaugurate the Chhatrasal Convention Centre at Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh on Friday and kickstart a roadshow to promote the UNESCO world Heritage site as a potential site for global gatherings.
The event will launch the 'MICE Roadshow Meet in India' brand for promotion of India as a MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) destination, an official statement said.
The Chhatrasal Convention Centre at Khajuraho has been developed under the 'Swadesh Darshan' scheme of the Ministry of Tourism.
The event will feature keynote sessions and panel discussions on responsible tourism, iconic destinations and India as a MICE destination by senior government officials and industry experts, the statement said.
In order to promote India as a MICE destination, the Union Ministry of Tourism in association with the Madhya Pradesh Tourism department and the India Convention Promotion Bureau are organising the 'MICE Roadshow – Meet in India' at the heart of Incredible India from March 25-27, 2021 at Chhatrasal Convention Centre, Khajuraho, it added.
'This event will be an effort under Aatmanirbhar Bharat, realising India's MICE potential. The roadshow will be an opportunity to focus on the government's initiatives in developing India as a MICE destination with infrastructure and an eco-system pan-India that will favourably place India amongst the global competitors,' the statement said.
On this occasion, the Ministry of Tourism plans to launch its campaign 'Meet in India' from Khajuraho, which is one of the identified iconic tourist destinations of the country, it said.
Recognising India's huge potential as a MICE destination, ‘Meet in India’ will be the distinct sub-brand under ‘Incredible India’ to promote the country, the statement said.
The event will also deliberate the draft master plan being prepared by the Ministry of Tourism to develop Khajuraho as an iconic destination, it added.
The Ministry of Tourism has framed a scheme for development of 19 identified iconic destinations in the country, the statement said.
The sites are Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri in Uttar Pradesh, Ajanta and Ellora caves in Maharashtra, Humayun's Tomb, Red Fort and Qutub Minar in Delhi, Goa's Colva beach, Amer Fort in Rajasthan, Somnath, Dholavira and the Statue of Unity in Gujarat, Khajuraho, Hampi in Karnataka, Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu, Kaziranga in Assam, Kumarakom in Kerala, Konark in Odisha and Mahabodhi temple in Bihar. PTI ASG IJT


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The French company behind Maybelline cosmetics and Garnier shampoo said on Thursday it was back to revenue growth in the third quarter as it performed well with Chinese customers and kept up its product launches.
With a better understanding of skincare formulations, it seems today’s consumers are looking for products that do more than simply conceal, cover or enhance the look of the skin, according to a new report from NPD.
At the Viva Technology show, on May 16-18 at the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre in Paris, L’Oréal will present My Little Factory, a technology for the large-scale production of customised foundations.
The UK’s largest beauty chain has announced plans to refit 25 of its top beauty halls. From April, Boots will remove traditional beauty counters and replace them with ‘trending zones’ and ’discovery areas’.


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Highlights Of Google’s Oct. 4 Event: Daydream VR, Pixel Phones, Pixel 3 Laptop, Chromecast Ultra, Andromeda, More
Google has one of the most anticipated events happening on Oct. 4. Following its massive campaigns teasing prospect products to launch on said date, tech geeks can expect an exciting announcement with a list of devices already in the pipeline.
Here's what you can from Google's Oct. 4 press event:
Daydream: High Quality, Smart VR Experience
First announced at 2016 Google I/O event, Daydream VR gained popularity after speculations that it will replace Google Cardboard. The search giant pointed out, however, that Daydream VR is intended for higher quality mobile virtual reality experience.
The device boasts comfortable headsets and a smarter controller. Daydream VR is coming in fall 2016.
Pixel, Pixel XL Phones: Replacement Of Nexus Lines?
With only a meager amount of details available, Google has continued to tease the tech community by not confirming rumors in relation to Pixel and Pixel XL phones.
Earlier last week, supposed ads of the phones have been around the streets of New York City, catching attention of passersby. Google's massive spending on this campaign was seen to defy Samsung and Apple's marketing ploy.
There had been reports that this unlikely move of Google might be the company's first steps to venture in hardware products.
In another news, Google is reportedly ditching the Nexus line in favor of Pixel. There is no confirmation yet from the company.
The latest Pixel and Pixel XL renders leaked shows the phone having thin bezels and less components around the build. Both will sport a 4-gigabyte RAM and 12-megapixel rear camera.
What looks to be the distinguishing feature between these smartphones are the screen and battery sizes.
Pixel 3 Laptop: The Future Of Chromebooks
With the success of Chromebook, Google is also expected to release a new breed of laptop that would surpass Chromebook's performance. The device is reportedly scheduled to hit the market late 2017.
According to rumors, it will run on Andromeda, a powerhouse combination of Chrome and Android operating system (OS).
Andromeda: A Powerhouse Chrome, Android OS Combo
As mentioned, Andromeda will be Google's next OS in the works. Per reports, the developer will bring together Chrome and Android.
Google Senior VP Hiroshi Lockheimer already hinted on Twitter before that his company is coming up with something huge in the OS department.
Huawei Tablet: First Tablet To Run On Andromeda
Another device to run Andromeda is a Huawei-made tablet. According to tipster Blass, the tablet will have a 7-inch screen display.
If true after all, the tablet will be the first to run Andromeda. There are no more details about this tip, however.
Chromecast Ultra: The 4K-Capable Digital Media Player
Chromecast Ultra is reported to be a 4k-capable digital media player. The information was revealed last Tuesday, Sept. 27 on Twitter by a tipster named Evan Blass.
Google's digital media player is reported to cost $69, which is much more expensive than the original Chromecast. The price explains the power the device has as it is capable to stream content with 4k resolution.
Google Home: The Smart Companion
In response to Amazon Echo, Google is manufacturing the Home device. Google Home was first announced at the 2016 Google I/O event.
As presented, the device will have basic home functions to include playing music and telling weather forecast.
Google Home will have a microphone and a Bluetooth speaker.
Google is also expected to release a new Wi-Fi router. According to reports, it will be a Wi-Fi mesh device like Luma.
Google Throws Surprise for Android’s Eighth Birthday, Gets Funny And Outrageous Responses From Fans
Android is post-celebrating today its eight birthday and as announced on Twitter, it is throwing 'something sweet.' See how funny and outrageous fans' reactions can be.
Android 7.0 Nougat Beta Program Opens to Sony Xperia Z5, Z3+, Z4 Tablet; More in October
Android 7.0 Nougat is finally opening to Sony Xperia devices, including X, Z5 series, Z3+ and Z4 tablet. Here's a list of countries where it will be available.
Google Ads For New Pixel Phones Steal Attention Of Passersby All Over New York City
Google is going all out in its new ad campaigns in New York City for Pixel and Pixel XL phones which will reportedly be announced on Oct. 4.
[Smart Home Accessories] Automate Your House with These Simple Google Home Devices
If you want to transform your house from a simple house to a smart home, all you need is these couple of Google Home devices.
Google Home Proves It Is Better Than Amazon Alexa in 3,000 Question Test
A test conducted by a digital agency showed that Goggle Home is six times better than Amazon Alexa in answering 3,000 questions.
MORE IN ITECHPOST
Adorama Announces ‘Creators GearUP’ College Student Discount Program
Adorama offers product discounts on top brands across all categories.
SpaceX to Launch a Modern Spaceport Resort in Texas
SpaceX is launching a spaceport in Boca Chica, Texas. The company is also looking for a spaceport manager to lead the establishment of the modern spaceport.
Microsoft Xbox Series X will launch in November, but Halo Infinite is pushed back to 2021
While you will enjoy the Xbox Series X sooner, you will have to wait a while longer for Halo Infinite until 2021.
Avatar: The Last Airbender Creators Exit Live-Action Adaptation, Netflix Still Confident of Remaining Creative Team
Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, the creative minds behind Avatar: The Last Airbender, will no longer work with Netflix on the live-action series adaptation due to creative differences.


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The government’s move to offer support is certainly appropriate. The tourism industry is in the midst of a crisis even as the country overall is exiting the crisis..
The collapse of Thomas Cook, one of the oldest and largest tourism firms in the world dealt a severe blow to the Greek tourism industry.
The damages suffered by hotel owners can reach 300mn euros according to some estimations.
The tourism minister projected that the total losses could reach 500mn euros.
The question now is who will pay the piper? Hoteliers? Their clients? Or taxpayers?
The government’s move to offer support is certainly appropriate. The tourism industry is in the midst of a crisis even as the country overall is exiting the crisis.
Under no circumstances should that cost be passed on to the taxpayers and consumers. That is not only because taxpayers have footed the bill so many times, but because the transfer of the bill will further damage the tourism industry.
Those involved in the tourism industry should not forget that the “golden summers” of the last two years were intimately connected with the more general situation in the Southeastern Mediterranean.
Many tourists avoided Turkey and Egypt. Now the environment is once again becoming competitive for our country.
A competitive environment means that good services and good prices are needed.
Professionals in the tourism sector are well aware that nothing lures visitors more than an attractive “package”.


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Almost 20 years after Volkswagen introduced the Phaeton to a resounding “huh?” of the buying public, VW is once again doubling down on premium models offering higher profit margins than bargain products. All this and more in The morning shift for April 6, 2022.
1st gear: Must be fun being an Audi executive right now
I’m going to start with a somewhat long and boring aside. In 1965 Ford introduced a car called LTD. It was a liar’s car, a sham clearly visible from the name — it was “limited” to what? How many Fords could build?
The car was a basic, low-priced Ford sedan, but with all the features and trim of a more expensive luxury model. You have the quality of something more expensive, without having to pay extra for brand recognition. It was a success and a huge win for Ford executives.
The problem was that Ford was already selling a more expensive luxury model based on the base Ford sedan: that was what Mercury was for, and from 1965 with the LTD it no longer had a reason to exist. As Curbside classic pointed out, the LTD gave Mercury his death sentence.
That is to say, a low-cost brand within a large multi-brand car company can always reap gains going upmarket, but that never really makes sense for high-end brands already in the company’s portfolio.
That being said, VW doubles the premium, as the FinancialTimes reports:
Volkswagen, the ‘people’s car’ pioneer that embodied the auto industry’s obsession with expansion, will phase out dozens of combustion engine models by the end of the decade and sell fewer cars globally. ‘together to focus on producing more cost-effective premium vehicles.
“The key objective is not growth,” said Arno Antlitz, chief financial officer, reversing the position taken by former VW executives.
“We are [more focused] quality and margins, rather than volume and market share. VW, he said, would reduce its range of petrol and diesel cars – which includes at least 100 models from several brands – by 60% in Europe over the next eight years.
VW’s new strategy is a sign of profound changes in the wider automotive industry, which for decades has tried to increase its profits by selling more cars every year, even if it required steep discounts.
The FT points out that VW is just following what other automakers are doing as part of a larger industry trend. It’s just that the other automakers that make this pivot don’t literally have “people’s car” as their name. As lower-priced Chinese cars continue to enter VW’s European home market, I wouldn’t be surprised to see yet another VW pivot to affordability.
2nd Gear: Rivian says it delivered 1,227 vehicles this quarter
Rivian says it built 2,553 vehicles in the first quarter of this year and delivered 1,227. If you add last year’s numbers, that’s a total of 3,568 Rivians, per Reuters.
Rivian says he wants to make 25,000 vehicles a year, but he’s optimistic about it.
If you yourself have had a long and winding road while waiting for your very own Rivian to be delivered, feel free to email us your story at tips at jalopnik dot com.
3rd gear: the US government needs 100,000 electric vehicle chargers and only has 1,100
A new government report looked at two things: how many electric cars the government says it wants to have and how many chargers it has for them. Turns out there’s a pretty big gap between the two, because Reuters reports:
The U.S. government may need more than 100,000 charging stations to support widespread use of electric vehicles, a government watchdog said during a congressional hearing on Tuesday.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) said in its testimony that as of March, federal agencies had about 1,100 charging stations. President Joe Biden signed an executive order in December directing the U.S. government to end purchases of gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035.
I’m sure it can’t be that hard to build, uh, 100,000 electric vehicle charging stations, right?
4th gear: Tesla and BMW factories in China continue
It’s a bad time to build cars in China, because Reuters reports that shutdowns continue at Tesla and BMW:
Tesla Inc.The closure of the factory. spanned at least 12 days, much-needed semiconductors are piling up at manufacturers amid a shortage of truck drivers, and bankers camp out in their offices as Shanghai’s Covid-19 lockdown disrupts companies in the Chinese financial center.
Cases are at an all-time high in the city, now the epicenter of China’s worst outbreak since the start of the pandemic, and the lockdown has been extended indefinitely. As the country sticks to its rigid Covid-Zero containment playbook, President Xi Jinping’s demand to limit the economic consequences is becoming increasingly difficult to achieve in the face of the highly transmissible variant of omicron.
Meanwhile, BWM saw production in the northern Chinese city of Shenyang halted for two weeks after the industrial hub was shut down last month in a bid to limit the spread of Covid-19.
The German automaker has suspended production at its two factories in Liaoning province since March 24, after the municipal government imposed stricter checks on residents from March 22, according to a Beijing-based spokesperson. .
It’s a reminder that when Tesla was faced with the prospect of Covid lockdowns in California in 2020, Elon Musk said “no” and hundreds of people fell ill.
5th Gear: Hey car makers, you remembered those fire-prone LG batteries, right?
Because NHTSA asks about it, like Reuters reports:
United States National Highway Safety Administration said on Tuesday it was opening a review to ensure that all defective batteries produced by LG Energy Solution had been recalled by automakers.
The auto safety agency noted that Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler-parent Stellantis, General Motors and Hyundai Motor Co. have issued recalls since 2020 due to internal failures of high-voltage vehicle batteries that pose fire hazards.
NHTSA said the equipment request covers 138,324 vehicles and will contact LG “and other companies that may have purchased the same or similar equipment from LG, notify them of this defect in all vehicles they have manufactured and will ensure that thorough safety recalls are carried out as appropriate.”
I’m both thrilled and amazed that NHTSA under Biden actually seems to be doing something. That hasn’t always been the case with NHTSA..
Back: The first private communications satellite, Intelstat 1, goes into orbit
From Encyclopedia Brittanica:
On April 6, 1965, the first Intelsat satellite, Early Bird (also called Intelsat 1), Was launched; it was designed ad built by Rosenthe Hughes Aircraft Company team. Early Bird was the first operational commercial satellite providing regular and diffusion services between North America and Europe. Early Bird was followed by Intelsat 2B and 2D, launched in 1967 and covering the the Pacific Ocean region, and Intelsat 3 F-3, launched in 1969 and covering the Indian Ocean Region. Intelsat’s satellites in geostationary orbit provided near-global coverage, Arthur C. Clarke had considered 24 years earlier. Nineteen days after Intelsat 3 F-3 was placed over the Indian Ocean, the first human landing on the Moon on July 20, 1969, was broadcast live via the global Intelsat satellite network to over 600 million television the viewers.
Neutral: How is your Volkswagen?
Mine is doing very well and may soon return to the Finger Lakes.


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Leading online travel site Expedia.com believes that bloggers exemplify the transformative power of travel; that power propelled most of them to become bloggers in the first place.
Expedia is executing a series of campaigns, of varying scope, with bloggers to celebrate the Find Yours brand campaign. These include mini-documentaries with bloggers from TripStyler and The Planet D, as well as sponsored trips for bloggers to different popular locales, including to Pamplona, Spain, for the Running of the Bulls, to Las Vegas and across the U.S. on a college football tour.
Expedia.com on Monday, July 9, introduced a new brand campaign, Find Yours. It puts the camera in the hands of travelers themselves. The campaign features 100% user-generated content, or, more specifically, travel-generated content – photos and videos and stories from everyday consumers, explaining how travel has transformed them.
This content is featured throughout all facets of the campaign, which will include a new 60-second TV spot – which will kick off the campaign – as well as a series of mini-documentaries and short travel-themed films from up-and-coming filmmakers. Find Yours will also become Expedia’s new tagline, replacing “Where You Book Matters.”
“In a world where every traveler and every trip is unique, Find Yours is our effort to capture the magic of travel and to make travel personal again,” said Joe Megibow, vice president and general manager, Expedia.com.
Expedia has created a social media campaign that invites travelers to share their photos and stories on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. A Twitter photo campaign pits bloggers versus bloggers in an effort to get fans to share photos that exemplify different key words – say, “Innocence,” or “Nirvana,” or “Cojones” – with winners earning a 4-night stay in Aruba at the Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorts.
Expedia has also created its first Pinterest contest in concert with the travel blog Wanderlust and Lipstick that invites consumers to create an Expedia Find Yours travel photo board for the chance to win a 4-night stay at Dreams in Los Cabos.


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Abu Dhabi’s Aldar considers IPO of property management firm
Developer says there is a ‘strong case’ to consider listing Khidmah unit
Abu Dhabi real estate developer Aldar Properties will consider floating its property management unit Khidmah through an initial public offer of shares in coming years, the company said in a statement on Sunday.
Aldar, which is majority state-owned and is Abu Dhabi’s largest property firm, is the majority shareholder in Khidmah with a 60 percent stake.
“We believe there is a strong case to consider listing the company in the coming years,” Abubaker Seddiq Al Khoori, chairman of Khidmah and Aldar Properties, said in a statement without providing details of the size or timing.
Khidmah’s profits soared 90 percent in 2013 to 19 million dirhams ($5.2 million) while revenues rose 22 percent to 156 million dirhams, the statement said.
Property firms in the United Arab Emirates are recovering strongly after the market crashed in 2009 following the global economic crisis. House prices and rents have jumped and developers have announced many new projects.
Dubai’s largest developer Emaar Properties announced last month that it planned to list its shopping malls and retail business. Dubai-based real estate investment trust Emirates REIT plans to list its shares.
Khidmah’s property management portfolio exceeds 6,600 residential, commercial and retail units, of which about 3,000 are Aldar-owned.


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Figures from the commerce Department show that between July and September, the US economy has shrunk at an annualized rate of 0.3%.
Though they showed the sharpest contraction of the economy since 2001, the gross domestic product (GDP) figures were better than expected. On the other hand, consumer spending that constitutes two-thirds of the US economy saw 3.1% shrinkage and it was the first contraction since 1991. This 0.3% shrinkage followed 2.8% growth during the last three-month period.
The figures related to shrinkage suggest that the US economy is halfway to the standard definition of a recession that shows two successive quarters of negative growth.
However, in the US the official definition is different and according to this definition the US economy is not officially in recession if the National Bureau of Economic Research doesn’t decide it.
But the Federal Reserve has shown concerns about recession and reduces its key interest rate from 1.5% to 1%. Bill Walsh, who is president of Hennnion and Walsh in New Jersey, said: “Consumer spending constitutes about 70% of GDP and it has been observed the lowest in two decades.”
The GDP figures along with Labor Department figures showed the number of new claims for jobless benefits last week.


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France and the EU vow to fight back against Trump's tariffs as one expert sees the 'weaponization of trade'
"It's not the behavior we expect from the US toward one of its main allies," French Finance Minister Le Maire said.
The tariff fight over the world's biggest plane makers is heating up after the US claimed Boeing's rival Airbus was given 'market-distorting subsidies'
The World Trade Organization rejected the European Union's claim that it had ended subsidies to the French plane maker Airbus.
The pound shot up as much as 1.3% in morning trading in London.
The pound pushed up 1.3% against the dollar and 1% against the euro on Friday.
The pound is tanking after Boris Johnson's Brexit talks with Angela Merkel reportedly hit a dead end
The pound dropped 0.7% against the euro on Tuesday morning.
The EU says negotiation is a "preferred approach," the Wall Street Journal reported. It's a sign Europe wants to avoid a full-blown trade war with the US.
Earlier Wednesday, the WTO reached a historic ruling that authorized the US to impose punitive tariffs on $7.5 billion worth of European products.
"The drop in the ESI, from 103.1 in August to 101.7 in September, marked a resumption of the steady decline in the index since the start of 2018."
The comments come as the EU reportedly weighed a $4 billion tariff hike on the US over a decades-long standoff between Boeing and Airbus.
The EU proposal has not yet been officially agreed to, according to Bloomberg, and faced opposition from at least one member of the bloc.
"The economy is limping towards the final quarter of the year, and, on its current trajectory, might not see any growth before the end of 2019."
Apple lashed out at the EU in a fierce court battle, saying its $14 billion tax order 'defies reality and common sense'
Apple's six-strong legal team is fighting a 2016 order from the European Union to pay over $14 billion in back taxes.
In 2016 the European Commission ordered Apple to pay 13 billion euros in back taxes, saying rulings in Ireland had artificially reduced its payments.
Google has agreed to a $1 billion fine in France to settle a fiscal fraud investigation that started 4 years ago
Google's settlement is less than half of the amount the French finance ministry was originally pushing for.
Europe's top antitrust enforcer is already examining Facebook's Libra currency so that it can 'act swiftly' if intervention is necessary
While Facebook's Libra cryptocurrency is not yet available, the EU's Vestager said early scrutiny was justified.
If Britain crashes out of the EU without a deal, 2.5% of Ireland's GDP could be lost, economists at Oxford Economics predict.
Facebook could face increased scrutiny from EU regulators after audio data from European users was mistakenly sent to contractors
Facebook accidentally included data from European users in an audio transcription program, and it could be a violation the EU's strict privacy laws.
Allianz's chief economic adviser, Mohamed El-Erian, pointed to Brexit and a shrinking German economy as key drivers of a downturn.
The UK will almost certainly run short of fresh food, fuel, and drugs in a no-deal Brexit, leaked official documents say
Britain will face shortages of fuel, food and medicine if it leaves the European Union without a transition deal.
Falling demand for exports meant Germany grew at its slowest rate in six years in the first half of 2019.


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Sainsbury’s launch summer camp in Barking where kids play and eat for just £7.50 a day
- Credit: Archant
Sainsbury’s is trialling a summer holiday multi-sports camp in Barking where children can play and eat a healthy lunch, all for £7.50 a day.
The Active Kids holiday club in partnership with ukactive will keep little ones busy with activities including crash mat rounders, dodge ball, archery and much more between the hours of 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.
The supermarket said it launched the programme at Manor Junior School, Sandringham Road, Barking, after research suggested that two-thirds of children will feel lonely or bored during the vacations and miss spending time with people their own age.
The data also suggested that young people will spend more time interacting digitally with friends rather than in person.
Judith Batchelar, director of Sainsbury’s brand said: “We know that planning activities for the long school holiday can be difficult.
“Sainsbury’s Active Kids holiday clubs offer busy programmes that give parents peace of mind that their children are keeping active and safe, whatever the weather, while also giving children the chance to make new friends, try new activities and continue to build up their confidence out of school time.”
Sainsbury’s customers can redeem 200 Nectar points to receive a code to access the booking hub.
- 1 Man hospitalised after being found in Mayesbrook Park
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- 3 ‘It is not tolerated’: CCTV images released after West Ham game disorder
- 4 Car park murder: Victim's wife tells trial about the last text he sent her
- 5 Revealed: Cause of Dagenham house fire
- 6 Historic fleet of vehicles moving from Dagenham, Ford confirms
- 7 Man run over four times embroiled in row over £40,000, murder trial told
- 8 Ex-soldier launches business to help veterans 'regain their identity'
- 9 Car park murder: 'Distressing' CCTV shows victim being run over four times
- 10 Percentage of unvaccinated hospital staff revealed as mandatory jab deadline looms
Spaces at a holiday club can then be booked for £7.50 per child, per day, which includes a healthy lunch and snacks.
A booking code allows customers to book spaces for up to five children and each child can join a club for up to five days.
Steven Ward, CEO of ukactive, said: “Today’s children are the least active generation ever and the results of this survey make for desperately sad reading.
“We want every child to enjoy their summer holidays in a way that is fun and sociable, and we know that physical activity is crucial for their overall happiness, health and wellbeing.
“Active Kids holiday clubs offer a safe, familiar and fun way to make physical activity part of children’s summer plans again.”
The holiday clubs are aimed at aged 5-15 and sessions will be tailored by age group.
Premier Education, one of the leading holiday club providers in the UK deliver the sessions and all staff are fully accredited.
To book a space at the holiday visit activekids.sainsburys.co.uk.


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P&G Health is a pharma cum consumer OTC player with strong and legacy brands in the vitamin / minerals / supplement (VMS) category such as Neurobion, Polybion, Evion (all vitamins), Livogen (Iron supplement), Nasivion (nasal decongestant), Seven Seas (Vitamin- substitute for malt based health drinks). It also has a presence in the prescription based cardio-diabetology category.
According to the brokerage, MNC pharma companies would continue to attract premium in the current scenario on the back of growth and earnings visibility, consistency (despite expected bump in Q1) in performances and strong brand stickiness.
According to the brokerage, the change in the ownership (from Merck to P&G) augurs well as these known brands can leverage on P&G's distribution might as most of these brands are driven by self-medication habits rather than doctor's prescription.
ICICI Direct says valuation wise, the company is still trading at a discount vis-a-vis other large peers offering decent upside from the current level
For the quarter ended December 31, 2019, the company reported consolidated sales of Rs 1926.59 crore, up 6.64 per cent from last quarter sales of Rs 1806.58 crore and up 4.24 per cent from last year's same quarter sales of Rs 1848.30 crore. The company reported net profit after tax of Rs 344.53 crore in the latest quarter.
Promoters held 69.97 per cent stake in the company as of December 31, 2019, while FIIs held 11.25 per cent, DIIs 8.28 per cent and public & others 10.5 per cent.
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Sleeping or high-strung, humorous or awe-struck, a trio of Hispanic valets are central characters in a new Spanish-language television advertising campaign.
The six ads, for Deerfield Beach-based Southeast Toyota Distributors LLC, are part of a yearlong campaign that highlights a variety of Toyota vehicles. Themed El Valet (The Valet), throughout the campaign's spots the three valets find themselves in situations where the vehicles are central characters.
In Wow, the three characters fight over what appears to be a chance to help a beautiful woman carrying shopping bags. Instead, they trample the woman in a race to see who gets to park her Camry. In Just Married, one valet tricks the other two to park a Corolla decorated with cans streaming from the bumper and "Just Married" written in the rear window. In Napping, three people are left waiting at the valet stand, as the shot cuts to the three valets napping in a Highlander.
To reach the diverse South Florida Hispanic audience, the agency cast Argentine, Cuban and Colombian actors. Hispanic viewers can identify each nationality through the actors' accents and dialects. Together, the characters' interaction and playful taunting highlight each car's characteristics, whether it's style, size or sportiness, said Manuel Machado, chief executive officer of Machado/Garcia-Serra Publicidad, the Coral Gables-based ad shop that created the spots. WestWayne Advertising in Tampa handles Southeast Toyota's general market ad work.
The ads reveal both the agency's understanding of the Hispanic market, and the importance the client places on that audience, said Ed Sheehy, vice president of sales and marketing for Southeast Toyota. While the company has long had a Hispanic agency, the move to Machado/Garcia-Serra in June reflected a need to get closer to the target audience, he said.
"The casting was a fun way of reaching a more diverse and inclusive landscape of the Hispanic make-up," Machado said. "The underlying message is that the client understands the whole Hispanic market in South Florida. It reflects their understanding of the reality of the community."


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Trade Undersecretary for Consumer Welfare Adrian Cristobal Jr. declared the other day that he “will take steps to order the removal of products from the market once we have established the clear connection between asbestos-containing products with lung cancer and asbestosis.”
Speaking at the Balangkasan Forum of the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP), Cristobal (whose speech was delivered by Bureau of Product Standards Director Jesus Motoomull) also said that, “in the interest of consumer protection,” he would authorize an investigation into information that the asbestos substance is being imported in big quantities by local companies.
Such importation, he said, “increases the risk of exposure to the toxic substance.”
The UAP Balangkasan Forum, with the theme “Ensuring an Asbestos-Free Environment,” was organized “to provide architects full information on the health hazards posed by ACMs,” according to Armin B. Sarthou, UAP national executive vice president.
Michael V. Tomeldan, Balangkasan chairman, said the forum gave the UAP the “opportunity to note existing laws and regulations and to determine whether these provide adequate protection for the health and safety of Filipinos.”
At the open forum, BPS Director Motoomull pledged that the Bureau “would go as far as product recall if the harmful effects of asbestos- containing materials (ACMs) are proven … because nothing can be as costly as destroying human life. Human life is irreplaceable.”
Motoomull cited the need for a “a legislative agenda defining the requirements for the use of these products if only to ensure our consumer’s safety and protection.”
Motoomull joined former Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Perfecto R. Yasay, Jr. and John Balass, president of James Hardie Philippines, as principal discussants at the forum. – Philippine Star