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How would one do dandiya
Ask Kerala’s garba-dandiya enthusiasts and they will give you tips aplenty. And they will also give you enough reasons explaining why it's fun! In the age of social distancing, Kerala’s dandiya lovers too are hopping on to the online bandwagon to enjoy the spirit of Navratri and keep the community fervour of the event.
Dancer Susheela Pai
, who had conducted a dandiya workshop in Kochi last year, recently did an online session and says participants logged on from across Kerala and even abroad. Susheela says, “To create the mood, we had the ethnic dandiya costume as the dress code, but to make it easier for virtual participants, we followed more of a garba style dance with hand movements than the one with dandiya sticks. It was such fun dancing with people from multiple locations.”
For Dr Gisy George Kurian from Angamaly, who has been an active participant in dandiya sessions for the past two years, online dandiya this year was a means to ensure she doesn’t miss out on the fun. “Definitely, a virtual session can’t be compared to a real one but getting to see the faces of people, the happy and festive mood, wearing the dandiya costume, all of it lifts up one’s spirits. Dandiya is a great way to express ourselves and virtual or not, it's about enjoying its essence in whatever way we can.”
Fitness trainer Ritu Paul from Kochi has also been doing dandiya sessions in her studio for the past one week and says participants get quite creative with the dance in the virtual sessions. She says, “For those dancing from home, I’m their partner on screen. They tap their sticks coordinating with my moves. Not everyone has the sticks, so sometimes, people even use chopsticks, utensils and the like to do what they can.”
While there are organised sessions like these, a few youngsters are also teaming up with their friends to do some ‘fun garba.’ Thiruvananthapuram-based Chithra C Nair, who is doing her graduation in Bengaluru, says, “I have many North Indian friends with whom I had taken part in dandiya and garba sessions in the previous years and all of us badly miss all the fun this time. So, for the past few days, we have been trying to see how to coordinate via conference call and do our own little dandiya session. We are all in different parts of India, but are coordinating well online. One of our friends is in charge of deciding ‘online-friendly’ steps and another is in charge of the music. I don’t even have my usual garba costume with me at home now, but I dress in the the flashiest salwar I have.”
A few have also been taking advantage of online garba competitions and sessions held in other cities this year, thanks to the social distancing! Banker Anu Jose from Kochi says, “I have been a regular at dandiya sessions in the city and this year, I took part in an online competition held elsewhere, just for the fun of it. From the process of finding the remixed folk song, getting a dressy costume to making up steps that would look good on screen, it was great in these stressful times.”


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No one expected that Marvel would become this huge cinematic behemoth that we know today. So when fans learned that Sony had the opportunity to purchase every other character in the comic book franchise for a “really low price”, they had mixed reactions. But one thing’s for certain — Sony missed out on a good deal.
The fun fact was reshared by Reddit user u/AbdullahNajam on r/MarvelStudios, using information shared via The Wall Street Journal in 2018. It was reported that, in 1998, Sony Pictures was tasked to purchase the rights for Spider-Man, only to be offered a sweet deal by the comic book company to purchase the rest of the characters.
However, Sony declined because, at the time, they believed that the other characters were ‘irrelevant’. Please drop your biggest Ls in the chat.
According to WSJ, in 1998, Marvel “was fresh out of bankruptcy and desperate for cash, so its new chief, Ike Perlmutter, responded with a more audacious offer. Sony, he countered, could have the movie rights to nearly every Marvel character—Iron Man, Thor, Ant-Man, Black Panther, and more—for $25 million.”
Sony’s response: “Nobody gives a shit about any of the other Marvel characters. Go back and do a deal for only Spider-Man.”
Fans were mixed about Sony’s decision. For one, they believe what Sony did was stupid and that they missed out on something potentially huge. However, this offer was made in 1998, 10 years before the first Iron Man film came out. Nobody knew that superhero films would become the cinematic juggernaut that we know today. Some Marvel fans believed that Sony made the right decision at the time.
Fans wondered what Sony would have done if it bought the rights for the other Marvel characters. Most of them believed that these characters would have been shelved as Sony wouldn’t have done anything, not to mention the obscurity of the characters. Plenty of Superhero movies back in the day were just generic superhero flicks, where outsiders get powers and have to fight bad guys. The MCU was a huge gamble, especially if you’re introducing characters that nobody has heard of before.
In the end, while fans could mock Sony for the missed opportunity, especially on how popular X-Men was at the time, it was probably a risky move. $25 million may be a low price tag, especially now due to how big the franchise is. But superhero films were just niche things at the time. But one thing that fans could agree on – Sony makes good cameras.
The Infinity arc of the MCU is a testament to just how much the risk would eventually pay off. Back in the day, people only cared about a few Marvel superheroes such as Spider-Man and the X-Men. But now, we are interested in other heroes such as Moon Knight, She-Hulk, and Ms. Marvel, characters that no one would’ve known unless they read the comics.
And with the Multiverse arc happening for Phase Four to Six, more superhero characters that were once considered ‘unimportant’ will be introduced in hopes to capture fans’ interest.

domain: news


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While sources had led us to believe Sony was gearing up to unveil a new PS3 model at Gamescom next month, new rumors are circulating that suggest that isn’t going to happen. The new model in question, the PS3-4000, was rumored to be not just a cheaper version of the current model but a completely redesigned “super slim” model that supports a smaller 16 GB Flash-based hard drive. That PS3-4000 model is still believed to be in production, but apparently the costs of manufacturing said SKU is too high for Sony to move forward with the product just yet.
This model would be a direct competitor to the 4 GB version of the Xbox 360 (the Arcade version), which has been on the market for the better part of the year. Both Sony and Microsoft are in the last year or two of their current consoles, but apparently Sony still feels a need to stay competitive.
Along with a new smaller, flash-based hard drive this PS3-4000 model would also sport a new flip-lid disc input and would be markedly slimmer when compared to the current 3000 model. Early looks at the model, which can be found below, show a return to the design featured when the PS3 first launched in 2006.
Unfortunately, the longer Sony waits to unveil this unexpected new PS3 model, the longer the gaming public will become disinterested in it. And let us not forget that the announcement of a new PlayStation is looming in the horizon, set to occur as early as E3 2013.
Alongside the rumor is a competing claim that suggests Sony might be interested in dropping the price of their current PS3 models.
If the PS3-4000 were, in fact, coming soon it would make sense that Sony drop the price for competing versions of their PS3 models — and there’s no better time to do it than right before the holidays. Both Sony and Microsoft are going to do something in order to take some of the attention off of the Nintendo Wii U, and what better way to do that than make their consoles more approachable and financially agreeable than ever.
Would you like to see Sony roll out a new PS3 model so close to the unveiling of new consoles? What price point would help boost console sales of the current models?


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Attention mall shoppers
Published 8:00 pm, Wednesday, January 16, 2002
Two weeks ago, Chuck Beshara, senior leasing manager with the mall's owner, CBL, said he was working with Barnes & Noble and anticipated the company would sign a lease for a 25,000-square-foot store that would locate in the same wing as the J.C. Penney store. Beshara this week said there was nothing new to report on the mall's leasing efforts.
Anne Roman, corporate affairs counsel for Borders Group Waldenbooks' parent company said she knows of no plans to close the Midland Mall store. Many markets have both Borders stores, which are superstores similar to Barnes & Noble, as well as Waldenbooks stores.
"All of these stores serve a different sort of niche with audiences," she said. "Many coexist fairly close to each other."
The big Borders stores are destination stores, places where shoppers go to spend big chunks of time and explore what's available. A good percentage of these shoppers go in without knowing what they want, and end up browsing. Waldenbooks focuses on best-sellers and materials that customers grab as they travel around the mall.
Deciding where to put stores is "obviously a weighty decision," and it's not yet clear if the Barnes & Noble so far a possibility will matter when everything shakes out, Roman said.
The latest business to announce plans to close is Dollar & Cents. Store manager Jim Abuaita said he plans to leave the mall on or before his contract runs out Jan. 24. He said he knows someone who might want to take over the store, but said that's unlikely because of poor sales. He's marked down merchandise, and plans to take what he doesn't sell to a store in Flint.
Abuaita came to Midland to operate the store for his cousin, who also owns seven stores in Flint. The $400 in sales he makes on an average day isn't enough to keep the business going what with buying merchandise, paying taxes and meeting payroll, he said.
"I have too much stuff," he said while ringing up sales Wednesday afternoon. "This mall is very, very slow" compared to Genesee Valley Center, where his cousin has two stores.
This is the time of year when businesses decide whether to renew their leases. Camelot Music, FootAction USA, Afterthoughts Boutique, Lerner New York and Lane Bryant are not renewing their leases, according to Beshara and store officials. The Deb Shop is a likely tenant for the Lerner space and C.J. Banks a women's clothing store is another prospective tenant, Beshara has said.


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FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – Another shutdown is coming for workers at Fort Wayne’s GM plant.
The company yesterday said it will halt production from next Tuesday through next Friday.
GM says it is once again having trouble finding the computer chips for the Silverado and Sierra pickup trucks made at the plant.
Read more here


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According to the latest reports, the Federal Trade Commission has filed a lawsuit Amazon claiming that it tricked millions of users into signing up for its Prime subscription service. FTC says Amazon used deceptive user interface designs to trick users into signing up for Prime. In addition, a complaint was also filed with the US District Court for the Western District of Washington a few days ago. It aimed Amazon Prime for alleged attempts to keep users subscribed who wanted to cancel their membership.
A deceptive user interface was used to trick users into signing up for Amazon Prime
FTC complaint read:
“In particular, Amazon used manipulative, coercive, or deceptive user interface designs known as ‘dark patterns’ to trick consumers into signing up for auto-renewing Prime subscriptions.”
The point worth noting is that Amazon surpassed 200 million paid Prime subscribers in 2021. With Prime, Amazon was able to generate billions in subscription revenue and incentivize customers. Reports claim that the company has deliberately made it much more difficult to cancel subscriptions compared to signing up for Prime. The company allegedly set up a “labyrinthine” cancellation process to distract consumers or prevent them from fulfilling their intentions.
Amazon called the FTC’s claims false about the facts and the law. In fact, the company stated that it had not received any notice before filing the complaint. The company said:
“We are also concerned that the FTC announced this lawsuit to us without any notice during our conversations with FTC employees to confirm their understanding of the facts, context and legal issues, and before we could have a dialogue with the commissioners themselves . before they filed a lawsuit. While the absence of that normal course involvement is extremely disappointing, we look forward to proving our case in court.”
Following the complaint, Amazon took some action in response to pressure from the FTC. It simplified the ability for users to cancel their Prime subscriptions. Before that, however, the company refused to allow customers to cancel their Prime subscriptions online. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that Wednesday’s complaint against Amazon is the first major lawsuit brought against the company by the FTC. What will be the company’s new strategy for dealing with these allegations? Let’s see what comes next. Stay tuned for more updates.
Read also: Latest news! FBR cuts taxes on smartphones – Find out more! (phoneworld.com.pk)


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eBay has tightened the restrictions on the sale of gun parts including the type purchased on eBay by Seung-Hui Cho
After the tragedy at Virginia Tech in April 2007, eBay’s name got dragged through the mud by the media because parts for the gun had been bought on eBay. As Griff said on eBay Radio today “this can never happen again.” eBay’s firearms policy has limited firearms sales since 1999. Now they are tightening the restrictions and banning any part that is required to fire a gun. This includes bullet tips, brass casings and shells, barrels, slides, cylinders, magazines, firing pins, and trigger assemblies.
This makes sense. Whenever eBay’s name is attached to something negative (or horrific in this case) it hurts both eBay and the sellers using the marketplace. I know, from listening to the eBay Radio call-ins today, that there are sellers who make their livelihood from selling parts of guns on eBay, whether they are current or antique. There was a lot of bad feeling about this new policy that effectively puts them out of business. But Griff would not budge. He said this was a decision they had to make and it was the right thing to do and it would not change.
The official announcement said, “After learning that some items purchased on eBay may have been used in the tragedy at Virginia Tech in April 2007, we felt that revisiting our policies was not only necessary, but the right thing to do. After much consideration, the Trust & Safety policy team – along with our executive leaders at eBay Inc. – have made the decision to further restrict more of these items than federal and state regulations require.”
They simply don’t want to be associated with another tragedy such as occured at Virginia Tech. The new rules go into effect in August so if you have antiques that will soon be banned, now is the time to get them listed. The upshot of this will be that sellers of these items will go elsewhere. One caller on eBay Radio today said that he makes a lot more on eBay because of the exposure his items get which he can’t get on other sites. Once there are none of these items on eBay, buyers will quickly learn to turn to other auction sites that don’t have these restrictions. So in the end, I don’t think sellers will lose out quite as much as they currently anticipate.
- Ten Little Known, Highly Profitable Niche Markets Hiding on eBay
Learn from a niche pro that’s been selling on eBay since 1999.


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Supermarket Teams Up With Culinary School To Create Premium Food
U.K grocery chain store Asada has partnered with Leiths to create 'Extra Special' food.
Asada, a supermarket chain based in UK, has recently signed a long-term partnership with Leiths School of Food and Wine to create an in-house brand of ‘Extra Special’ groceries and wines. This strategic partnership will allow everyday people to have access to premium food that’s affordable and convenient.
A team of Leiths chefs will be selectively approving the Extra Special line and also offer simple but delicious recipes and cooking tips. Among the culinary experts will include Leiths Managing Director, Camilla Schneideman.
Andy Clarke, CEO and President at Asda commented that:
It’s a crime that what has been perceived as good quality food has only been available to the few who can afford it. We believe customers deserve ‘real value’ which equates to price plus quality.


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China Outbound Travel & Tourism Market (COTTM), China’s only business to business event dedicated to the China outbound travel and tourism industry, is entering its 5th year in 2009 and is set to be one of the biggest events yet.
COTTM 2009 takes place on 22-24 April in Beijing, at the China World Trade Centre and is gearing up for a highly successful event. COTTM is supported by a wide range of trade associations such as the National Tour Association, the Pacific Asia Travel Association and the European Tour Operators Association, as well as numerous Chinese and international media partners.With a reported 18.6% increase in outbound travel in 2008, the number of Chinese people travelling abroad is growing at an unprecedented rate. Factors for such growth include higher disposable incomes, more relaxed travel regulations and more countries granted the Approved Destination Status, including the USA in 2008.
COTTM provides a focused forum for international tourist boards and travel businesses to contract the upcoming seasons with China’s leading outbound tour operators. Research conducted at COTTM 2008 found that 88% of visitors were final decision makers or major influencers, creating the ideal environment to conduct business talks. Visitor numbers doubled in 2008 with over 3,000 people attending and up to 4,000 are expected to attend this year’s event.
COTTM 2009 is proud to have partnered with some of China’s top outbound operators, such as Beijing Jiedajiaqi International Travel Service, Hua Yuan International Travel, Air China Travel Service, Beijing UTS International Travel Service Co and Shanghai Airlines Tours International. These operators have selected COTTM as the only trade show to source products and services from exhibitors from across the world and allowing them to provide professional and tailor-made travel for the increasing number of Chinese people travelling abroad.
COTTM is also partnered with IFCOT (International Forum on Chinese Outbound Tourism) which takes place on 24th April, and is the industry’s most prestigious educational forum. Through a strategic alliance with COTRI (China Outbound Tourism Research Institute) there will be a Chinese outbound tourism workshop at COTTM. COTRI recognises companies, organisations and destinations that offer quality services and products, through rewarding with a quality label. This distinguishes the best in the market, and COTTM is proud to have been awarded as a silver winner! The Chinese Tourists Welcoming Awards will also take place at COTTM, which celebrates and rewards good practice from international companies working with the China outbound market.
Countries from all over the world will be exhibiting at COTTM with over 200 exhibitors from 50 different countries recognising that COTTM is an excellent way to access the Chinese market through meeting the key decision makers. Countries that will be exhibiting include Argentina, Cambodia, Dubai, Czech Republic, Egypt, Ethiopia, Hungary, India, and Macau to name a few.
COTTM is fast becoming the event of choice for international travel and tourism business to explore the potential in China, it provides a valuable platform to find local agents and establish new business contacts. COTTM is not to be missed!


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With the launch of its flagship product, F-Secure also introduces the company’s renewed brand and commitment to “Protecting the irreplaceable”, reflecting the importance that security of digital content has in people’s lives today.
F-Secure Internet Security 2010 is a complete security solution designed to meet the needs of today’s Internet users – without slowing down their computers. It is light on memory use but fast and efficient in detecting all Internet threats.
The company says according to performance tests by the independent testing organization AV-Test.org, F-Secure Internet Security 2010 has 80% less overall system impact and 60% faster virus scans than the previous version. The product also uses 70% less memory than before.
New features also provide improved detection rates and a safer user experience. Unlike many other security programs, F-Secure Internet Security 2010 promises to not disturb or confuse the user as security problems are handled automatically.
F-Secure’s CTO Pirkka Palomäki says, “We have listened to consumers and have conducted extensive usability studies when developing the 2010 release. F-Secure has now responded with an improved overall experience including major performance gains and a great new user interface. At the same time we provide even better security with innovative new features like Browsing Protection. The result is a security product that sets new standard in safe use of the computer and the Internet.”
The Browsing Protection feature checks if web links are safe. When a Google search has been done, for example, it shows a green check mark next to safe links and a red ‘x’ next to harmful ones. It also automatically blocks websites that spread malware or try to steal the user’s identity information, such as banking details.
Browsing Protection in F-Secure Internet Security 2010 also includes the Exploit Shield which stops attacks that target security holes in the browser and in plug-ins. These holes typically exist if software hasn’t been updated with latest patches or fixes from the software maker. The Exploit Shield also protects against exploits of security holes for which there is no patch yet. .
Automatic updates and advanced DeepGuard cloud computing technology ensure fast real-time protection against new viruses, spyware, worms, trojans, rootkits and zero-day attacks. These cloud-based reputation services are now also utilized to strengthen the Parental Control and anti-spam features.


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After Nivea's "White is Purity" tagline debacle back in April, you'd think the skincare brand would be more careful with its ads. But, the company sparked major criticism yet again after it launched a skin-lightening cream in Africa.
Nivea's Natural Fairness Body Lotion promises "visibly fairer skin" and is now being advertised in Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon and Senegal, The Sun reports.
The ad features former Miss Nigeria Omowunmi Akinnifesi, whose skin becomes visibly lighter after using the lotion. "Now, I have visibly fairer skin, making me feel younger," she says in the commercial.
This is problematic as the ad's messaging equates light skin with youth and beauty, with the subtle implication being that dark skin isn't desirable. Naturally, social media was quick to call out this out and criticized the skincare brand for being blatantly racist.
One Twitter user also pointed out that the German company has always been problematic since it previously told black men to "re-civilize" themselves in a 2011 ad.
While Nivea's skin-lightening ad first appeared on TV and billboards back in June, it only recently caught the public's attention after competitor brand Dove shared its own tone-deaf ad, Quartz noted.
Dove's controversial poster showed a black woman taking off a brown shirt to reveal a white woman in a white shirt. The ad's messaging, which associates white with cleanliness, resembled that of Nivea's.
On Wednesday, Nivea issued a statement on Facebook. "We would like to emphasis (sic) that this campaign is in no way meant to demean or glorify any person's needs or preferences in skin care," it read.
Despite the backlash, some Twitter users noted that Nivea was simply catering to a market of black women who do use skin-lightening cosmetics. However, it's important to note that racist media messaging — in which light skin is promoted as the most desirable — from companies such as Nivea and Dove are likely what created that market in the first place.
Public figures such as Sudanese model Nyakim Gatwech are trying to combat the false idea that dark skin is something to be ashamed of.
After revealing that an Uber driver offered her $10,000 to bleach her skin back in March, the 24-year-old inspired people everywhere to love the skin they're in.
"Beauty is in the beholder," she wrote on Instagram. "My chocolate is elegant. So is what I represent. I represent a nation of warriors. You can see it in my presentation. MaMa Africa. My roots run deep!"
Rihanna is another famous figure who believes all skin types are beautiful, as evidenced by her diverse and inclusive cosmetics brand Fenty Beauty, which includes 40 shades of foundation.
Also on HuffPost:


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Cohen touted YouTube’s “twin motor growth” tactic combining adverts and subscriptions, which he suggests is “fueling our target to develop into the tunes industry’s amount just one driver of revenue.” In June, he declared that YouTube experienced paid out over $4 billion to the audio business in the previous 12 months and included extra compensated customers in the very first quarter of 2021 than in any other quarter since launch.
Like its competition, YouTube Songs has a $9.99/month cost tag, with various other possibilities like pupil and family pricing. A YouTube Premium subscription, which expenditures $11.99/month, is for across-the-board advert-free of charge viewing and listening on YouTube, not just new music.
In his letter, Cohen also mentioned “extraordinary growth” for the assistance in Korea, India, Japan, Russia and Brazil. He pointed to new characteristics like the “afterparty,” which Tim McGraw utilised previous thirty day period to host an afterparty solely for Quality members following the launch of his “7500 OBO” tunes movie.
“We’re in our individual lane — there’s no other place where by admirers can get uninterrupted accessibility to the major and most varied catalogue of tunes, artists and tradition,” Cohen explained. “We’re creating it effortless for new music supporters to go deep and obtain their matter — regardless of whether that is on YouTube or the YouTube Songs application.
Amid streaming solutions, Spotify continues to be in the lead by current market share, with 165 million quality subscribers as of the stop of June. Apple Songs and Amazon Tunes haven’t up-to-date their community figures not too long ago — the former had 60 million shelling out subscribers in June 2019, and the latter experienced 55 million across all tiers in January 2020.


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Hatfield is among 15 new High Streets to be made a Portas Pilot. It means the town centre will receive £100,000 for regeneration projects.
Retail expert Mary Portas and Welwyn Hatfield MP Grant Shapps are behind the scheme, sharing out £1.5 million pounds in government cash.
Mr Shapps said: "I'd like to congratulate the 15 town teams that, in the face of stiff competition, have been selected to be the next Portas Pilots. But this is just the tip of the iceberg, and I'm determined that we don't turn our backs on the other 392 Town Teams who put their plans forward to revive their high streets.


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- The Lux Watch 4 is made of solid 18k gold and starts at $28,995.
- It comes from luxury accessories-maker Brikk and is one of seven collections of luxury watches being released starting in November 2018.
- According to a Brikk concierge, it takes 24 to 80 hours to make one of these watches.
A new, diamond-encrusted Apple watch is here to make your luxury watch dreams come true — if you can afford it.
From luxury accessories-maker Brikk comes the Lux Watch 4, with prices for the Lux Watch 4 Classic collection starting at $28,995.
The watches have the full functionality of the Apple watch and differ only in aesthetic; they are available in yellow, rose, and white gold. They are, according to their website, the product of five years of research and development.
Alex Bradley, a concierge for Brikk, told Business Insider that the diamonds that go into the watches are selected by company founder Cyrus Blacksmith, who hand-selects "a specific grade of conflict-free laser-cut" diamonds.
However, prospective clients interested in buying their first Brikk watch will have to wait. According to Bradley, the company has now finished taking pre-orders for the Classic, Deluxe, and Omni collections. All seven collections will be launching on November 2.
Here's a closer look at the range of luxury watches:
The Lux Watch 4 Deluxe is lined with two rows of diamonds. It'll run you $43,995 for the leather strap version.
Those numbers pale in comparison to the Haute Omni collection (not pictured), which, according to Bradley, is priced at $3.1 million.
Making the watch requires multiple teams across a variety of disciplines, including watch body, electronics, diamond selection, and testing.
By the time the watch arrives at its final destination, it will have passed through the hands of 32-34 people ...
So, how do these prices stack up against other luxury watches on the market? As Business Insider previously reported, an entry-level Rolex starts at $5,000 ...
... but prices can reach up to the several millions. Paul Newman's Rolex Daytona sold for a whopping $17.8 million at auction in 2017, making it the most expensive watch ever sold at auction.
Meanwhile, the Récital 22 Grand Récitalf from Switzerland-based legacy watchmaker Bovet has a price point of $460,000 for a red gold watch and $500,000 for a platinum watch.
For those looking for a spruced-up Apple watch without spending tens of thousands of dollars, the Hermès Apple watch collaboration may be a more viable option: Retail start at $1,399.


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BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's headline inflation rate is expected to have picked up for a third month in June, driven by rising energy and food prices.
The headline consumer price index is seen up 0.50 percent from a year earlier, a Reuters poll of 14 economists showed.
In May, the headline CPI index increased 0.46 percent from a year earlier and it rose 0.07 percent in April, its first annual gain in 15 months.
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The deflationary trend, which saw a fall in headline consumer prices, had been mainly sustained by lower global oil prices.
But inflation in Thailand has also been muted by government price controls, subsidies and weak consumption at a time when household debt remains high.
The poll showed annual core inflation rate, which excludes energy and fresh food prices, is expected at 0.80 percent in June, little changed from May's 0.78 percent.
The central bank left the benchmark interest rate <THCBIR=ECI> unchanged at 1.50 percent on June 22. The last change, a 25 basis-point cut, was in April 2015.
(Reporting by Pairat Temphairojana; Editing by Richard Borsuk)


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Samsung Gear S2 priced, and it’s cheaper than the Apple Watch
Samsung’s Gear S2 smartwatch has a price, and it’s cheaper than the Apple Watch. In Canada, at least.
Best Buy Canada (via Wareable) lists three models of S2 up for pre-order. The silver and black models cost 399.99 CAD, which translates to £196. The Classic model is a little pricier, at 429.99 CAD, which is £210.
The Apple Watch, by contrast, starts at 449.99 CAD. In the UK, it starts at £299.
The Gear S2 is unlikely to be quite as cheap in the UK. But it could still undercut the Apple Watch.
Apple has come to dominate the smartwatch industry since the Apple Watch launched back in April. According to market research firm IDC, Apple shipped 3.6 million units of Apple Watch in the second quarter of the year (April to June).
Though according to Slice Intelligence, sales of the device have dropped to just 4,000 per day in the US, down from 200,000 per day shortly after launch.
At last week’s Apple event, CEO Tim Cook didn’t reveal sales figures for the device, but said that customer satisfaction was at 97 per cent.
Related: Apple Watch 2 release date
When it comes to smartwatches, Samsung has taken its usual tack of throwing enough designs at the wall and seeing which stick. The Gear S2 looks to be its best yet though. It’s the firm’s first with a round face, and features an innovative rotating bezel you use to control it.
It also has NFC for mobile payments and wireless charging and 4GB internal storage.


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There's a lot of chatter in the news right now about the immigration crisis that is reaching a boiling point in border states like Texas, Arizona and California. Thousands of children from Central American countries have flocked to the United States seeking better lives. And thanks to a loophole signed into law by President Bush, it's against Federal law to immediately deport children who come from a country that doesn't directly border the United States. It's a complicated issue and I'm not trying to stir the pot one way, or the other.
What I will say is, can you blame these kids? America is the greatest country in the world. If I was a child sitting in Guatemala, I would do whatever it takes to come to America and stay here forever. I mean, name another country where someone who has absolutely no talent or discernible skills, can rise to become one of the most famous people on the planet? Name another country where someone whose entire resume simply states "was born", can land a TV show, clothing line, perfume, endless endorsements, Kanye West and much more, all for just showing up? Name another country where someone, whose most notable contribution to society so far is a sex tape with Ray J, can earn $85 million in one year… from an iPhone game? There is only one country where all this and more is possible. USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!
In case you haven't deciphered my subtle references, we are of course talking about Kim Kardashian. As it turns out, back in 2006 when Kim sold her soul to the devil to become the biggest star on earth, that deal also included an iPhone app! Here's the deal: On June 25 Kim, along with a company called Glu Mobile Inc, released a game called "Kim Kardashian: Hollywood" to Apple's iOS APP store. The description of the game is simple:
"Join KIM KARDASHIAN on a red carpet adventure in Kim Kardashian: Hollywood! Create your own aspiring celebrity and rise to fame and fortune!"
The game takes players inside Hollywood, behind the red carpet, on a quest to become an A-list celebrity. Players start out on the E-list and try to work their way up Hollywood's ladder to become an A-list celebrity. Players can move up the ladder by following advice from Kim, who acts as a virtual guide. Here's are some examples of Kim's sage advice:
"Dating famous people will get you more fans."
"Changing your look and buying nice clothes can get you noticed by the media."
Like many mobile games, "Kim Kardashian: Hollywood" is free to download. The game makes money mainly through in-app "energy" purchases. For example, as you navigate your way through things like photoshoots and paid public appearances, your aspiring virtual celebrity consumes energy. Energy comes in the form of lightning bolts. These lightning bolts cost money. Real human money. Like you just worked an hour at Panera Bread in order to buy energy for your imaginary virtual celebrity. That kind of money.
I know what you're thinking. Who on earth would be stupid enough to spend real money on virtual energy in a Kim Kardashian game? Well, apparently there's a lot of stupid people out there because, against all common sense, in the three weeks the game has been live, "Kim Kardashian: Hollywood" has quickly become one of the highest-rated and most-downloaded apps on iTunes. One of the bloggers for the female-focused gossip blog Jezebel.com recently admitted that she woke up recently and realized that she had just spent $494.04 on in-app purchases. On the plus side, at least she successfully went from E-list to A-list with 50 million imaginary fans. Wow. No words. As of this writing, it is the #2 most downloaded free game on iTunes. It is reportedly one of the top 5 highest grossing games on the app store right now.
It gets worse. A mobile-industry analyst named Douglas Creutz announced yesterday that he expects revenues for Kim Kardashian: Hollywood to top $200 million in the first year. Kim's cut of those revenues? 45% of net profits. The game cost just $10 million to create and market. That means if current projections stay on pace, Kim could earn $85.5 million off this game in 2014. Come on! What is the world coming to??? That would be more than Kim's entire current $65 million net worth.
The stock price of Glu Mobile has already seen a huge impact from the success of their latest game. Last September the company, which trades on the NASDAQ under the ticker GLUU, was trading around $2 a share. At that level the company had a market cap of $175 million. Since Kim's game was released, the stock has skyrocketed. As of this writing, GLUU is trading at an all time high of $6.6 and the company has a market cap $540 million dollars.
The counter argument to all of this is the fact that many games turn out to be flashes in the pan. But who knows anymore? I feel like all logic and common sense left the building years ago. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm running low on energy and need to buy some lightning bolts.


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CAVE IN CONTEST: WIN A PLANETS OF OLD LIMITED EDITION COLOR VINYL!
In case you haven’t already noticed we’re super-stoked that Cave In are back together and once again creating new music. Their new single “Retina Sees Rewind” is currently available on iTunes with the rest of the record Planets of Old coming on 12″ on July 28th. Oh hey guess what? The entire record is now streaming live at www.planetsofold.com, starting… this instant!
The folks at Hydra Head Records have been kind enough to hook us up with 3 limited edition vinyl copies of Planets of Old to give away to ya’ll. Each 12″ is on a color of vinyl called “All Natural Vanilla Pistachio Ice Creams,” a color that’s exclusively available either via this contest or at Vacation Vinyl, the metal record store Hydra Head co-founder Mark Thompson opened this past February.
All you have to do to win is post a comment below (with a valid email address) telling us which Cave In record is your favorite and why. We’ll be picking our three favorite entries (independent of our personal favorite Cave In record preferences) and notifying the winners next week.


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Franchises Takes Center Stage in Reality TV
NEW YORK ( TheStreet) -- "Turning average Joes into CEOs."
That's the tag line for A&E's new reality TV show, "Be the Boss."
The show, which premiered this past Sunday featuring nutritional supplement retail franchise Complete Nutrition , pits two lower-level store employees against each other to compete for what is supposed to be a big promotion at corporate headquarters. In reality, the two are competing for the chance to become the owner of a new franchise location (with the runner-up still winning that corporate promotion).
As the economic recovery trudges along in fits and starts, A&E is betting television viewers will relate to the employees' struggles to better their careers, in this case achieving the American Dream by becoming their own boss through franchise ownership.
More importantly, the show highlights that the price for ownership doesn't come without hard work and a key component to any successful franchise: valuable employees.
The franchise industry reported 2.2% growth in September over the previous year, the largest since the beginning of the recession. That suggests franchising is playing a major part in the economic recovery, according to the International Franchise Association.
"As the economy has sputtered, and folks have lost their jobs or are considering a career change, franchising has become an increasingly popular industry for aspiring entrepreneurs to consider," says Matt Haller, a spokesman for the IFA. "Franchising is a proven, structured and very scalable model that can be (and has been) an important component of our nation's economy."
"We have been approached in the past by other reality shows. I think it comes back to the values," says Bill Dunn, president and COO of Auntie Anne's. "The vision of 'Be the Boss' and our vision and values as a company were very much aligned. It was an easy decision to make. It comes back to the American Dream -- recognizing individuals for their efforts and giving them opportunities that maybe they never had had before. They had all the tools, but they might not have had all the financial needs."
"When those doors open
The Auntie Anne's episode airs Dec. 16.
"Be the Boss" was created by the same team behind CBS' hit series "Undercover Boss," which debuted in 2010. In "Undercover Boss," CEOs of well-known franchise brands including BrightStar Care, Fastsigns and Cinnabon don disguises in order to experience the jobs of lower-level employees without being noticed.


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President Trump lambastes Twitter, Google and other technology giants for what he claims as their efforts to stifle him.US Economyread more
JP Morgan's Jamie Dimon says student lending "is a disgrace and it's hurting America."Economyread more
Mnuchin tells CNBC he's confident President Trump and China's Xi Jinping can make progress in stalled trade talks.World Economyread more
The first debates will give most of the contenders their biggest platform yet to present themselves to the American people.Politicsread more
Underneath the impressive market rally is a trend that doesn't seem quite right, according to J.P. Morgan.Marketsread more
The stock market is shrinking for several key reasons, but there's a way for investors to maneuver it, says Citi Research strategist Robert Buckland.Trading Nationread more
That's the problem Boeing employees at the company's Renton, Wa. factory are dealing with as the aircraft manufacturer tries to figure out where to put 100 grounded 737 Max...Airlinesread more
The Supreme Court refused to overturn a precedent that strengthened the power of government regulators in a closely watched case that could have had broad ramifications for...Politicsread more
Apple made Comcast and Charter agree to sell iPads, Apple TVs and other lower-volume devices as part of the cable companies' deal to offer the iPhone on their mobile service.Technologyread more
President Trump says "I hope we don't" have a war with Iran but it "would not last very long."Politicsread more
According to a new study from Oxford Economics, within the next 11 years there could be 14 million robots put to work in China alone.Technologyread more
The best and worst stocks of 2018's final quarter — a volatile few months that saw the major averages erase their gains for the year — offer key insight into how investors should position their portfolios in 2019, says CNBC's Jim Cramer.
The stock market turned treacherous in late 2018 as concerns about global growth, rising interest rates and U.S.-China trade took hold on Wall Street. The action, often characterized by dramatic, several-hundred-point swings, led the major indexes to log their worst annual performances since the financial crisis.
But after reviewing the biggest winners and losers for Q4, Cramer found some pockets of opportunity that investors can use to their advantage in the new year.
Starbucks, up over 13 percent for the fourth quarter, is a "classic comeback story," Cramer said. The company's turn began in May when it sold Nestle the rights to sell its products for an "exorbitant" $7.15 billion, he said. It continued with a share buyback, technological improvements and a key partnership in China.
"I like Starbucks here, right now, after that last quarter, " he said. "The stock sold off hard [Thursday] because people fear it may suffer the same consequences as Apple, with a product that's too expensive to thrive during a slowdown in China. But coffee's never been that economically sensitive — I think Starbucks is a buy into weakness right here. "
Dollar Tree, up more than 10 percent, has two tailwinds going for it, argued the "Mad Money" host: a turnaround in the Family Dollar franchise it acquired three years ago and a move away from China-based manufacturing.
"This could be the year for Dollar Tree, " Cramer said. "The stock's worth buying anywhere around the $90 area, where it represents tremendous value now that Family Dollar is fixed and the Chinese sourcing issues are moving into the rearview mirror."
Other top performers were the stocks of Red Hat, a cloud company being bought by technology giant IBM, gold producer Newmont Mining, real estate investment trust Realty Income and packaged goods player Church & Dwight, but few of them intrigued Cramer as investments.
"Red Hat's not even going to be existing in 2019," he said. "I think gold could have more upside because people fear chaos, [but] go with Barrick, not Newmont. [...] Church & Dwight seems expensive, but that's always been the case and now the stock has a nice raw-cost kicker. Realty Income feels played out to me, although if the Fed keeps tightening, it's a winner. "
Cramer also saw some promise among Q4's biggest losers. They included chipmaker Nvidia, beauty giant Coty, Invisalign maker Align Technologies, drugmaker Nektar Therapeutics, industrial United Rentals, packaged food player Conagra Brands and a number of oil stocks.
Nvidia's 52-percent downfall came on the heels of the company's most recent earnings report, in which management cited excess inventory in the cryptocurrency mining and gaming areas as cause for a lower-than-expected forecast.
"My take? If you buy Nvidia here after [Thursday]'s sell-off, you're going to have to suffer through one more bad quarter, but then, you're home free," said Cramer, who famously nicknamed one of his dogs Nvidia before the stock's collapse. "I say maybe put on a half-position down here and then wait for more weakness. Now, I'd be more bullish, but after Apple's shortfall, I think it pays to be more cautious in tech."
The "Mad Money" host also liked oil plays Newfield Exploration, Marathon Oil and Schlumberger, all of which could head higher if oil prices stabilize. He said Newfield, which is being acquired by Encana, was a buy, while the others were "worth holding."
United Rentals could see better days if the Federal Reserve reconsiders its upcoming interest rate hikes, Cramer argued.
"If you think [Fed Chair Jerome] Powell actually pays attention to the consequences of his actions as they impact, say, your net worth, I'd buy some United Rentals before the quarter," he said. "Let's just say URI could be a big winner if oil bottoms and the Fed comes to its senses."
On the other hand, Coty, Align and Nektar — all down more than 45 percent for Q4 — are far from recovery, Cramer said. He recommended Estee Lauder over Coty, noted Align's newfound competition from consumer giants like 3M, and took a "hard pass" on the struggling stock of Nektar.
Conagra's stock, down 36 percent for the final months of 2018, was crushed after the company acquired Pinnacle Foods. But in six months or so, the deal could finally start paying off, the "Mad Money" host said.
"I think [they] can turn things around," he said. "[The stock's] got a 4 percent yield. I'm betting patience will be rewarded in Conagra, at least if you wait until right before the next quarter's earnings report."
For investors worried about what the new year could bring, Cramer offered a piece of advice: "Do not let this hideous action throw you off the scent."
"Be constructive. When you look at the biggest losers of the fourth quarter, there are some real buying opportunities here, and these are exactly the kind of stocks that actually get cheaper as they go lower," he said. "Be constructive: that's my theme for 2019."
Disclosure: Cramer's charitable trust owns shares of Apple and Schlumberger.


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- Amazon's acquisition of Whole Foods — and the addition of the specialty retailer's private label products on its virtual shelves — is putting serious pressure on rival food sellers, per analysis from CNBC. This might ultimately drive them to buy more ads on Amazon in order to remain competitive, which would be a major boon for the e-commerce giant's growing digital advertising business.
- At the same time, Amazon is also expanding its programmatic offerings in two ways, according to a report in Digiday. It's opening its Amazon Media Group as a self-service platform to agencies, making the process very similar to programmatic exchanges, along with allowing sellers to buy its high-value headline search ads as long as they are brand owners. Digiday said headline search ads are only behind sponsored product ads in terms of clout on the platform.
- The change in the self-serve option for Amazon Media Group advertising is significant because agencies had to previously go through Amazon's manager services to run campaigns. Now, they can directly manage those campaigns. In June, Amazon also launched Advertiser Audiences, a self-serve platform that allowed for segmentation and targeting using Amazon's first-party user data.
All the news taken together indicates that Amazon is quickly expanding its advertising business through more robust products for brands and agencies as well as more incentives for sellers on its platform to start advertising. Amazon putting Whole Foods products on its platform is a win-win for the company: It expands its e-commerce offerings to include the grocer's products while also inevitably spurring Whole Foods' competitors, who also rely on Amazon to sell their wares, to buy more ads. Opening headline search ads to sellers now is a strategic play, as the format is high-performing and food sellers might feel compelled to jump at the opportunity.
These developments lend credence to earlier forecasts by industry leaders, including WPP CEO Martin Sorrell, that suggested Amazon might eventually be positioned to compete with the two dominant digital ad platforms, Google and Facebook. Back in March, during WPP's Q4 earnings call, Sorrell said that Amazon poses a threat to Google for search ads and that the company keeps him up at night in terms of the influence it could wield.
In June, when news of Amazon's intention to purchase Whole Foods first broke, the ad exec added that the deal could be the tipping point for turning Amazon into a major digital advertising player because the company's already massive online consumer database could be leveraged in tandem with offline consumer insights from Whole Foods shoppers.


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It was not too long ago when the world was in its natural habitat, people living, planning their next outfit, parties, weddings and everything else, when it got hit with the biggest pandemic in humankind’s history – COVID -19, a virus from the Novel Corona family that has led to a ravage.
Started in Wuhan, China, it soon spread across Italy, Korea, US, India and many other countries causing a massacre of human lives. It’s been more than a month but the cases have only increased and so has the panic.
This panic led to fashion shows beginning to be shelved all around the world, retailers having to close their stores due to the fear of the outspread. The entire fashion industry has started to witness an overturn and e-commerce websites are facing hurdles due to less traffic and delivery/logistics complications.
Several world-famous designers like Christian Siriano, Anita Dongre, Brandon Maxwell, Prabal Gurung and many others have halted their regular operations to manufacture masks, surgical gowns, provide essential resources and donate funds required by the medical fraternity and doctors, to fight this virus.
The world has united to do their bit by pausing every other engagement to fight the life-costing disease, the Novel Coronavirus or COVID-19. The whole of India is under a lockdown and Taruni has decided to remain closed for the mutual health and safety of our employees and customers, until the situation improves.
The Coronavirus might be the hardest challenge we humans have faced so far, but with intense precautions laid down by the WHO and Government of India, we can surely surpass this distressing pandemic. Until then stay home, stay safe and continue to explore our shelves on www.taruni.in.


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On January 13th, President Obama unveiled a reform proposal that would retain cabinet-level status for the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), but with the obligation to report to the secretary of a newly formed department that would combine six federal agencies dealing with trade.
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Founded in 1937, SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association promotes growth in the $427 billion U.S. plastics industry. Representing nearly one million American workers in the third largest U.S. manufacturing industry, SPI delivers legislative and regulatory advocacy, market research, industry promotion and the fostering of business relationships and zero waste strategies. SPI also owns and produces the international NPE trade show. All profits from NPE are reinvested into SPI’s industry services. Find SPI online at www.plasticsindustry.org and www.inthehopper.org.
"From resin suppliers and equipment makers to processors and brand owners, SPI is proud to represent all facets of the U.S. plastics industry," said William R. Carteaux, president and CEO, SPI. "Our most recent economic reports show that the plastics industry as a whole is resilient, and has come through the recession significantly better than other U.S. manufacturing sectors."


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Parents urged to think twice about buying Amazon Echo Dot for kids
Alexa, hold your horses.
Amazon Dot Echo Kids Edition started shipping this week, but children's advocates and others are asking parents to hold off on buying the $79 version of the company's market-leading smart home speaker. Like the Echo, the Dot Echo Kids Edition is voice-activated and powered by Alexa, the Amazon virtual assistant at the beck and call of millions of Echo users. Some uses: Kids can ask the devices to play music for them, and parents can use the devices as intercoms to call the kids for dinner.
But some groups are worried about how the brightly colored devices—which come with a subscription for access to FreeTime, whose offerings include children's content such as books (Alexa can read to them) and apps—will affect children's well-being and privacy.
"Amazon wants kids to be dependent on its data-gathering device from the moment they wake up until they go to bed at night," said Josh Golin, executive director for Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, in a statement Friday.
"Echo Dot Kids is designed to encourage children to give up their personal information so it can drive even more revenues for the e-commerce colossus," said Jeff Chester, executive director for the Center for Digital Democracy, in a statement.
Also Thursday, a couple of lawmakers sent a letter to Amazon echoing similar concerns.
Sen. Ed Markey, D-Massachusetts, and Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, addressed questions to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and asked for a response by June 1.
An Amazon spokeswoman said Friday the company has received the legislators' letter and will address each of their questions—some of which she answered in an email to this news organization.
For example, Markey and Barton asked whether the Echo Dot Kids Edition records children and whether parents can delete those recordings.
Yes and yes.
"Parents can access all their children's voice recordings in the Alexa app, and delete them individually or all at once, which also deletes them from the Amazon server," the Amazon spokeswoman said.
She also addressed the congressmen's and child advocacy groups' concerns about marketing to kids: "FreeTime on Alexa voice recordings are only used for delivering and improving the Alexa voice service and FreeTime service—they are not used for advertising or Amazon.com product recommendations."
Amazon said the Echo Dot Kids Edition and FreeTime service comply with COPPA, the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. Amazon's privacy policies about its Alexa and its Alexa-powered devices can be found here.
Amid widespread concerns about tech addiction, some experts voiced questions about child-development issues.
"I worry about the unintended consequences of the world of an always-on, artificial device being marketed specifically for parents to ensconce their child within," said Dr. Dipesh Navsaria, a pediatrician who's a board member at CCFC.
Amazon said the Echo Dot Kids Edition can only be activated with the "wake" word, and has a mute button that disconnects the microphone: "This is by hardware design: no power equals no audio in."
©2018 The Mercury News (San Jose, Calif.)
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


text: Contract manufacturing specialist Tufco Technologies, Inc., Green Bay, WI, has unveiled new capabilities to print nonwoven substrates for wipes and other products. A converter of contract packaged wipes and towelettes, Tufco uses state-of-the-art flexographic printing technology to offer wide web and up to eight colors. Tufco prints on a variety of nonwovens including spunlaced and other synthetic fabrics. "In today's competitive environment, companies are striving to build brand awareness, and now wiping products previously unprinted are becoming walking billboards to consumers," said Michele Corrigan, vice president-sales and marketing for contract manufacturing. "We have taken the extra steps to master printing on lightweight, high-stretch and even highloft nonwovens." Product categories include wet and dry wipes and similar items contracted by major consumer products companies marketing cosmetic, personal and baby care, industrial, automotive and numerous household cleaning products.


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The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has announced that E3 2021 will be coming in the form of a digital-only event this summer. It will take place from June 12 to 15 and will directly showcase the latest news and games in the industry to fans around the world. The event will also be free, despite earlier reports indicating that there could potentially be a paywall.
Several early commitments to the event have already been made, including Nintendo, Xbox, Capcom, Konami, Ubisoft, Take-Two Interactive, Warner Bros. Games, and Koch Media. Notably, Sony doesn’t seem to be involved, but the company also pulled out last year in favor of having its own PlayStation 5 event in June. ESA has indicated that more companies will be joining the digital E3 2021 event, but it’ll also be interesting to see which ones skip out in order to hold their own online showcases.
WELCOME BACK! It’s been hard waiting quietly as we got ready for today, but we are thrilled to officially announce our plans for June 12th-15th!
— E3 (@E3) April 6, 2021
“We are evolving this year’s E3 into a more inclusive event, but will still look to excite the fans with major reveals and insider opportunities that make this event the indispensable center stage for video games,” said Stanley Pierre-Louis, President & CEO of the ESA.
E3 2020 was canceled due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic, as events with large crowds were heavily discouraged. Additionally, ESA is planning for E3 to return as an in-person event in 2022, seemingly as the situation regarding the virus is finally starting to get under control in the United States.


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Amazon driving for car sales across Europe
Amazon are stepping up their plans to join the car sales market across Europe.
A report in the German trade periodical Automobilewoche cited Christophe Moeller, an industry specialist who revealed he has been tasked with overseeing the company’s dealings with European car manufacturers.
Amazon declined to comment but Moeller also said that they have been hiring sales executives for the business, which is set to be run out of Luxembourg but with the first vehicles being sold in the United Kingdom.
The online retail giant made an initial venture into the auto industry in 2016 when it agreed with Fiat to sell its 500, 500L and Panda models via its Italian website.
"The time has arrived to give consumers a new, more efficient and transparent way to choose a new vehicle," Gianluca Italia, responsible for Fiat Chrysler in Italy, said last November.
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Playing music inside our cars has become more and more seamless these days. In-car entertainment really has come a long way—from AUX cables and simple Bluetooth connections, we now have modern-day features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto at our disposal.
Plus, in this day and age, we have virtually infinite music libraries right at our fingertips thanks to various online streaming platforms like Spotify. So, we can’t help but wonder: “Where do we go from here?”
Well, it seems like Spotify has figured out an answer to that. Well, sort of.
The company has now released its newest creation: Car Thing. Yes, Spotify has just released a device, not software. This is available only in the US at no cost to select Spotify listeners. It requires a Spotify Premium subscription and Internet connection, of course.
This thingamajig allows users to play music, podcasts, news, and all other sorts of content in a new, seamless way. Spotify says it lets users play audio faster, so you can start listening before you even pull out of your driveway.
The Car Thing can be operated in three different ways. Voice control enables content selection by simply saying “Hey Spotify” followed by a command, while the touchscreen display allows navigation with simple swipes and taps. If you prefer tactile controls, there’s also a dial available.
Now, the Car Thing isn’t meant to replace today’s infotainment systems. Rather, it’s part of Spotify’s ubiquity strategy, wherein it aims to enable people to play music whenever music can play a role, but with less effort needed to do so.
Spotify’s press release reads: “Our focus remains on becoming the world’s number one audio platform—not on creating hardware—but we developed Car Thing because we saw a need from our users, many of whom were missing out on a seamless and personalized in-car listening experience. No matter the year or model of your vehicle, we feel everyone should have a superior listening experience. With Car Thing, we’ll now be bringing our entire catalog of music and podcasts to a wider range of users across an even wider range of vehicles.”
So, do you want to try out this device, too?


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The American Mattress Alliance was created in response to a petition filed on March 31, 2020, by some of the suppliers of other major mattress brands.
This antidumping suit would place unreasonable duties on all mattresses manufactured in Vietnam, Thailand, Serbia, Turkey, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Indonesia, and put many of the hundreds affected by the petition out of business.
An estimated 12,000 jobs rely directly on the American businesses that import mattresses. A further 256,000 American retail jobs in the home furnishings and mattress industries would be negatively impacted should this move forward. As the country grapples with a devastated economy and a global pandemic, we need to stand together
We are proud to join with the American Mattress Alliance in protecting American jobs and free trade.
How Can You Help?
Join with the American Mattress Alliance in formally disputing the recent petition filed with the International Trade Commission against imported mattresses. The AMA emphatically denies any dumping and insists that its members operate within the confines of free and fair trade.
By filling out the form linked below, a letter will be submitted on your behalf to the petitioners, your elected government officials, and mattress manufacturers across the country.
Together we can make a difference and save American jobs.


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US: JC Penney scales back RFID rollout
JC Penney will continue to roll out tagging in bras, footwear, fashion jewellery and men's and women's denim
US department store retailer JC Penney has confirmed to just-style that it has scaled back its RFID ambitions.
JC Penney last year revealed its intentions to equip all of its products with RFID tagging, saying the technology would allow the company to have better control over its inventory and a better insight into its stock position.
However, yesterday (4 February), a spokesperson for JC Penney said: "The company recently postponed the implementation of RFID as part of a cost saving initiative, but will continue to roll out tagging in bras, footwear, fashion jewellery and men's and women's denim.
"We see the value and benefits of RFID, and will continue exploring the opportunity to further deploy the technology at a later date."
Unveiling a new five-year plan to improve worker safety at the factories in Bangladesh that produce their clothing, North American brands and retailers were keen to stress the similarities between the...
Department store retailer JC Penney has disputed reports that commercial lender CIT has stopped financing deliveries from smaller manufacturers to its stores....
One of Pakistan's largest textile companies, Nishat Chunian Limited, has acquired Taj Textile Mills in a deal worth PKR350m (US$3.4m)....
A group of leading North American retailers and brands - led by Wal-Mart and Gap - have committed more than $142m in funding and low interest loans to help improve factory safety conditions for garmen...
Chief technology officer Kristen Blum has been named as the latest executive to leave struggling department store retailer JC Penney....
Department store retailer JC Penney has secured a five-year US$2.25bn loan - $500m more than it originally expected - as it looks to turn its struggling business around....
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- Unravelling cotton's supply and demand challenges
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- EU trade ministers push on TTIP and Canada pacts
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- Too Many Standards
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President Obama and his entire national security team monitored what was going on half a world away. Army Gen. Carter Ham, who was the regional commander for Africa, happened to be in Washington that day.
Good morning. I'm Renee Montagne. A coffee chain in Britain surveyed its customers and found 70 percent suffered coffee confusion. So the chain is now offering a new trial menu in plain English. A latte is now really, really milky coffee, a cappuccino - frothy coffee, and a mocha -chocolate flavored coffee. Not listed: a decaf soy triple tall latte, though some baristas might just call that - Why Bother. It's MORNING EDITION. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
Good morning. I'm Steve Inskeep. This could happen to the best of drivers. Suspected smugglers wanted to take their SUV across the U.S.-Mexico border. They built ramps that would take it over the Arizona border fence. But unlike the way it would've happened in old episodes of the "Dukes of Hazzard," the Jeep got stuck on top of the fence. The smugglers spent time trying to free it from the top of the fence, then fled back into Mexico when border patrol agents arrived. You are listening to MORNING EDITION.


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Forgetting you’re on an airplane, chili powder as a weapon, and more.
In Las Cruces, New Mexico, police pulled over a vehicle that resembled one that had been reported stolen. According to court documents, the woman in the care ignored the officer’s orders to pull over and drove to her home. According to the Associated Press, police reported the woman told them she was singer Beyoncé, that she found the keys in the vehicle and decided to take it for a joy ride, and that she didn’t stop driving when she saw the emergency lights because she didn’t feel like it. She is charged with unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, concealing identity and resisting or obstructing an arrest.
In Clearwater, Florida, a Ring video surveillance camera caught a man opening an unlocked truck in his neighbor’s driveway and stealing a roll of toilet paper from a 6-pack of Smart & Simple bath tissue. According to The Smoking Gun, a pack of the toilet paper sells for $1 at Dollar General (though the retailer is currently out of stock, according to its web site). The man was arrested on a felony burglary charge and booked into the county jail on $5000 bond.
He obviously forgot where he was. If you can’t view the below video, try https://youtu.be/b_Q16K3gfeA.
In Kingstanding, Birmingham, England, a convenience store keeps a very large tub of chili powder for employees to defend themselves. It worked recently when a would-be armed robber entered the store. The clerk through a handful of chili powder in his face. The METRO reports that the stunned man stumbled back as he is engulfed in an orange cloud and dashed from the store in a panic.
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NEW YORK — Wal-Mart Stores Inc. declined to attend Thursday’s New York City Council hearing on how its stores affect small businesses and communities, but it dropped off a petition with 30,000 consumers’ signatures in support of opening units in the five boroughs.
The hearing was spearheaded by City Council speaker Christine Quinn, a vocal critic of Wal-Mart, who is bent on preventing the retail giant from entering New York City.
Wal-Mart has yet to identify a site in New York, but has expressed interest in Gateway II, a shopping center near Jamaica Bay in Brooklyn that doesn’t require City Council approval. Steven Restivo, community affairs director for Wal-Mart, said the Brooklyn location is a possibility. “We’re evaluating opportunities for small, medium and large stores in New York City,” he said. Asked whether stores in low-income areas will be a trade-off for units in wealthier locales, he said, “Yes, we’re also interested in going into more prosperous neighborhoods. Just because you live in a big city doesn’t mean you have to pay higher prices. We’re willing to make a little less on an apple if we can sell more apples. We’re looking at all five boroughs, but are centered on underserved communities.”
The council invited speakers such as David Merriman, a professor of public education at the University of Illinois-Chicago, who studied the impact of a 2006 Wal-Mart SuperCenter on Chicago’s West Side. The study found that 82 of 306 businesses closed and about 300 jobs were lost after Wal-Mart opened. The hearing also looked at Wal-Mart’s employment practices, such as wages and benefits.
Wal-Mart has been waging an aggressive campaign to win over New Yorkers with radio and TV spots and a documentary-style video about the retailer’s store in Chicago’s 37th ward. Why is Wal-Mart spending so much money to gain support when Gateway II doesn’t require government approval? “We want to be part of the solution,” Restivo said. “As a company, we’ve made significant changes over the past several years.”
Taking a page from its Chicago playbook — Wal-Mart reached an agreement with building trades in the Windy City — the retailer struck a deal with New York construction unions to build stores with organized labor. Restivo said the company is not negotiating with other unions. Wal-Mart has battled for years to keep its retail workers from being unionized.


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Robo-chef: Pizza ATM fires up snacks at university in Cincinnati (VIDEO)
Pizza ATM maker French firm Paline says its device will deliver “24/7 pizza with no additional labor” through a robotic chef and dispenser, which can cook and hold up to 70 12” pies.
Installed inside the university’s Hoff Dining Hall, the machine is thought to be the first of its kind in North America.
The large unit is described as “computer controlled” with a webcam as well as real-time email and text alerts to inform the hungry customer that their pizza is ready.
The machine’s manufacturers claim that only the pizza base is precooked and that management of the ‘best before’ date is programmed into the machine.
So, when hunger pangs hit, people with the right dough ($10) can summon the device to whip up a custom pie quicker than you can tell a pizza chef: “You’re fired.”
Images of the bizarre contraption standing in place at Xavier University have been posted online showing students gathering to try it out.
“It is the best pizza I’ve ever had, and I hate to admit that as a New Yorker,” marketing director at the university, Jennifer Paiotti claimed to Ohio’s WCPO.


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India posted 4.3 percent growth in exports for January 2017, when compared to January 2016. On the other hand, imports rose at a higher rate of 10.7 percent, leading to the trade deficit expanding to $9.84 billion, YoY. Exports, imports and deficit were lower in December 2016.
Provisional data released on Wednesday evening showed that January 2017 exports stood at $22.11 billion, up 4.32 percent from $21.19 billion in January 2016 but lower than $23.88 billion in December 2016.
Imports grew 10.7 percent to $31.95 billion in January 2017 from $28.86 billion in January 2016 but were lower than $34.25 billion in December 2016. Gold imports declined 29.94 percent to $2.04 billion in January 2017 from $2.91 billion in January 2016 but up from $1.95 billion in December 2016.
The trade deficit for January 2017 was $9.84 billion when compared to $7.66 billion in January 2016 but marginally down from $10.37 billion in December 2016.
In imports, 15 of the 30 items saw a decline, led by gold, silver and iron & steel. In exports, 13 of the 30 items fell, including gems and jewellery. Export of engineering goods rose 11.89 percent to $5.45 billion, YoY.
"While continuous positive growth in exports for last 5 months is encouraging, the slowdown in global trade is equally affecting us. Going by the current trend, we are expected to reach around $ 270 billion this fiscal," S C Ralhan, President, FIEO, said in a statement.
On headwinds being faced by Indian exporters, he said, "Increasing protectionism, volatility in currencies and uncertainties clouding over global economy pose major challenges for export sector in 2017."
For the 10 months ending January 2017 this financial year, exports grew 1.09 percent to $220.92 billion and imports rose 5.81 percent to $307.31 billion, leading to a cumulative trade deficit of $86.38 billion.
The data was released by the commerce and industry ministry after trading hours, so the impact of the figures will be reflected on Thursday trading.
The Indian rupee closed at 66.91 to the US dollar on Wednesday.


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Compiled by Brian Milligan
An overseas study suggests that the U.S. structured cabling market has stabilized and will move slowly into growth.
"The market will pick up again," says Lone Hansen, team leader for BSRIA Limited's (www.bsria.co.uk) cabling and contracting section. "The year 2000 was an exceptionally good year, and there was the slowdown of 2001. After Sept. 11, it got worse. But the market will slowly recover."
The predictions from U.K.-based BSRIA, in fact, claim that the worst is over for the U.S. structured cabling market. The report predicts growth will occur slowly now after 2001, when sales in the structured cabling market fell by 25%. BSRIA forecasts 2002 sales up by 1% over 2001 and up by 3% over 2001 by 2003. After this, the market is expected to accelerate rapidly-at 8% per annum-returning close to 2000 levels by 2006.
According to the report, the market is expected to increase by an average of 5.2% per year between 2001 and 2005, but will still not reach the 2000 level of $2.1 billion.
The report forecasts that multimode optical fiber to the desk will increase by an average of 14% per annum after last year's fall, but still remains a niche market, accounting for 1% of the total number of drops installed by 2005. The growth here, the report predicts, will be mostly due to purchases from military and government offices, and high-tech companies.
The market for fiber is expected to increase by an average of 5% per year between 2001 and 2005. Fifty-micron fiber is expected to increase significantly, from a 10% market share in 2001 to half the multimode market by 2004/2005.
The forecast was made after BSRIA representatives conducted personal and phone interviews with 27 industry representatives-manufacturers, distributors, and contractors-in the fall and winter of 2001.
Hansen says the predicted growth is now coming at a time when the market is still reeling from the "draconian price cuts" that occurred in 2001. During this time, the prices for some of the structured cabling products were cut by 30%. The report states that pricing competition still remains savage, with Avaya Inc., announcing a 30% price cut on some of its copper cables by the end of October 2001, which was in turn followed by cuts from other suppliers. A further, more modest price cut is expected this year for Category 6 products.
The report also reflects on the uniqueness of the U.S. market, which the BSRIA says is becoming very concentrated-just nine suppliers controlling 70% of the structured cabling market and 12 suppliers accounting for 80% of the market. "We were quite surprised at how concentrated the suppliers were in such a huge market" says Hansen.
Meanwhile, the U.S. installer market remains highly fragmented, with the largest seven companies only controlling around 20% of the market.
Hansen says this shows more of a "highlight" than a concern. She notes that the two biggest distributors in the United States are Graybar and Anixter, and that they dominate the market with CSC and Accu-Tech. Together, the companies control 75% of the market. "The distributors have a lot of power in the States," says Hansen. "Nothing goes directly to the installers."
BSRIA reports that penetration of proposed Category 6 solutions has already reached 34% by value, despite the depressed market and delays of the final standards approval. Category 5, still used for residential and some commercial applications, is expected to disappear by 2003.
Hansen says most companies are not producing Category 5 cable anymore. "The price is the same, so why install Cat 5 when you can get Cat 5e at the same price?" she asks.
The Worst Is Over?
- The U.S. structured cabling market is expected to increase by an average of 5.2% per year between 2001 and 2005.
- The market this year is expected to be up by 1% over 2001 and by 3% over 2001 by 2003.
- After 2003, the market is expected to accelerate rapidly, returning to its 2000 levels by 2006.
- Multimode optical fiber to the desk will increase at 14% per annum after last year's fall.


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According to Bleeping Computer, Microsoft this week removed a compatibility precaution that prevented the Windows 11 22H2 update from being installed on Nvidia GeForce-powered devices that were experiencing performance degradation concerns.
Microsoft began rolling out its Windows 11 22H2 update in early October, however, it was revealed in November that it caused sluggish and unsteady frame rates in games, lag, and significant CPU underutilization on Nvidia GeForce-based devices. As a result, the corporation put a stop to the upgrade.
Microsoft later stated that the speed degradation was most likely caused by some programs and games inadvertently activating GPU performance debugging options not intended for average customers.
It did not, however, explain why this occurred. It also suggested that games be updated. Meanwhile, in late September, Nvidia published a GeForce Experience upgrade that resolved the issue (albeit by a beta update).
“This issue was resolved in KB5020044 and the safeguard hold has been removed as of December 14, 2022,” a statement by Microsoft reads. “Please note, if there are no other safeguards that affect your device, it can take up to 48 hours before the update to Windows 11, version 22H2 is offered.”
When Microsoft learns that a Windows update is causing a problem on particular systems, it often prevents the update from being installed on impacted (and possibly affected) devices. After the issue is resolved, the software giant lifts the barrier and allows the owners of these PCs to install the Windows update.
According to Bleeping Computer, Microsoft inserted four more update blocks for Windows 11 version 22H2 since its release, but they have already been deleted. The update appears to have caused issues with Xbox Game Bar Capture, blue screens, printing, and Windows Hello.
- Tata Group IPO and the ever-rising Indian business Behemoth
- Apple AirPods Max 2: Here’s everything that is floating around about the device


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Great Mark Gurman: iPhones are moving to USB-C measure next year, but it’s “just a stopgap” available in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Apple will make the jump to USB-C with next year’s iPhone 15 series – Bloomberg analyst Mark Gurman is certain of it, writing “the iPhone 15 is essentially a lock to get USB-C in the fall of 2023, beating the mandate by a year.”
The iPhone 14 series should be the last in the family with a Lightning port
The new EU law technically applies to new portable electronic devices sold from autumn 2024 onward, so Apple can squeeze in another year of using the Lightning port. But Gurman believes that Cupertino won’t wait until the last possible moment.
In fact, the analyst writes that the base iPad, the last remaining Apple tablet with Lightning, will make the move to USB-C later this year. Then the iPhone 15 series will do the same next year.
Those aren’t the only Apple devices that use the Lightning port – the AirPods do, of course, but also select peripherals like the Magic Mouse, Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad do as well. Those will gradually transition to USB-C as well.
Some devices like Apple’s Magic Keyboard also use Lightning for charging
The EU law specifically exempts devices that only support wireless charging – like the Apple Watch. Gurman believes that Apple’s use of USB-C will be short lived and that the company’s end goal is to use only wireless charging like MagSafe. Lightning has been with us for a decade now, but iPhones with USB-C won’t stick around for nearly as long, predicts the analyst. Even iPads are expected to drop wired charging in the future.
Why has Apple been so stubborn about using USB-C on iPhones (when it uses it on iPads and Macs already)? Gurman thinks it’s because it wants to present the switch as its own idea rather than something that was mandated by law. With the iPhone Pros now capable of shooting 48MP RAW photos, not to mention those 4K ProRes videos, the USB 2.0 speeds of Lightning just don’t cut it (Wi-Fi is faster, in case you were worried about the wireless-only future).
Apple will switch to wireless charging exclusively for the iPhone and even iPads, predicts Mark Gurman
You can follow the Source link to read Mark Gurman’s thoughts on Apple’s switch to USB-C. This edition of the Power On newsletter also goes into Google’s launch of the Pixel 7 series and the Pixel Watch.


text: Last Change 03/29 18:30 NEW YORK, March 29 (Reuters) - Citigroup (C) chairman Sandy Weill may be interested in purchasing credit card giant American Express (AXP), according to a report in Business Week magazine. Investors said that Citigroup, with assets of $900 billion and a market value of $230 billion, could potentially afford AmEx, which has assets of $155 billion and a market capitalization of $53 billion, the report said. The article cited a money manager who said that American Express could fetch a total of about $55 per share. Another manager said the company is worth $70 per share. Shares of American Express closed at $38.96 on the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday, below a 52-week high of $62.81 and above a low of $34.25. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter (MWD) and American International Group (AIG) are also in the running for AmEx, the report said. American Express officials were not immediately available for comment.


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Bold move for Sears brands
Sears Holdings signed two licensing agreements that the company says will broaden the reach of its Kenmore and DieHard brands internationally.
Cleva North America, Inc. will manufacture Kenmore and Kenmore Elite vacuums and accessories for distribution at retailers worldwide. The agreement applies to vacuum cleaners, stick vacuums, hand vacuums, robotic vacuums, carpet cleaners, bare floor cleaners, sweepers and accessories.
Dorcy International will manufacture DieHard Alkaline batteries and flashlights for distribution in the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Caribbean plus Latin America and some locations in the South Pacific. The agreement renews and expands the existing distribution of these DieHard products and applies to: A, AA, AAA, C, D, 6 volt and 9 volt alkaline specialty batteries, as well as flashlights.
Terms of the deals were not disclosed.
“Both of these agreements are examples of our expansion strategy to unleash the power of these iconic brands internationally,” said Tom Park, president of Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard brands at Sears Holdings. “We will have direct and active involvement in building the business with our licensing partners and we're confident that both Cleva and Dorcy will maintain our high-quality standards.”
In other efforts to expand the reach of the Kenmore brand, Sears recently announced the launch of Kenmore products on Amazon.com.
Is it MID-night for home ownership incentives?
The Mortgage Interest Deduction is in the news. And while it may be a stretch to say that it’s on the chopping block, it’s relatively safe to say it’s on the negotiating table.
With the spirit of tax reform inspiring ideas inside the beltway in general, and in the White House specifically, many analysts are pointing their sharpened pencils at the MID – maybe not to eliminate it wholesale, but to reduce it dramatically.
Today, homeowners can claim as a tax deduction the interest on mortgage debt of up to $1 million. It’s a policy widely supported by voices in the home improvement and lumberyard industry, and industry editorial pages.
Earlier this month, when it was learned that a cap on the MID was being considered, the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association issued a call to arms – encouraging dealers to contact their elected representatives in Washington, D.C., and voice their support for the preservation of the MID.
Reports of proposals for a cap reduction to as low as $500,000 have appeared in various political publications.
“NLBMDA continues to work on behalf of its dealer members to preserve the mortgage interest deduction,” said Ben Gann, the NLBMDA’s VP of legislative and political affairs. “There is a compelling case for tax reform, but it should not weaken incentives for home ownership.”
The NLBMDA summed up its hands-off the-MID position in its recent bulletin to members:
“Eliminating the MID would have a negative impact on housing: after-tax housing costs would increase and demand for housing would decrease. In turn, reduced demand would depress home prices, producing a sizable loss for existing homeowners that would have a drag on the economy.
“Homeowners do not expect to lose their MID, and prospective buyers anticipate taking the deduction,” the note continued. “Changing ‘the rules of the game’ would have a significant impact on the housing market in terms of owner and buyer behavior.”
The lumberyard industry has a huge ally in the National Association of Realtors, one of the largest lobbying groups in the country. Meanwhile, opposition to the MID has been growing in editorial pages as diverse as the National Review and Slate. A popular argument against MID is that it unnecessarily benefits the wealthy.
In April, President Trump seemed to support preservation of the MID, with his administration promising to “protect the homeownership … deductions.” But the administration also said it intends to simplify the tax code, while decreasing the federal tax rates. The latest from Washington: Nobody knows for sure what’s going to happen to the mortgage interest deduction, if anything.
“NLBMDA urges its members to take action now by contacting their Representative and Senators and asking them to preserve the mortgage interest deduction and its critical role in American housing policy,” according to the NLBMDA.
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How do you feel about the mortgage interest deduction? Tell us at [email protected].
Stihl Hardware All Stars: R.I., S.C., Vt.
HBSDealer editors like to say: It takes a little more to be a Stihl Hardware All Star. The 2017 list of 50 hardware stores from 50 states supports that maxim with a tremendous variety of stores.
Since 2011, HBSDealer has reached out to suppliers, distributors, manufacturers, vendors, retailers and homeowners in search of high-performing, service-oriented, community-minded hardware stores, lumberyards or farm and ranch dealers worthy of All Star status.
It’s a tribute to this industry that each year brings a surplus of high-quality nominations. The companies profiled have earned their place on the list of 50 — and they join an elite fraternity of honorees. Here’s to the class of 2017. And here are our representatives from Rhode Island, South Carolina and Vermont.
McQuade’s Ace Hardware
McQuade’s Ace Hardware isn’t necessarily the same exact store that locals grew up with in Westerly. Last year, it was completely remodeled from top to bottom, with major investments in its Stihl OPE offering and big name brand selection, such as Valspar and Weber. The McQuades also expanded some of the specialty products they’re known for carrying, like camping goods, kayaks and Boy Scout items. When it comes down to it, however, VP Mark McQuade — the owner’s son — says it’s about knowledge and customer service. “[Our strength lies in] having the right people to do the right jobs,” he said. “My average employee has been here for almost 10 years.”
Heuser Ace Hardware
Heuser Ace Hardware may have only opened its doors just more than a year ago, but it was already named “Best of Bluffton” in the hardware and home improvement categories for two years running, and it also doubles as a full-service bike shop, which sells bicycles that are made in the United States to the active local community. The 12,000-sq.-ft. downtown destination is also frequented for its selection of plants and bird feeders. More than anything, Heuser takes its training seriously: the store is staffed by an expert with a Ph.D. in horticulture, two master gardeners, a master electrician, and a master plumber. Plus, associates are required to pass a robust training certification.
Martin’s Hardware & Building Supply
You can tell a lot about a store by its homemade Facebook videos. And at Martin’s Hardware & Building Supply, with stores in Bristol, Middlebury and Brattleboro, the operative word is “fun.” Quirky, but fun. Same goes for its radio spots. “What makes our stores special are the people that work for us,” said Kathleen Clark, co-owner. “We love our community.”


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— Turkey aims to increase its trade volume with Kenya to $500 million by 2015, Turkey's economy minister said Wednesday.
Nihat Zeybekci said Turkey perceives Kenya as an entrance gate to East Africa
The Daily Sabah Newsletter
Keep up to date with what’s happening in Turkey,
it’s region and the world.


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Daily Briefing September 8 2020
Free to read: IMO urged to intervene as Maersk Etienne impasse deepens | Shipping and the law on rescuing migrants | Sovcomflot and Novatek order 10 LNG carriers
Good morning. Here’s our quick view of everything you need to know today.
The Lloyd’s List Daily Briefing is brought to you by the Lloyd’s List News Desk.
What to watch | Analysis | Opinion | Markets | In other news
The International Maritime Organization is under pressure to intervene on behalf of the crew and 27 migrants who have been stranded on a product tanker in the Mediterranean since August 4.
The moral obligation to save life at sea is simple and straightforward; inevitably, the legal position is not.
The world containership fleet is finely balanced but will still grow faster than demand this year. Speculation about new orders for ultra-large tonnage could risk tipping the scales as container lines emerge from the crisis.
Being close to China used to be an advantage for Hong Kong’s success as a maritime and financial hub. Now that position needs to be defended against the backdrop of an increasingly polarised world highlighted by the simmering strife between Washington and Beijing, writes Cichen Shen.
The Lloyds List Podcast: The Panama Canal has certainly taken a hit from the coronavirus backdrop. But the consequences have not been as severe as many probably assume, and the canal authority even expects to make its budget this fiscal year, according to deputy administrator Ilya Espino de Marotta.
Chang Yun Chung, the Singaporean shipping tycoon who founded Pacific International Lines in 1967 and continued to act as its hands-on executive chairman until 2018, has died. He was 102.
Sovcomflot and gas giant Novatek have ordered 10 icebreaking liquefied natural gas carriers to export cargoes out of Russia’s Arctic LNG 2 facility.
Global seaborne container volumes continued to climb in July to a level nearly on par with last year, in the clearest sign yet that a trade rebound is in motion following the demand downturn at the hands of the coronavirus backdrop.
The fire on board the very large crude carrier off Sri Lanka’s coast has been brought under control, according to a Lloyd’s List Intelligence casualty report.
Golden Ocean, the dry bulk unit owned by billionaire John Fredriksen, has hired Peder Simonsen as chief financial officer.
Gulf Navigation Holding, a Dubai-based shipping company, has appointed a new board of directors.
Global logistics service provider DB Schenker is targeting rival Damco's customers following the announcement by the latter's parent group that is it to discontinue the brand and combine its and less-than-container-load offering with logistics and services products.


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Posted 3/26/2020 13:54 (#8140585 - in reply to #8140404) Subject: RE: What % of NAT has gone over the edge on Covid 19
Quebecers are heading home with their RV's ... Walmart has stopped all Rv's from stopping in and also parking in their parking lot over night . They were seen sneaking into Walmart and some other grocery stores around on their way back from the States. They were handed papers at the boarder crossings (all the people ) coming back into Canada to go straight home and stay indoors for 14 days and do not stop for anything. They said all the RV's were from Quebec that was seen there in the last two weeks. People around here was getting Pissed. I'm sure that it is happening all around.


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To safe a spot within the iPhone provide chain, AirPods supplier Luxshare purchased an iPhone manufacturing facility for $ 472 million.
While Luxshare is a very powerful meeting spouse for AirPods and Apple within the Apple provide chain, the corporate hopes to transform a best iPhone producer.
To this finish, Luxshare is purchasing two Chinese subsidiaries of Wistron for three.three billion yuan, which is roughly $ 471.five million, in keeping with US government Nikkei Asian Review.
Through the purchase of those subsidiaries, Luxshare will regulate Wistron’s primary meeting plant in Kushan, China’s Jiangsu Province.
In May, it was once introduced that Luxshare had discussions with Catcher Technology, an organization that makes steel instances and frames for the iPhone. Luxshare deliberate to take over the corporate on behalf of Apple. However, the associated fee for Catcher Technology grew to become out to be too top and compelled Luxshare to prevent the deal.
“Shortly after the last round of negotiations between Luxshare and Catcher due to Catcher’s overvaluation, the Chinese company continued its talks with Wistron,” a supply informed Nikkei Asian Review.
Wistron introduced its aim to promote the subsidiaries on Friday in an software to the Taiwan Stock Exchange on Friday. Although they have got no longer indicated which amenities are to be offered, assets have showed that that is the iPhone meeting plant in Kunshan.
According to unnamed assets, Apple’s plan is totally supported. It is recommended that Luxshare will take over iPhone meeting in China, whilst Wistron plans to transport a lot of its iPhone manufacturing to India.