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There is zero chance of a recession in India
Global economies are creating recession fear and questions from economists are being raised. So what will be the position of India in the fear of recession? Here is the article, written by Prahlad Sabnani, (Retired Deputy General Manager), State Bank of India. He mentions those areas in this article that are keeping India away from economic slowdowns.Read More below
India is home to many such areas that can grow continuously and export more goods overseas. Actually, India has spent the last 8 years, taking an important decision have been taken in the economic field, whose impact is now clearly visible in various sectors of the economy. Exports from those areas which were till now almost entirely dependent on imports are also gaining momentum. Such as the toy industry, safety equipment manufacturing industry, pharma industry, information technology, auto industry, etc.
More recently, economists of Morgan Stanley, American multinational investment management and financial services company, have released a report saying that in the financial year 2022-23, India will emerge as the most robust economy in Asia. According to their estimates, the Indian economy will achieve a growth rate of more than 7 percent in the financial year 2022-23, which will be the highest among the largest economies in the world. Also, India can contribute 28 percent and 22 percent respectively to the growth rate of Asian and global economies. India has a strong potential to generate solid economic demand. In India, Economic reform programs are also being implemented rapidly. The country has a substantial youth labor force and investment in the business is increasing continuously. According to a survey recently completed by Bloomberg, there is zero chance of a recession in India between the Kovid epidemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, while many developed and developing countries are also facing the problem of recession. This can be called good news for India.
The Indian toy industry is being exported all over the world and now the Indian toy market is seen taking a global shape.
According to the report of industry body FICCI and KPMG, the Indian toy market is estimated to grow to US$ 200 million by the year 2024-25. According to the data, internationally, toy exports from India have registered a growth of 61 percent in the last 3 years. India first Only about 400 crores of domestically made toys Used to export, but now this figure has crossed Rs 2600 crore.
The country’s defense agencies, especially DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organization), are constantly trying to bring India up in the ranks of the exporting countries of defense equipment and now its positive results are also visible.
India is also preparing to export BrahMos missiles to many countries of the world like the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia soon. Some other countries like Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, South Africa, etc. have also shown their interest in buying BrahMos missiles from India. The BrahMos missiles, three times the speed of sound, the speed of Mach 3, and the range of 290 km, are a classic example of Indo-Russian military cooperation. The advantage of BrahMos is that can be launched from any launch equipment located on land, sky, and sea and it is the only cruise missile of its kind. Today, defense equipment is being exported from India to more than 84 countries. The list also includes countries like Qatar, Lebanon, Iraq, Ecuador, and Japan to which India is exporting body-protecting equipment, etc.
India’s information technology industry, which came into existence in the 1970s, is setting new dimensions in the country and the world today. According to a 2022 report by the industry body NASSCOM, the IT sector is likely to witness a growth rate of 15.5 percent this year. Today, about 50 lakh people are directly employed in the IT sector. About 18 lakh women are involved and the size of the IT sector is more than $ 200 billion. 451 Research reported that women now account for 34% of the IT workforce in India, with STEM graduates having a 50:50 gender parity. With the way India’s IT sector is progressing, the day is not far when Indian companies will be included in the world’s largest IT companies.
India’s electronic vehicle market is also growing at a very fast pace.
India’s electronic vehicle market is also growing at a very fast pace along the lines of the information technology industry. According to the latest report by India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA), India’s electric vehicle market will grow at a rate of 49 percent between 2021 and 2030. Not only this, but the annual sales of these vehicles are also likely to be up to 17 million units. The demand for lithium-ion batteries in India is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 41 percent to 142 GW by 2030. In the domestic market, electronic vehicles account for 50 percent of the two-wheeler sales in the form of about 4.67 lakh units. Lead acid batteries accounted for 81 percent of the demand for e-rickshaws in India in the year 2021.
Apart from the above-mentioned sectors, exports from India are consistently achieving impressive growth rates in many other areas as the demand for Indian products is increasing all over the world. That is why the Government of India has set a target to take the exports from India to two trillion US dollars by 2030. For this, efforts will be made to make 100 Indian products of India as global champions and economic zones will be set up across the country. 67500 crores of goods and services exports of the country in the year 2012-22 US dollars, which has been set to take the target to 2 trillion US dollars by 2030. For which continuous free trade agreements are being made with foreign countries. After achieving the above target, India will be among the first three-four countries to contribute to foreign trade world trade by the year 2030.
Toy products and defense products as well as in areas such as technology, information technology, automobiles, pharma, mobile manufacturing, renewable energy, digital systems, infrastructure development, start-ups, drones, green energy, and space, India is rapidly establishing itself on the global stage.
Due to the fast-growing economy in India and the all-around progress in exports and the sufficient amount of foreign exchange reserves available in the country, global economic institutions are constantly giving the impression that there is possibility of a recession in India is almost zero.


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Oil palm is not the only commodity whose piece is sluggish, because other vegetable oils are also experiencing the same thing, such as soybean, rapeseed, and sunflower seed. As stated by Executive Director of the Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI), Fadhil Hasan, in his press conference on Tuesday (October 21), the weakening of commodities price was due to weak purchasing power, production increase and abundant stocks.
In terms of price, the average CPO price in Rotterdam in September 2014 is in the range of USD 680 – USD730 per MT with average price of USD 712 per MT. Price is down about 5,4% compared to the average price in August at USD 753 per MT. Daily price of CPO in the global market (CIF Rotterdam) is continuously decline starting the first to the third week of October, where prices move in the range of USD 695-USD 730 per MT.
World vegetable oil prices that continue to weaken, including crude palm oil (CPO), is not able to stimulate Indonesian CPO exports. This is reflected in the export performance of CPO and its derivatives from Indonesia in September 2014. Exports of CPO and its derivatives in September only reached 1,685 million tons, down 1.6% compared to the previous month at 1.72 million tons. Export performance year-on-year from January to September 2014 was also down 1.72 compared to the same period last year, i.e. from 15.3 million tons in September 2013 to 15 million tons in September 2014.
The decline in export performance is due to the weak purchasing power of export destination countries (China and India). Although prices are ready low and export duties are also lower than the previous month, it was not able to increase Indonesia’s CPO exports. Weak demand from export destinations was due to economic slowdown in major export destination countries, and prices of other vegetable oils were also low (soybean) so that CPO as substitute oil cannot compete.
In September, the volume of Indonesia’s palm oil exports to India was down 185 thousand tons, or 38% compared to last month, from 490 thousand tons in August to 305 thousand tons in September 2014. The performance of Indonesia’s palm oil exports to India year-on-year was down 26% from 4.5 million tons in January – September 2013 to 3.3 million tons in the same period in 2014. The decline in the performance of experts to India was due some reasons, such as the Indian government plans to raise import duty for palm oil imports, weak Rupee exchange rate against the US dollar, and high inflation in India.
The same thing happens in China. The volume of palm oil exports in September 2014 only reached 56.26 thousand tons, down 31% compared to last month at 81 thousand tons. Export to china year-on-year was down 10% from 1.77 million tons in January-September 2013 to 1.60 million tons in the same period in 2014. Sluggish demand from China is because of the same reason as India, which is the difficulty to obtain bank loan. In addition, china also issued a new regulation on standards for pesticide residues, including edible oils. The volume of Indonesia’s palm oil exports to the European countries also decreased 12% from 341 thousand tons in August to 302 thousand tons. The same thing happened in Pakistan where exports fell 7% from 194 thousand tons in August to 181 thousand tons in September 2014.
What is interesting is that the volume of exports to the United States, where in September 2014 the volume of exports to the United States increased 86% from 36,9 thousand tons in August to 68.8 thousand tons in September 2014. This is interesting because soybean production in South America is abundant and soybean prices are cheap.
Until the end of the month, the price of CPO is predicted to stagnate. GAPKI predicted that CPO prices until the end of October will tend to move in the range of USD 700 – USD 730 per MT. Meanwhile, in October 2014, Export Reference Price is determined by the Ministry of Trade at USD 640 and export duty at 0% with reference to the heightened average price (CPO Rotterdam, Kuala Lumpur, and Jakarta) at USD 710 per MT. Looking at the trend of global CPO prices that move below USD 750 per MT, GAPKI estimated that export duty for October will remain 0%. (E)
Business News - October 24, 2014

domain: news


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The price of chicken, pork, and meat might be on the decline in the coming months, but not the way one would expect.
To lower emissions in the U.S., manufacturers are turning to plant-based jet fuel and diesel. This will lead to an abundance of soymeal, which is a popular form of animal feed.
With the cost of feeding animals dropping there should be a ripple effect reaching down to shoppers who have been dealing with the high cost of chicken, meat, and pork for months now, reports Bloomberg.
Feed costs account for about 60% of the amount of money it takes to raise cattle, chicken, and pigs, according to Bloomberg, and processing soybeans produces four tons of soymeal for every ton of oil.
However, the price change might not hit the grocery sector for several months, even years.
Some plants will require a significant amount of time to reach full capacity, reports Bloomberg, but the chicken industry will see prices cut before the others simply due to the shorter production cycle.
With the price going down to maintain animals, companies are also expected to capitalize on improved margins.
According to Chicago-based Circana, results in the meat department were mixed in October, but year-over-year price deflation was observed for lamb, packaged lunch meat, breakfast sausage, and processed chicken. Beef saw continued inflation, while chicken prices continued to be on the downswing.
Year-over-year unit sales for meat were down 3.8%. Chicken was the only fresh category that showed an increase in unit sales for October 2023 at 0.2% and finished second ($1.2 billion) behind fresh meat ($2.4 billion) in total dollar sales.
Every category in processed meats waswere down in terms of dollar and unit volume in October 2023. Packaged lunch meat was the top seller at $477 billion.
The results for grinds were much better, as ground chicken showed year-over-year increases in dollar sales (up 8.3%) and pound sales (up 12%).


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Press Release Net
#1 Press Release Network
The #1 Press Release Network
“While competitors are still struggling to catch up with our first iPad, we’ve changed the game again with iPad 2,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “We’re experiencing amazing demand for iPad 2 in the US, and customers around the world have told us they can’t wait to get their hands on it. We appreciate everyone’s patience and we are working hard to build enough iPads for everyone.”
iPad 2 features an entirely new design that is 33 percent thinner and up to 15 percent lighter than the original iPad, while maintaining the same stunning 9.7-inch LED-backlit LCD screen. iPad 2 features Apple’s new dual-core A5 processor for blazing fast performance and stunning graphics and now includes two cameras, a front-facing VGA camera for FaceTime® and Photo Booth®, and a rear-facing camera that captures 720p HD video, bringing the innovative FaceTime feature to iPad users for the first time. Though it is thinner, lighter, faster and packed with new features, iPad 2 still delivers up to 10 hours of battery life* that users have come to expect.
Pricing & Availability
iPad 2 with Wi-Fi will be available in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK on March 25 for a suggested retail price of $499 (US) for the 16GB model, $599 (US) for the 32GB model, $699 (US) the 64GB model. iPad 2 with Wi-Fi + 3G will be available for a suggested retail price of $629 (US) for the 16GB model, $729 (US) for the 32GB model and $829 (US) for the 64GB model. iPad 2 will be available in Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore and additional countries in April, and in many more countries around the world in the coming months. Further international availability and pricing will be announced at a later date.
*Battery life depends on device settings, usage and other factors. Actual results vary.
Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and has recently introduced iPad 2 which is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices.


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|The new Kroger at Lindbergh Place|
Kroger to anchor new center
Ardent Commercial Realty and Fuqua Development plan to begin pre-construction work soon on their joint venture at Northside Drive & 17th Street near IKEA. The new development, close to but not part of Atlantic Station, will be anchored by an approximately 82,000 square foot Kroger grocery store. The Kroger will be similar in size and offerings to the recently opened Kroger at Lindbergh Place, another Fuqua project, near the corner of Piedmont Road and Morosgo Drive. Among the "premium" amenities expected to be included in the new Kroger are a Starbucks, beer/wine bar, "ClickList" grocery ordering, The Little Clinic and assorted prepared and customizeable meal options.
Avid readers of ToNeTo Atlanta will recall that earlier this summer I revealed Kroger's plans to expand their existing store at Howell Mill Square on Howell Mill Road. With the Howell Mill store less than two miles from the planned store at Northside & 17th, sources indicate that Kroger may have indefinitely tabled their expansion plans for the older store.
I contacted Glynn Jenkins, Public Relations Director for Kroger’s Atlanta Division, about the company's Northside and Howell Mill plans. In response to my inquiry as to the status of each project and whether both are still in the works, Jenkins responded by indicating "There is currently no timeline for the expansion of this project."
This past June, Jenkins' response to the Howell Mill expansion was "There is no timeline for the expansion of this project, as we continue to work through scope of work and layout of the store. The proposed expansion will add 25,000 square feet making the store approximately 83,000 sf."
The new verbiage seems to reflect a change in direction.
While Kroger may not be expanding, Chin Chin, one of two restaurants slated to move to make way for the expansion, has moved. The Chinese eatery reopened in their new space near Piccadilly, on the other side of the center, a few weeks ago. Mama Niki's Pizza, the other restaurant that would have been on the move, is still in place but reportedly has an existing lease that is due to expire mid next year.
Overall, the Northside & 17th project encompasses about 12.5 acres with the Kroger and its accompanying 14 pump fuel center occupying a significant portion of the project. The center is slated to also include a number of restaurants and retailers in adjoining and freestanding pads/outparcels. Given the center's proximity to Georgia Tech, Atlantic Station and the Westside, there is surely to be healthy interest from quick serve restaurants and assorted service providers eager to tap into the growing market.
Earlier plans to include residential units in the complex have reportedly been abandoned in favor of additional commercial development.
Before the 2008 financial crisis, there was talk of both The Home Depot and Costco opening stores on the property, but those plans were abandoned years ago. Another more recent plan was to relocate the current 100+ year old AMTRAK station from Deering Road and Peachtree Street to the property, but that too failed to materialize.
Walmart Supercenter, which opened in late 2006, anchors the District at Howell Mill, a Selig project beside the existing Kroger store. Walmart filed a permit with the city of Atlanta last month for renovations to its nearly 150,000 square foot store. The permit, which indicates the retailer will spend $1,000,000 in renovations, doesn't indicate any revolutionary upgrades or changes. Instead, it may be a competitive move by the retailer given the previously announced expansion of its neighboring Kroger and now the planned opening of a second large format Kroger nearby.
Sources indicate that the new Kroger should debut in early 2018.
What restaurants or retailers would you like to see open as part of the new Northside & 17th project? Do you think the new Kroger will give the Publix in Atlantic Station a run for its money? Do prefer large or small format grocery stores?
Please share your thoughts below.


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Loukoster Ryanair stopped providing air services to customers who had not previously used flights due to COVID restrictions and received a refund for this. The company claims that these people illegally returned their money.
This is reported by the edition Lowcost… After the quarantine restrictions were imposed last year, some passengers have refrained from travel due to the recommendations of the authorities.
After that, Ryanair notes, they canceled the money transactions on the card instead of the low-cost airline processing the refund on its own. The airline called this method of refunding money illegal and demanded to return the debt.
It is noted that passengers were allowed to book new flights without any problems, but when they tried to check in, they found out about their debt. For example, Irish woman Ursula Berry received a message that she must return 210 euros for a ticket that she did not use in September 2020.
Ryanair emphasizes that passengers purchased tickets, the funds for which are not refundable, and the flights were operated on schedule. “These few passengers must pay off their debts before they can again fly Ryanair,” the airline said.
As reported OBOZREVATEL, Wizz Air is planning in the period 2021-2022. launch 26 new flights – from Kiev, Lvov, Odessa and Kharkov. New flights will be introduced with Spain, France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Note, October 12 Ukraine and the EU signed an agreement on “open skies”.


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While the future of the company may be in question, there is no question that Essential is on top of their game when it comes to updates. The same day that Google released the July Android Security Update, yesterday, the California company has released their update with the security patches for the Essential Phone.
The new build is OPM1.180104.267 and it is already rolling out to PH-1 owners, bringing the security patch as well as stability improvements for Android Auto. If you have an Essential Phone, you can manually check for the update in Settings as it should be ready to roll for everyone.
Continue reading “Essential Has Already Released The July Android Security Update for The Essential Phone”
As expected, the July 2018 Android Security Update patches were released this morning by Google. As a general rule, the Mountain View company releases the monthly updates on the first Monday of the first full week of each month.
This month’s update consists of two patches, one dated July 1, 2018 while the second is dated July 5, 2018. The first patch consists of 11 patches, 3 of which are considered critical updates. This July 1st patch is generally aimed at Android as a platform itself while the second patch is more device specific drivers and fixes.
Continue reading “Google Releases The July 2018 Android Security Update Patches”
If your Pixel 2 XL seems to have slowed down on wake-up after the June Android Security Update, you are not alone. Yesterday Google confirmed that a bug, which was likely introduced with the update, has caused devices to take 1-3 seconds to wake up after the power button is pressed or the fingerprint scanner is used. They also identified that the issue only impacts Pixel 2 XLs that have had the Ambient Display is disabled in Settings.
The work around to the problem is to turn the Ambient Display setting to Always On until Google can roll out a patch to fix the issue.
Continue reading “Google Confirms Pixel 2 XL Wake Up Delays After June Android Security Update”
With it being the first Monday of the first full week of June, as expect, the Android team within Google has released this month’s Android Security Update patches. The full builds along with the OTA builds are now available for those who want to sideload while devices should be getting the update via the System Update settings on their phone later today.
As usual, there are two patches in this month’s update. The first, date June 1, 2018, consists of 22 total patches, five of which are considered critical. This patch mostly deals with the base Android platform itself and the patches address things like Media Framework and System level patches.
Continue reading “June 2018 Android Security Update Patches Released”
OnePlus has begun the rollout of OxygenOS 5.1.2 for the OnePlus 5 and 5T today, bringing a number of fixes and improvements to the devices. The update is just over 1.6GB in size so it will be one that you will need to download via WiFi. Also keep in mind that the update was released over the weekend and it is being phased out to users as OnePlus normally does. If you don’t see the update on your 5 or 5T yet, it is just a matter of when it gets to your device.
The OxygenOS 5.1.2 update, from a feature perspective, brings a couple of new features according to the release notes. First, in the Gallery app, you will now find a “Recently Deleted” collection of photos you have deleted from your phone. This makes it easier to find them should you want to recover them (I still recommend using Google Photos).
Continue reading “OxygenOS 5.1.2 Update for the OnePlus 5 & 5T Brings A Double-Tap Screen Lock”
Good news this morning for readers who have the Samsung Galaxy S8 or one of the Galaxy Note8 phones on T-Mobile. The May Android Security Update patches for these devices is now rolling out from the carrier. Samsung isn’t exactly known for getting updates out fast so it is certainly positive that the company has got the May patches ready and T-Mobile is comfortable enough with them to drop them to customers.
For the Galaxy S8, you are looking for firmware G950USQS3CRE2 while for the S8+, you are getting G955USQS3CRE2. For those of you who have the Galaxy Note8, firmware N950USQU4CRE1 is what you will be getting once the update rolls out to your phone.
Continue reading “T-Mobile Releases The May Android Security Update for The Samsung Galaxy S8 and Note8 Lineup”
As expected today, Google has released the May 2018 Android Security Update for the Pixel and Nexus devices. The update, which consists of two patches, is rolling out now to compatible Google devices. With it being the Monday of the first full week of the new month, it was expected we would see these patches land today.
As has become the norm, there are two patches for this month’s Android Security Update. The first, dated May 1, 2018, consists of 7 patches, all of which are marked as High priority. The patches in this build deal with general Android items like frameworks, runtimes and other base elements to the platform.
Continue reading “May 2018 Android Security Update Released for Pixel and Nexus Devices”
A few days after the unlocked variant of the Essential Phone began receiving its latest update, now too is the Sprint enabled version of the PH-1. The update is the same as it was for the unlocked version of the phone, bringing the same updates and improvements to the only carrier locked version of the Essential Phone.
The update brings the April Android Security Update patch to the phone which, despite being a few days behind the unlocked variant, still makes it one of the first to get updated to the latest security patches. Also, the software to enabled Bluetooth 5.0 is in this update. The radios for 5.0 have been in the PH-1 all along but were not enabled via the software on the device. That now changes with this update.
Continue reading “Essential Phone on Sprint Now Getting The Latest Update”


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India Inc's deal activity falls to $6,025 million in July-September quarter: Report
In Q2, M&A activity saw a downtrend with total deal value falling by more than half over the last year.
China’s sneakerheads chase 6,600% returns flipping Air Jordans
Across China, more than 10 million monthly active users frequent online-resale...
JPMorgan's Dimon says Facebook's Libra currency 'will never happen'
JPMorgan had declined to join the project due to concerns the digital cur...
Apple starts selling locally assembled iPhone XR in India
IPhone XR boxes with an "Assembled in India" tag were seen on Monday in many of the country's electronic product retailers, including Croma, with a price tag of 49,900 Indian rupees ($704) for the 64 GB version.
Tepid weekend sales to spoil retail’s Diwali
Footfalls at prominent malls take a knock, very few walk-ins get converted to purchases.
Pre-Diwali sales see an uptick compared to last year: Retailers
Leading electronics retail chain Vijay Sales director Nilesh Gupta said this weekend sale was reasonably good even though the usual bouyant pick up before Diwali was missing. The retailer is one of the largest in New Delhi and Hyderabad.
Jeff Bezos's Amazon needs a leash not a breakup
For many retailers, Amazon has the power to control their destiny. Then there’s the fact that Amazon both serves as a platform for companies wanting to sell things and sells things itself, meaning it competes with the same companies it enables.
Facebook no more among top 10 best brands globally
Facebook has lost its place among the world's 10 most valuable brands in global brand consultancy Interbrand's annual ranking of top 100 brands. Two years back, the social networking giant was at the eighth spot in the list.
Apple likely to launch new AirPods Pro by October end: Reports
Apple is long-rumoured to be working on a new-generation wireless AirPods and if the latest reports are anything to go by, the AirPods Pro m...
Tim Cook roots for cutting Green Card cap
Tim Cook is the first high-profile CEO to bat for legislation which aims to do away with green card caps.
How govt growth push has altered landscape in equity & debt assets
Low inflation still continues to provide cushion for rate cut, albeit in a more staggered manner.
Vehicle retail continued to decline in September too, suggests new data
Vehicle registrations, which are a proxy for retail sales, declined 12.9% during September, as per the Federation of Automobile Dealers Association. Car registrations were down by 20.1%, while 2-wheeler registrations declined 12.1%.
Facebook's Libra faces support test after payment giants jump ship
The Libra Association will also appoint a board at the meeting, the Wall Street Journal reported this month.
Expect Paytm Mall biz to break even in a year: Vijay Shekhar Sharma
"Paytm Mall business is close to break-even, USD 3 million EBIDTA loss a month and USD 1.2-1.3 billion run rate. In a day, we do 275,000-300,000 orders a day."
Festive delight: PCs are back in fashion; here's why you should get one before prices go up in December
Thanksgiving gifting and back-to-school purchases traditionally help drive PC sales around this time.
Copyright © 2019 Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All rights reserved. For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service


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New Sabah water tariffs effective Jan 1 to reward conservative usage
The Star Online
KOTA KINABALU: Consumers in Sabah will have to fork more for their water bills if they exceed their basic consumption needs under new water tariffs from Jan 1, 2015. Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan said that the current flat rate ...
Source: Google Syndication


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Xbox will hold a major games showcase on August 24th at Gamescom 2021.
Kicking off at 10am PT/1pm ET, the stream will offer details on Xbox’s “biggest exclusive games lineup ever,” according to Xbox.
Specifically, the company says it will offer “in-depth updates” from some “previously announced Xbox Game Studios titles,” as well as those from third-party partners. These will include games coming to Xbox this holiday and new titles confirmed for Xbox Game Pass.
Based on Xbox’s wording, it doesn’t appear that there will be any new first-party games announced at the show. Still, there have been many Xbox Game Studios announced so far, including Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon 5 and Age of Empires IV (all coming this fall) and undated titles like Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, Avowed and Everwild.
Alongside the showcase, Xbox says it will run an accompanying Gamescom sale on its digital storefront to offer up to 75 percent off a variety of games. More details will be revealed closer to the show.
Gamescom is Europe’s biggest gaming event that normally takes place in Germany but is being held virtually this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Xbox stream precedes ‘Gamescom Opening Night Live,’ which will once again be hosted by Toronto-born The Game Awards producer Geoff Keighley. Set to begin at 11am PT/2pm ET, the show will feature “new announcements and world premieres” from a number of yet-to-be-confirmed publishers.
Gamescom itself runs from August 25th to 27th.
Image credit: Xbox


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Dish Network, Ally Financial rise; Biogen, Carvana fall
Stocks that traded heavily or had substantial price changes Wednesday:
Carvana Inc., down $8.67 to $177.53.
General Motors launched a new website to help its dealers compete with online used car sellers.
Biogen Inc., down $16.18 to $225.34.
Medicare is limiting coverage of Biogen’s $28,000-a-year Alzheimer’s drug, whose benefits have been widely questioned.
Ally Financial Inc., up $1.50 to $52.04.
The auto finance company raised its dividend and announced a $2 billion stock buyback program.
Jefferies Financial Group Inc., down $3.84 to $37.59.
The investment banking and capital markets company reported disappointing fourth-quarter financial results.
Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corp., up 49 cents to $67.67.
The medical device maker gave investors an encouraging revenue update and announced a $125 million stock buyback plan.
Dish Network Corp., up 99 cents to $36.37.
The satellite television company and DirecTV are reportedly considering a merger.
Infosys Ltd., up 73 cents to $25.75.
The business consulting services provider reported solid fiscal third-quarter financial results.
InMode Ltd., up 79 cents to $55.74.
The maker of cosmetic surgery devices gave investors an encouraging financial update.
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The United States is committed to working with China and other countries to ensure the safety of imported goods into the United States. As part of a government-wide strategy, the U.S. has opened its first Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, office locations outside the USA in Beijing. FDA senior technical experts in these locations will work with Chinese government, industry, and third party certifiers to help ensure the safety of Chinese exports to the U.S.
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt said a new strategy was needed because the United States imports 2 trillion dollars' worth of goods a year. "When one sees the enormity of that," said Mr. Leavitt, "it becomes clear you cannot inspect everything ... we have to change our strategy from one of simple inspections at the border. We have to build quality into every product in every step of the process."
Health and Human Services is working to have an FDA presence in 5 geographic regions: China, India, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. "We are embarking on a system," said Mr. Leavitt, "that will recognize the need to ensure that everything that comes to the U.S. has been subject to either heightened scrutiny by our regulators or has been certified as meeting our standards by someone we trust."
In the meantime, the FDA has required increased testing of goods from China that are made with milk. It is to assure that foods purposely contaminated with melamine do not reach American consumers. Melamine is an industrial chemical found recently in Chinese dairy products that sickened more than 50,000 children with kidney problems and was blamed for the death of at least 4 infants in China. Importers must have products with Chinese dairy components tested by an independent laboratory that meets FDA standards before the product will be allowed into the U.S.
Establishing a permanent FDA presence in China should greatly enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of regulatory cooperation and efforts to protect consumers in both countries. "A permanent FDA presence in China," said FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach, "will help us address the challenges presented by globalization. We look forward to working with the Chinese government and manufacturers to ensure that FDA standards for safety and manufacturing quality are met before products ship to the United States."


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General Motors is recalling 33,000 Chevrolet Cruze sedans in North America, after a lawsuit alerted the company that the car's airbag could rupture and send metal fragments flying toward drivers. In addition, the airbag might not inflate, leaving drivers at heightened risk during a crash.
The recall affects about 29,000 Cruze sedans from model years 2013 and 2014 sold in the United States (another 4,000 were sold in Canada). On Wednesday, GM told dealers to stop selling all Chevrolet Cruzes, then lifted the ban later that day for most of the vehicles once it had determined which cars were at risk. The airbags with the potential defects were made by auto supplier Takata Corp. in Japan.
GM says it learned about the problem through a lawsuit alleging that an airbag in a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze improperly deployed and injured the driver, according to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. GM inspected the vehicle and determined that the front driver airbag inflator was built with an incorrect part, which could cause the airbag to rupture.
The Cruze is GM's top-selling car, with 2014 sales through May up 18 percent from the same period last year.
GM did not specify the lawsuit, but in a lawsuit filed in late April in Atlanta's federal court, Brandi Owens claims she was in stop-and-go traffic in October 2013 when she bumped the car in front of her, causing the airbag of her 2013 Cruze to deploy, according to court documents. The airbag deployed and bumped Owens in the face, causing her left eye to rupture.
“GM and Takata knew, or in the exercise of reasonable care should have known, that the subject vehicle and the driver’s airbag were defective and unreasonably dangerous to the human body when being so used in a foreseeable manner,” the lawsuit alleges.
Takata and GM are already flooded with other recall problems. Honda, Nissan, Mazda, and several other automakers are issuing recalls for another problem with Takata airbags. They can explode in high humidity, the Monitor reported Monday. About 10 million vehicles with Takata airbags have been recalled globally since 2008.
So far this year, GM has announced 45 recalls involving more than 20 million vehicles worldwide because of various problems, including faulty ignition switches. NHTSA has issued a $35 million fine for GM’s slow response to its ignition switch problem.


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Preparations for moving Ram 1500 production are underway. Fiat Chrysler is investing $1.48 billion to retool the Sterling Heights Assembly plant in Detroit. It’s where the next-generation pickup will be built.
FCA says in all, it’s invested over $8.3 billion and created 25,000 in the U.S. since June 2009. This includes the latest chunk of cash headed to Sterling Heights.
FCA has yet to announce what will become of the plant that builds the 1500 now, the Warren Truck Assembly Plant. Plans are expected to include retooling to build the Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer.
Interestingly, the investment in the retooling the Sterling Heights Assembly plant follows shortly after FCA’s last investment in the plant. That $1 billion investment retooled the plant to build the 2015 Chrysler 200. Nevertheless, the plans clearly lineup with the FCA’s goal to create more hot sellers like Jeeps and Rams and ditch slow sellers like the Chrysler 200 and Dodge Dart.
Basic supply and demand kids.


text: Microsoft Corp. has joined a growing group of security software vendorswho are treating Sony BMG Music Entertainment\u2019s controversial XCP(Extended Copy Protection) copy protection software as a threat. OnSaturday, Microsoft announced that it would begin treating the softwareas spyware and offering users tools to remove it, just as a PrincetonUniversity computer science researcher raised questions about a secondSony copy protection product."We have analyzed this software, and have determined that in order tohelp protect our customers we will add a detection and removalsignature for the rootkit component of the XCP software to the WindowsAntiSpyware beta," wrote Jason Garms, group program manager forMicrosoft\u2019s Anti-Malware Technology Team, in a Web log posting.(http:\/\/blogs.technet.com\/antimalware\/archive\/2005\/11\/12\/414299.aspx)Sony had come under heavy fire for using so-called "rootkit" cloakingtechniques -- normally associated with hackers -- to make it nearlyimpossible to detect the XCP software. After nearly two weeks ofconsumer backlash, however, Sony announced on Friday that it wouldtemporarily suspend production of XCP-enabled CDs.In an upcoming weekly software update, Microsoft will add the newelectronic signature so that Windows AntiSpyware can spot andautomatically remove the software, Garms wrote. Windows AntiSpyware isa beta product that Microsoft eventually plans to rename WindowsDefender.Microsoft will also include the XCP signature in the next update to itsMalicious Software Removal tool, and with its Web-based securityservice called Windows Live Safety Center, according to Garms.Microsoft joins security vendors like CA Inc. and Symantec Inc. inidentifying XCP as a possible security threat. Computer experts hadworried that hackers might use XCP\u2019s cloaking capabilities to hidemalicious software of their own, and last week the first few examplesof such programs began surfacing.Meanwhile, a Princeton University computer scientist has posted ananalysis of a second copy protection product used by Sony, saying thatit, too, suffers from many of the same problems as XCP. That software,called MediaMax, was written by SunnComm International Inc. Sony hasconfirmed that it ships CDs with both SunnComm\u2019s software and XCP,which was created by a Banbury, U.K., company called First 4 InternetLtd.Both copy protection products are bad for consumers, according to J.Alex Halderman, a Ph.D. student in computer science at Princeton. "LikeXCP, recent versions of MediaMax engage in spyware-style behavior," hewrote in a Saturday posting to the Freedom to Tinker Web log. (https:\/\/www.freedom-to-tinker.com\/?p=925)Halderman reported that MediaMax automatically installed files withoutuser consent, that its uninstaller program does not completely removethe software, and that it secretly transmits user information back toSunnComm\u2019s servers."Playing First 4 Internet or SunnComm disks means not only installingnew software, but trusting that software with full control of yourcomputer," Halderman wrote. "After last week\u2019s revelations about theSony rootkit, that trust does not seem well deserved."This is not the first time Halderman has had something to say aboutSunnComm. In 2003, SunnComm threatened the computer scientist with alawsuit after he published a paper that exposed weaknesses in theircopy-protection mechanism. No legal action was ever brought againstHalderman, according to SunnComm.Sony, First 4 Internet and SunnComm Monday were unable to comment for the story.By Robert McMillan - IDG News Service (San Francisco Bureau)For more information, check out Talk Back and tell us what you think.


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The omnichannel peak season for 2020 will be an entirely new beast in logistics. The days of planning for a gradual ramp-up to peak season have vanished. Meanwhile, the need to maximize the value of the existing supply chain technologies has never been higher. As noted by Supply Chain Dive, “Some manufacturers (31%) do not see a significant return on investment (ROI) from incremental automation.” For these reasons, it’s essential to realize what barriers to new technology use in peak season remain and how to overcome them.
Bringing Omnichannel to the Forefront of E-Commerce
Barriers to New Technology Adoption Before Peak Season
Part of the reason that companies experience setbacks during peak season lies within the limited capabilities of technology. Each year, the value and flurry of activity that accompanies the holidays create new challenges and needs. However, using the right blend of technology, people, and software is essential to overcoming new technology’s real barriers. Typical barriers include implementation costs, lack of skills, a rigid company culture, communications, and a lack of integration between systems, says Graham Park of Supply & Demand Chain Executive:
“A digital platform that instantly collects and analyzes real-time data from across your supply chain network allows businesses to make quick, informed decisions and react to opportunities and risks as they happen. This opportunity protects the bottom line from getting impacted by supply chain risks and provides more chances to increase profitability.”
Ultimately, everyone needs more transportation management system (TMS) software adoption to thrive. But what does that entail?
Peak Season Needs More…Well More
The 2020 omnichannel peak season is on track to set new records. As businesses have been locked in a battle for capacity and online order fulfillment for years, the sudden demand generated by COVID-19 is forcing a complete overhaul of existing strategies. At the same time, companies are trying to justify their current technology improvements while managing new implementations. According to Supply Chain Brain, “To be modern and competitive, non-technology forward industries need to invest in technology to stay relevant. However, spending money on an IT department and developing software in the cloud doesn’t give companies the results they want. It’s an area where many have tried to go before and failed. In fact, the more they build, the more everyone tends to complain about the technology.”
It is indeed easy to get lost in the chaos of new systems and trying to maximize value. There comes the point when the new system cannot add more value due to existing problems or limited shareability of the data and value of the system itself. In other words, the tech stack begins to falter. However, an improved supply chain strategy that looks out for the nuances of omnichannel peak season, combining them within the TMS, can help the company create better results and genuinely deliver on more substantial margins.
How to Overcome the Obstacles Without Added Costs
The steps to overcoming obstacles to new technology adoption for omnichannel peak season readiness are simple and include:
- Emphasize that it’s not too late to evolve. A common misconception among supply chains is that this is the best for today. That’s not reality. New logistics startups and opportunities to build in more connections continue to evolve. The key to success is learning to recognize these opportunities and work regardless of the current digital transformation level.
- Build support among shareholders and staff. The next step to success is getting everyone on board with new changes. Remember that new adoptions will undoubtedly cause pushback. Work to focus on the value-added and how it will improve working conditions for everyone.
- Avoid sudden changes without providing proper training and help. Adequate training and complete transparency are crucial to making transitions into using new omnichannel peak season technologies easy.
- Work with an expert, such as 3PL, to better manage implementations. Expert guidance will go a long way in reducing delays, and ensuring system implementation goes smoothly.
- Look to past examples to take stock of lessons learned. Past software and technology implementations offer invaluable insight into what has and hasn’t worked well.
- Connect systems with APIs and EDI to share data in real-time. Again, using connectivity capabilities to unify systems is essential.
- Align your communications within a centralized resource. Centralized communications before, during, and after new technology adoption are critical to avoiding issues and ensuring a seamless transition.
Gain More Visibility in Omnichannel Peak Season With an Advanced TMS
The upcoming peak season will be unlike any in history. With all the pressure over curbside and online ordering, businesses need a way to manage end-to-end transportation more than ever. And the ability to offer an omnichannel peak season shopping experience will depend on that fact. Of course, those that take the time to work with an experienced partner, put to use an advanced TMS, and build a continuously evolving omnichannel strategy will have the most significant competitive advantage.


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The Power of the Internet
The US Government has been compiling data on all sorts of things for years. One of the most widely watched set of government stats is the US Commerce Department’s reports on economic activity.
These reports can often move markets when the numbers come out higher or lower than the extpected numbers. So traders know exactly when these numbers come out and watch them closely.
Well what would happen if someone could calculate the same numbers and report them accurately months before the US Government?
It is already happening, starting with the most obvious numbers, that being e-commerce activity.
One of the Flatiron Partners portfolio companies, Comscore, measures online commerce activity (among many other things) and makes its data available to a wide range of customers who need to know this information accurately and quickly.
Comscore reported its numbers for e-commerce activity in 2005 in early January.
Last Friday, February 17th, the US Government reported its numbers on e-commerce activity in 2005.
And the numbers were basically identical, they differed by less than 1%.
You can read more about this here.
I think we’ll see more of this kind of thing as economic activity continues to move online in the coming years.
Slowly but surely the government’s role as an important provider of data to markets will erode and eventually die.


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NEW YORK ( TheStreet) -- CHANGE IN RATINGS:
ACCO Brands (ACCO) upgraded to buy at TheStreet Ratings.
Apple (AAPL) downgraded at Jefferies to hold from buy, Jefferies said. $500 price target. Demand slowdown and margin pressure.
Albermarle (ALB) downgraded at JP Morgan from overweight to neutral, JP Morgan said. Valuation call, based on a $67 price target.Albermarle downgraded at Deutsche from buy to hold, Deutsche Bank said. $70 price target. Company lacks near-term catalysts. Albemarle downgraded at Citigroup to neutral from buy, Citigroup said. $71 price target. Weaker bromine trends. Altera (ALTR) downgraded at William Blair from outperform to market perform, William Blair said. Margins may have peaked as the company is facing product cycle headwinds. Astoria Financial (AF) upgraded to buy at TheStreet Ratings. Bed Bath & Beyond (BBBY) upgraded at Oppenheimer to outperform from perform, Oppenheimer said. $71 price target. One of best-run companies in retail. Cubist Pharmaceuticals (CBST) upgraded at Cantor from sell to hold, Cantor Fitzgerald said. Valuation call, based on a $38 price target. Dillard's (DDS) upgraded at Credit Suisse from neutral to outperform, Credit Suisse said. $95 price target. Company is prepared for a shift in retail spending. Emerson Electric (EMR) upgraded at Deutsche from hold to buy, Deutsche Bank said. $68 price target. China and other emerging markets can continue to drive growth over the next several quarters. Energizer (ENR) downgraded at BMO from outperform to market perform, BMO Capital said. $95 price target. Valuation call, as the stock is up 30% since August. Flowserve (FLS) downgraded at Wedbush from outperform to neutral, Wedbush said. $160 price target. Valuation call, as the stock is up 45% over the past year. Molycorp (MCP) downgraded at Dahlman from buy to hold, Dahlman Rose said. Company continues to increase its capital spending. $8.13 price target. Netflix (NFLX) upgraded at JP Morgan from neutral to overweight, JP Morgan said. $180 price target. Company is carrying a lot of momentum into 2013. Netflix upgraded at Lazard to buy, Lazard Capital Markets said. $200 price target. Once again appears that the company can deliver strong growth domestically. Netflix downgraded at Credit Suisse from outperform to neutral, Credit Suisse said. $132 price target. A lot of variability remains in the business model.
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RACINE, Wis., February 16, 2016 — Today, given the rising global outbreak of Zika, SC Johnson announced it will donate at least $15 million over the next year to provide products to help needy families combat the mosquitoes that may carry the disease. As the world’s leading manufacturer of pest control products, including OFF!®, Raid®, Autan® and Baygon®, SC Johnson will partner with international NGOs and health foundations to provide personal insect repellents, spatial repellents and household insecticides. SC Johnson will also provide cash contributions to cover logistics, distribution and educational materials. Numerous countries are experiencing outbreaks of Zika and dengue fever, and both diseases continue to spread.
“The people who work at SCJ and I feel a strong commitment to helping ensure pest control products are provided to help protect needy families from the mosquitoes that may carry these diseases,” said SC Johnson Chairman and CEO Fisk Johnson. “Since the Zika outbreak began in Brazil and has spread to other countries, we have ramped up our global production to help ensure an adequate supply of our products is available in stores, and more importantly, for a donation such as this. We are proud that this donation will help those who are especially vulnerable to the dangers of mosquito-borne diseases.”
Earlier this month, the family company donated 54,000 units of insect repellent to the County of Hawaii Civil Defense Agency. The county has been experiencing a dengue fever outbreak since late 2015 and into early 2016. Discussions are underway with partners to provide assistance to Latin America and the Caribbean to help protect from the mosquito that may carry disease, such as the Zika outbreaks in some of those countries.
For more than 50 years, SC Johnson entomologists have studied insects at the Entomology Research Center in Racine, Wis., the world’s largest private, urban entomology research center. In addition to its research expertise, the company has ramped up the production of pest control products to meet increased demand in response to mosquito-borne Zika virus and dengue fever outbreaks. SC Johnson currently operates in more than 70 countries and sells products in virtually every country around the world.
Tips for Protecting Your Family
Personal repellents containing active ingredients like DEET and Picaridin, which are applied to exposed areas of skin and clothing, are an important line of defense. With any repellent, it’s important for families to read the label first, follow the instructions, and choose the repellent that’s best for their needs.
Around the home, twice a week remove habitats where mosquitoes can breed – namely, standing containers of water. Individuals should empty, clean or cover containers such as buckets, flower pots, old tires, or toys to remove or destroy mosquito habitats. They can also make it harder for mosquitoes to come into their homes by covering any gaps in windows or doors, and making sure screens on windows and doors are working properly, or are patched.
Individuals can further minimize exposure to mosquito bites by wearing light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants, socks, and hats. Tucking in shirts, and tucking pants into socks, also decreases the chances of getting bitten. If the sleeping area is exposed to the outdoors, individuals should use a bed net and cover baby carriers as well.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) both recommend a mix of tactics to prevent mosquito bites. For more information about mosquito-borne disease prevention, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website and SC Johnson’s Resource Center.
About SC Johnson
SC Johnson is a family company dedicated to innovative, high-quality products, excellence in the workplace and a long-term commitment to the environment and the communities in which it operates. Based in the USA, the company is one of the world's leading manufacturers of household cleaning products and products for home storage, air care, pest control and shoe care, as well as professional products. It markets such well-known brands as GLADE®, KIWI®, OFF!®, PLEDGE®, RAID®, SCRUBBING BUBBLES®, SHOUT®, WINDEX® and ZIPLOC® in the U.S. and beyond, with brands marketed outside the U.S. including AUTAN®, TANA®, BAMA®, BAYGON®, BRISE®, KABIKILLER®, KLEAR®, MR MUSCLE® and RIDSECT®. The 130-year-old company, which generates $10 billion in sales, employs approximately 13,000 people globally and sells products in virtually every country around the world. www.scjohnson.com


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A comparison of how FDA has handled pet illness and death and human illness linked to kibble pet food and raw pet food.
Wasting no time, a class action lawsuit has been filed against Big Heart Brands pet food for "negligent misrepresentation" stating the dog food was "adulterated and contains pentobarbital".
ABC news station WJLA of Washington, D.C. investigation into pet food found pentobarbital in 9 of 15 cans of Gravy Train dog food. How the pet food company responded to...
FDA and USDA recently announced a "formal agreement to bolster coordination and collaboration" between agencies. With the formal agreement, FDA should have no problem coordinating with USDA regarding human grade...
...we are changing the future of pet food. Perhaps more than we realize. Here is consumer feedback to a Beneful advertisement on Facebook.
To my knowledge, this has never happened before. A pet food discovered a bacterial contamination in a human grade ingredient. The human food industries using the exact same ingredient never...
Law requires government to provide answers, but there are other things 'they' can do to stop a pesky consumer advocate from asking questions. The corruption in pet food continues.
Tuffy's Pet Food (feed) recently "made an investment in the pet food science program at the College of Agriculture at Kansas State University." "An investment"...interesting way to phrase it.
The good and bad of pet food during 2017.
The Los Angeles Animal Services is voting to change the diets of shelter dogs to a vegan kibble. If you disagree, your prompt action is needed.


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VentureBeat is hearing that Google is negotiating an advertising deal with DirecTV, the nation’s largest satellite broadcast service with 16 million subscribers.
This is just the latest move by Google to sew up the entire advertising world. Google is pushing into newspapers, magazines, radio, cable and now satellite.
The DirecTV deal is taking more time than Dish’s to close because DirectTV is managing the ownership change announced last last year (when News Corp said it would sell its ownership stake to Liberty). More details on DirecTV here. The deal with Google will go through eventually, says a source who wants to remain anonymous. [Update: Google says “no comment,” and DirecTV says: “We are always looking for ways to increase our ad sales revenue but we have nothing to comment regarding any new partnerships.”]
In case there’s any doubt about Google’s ambition, there’s a notable interview in Wired with Google chief executive Eric Schmidt, who says Google is first of all an “advertising system.”
Here’s the relevant snippet from Schmidt’s interview:
Wired: Wired How should we think about Google today?
Schmidt: Think of it first as an advertising system. Then as an end-user system…
VentureBeat's mission is to be a digital town square for technical decision-makers to gain knowledge about transformative enterprise technology and transact. Discover our Briefings.


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It’s all about the women this week, with International Women’s Day tomorrow and Mother’s Day this Sunday. Despite my inner cynic, I still love Mother’s Day – it’s a good excuse to properly spoil our mums and there’s no shortage of great gift options around at the moment.
Beauty brands tend to highlight the twee-est stuff for Mother’s Day, but all the mums I know are super-cool and don’t want floral soaps and Cath Kidston wash bags. They like Liberty and Space NK or small batch organic oils. They love trying new fragrances (Amanda Carr’s We Wear Perfume site is great for discovery) and are just as swayed by chic packaging as the rest of us. (more…)
Well, I wasn’t expecting this! I was really hoping for Phoebe Philo at Burberry, but it appears the rumours that she’s not going anywhere else following her Celine departure are true. So news broke today that Riccardo Tisci will replace Christopher Bailey as chief creative officer of Burberry from 12th March.
It will be a relief for the internal teams. Having a directionless brand is not good for morale, and Tisci certainly has form for reinvention and strong, decisive branding. (more…)
Burberry’s youth play Burberry swapped out its interactive show format this season with a much-simplified version. In recent seasons it has created cultural exhibitions as its catwalk backdrop that are then open to the public for a week or so. This season – Christopher Bailey’s last collection for the brand – it took place in a vast, dark warehouse with plain Jane chairs lining the perimeter.


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It’s hard to keep up with beauty licenses these days. Following the flurry of activity over the past quarter — from Inter Parfums’ takeover of Lanvin’s beauty license to mounting speculation over the status of Gucci Group’s license with Wella to the termination of Helmut Lang’s beauty license with Procter & Gamble — market observers are waiting to see what’s next.
Among brands on the radar is Pierre Cardin. The French designer, who has been actively shopping around his fashion empire since April, added the beauty element to his offer in June. (Yet even if Cardin’s beauty business were to be purchased, it would not affect his multitude of existing licensing contracts, according to Multipartner, the Italian consultancy hired to broker a deal. Cardin’s sprawling empire includes licenses with Coty and The Northern Group, among others.)
And, as reported, rumor has it that Versace is on the verge of selling its beauty business, Giver Profumi, to a major industry player. An announcement is expected within two weeks, according to sources. Executives at Versace could not be reached for comment. — Brid Costello and Stephanie Epiro
Grab your life preservers. An enormous swell of eaux is about to flood perfumery shelves this fall. Most of the industry’s biggest European names will launch a fragrance in the run-up to the holidays. Among the major scents set for introduction are, for women, Christian Dior’s Pure Poison, Giorgio Armani’s Mania, Prada’s eponymous signature scent and Yves Saint Laurent’s Cinéma. On the male front will be Burberry Brit for Men, Guerlain’s L’Instant de Guerlain Pour Homme, Jil Sander’s Jil Sander Pure for Men, Ferragamo’s Incanto Pour Homme and Thierry Mugler’s BMen. — Jennifer Weil
The European spa market is heating up this half with a rash of new and revamped institutes.
The renovated L’Institut Lancôme in Paris is scheduled to reopen in September replete with a new look and layout like that of the Lancôme concept store that debuted in Hong Kong last year.
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Also in Paris, the Murano Urban Resort hotel that opened this week will inaugurate a spa in September. The 4,840-square-foot space will have six treatment rooms for face and body treatments, using Anne Semonin products, as well as a swimming pool, hammam and jacuzzi.
Over in Ireland, Aveda will open its 15th international Concept Spa Resort in September. To celebrate the debut of the 10,000-square-foot center at the Aghadoe Heights Hotel in Killarney, the brand will introduce the Precious Stone Therapy treatment, using crystals, single-note aromas, plus light and sound therapy. Also on offer in its 11 rooms will be face, body and hydra treatments, plus manicures and pedicures. — B.C. and Ellen Burney
There’s an increased focus on freestanding single-brand beauty stores in Europe these days.
In London, three years after its debut, Pout’s beauty boutique is getting a makeover by architect Angus Pond. The 1,000-square-foot store set to reopen in October is designed to highlight the Pout brand. Decor will include mirrors suspended by crystal rope swings and wall paintings. The space will also have a pampering lounge.
In Italy, Diego Dalla Palma is planning to revamp its Turin location in the same vein as its newly renovated Milan flagship — replete with a streamlined look thanks to marble fixtures and wooden movable shelving — either later this year or in early 2005. Next year the company also plans more such stores in other Italian cities.
And Brazilian natural beauty brand Natura will open its first boutique, in Paris, next February. The 2,150-square-foot space will sell the brand’s Natura Ekos line of skin and hair care products and feature a textures bar, where customers can discover the brand’s products.
There will be a cultural space to house art. — E.B., S.E. and B.C.
CELEBRITY AND STYLE
Call it the In Style-ization of the beauty industry: The hottest trend this year is to attach a celebrity creator to an upcoming product, and the movement seems to be gaining speed as the second half of 2004 approaches.
Entertainer Jennifer Lopez — with the success of her Glow by J.Lo and Still Jennifer Lopez scents — is credited with kicking off the latest avalanche of celebrities entering the category. And while it’s rumored that additional celebrities will soon join in the beauty fray — both Kimora Lee Simmons and Sarah Jessica Parker are said to be working with Coty Beauty Inc. on fragrance deals — there are already more stars in this trend than in your average constellation.
Beauty ads featuring an actress or a model are nothing new, but the trend toward involving these stars in the development process is a new twist. While further details have not yet been released, it is known that Flirt!, the second of the Estée Lauder Cos. BeautyBank brands that will launch in Kohl’s Department Stores this fall, will feature a seasonal nail polish line created by musician Michelle Branch, with shades named for Branch’s songs.
Britney Spears, who signed a deal with Elizabeth Arden in March to create fragrance, color cosmetics and skin care bearing her name, will release Curious Britney Spears, her first fragrance, in September. Another high-profile blonde, Paris Hilton, will be hitting stores around the same time with a fragrance bearing her name; Hilton signed a deal with Parlux in May.
As well, singer Jessica Simpson’s recently released bath and body line, Dessert Beauty, will spin off a second line, called Taste by Jessica Simpson, next month. Taste will launch with three products: Kissable Fragrance, which features Simpson’s favorite ingredients, Tahitian vanilla, white chocolate, apricot and honey; Powdered Sugar Kissable Body Shimmer, and Plumping Fragrance Lip Gloss. All three products will be sold via dessertbeauty.com, as well as through Sephora, Nordstrom, Frederick’s of Hollywood, Ulta, QVC and Holt Renfrew.
And one of the most hotly anticipated star-power entries will come in 2005, when entertainment mogul Sean “P. Diddy” Combs unleashes the first products under his Sean John beauty deal with the Estée Lauder Cos. Combs is working closely with John Demsey, president of MAC Cosmetics, to create the products.
These deals are in addition to the slew of new celebrity spokesperson deals signed since last fall — including Nicole Kidman for Chanel No.5, Scarlett Johansson for Calvin Klein’s Eternity Moment, Beyoncé Knowles for Tommy Hilfiger’s True Star, Elaine Irwin Mellencamp for Almay, and Missy Elliott, Christina Aguilera, Chloë Sevigny, Linda Evangelista and Boy George for MAC’s Viva Glam. — Julie Naughton
SKIN CARE BREAKTHROUGHS
It has been widely predicted that dermatologist and high tech skin care brands will do for the skin care business what makeup artist brands did for cosmetics in the Nineties. The movement is already gaining momentum, and a breakthrough in the second half is expected.
Dr. Nicholas Perricone will open a 2,100-square-foot store in New York on Madison Avenue at 67th Street in early September. The new flagship will serve as both a library and information center as well as a store for Perricone’s cosmeceuticals.
In addition, Perricone will add a Contour Cream and an Eye Contour Cream to the Neuropeptide line of facial skin care products this fall. “The hot thing right now is peptides and very specifically neuropeptides, which are probably the most sophisticated things you can put on the skin right now,” said Perricone.
Regarding what to expect on the skin care horizon, “because of the increase in the number of procedures we are seeing every day, in terms of skin, we are probably going to see an outcropping of a number of products that will be based on some very active ingredients that may help us maintain youth without having to get procedures,” said Perricone.
Dr. Fredric Brandt, who is frequently referred to as the “Baron of Botox,” said that trends to watch for in the second half “are things that are more in line with doctor’s procedures like peels, microdermabrasion, and Botox cream — all things that mirror the treatments we are doing.”
He also expects to see a lot of products that repair sun damage — like retinol, bleaches and antioxidants. He will add “products that are more intense collagen stimulators to the skin. We are going to be creating products that mimic the effects of office treatments — like eliminating redness in the face and a hair treatment line for thinning hair. We will have a lot of different types of antioxidants, which haven’t been out before.”
While dermatologist brands continue to pick up speed, the superstar of skin care products this year was none other than StriVectin-SD from Salt Lake City-based Klein-Becker USA. The product, priced at $135 for a 6-oz. tube, achieved over $13 million in department store sales between its launch date in May 2003 and December 2003, according to The NPD Group.
The study (see above) also noted that in the first five months of 2004, sales of StriVectin-SD has already generated $30 million, compared with other successful new skin care products that generally generate $20 to $30 million their first year in department stores.
Louis Rinaldi, director of Product Development and Acquisitions for Klein-Becker USA, said the company is launching a follow-up product. The StriVectin-SD Eye Cream For Orbital Area Application, which costs $59 for a 1.3-oz. tube, is said to have the same active formula as the original without aromatic oils. Rinaldi added that he does not see the momentum of StriVectin-SD slowing down any time soon: “As a matter of fact I don’t think the product is anywhere near peaked yet — it still has a long way to go.” — K.F.


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Sony sounds like it's gearing up for the eventual release of the PS VR 2, as it plans to make two million units by March next year.
This comes from Bloomberg, who says that people familiar with the situation provided them this information. Mass production apparently began last month (September), and as of yet there hasn't been any supply chain issues. It's also noted that the production figure might change depending on the headset's sales momentum when it's released early next year, whenever that might be.
According to the report, Sony's roadmap for the PS VR 2 is predicting a much greater popularity than the original PS VR for the PS4. The company apparently hopes that big name titles like Horizon Call of the Mountain that draws on pre-established IP will bring players in, even with the general rise in living costs.
Early next year is the only promise we have from Sony when it comes to the release date of the goggle box, without even a price point so we know how much to save for/ validly complain about how much it costs. When the first headset came out, it cost £349, though with the cost of parts and the impressive-looking graphical fidelity, it's probably safe to say that the PS VR 2 will cost more at launch than its predecessor.
Impressions of the PS VR 2 do generally seem to be quite positive, with many finding the headset to be a big improvement from the first attempt.
VR has never really taken off in the way some might hoped it would, but with the general high cost of entry, and the very literal physical barrier to the outside world creating a sense of isolation, it's never been able to take off in the same way as mainstream consoles or standard PC gaming.


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UPDATED: see below: MSN has been threatening to launch its music site for some time now…I hoped they weren’t foolish enough to launch it in full before Sep 15, but that’s what it seems like…Microsoft plans to quietly launch the MSN online music store this week with the new version of its Windows Media 10 player.
“Early-release versions of the player look like knock-offs of Apple’s iTunes Music Store, complete with brushed nickel finish. But hey, why mess with success? A button in the upper right corner of the player will take consumers to the download store.”
Update 1: Times UK: MSFT has struck deals with record companies including Universal and SonyBMG that will provide it with as many as one million songs for its new service…Times says it will be launched in early Sept.
One person familiar with the developments told Times: “Microsoft has a working platform, and they will be using essentially the same model as iTunes.”
A key difference, however, will be that the store is expected to offer the ability for customers to chat with one another.
Still nothing on getting a Beatles exclusive, though…
Update 2: Some WMP Beta screenshots here and here
— MSN’s Music Service To Launch in August; Janus Delayed?
— New MSN Video Launches; MSN Music Details Leaked


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Lumière Casino and Flush Poker in Partnership
Lumière Casino and Flush Poker announced a partnership to offer their customers the best gaming experience possible. The two brands will work together to provide a seamless experience for players, whether they are looking to enjoy slots, table games, or poker.
Lumière Casino is a well-known and respected brand in the online gaming industry. It has been providing quality casino games since 2014. Flush Poker is a leading online poker room that has been in operation since 2007.
The two brands have come together to offer customers an unrivalled gaming experience. Players can now enjoy a wide range of games at Lumière Casino, as well as the chance to play against other players from around the world at Flush Poker.
Both brands are committed to providing the best possible experience for their customers. They will work together to constantly update their games selection and enhance the overall gaming experience. This partnership is great news for players who want to enjoy casino and poker games under one roof.
Lumière Casino to Acquire Flush Poker
Lumière Casino has entered into an agreement to acquire Flush Poker, a leading online poker site. The deal is expected to close in the coming weeks pending regulatory approvals.
Flush Poker is a well-known brand in the online poker world, and this acquisition will give Lumière Casino a strong presence in the market. With over 2 million registered users, Flush Poker offers a sizable customer base for Lumière Casino to tap into.
In addition to its large user base, Flush Poker also has a strong track record of success. The site has generated over $1 billion in revenue since it was launched in 2004.
Lumière Casino CEO Alain Maury is excited about the acquisition. “This deal significantly strengthens our position in the online poker market,” he said. “We’re looking forward to working with the talented team at Flush Poker to continue building on their success.”
The acquisition of Flush Poker is another sign of Lumière Casino’s aggressive expansion strategy. The company recently announced plans to open a new casino in Las Vegas later this year. This follows the successful launch of Lumière Casino’s flagship property in Macau last year.
Flush Poker Sold to Lumière Casino
Lumière Casino, a top casino in the heart of downtown Las Vegas, has announced the purchase of flush poker, a popular and well-known online poker site. This comes as no surprise to the industry insiders, who have long speculated that Lumière was interested in buyingflush.
The move is designed to bolster Lumière’s online presence and give it a greater foothold in the competitive online gaming market. Flush has over 1 million registered users and processed over $1 billion in transactions last year.
“The acquisition of flush poker bolsters our commitment to delivering the best possible gaming experience to our customers,” said Tony Sinisi, CEO of Lumière Casino. “We are excited to welcome their team and players to the Lumière family.”
According to insiders, the purchase price was in the range of $200 million. In addition to acquiring flush’s user base, Lumière will also inherit its technology platform and team of experienced engineers.
This acquisition is another sign that the online gaming market is heating up. Over the past few years there has been a flurry of activity as casino companies battle for market share. Just last month MGM Resorts purchased global internet gaming company Bwin.party for $1.8 billion, while Caesars Entertainment acquired World Series of Poker Europe for an undisclosed amount.
The increasing competition is good news for gamers, as it means that casinos are investing more money into developing new and innovative products. So far this year we’ve seen several new products introduced, including live dealer games and mobile apps. Expect even more innovation in the months ahead as casinos race to stay ahead of the curve.
Lumière Casino Closes Deal for Flush Poker
Lumière Casino has announced the acquisition of Flush Poker, a leading online poker site. The move gives Lumière a strong foothold in the online poker market and positions the casino as a major player in the industry.
“We’re excited to add Flush Poker to our portfolio,” said a spokesperson for Lumière Casino. “This acquisition will help us to better serve our customers and to grow our business.”
The deal comes as good news for players at Flush Poker, who will now have access to a wealth of new games and promotions. “We’re looking forward to working with Lumière Casino,” said a spokesperson for Flush Poker. “Players can expect even more excitement and entertainment from our site now that we’re part of the Lumière family.”
Lumière Casino is one of the most popular online casinos in the world, offering a wide range of games, bonuses, and other promotions. With the acquisition of Flush Poker, the casino now offers one of the largest selections of online poker games available anywhere.
Lumière Casino TAKES OVER FLUSH POKER
The Lumière Casino has taken over the popular Flush Poker website and has made some big changes.
The first thing players will notice is that the lobby has been redesigned. The new lobby is sleek and easy to use, making it simple to find the game you want to play.
The games themselves have also been revamped. There are now more variants of each game available, so you can find the perfect game for your style. Plus, the graphics have been updated so that you can enjoy the best gaming experience possible.
But that’s not all – Lumière Casino has also introduced a new rewards system. Players can now earn rewards for playing their favourite games. The more you play, the more rewards you earn!
So what are you waiting for? Head over to Lumière Casino and take advantage of all these great changes!


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Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA X release date confirmed for Americas with launch edition and PSVR details
Sega of America just announced that Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA X will be releasing in the Americas on August 30 with details about the launch edition.
Both the PS4 and the PlayStation Vita editions of the game will be released on August 30 and the name will be same for both. In Japan, the PlayStation 4 edition has an HD in the name. Pre-orders and launch copies of the game on both platforms will include a Hatsune Miku pouch pictured below.
Sega of America also confirmed PlayStation VR support for the Concert Editor’s Live View mode. PlayStation VR support will be enabled via a free patch post launch of PSVR. There’s also a new trailer you can watch below:
Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA X is set to release on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita on August 30 in the Americas. Check out the official website here.


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Third-graders react to video game makers invading their privacy
In letters to game designers, who are spending increasing amounts of time and money to track user behavior in hopes of making their products more addictive, students say the practice is "wrong" and "creepy."
Read the letters >
Report: How companies are targeting and luring our kids
Digital culture has changed how fast food and soda companies market to children and teenagers. This report explores some of marketers' latest techniques and explains what advocates can do about it.
Read report >
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Domino’s Pizza sells pizzas but it has made the transition from being a fast food restaurant chain to becoming a technology company. Domino’s isn’t an obvious tech company but recently this pizza company has gotten especially good at developing technology, especially when it comes to mobile and online ordering, to get more people to buy their pizza.
During the company’s complete renovation, Domino’s thoroughly their menu, product quality, ingredients, and recipes, but most groundbreaking of all was that they changed how customers could order.
Kelly explains that Domino’s success can be broken down into two parts. The first part was recognizing that both the food industry and more and more customers were going mobile. It was for this reason that Domino’s rebuilt its foundation to now brand itself as a tech-forward company heavily invested in digital transformation.
The second part consisted of making an ordering process for customers that was comprised of surprise. Domino’s did this by making it possible for customers to order on any and all electronic devices. And as Kyle Wong in his article “How Domino’s Transformed Into An E-commerce Powerhouse Whose Product Is Pizza” says, “This was the beginning of their innovative ordering platform, Domino’s AnyWare. Today, customers can order through Apple TV, Google Home, Amazon Echo, Ford Sync, SMS, Samsung Smart TVs, smartwatches, an in-app voice assistant, and other emerging platforms, as well as via Tweets, Slack, and Facebook messenger.” The surprise element did not end there however. “The other side of the surprise and delight phase involved putting a loyalty program in place to reward Domino’s best customers and keep them away from the competition.”
Domino’s also deserves credit for how easy and simple they’ve made it to order online and through mobile ordering. Domino’s online ordering and mobile app give customers the option to save their order as an “easy order” so that they can come back next time and order even faster.
The Domino’s Tracker is another fun and innovative technological feature. The Domino’s pizza tracker acts as a progress bar that shows the customer real time updates on how their pizza is coming along. The tracker keeps tabs on the pizza order even when it’s leaving the store and is delivered.
At a Domino’s pizza store, when an online or mobile order comes in to their Kitchen Display System (KDS), an “Internet alarm” sounds so that employees now to start on the order.
This new technological makeover the company underwent wasn’t cheap, but Kelly Garcia (Domino’s Vice President of Development) says that their technology is what separates Domino’s from their competitors in quick-service restaurants. He also says online and mobile ordering are now a huge part of the company’s success.
And for fast food restaurants looking to advance their sales through online ordering or by adopting a mobile app like Domino’s did, Sintel Systems is a direct and single source provider that can help businesses in the food industry with a new POS system. As part of Sintel System’s all-inclusive fast food and QRS POS system package, our customers get a gift and loyalty card network with mobile app, private cloud services, embedded merchant account services, and unlimited technical support. Sintel Systems Direct-to-POS Online Ordering allows orders placed online to appear on the POS system as soon as they are in place.
Let Sintel Systems provide your market with the best POS system.
To learn more about how Sintel Systems can help improve your business, contact us today.


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What’s the Best Christmas Movie?
By Allyson Vannatta, Staff Writer
Cue the holiday movies!
Morning Consultant/Hollywood Reporter took a poll in November about holiday movies and the results are in. The survey showed that 76 percent of the 2,200 adults polled will choose to re-watch a favorite Christmas movie.
The movie that topped the “nice” list was RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER at 83 percent. Rudolph was followed closely by A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS and the animated HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS both came in at 82 percent.
The “naughty” list was topped by BAD SANTA at 20 percent followed by THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS and GREMLINS both at 15 percent.
The poll also showed that 41 percent of people prefer to watch holiday movies on a streaming service.
The list reiterates that family-friendly movies continue to outperform their counterparts, especially in legacy viewings.
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New kid on the automotive block, VUHL — or ‘Vehicles of Ultra High-Performance and Lightweight’ — revealed its latest addition to the sports car clan: the 05. Making its first appearance at the Royal Automobile Club in London, the car itself is being produced in Central America by the Echeverria brothers and is bringing the slick, clean, look and feel of race-car driving to the streets. Powered by a 2.0 liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine and connected to a six-speed manual transmission, the 05 takes from 0-60 in 3.7 seconds and tops its speed at 152 mph. As for aesthetics, the ultra-lightweight two-seater is composed of a RTM reinforced plastic body (with an option to change to carbon-fiber, or an aerodynamic flat under-body) and is perched on 17″ front and 18″ back wheels. With plans to build only 50 units a year, VUHL is pricing the 05 at a clean $106,000.
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HYPEBEAST 100: The innovators from all realms of creativity in the spotlight.
Explore and be inspired by the latest women's fashion news and trends.


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July 7th, 2007
There were five new releases to reach the rental chart this week, and even more on the sales chart. The leader of both of them was Shooter; on the sales chart the film picked up $7.82 million during its first week of release, or about one sixth of what it made during its theatrical run.
June 26th, 2007
It's a relatively soft week for cream-of-the-crop releases, but what this week's selection it lacks in top quality it sadly more than makes up for with mediocre offerings. None of the first-run releases were of much interest, limited releases only produced a few DVDs worth a second look, and even big name TV on DVD was mostly lacking in the must-have department.
It took an obscure release from the U.K., The New Statesmen to win that coveted honor.
April 2nd, 2007
March ended on a similar tone as it began, but not as strong as recent weeks.
Overall the weekend total gross was $128 million, down 5% from last weekend.
That is also down 10% from the same weekend last year.
However, it is important to note that was the weekend Ice Age: The Meltdown opened with nearly $70 million and 2007 is still 6% ahead of 2006's pace.
March 29th, 2007
March started like a lion when Wild Hogs opened to nearly $40 million and was even more ferocious the weekend after that when 300 broke records. It is folklore that if March starts like a lion, it ends like a lamb. So what does this mean for this week's box office? Nothing, it's just folklore. The box office looks very vigorous this weekend with two top-tier releases opening at saturation level (3,000 or more theaters).
As an added bonus, both films are aimed at different target demographics, so both could be big hits.
March 25th, 2007
This week's round of new movie release information contains release dates for Black Sheep, Mama's Boy, Americanese and more.
June 6th, 2006
An Inconvenient Truth repeated on top of the per theatre charts despite a massive expansion this past weekend. Overall the film managed 9th place with $1.4 million in total and a $17,615 per theatre average.
Second place again went to the overall box office champion, The Break-Up, with $12,760.
June 2nd, 2006
There were a few major updates for a few major movie sites this week, and it was one such site that walked away with the Weekly Website Award - Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
- Official Site
June 1st, 2006
leads the list of limited releases this week, at least when it comes to box office potential. However, that said, it doesn't seem likely that any of the films on this week's list will expand their theatre counts too much farther than they start with.


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In recent months and years the world’s largest technology companies have attracted increasing levels of government scrutiny related to their ability to spy on users, track everyday activities, geographically follow people, and other issues related to individual level of privacy. This applies to Google, Facebook, Instagram, and many other companies. Facebook is attempting to create a new monetary system that it controls, and this is getting the attention of various governments around the world.
In fact, the Department of Justice recently highlighted plans for a broad antitrust review of what they term “Big Tech”. We don’t know what will come of this or if it is merely theater to assuage the public, but the facts are that big tech is under fire.
What Is DuckDuckGo?
DuckDuckGo is a search engine much like Google, Bing, Yahoo, and Yandex. DuckDuckGo does not yet use its own calculations and algos for search as it piggybacks on the APIs of existing search engines. The company launched on September 25, 2008. You can use it with Android, Firefox, extensions, and as a web browser like you would any other.
DuckDuckGo is experiencing very rapid growth, although its market share overall is still quite small relative to Google. The search engine emphasizes privacy and the fact that it does not have to track user activity and behavior in order to make money. There is always disruption in technology. There was MySpace before Facebook and now we have TikTok and Telegram. Things evolve and change. Remember HIFW you had to code in Linux?
Statistics show that in Q2 of 2019 DuckDuckGo was the only major search engine to see a growth in organic searches. Even google’s organic searches were down 8% overall. There is also lots of data mounting up indicating that about half of organic searches on Google end up as “no click searches”, meaning Google provided the answer in the SERPs or directed the user to a Google property. This has huge implications for publishers.
Will consumers move more towards the privacy first model espoused by DuckDuckGo? Time will tell, but the facts thus far show that DuckDuckGo is indeed growing TBH. IKR, maybe time for people to drop the OMG and GIF and MEME and claw back their online privacy.
How Does DuckDuckGo Make Money?
Although the firm does not spy and sell your data, there are paid search ads like you see on other search engines such as Ecosia or Yandex. This brings in some money. We don’t yet know if DuckDuckGo will incorporate Bitcoin or Tezos or do something like Brave is doing, but time will tell.
Things To Do: https://www.seatsforeveryone.com/blog


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Foxhills Health Spa at Foxhills hotel in Ottershaw, Surrey, has been awarded UK Residential Spa of the Year at Professional Beauty’s World Spa and Wellness Awards 2015.
The 378-bedroom Hilton London Docklands Riverside is to be refurbished and rebranded as the DoubleTree by Hilton London Docklands hotel, following its acquisition by private equity group HIG Capital.
Nine in ten leaders of eating and drinking-out businesses feel optimistic about their industry prospects in 2015, although concerns remain about overall growth, a new report has shown.
Hotels and restaurants group Whitbread has reported a growth in like-for-like sales to February 2015, with Premier Inn looking particularly strong.
Further evidence that the UK continues to be the star performer in the hotel real estate market in Europe is highlighted in new research from hotel consultant HVS.
Union Hanover Securities has submitted a planning application for a £100m-plus dual hotel scheme at East Village, the area in Stratford, east London, which is currently being transformed from the former Olympic Village.
Hilton Worldwide achieved a global increase in revpar (revenue per available room) last year of 7.1%, according to its full-year results for 2014.
The 1,054-bedroom Hilton London Metropole is to become the first hotel in the Hilton Worldwide portfolio of UK properties to launch the Herb N' Kitchen grab and go concept.
View All Food Service news


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When it comes to television sets, it’s usually go big or go home. But could such a gung-ho principle be applied to tablets? Japanese electronics maker Kouziro sure seems to think so and has launched a massive 21.5-inch Android tablet known as the FT103. This billboard-size slab may not be the first of its kind, but it’s still a sight to see.
Tipping the scale at a hefty 11 pounds with its attached AC power adapter, the FT103 features a 21.5-inch SmartDisplay (1920 x 1080), a TI OMAP 4429 processor, HDMI-in and Android 4.0. While the FT103 is massive in stature, it comes up short in regards of storage capacity, only packing 8GB of internal memory, which cannot be expanded. We’re assuming that Kouziro designed the FT103 with the intentions of it staying indoors, because the device also lacks a battery and is solely dependent on a power outlet. We’ve got to ask, when is a tablet no longer a tablet?
However, if your home or office computer setup is just aching for a monitor that happens to run Android, then the FT103 can be yours for ¥34,800 (around $438) when it goes on sale later this month.


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San Francisco: The long-time top Amazon Web Services (AWS) executive TeresaCarlson made a final keynote appearance at the Public Sector Summit Online this week and introduced her successor Max Peterson.
Peterson, currently AWS's vice president of international sales within its worldwide public sector unit, will succeed Carlson as vice president of Amazon's worldwide public sector unit.
Carlson, who worked at AWS for over 10 years, started the Public Sector business and reported directly to CEO Andy Jassy (who is replacing Jeff Bezos as Amazon CEO) is moving to global firm Splunk as president and chief growth officer, starting April 19.
She will report directly to President and CEO Doug Merritt.
Splunk produces software for searching, monitoring, and analysing machine-generated big data via a web-style interface.
"After 10+ years on an unforgettable journey, today is my last day at AWS. It has been the honor and joy of my life and I've learned so much along the way," Carlson tweeted on Friday.
Today, the AWS public sector is a global organisation. More than 7,500 government agencies, 14,000 academic institutions, and 35,000 nonprofits across 190 countries and territories use AWS Cloud.
"The 1,000 Genomes Project, the world's first large-scale effort to index every letter of human's genetic code, began hosting data on AWS in 2012. We also did important early work with @NASAJPL, who used AWS to stream images & video of the Curiosity Rover landing on Mars in 2012," Teresa said in a tweet.
When Jassy was named to succeed Bezos in February this year, there were speculations that Carlson might succeed him.
Amazon finally selected former Tableau Software President and CEO Adam Selipsky to run its successful cloud business.


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Back in January I wrote a post about how Microsoft was beginning the gradual transition of Office from a suite of desktop applications to a suite of cloud based apps.
Now Adobe has announced that they plan to end the development of new features for the popular Adobe Creative Suite desktop software package altogether and transition as many Adobe software users as possible to the cloud as well.
The new cloud-based bundle of Adobe software will be aptly named Adobe Creative Cloud.
Beginning with the launch of Adobe Creative Cloud on June 17, Adobe Creative Suite will no longer be updated. You’ll have to subscribe to the Cloud version in order to continue upgrading to the latest and greatest Adobe products when they become available. All the bundled apps in the Adobe Cloud suite will bear the CC moniker instead of the now familiar CS.
The Adobe Creative Cloud suite will include all of the following: [Read more…]