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On Dec. 20, Reuters reported that Johnson & Johnson had said in a statement that baby talcum powder did not contain asbestos and that the company would continue to appeal against the sky-high compensation.
The judge denied similar decisions previously made by his court, which were eventually overturned by the Court of Appeal. We believe that this ruling will also be overturned on appeal. Johnson & Johnson wrote in its statement.
Currently, the health care company faces thousands of lawsuits over the safety of baby powder. Baby talcum powder was one of the core products of Johnson & Johnsons consumer products department. It has a high reputation in the world and has established a good consumer reputation for Johnson & Johnson for many years. Since the 1970s, talc powder has been used in baby powder and other cosmetic products.
In this case, the plaintiff claimed for the first time that asbestos fibers in Johnson & Johnson baby powder caused ovarian cancer. The plaintiffs judgment was based on unsealed documents inside Johnson & Johnson, which described in detail Johnson & Johnsons knowledge of asbestos in talcum powder at least since the 1970s, and its removal of hazards.
Rex Burlison, a Missouri judge, said in a December 19 ruling that the jurys huge compensation award was based on Johnson & Johnsons particularly reprehensible conduct during the trial. He rejected the companys request to overturn the verdict, saying the women provided sufficient evidence to support the jurys ruling.
Mark Lanier, a lawyer for two of the plaintiffs, said in a statement that the plaintiff was satisfied with Judge Berlisons decision.
Since December 14, Reuters has revealed that Johnson & Johnson has deliberately concealed the carcinogenic substance asbestos in its baby talcum powder for decades. Since that day, Johnson & Johnsons share price has fallen by more than 13%, causing the companys market value to evaporate by more than $45 billion.
Among the many lawsuits Johnson & Johnson faces, some women and their families say decades of use of baby powder and other cosmetics containing talc powder have caused their illness. They claim that, at least since the 1970s, the company has known that talc powder contains asbestos, but failed to warn consumers about these risks.
In long-standing lawsuits in the past, plaintiffs claimed that talcum powder itself causes ovarian cancer, but their lawyers have changed their opinion in recent months, claiming that asbestos in talcum powder can cause mesothelioma (a cancer closely related to asbestos exposure) and ovarian cancer.
Johnson & Johnson denied that talc powder products contain asbestos, and said decades of research and regulatory assessments have shown that talc powder is safe.
The Missouri Court of Appeal overturned two previous talc rulings against Johnson & Johnsons ovarian cancer, saying they were inconsistent with the Supreme Courts decision in 2017 to restrict companies from suing for personal injury.
The company made a similar argument in its September motion, telling Berlison that these women had no right to sue in Missouri, most of them from other states. Johnson & Johnson also said that lawyer Raniel replaced evidence and evidence with misleading and inflammatory images during the trial, including images of Johnson and Johnson pushing a woman off a cliff and causing ovarian cancer.
But in his ruling, Mr. Bellison said that because Johnson & Johnson was associated with Missouri, the cases should belong to Missouri courts.
Johnson & Johnson faces more than 9,700 talcum-related lawsuits, the vast majority of which allege that asbestos in its cosmetics causes ovarian cancer, while a small number allege that the use of talcum powder causes mesothelioma.
Whether talc is carcinogenic or not is still controversial in the medical field. According to the current research results, it is still unknown whether a definite conclusion can be drawn.
An epidemiological study of African-American women published by the American Association for Cancer Research in 2016 found an increased risk of invasive epithelial ovarian cancer among African-American women who used talcum powder privately, the New York Times reported. Studies have also shown that talc particles may cause inflammation when inhaled into the human body.
But another long-term follow-up study did not prove a link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer. The National Cancer Institute said in a study published on its official website that the available evidence is insufficient to prove the relationship between talc powder and ovarian cancer.
However, talc powder raw materials will be accompanied by asbestos impurities, and asbestos has been recognized as a carcinogen by the international community. Therefore, when talc powder is used as cosmetics raw materials, all countries and regions will strictly control its asbestos residues.
The General Administration of Food and Drug Administration has issued relevant requirements on talc powder products, stipulating that asbestos should not be detected in talc powder, and that powder should be kept away from nose and mouth in the production and use of powder products.
Source of this article: Peng Mei News Responsible Editor: Li Wan_B11284


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The coronavirus epidemic is putting up to 50 million jobs in the global travel and tourism sector at risk, with travel likely to slump by a...
For the first time in the survey’s 10-year outlook, the top five global risks in terms of likelihood are all environmental.
In the nineteenth century, the world was Europeanized. In the twentieth century, it was Americanized. Now, it is being Asianized – and much faster than you...
Fiscal crises emerges as the leading risk for doing business according to World Economic Forum , but in Asia environmental-related crises are a biggest concern.
Last month, 200 CEOs redefined the purpose of a corporation: no longer would shareholders have primacy. Companies should be run for the benefit of all stakeholders...
Although it is not among the world’s richest economies, Thailand succeeded in introducing an affordable system that has had a dramatic impact on the health of...
Experts warn that limiting global warming to 1.5ºC will require “rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented” action coupled with money and the commitment from governments to implement these...
The centrality of the ASEAN has been emphasized amidst the geopolitical shifts that this region is encountering, like the ongoing tussle between the US and China

domain: news


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Centrino wireless flaw leaves laptops vulnerable
Sophos has advised computer users to ensure they are running the latest security patches following the announcement of vulnerabilities in Intel Centrino’s wireless features. The flaws could theoretically allow hackers to spread malicious code, including worms, wirelessly between laptops.
According to a statement by Intel, the security vulnerabilities exist in the Microsoft Windows drivers for certain versions of their Wireless Network Connection hardware.
“A hacker could exploit these wireless vulnerabilities to run malicious code on an innocent user’s laptop, giving them control over other people’s PCs or spreading a wireless worm which could leapfrog from one laptop to the next,” said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for Sophos. “The good news is that we haven’t seen any attacks using this exploit yet, but that doesn’t mean computer users should be laid back about applying fixes.”
“It is essential that all companies remain alert to the latest security issues, and ensure their business computers are properly defended with the latest patches,” continued Cluley. “The more time taken to patch a flaw, the greater the opportunity for a malicious hacker to exploit it.”
Although Intel has published generic updates to its software, which reportedly fix the issue on its website, the company is recommending that users contact their laptop manufacturers for vendor-specific information and fixes.
Intel has published more information about the security holes, and information on which hardware is affected, on its website.
Sophos continues to recommend companies protect their laptops, desktops and servers with automatically updated protection against all computer threats


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Top Trends for 2010
It’s hard to predict exactly what consumers are going to want in the coming months, as even though consumer confidence may be on the rise, discretionary spending will be slow to follow. However, if the product is there and the price is right, they may just come on down for the sale.
Use this time to take advantage of what you already know about the customers you have, and target products and promotions to these groups. While new customers are bound to come in, don’t forget about those faithful members who you’ve come to know by name. Regardless of who walks through your door, we have included our picks for the top trends in 2010.
Tech and Teens
Do you tweet? Does your store or destination have Facebook fans? Is your Web site comprehensive? Like it or not, vending has gone viral. It’s become quite evident that at least a minimal online presence is mandatory to stay afloat in today’s retail environment.
Why? Forrester Research Inc. estimated that this year $757.4 billion of in-store sales — 28 percent of total retail sales — will be directly influenced by the Web as consumers research products online before and after their visits.
And while it may not be necessary to set up a social networking site for your store, Scott B. Davis, partner with corporate advisory and restructuring services at Grant Thornton LLP said, Integrating Internet resources with brick and mortar retailing is a necessary trend for retailers who want to be competitive with younger demographics.”
And the younger demographics are a group you need in your stores. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Generation Yers — that group born from 1978 through 2000 — will soon number close to 84 million.
“Teens are a growing target market,” said Allison Pellegrino of Cool Jewels by Phillips. “We try to stay in the loop and design what they want.”
And what they want is the convenience of being able to connect with your store in person, or on the Internet from the comfort of their own home. And, as Davis added, you can use what you learn about your customers through your online sales to develop offerings that will apply in your bricks and mortar locations.
Bigger Isn’t Better
It’s the little things — those lower cost impulse items — that can add up when it comes to sales. Instead of ornamental vases and expensive chains, suggest multiple ornaments and key chains. These smaller items allow visitors to take a piece of their experience home with them, and customers appreciate a variety of options.
As you may have noticed, customers haven’t stopped buying. They’ve just become more selective in their purchases, making it important for retailers to be flexible and innovative with products and price points. Many companies realize this strain on retailers and have been tailoring their product lines to reflect these changing times.
“People are more price sensitive now than ever before,” said Michael Kessler, senior vice president of sales, Aurora World. “We’ve been creating line extensions to meet the demand for lower price points while still maintaining our quality by offering smaller sizes in our best selling lines. This way we can maintain our brand integrity and still offer the retailers and customers a product that they can afford.”
Get out those sunglasses because color is back in style. With people looking optimistically towards the future, the days of black and gray are being replaced with energizing hues and styles — some that might look a little familiar.
“The ’80s are here again,” said Andrew Short, marketing assistant for MV Sport. “Expect to see neon colors, big over-sized graphics, plaids and stripes for 2010. Color and pattern is a trend that’s not going away.”
“Don’t be afraid of the neons and the bright bold colors,” Pellegrino agreed. “We are always trying to come up with something that stands out, and to build upon this trend, we designed something fun and in bright colors. We see a renewed sense of optimism with shoppers, and colors make people happy.”
But Still Green
And even though bright colors take center stage, consumers are still interested in going “green” and purchasing eco-friendly product. Lauren Solotoff, assistant director of merchandising for MoMA retail, said they are continuing to see an emphasis on eco-friendly and environmentally responsible design.
Gabrielle Melchionda of Mad Gabs agreed, predicting that customers will continue to see seek out U.S.-made, high quality, natural products for their stores.
“Whether this is natural personal care impulse items and natural fabrics or papers sourced in the U.S., consumers are demanding more and more that the products they purchase are different from the mainstream,” Melchionda said. “Using natural and organic ingredients for products made in the U.S., we’ve been able to not only sustain during a down economy, but grow.”
This uniqueness is something that specialty retailers can capitalize on by sourcing products locally or in the U.S. and being informed about ingredients and company history. Many times the draw of cause-related marketing — products and brands that are not only eco-friendly but that also give back— is enough to convince customers to make a purchase.
As Nader Hamda, president and CEO of Cloud B put it, “The trend should always sway towards brands that leverage their voice and market reach to help make a positive difference.” The same can be said for your store.
Toys and Plush
With money tight, consumers are looking to purchase products they’re familiar with, but that also give them the most bang for their buck. If a toy or a game can be both fun and functional, it has more appeal.
“Parents are looking not only for product that will entertain their children, but also educate them,” Kessler said. “In 2010, we are on trend with sights and sound — much of our new product is in bright, vibrant colors and many feature fun and entertaining sounds.”
Companies like Thames & Kosmos were founded on this philosophy, as they offer over 50 science kits that place an emphasis on teaching relevant science relevant science through hands-on experiment. It’s this mix of interactivity, learning, stability and technology that help consumers feel like they’re purchasing not just a toy, but an experience.
And in the end, it’s the shopping experience that will win them over. So for 2010 my biggest trend suggestion? Get inventive, get resourceful and get noticed.”


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PONTIAC, MI-- The busy season inside the largest United State Post Office canceling facility in the nation is just beginning.
According Karin Nowatzke, Lead Senior Manager Distribution Operations of Michigan Metroplex, the facility has the largest volume of cancellations of any processing facility in the nation, handling aproximately 62 million pieces this December alone.
A cancelation is "the process to make a live postage stamp unusable, usually at the point of original entry into the mailstream. This is done by using a facer-canceler machine or a handstamp and is one of the first steps in mail processing."
The Michigan Metroplex processes all First-Class cards, letter and flat mail collected in the entire Southeast Michigan area.
The 900,000 square-foot facility operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Since Nov. 23 the Michigan Metroplex has already processed over 17.6 million pieces of mail.
The Pontiac facility has handled over 1 million pieces of mail than the next highest processing and delivery center in the nation, which is located in Texas.
The U.S. Postal Service expects Dec. 14 to be the busiest mailing day of the holiday season and Monday, Dec. 21, to be the busiest delivery day.
"Now is the time to get those holiday cards, letters, and packages in the mail," said Detroit District Manager Lee Thompson.
The postal service will be delivering delivering packages earlier in the morning, later in the evening and on Sunday to accommodate.
Nowatzke warns senders to be careful of their envelope and pen choice when addressing letters.
Nowatzke held up a red envelope with shiny silver writing on the address line that the computer can not read and had to be hand processed. Always use black ink when addressing the letter she advised.
According to the USPS it, "expects to deliver more than 15.5 billion cards, letters, flats, and packages during the 2015 holiday season. In addition, it is projecting that approximately 600 million packages will be delivered between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve -- an increase of 10.5 percent over last year's volume."
Check the USPS mail-by-dates to make sure your card or package gets their in time this holiday season:.
Mail-by Dates (Domestic Services):
* Dec. 15 - Standard Post: Ground service for less-than-urgent deliveries and oversized packages.
* Dec. 19 - First Class Mail: Service for standard-sized, single-piece envelopes and small packages weighing up to 13 ounces with delivery in 3 business days or less.
* Dec. 21 - Priority Mail: Domestic service in 1, 2, or 3 business days based on where your package starts and where it's being sent, variety of Flat Rate options.
* Dec. 23 - Priority Mail Express: Fastest domestic service, guaranteed overnight scheduled delivery to most locations. Some restrictions and exceptions apply. Please note, Priority Mail Express postage refund eligibility is adjusted for shipments mailed Dec. 22 through Dec. 25.
Visit the USPS website for more information on mailing and shipping during the holiday season.


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Millennials rate core experience factors lowest compared to older shoppers
Initiative part of Restock strategy to build partnerships and e-commerce platforms
Services are planned in Virginia Beach, Va. this week for Macon Brock, Jr., a co-founder and former CEO and chairman of Dollar Tree Inc.
The initiative is part of a new multiyear agreement between the companies.
The deal marks the second completed acquisition of 2017 for Supervalu as it continues to invest in growing its wholesale business.
German hard discounter Lidl says smaller stores will accelerate expansion while pausing its prototype rollout in some markets.
Ingles Markets’ comparable store sales in its fiscal fourth quarter increased by a robust 3.6% behind increases in store traffic and higher average ticket, and aided by incremental sales triggered by hurricanes affecting its Southeast markets.
Led by soaring volumes from the Amazon-Whole Foods honeymoon, natural products distributor United Natural Foods Inc. saw stronger-than-expected sales in its fiscal first quarter.
Sandra Buffa will retire Dec. 31.
Ahold Delhaize has evolved to become Ahold Delhaize USA, which will be led by Kevin Holt as CEO and which will serve as the parent company for all of the latter's U.S. companies.
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Ontario is planning a 25 per cent increase in the number of STEM graduates over the next five years, and will give $30 million to the Vector Institute to boost the number of artificial intelligence grads to 1,000 annually – all part of an effort to lure online retail giant Amazon and other foreign tech companies to the region.
The commitments were announced Wednesday in advance of a speech by Ed Clark, a former TD Bank CEO who is heading up the province’s bid to land Amazon’s second North American headquarters – dubbed HQ2 – and the 50,000 high-paying jobs expected to come along with it.
“The core of the province’s commitment is a major increase in the number of science, technology, engineering and math students that will graduate every year from Ontario’s world-leading universities,” Clark told attendees at a breakfast event held by the Canadian Club of Toronto.
“That includes a major expansion in the number of specialists we produce in artificial intelligence, which is in vital demand from companies engaged in the knowledge economy.”
Clark, who is also chair of the board at the Vector Institute – a partnership between the University of Toronto, the province and the federal government – hastened to point out that Ontario’s pledge to boost STEM grads to 50,000 a year from 40,000 today is not contingent on a successful Amazon bid.
“These changes will take place whether the company comes to Ontario or not,” he said. “We believe the best thing we can do for our future is to bet big on education and talent.”
Ontario's STEM announcement came a day after Times Higher Education released its latest subject rankings, which showed U of T among the best in the world when it comes to computer science, engineering and technology. U of T placed 22nd in computer science among 300 universities surveyed worldwide and 29th in engineering and technology out of 500 universities, making it among the top 20 publicly funded universities in the world in both subjects.
As for the pledge to train 1,000 master’s-level AI grads annually, Clark said the Vector Institute will use the province’s $30 million investment “to help with that ramping up, or for scholarships for people going to those programs.”
He added that Vector “will look not only to the University of Toronto and the University of Waterloo as natural partners in this endeavour, but to universities across the province to find the best way to meet this target.”
Amazon generated a flurry of interest from cities across North America when it revealed in early September that it was planning to build a second headquarters and was putting out a public request for proposal. Among its requirements: a business-friendly metropolitan region of more than one million that boasts a talented workforce, top-notch universities and a high quality of living.
Read about how Toronto meets or exceeds Amazon's wish list
Read about how Amazon would anchor the Toronto-Waterloo tech corridor
In return, Amazon pledged it would invest about $5 billion into its new home, hire as many as 50,000 people, and make HQ2 a "full equal" to its current Seattle headquarters.
The deadline for applications is this week.
While some U.S. cities are expected to lavish the online retailer with huge tax breaks and other subsidies, the Ontario approach is focused on doubling down on what it believes is its main draw: an abundance of talented workers and great post-secondary education institutions to produce even more of them.
“We’re not going to buy Amazon to come here,” said Brad Duguid, the province’s minister of economic development, following Clark's speech.
“When you look at the talent increase that we’re providing – the increase to the pipeline we’re going to be growing – that’s really what our bid sits on.”
Clark even went so far as to say that, if politics were taken out of the equation – meaning if Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos is unconcerned about a possible backlash from the Trump administration should he choose a location outside the United States – Ontario would win the Amazon sweepstakes because it would save the company an estimated $1.5 billion in labour costs. Why? Clark said it was 30 per cent cheaper to hire a software programmer in Ontario than in New York or Boston. That's presumably because of factors like the lower Canadian dollar.
“I don’t think there’s any doubt Ontario’s the place where you put your second headquarters,” he said.
Regardless of Amazon's decision, Duguid said the province’s goal is be the top producer of STEM grads in North America (it's currently the No. 2-ranked jurisdiction), attracting companies from around the world.
“Whatever Mr. Trump decides to do is not ultimately going to decide our fate,” Duguid said. “Our fate will be decided by what we do together – working with the business community and post-secondary institutions to build the best talent anywhere in the world today.”


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by Kyle Woodley | July 1, 2014 11:23 am
Editor’s note: This column is the latest update in our 10 Best Stocks for 2014 contest. Kyle Woodley’s pick for the contest is Tesla Motors (TSLA).
Question: When are 60% returns in six months disappointing?
Answer: When the other guy is running off 140% returns.
I jest, I jest. There’s nothing disappointing about the gains enjoyed by my 10 Best Stocks for 2014pick, Tesla Motors (TSLA). Sure, I’d love to be leading the pack like Jon Markman, whose Emerge Energy Services LP (EMES) pick has stormed forward some 140% this year, but … well, a silver medal at the midway point ain’t too shabby.
I am, however, a bit less sanguine about where TSLA stock sits heading into the second half of the year.
Because whereas the outlook at Jan. 1 looked like a simple run to exponential growth, in the past six months … things got weird, in a couple of ways.
Earlier this year, TSLA announced plans to build a so-called Gigafactory, an ambitious $5 billion project that’s expected to start producing lithium-ion batteries in 2017, and by 2020 produce more batteries for EVs than the world’s total global production as of last year. In the process, Tesla estimates that the Gigafactory would reduce the per-kWh cost of battery packs by roughly 30%.
The big concern here, of course, is the sheer size and scale of the project.
For one, at $5 billion, the Gigafactory’s cost represents a sixth of Tesla’s overall market capitalization and roughly double TSLA’s cash and short-term investments.
Plus, Tesla says the Gigafactory would produce enough battery packs annually to power about 500,000 vehicles (in addition to any other batteries the factory might produce for other purposes). To put that in perspective, Tesla Motors’ goal for Model S deliveries this year is 35,000 cars.
Hopes of breakneck growth are a big part of why I picked Tesla to begin with, but now TSLA really needs that sales expansion to become reality if the company has any hope of keeping investors pleased.
There are no hard numbers to tack onto this worry — merely conjecture about things we don’t know, and a mind that no one can read.
In mid-June, Elon Musk announced that he was opening up all of Tesla Motors’ patents for, more or less, the benefit of mankind. Musk’s hope is that by making available some of the blueprints to his EV technology, the rest of the automotive world will catch up faster.
Shortly after that, we got reports that Tesla was talking to BMW (BAMXY) and Nissan (NSANY) about how to work together in expanding EV-charging networks — almost certainly Tesla’s current Supercharger system.
The big worry, of course, is that Elon Musk really does care about the future of electric vehicles and a greener earth that he’s willing to sacrifice corporate profits to get there. You wouldn’t be blamed for thinking that — Musk has rankled shareholders before with brutally honest, investors-second comments, and he specifically pointed out in his blog post that the patents were made available “for the advancement of electric vehicle technology.”
But a couple things put my mind to ease here.
Open-source technology does not a business topple. Just ask Google (GOOG) how Android is faring. No one’s exactly shaking over at Red Hat (RHT), either.
Also, Musk is smart enough to know it’s hard to effect big change without big money. Musk is worth some $12 billion, but his Tesla stock holdings represent nearly half of that. Letting TSLA burn to the ground wouldn’t further any of his goals, so he certainly wouldn’t be the one striking the match. Thus, it’s easy to believe Musk’s insistence that “We believe that applying the open source philosophy to our patents will strengthen rather than diminish Tesla’s position in this regard.”
Tesla has other concerns on the forefront — for instance, I’m not exactly thrilled that established, quality-producing BMW is getting generally favorable reviews for its electric i3. It’s one thing to laugh when comparing the Model S with a Nissan Leaf or a Chevrolet Volt … but it’s another when a German luxury powerhouse comes knocking on your door.
I’d say the Gigafactory gives me the most pause, however, and that’s because (as I’ve mentioned before) I’m typically pretty risk-averse and hate dealing with the fun unknowns of innovative, untested, multiyear, multibillion-dollar projects.
Still — and maybe this is the worst reason to invest in (or keep holding) a particular stock — I remain bullish on Tesla if only because it hasn’t let me down yet, and Elon Musk & Co. haven’t really given me a reason to think it will anytime soon.
Besides, international expansion continues to go swimmingly, the Model X is now lined up to come out in early 2015, and the Model E is expected to be competitively priced against the Audi A4 and BMW 3-series.
As we hit the halfway point of this contest, I increasingly think of this Tesla pick like I do relationships. After 60% gains and a little turbulence along the way, we’ve officially passed the wild, irresponsible puppy-love phase. Now, the conversations have turned a little more serious as we start to think about the uncertain future.
That doesn’t mean that Tesla’s bad. Far from it. TSLA has oodles of potential left.
You just have to be realistic about the potential implosions, and be mentally prepared to cut bait if things go south.
Practically, that means setting stop-losses to protect your gains … though I wouldn’t suggest using that terminology in your next serious convo with your sweetheart.
Kyle Woodley is the Deputy Managing Editor of InvestorPlace.com. As of this writing, he was long TSLA. Follow him on Twitter at @KyleWoodley.
Source URL: https://investorplace.com/2014/07/tsla-tesla-stock-best-stocks/
Short URL: http://invstplc.com/V7PxEz
Copyright ©2018 InvestorPlace Media, LLC. All rights reserved. 700 Indian Springs Drive, Lancaster, PA 17601.


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U.S. refiner Phillips 66 reports improved fourth-quarter earnings
HOUSTON, Jan 30, 2013 (Xinhua via COMTEX) --
Copyright 2013 XINHUA NEWS AGENCY
U.S. refiner Phillips 66 on
Wednesday reported fourth-quarter earnings that surpassed analysts
' forecasts, thanks to cheaper crude supply from the United States
The Texas-based company's adjusted earnings in the fourth
quarter of 2012 rose more than three times to 1.37 billion U.S.
dollars, taking advantage of larger profit margins for its
refining and chemical businesses.
Adjusted earnings in its refining business soared to 916
million U.S. dollars from 27 million a year earlier, the company
"Strong realized refining and chemicals margins improved our
earnings during the quarter," Phillips 66 Chairman and CEO Greg
Garland said in a statement.
"The company's solid financial performance in 2012 was
underpinned by safe, reliable and efficient operations," Garland
The U.S. refining businesses have boomed over the year. Leading
U.S. refiner Valero on Tuesday reported a surprisingly strong
profit for the fourth quarter of 2012 as it swapped out foreign
crude for cheaper domestic oil.
Valero, also based in Texas, said that its profit in the
October-December quarter jumped to 1.01 billion U.S. dollars from
45 million dollars a year earlier.
The earnings result was the company's highest since 2005,
beating analysts' forecasts.
Refiners fared better than any other energy sector in 2012 as
U. S. crude production rose to the highest level since 1993,
exceeding demand and keeping U.S. oil prices much lower than


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Retailers can apply to sell Mississippi lottery tickets
MISSISSIPPI (WCBI)- The time is inching closer to the launch of the Mississippi Lottery. Retailers are already starting to send in their applications.
The Mississippi Legislature created the Mississippi Lottery Corporation in October of 2018.
Since then the ball has been rolling.
The corporation is asking for retailers interested in selling lottery tickets to fill out the online application, so they can get the contracts awarded ahead of the December lottery launch.
The Director of Communications for the Mississippi Lottery Corporation says there are several benefits for stores that might sell tickets.
“You’ll have more foot traffic to your store. That’s one of the biggest in my opinion. Someone who’s coming in to buy a lottery ticket, typically buys drinks, snacks, gas, whatever. So extra foot traffic, and then if you’re one of those retailers that sells a big ticket down the road, there’ll probably be incentives for that. Plus, you’ll get, I believe it’s six percent commission on your weekly sales. There are lots of perks,” said Meg Annison.
That website to fill out the application is mslotteryhome.com.
Leave a Reply


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GMC is bringing back a storied nameplate, introducing the world to the GMC HUMMER EV during this weekend’s Super Bowl game. Three new ads, each called ‘Quiet Revolution’, will debut and show off some details about the mysterious truck. Items showcased will include the vehicle’s 1,000 horsepower, 11,500 lb-ft of torque and lightning-quick zero to sixty mile per hour claim of three seconds. All three can be seen below.
The HUMMER EV will be revealed on May 20th and be built in the GM Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant. The facility just received a massive $2.2 billion investment to become the brand’s first assembly percent wholly devoted to building electric vehicles.


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Xiaomi Mi 6X Expected to launch on April 25, Event Scheduled
Xiaomi is planning to launch upcoming latest two smartphone this year, Xiaomi Mi 6X and Mi 7. Currently Xiaomi is planing to launch Mi 6x. Chinese company Xiaomi made announcement that those smartphone would launch in China on April 25. While there is no any statement regarding Mi 7 launching date. currently they are focusing on Mi 6x to launch in upcoming event in China. Last year in July, Mi 5x was launched by Xiaomi. But in India it was know as Mi A1 and Mi 6x will be Mi A2.
Xiaomi Vice Prsident “Wang Xiang” tweeted on twitter about place of that event, The event will be held at Wuhan University. He kept secret that he didn’t revealed the name of smartphone, Which they are going to launch in upcoming event. Just he simply said, “”Are you excited to find out which device it is?”
Some specifications of Xiaomi Mi 6x has been revealed from website of TENAA, the Chinese telecommunications certification agency. The smartphone has 5.99 inch display, and by seeing images, we can guess that it will support 18:9 aspect ratio. They have also revealed about their battery, Seen to be it has 2910 mAh battery. On back side it has dual camera setup in vertical manner with fingerprint sensor like other Xiaomi phones below camera.
We didn’t have any news about Mi 6x. May be Xiaomi Mi 6x will launch in India in the name of Mi A2. Mi A2 was spotted with 2.2GHz octa-core processor and powered by 626 SoC. Apart from that it will come with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. There is no doubt that it has dual camera setup and fingerprint sensor. Now let’s move on camera, So, spotted 20 megapixel primary camera with f/2.0 aperture and 8 megapixel secondary camera with f/1.8 aperture. Rumoured said, On front it has 20 megapixel camera with f/2.0 aperture.
We know that, Many questions are running in your mind and someone are confused that is it Mi 6x or Mi A2. Let me tell you, In china it’s launching with the label of Mi 6x and may be in India it will be launch with the label of Mi A2.
We are also not that much sure, Let’s see what will happen in India. They kept secret about model name, price and everything. But there are some sites in China, who spotted this smartphones and revealed specifications. If some news would publish about Xiaomi Mi 6x then, Sure we will let you know about their Mi 6x price, specification, Camera everything.


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|WCSI Local News|
Parking Lot Pickers, a fundraiser for Seymour Main Street, is coming up on April 13 in downtown Seymour.
Gloria Cullison is a member of the Seymour Main Street promotions committee. She says the organization is getting very close to selling out all of the parking spots for the event that will be held rain or shine in the parking lot on South Walnut Street.
Cullison says the organization had 30 spaces blocked off for the event in the Walnut Street lot, and there are only three spots left, so they will probably have about 10 spots available across from it in the Robertson lot for those wishing to sell their items that day.
You will be able to sell items like furniture, household goods, clothing, music and other items, but no firearms, weapons or alcoholic beverages may be sold.
The deadline to register is April 10. The cost is $20, which includes two parking spots.
For more details, go to http://www.seymourmainstreet.org/.
Last Updated: Thursday, March 21, 2013 11:22:53 AM
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Hit the coast this weekend to check out the Corona del Mar event featuring a road rally and a bevy of classic car beauties.
The prelude to the car show is the Coastline Motoring Road Rally on Saturday. Drivers will cruise in their vintage vehicles from Corona del Mar State Beach to Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club. Participants who are also exhibiting their cars in the show can participate in the rally for free and will receive five extra points on their judging score card. Non-exhibitors can participate in the rally for $20. 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
On Sunday, the 10th annual Coastline Car Classic will feature more than 150 vehicles including classics from bygone eras as well as modern marvels from Bentley, Porsche, Audi, Ferrari, BMW, Rolls Royce and Lexus.
To celebrate a decade, the Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce invited world-renowned race car driver Bob Bondurant, who will sign autographs and mingle with the crowd. The show also will feature a choreographed fly-by of World War II B-25 bombers presented by Lyon Air Museum, live music, gourmet food trucks, a beer and wine garden and the inaugural Coastline Car Classic Pin-up Girl Contest.
The awards ceremony will be emceed by automotive commentators Dave Kunz of KABC and Art Gould of “The Car Show” on KPFK.
Contact the writer: firstname.lastname@example.org


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XIPWIRE, the Center City-based mobile payments company, has launched an online platform through which supporters can donate funding to the controversial WikiLeaks and the legal defense fund of its founder Julian Assange, as reported by Raw Story.
The move comes after major credit cards Visa and MasterCard, in addition to online payment giant PayPal, halted any payments to the nonprofit, which was the mechanism through which thousands of pages of classified U.S. government diplomatic documents were made public.
On the XIPWIRE WikiLeaks page, the following message is posted:
While people may or may not agree with WikiLeaks, we at XIPWIRE believe that anyone who wishes to support the organization through a donation should be able to do so.We are waiving all fees so that 100% of the donations collected will be directly passed on to WikiLeaks.
More from the Baltimore Sun’s technology blog here.


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What a March for Kia!
Really, what a March for Kia! A new sales record was set last month for Kia UK car sales, after 12,608 Kia’s were delivered to customers.
This years first quarter has seen 19,204 vehicles registered over the three months! Kia now have a 3.17 per cent share of the new car market – up by almost 12 per cent against last year. March shows a near 13 per cent increase against 2012’s figure of 11,178.
Kia’s Sportage was the bestselling car for the first time this quarter, followed closely by Picanto, Rio and cee’d.


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Amazon.com Inc. launched a new 7-inch tablet on Thursday that it is offering for $49.99 - or a six pack for $249.95. The company is pushing the low-priced tablet, called Fire OS 5 Bellini, in an effort to gain market share among customers unwilling to pay a premium for Apple's fleet of iPads. Apple's lowest-tier iPad, the 7.9-inch iPad mini 2, starts at $269 with 16 gigabytes of storage. Amazon said its new tablet is two-times more durable than the iPad Air, and has two times more processing power than the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Lite. It also boasts having "the best display of any tablet under $50." The company also launched two next-generation Fire HD tablets, one with an eight-inch display that will retail for $149.99 and another with a 10.1-inch display that will retail for $229.99.
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Ask people to name the most visible signs of ageing and it’s a fair bet that wrinkles and hair loss are right at the top of the list. And ageing, it turns out, is something that Millennials (22-39-year-olds) fear more than previous generations.
According to a new report in the US from market research firm Mintel, Millennials are significantly more likely to be concerned about the physical signs of ageing than their older siblings and parents. A total of 60 per cent of Millennials say they are doing all they can to fight the physical signs of ageing; by comparison, only 49 per cent of Generation X (people aged 40-51) are doing the same.
Since time immemorial, hair loss and thinning hair have been inextricably linked with the ageing process, and yet the reality as a great many people come to discover is that genetic hair loss can kick in when people are still in their late teens. Even for women, who have traditionally tended to lose their hair later in life, reports have shown that increasing numbers are now starting to experience hair loss in their 20's - much earlier than previous generations.
What is ironic is that modern-day life and, indeed, the lifestyle of the average Millennial could actually be speeding up the ageing process. Several different forms of hair loss, for example, can be influenced such factors as stress (think final exams, starting a new job or a family, buying a home, etc.) as well as nutritional deficiencies and habits such as smoking.
People are frequently surprised when they hear for the first time that the way they live could be partly to blame for their hair loss condition. And yet it’s a fairly simple equation: your hair is part of you, and as the old adage goes, you get out what you put in. If all you’re putting in is junk food instead of vitamins, minerals, fibre and the things that both hair and body need, it’s perhaps a little less left-field to think that awful diets can wreak havoc with the hair follicles.
What is evident to hair loss specialists is that women in their 20s are increasingly coming in for treatment for conditions that were once much more commonly seen on women in their 40s. Stress, smoking, recreational drugs, alcohol and diet often play a part in a condition named Telogen Effluvium, especially. This condition leads to a general, all-over thinning of the hair, and when it is evident for more than a year it is known as Chronic Telogen Effluvium or Diffuse Thinning.
Additionally, thousands of women in their 20s - and some men, too - experience hairloss from a condition called Traction Alopecia, which is in many ways self-inflicted (though obviously not intentional) as it is caused by stress placed on the hair follicles. It happens when certain ‘in vogue’ or traditional hairstyles such as hair-extensions, tight braids or cornrows are worn for prolonged periods. Oft-seen in women with afro hair due to its naturally more brittle texture, the condition recently prompted the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore to issue guidelines pertaining to how long certain kinds of hairstyles can safely be worn.
What is reassuring to Millennials, Generation X-ers and Baby Boomers alike is that many cases of excessive shedding can be diagnosed and treated at a dedicated hair loss clinic. For those who have a family history of female or male pattern baldness and want to try to prevent thinning hair, proactive treatment courses started at the first signs of hair loss can also help to stabilise any hair fall and promote regrowth before it becomes noticeable to others.
Belgravia’s personalised hair loss treatment courses have proved effective in treating a range of conditions for both men and women of all ages, though our largest customer-base definitely sits in the Millennial category.
The Belgravia Centre is a world-renowned group of a hair loss clinic in Central London, UK. If you are worried about hair loss you can arrange a free consultation with a hair loss expert or complete our Online Consultation from anywhere in the world for home-use treatment.
View our Hair Loss Success Stories, which includes the world's largest gallery of hair growth photos and demonstrates the level of success that so many of Belgravia's patients achieve.


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Eurofragance will also present the conference “Fragrance Color Sensations” on colour psychology combined with olfactory-sensory marketing.
August 2015 - Eurofragance will be taking part in the upcoming Expo Cosmética 2015 trade fair at the World Trade Center in Mexico City on 26 and 27 August. Eurofragance, the international fragrance design and production company, will have its own stand where it will provide information about the different trends in Fine Fragrance for the Mexican market in line with global trends adapted to local tastes and needs. The company will present a new sensory concept developed in its Personal Care line, among other innovations. It will be showcasing Fine Fragrances in products such as Sugar Scrubs, Bath Bombs and Body Sorbets, formats that offer new opportunities in the personal care area. There is also a collection of fruity fragrances that is very popular in the Mexican market, which comes in products such as bath salts and glycerine soaps.
Fragrance Color Sensations
Eurofragance will also be offering a conference entitled "Fragrance Color Sensations" by perfumer Jorge Guerrero, who will analyse the possibilities of olfactory-sensory marketing in the fragrance world combined with the psychology of colours. The conference will be an opportunity to learn about the relationship between colour and fragrance and how these transmit different sensations such as happiness, sensuality, relaxation, etc. The conference will take place on Wednesday, 26 August at 11.00 in the Mexica room at the WTC Mexico.
Expo Cosmética 2015, organised by the “Sociedad de Químicos Cosmetólogos de México A.C.”, will be held on 26 and 27 August at the World Trade Center in Mexico City and will be attended by leading cosmetic sector suppliers.
Eurofragance in Mexico
Eurofragance has its own production plant in Mexico, which also serves as its operational base for the Latin American market, a strategic area for the company's growth. It has its own creative and technology center in the zone as well as personnel dedicated to developing and evaluating fragrances. Fine Fragrance, Personal Care and Home Care are its main areas of activity, the first being by far the most important. The company has clients in Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic and Mexico. It is currently enjoying rapid growth in the region at a rate of above 60% and it is investing to increase production capacity by improving and expanding on the plant and facilities.
Juan Francisco Mediavilla has recently joined as the new Mexico & Central America & Caribbean General Manager with the mission to optimise and strengthen Eurofragance's results in the area.


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Oh boy. Food fraudsters in China ride again. Only weeks after the USDA reversed its ban on chicken processed in China and gave the okay for it to be served on American plates, another big Chinese food-fiddling story surfaced. To take advantage of beef’s higher prices over more lowly pork, greedy Chinese meat sellers took 44,000 pounds of pork and swished it around overnight in a mix of wax, industrial salts and other chemicals. Then abracadabra – by morning that pork had become beef and the charlatans had become richer, setting up yet another reason for American consumers to wonder if the USDA has misplaced their grey cells in allowing processed chicken (or any Chinese food) into the US.
Along with their okay, the USDA loftily declared Chinese factories would receive ZERO inspections during the chicken processing. After all, the factories had already been inspected a whole six months ago. Which apparently should satisfy everyone except maybe a bunch of cry baby, worry warts.
To show the extreme contrasts that exist between our two countries when it involves food in any way, two other dicey incidents were also recently reported in China. The first was the great escape of at least a million cockroaches from a Chinese farm where they were being raised for their medicinal properties. To this day it’s unknown how many really escaped and are currently chowing down in villager’s kitchens. According to an AP report, extracts of crushed cockroaches are used to treat cancer, reduce inflammation, and improve the body’s immunity and resilience.
Perhaps inspired by this break for freedom, 160 deadly cobras next broke out of their illegal breeding laboratory in southwestern China. They slithered into roads and kitchens and splashed in toilets before all but six were recaptured.
Unlike the roaches, the snakes were for eating. It’s said they increase male virility.
In the end do we really want to eat chicken processed in a country where food fraud seems to operate outside laws that are either nonexistent or unenforceable?
More on Food Mayhem in China:
- Chicken from China Sneaks in our Back Door
- Are You Eating Rice Harvested in a “Cancer Village”?
- Meat that Glows in the Dark Perfectly Safe to Eat
- What the Heck is Melamine Doing in Plates?
- Are Chicken Jerky Treats from China Killing Our Dogs?


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The computer that runs your car may be the next target hit by hackers, says anti-virus software maker McAfee.
In a newly released report, entitled “Caution: Malware Ahead,” the anti-virus giant said that, as cars have become more reliant on computer technology, like microchips and sensors, to get us safely down the road, so too have they become more vulnerable to attacks from malicious coders.
“As more and more functions get embedded in the digital technology of automobiles, the threat of attack and malicious manipulation increases,” said McAfee senior vice president and general manager Stuart McClure.
While having your personal computer hacked might ruin your life in any number of horrifying ways, McClure warns that “having your car hacked could translate to dire risks to your personal safety.”
In other words, hackers currently have the ability to take over everything from air bags and cruise control to the door locks and even power seats, in some vehicles. Other risks include the ability to track a person through their on-board GPS and steal personal information through their BlueTooth connections.
At this year’s Black Hat security conference in Las Vegas, for instance, security consultants with iSEC Partners demonstrated their ability to remotely lock and unlock a car, as well as start it, by communicating with the car’s computer system using only text messages.
Part of the problem, says McAfee, is that protections against such attacks are lagging behind the hackers ability to come up with new tactics, as car makers scurry to pack their autos with the newest technologies.
“The automobile industry is continually adding features and technologies that deliver new conveniences such as Internet access and the ability to further personalize the driving experience,” McAfee wrote in the report. “However, in the rush to add features, security has often been an afterthought.”
All we can say is, Google’s self-driving, 100 percent computer-controlled, cars seem like an even worse idea, now.


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Keep up to date with the latest consumer news.
Our flight was cancelled due to COVID-19 and we were only offered a voucher
We were contacted by a consumer as he and his partner had their flight cancelled due to COVID-19. The airline only offered them a voucher. They had both lost their jobs so would have preferred a refund.
We contacted the airline on their behalf, and asked the airline to issue a full refund under EU Regulation 261/2004.
The airline agreed to the refund for both passengers, totally £1,122.07.


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The company sold 9,225 units of combined domestic and export vehicles last month, allowing it to reclaim second position in the automotive sales table and putting it on track to recover lost sales from January.
Proton’s domestic market share for the month is estimated at 20.2% while for the first two months of the year,
the cumulative market share is estimated to be at 15.9%.
For the automotive market in general, total industry volume (TIV) for the year is estimated to have grown by 11.4% compared to the first two months of last year.
With the full resumption of production in Shah Alam and Tanjung Malim, there was a marked increase in Proton’s sales numbers across the board.
However, models such as the Proton Saga only managed half a month of normal production and sales activities, suppressing its full potential.
The Saga achieved 2,951 units in February, and while this is less than its usual monthly average, the numbers are expected to return to their previous level in the coming months.
Other models fared better in comparison to their sales targets.
The Proton X50 and X70 closed February with 3,002 and 1,119 units sold, allowing both to retain their
hold on first place in their respective segments.
The Proton X50 was also the best-selling SUV in the country and has attracted over 100,000 bookings in just 16 months.
The Proton Exora also returned to the head of the C-segment MPV table while big improvements for the Proton Iriz and Persona saw them ending the month in fourth and second position in their respective segments.
While domestic sales still trail last year’s volume, export sales are trending upwards and have grown by 72.8% in 2022.
For the first two months of the year, 323 units have been sold in export markets compared to just 187 units of various Proton cars in 2021.
Proton Edar chief executive officer Roslan Abdullah said February’s rebound in sales was a direct result of the company being able to produce more cars.
“This was only made possible by the outstanding joint efforts of our vendors and Proton staff, who worked and continue to work ceaselessly to get us back on track.
“Thankfully, our order bank remains healthy, and we remain hopeful of catching up to our targets for this year.
“As for the Malaysian automotive industry, the first two months of the year has seen strong demand as evidenced by the growth in TIV compared to 2021.
“This is good news for both car companies and the vendor community and is also testament to the effectiveness of policies set by the government,” he said.
Roslan also said the company would continue to add to its sales and service network to better serve its customers and enhance sales growth.
The 147th 3S/4S outlet was officially opened in Alor Setar on Wednesday and is the tenth outlet for EON.
It is also the fifth Proton Platinum Showroom facility in the country and is housed at the iconic Souq Albukhary.
By adding to its industry leading number of 3S/4S outlets, the company is also taking steps to improve the quality of after sales service for its customers.
The Proton EON 3S-Platinum outlet comes with a built-up area of 35,992 sq ft and can accommodate up to seven display cars.
It also features a spacious and comfortable customer lounge equipped with amenities such as a F&B corner, laptop/mobile charging stations, free Wi-Fi, Netflix and Kid’s room for the pleasure and convenience of customers.
The service centre has six hoisted bays, three non-hoisted bays, an alignment bay and an Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) bay.
EON chief executive officer Akkbar Danial said the Platinum outlet in Alor Setar further augments EON’s commitment to strengthen Proton’s presence especially in the north.
“This is part of EON’s expansion plans and continuous effort to cater to the evolving needs of the Malaysian auto market,” said Akkbar.


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Town Shoes Limited – based out of Toronto has announced it will unveil the first DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse store in Winnipeg at the Winnipeg Outlet Collection. On Wednesday, May 3rd, Winnipeg shoppers will be able to shop the first DSW in the province of Manitoba.
DSW is known for their wide assortment of men’s and women’s designer and brand name shoes and offers customers everyday savings of up to 40% off. With over 2,000 styles of footwear, this will be a great footwear shopping destination for consumers in the Winnipeg area.
The new Winnipeg location will also offer DSW kids, which includes designer and brand name footwear options for infants all the way up to teens.
To celebrate the Winnipeg opening, the first 100 customers at the DSW location on Wednesday morning will receive a $25 DSW Cash Card which can be redeemed instantly towards a purchase at the store. DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse will also be giving away a multi-purpose drawstring bag as a special gift with purchase, while quantities last.
The DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse Winnipeg Outlet Collection store at 555 Sterling Lyon Parkway, Anchor B, will open on Wednesday, May 3rd at 10:00 a.m. Regular store hours are 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday.


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Running Press will release an “Outlander” mini mortar and pestle set in the fall; Scorpio Posters will create posters for the Starz series, available this summer; and Sellers Publishing will make wall calendars, daily box calendars and mini wall calendars for 2016 and 2017.
The series, based on Diana Gabaldon’s
New York Times
bestselling book series currently airs in 87 territories around the world and a second season is in production.
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Jumia Becomes First African Firm To Be Listed On New York Stock Exchange
Pan-African e-commerce platform, Jumia Technologies, has officially announced its listing on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
The listing on the NYSE happened Friday in New York, USA, with shares beginning trading at $14.50 under ticker symbol JMIA.
By the listing, Jumia became the first startup from Africa to list on a major global exchange.
The company indicated it was offering 13,500,000 ADR shares for an opening price spread of $13 to $16 per share, representing 17.6 per cent of all company shares. The IPO could raise up to $216 million for the internet venture, Guardian writes.
Founded in 2012, Jumia started a mission to improve the quality of everyday life in Africa by leveraging technology to deliver innovative, convenient and affordable online services to consumers.
Jumia further empowers businesses to grow by using its platform to reach and serve consumers across the continent.
Jumia is currently active in Nigeria and 13 African countries with more than 8,000 active sellers transacting online with millions of consumers. The e-commerce platform directly employs more than 5,000 team members in Africa.
The IPO creates another milestone for Jumia after it became the first African startup unicorn in 2016, achieving a $1 billion valuation after a funding round that included Goldman Sachs, AXA and MTN.
Co-founders and co-chief executives, Sacha Poignonnec and Jeremy Hodara, said: “This achievement has been made possible thanks to the hard work of our teams, the trust of our consumers, as well as the commitment of our sellers and partners. All stakeholders deserve credit for this milestone, and we are just at the beginning of a long and great journey. We are going to continue to focus on our mission and to work even harder to help consumers, sellers, partners and all stakeholders benefit from this technological revolution.”
Meanwhile, sources close to Konga have also revealed that the firm is set for a major listing on either the London Stock Exchange or New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) by the last quarter of 2020.
It was gathered that Mark Jessey, a prominent stock analyst on the NYSE, had hinted of the strong possibility of a Konga IPO before the end of next year, a move which, according to him, is a much sought-after one by investors.
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A team of South African developers has hit headlines around the world with an unconventional game called Genital Jousting. Since its launch in January this year, Genital Jousting has sold over 338,000 copies of the game, netting the company in the region of US$1.4 million.
The game, created by Cape Town company Free Lives, allows up to eight players to move a detached penis, “complete with testicles and an anus,” through a series of different scenarios. The animated genitals must “penetrate, and be penetrated, as fast as possible,” and they also “compete in absurd, silly and sexually suggestive games and challenges.”
Comical with serious undertones
Although the game is irreverent and comical, it has been a massive hit around the world. And according to the developers, the concept of Genital Jousting runs deeper than just a slew of crude jokes. The Genital Jousting creators are open about it being a comedy game, but the overarching message goes deeper than that.
According to programmer Richard Pieterse, their intention was “to make a game that was anal-sex positive. The game was supposed to be an alternative representation of masculinity and penises.”
The team also hopes to subvert traditional portrayals of sex. According to the company website, their intention is to make players feel uncomfortable while navigating the game. “A lot of the Genital Jousting audience don’t often consume media outside of their heteronormative or conservative comfort zones. And so we hope to make these players a little uneasy.”
There is also a requirement that each player provide consent before being penetrated, a move they hope will shed light on rape culture, which is particularly prevalent in South Africa. If at any stage a player wishes to withdraw consent, that character can no longer be penetrated by other players.
Although the initial response to the humorous game was overwhelmingly positive, the team continue to work on various aspects to ensure that they’re sensitive to its perception. “There’s a lot of violence in the game,” Greenwood admits, “and maybe we wanted to soften that with some scenes that weren’t like that.”
The team say that they see the game as “a loving homage to the penis,” and Pieterse adds that they’ve refined how the penises look, and how they experience and interact with the various worlds.
Negative portrayals of homosexuality
With Free Lives walking a fine line between a trivial comedy game and one that delivers a positive message about sex, they’ve encountered some resistance along the way. Although the team is aware that the game might be misinterpreted as mocking homosexuality, they hope it will be seen as queer-positive, and will help to normalise gay sex.
“After reading some of the reviews of the game,” says Greenwood in a Free Lives Genital Jousting update video, “we realised that some people felt that the portrayal of penises was a bit at the expense of homosexuals… that being homosexual might have been the joke, which was never the intention.”
It netted the company millions
The game has been a massive hit around the world. It’s currently available for purchase on Steam, where it’s received a 91% rating from over 3,500 reviews. Though it retails for just $7, they’ve reportedly sold more than 338,000 copies, earning the gaming company over $1 million in revenue. Although the degree to which the game is able to influence toxic masculinity is difficult to quantify, it’s clear that the decision to make a game about animated penises has been a particularly lucrative one for this small crew of South African developers.
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Michelle Donegan is a tech writer who has covered the communications industry for more than 25 years on both sides of the pond. Having worked for various industry titles, including Communications Week International, Total Telecom and Light Reading, she specializes in mobile network technology trends.
(Above shows a concept iphone 12 (5G) produced by DBS Designing team)
Apple is considering the possibility of delaying the launch of its first 5G iPhones due to potentially lower consumer demand and supply chain complications caused by the coronavirus pandemic, according to a report in the Nikkei Asian Review, citing “sources familiar with the matter.”
The first 5G iPhones are widely expected to be launched in September. The Nikkei report says that Apple might delay the launch by months and even push it into 2021 in a worst-case scenario. The report also notes that Apple has not yet made a final decision, but the company is expected to do so in May.
The reasons for a delay, if indeed Apple decides to hit pause, are everything do to with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the report. The global health crisis is having a ripple effect on Apple’s product development, manufacturing and supply chain.
Travel restrictions, lockdowns and “shelter-in-place” rules are keeping product developers from travelling to review designs and collaborate in person. Apple’s biggest manufacturing market is China, where facilities are likely to be affected. Furthermore, Apple has suppliers across the globe, including China, Europe, Japan, South Korea and the U.S. – none of which have been spared from significant disruption.
Beyond the difficulties of producing the new devices, Apple is also concerned that the impact of coronavirus on the global economy will depress consumer demand for new smartphones.
Given the scale of the disruption of the current health crisis, Apple certainly will not be alone in reassessing current business plans.
Whenever Apple does launch 5G devices, it is expected to be a significant event for the young 5G market. Some analysts expect Apple’s new devices to overtake those of current market leaders Samsung and Huawei
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Werribee’s Bridge Hotel is set to reopen in mid-2018 with new tenants, a new look and a new menu.
Wyndham council’s city economy director, Kate Roffey, said the council would soon advertise tenders to revamp the former Bridge Hotel, before it reopens as a new boutique destination in the city’s CBD.
Ms Roffey said the new incarnation of the Bridge Hotel would be a “high quality and modern destination offering food and beverages”.
She said the council expects to select a tenant by July, and it will allow about 12 months for the makeover and fit-out.
“This is a really exciting project that will help to revitalise the Werribee city centre and offer residents another great social destination.”
Wyndham council purchased the hotel site for $5.4 million in August last year.
It also bought the neighbouring Werribee Toyota site for $5.15 million as part of its plan to rejuvenate Werribee’s CBD. This site is presently leased to Werribee Toyota.
Four parcels of council-owned land in Werribee’s CBD crucial to the rejuvenation plan will be sold off to developers charged with creating a multi-storey carpark, 300 residential apartments, 5000 square metres of office space, and retail and dining outlets.
Two sites are at Cherry and Synnot streets, and two overlook the Werribee River in Barnes Place and Comben Drive.


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In a recent discovery it has been announced that Salman Khan will be launching his own brand of smartphones called BeingSmart. The bollywood megastar already owns a clothign range called "Being Human" and recently registered "Being Smart" trademark for his smartphone business in a report published by Economic Times.
The smartphones launched under "Being Smart" will target entry level to mid level segment of smartphones. Costing under 20,000 these smartphones will be manufactured in a plant in China which the actor has already selected. An operations management team is also being brought up with ex-executives from Samsung and Micromax for the project. The mid range smartphones will compete with brands like Oppo, Vivo and Xiaomi.


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Almost for all of us a mobile phone is more than a phone these days. You can take still or moving pictures; download songs; even store a small library of movies to while away the idle hours — as long as you feel okay with a 3-inch screen!, and obviously you need to have a big storage for carrying your multimedia stuff with you.
So this why SanDisk is giving you 8 GB storage which is sufficient for a 1000 typical songs plus 1200 photos plus 21 hours of video recorded in MPEG-4. The Flash-based Mobile Ultra card in Micro SD or SDHC format, launched this week in India is also available in 2GB and 4GB sizes. CArd features are quite good but the problem is that they don’t come cheap: Rs. 6500, Rs. 5500 and Rs. 4500 for the three sizes. For photo enthusiasts and digital videographers, Sandisk has launched a 32 GB Compact Flash card which can record/store 80 minutes of high definition video at 100 megabytes per second. Priced at just under$ 300 internationally, the card should be available in India, later this year. Hopefully we all will find it up our expectations.


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Improving revenue and profits, a dividend hike, and share repurchases conspired to drive Hasbro's stock price higher after its financial release. Here's a closer look at why.
Comcast and Disney have raised prices over the past few days, but SeaWorld isn't likely to follow suit.
Universal Orlando follows through with a price increase on one-day tickets -- just days after Disney World raises the bar.
Disney's Coronado Springs Resort is getting a new hotel tower in two years, and a rumor of a new gondola-style transportation system is starting to make sense.
Ticket prices are spiking -- but not as much as you might think.
The company entered India last year but is slipping behind rivals who have a better pricing strategy.
Netflix has grown to dominate the worldwide video-streaming market. Even in light of the stock's meteoric rise, here's why I think its growth will continue.
Pandora -- The World of Avatar opens on May 27, and the theme-park giant is taking an aggressive push to get the word out.
Attendance has fallen for Disney's domestic theme parks in three of the past four quarters. The trend should reverse back to positive this year.
The world's leading theme-park operator has raised its single-day Disney World prices every year since 1988. It's been making these moves during the shortest month of the year since 2014. Get ready to pay up.


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Interestingly, the data also show that computing net additions declined from the fourth quarter of 2014 to the fourth quarter of 2015. This aligns with a report provided by the retail industry following the conclusion of the 2015 holiday season, which revealed that tablet sales were down year-over-year. Since tablets can generate “easy” revenue from consumer data plans, it is a trend that wireless carriers will no doubt want to reverse.
Interested in more information? Email us at info@ShareTracker.net.


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Fox TV series "MasterChef" is the latest competitive cooking show to take its chefs to the high seas in a new cruise that will allow fans to meet their favorite cheftestants.
After the success of Bravo’s Top Chef cruises, MasterChef has likewise created a cruise itinerary that will set sail to the Caribbean in November. Programs include cooking challenges, cocktail parties, meet and greets and cooking demonstrations.
Participating chefs include Christine Ha, Graham Elliot, Luca Manfe, Becky Reams and Bri Kozior.
Aspiring chef guests can show their cooking chops in a macaroni and cheese cook-off judged by Ha, learn how to make homemade pasta with Manfe, and test their taste buds with Michelin-starred chef and MasterChef judge Elliot.
The cruise, operated by Holland America, will culminate in another cooking showdown between chefs, this time for the title of MasterChef Cruise Champion.
After selling out of its Top Chef cruises, first launched last year, Celebrity Cruises has launched another season of Top Chef at Sea with trips to Alaska, Europe and the Caribbean.
The MasterChef Cruise sets off from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with ports of call in Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos, San Juan, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, the US Virgin Islands and Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas.
Fares for the seven-night cruise begin at $1,442 per person.


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Apple retained its lead in the worldwide tablet market, with the iPad, amidst an overall decline in the sale of tablets in the third quarter of 2016. According to research firm IDC (International Data Corporation), the tablet market declined by 14.7% year-over-year, with vendors shipping a total of 43 million units in this quarter. The data comes from the Worldwide Quarterly Tablet Tracker, from the IDC.
Further, Apple’s reportedly shipped 9.3 million units of the iPad in 2016, gaining a market share of 21.5%. Interestingly, the IDC’s report says that despite Apple pushing the iPad Pro, the iPad Air and iPad Mini ranges made up over two-thirds of the shipments in this quarter. That said, Apple’s tablet shipments didn’t escape the global fall either. The company saw a 6.2% decline year-over-year on its tablet shipments, while its revenues from iPad were flat for the third quarter of 2016.
South Korean giant, Samsung, came in second after Apple, with 15.1% market share in this quarter. According to the IDC, the Galaxy Note 7 issues did not affect Samsung’s tablet business. The company was followed by Amazon, Lenovo and Huawei, with 7.3%, 6.3% and 5.6% of the market respectively.
Lastly, the IDC’s report states that sub-$200 detachable devices reached an all time high, with vendors like RCA flooding the market.


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Search, Social Media and Mobile Reporter, San Jose Mercury News
Senior Correspondent covering the Internet, media and telecom for MLex, a provider of exclusive market intelligence for legal and investment professionals.
mercurynews.com — BOSTON -- Let the Bay Area's Super Bowl party begin. NFL owners today selected the San Francisco 49ers' new Santa Clara stadium to host the 50th Super Bowl in 2016, sending the nation's biggest sporting event back to the Bay Area for the first time since 1985.
latimes.com — Wearing a business suit, white shirt and powder blue tie, Cook read an opening statement. He was followed by Apple's chief financial officer, Peter Oppenheimer. A third Apple exec, Peter Bullock, head of tax operations, was also on hand to answer questions but did not read an opening statement.
venturebeat.com — The Xbox One is real. Microsoft's next-generation system also has a new controller that looks very familiar. Xbox One comes with a dual-analog gamepad that has nearly an identical layout to the Xbox 360 joystick. That makes a lot of sense, since many consider that controller as the industry standard.
theonion.com — SUNNYVALE, CA-Finally overcoming competition from the likes of Google, Microsoft, and AOL, internet corporation Yahoo firmly re-secured its place as an industry leader after Sunday's purchase of millions of blogs written by 13-year-old girls.
pcworld.com — Welcome to the wacky world of tech patents-a place where you'll find not just the crazy-sounding ideas that inhabit any category of patents granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), but some ideas that seem so minute or so obvious that you wonder how they ever qualified as patentworthy.
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In looking back at the events of the last year, we wanted to provide as many different perspectives as possible. So we invited several artists, retailers, and doll manufacturers to share their memories from the past year, including both personal highlights and their thoughts about the doll world in general, and what they’re looking forward to in 2022.
Like everyone else in the world, dollmakers and doll collectors had to find new ways to reach out to each other in 2020. As the global pandemic forced shows and clubs to cancel in-person events, the internet — already a key communications tool for hobbyists and professionals — became a vital part of the doll community. By the time we made it to 2021, online shows, classes, video meetings, and more were readily available to anyone with a smartphone, tablet, or computer.
“Even now, with shows and clubs and other businesses opening up again, the internet is still going to be an important aspect of the collecting world,” artist Beverly Stoehr said. “A few shops and clubs and others in the doll world asked me if they should go the internet route, and I said to all of them, ‘run and don’t look back.’
“I feel the intenet is the best thing that has happened to the doll world — have you ever thought how many shut-ins are never able to get to doll events? Or people who live in an area with no doll clubs or shows or shops? The internet has opened up this world for them. Look at the online conventions — Rachel Hoffman’s was a huge hit. I feel this is the best thing is going on in the doll world — even doll clubs are online for meetings and are able to get new members.”
Artist April Norton also noted that online shopping has remained strong, even as stores have opened up again. “It has been super gratifying that the collectible market seems to be on the rise and collectors appreciate a handmade item like my dolls. “The popularity of porcelain dolls continues to grow, perhaps in part because of the auctions by the Dianna Effner family.”
Although she passed away Oct. 14, 2020, Effner remains an important part of the doll collecting world, both through her own creations and through the many artists that she taught and mentored. Her family offered many dolls from Effner’s personal collection for auction starting in September 2021. “It is bittersweet, since Dianna is no longer with us,” artist Brenda Mize said, who, like Norton, creates porcelain dolls using molds by Effner. “All of the dolls that I have purchased through the auction mean the world to me, and I will treasure them always.”
One thing the internet can’t do is move actual, physical items from one place to another. In addition to disruptions caused by the pandemic, weather events and transport issues around the globe presented dollmakers with new challenges. Snarled shipping made getting products from factories overseas more difficult, with delays and often extra expenses. Even artists producing in the U.S. had to deal with things like resin shortages or difficulty getting supplies of polymer clay at various times during the year. Some artists switched to a different sculpting medium that was more readily available, or stretched their supplies by focusing on making smaller dolls.
Even large, well-established doll companies like Madame Alexander had to face additional hurdles in getting dolls into the hands of kids and older collectors. Julie Jurrjens, the company’s VP, Brand Development, said, “Shipping and supply chain was the biggest challenge for all of the toy industry. Madame Alexander delivered on our retailers’ expectations by being in-stock and on-time in shipping, unlike many of our competitors. Our operations team really went above and beyond to make sure it was a happy holiday for doll lovers in 2021!
Madame Alexander also maintained their dedication to making quality dolls, as well. “We won a Good Housekeeping Best Toy Award for 2021 for our Peekaboos dolls. These are dolls for newborns and up with a plush animal hoodie that can be pulled up or down for the child to play ‘peekaboo,’ Jurrjens said.
So Nice to See You!
Even as we polished our online skills, 2021 saw the return of in-person events. “I was very excited in 2021 about being able to attend two doll shows in person,” said Edith Schmidt, who creates doll fashions. “I enjoyed seeing and visiting with everyone. Of course, there were adjustments made to keep everyone involved safe at the shows as well as all the unseen heroes who worked hard to keep us comfortable. Travel had its moments, but with a bit of patience we all managed to survive and go home with pleasant memories.”
The Doll Peddlar’s Judy Johnson agreed. “I think the highlight of 2021 is having live doll shows, where we can visit each other and play with our dolls. We enjoy being with collectors and getting their ideas, news, and even complaints. Emails just can’t compare with face-to-face.”
Indeed, collectors, artists, and others we spoke to at the United Federation of Doll Clubs (UFDC) and Modern Doll Collectors conventions seemed extra happy just to be able to attend the 2021 shows. There were plenty of eager shoppers in the sales room and joyful conversations between people who were making new friends or renewing old acquaintances.
We’ve got great online tools to support a far-flung doll-collecting community and we can meet together in person? Where will things go from here next year? We’ll take a look at the doll world’s prospects for 2022 next week!


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In September 2020, the European Commission introduced the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA), which can result in heavy restrictions for foreign-dominated stable coins like USDT, BUSD, and USDC.
The global crypto market is believed to be volatile and unregulated. To rectify this problem and provide a legal framework for the activities of Crypto service providers, the European Commission introduced the proposal for MiCA, a framework for the issuance of Crypto assets and provision of crypto services in the 27 states of the EU.
Yet the MiCA framework placed significant emphasis on stablecoins, allocating more than 25 of its 168 pages to major stable coins like USDT, USDC, and other asset-referenced tokens not backed by the fiat currency Euros.
The new development is set to provide a “passport-able” license for the 27 states, making it easy for service providers to set up shop in any state without any legal complexities. It is also set to restrict access to major stablecoins backed by many other fiat currencies.
Crypto enthusiasts, particularly the Digital Euro Association and Blockchain for Europe, sent a letter to the EU council requesting clarification for terms like “uses as a means of exchange” under the MiCA framework. They also went on to explain the extent such harsh policies on dollar-pegged stablecoins could have on the economic market.
Euro-backed stablecoins like EUROC introduced in June 2022 are new to the market, are less liquid, and would have difficulties replacing the major stablecoins.
The MiCA proposal is currently making its way through complex bloc bureaucracy, and if passed, it would result in massive costs for service providers and investors in the EU.


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Surge in Apple's iOS 7 Usage Revealed in Web Traffic Stats
While websites and developers have been seeing low levels of hits from iOS 7 devices for several months, as of last week we noticed a significant surge in such hits in our own logs. The hits come from Apple's block of IP addresses, suggesting that the company may have rolled out a new phase of testing with its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) just a month away.
iOS 7 web traffic at macrumors.com coming from AppleMacRumors
is not the only site seeing significant increases in iOS 7 activity, as TechCrunch reports
that mobile publishing company Onswipe has seen a similar spike coming from San Francisco and Cupertino.
Over the past week, Onswipe found a significant bump in the number of visits from iOS 7 iPhones and iPads, specifically located in both Cupertino and San Francisco. SF had the most iOS 7 visits, with 18.75 percent, and Cupertino accounted for 17.9 percent of the total. May 2 saw the highest iOS 7 traffic to date, representing 23 percent, or nearly a quarter, of all unique iOS visitors to Onswipe-enabled sites. Most were visiting from iPhones (75 percent), but iPads also represented a full quarter of visits.
Apple is expected to show off iOS 7, as well as OS X 10.9, at next month's WWDC, but a public release of iOS 7 is not expected until later in the year alongside new iPhone hardware.
We have not seen a similar spike in OS X 10.9 traffic coming from Apple in recent weeks, although that traffic has been slowly growing for a number of months now.
The redesigned MacBook Air with the all-new M2 Apple silicon chip will be available for customers starting Friday, July 15, MacRumors has learned from a retail source. The new MacBook Air was announced and previewed during WWDC earlier this month, with Apple stating availability will begin in July. The MacBook Air features a redesigned body that is thinner and lighter than the previous...
Apple today began selling refurbished Mac Studio models for the first time in the United States, Canada, and select European countries, such as Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
In the United States, two refurbished Mac Studio configurations are currently available, including one with the M1 Max chip (10-core CPU and 24-core GPU) for...
The M2 MacBook Pro has started making its way into customers' hands and we're learning more about how it performs in a variety of situations, but all eyes are really on the upcoming M2 MacBook Air which has seen a complete redesign and should be arriving in a couple of weeks.
Other top stories this week included a host of product rumors including additional M2 and even M3 Macs, an updated...
Fifteen years ago to this day, the iPhone, the revolutionary device presented to the world by the late Steve Jobs, officially went on sale.
The first iPhone was announced by Steve Jobs on January 9, 2007, and went on sale on June 29, 2007. "An iPod, a phone, an internet mobile communicator... these are not three separate devices," Jobs famously said. "Today, Apple is going to reinvent the...
There appears to be a serious bug in macOS High Sierra that enables the root superuser on a Mac with a blank password and no security check. The bug, discovered by developer Lemi Ergin, lets anyone log into an admin account using the username "root" with no password. This works when attempting to access an administrator's account on an unlocked Mac, and it also provides access at the login...


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Google is urging small business owners to sign on to a letter to their congressman calling for open Internet conditions on the broadband money in the economic stimulus package.
The company warns that "without safeguards that preserve an open Internet, the Internet could be shaped in ways that only serve the interests of broadband carriers, rather than U.S. consumers and Web entrepreneurs."
At the direction and oversight of Congress, the NTIA, FCC and Ag Department are currently deciding what kind of conditions to put on more than $7.2 billion in broadband build-out grants in the economic stimulus package at the direction and oversight of Congress. That includes baseline guarantees of openness and interconnection, but just what those will be, and who the money will go to, are still being hammered out.
Google has created what it calls the Small Business Network to encourage small business owners to promote "business-friendly" policies in Washington and on the state level, starting with broadband stimulus and open Internet.
According to the Small Business Network home page, Google advises those small business owners to ask Congress to make sure the stimulus grants go to "recipients who will build new broadband networks in a timely manner and provide robust access to the open Internet."
Google has been pushing for funding high-speed Internet and competition it says will bring down prices. The National Cable & Telecommunications Association has been arguing that $7 billion is not a lot of money, and should first go to areas where there is no broadband service before the government starts subsidizing new competitors or meeting a speed threshold.
Dorothy Chou, who is helping manage the Small Business Program for Google, said the company was not giving out a figure on how many business had signed up or signed on to the letter. "Since we just launched it, we're not going to give out numbers right now," she said, but added: "We have a significant number of small businesses joining the program already."
She said there will be a way to track the letter-signers via the Web site, and that she would provide that information when it became available.
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Contributing editor John Eggerton has been an editor and/or writer on media regulation, legislation and policy for over four decades, including covering the FCC, FTC, Congress, the major media trade associations, and the federal courts. In addition to Multichannel News and Broadcasting + Cable, his work has appeared in Radio World, TV Technology, TV Fax, This Week in Consumer Electronics, Variety and the Encyclopedia Britannica.
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Bill Schlatterer Celebrates 50 Years With Crow-Burlingame
Schlatterer started with the company in 1972 as a delivery driver at the flagship store on 7th and Arch in Little Rock.
Crow-Burlingame Announces President’s Council Winners
Each winner gets to drive a Corvette for a month.
Growing The Family Business: Fletcher Lord III
In Part 3 of our series, we share the story of Fletcher Lord III, president of Crow-Burlingame in Little Rock, Arkansas.
AWDA Announces 2020 Industry Award Winners
The winners were recognized at the 2020 AWDA Virtual Experience event.
Parts Warehouse Inc., Distributors Warehouse Inc. To Merge
When the deal is finalized, the two companies will serve a total of 12 states.
Executive Interview: Fletcher Lord III, President Of Crow-Burlingame
Fletcher Lord III represents the fourth generation of the Crow family to help lead Crow-Burlingame, a Little Rock, Arkansas-based parts distributor that celebrated its 100th anniversary in April.
Crow-Burlingame Names Continental Battery Vendor of the Decade
The award came on April 13 during Crow-Burlingame’s 2019 Vendor Show of the Decades, as part of the company’s centennial celebration in Little Rock, Arkansas.


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Cryptocurrency scams have reportedly become one of the most common cybercrimes in Hong Kong in the first half of 2022, with 25% involving digital assets.
The alarming number of such fraudulent schemes can be explained by the growing interest in cryptocurrencies among many Hong Kong residents. A recent study classified the state as the best cryptocurrency-friendly country in the world.
105% more crypto scams than in the first half of 2021
According to the South China Morning Post coverage, from the beginning of January to the end of June this year, a total of 10,613 cyber attacks occurred in Hong Kong. 798 cryptocurrency-related fraudulent schemes – a 105% increase considering the same period in 2021.
Criminals stole HK$387.9 million (approximately $50 million) from digital asset companies and individuals in Hong Kong – a significant increase from the $21 million stolen in the first half of 2021.
One of the victims was a 30-year-old woman named Fan, who ran a currency exchange shop in the area. A few months ago, she received a message on WhatsApp from an anonymous person who claimed to be the head of the digital asset platform. The criminals lured her into investing around $280,000 in Tether (USDT).
“The first four transactions to be exchanged [cryptocurrency] The tether went smoothly. The victim received HK$2.7 million, including the money she paid for the exchange services provided by the scammers. At that point, the crook has gained the victim’s trust,” the law enforcement official noted.
Shortly after, however, the wrongdoers advised Fan to transfer the accumulated profits to a dubious cryptocurrency wallet. Needless to say, when the crooks stopped contacting her, she lost access to the assets.
Hong Kong police further determined that fraud related to digital assets is one of the top three frauds in the country in the first half of 2022. The other two are job offer fraud and fraudulent online shopping activity.
Hong Kong climbs the encryption ladder
Residents have recently shown a surge in demand for digital assets, likely fueling the rapid rise in cryptocurrency scams in Hong Kong. A survey conducted last month revealed that the Chinese special administrative region is the best country in the world for cryptocurrencies.
The first position is the result of a combination of factors, including the government’s friendly stance on the industry, the number of cryptocurrency ATMs, and per capita interest in the industry.
The world’s leading economy – the United States – came in second, while Europe’s financial center – Switzerland – was a close second.
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We’re all convinced that the ‘robot wave’ is gathering momentum and is about to hit the civilized world like a ton of bricks or some sort of robotic tsunami. However, we’re all dyed in the wool robot lovers, so it may be hard for us to look at the situation objectively. But, there is at least one major piece of evidence that seems to indicate that we’re right on target. Robots are invading, and taking over, television commercials…
I have no idea why it is or what the primary driving force behind it is, but, nevertheless, a lot of the robot hobbyists we’ve had the chance to chat with seem to think that a major reason for having a robot is so that it can bring them a beer.
Of course, the major beer companies have observed the same phenomena and have the robot community dead-center in their sights. You can tell immediately from the commercial below, how focused the beer companies are on promoting “beer and robots”, especially beer and combat robots.
Frankly, just the thought of it scares me a bit. Who will be the first person to be thrown in the clanker for operating their robot while under the influence?


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Thursday, February 19, 2009
Michael Jackson to Auction Personal Belongings, Why?"They are taking too much space"
Critics may call Michael Jackson “crazy” but they can never call him a packrat.
The still undisputed “King of Pop”, Micheal Jackson is set to auction off several items that seem to be taking up too much space in his home. According to the Associated Press, Jackson is going to be auctioning off more than 2,000 items in a five-day sale.
Some of the items Micheal is looking to auction incluudes his iconic Swarovski crystal-clad white glove (and four other diamond gloves, in various colors, worn by the performer), a framed letter from President Ronald Reagan, a 2001 Harley-Davidson bike, a 1999 Rolls-Royce limousine, and the American Music Award he won in 1984 for the album Thriller.
The auction will take place from April 22-25 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.