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DEPARTMENT store, Bairds of Hamilton, is hosting an Easter Mega Event offering customers a massive 20 per cent discount on everything in store (ten per cent off cosmetics) from the 5th to the 7th of April.
Located at The Regent Shopping Centre, in the heart of Hamilton town centre, the Easter Mega Event is Bairds’ newest initiative to offer customers the latest in fashion and household products at competitive prices.
Andy Cameron, Regent Shopping Centre manager, said: “Situated on the corner of Duke Street for 33 years, Bairds is a well known local landmark and a fine example of the kind of Easter initiatives retailers at the Regent are offering customers this weekend.
“Promotions like Bairds’ Easter Mega Event show why The Regent continues to be a popular, thriving shopping venue for locals and tourists alike.”
Departments at Bairds include: shoes; accessories; silverware; handbags; luggage; cosmetics/toiletries/perfumery; ladies fashions; millinery; lingerie; menswear and a household department with a cookshop and linens.
The Regent Shopping Centre has been Hamilton’s prime shopping destination for many years. With quality anchor tenants including Marks & Spencer, Bhs, Wilkinsons and Boots together with major names such as New Look and Evans, the centre provides a strong retail offer to a large loyal catchment population.
For further information please contact Susan Christie on tel 0141 561 4018
Issued on behalf of The Regent Shopping Centre by Liquorice Media www.liquorice-media.com
Date 4th April 2012
Notes to editors
- The Regent Shopping Centre has great facilities to ensure its visitors have a safe and enjoyable day, including a convenient and secure car park.
- The Regent Shopping Centre is a Child Safe Zone. We have introduced a new safety initiative to ensure lost children are found and reunited with their parents/guardians as soon as possible.
MEDIA RELEASE posted by Liquorice Media. You too can post media releases (aka press releases) on allmediascotland.com. For more information, email here.


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Pot's Growing Problem: Where to Keep All the Cash?
Feb. 10 (Bloomberg) -- Marijuana for medicinal or recreational uses is now legal in 20 states and the District of Columbia but it is still illegal in the eyes of the federal government. Banks, which are overseen by federal regulators, risk losing their charters if they do business with marijuana sellers -- even if those sellers are licensed by the state. The legal limbo is forcing pot dispensaries, growers and store owners to run cash-only businesses and locking them out of legitimate bank accounts and loans. Bloomberg's Trish Regan takes a look at this growing problem. (Source: Bloomberg)
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China's Vision: What to Expect From 6th Party Plenum
39:25 - Tim Summers, senior consulting fellow at Chatham House, discusses China's 6th party plenum and what could come from the closed-door meetings. He speaks to Bloomberg's Ramy Incocencio and Yvonne Man on "Bloomberg Daybreak: Asia." (Source: Bloomberg)

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Developer_Direct, a show where Microsoft and Bethesda will present some of their upcoming games, will take place today. Admittedly, the companies have somewhat tempered the expectations before the event, but it seems that it will still be worth following. Therefore, we invite you to watch it together.
I have posted the link to the YouTube stream above. If you prefer Twitch, you can watch the show here. It will begin at noon PT and will last around 43 minutes.
During the show we will see Forza Motorsport (8), Redfall, Minecraft Legends and new content heading to The Elder Scrolls Online. It seems quite likely that we will learn specific release dates for the first three titles. After all, all of them are expected to be released in the first half of 2023, so very soon.
Details about the debut of Redfall may give us a clue as to when the highly anticipated Starfield will launch. After all, the launches of both games have been delayed at the same time. However, there are many indications that "Skyrim In Space" is still far away - according to recent rumors it has suffered another delay and will not come out until the second half of 2023 (summer).


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Cryptocurrencies could grow fivefold by 2025 into a $3 trillion market, under new projections from Bakkt Holdings, the digital-asset financial firm.
Bakkt published the estimate as part of an investor presentation released Monday in connection with its new plan to go public via a merger with Victory Park Capital, a special-purpose acquisition company. Bakkt is majority-owned by Intercontinental Exchange Inc., which also owns the New York Stock Exchange. The deal would give Bakkt an enterprise value of about $2.1 billion, according to a press release.
The underlying assumptions behind the transaction show just how bullish investors, entrepreneurs and financial executives have become over the past year on the fast-paced digital-asset industry, especially after prices for bitcoin, the largest cryptocurrency, quadrupled in 2020.
Just last week, the industry’s total market capitalization surpassed $1 trillion for the first time, though a swoon over the past few days in prices for bitcoin and other digital assets has since trimmed the total value to about $931 billion, according to the website CoinGecko.
Bakkt currently runs a market for cryptocurrency derivatives including bitcoin futures, but in March the company plans to release a new consumer application that could allow users to manage digital assets and use them for spending and peer-to-peer payments alongside cash and rewards miles.
“It’s these shifts that we are leveraging for the benefit of both customer and merchants, truly unlocking a massive market by empowering the monetization of digital assets,” Gavin Michael, former head of technology for Citigroup’s global consumer bank, told investors Monday on a conference call, according to a transcript.
In the investor presentation, Bakkt estimated that its revenue, net of transaction-related expenses, could grow by an average 75% per year to $515 million by 2025. The company is expected to turn cash-flow positive by 2023.
According to one slide in the investor presentation, Bakkt operates in a “massive serviceable addressable market” that was worth about $1.6 trillion in 2020, including $564 billion for the “notional value” of cryptocurrency.
By 2025, the presentation estimates, the company’s overall target market would increase to $5.1 trillion, including $3 trillion of cryptocurrency.
Here’s the diagram from the presentation:


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The Thailand-China relations have been developed in a positive and constructive way since the diplomatic ties between the two countries were established 30 years ago, and now it is time to push it to a higher plane, said Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra before his departure to China on the occasion of 30th anniversary of bilateral relations.
Rob Portman, the new US trade representative, discusses the US trade deficit with China and the controversial Central America Free Trade Agreement.
With China-ASEAN free trade already under way, other free-trade agreements that are in the works include China-Australia, China-New Zealand, China-India, China-Pakistan and China-Chile as well as recent initiatives with Iceland, Japan, Korea and Thailand. However, this focus is likely to change, shifting slowly but steadily toward India.
The third round of negotiations between China and New Zealand to establish a free trade area (FTA) did not result in a major breakthrough. But a breakthrough may be achieved in the not-too-distant future.
Trade between Thailand and China has shot up to 24 billion baht ($60 million) over the first 20 months of the enforcement of the bilateral free trade area (FTA) agreement, with Thailand holding the balance of trade by over 11 billion baht ($27.5 million), according to the Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade, Rachane Potjanasuntorn.
Trade Minister Mark Vaile says the Government will not "sell out" human rights issues to get a better deal on a free trade agreement with China.
AUSTRALIANS should not expect too much from a China-Australia free trade agreement, the Howard Government’s lead negotiator for the deal warned yesterday.
China and the Republic of Korea (ROK) Friday expressed their positive attitude towards speeding up research about establishing a free trade area (FTA) amid the fast-growth economic ties between the two countries.
Trade Minister Mark Vaile signalled a major assault on tariffs, quarantine systems and intellectual property laws as part of free trade negotiations with China.
Despite last week’s political hype caused by Prime Minister Helen Clark’s talks with China’s top leadership - much of it fuelled by Clark - there is a big gap between the two sides on free-trade talks.
Negotiating a free-trade deal with China will secure our interests and smooth the way for further exports.
China’s decision to accelerate free trade talks with New Zealand will deliver Prime Minister Helen Clark a huge electoral "plum" if a deal is cemented before September.
A mammoth regional grouping involving Asean and other countries and groups is in the works.
The China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) will spur regional integration and address China’s security issues relating to food and energy supply, Merrill Lynch said.
Prime Minister Helen Clark has told China’s leaders she wants New Zealand to be the first developed nation to sign a free-trade deal with the Asian economic powerhouse.
Taiwan desperately needs a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States to protect itself against rival China’s growing economic dominance, the island’s President Chen Shui-bian told a visiting US senator.
On Friday, Chile will formally unveil free trade agreements with New Zealand, Singapore and Brunei, building on existing agreements with South Korea, Canada, the US and the European Union. Next on Chile’s FTA hit list are Asian giants China, Japan and India.
China and Chile are to sign an agreement next Tuesday cementing their co-operation in developing a joint copper industry. Following this, a third round of China and Chile’s Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks is set to be held next month in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province.
China won’t get special access to our $9 billion textile market as part of a looming free trade agreement between Canberra and Beijing, senior trade negotiators have told Australia’s clothing industry.
A local researcher said Thursday that China’s announcement of the launch of feasibility study on a free trade agreement (FTA) with Iceland is "of great significance. "


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Future has closed Wedding Day magazine as the company continues to
consolidate its position in the wake of pre tax losses announced in
March this year of £12.1m.
The company has already closed 11
titles this year, blaming the downturn in consumer spending and in its
portfolio's heartland – the gaming market – and also the migration of
readers to online.
Future acquired Wedding Day and two other
titles, Junior and Junior Pregnancy & Baby in December 2004 when it
bought Beach Publishing group. At the time, Wedding Day was a
bi-monthly publication with an ABC of 31,679 which has since dropped to
Simon Wear, group publishing director at Future, said:
"The level of investment needed to put Wedding Day into a position of
sustainable performance has proved too great.
"We are currently
consulting with all members of the editorial and commercial teams about
other suitable opportunities within Future."


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Shares of NIO traded up ~21% on Wednesday following news that China could ease its COVID lockdown restrictions soon. NIO is a leading manufacturer of electric vehicles in China. Consistent with the “common prosperity” framework, its gross margin structure is low as it aims to proliferate electric transportation throughout China.
Shares of Xpeng traded up ~47% on Wednesday after the company reported positive earnings, including margins that improved ~260 basis points sequentially and news that China soon could ease its COVID lockdown rules. Despite losing share this year, management is confident that Xpeng will gain share next year with the introduction of new models. Based in China, Xpeng designs, develops, and manufactures smart electric vehicles.
Shares of Farfetch traded down ~35% on Thursday after the company held its first Capital Markets Day and provided guidance through 2025. This year, management expects total gross merchandise volume (GMV) to grow 21% year-over-year, the midpoint in its GMV guidance. According to management, total GMV will grow at a compound annual rate of 35% from 2022 to 2025. Investors reacted negatively to management's expectations that GMV in Farfetch’s core marketplace segment will grow only 9% at a compound annual rate from 2022 to 2025. In our view, the guidance was conservative based on macroeconomic conditions––including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and COVID disruptions in China. We also appreciate that Farfetch's marketplace is only one of the company’s opportunities, which include its Platform Solutions B2B offering and its Media Solutions advertising offering. Farfetch operates online and physical marketplaces for luxury retail goods internationally, as well as back-end technology solutions for third-party retailers.


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The amendments to the Law on the Control of Tobacco, Tobacco Products and Related Products have been drafted by the Ministry of Health in cooperation with other institutions.
Under these amendments, plain cigarette packaging will be introduced in November, 2022 and it will only feature the name of the company and product in a state-approved standard type and color, and any logo elements or signs will be banned.
Plain packaging is now in place in Ireland, France, Norway, Hungary, Slovenia, the UK, Australia and New Zealand.
Under the proposed amendments, the display of cigarettes and other tobacco products in retail outlets, except for specialized shops and sections, will banned as of November, 2019. Shops will be allowed to only show their names and prices. Sellers will also be banned from announcing any promotions.
Non-smoking zones would also be expanded as of November, 2019. People will be banned from smoking in outdoor cafes, balconies, terraces and galleries, closed bus shelters, on beaches, at children playgrounds.
Now in Lithuania, smoking is banned in all educational and social institutions, closed working areas, except for special smoking zones, residential premises where non-smokers would be forced to inhale tobacco smoke, restaurants, cafes, burs, clubs, discos, internet cafes and other recreational premises, except for specialized cigar and pipe clubs.
People are also banned from smoking inside vehicles with under-18s and pregnant women among passengers.
The fast growth of human consumption is the main cause of decreasing land resources and its pollution....
The Lithuanian police announced on Wednesday that they have seized 1.5 tons of hashish shipment...
Europe of different medicines: fewer medicines sold in Lithuania and at higher prices than in larger countries (1)
Fewer medicines are sold in Lithuania and their costs are greater than in larger European Union...


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BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics’ Wireless Smartphone Strategies, global smartphone wholesale price will grow +11% YoY from $279 in 2020 to $310 in 2021. This is the highest price in the smartphone industry since 2013.
Abhilash Kumar, Analyst at Strategy Analytics, said, “We forecast global smartphone wholesale price to grow +11% YoY at US$310 in 2021, up from US$279 in 2020. Global smartphone wholesale revenue is expected to grow +21% YoY to reach its highest ever value at US$435 billion in 2021. This is driven by smartphone sales volume that will rebound at +9% YoY and the higher average price point. This is the first time that average global wholesale price crossed the $300 mark over the past nine years. The price increase is driven by tech migration towards 5G smartphones, supply constraints due to component shortage which is leading to price hikes and new hardware innovations like foldable/flip form factor by Samsung.”
Linda Sui, Senior Director at Strategy Analytics, added: “Smartphones in the “$600 and above” price tier spurred market growth. This is driven by the solid sales of the iPhone 12 series, enriched foldable line up from Samsung, and sales of other premium devices from Chinese vendors like the OnePlus 9 series, Xiaomi 11 series, OPPO Reno series, Vivo X series, etc. We expect the newly launched iPhone 13 series will add to the above-mentioned factors during the fourth quarter of 2021. We forecast “$600 and above” price tier will grow +34% YoY by volume and +48% YoY by revenue, significantly outperforming the overall market and other price bands.”
Kumar added “We expect global smartphone wholesale prices to fallback modestly to US$300 in 2022. Easing supply constraints and component price spikes, as well as the expected iPhone SE model which should be refreshed during the first half of 2022 will fuel price pullbacks. We expect global smartphone wholesale price will be back on the upwards track from 2023 to 2025.”
Sui added: “China, US, Japan, and India are the top four largest countries by smartphone wholesale revenue. Combined these will contribute 53% of the global smartphone wholesale revenues in 2022. Japan and South Korea support the world’s highest smartphone wholesale prices, while India and some countries in Africa will deliver the lowest prices instead.”
About Strategy Analytics
Strategy Analytics, Inc. is a global leader in supporting companies across their planning lifecycle through a range of customized market research solutions. Our multi-discipline capabilities include industry research advisory services, customer insights, user experience design and innovation expertise, mobile consumer on-device tracking and business-to-business consulting competencies. With domain expertise in smart devices, connected cars, intelligent home, service providers, IoT, strategic components and media, Strategy Analytics can develop a solution to meet your specific planning need. For more information, visit us at www.strategyanalytics.com.
Source: Strategy Analytics, Inc.


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Coinsbit Cryptocurrency Exchange will hold the initial exchange offer (IEO) of the Kernel-Trade platform, which tokenizes agricultural assets and real estate. This was reported in a press release.
The Kernel-Trade platform is designed to promote the development of agro-industrial enterprises through the creation of a tokenized ecosystem for physical assets and property rights.
«Kernel-Trade aims to bring managers and asset owners with investors through the creation of low-risk financial instruments to blokcheyne backed by real estate, agro-industrial assets, property rights and so on", – stated in the Kernel-Trade.
The platform acts as a central part of the KNL ecosystem. It enables users to invest in agribusiness, providing industry participants with a platform for publicly offering assets. All transactions on the platform will be carried out using the KNL token and its own Kernel-Trade blockchain based on Stellar technologies.
The company claims that all tokens are backed by real physical assets, the safety of which is guaranteed by Kernel-Trade.
The first round of token sale will be held from August 27 to August 29, 2019. The second round starts on August 29, 2019.
In total, 17 million tokens worth $ 0.1 each will be placed for sale within the IEO, and the minimum purchase amount will be 1 KNL. The minimum goal of the fees is $ 350,000, and the maximum is $ 1,700,000.
During the IEO, 50% of KNL tokens will be put up for sale, 25% – aimed at marketing and ecosystem development, 20% will be received by the team and 5% will remain in the Foundation.
Recall that earlier this year Coinsbit announced integration with 200,000 POS-terminals, which will allow customers to purchase digital coins for fiat without intermediaries.
Subscribe to BlockchainJournal news on Telegram: BlockchainJournal Feed – the entire news feed, BlockchainJournal – the most important news and polls.
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Living with a battery electric vehicle, or BEV, is easier than most people think. But for some, it’s a step too far. So why not a plug-in hybrid vehicle, or PHEV? Neil Vorano, editor in chief of The Charge, shows why a PHEV could help more people turn the tide towards electrification on our roads.
Novel technology would free up more space for the cabin and cargo


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An auction of brightly coloured Gromit sculptures raised over £2.3million for charity on Thursday evening.
The Gromits were decorated by artists and celebrities, and had been on display around the city of Bristol.
The Gromits sold for thousands of pounds each, with many selling for more than £20,000.
The star of the evening was a Buzz Lightyear themed Gromit designed by Pixar. It was expected to raise £50,000 but sold for more than £64,000.
'Green Gromit' by One Direction star Zayn raised £26,000. The money raised will help support Bristol Children's Hospital.


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Bitcoin investing real
Escrito por . 7 de outubro de 2020
Bitcoin Investing Real
Crie notificações e alertas em tempo real Invest in the future Bitcoin Real Cash and Investment is an equity crowdfunding platform that connects businesses with the investors. Last week, Square SQ, bitcoin investing real surprise announced that they had put 1% of their firm’s assets into bitcoin.Since then, bitcoin is up ~8%. When starting out with bitcoin trading, we recommend that you opt for a user-friendly. We cover news related to bitcoin exchanges, bitcoin mining and price forecasts for various virtual currencies.. There are a few different ways to buy bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, including 2. Oct 08, 2020 · There isn't a way to invest in Bitcoin the way you would invest in the stock of a company. There are well over 100 operational Bitcoin exchanges worldwide, but steering clear of exchanges that are known for wash trading and sticking with major reputable exchanges is the most prudent move Jan 15, 2018 · So you're thinking about investing in bitcoin? Much like bitcoin full nodes, they are always up and running.
Let me say that again, $9 trillion vs. The Bitcoin blockchain was designed to enable quick and secure bitcoin investing real transactions, while maintaining its users’ anonymity, by …. Aug 20, 2020 · An investment or speculation in a cryptocurrency, especially Bitcoin, is an investment or speculation in that cryptocurrency’s network effect. But deeper in the crypto Cryptocurrency One Painter Is Showing How Bitcoin. Last week, Square SQ, surprise announced that they had put 1% of their firm’s assets into bitcoin.Since then, bitcoin is up ~8%. The Many Forms of “Investing in Bitcoin” Before I begin, a word of advice: Bitcoin is a very risky asset type. Bitcoin is on a tear: The price of one bitcoin is ….
But depending on the long-term plan for your newfound …. Here's the problem: Buying a cryptocurrency token …. You Get Signals. View live Bitcoin price chart and bitcoin investing real follow real-time Bitcoin price changes. Investors who want to trade bitcoin need a place to store them—a digital. Bitcoins can be stored in two kinds of digital wallets: a hot wallet or a cold wallet. A Japanese analyst has predicted high institutional investor demand for bitcoin post coronavirus crisis, giving three key reasons why the cryptocurrency is an attractive investment NewsBTC is a news service that covers bitcoin news, technical analysis & forecasts for bitcoin and other altcoins. Bitcoin has done well for itself in 2020, making it the top mainstream investment of the year so far.
At the beginning of August, following a soft fork that saw bitcoin separate into two separate currencies (bitcoin and bitcoin …. Datos en tiempo real del Bitcoin, precio, capitalización bursátil, gráficos, operaciones y volúmenes. Let’s begin with buying Bitcoin. Understanding Bitcoin Futures There are several benefits to trading Bitcoin futures instead of …. your username. How to Buy, Sell and Trade Bitcoin & other Cryptocurrency. Bitcoin is not a company or a stock, it’s a currency. Oct 09, 2020 · The bitcoin and cryptocurrency community was yesterday set alight by news payments company Square, led by Twitter chief executive and outspoken bitcoin advocate Jack Dorsey, had bought $50 million. Dec 21, 2017 · The Bitcoin investment craze – bitcoin investing real which has seen millions of people buying the cryptocurrency and spawned countless brokers and other related services – is reaching fever pitch Jun 23, 2020 · The need to balance security with ease of use is a key consideration for the best bitcoin wallets. Deposit funds into your brokerage …. Five bitcoin investing strategies you can use now Avoid bitcoin lending. This offer carries for a limited time, and you need to jump on board before the offer expires. The first step to get started trading bitcoin is choosing a reliable platform. There are well over 100 operational Bitcoin exchanges worldwide, but steering clear of exchanges that are known for wash trading and sticking with major reputable exchanges is the most prudent move Welcome!
Here at NewsBTC, we are dedicated to enlightening people all around the world about bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. bitcoin investing real Bitcoin cracked $1,000 on the first day of 2017. Brokerage Firms. If you are anti-bitcoin I appreciate your point of view, heck, I felt the same way when I first tumbled. getty. Decide where to buy bitcoin.
Bitcoin The world’s first and largest crypto by market cap, Bitcoin is considered the first wide-scale implementation of blockchain technology. Mar 16, 2020 · Bitcoin investing still involves some technical and security issues that investors should be aware of before they begin. Oct 09, 2020 · The global crisis has many investors looking into whether cryptocurrencies, such as bitcoin, are a good investment for them. Investing in cryptocurrency is akin to buying a TV broadcast license in 1930. Double your bitcoin investment portfolio fast using the best, legit bitcoin bitcoin investing real investment strategy and plans Oct 09, 2020 · Bitcoin Investor Price. Started at mere few cents and now Bitcoin is worth more than $10000.
At the time it was a long shot, and there wasn’t a solid case for their valuation, but so are most venture capital investments. You only need to have a minimum investment capital of $250 to begin investing in this platform. May 20, 2020 · Buying real estate-backed tokens feels like a combination of buying bitcoin and investing in a startup at an online crowdfunding platform. This investment stays in your secure account, and you can withdraw it anytime you. Datos en bitcoin investing real tiempo real del Bitcoin, precio, capitalización bursátil, gráficos, operaciones y volúmenes.
One rule of thumb is to invest. Once your bank account is verified by the Bitcoin service, you can start purchasing Bitcoin and …
Author: Vinny Lingam, CEO, Civic Technologies
3 Predictions of Bitcoin's Price in 2020 -- and Why They
Dec 21, 2017 · Instead of a payment mechanism, bitcoin's real use is as a store of wealth, like gold, this individual claimed. The Bitcoin blockchain was designed to enable quick and secure transactions, while maintaining its users’ anonymity, by …. Aug 30, 2019 · As Bitcoin has been used to facilitate financial transactions online, it’s also considered as a commodity currency. Oct 08, 2020 · There isn't a bitcoin investing real way to invest in Bitcoin the way you would invest in the stock of a company.
Some people view Bitcoin as a chaos hedge, or a way to preserve and …. But depending on the long-term plan for your newfound …. 3. Some people want to invest in Bitcoin without having the trouble of storing them Individuals, businesses, developers: learn from our simple Bitcoin guides. The Bitcoin blockchain bitcoin investing real was designed to enable quick and secure transactions, while maintaining its users’ anonymity, by …. Also keep in mind that the regulatory perspectives on Bitcoin globally are varied Cryptocurrency. Dec 10, 2019 · Read our guide to the Best Bitcoin Mining Software.
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LeBron James' signature shoe is getting a "Space Jam" inspired colorway.
LeBron James will be starring in Space Jam 2 next year and fans are incredibly excited about his first starring role in a movie. Of course, this film will see a rematch between the Monstars and the Tune Squad. In a marketing ploy that all of us saw coming, Nike decided to create two Space Jam-themed sneakers using the Nike LeBron 17 high and low as a base. The "Monstars" version was recently released in the high-top model while the "Tune Squad" colorway is dropping in the first-ever low-top LeBron 17.
Today, the official images of the "Tune Squad" colorway were revealed to the masses. As you can see, the majority of the upper is white while red and blue highlights make their way throughout. The Nike swoosh even has fluffy grey textures to pay homage to the main character of Looney Tunes, Bugs Bunny.
These sneakers are going to be a part of All-Star weekend. They are dropping Saturday, February 15th for $160 USD at local Nike retailers. Let us know in the comments below what you think and whether or not you plan on copping.


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Yapta raises $4.2M for corporate airfare tracking
Corporate airfare tracking got a boost this week with the announcement that travel-pricing company Yapta has raised $4.2 million in Series D funding to continue developing its price tracking product for companies’ travel plans.
Last fall, Concur launched a $150 million capital investment fund called Concur Perfect Trip that invests in emerging travel companies. This investment comes from the fund and goes specifically to support Yapta’s product FareIQ, an online tool to track corporate airfare prices and notify company travel managers when fare drops so tickets can be re-booked and the difference given as a refund or voucher. FareIQ currently has about 20 corporate customers.
Yapta also offers online services for consumer travel, but the company has pivoted into the corporate space and plans to pursue that path, Filsinger said.
Filsinger, who came on as CEO in summer 2012 after the departure of co-founder Tom Romary, said Yapta saw an open space to build a brand with corporate customers doing something it believes corporate airfare services were lacking — automatically notifying travel managers when fare drops so tickets can be re-booked at a lower rate.
“There’s a lot of effort put into having corporations book at the lowest fare, but a lot happens from the time you buy to the time you fly, from a pricing standpoint,” Filsinger said.
Yapta is also partnering with Concur on a corporate hotel-price tracking prototype that would integrate with Concur travel information.
Concur previously invested $5 million in Yapta last summer.
Yapta raised the rest of the money from Voyager Capital, another existing investor, and has an option to raise an additional $2 million in the next 90 days.
Rachel Lerman covers technology and retail for the Puget Sound Business Journal.
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khaskhabar.com : Sunday, 05 December 2021 12:07 PM
San Francisco. Amid global chip shortages, Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon said chip shortages are gradually easing and the situation is expected to improve next year. According to The Elec website, Amon said that the supply has improved this year compared to 2020 and the situation is expected to improve further especially in 2022 as compared to 2020.
The report said that many smartphone makers could not buy enough processors from Qualcomm, which affected their production.
Samsung was no exception as its mobile chief TM Roh and procurement executives were visiting the US in the middle of the year to meet with chip companies to ensure more supply.
Meanwhile, Qualcomm this week unveiled its new Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor for smartphones.
The chip is being manufactured by Samsung Foundry using a 4-nanometer node.
The new chipset, equipped with state-of-the-art 5G, AI, gaming, camera, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technologies, will be adopted by global OEMs and brands along with commercial devices by the end of 2021.
read this also – Click to read the news of your state / city before the newspaper


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In its debut on the list, Ball Corporation (NYSE: BLL) was named the top company among America's Best Employers for Diversity by Forbes magazine for 2019.
Ball Corporation News
Ball Corporation (NYSE: BLL) will announce its fourth quarter 2018 earnings on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019, before trading begins on the New York Stock Exchange.
BALL CORPORATION: Ball Corporation Agrees To Sell Chinese Beverage Can and End Manufacturing Facilities
Ball Corporation (NYSE:BLL) today announced an agreement to sell its metal beverage packaging facilities in China to ORG Technology Co. Ltd
Ball Corporation's (NYSE: BLL) board of directors today declared a cash dividend of 10 cents per share, payable Dec. 17, 2018, to shareholders of record as of Dec. 3, 2018.
BALL CORPORATION: Ball to Expand use of Wind Power in Findlay, Ohio; Create Additional Local Sustainability Scholarships
Ball Corporation (NYSE:BLL) and One Energy Enterprises LLC announced plans today to build three additional wind turbines to provide power to Ball's Findlay, Ohio, beverage packaging plant.
BALL CORPORATION: Ball Intends to Cease Production at its Beverage Packaging Facility in San Martino, Italy
Ball Corporation (NYSE: BLL) announced today that it intends to cease production at the company's San Martino, Italy, facility at the end of December 2018 and only after due negotiation with the trade union.
Ball Corporation (NYSE: BLL), one of the world's leading suppliers of metal packaging and aerospace technologies, will speak to the investment community on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018, during its investor field trip in Broomfield, Colorado.


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Facebook News Feed revamp puts emphasis on mobile
The Facebook News Feed will make sure that its beefed-up design works well on smartphones and tablets
Facebook is redesigning its News Feed to place a larger emphasis on photos and content and it will make sure that this new user interface will be consistent across mobile devices.
During a press event Thursday, Facebook showed off the new News Feed and said that its users consistently said that this was the most important part of their experience on the social network. To capitalize on this, the new Facebook News Feed will aim to give users the world's best "personalized newspaper."
One major push for this is to make the Facebook News Feed a more visual experience. This means that shared photos and albums will be much larger and of higher quality, which should provide a richer experience.
You'll also get more choice and curation over your Facebook News Feed. Users will be able to toggle between different feeds, so you can see all of your friends' posts or swap over to certain topics like sports or entertainment.
Facebook made a big point about mobile consistency with its News Feed and it even said that it took elements of its mobile design and brought that to the desktop. For example, the navigation tray on the left side has long been in the apps but now that will be landing on your computer's browser.
That last point is very important, as Facebook now considers itself a mobile company and it sometimes has more mobile users accessing its service per month than users from a traditional computer. Mobile is also the major areas of growth for Facebook and we've seen it do some interesting experiments and deals on this side.
In some emerging markets, Facebook has worked with carriers to give users free data when they're using the social network. We've also seen it throw in things like free calls in the United States when you're using its app to connect with other Facebook users. There's also the long-standing rumor that we will also eventually see a Facebook phone.
The changes to Facebook News Feed may not seem monumental at first but keep in mind that this is how the majority of users interact with the service, so it will have a major impact. Look for the revamped News Feed to roll out across the web today and it will go through the mobile channels over the next few weeks. I'm sure there will be some complaints about the changes at first (there always are) but hopefully, this will provide a better, customized experience.


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Atlus is hosting a special event for Persona 5 on NicoNico Live on July 19, and a new banner has surfaced showing that seven new announcements will be made during the broadcast. [Thanks, Persona 5 Jouhou Kyoku.]
The above banner for the event mentions an investigation file for seven new announcements, along with the message saying “I shall take the Tokyo National Museum treasure.”
Other than the seven new announcements, most of the event’s contents remains unknown, but we’ll have you covered when it goes live on July 19, 2016 at 7:30pm JST here.
Persona 5 will release in Japan on September 15, 2016 for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3. The game is headed to North America and South America on February 17, 2017.


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Toilet Paper Alternatives ‘Could Overwhelm Sewers’
The UK’s pipe network could be put under increasing stress and strain over the coming few weeks if the toilet paper shortages currently being faced by some mean that an increasing number of alternatives are used, such as wet wipes – which are known to help cause blockages in sewers.
Professor Richard Wilding, a leading supply chain academic, explained that innocent substitutions to toilet paper, with shortages driven by fears about the spread of coronavirus, could have very serious consequences that could affect society and life.
Mr Wilding, professor at Cranfield School of Management, noted that we’re not only seeing shortages of toilet paper but also of paper kitchen towels and industrial paper toweling.
“If kitchen towels, baby wipes or industrial papers are used as a replacement for toilet paper, our sewage systems could readily become blocked with the resulting chaos and increased health risks associated with this. Ultimately, water companies may not have the infrastructure and equipment to unblock the sewer system,” he told the Guardian.
Apparently, Thames Water has already issued a warning to its customers not to use kitchen towel and wet wipes as substitutes before flushing them, as these can feed fatbergs, which are created when fat and non-biodegradable matter builds up.
Panic buying in supermarkets around the UK has been seen over the last week or so – which has given rise to profiteering online. The news source found, for example, that one eBay seller in the UK sold a 72-pack of Andrex for £84.99, which is triple its retail price.
Professor Wilding’s comments were echoed by City to Sea campaigns manager Steve Hynd, who recently told iNews that because many wet wipes are made from plastic, they can become clogged with cooking fats if flushed down the loo.
The organisation is now calling on people to make sure they only flush wipes that bear the Fine to Flush label, as assigned by Water UK.
A representative from Thames Water observed that fatbergs are a strong reminder that what we may think is out of sight is, in fact, “not gone forever”, describing the bergs as “monsters from the deep, lurking and slowly growing under our feet”.
Businesses can help protect the nation’s water pipe network by ensuring that there is enough toilet paper at work at all times – but also by encouraging people to be mindful about what they’re sending down the toilets, both at work and at home.
Toilets should only be used to flush toilet paper and human waste, with everything else – from dental floss and cotton buds to nappies and sanitary towels – going in the bin.
It’s important to realise the difference between a flushable product and a biodegradable one, and while baby wipes may prove very useful, they will clog up pipes and help create fatbergs over time.
Do you want to find out about commercial water conservation? Get in touch with us today.


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New Relic founder and CEO Lew Cirne kicked off New Relic’s first FutureStack event in continental Europe by announcing a new European availability zone.Continue Reading
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updated 09:35 am EDT, Thu November 4, 2010
Calls for 54.8 million iPad sales in 2011
Research firm Gartner is encouraging the heads of major corporations to push for adoption or at least basic support of the iPad. "It is not usually the role of the CEO to get directly involved in specific technology device decisions, but Apple's iPad is an exception," says Gartner VP Stephen Prentice. "It is more than just the latest consumer gadget; and CEOs and business leaders should initiate a dialogue with their CIOs about it if they have not already done so."
Companies need to ignore Mac vs. Windows arguments, claims Prentice. "Individuals are willing to buy these devices themselves, so enterprises must be ready to support them," he says. "While some IT departments will say they are a 'Windows shop', and Apple does not support the enterprise. Organisations need to recognise that there are soft benefits in a device of this type in the quest to improve recruitment and retention. Technology is not always about productivity."
The iPad is further portrayed as having "the potential to be hugely disruptive" to both the markets and business models of various enterprises. Aside from book and magazine publishers, Gartner posits everything from architectural firms and schools through to airlines and hospitals as being affected. "While there are no certainties, the iPad looks set to become a market-disrupting device, like the iPod before it," says Prentice. "Even if you think it is just a passing fad, the cost of early action is low, while the price of delay may well be extremely high."
Much of the argument rests on predicted iPad and overall tablet sales. Gartner is calling for sales of 19.5 million iPads by the end of 2010, and 54.8 million "media tablets" in 2011. By 2014, tablet sales are expected to pass 208 million units. Most iPad competitors have yet to launch; the first major rival, the Samsung Galaxy Tab, has only just launched in Europe and South Korea, and has yet to debut in North America.


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On November 23, 2016, Now Onyx Punta Cana hosted its official opening celebration, marking the Now Resorts & Spas brand’s third property in the popular destination of the Dominican Republic. The resort welcomed its first guests earlier this month.
The official ceremony was attended by Dominican Republic President Danilo Medina, Minister of Public Works Gonzalo Castillo, Minister of Tourism Francisco Javier García, President of Grupo Martinón Enrique Martinón García, Caribbean Managing Director of NH Hotel Group Gonzalo Alcaraz, President of AMResorts Gonzalo del Peón, Executive Vice President of Banking Companies of Banco BHD Léon Jorge Besosa, Executive Vice President of Banco Popular Rene Grullón, Ambassador of Spain Jaime Lacadena, the Vicar of Basílica Catedral Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia Father Evaristo Areche and Now Onyx Punta Cana executives and guests.
The festivities included remarks from President Medina and AMResorts executives, the unveiling of a commemorative plaque during the ribbon cutting ceremony and a toast.
Located on the pristine beaches of Uvero Alto, the 502-suite, family-friendly Now Onyx Punta Cana provides guests with a breathtaking landscape, luxuriously appointed accommodations and a worry-free vacation experience complete with the brand’s signature Unlimited-Luxury®offering. For more information or to book at Now Onyx Punta Cana, visitwww.nowresorts.com, call 1-877-NOW-9953 or connect on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube or the official brand blog.


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The global PC market is showing signs of recovery, with Canalys predicting a 5% growth in the fourth quarter of 2023 and an 8% increase in full-year shipments to 267 million units in 2024, driven by the holiday season, macroeconomic improvements, Windows refresh cycle, and the emergence of AI-capable and Arm-based devices.
- Holiday season expected to provide a boost to PC sales
- Macroeconomic environment is improving, creating a favorable climate for increased PC adoption
- Windows refresh cycle and emergence of AI-capable and Arm-based devices expected to drive growth
In a much-needed turn of events, the global PC market is finally showing signs of recovery after a long period of decline. Canalys, the market research firm, predicts that worldwide PC shipments will experience a 5% growth in the fourth quarter of 2023, marking a significant turnaround. This positive trend is expected to continue into 2024, with full-year shipments estimated to reach a staggering 267 million units, an 8% increase compared to the previous year.
Several factors contribute to this anticipated rebound. Firstly, the holiday season is expected to provide a boost to PC sales, as consumers gear up to purchase new devices. Additionally, the overall macroeconomic environment is improving, creating a favorable climate for increased PC adoption.
One significant driver of this recovery is the much-anticipated Windows refresh cycle. As users eagerly await the latest updates and improvements from Microsoft’s operating system, demand for new PCs is set to surge. Moreover, the emergence of AI-capable and ARM-based devices is also expected to play a pivotal role in driving growth. Industry leaders, including OEMs, processor manufacturers, and operating system providers, are actively developing new models with AI capabilities, aiming to meet the evolving needs of consumers.
Canalys Analyst Ben Yeh emphasizes the transformative impact of AI on the PC industry. With AI functionality becoming an expected feature, the demand for AI-capable PCs is projected to rise rapidly. By 2024, it is estimated that AI-capable PCs will account for approximately 19% of total shipments. This includes not only Apple’s M-series Mac products but also the upcoming products in the Windows ecosystem.
The commercial segment, which has experienced delayed purchasing decisions in recent times, is expected to witness a surge in demand in 2024. Canalys Principal Analyst Ishan Dutt highlights the positive sentiment among partners, with 47% of them anticipating a growth of 10% or more in their Windows PC shipments next year. Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are seen as a particularly promising market, as they have faced challenges in budgeting for PC procurement due to macroeconomic difficulties. The availability of Arm-based PCs, driven by Qualcomm’s X Elite chip, will further enhance the products partners can provide to customers, thanks to improvements in power efficiency and battery life.
The future of the PC market looks promising, with recovery on the horizon. As the industry embraces AI capabilities and introduces innovative devices, we can expect a surge in demand and a return to the shipment levels seen in 2019. The PC is far from obsolete, and its evolution continues to shape the way we work and play.
About Apple: Apple Inc., known for its iconic products, was founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne in 1976. The company has since revolutionized the technology landscape with innovations like the Macintosh computer, iPod, iPhone, iPad, and more. for its emphasis on design, user experience, and ecosystem integration, Apple's devices and software have made a profound impact on various industries. With a commitment to quality and innovation, Apple remains a global technology leader.
About ARM: ARM, originally known as Acorn RISC Machine, is a British semiconductor and software design company that specializes in creating energy-efficient microprocessors, system-on-chip (SoC) designs, and related technologies. Founded in 1990, ARM has become a important player in the global semiconductor industry and is widely recognized for its contributions to mobile computing, embedded systems, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. ARM's microprocessor designs are based on the Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) architecture, which prioritizes simplicity and efficiency in instruction execution. This approach has enabled ARM to produce highly efficient and power-saving processors that are used in a vast array of devices, ranging from smartphones and tablets to IoT devices, smart TVs, and more. The company does not manufacture its own chips but licenses its processor designs and intellectual property to a wide range of manufacturers, including Qualcomm, Apple, Samsung, and NVIDIA, who then integrate ARM's technology into their own SoCs. This licensing model has contributed to ARM's widespread adoption and influence across various industries.
About Microsoft: Microsoft, founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in 1975 in Redmond, Washington, USA, is a technology giant known for its wide range of software products, including the Windows operating system, Office productivity suite, and cloud services like Azure. Microsoft also manufactures hardware, such as the Surface line of laptops and tablets, Xbox gaming consoles, and accessories.
About Qualcomm: Qualcomm, a leading American global semiconductor and telecommunications equipment company, has played a pivotal role in shaping the modern technology landscape. Founded in 1985, Qualcomm has been at the forefront of innovation, particularly in the realm of mobile communications and wireless technology. The company's advancements have been instrumental in the evolution of smartphones, powering devices with their Snapdragon processors that deliver exceptional performance and efficiency. With a strong commitment to research and development, Qualcomm has enabled the growth of 5G technology, paving the way for faster and more connected experiences.
Financial Turmoil at EKWB: A Tale of Unpaid Bills, Exploited Employees, and Disgruntled Creditors
DeepCool introduces the sleek CH160 ITX case, a compact marvel for tech enthusiasts.
The Razer Kishi Ultra: Unleashing Mobile Gaming Control for iPhone 15 Series, Android, and iPad Mini.
AOC introduces Graphic Pro U3 Series Monitors, Designed for Professionals and Creators
CORSAIR releases HS35 v2 Series: Elevating Gamers’ Audio Experience Across Multiple Platforms
NZXT about to launch the H6 Flow RGB, a HYTE Y60’ish Mid tower case
Intel’s CPU Roadmap: 15th Gen Arrow Lake Arriving Q4 2024, Panther Lake and Nova Lake Follow
HYTE teases the “HYTE Y70 Touch” case with large touch screen
NZXT set to launch a non RGB version of the H6 Flow case
NVIDIA’s Data-Center Roadmap Reveals GB200 and GX200 GPUs for 2024-2025


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The Chinese-made tablet named Aigo Pad owned by a Ho Chi Minh City woman broke into two while charging on Thursday. Photo credit: Tuoi Tre
A Ho Chi Minh City woman's Chinese-made tablet device exploded in her home on Thursday, Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reported.
The accident occurred at around 8am--roughly 20 minutes after Pham Thi To Nga of District 4 plugged the device into a wall and left it to charge on her kitchen table.
Nga, who was cleaning the floor near the site, heard the explosion.
When she returned to the room, she found the tablet broken into two pieces and fallen onto the floor.
The battery of the tablet had swollen and burst in the explosion.
Nga considered herself lucky her children were not home.
They typically sit at the table and play with the device as it charges.
Nga said a Chinese friend gave her the tablet as a gift more than four months ago.


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Showing results 1 - 10 of 311
Tuesday, June 18, 2019 9:57 PM
The Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) is key to supporting and sustaining food production in B.C., the province's farming sector and those who work in it.
Thursday, February 28, 2019 9:45 AM
The B.C. government is committed to the socially and ecologically responsible management of B.C. fisheries, including an environmentally and economically sustainable aquaculture industry for the benefit of all British Columbians.
Wednesday, February 27, 2019 4:00 PM
The British Columbia government recognizes the vital role bees play in British Columbia’s food production and environment and is working to support and expand bee habitat and health throughout the province.
Tuesday, July 24, 2018 11:45 AM
AgriService BC connects farmers, food processors and new entrants to agriculture, to the services, programs and information that the B.C. government offers to help them succeed.
Tuesday, July 24, 2018 11:41 AM
On Jan. 1, 2014, the B.C. government fully implemented a new provincial meat inspection system.
Tuesday, July 24, 2018 11:15 AM
The B.C. government is taking a three-pronged approach to building opportunities and sales for B.C. farmers, seafood producers and food processors, as well as those wanting to join these sectors.
Friday, April 7, 2017 9:15 AM
The B.C. government is partnering with the BC Shellfish Growers Association (BCSGA), Vancouver Island University and the Hakai Institute to address issues of food supply security and climate change affecting the shellfish industry.
Tuesday, April 4, 2017 11:10 AM
The Province is providing over $628,000 to support a two-year pilot project for the viticulture technician diploma program at Okanagan College, developed in partnership with the BC Wine Grape Council.
Sunday, April 2, 2017 9:00 AM
British Columbia agrifood and seafood producers exported more products than ever before in 2016, setting a new record for the fourth year in a row.
Sunday, April 2, 2017 8:30 AM
And they’re off! Local sporthorse breeder and rider and horse-training company, Dreamcatcher Meadows Sporthorse Breeding and Training Centre (DMV), is launching a project to increase awareness and sales of B.C. bred sporthorses.


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Waterford distillery, the Irish whiskey maker focused on “barley-forward, terroir-driven” expressions, has released the first organic Irish whiskey. Organic: Gaia 1.1 was distilled in 2016 from 100% organic Irish-grown barley. The new release is part of the distillery’s Arcadian Series, “which celebrates radical growers and alternative philosophies, including heritage grains and unusual growing methods,” according to them.
Waterford’s core philosophy is simple: the key ingredient in whiskey is barley. All the components consumers tend to focus on–barrels, water, stills–are, they say, secondary to the creation of the world’s most complex spirit. “It beggars belief that much of the industry treats with indifference the primary source of single malt whisky’s extraordinary flavour: barley,” said Waterford founder and CEO Mark Reynier in a prepared statement. “We have placed barley – where and how it is grown – at the heart of what we do, curious about where the real whisky flavour may be found.”
In existing releases, the distillery’s focus has largely been on single-farm expressions; the company says organically grown barley is a natural extension of that philosophy. “Compliance for organic status is not straight forward by any means – there’ s a shed load of hoops to jump through, deep cleaning regimens, audits and assessments to undergo,” said Reynier. “So, is it worth it? We certainly think so, what we lose in yield and hair pulling we gain in purity and definition of flavor.”
Although a century ago, organically grown malting barley would have been ubiquitous (the company is careful to note that this whisky is only the first organic expression “in the modern age”), today it is fairly hard to come by. That means that unlike previous expressions, the grain in Gaia 1.1 comes from multiple farms, though according to the distillery’s website, organic single-farm releases are in the cards in the years to come.
As to the whiskey itself, it’s been matured in a range of different barrels: 42% first-fill US oak, 17% virgin US oak, 23% premium French oak and 18% Vin Doux Naturel, or sweet fortified wine. It is bottled un-chill-filtered and additive-free at 50% ABV and is retailing around $110, with 6,000 bottles available in the US.


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Surprising news for many American consumers out there: Forgiven debt is taxable income! When you’re buried in debt, the one saving grace is often creditor settlement. Creditors are often willing to negotiate a significant discount on a debt when they know that a consumer is unable to pay in full. […]
As an Orange County bankruptcy attorney, people sometimes ask me whether filing bankruptcy in Orange County differs from filing somewhere else, such as Los Angeles, Long Beach or Riverside. The differences may be subtle, but there are some unique characteristics to an Orange County Bankruptcy (filed at the Santa Ana […]
Falling behind on your payments or having a delinquent account can be a very stressful situation for most people. The majority of people want to pay their bills on time, pay their credit cards off, and maintain a good credit score. However, sometimes things that are out of our control […]
The bloated APR is how First Premier Bank, a subprime credit card issuer, is skirting new regulations intended to curb abusive practices in the industry. It’s a strategy other subprime card issuers could start adopting to get around the new rules.


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South Korea is set to launch an investigation into both Apple and Google over claims the app store giants may be breaking its new in-app payments laws.
If found guilty Apple could be fined up to 2% of the average annual revenue from its App Store, under new laws in the country that mean companies like Apple must let developers offer alternative payments on devices like the iPhone.
As reported by Reuters, "The Korea Communications Commissions (KCC) said in a statement it had conducted an inspection since May 17 to determine whether Google, Apple, and One Store had violated the rules and had determined that all three might have done so."
The laws and dispute concern the same pain points raised by Epic Games in Apple's major App Store legal battle last year. Apple believes it has a right to enforce its in-app payment system on developers, taking a chunk of each transaction made on iPhone and iPad as commission for creating the ecosystem.
Some developers and countries legislating against this business model, including both South Korea and the Netherlands, believe that developers and consumers should be able to choose between systems like Apple's in-app payment systems and other third-party alternative payment options.
This has been positioned by some, such as Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney, as a way to circumvent Apple's App Store fees of up to 30%. In reality, the company is charging 27% on alternative payments, retaining its right to collect commission on all transactions made by its platforms. The court that ruled against Epic Games last year also forced it to pay some $6 million to Apple in "lost" commission that wasn't paid when Epic Games broke the App Store's rules.
The KCC did not specify how Apple might have broken its new laws, but the report notes that possible infringements include "app market operators unfairly delaying the review of mobile content, or refusing, delaying, restricting, deleting, or blocking the registration, renewal, or inspection of mobile content that uses third-party payment methods."
Master your iPhone in minutes
iMore offers spot-on advice and guidance from our team of experts, with decades of Apple device experience to lean on. Learn more with iMore!
Stephen Warwick has written about Apple for five years at iMore and previously elsewhere. He covers all of iMore's latest breaking news regarding all of Apple's products and services, both hardware and software. Stephen has interviewed industry experts in a range of fields including finance, litigation, security, and more. He also specializes in curating and reviewing audio hardware and has experience beyond journalism in sound engineering, production, and design.
Before becoming a writer Stephen studied Ancient History at University and also worked at Apple for more than two years. Stephen is also a host on the iMore show, a weekly podcast recorded live that discusses the latest in breaking Apple news, as well as featuring fun trivia about all things Apple. Follow him on Twitter @stephenwarwick9


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Oracle has paid out in excess of $199.5 million to settle a case with the U.S. government.
The case, which was brought to light by former Oracle senior director of contract services Paul Frascella in 2007 and was pursued by the Justice Department, claimed that Oracle had overcharged the U.S. government for nine years while giving steep discounts to corporate entities.
Claims included the allegation that Oracle had discounted goods and services by up to 92 percent for businesses while giving various United States government agencies around 25 percent to 40 percent discounts, all the while not telling the government what its pricing policies actually were, as it was contractually obliged to do.
Specific allegations included breach of contract, constructive fraud, fraud by omission, payment by mistake and unjust enrichment. The suit said these practices had been going on since at least May 2001.
Oracle maintains that it adhered to pricing as laid out in its contracts, and a spokesperson said the company only settled because “many of the witnesses are no longer available or do not clearly recall these events,” and pursuing litigation would be more costly than the $200 million settlement.
In a statement, General Services Administration Inspector General Brian Miller said, “It’s more important now than ever before to make sure that taxpayer dollars are not wasted on higher prices. We will not let contractors victimize the taxpayers by hiding their best prices.”


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Macanudo Vintage 2010
The world’s first Vintage cigar was created by Macanudo nearly 40 years ago to spotlight an exceptional wrapper developed in part by Mother Nature, fast-forward to today, and a new vintage.
Macanudo Vintage 2010 will hit store shelves in mid-August.
Preceded eleven years ago by a growing season with high temperatures and optimal rainfall, 2010 features a Connecticut River Valley silky shade-grown tobacco wrapper.
Ernest Gocaj who oversees the Connecticut growing operations for Macanudo tells Cigar World, “We could not have asked for a better growing season than we had in 2010.”
The cigar also features a unique proprietary Cuban-seed varietal regenerated by General Cigar’s agronomists, partnered with hand-selected Nicaraguan and Honduran leaves, aged three to five years. The blend is bound with a Nicaraguan leaf.
Learn more about the Macanudo 2010 here.


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The Walmart aisle fires seem to be an ongoing trend.
A few years back there was a fire in a Walmart store in Durango, Colorado and the video was posted on Youtube. It caused a huge response online from people who couldn’t understand why there were people casually observing the fire and not intervening to put the fire out. Eventually the fire was extinguished by a member of staff but it took them ages to realise that someone had caught the aisle alight.
Various people can be seen walking past the aisle in a very calm manner as well as a few people finding the fire rather amusing. The person filming the fire was more concerned about getting that viral video by the looks of things. Its an unbelievable video and makes you wonder how anyone was not hurt or burned.
Back in 2016 two people were caught setting fire to a fireworks aisle in a Walmart store in Phoenix Arizona. The video shows a man lighting one of the fireworks and then you see the whole aisle go up in flames. According to news reports, the two people responsible have gone to jail for 20 years for this crime. Some people will go through great lengths to get that viral video and even risk jail FFS!
More recently 18 year old Christopher Walthour was caught setting alight to another aisle in a Walmart store in Pooler USA.
According to news sources Christopher worked in a fast food store and he was probably influenced by the recent Walmart aisle fires videos that have been surfacing on social media and Youtube. There were 2 witnesses at the scene that helped put the fire out with 2 gallons of water, before the fire department came to finish the job.


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Club Mahindra redefines moment marketing with a path-breaking AI integration
Mumbai, 29th March 2024: Club Mahindra the flagship brand of Mahindra Holidays and Resorts India Limited, known for its commitment to innovation and excellence continues to redefine creativity through AI-driven initiatives. In its quest to establish deeper and more meaningful connections with its audience, the brand has launched a heartwarming new campaign that is centered around the ongoing IPL season. Going beyond the boundaries of traditional marketing strategies the campaign integrates AI and aims to create unforgettable memories through animated videos, static posts, and gifs.
As a part of the campaign, Club Mahindra recently released the first of many creatives – An endearing portrayal of cricket legends celebrating Holi as toddlers. Leveraging AI tools, the pictures imagined India’s cricket icons celebrating the vibrant spirit of Holi festivities in their cheerful toddler avatars. Centered around the theme of ‘Creating Magical Moments’ this innovative approach not only captured attention but also stirred a sense of nostalgia among fans. For many, these players are not just sports icons, but they represent cherished childhood memories.
In line with its core value of creating magical experiences, Club Mahindra chose cricket, recognizing its profound resonance with millions, thereby building a deeper connection with its target audience.
Club Mahindra’s Chief Marketing Officer, Mr. Pratik Mazumder, shares his thoughts saying, “At Club Mahindra, we are committed to offering our members and audience exceptional experiences both offline and online. Capitalizing on the cricket frenzy, our latest initiative, themed around ‘Creating Magical Moments’, ingeniously integrated cutting-edge AI technology. This initiative garnered significant engagement on our social media platforms, affirming the significant impact of our innovative approach on audience engagement and brand perception. We look forward to engaging with our audience in exciting new ways.”
Capitalizing on the Christmas season last year, Club Mahindra launched the MeetTheRealSanta campaign, utilizing AI to deliver personalized messages from Santa Claus to children and their families. This initiative created unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime. Additionally, the most creative entries were awarded a trip to Santa Village in Finland.


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Jordan: Rich Pine garment factory dismisses 200 workers amid Covid-19; co. did not respond
In May 27 2020, Rich Pine International Group terminated the contracts of 200 Jordanian workers at a garment factory in Irbid Cyber City, claiming that their contracts have expired. The factory, which is owned by a Taiwanese investor, has nearly 1,700 workers of different nationalities, including Chinese, Bangladeshi, and Sri Lankan and Jordanian workers. The factory usually renews its workers’ contracts every three months. However, many workers have confirmed to Jordan Labour Watch (JLW) that the factory did not renew their contracts. According to JLW, the same factory was accused in 2012 of exposing its migrant workers to difficult work conditions including slavery and non-payment of overtime work.
It is not the first case in Jordan where a garment factory refused to renew the contracts of its workers due the economic impact of Covid-19. For instance, on 6 May, a garment factory in Al-Hassan Industrial Zone has terminated the contracts of 72 workers under the pretext that their contracts have expired.
JLW published a report on 4 April 2020 the Jordanian government calling upon the government to issue a defense order prohibiting the dismissal of workers from all private sector enterprises, obliging enterprises to pay wages as usual and prohibiting any deductions from the wages during the period of work suspension. Similarly, JLW issued a statement on 7 May urging the Jordanian government to take immediate measures to prevent labor rights violations and to address the challenges faced by the private sector workers, including dismissal of workers. On 31 May 2020, the Jordanian Council of Ministers issued a new order pursuant to Defense Order no.6 regulating the relationship between the private sector and workers amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The new order obliges employers to renew the fixed-term contracts of their Jordanian workers only, for similar periods until the application of the Defense Law comes to an end. The order only applies to contracts which expired on 30 April 2020 or will expire after this date, provided that the said contracts have been renewed at least three times before 30 April 2020.
The Business and Human Rights Resource Centre contacted Rich Pine for a response to this allegation; the factory did not respond.
All components of this story
Author: Rich Pine International Group
- Related stories: Jordan: Rich Pine garment factory dismisses 200 workers amid Covid-19; co. did not respond
- Related in-depth areas: Apparel & textile Jordan
- This is a non response from the following companies: Rich Pine International Group
المرصد العمالي الأردني، " إنهاء خدمات أكثر من مئتي عامل أردني من مصنع (ريتش باين) في يوم واحد"، ٢٧ أيار ٢٠٢٠
أقدم مصنع (ريتش باين انترناشونال جروب) للألبسة الواقع في إربد (سايبر ستي) يوم أمس على أنهاء خدمات أكثر من مئتي موظف أردني يعملون فيه


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New York (October 11, 2006)–Loud Technologies has appointed three industry veterans to domestic sales positions. Alex Nelson joins LOUD as Vice President, Key Accounts, heading up the Guitar Center and Musicians Friend accounts for all brands in the LOUD portfolio. With over a decade of experience in both professional audio and MI distribution and sales, Nelson has held executive positions at both Line 6, Alesis and most recently as the founder of Left Coast Marketing, an independent rep firm serving the Northwest region with lines such as EVI, Midas, Telex and KRK.
Also new to the LOUD team is Dan Gallagher, who joins the company as Vice President, National Account, managing LOUD’s domestic sales initiatives with online concerns, as well as regional and multi-store chains. Gallagher has worked in the music industry for 25 years, holding positions with companies such as Ensoniq, Alesis, Korg, Marshall, Behringer USA, Inc., and most recently as the EVP of Global Sales and Marketing for Symetrix.
Scott Schumer will assume responsibility for all of LOUD’s network of independent dealers throughout the United Stats as Vice President, Independent Dealers. Schumer has over 15 years of experience in multi-million dollar business development, P&L, new product launch, and general management within the Professional Audio and Consumer Electronics markets. His previous experience includes president and CEO of In2Out Audio, the exclusive US pro audio distribution company, VP Sales Harman Professional Systems and VP Sales Sennheiser US.
Nelson, Gallagher and Shumer will all report directly to LOUD’s Sr. Vice President of Domesitc Sales Michael MacDonald.


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Setting the tone for its continued growth, Pokéworks, one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing poke brands, announced it has joined forces with Toridoll Holdings Corporation. The agreement with the Tokyo-based restaurant giant, allows Pokéworks to maintain its founder-led leadership focus and is intended to solidify the brand’s position as a high-quality and affordable leader in the fast-growing poke restaurant segment.
Toridoll Holdings currently operates 1,028 restaurant locations in Japan and 533 overseas, including the most-famously recognized Hawaiian udon restaurant Marugame Seimen. The $1.6 billion holding company has identified the Pokéworks investment opportunity as a means to further accelerate the brand’s market dominance while setting the bar for quality standards within the poke segment. The announcement derives just after two short years since Pokéworks’ inception and follows an aggressive growth trajectory of nearly 20 locations operating and more than 120 under development across North America, with aims to open an additional 400+ locations.
“Pokéworks was founded on the idea of bringing high-quality and affordable seafood to the masses and this agreement will no doubt enable us to achieve our long-term vision for the brand and the concept,” says Michael Wu, CEO of Pokéworks. “It is no secret that Japan is globally recognized as the leaders in fresh and superior sushi cuisine, and we cannot think of a more sophisticated establishment to partner and further align our values with as we continue to grow.”
Recognizing the unlocked potential of the Pokéworks brand, Toridoll Holdings plans to support the fast expansion of the brand’s business model by leveraging its expertise in investing and operations through experience working with a diverse range of restaurant businesses within its global network. Heightened by the popularity of the poke trend – which has reached an annual growth rate of 25 percent and growing – Pokéworks looks to strengthen its procedures and propel operations from an execution standpoint, by placing a strong focus on higher standards to ensure a trusted and an authentic experience throughout its momentous growth.
“In this emerging market, Pokéworks has become a great success by appealing the demand for fresh, fast and healthy food at affordable prices,” says Takaya Awata, President of Toridoll Holdings. “We are excited to work in tandem with one of the largest and fastest growing poke brands in the United States –where the hottest global trends in the restaurant business emerge.”
Founded in 2015 with their first store in Midtown Manhattan, Pokéworks is building on momentum largely fueled by its millennial relevance and deep-rooted commitment to sustainability efforts as seen through its certified reclaimed wood building material. Guests of all dietary restrictions, including those maintaining gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan, as well as cooked or raw protein diets can enjoy Pokéworks’ build-your-own poke bowls, burritos and salads by selecting a base protein, unique regional mix-ins, flavoring sauces, toppings and crunchy texture.
To augment the concept’s growth, Pokéworks is seeking experienced multi-unit partners looking to invest in a turnkey franchise with minimal restaurant and labor costs. The opportunity provides comprehensive training programs and dedicated support teams to assist in on-boarding, development, opening and ongoing operations. The initial franchise fee for Pokéworks is $35,000 with the total single-unit investment ranging from $250,000 to $850,000.


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Published 8 years ago.
About a 4 minute read.
71 percent of companies believe there is a likelihood of modern slavery occurring at some point within their supply chains, according to research conducted by the Ashridge Centre for Business and Sustainability at Hult International Business School and the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI).
The research was a joint initiative by Ashridge and ETI to get a snapshot of company perceptions and current responses to modern slavery as the new UK Modern Slavery Act comes into effect. It featured interviews with a cross-section of businesses from clothing, department store, grocery, beverage, home and garden, fresh produce, and health and personal care sectors.
Cindy Berman, ETI Head of Knowledge and Learning and report co-author, said, “We’ve been working with companies on the ethical trade agenda for more than 15 years. We know that many workers are exploited — particularly migrant and vulnerable workers at the lower tiers of supply chains. But the research has revealed that some companies are becoming more honest about the risks of forced labour and are starting to own up to their responsibilities in addressing it.”
Brands and retailers are still mainly concerned with risks to their reputations if modern slavery is found, but recognize that the real risks are to the human rights of workers. And they realize that they need to take a different approach to managing risk.
Quintin Lake, report co-author and research fellow at Ashridge, said, “All of those we spoke to have publicly committed to ethical trade and are taking active steps to improve working conditions in their supply chains. However, they all agreed that the challenge of modern slavery requires distinct policies, activities and approaches. For example, many have realized that social audits are simply not revealing the hidden nature of modern slavery and they are working on better ways of finding out what is really going on in their supply chains.”
Companies are realizing they need to be more innovative and to collaborate with others because they cannot tackle these problems alone, but competitive tensions can be a barrier. They highlight that building trust and working in partnership with suppliers is far more effective than compliance-driven approaches.
One important finding of the study is that addressing modern slavery is a leadership issue. Where boards and chief executives are demonstrating active engagement with this issue, those companies are much further ahead in their efforts to tackle it than those where this leadership is not evident.
Berman said: “This confirms what we know from ETI’s experience of working with companies. Board and senior-level buy-in makes all the difference in ethical trade because it drives better policies and ways of operating. These companies also tend to be more commercially successful because they have more visibility, oversight and control over their operations.”
Companies should expect their staff, suppliers and all their stakeholders to be vigilant and to take swift action where violations to workers’ rights are found. But they need to ensure it’s the right action and that they have the necessary skills and expertise.
This research was a collaboration between the Ashridge Centre for Business and Sustainability at Hult International Business School, and the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI). The project team included Quintin Lake, Jamie MacAlister, Matthew Gitsham and Nadine Page at Ashridge, and Cindy Berman from ETI.
[MSc in Sustainability and Responsibility](/digital_learning/research_report/supply_chain/corporate_approaches_addressing_modern_slavery_supply_>View the full report.
Established in 1959, Ashridge is a leading business school for working professionals with an international reputation for leadership development. It is in the 1% of business schools globally accredited by AMBA, EQUIS and AACSB; the UK, European and American accreditation bodies. Each year it works with over 6,000 managers from 850 organisations in 60 countries.
Working initially with Dame Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop International, then at the University of Bath, the Ashridge faculty developed a radically new form of business education, placing the perspectives and methods of self-awareness and action inquiry at the heart of developing leaders for a sustainable future. Much of what is becoming mainstream in corporate sustainability and sustainable leadership development today was foreshadowed in that work — from mindful awareness to conscious capitalism, social enterprise to systems innovation, eco-literacy to collaborative dialogue, these themes have threads of their development in the work of the Bath and Ashridge programmes.
The next programme starts on 19 April 2016. Click here to apply.
Published Mar 22, 2016 8pm EDT / 5pm PDT / 12am GMT / 1am CET


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Using a piece of cloth to wipe off dust from the small plastic container he was carrying, Bala Umaru, cut the picture of a frustrated man as he opened his kiosk for the day’s operations at a corner of the Palmgrove end of the busy Ikorodu Road – one of the longest in Lagos. Like dozens of small business owners in many parts of the country, sales, over recent months, have been low; things have not been what they used to be in the past. A veteran in stocking petty consumables and other in-demand items like milk, biscuits, candy, handkerchiefs, match sticks and even torchlights in the area, Umaru’s kiosk had these products in spilling quantity in the days of boom – before Nigeria’s economy fell into recession, affecting everything within it.
But despite the harsh economic climate in the country and significant drop in the purchasing power of citizens, forcing a reduction in the variety of items he shelves in his tiny kiosk today, one commodity has stubbornly kept its place – leading the line week in, week out. Demanded by old and young, male condoms have remained a big favourite among the 46-year-old man’s customers in this Lagos suburb.
“Maybe I could have closed down the business if not for condoms and how customers demand for them,” he told our correspondent, who cornered him for a brief chat that wet Tuesday morning. “There is hardship in the country; many customers can hardly afford N150 bread, they’ll beg to take it on credit. This has affected the business so badly. If not for the little profit I make from the sale of condoms, cigarettes and candies, I’d have just stuck to my gateman job which can barely cater for me and my family,” the Jigawa State native, said, before turning away to attend to two young men.
In the about 20 minutes that our correspondent interacted with Umaru, at least seven customers came demanding for a popular brand of condom. This was a few minutes past 11:00am, less than 30 minutes after the heavy downpour that morning subsided. Ranging between 43 and 28, in the estimation of the reporter, four out of this bunch later settled on a small bench beside the kiosk to have a cigarette after each taking possession of a wrap of condoms containing four pieces. Umaru’s table was littered with different brands of both products while only biscuits and candies enjoyed similar patronage especially among little children in the area.
“There is no day that I don’t sell at least two packs of condoms owing to the high demand by customers in this area,” the 46-year-old petty trader said, flashing a warm grin at our correspondent. “The demand for it peaks more at evenings especially during weekends. Well, maybe this is so because of the large concentration of motels and guest houses in this area because since I have been here over the past seven years, the situation has not changed. Even if I don’t sell any other item in a day, I am sure of selling at least one pack of condoms. That is how much it commands patronage here,” Umaru concluded in splattering Pidgin.
Proof that the popularity of condoms among consumers has not waned or affected by the economic recession in the country came to light during visits to other parts of Lagos by our correspondent recently. Two petty traders of Northern Nigerian origin operating kiosks similar to that of Umaru in the Ikorodu area of the city, told Saturday PUNCH how male condoms have remained one of their highest selling items in recent months despite the drop in the purchasing power of consumers.
Doing business at a section of the Sabo area of the town over the past four years since making the long journey from his native Yobe in search of a new life in Lagos, Abubakar Ismail, a father of six, disclosed that despite being a market community, customers are never short of demanding for condoms.
Revealing that at least he sells one pack of a popular brand of condom every day, Ismail told Saturday PUNCH that even women come for the product, claiming to be buying for their husbands, sons and boyfriends when he tries to find out why they need such.
“Even though it still surprises me, condoms sell more than any other item on my table considering how often I have to restock it in my kiosk,” he said. “Sometimes I have to direct customers to my fellow Northern brothers also operating kiosks in other parts of Sabo when I run out of the item. The demand gets more intense towards evening when people are returning home from work or business.
“To be honest, I cannot tell why this is so because even young ladies and middle-aged women come to buy from me as well. They tell me that they are buying for their boyfriends, husbands and sons because they want them to be safe from diseases. This product has really helped my business even though the profit isn’t much,” he noted.
It was a similar testimony for Mohammed Sule when our correspondent stumbled upon him in the Agric area of the community during the visit. Operating his small business in addition to his job as gateman of a three-storey residential building adjacent a filling station along Ishawo Road, the Kano native told Saturday PUNCH that the profit he has made from the sale of condoms alone in the last one year, was enough to rent him a normal shop if he had wished to change ‘levels.’
According to him, cigarettes, candies, biscuits and kolanuts follow closely in the pecking order of items demanded by customers in the area.
“A lot of my customers demand for cigarettes and candies but not as much as they ask for condoms,” he said, pointing to a corner behind his kiosk where several empty packs of condoms littered the floor. “The man who supplies me comes here almost every day to deliver condoms because customers are always demanding for them. If you move around this area and talk to others running small kiosks like mine, you are likely to hear a similar thing from them. In this area, condoms sell very well,” Sule added.
It was the same situation in the Ogba area of Lagos when Saturday PUNCH visited to find out if the current economic situation in the country had affected the demand for condoms. But like in the other places previously ‘touched’, owners of roadside kiosks revealed that indeed patronage of the product had remained intact if not higher despite the hardship experienced by many ordinary citizens in Nigeria.
Tanimu Saheed, whose makeshift shop stands at a corner along Akilo Road, revealed that condoms and cigarettes share the top spot on the list of most demanded items on his table.
He told Saturday PUNCH that since the beginning of the wet season early in the year, demand for the product appeared to be on the increase by the day.
Saheed revealed that from the one pack that he struggled to sell in one month about four years ago when he first started the business in the area, customers buy twice that number in less than one week from him these days.
“Some of the things that sell mostly here are biscuits, cigarettes and ‘pure water’. People are always coming to buy them. But in recent times, condom, to my own surprise, has been selling faster than all of these including candies and sachet milk. There is no time of the day that people don’t come to buy these things,” he said.
Displaying packs of the product conspicuously in the topmost front row of his kiosk on Aina Street in the Ojodu Berger area of the metropolis, Alkali Bilamin, revealed proudly that condom was one of the few items not affected by the economic recession in the country in terms of demand. Apart from those buying it to have great times with their lovers, the 45-year-old man disclosed that groups and individuals educating others on safe sex also buy from him on regular basis. It is for that reason he said the products were displayed at a place where they could be easily seen.
“Condom no dey tey for my kiosk,” Bilamin told our correspondent in Pidgin English. “Throughout the day, dem dey come ask me for condom. The asking from customers plenty nowadays especially since rain start to dey fall well. The thing dey help my business well,” he added in more Pidgin.
Interestingly, the high demand for condoms is not limited to Lagos – during a visit to Ibafo, a fast-rising town along Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Saturday PUNCH discovered how the product, regardless of brand, was also very popular among residents. Like in most places, condoms, cigarettes and candies top the list of items mostly in demand in this part of the country.
Audu Mohammed, a kiosk owner from Kano State, told our correspondent that commercial bus drivers, motorcyclists and artisans were some of his biggest customers in this regard.
“A lot of people come around to buy condoms from me. Most evenings, I sell a lot of the item when people are returning from work. One person can order for two wraps of condom, the lowest which sells for N50 each. There are days I sell at least 50 wraps.
“It is as a result of the high patronage of the item that I stock more condoms in my kiosk. Since I have been selling it, I have had no reason to regret because it goes off very fast,” he said.
Less than 15 minutes’ walk away from Mohammed’s kiosk is another one operated by Usman Yakub, a native of Sokoto State, who has been doing business in this part of Ogun State for two years.
Speaking to Saturday PUNCH, the 37-year-old revealed that condom, as a result of its demand around the community, is a “must-have” item for many like him operating at roadsides.
“Only few items in my kiosk give me as much profit as condoms because they sell very fast,” he said. “Sometimes I sell up to 30 wraps within two days even though I am not the only one trading in such item in this area. Condoms are bought so fast that even before selling one half carton of a particular biscuit, customers could have bought two packs of condoms. Stocking the item has really helped my business to stabilise despite the tough economic situation in the country,” he added.
Sold for as low as N50 in most places visited, a pack containing three or four pieces depending on brand, go for as much as N300 in some parts of the city, according to findings by Saturday PUNCH. Apart from sensitivity and durability, size, texture and scent also determine how cheap or expensive a particular brand could be. While most big shops and variety stores prefer to stock few of the mid-range and more of the high-end brands for their customers, a large number of roadside makeshift shops like those of Umaru and Ismail favour the cheapest brands to service many of their clients, who are low-income earners.
Following an increase in awareness of HIV/AIDS and other deadly sexually transmitted diseases by the government and private organisations, the popularity of condoms has grown among Nigerians over the years with the government, through the Ministry of Health, subsidising the price of the product to allow more citizens access to it. For example, in February this year, a non-governmental organisation, AIDS Health Care Foundation, distributed 1.5 million condoms across parts of Nigeria to commemorate the 2017 World Condom Day held on the 13th of that month.
Country Director of the organisation, Adetayo Towolawi, said that the gesture was to increase awareness on the use of condom and its role in preventing HIV and AIDS.
A 2015 statistics revealed that eight out of 10 men in Nigeria preferred not to wear a condom due to different reasons.
The report also said that women also don’t like using female condom due to low education on how to use it and the high cost of the item in contrast to how cheap male condoms are sold in the market.
According to an official of Society for Family Health, around 2.5 million condoms were used on Valentine’s Day of 2009.
The official quoted by an online news publication, said 22 million condoms were sold in Nigeria in December 2008 alone.
“The number of condoms used in Nigeria on February 14, 2009, was conservatively put at 2.5m, while global consumption of the product was put at approximately 1.2 billion.”
But despite the high demand for condoms in recent times, Nigeria remains the second country with the highest number of people living with HIV/AIDS in the world, behind South Africa.
According to the Managing Director of Society for Family Health, Bright Ekweremadu, even though over 1.8bn sexual activities occur in Nigeria yearly, only about 20 per cent of that number are protected sex.
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comhem.se attracts record viewing audience with homemovies
- 2002-05-17 22:00 UTC
Fun and entertaining amateur home movies have been a successful program concept for years on television. Now the trend has spread to the Internet. When Telia started to offer home movies at its comhem.se site, they were watched more than 100,000 times in the first 24 hours alone, which was probably a record viewing audience, judging by Swedish standards. According to Telia, streaming has definitely become a broadband service capable of attracting a mass Swedish public.
As more and more Swedes gain access to broadband, interest has been growing for viewing movies, concerts, sports events and other moving pictures directly on computer screens in the form of so-called streaming services. Telia has offered moving media on its comhem.se site for a long time (previously on the front page of its telia.se site), but users have not become genuinely interested in the service until recently.
"Now we're seeing that virtually all types of moving media are increasingly sharply. At the moment, we're setting records with home movie viewings, but other material is also becoming more and more popular. We are sending live webcasts of six out of seven matches from each round of the "Allsvenskan" domestic soccer league as a pay-per-view service, which subscribers are also very much interested in," says Pia Svirsky, entertainment manager at comhem.se.
The latest formula for success is based on the television hit program in which viewers are offered to send in their own home movies. If they are sufficiently entertaining, they are shown on the site. Telia's streaming solution for the Internet offers an advantage, in that many more films can be "broadcast", compared to what a television program can manage in its format. At comhem.se, as many as 100 home movies can be streamed in four different categories: children, animals, festive occasions and mixed.
The current selection of movies comes from a large archive of around 2,000 home videos that have been received from Swedish television viewers. In the next stage, Telia plans to give comhem.se visitors the opportunity to put their own best home movies on the site.
"This is the first time we are publishing movie material for streaming on a large scale on the Web and we are naturally extremely pleased that this initiative has been a success. You don't set Swedish viewing records every day!" says Cem Yeter at MTV Produktion, the company responsible for converting the videos to the streaming format.
Charlotte Löfgren, Press and PR Manager, Telia e-bolaget, +46 70 562 00 74
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