text:
A fast moving and topical business and finance show bringing you breaking business and economic news and financial market updates. Presented by former CEO and investment bank global trading head Peter Lewis, with over 30 years' industry experience. Join Peter and his expert guests for analysis and discussion on the day's top business stories live every weekday morning 8 to 8:30 a.m. on RTHK Radio 3. We have a podcast to download after the show and you can also listen through the RTHK Radio 3 website live or later in the day. We welcome your questions, comments and feedback to read out in the show. You can email us at email@example.com, post on our Facebook page "Money Talk on RTHK Radio 3 " or find us on twitter "MoneytalkRadio3") .
US producer prices dropped sharply in July because of a steep plunge in energy costs. The producer price index, which tracks the prices that businesses receive for their goods and services, declined 0.5% in July from a month earlier, the first negative monthly print since April 2020. This was a sharp drop from June’s 1% increase in prices and was below analysts’ expectations of a 0.2% rise.
12/08/2022 - 8:10am Business and Market Discussion
12/08/2022 - 8:24am View from India
Global equities have tumbled once again after the boss of pharmaceuticals firm Moderna cast doubt on the effectiveness of existing vaccines against the new Omicron variant of Covid-19 and hawkish comments from Fed chairman Jerome Powell. Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel told the Financial Times yesterday that the rapid spread of Omicron in South Africa suggested that the current crop of vaccines may need to be modified next year.
01/12/2021 - 8:10am Business and Market Discussion
Mark Michelson, Chairman of the Asia CEO Forum at IMA Asia notes that mainland China's manufacturing sector is rebounding as the demand for goods is high.
Nick Marro, Lead for Global Trade at the Economist Intelligence Unit, predicts that the US Federal Reserve will raise interest rates sooner than expected to combat inflation.
RTHK’s International Economics Correspondent, Barry Wood says its too soon to know how the Omicron variant will affect the global economy.


text:
Casey Feldman planned the summer between her junior and senior years at Fordham University on the New Jersey shore, working the last “non-aggravation” job she wanted as a young adult.
German rivals BMW and Daimler said Friday that they've merged their car-share operations in a bid to challenge Lyft, Uber, and others in the burgeoning mobility sector. BMW and Daimler, which owns Mercedes-Benz, invest $1.1 billion combined into the joint venture.
Self-driving cars aren't ready for prime time yet, but they continue to show promising signs of intelligence. The latest example is Waymo's self-driving Chrysler Pacifica that successfully navigated a broken traffic light and followed a police officer's hand signals.
2019 Volkswagen T-Roc R
From Motor Authority:
Volkswagen will use next week's 2019 Geneva International Motor Show to reveal the T-Roc R.
Volvo has ever-so-slightly freshened its largest SUV. The 2020 Volvo XC90 debuted on Friday with minor tweaks to the exterior and interior. For global markets outside of the United States, the XC90 also gets new electrified powertrains.
Occasionally, Lego creations don't quite mimic the real thing, but Lego and Ford have nailed it with this 1967 Mustang GT replica.
2019 Nissan Leaf
From Green Car Reports:
At the moment, there are more Nissan Leafs on the world’s roads than any other electric car in history—closing in on 400,000. As of Jan 1, Nissan had delivered 380,000 Leafs globally, 130,000 of them in the United States.
The federal government has given initial approval for the Chinese electric car manufacturer Kandi to import two electric cars to the U.S. in coming years, the company announced to investors last week.
Electric-car batteries need to get recycled or reused at the end of their road. And campers are always in need of more batteries to stay out longer and run more things without resorting to gas power.

domain: news


text:
ICI shares soar on bid talk
Shares in ICI soared to an eight-year high today as the City today bet big on a takeover battle breaking out over the Dulux paints group.
The FTSE 100 chemicals business and one of the best-known British industrial brands around the world today rebuffed a £7.2bn, 600p-a-share takeover approach from Akzo Nobel, the Dutch company best-known in the UK for its Crown Paints division.
ICI shares stormed up the Footsie leader board - more than 16% ahead at 639½p, a rise of 90½p - on the prospect of another great British company falling into foreign hands in the mergers and acquisitions frenzy that has seen about a sixth of the blue-chip index taken out by overseas raiders in the past two years.
ICI today rebuffed Akzo Nobel's weekend approach with a terse statement to the Stock Exchange: 'The board of ICI considered [Akzo's] proposal and unanimously rejected it on the grounds that it significantly undervalues ICI.'
City dealers are convinced the informal Akzo offer is simply a sighting shot with potential for it to offer up to another 10% or increase its bid up to as much 660p without breaching its own strict acquisition-requirements.
However, analysts believe the interest of other international players could see the shares go much further.
'We believed an offer of 630p would be required, and that the possibility of a bid battle developing between Akzo or Dow Chemical [of the US] or other interested parties - BASF [of Germany] and Reliance [of India] have been named - cannot be ruled out,' said Jeremy Batstone of Charles Stanley.
'That is fuelling speculation that ICI could ultimately fall to an offer of as much as 700p per share.'
Peter Cartwright at broker Evolution agrees: 'A merger between ICI and Akzo has long been the subject of speculation, given Akzo's dominant position in industrial coatings, ICI's similar position in decorative coatings and both companies' aspirations in Asia.
'Assuming a trade buyer is capable of extracting synergy or strategic benefits, it is not a stretch to assume that 700p is achievable.'
Most watched Money videos
- Ferrari launches new green supercar: 296 GTB plug-in hybrid
- Land Rover unveil prototype hydrogen powered Defender
- Stunning Lotus Emira unveiled as company's last petrol car
- Take a look at £3.3 million Bugatti Chiron Super Sport hypercar
- Volkswagen reveals stylish hybrid, seven-seater, family bus
- E-Type UK Unleashed transforms classic cars using modern features
- Discover the water-resistant interior of the new Ineos Grenadier 4X4
- Vauxhall to make electric Opel Manta GSe ElektroMOD concept car
- 1937 Bugatti Type 57: One of the most valuable pre-war cars
- Futuristic zero-emissions electric Ioniq 5 from Hyundai
- Are investors too worried or too complacent about inflation?
- Why UK smaller companies can profit in the recovery


text:
Today, you can pick up HP’s newest piece of hardware, the Slate 7, an Android-powered tablet complete with licensed Beats Audio software on board. The tablet is powered by a dual-core ARM Cortex A9 chip clocked at 1.6GHz, 1GB of RAM, features 8GB of internal memory, runs Android 4.1, and sports a not-so-hot 7″ WVA display. What redeems this tablet’s sub-par specs is the price though, set at just $170.
From the same man that unlocked some of Motorola’s heavily guarded bootloaders, a new root method for DROID Bionic owners running the new Jelly Bean firmware has been released. Unfortunately for most of you, it is for folks running Ubuntu because due to technical reasons, a Windows version is currently impossible.
We’ve heard from a handful of readers this morning who were able to update their DROID Bionic devices to official Jelly Bean. The update itself was approved by Verizon last week as build 98.72.22, so the timing for a rollout seems about right. One of our readers that received the update was not a part of the soak test either, leading us to believe that the update may be live for everyone.
To get yourself into Google Now, head into Settings>About phone>System updates and see if the update is available. The support documents for the update show it as being about 98MB in size.
If you aren’t able to pull it, a manual install is still available.
Cheers March, Josh and everyone else!
On Friday, Verizon approved the much-anticipated Jelly Bean (Android 4.1.2) update for the Motorola DROID Bionic. As is typical with Motorola updates, an initial rollout of the new firmware was pushed to members of a test group to make sure that no major issues were hanging around. Thanks to that push to testers, we now have the file for anyone willing to take the plunge and manually update ahead of time.
The Jelly Bean (Android 4.1.2) update for the DROID Bionic has been approved by Verizon as build number 98.72.22. The update will include a number of important goodies like an immensely improved voice search, smarter notifications with actionable items, a better keyboard, and of course, Google Now. Your device should also run smoother, feature more intuitive graphics, and react quicker to touch responses thanks to Project Butter.
Edge-to-edge connoisseurs, the DROID RAZR M has a new update on the horizon. According to emails sent out to members of Motorola’s Feedback Network, an early preview of a “new software release” will arrive shortly. If you were hoping for Android 4.2, I have a feeling you’ll be disappointed – the email says specifically that this is nothing more than a “maintenance release.” Still, who doesn’t love new software? Bug squashing is still fun, isn’t it?
AT&T announced this morning that the Jelly Bean (Android 4.1) update for the LG Optimus G (our review) is live. Users can pull the update through their phone on WiFi and then move forward with their lives on the best version of Android to date. With 4.1, you’ll see enhanced notifications, an insanely fast UI thanks to Project Butter, and most importantly, Google Now.
About a week after Motorola committed to a Q2 rollout for the Jelly Bean (Android 4.1) update of the DROID Bionic, the company has begun sending out invites for members of their Motorola Feedback Network to participate in a soak test of the new software. The invites specifically say “Jelly Bean software release,” so there isn’t any guessing to be had here.


text:
Agency will oversee new market launches and more as interest in home grocery delivery grows
CHICAGO (June 1, 2011) – Urban dwellers and suburban families alike are experiencing the benefits of home grocery delivery – convenience, great service and time savings. The high cost and hassle of transportation is further adding to the interest in home grocery delivery. So when HY Connect took on marketing duties for Peapod, one of America’s leading internet grocers, many of the agency’s staff were already using the service at home and for office needs.
“We’re pleased to be working with such a recognized brand and are excited to help them expand into new markets like Manhattan this year,” said Jim Roots, HY Connect executive vice president of strategic planning.
The scope of work includes creative for traditional and interactive media, strategy and planning for marketing activities and consultation for Peapod’s loyalty program, segmentation and interactive initiatives.
Founded in 1989 and based in Skokie, Illinois, Peapod has grown to become one of America’s leading internet grocers. Now operating in 12 states, Peapod has delivered more than 15 million orders.
HY Connect (formerly Hoffman York) is a fully integrated marketing and communications agency that builds effective and meaningful connections between clients and their customers. HY Connect offers a full suite of traditional services such as advertising, interactive, and public relations, as well as specialty services such as mobile and marketing to women. The agency has offices in Milwaukee and Chicago with $110 million in annualized billings. Visit hyc.com for more information.
# # #


text:
Times Internet, the digital arm of The Times of India Group, has made a 7-figure investment in Fab.com. Led by CEO Jason Goldberg, Fab.com claims to have over 10 million registered users and is the fastest growing e-commerce company in the world today. Since its launch in June 2011, Fab.com has raised over $150 million from investors.
In his blog, Jason Goldberg, Founder & CEO, Fab.com said,”As a part of this investment, Fab will be working with Times Internet to explore and execute on our India market strategy in the coming years.” He added that the investment was fostered by Satyan Gajwani, Times Internet Group CEO.
Besides Fab.com, Times Internet has also invested in Zipdial,MensXP,ZopNow, Delhivery, Instamedia, Affle and Net Carrots.


text:
Officials from the Chick-fil-A bowl announced Wednesday that tickets for the Dec. 31 ACC-SEC bowl game at the Georgia Dome has sold out of tickets. The news comes with four weeks of college football left to play and no announcement of the two teams involved. It’s the earliest sellout in the 22 year history of the bowl, according to a release from bowl representatives.
The Bowl ticket office reports it has sold nearly 36,000 tickets to local and regional buyers. A record 94 percent of last year’s ticket buyers renewed their purchases for this year’s bowl game. All remaining tickets are contractually allocated to the Bowl’s ACC and SEC teams who will be selected on Dec. 8.
The annual Atlanta postseason matchup is set to join the College Football Playoffs next year, but even without national championship implications, tickets for the bowl have come and gone says Gary Stokan, Chick-fil-A Bowl president and CEO.
“There is no better way to end a 22-year era of great ACC-SEC match-ups than with another sold-out game,” said Stokan. “This streak is the result of an incredible local fan base and corporate community whose passion for college football is unmatched.”
Fans looking for ticket and hospitality packages can purchase one of the few remaining VIP Packages through PrimeSport, the Chick-fil-A Bowl’s exclusive ticket package provider. Visit http://www.Chick-fil-ABowl.com to access the PrimeSport ticket package offers.
As a limited offer for the month of November, KIA, the Bowl’s official vehicle partner, will be offering two free tickets with the purchase of a new KIA at Atlanta-area dealerships. Check local dealerships for more information.
Over the last 16 years of the sellout streak, 1.15 million fans have attended Chick-fil-A Bowl games. In a more recent 10 year period, the Chick-fil-A Bowl ranks fourth in average annual attendance (71,825) among all bowls and has drawn more fans than two current BCS bowls – the Orange and Sugar. In its 45-year history, more than 2.5 million fans have attended Chick-fil-A Bowl games at three different venues in Atlanta.


text:
LG aims to make VR nausea a thing of the past with a little help from artificial intelligence
For some, VR is a transformational experience, allowing them to see things in a way they simply couldn’t without the technology. The 360-degree view of the world tricks the brain, and for those few minutes, they really are somewhere else. For others, however, the experience is a deeply unpleasant one. Any sense of wonder is quickly replaced with a growing feeling of nausea, as motion sickness takes grip. Some (pretty informal) polls have suggested the numbers could be as high as 80% of first-time users feeling a bit queasy, and given first impressions are very important that’s a problem that needs to be fixed.
LG to the rescue. The South Korean company is currently working with Sogang University to develop AI technology which cuts down on motion-to-photon-latency (the delay between your movement being reflected on screen) and motion blur, according to a report in Business Korea.
READ NEXT: A rare disease robbed me of my sight. VR brought it back
The solution is quite a clever one, and at its best has reduced photon latency and motion blur to “one fifth or less” of current levels. It tackles the tricky issue of screen resolution which is widely recognised as a likely cause of motion sickness, but a tough one to fix with current technological bottlenecks. In short, because the eyes are so close to the screen for VR to work, resolutions need to be very high to fix the problem – and with one screen per eye, most consumer computer hardware isn’t up to outputting more than 1080p each. So if you try, you’ll likely get more latency and blur and a very full sick bucket.
The researchers’ answer was to develop a deep learning algorithm that can upscale low-resolution images in real time. Presumably, because it’s quite hard to work with subjects who constantly need to throw off the headset, LG and the researchers developed a precision motor which simulates neck muscle movements and an optical system modeled on the human visual cortex to measure photon latency and motion blur of VR headsets.
“This study by LG Display and Sogang University is quite meaningful in that [it] developed a [technology] which accelerates with low power realised through AI without an expensive GPU in a VR device,” said Professor Kang Seok-ju from the department of electronics engineering, who led the study.
It wouldn’t instantly fix VR’s mass adoption problem – the cost of hardware, fiddly setup and lack of compelling software is a bigger issue – but making life better for people who want to enjoy VR but can’t without feeling physically sick would definitely be a good start.
Disclaimer: Some pages on this site may include an affiliate link. This does not effect our editorial in any way.


text:
Aureon hosting launch party for new downtown data center
BUSINESS RECORD STAFF Apr 18, 2022 | 2:46 pm
<1 min read time75 wordsAll Latest News, Retail & Business, Tech & Innovation
Aureon, along with the Greater Des Moines Partnership, the Technology Association of Iowa and the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, will host an event Wednesday in honor of the launch of its new 616 Data Center in downtown Des Moines. The event is from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Surety Hotel and will include keynote remarks, networking, food and beverages, live music, and an optional tour of the data center. Registration is required.
Facebook Notice for EU! You need to login to view and post FB Comments!


text:
Last August we were invited to show at London’s science museum by Louis Buckley and the antenna team.
As part of the Science Museum’s 100 years anniversary we were invited to show a glimpse into the ‘ future of manufacturing’.
using our digital forming technology, we exhibited a collection of 3d modifiable and shape changing products designed by Assa. the notion of ‘open 3d products’ was presented for the first time. Embed your 3d products and ‘open’ them to co-design within Boundaries…
Democratisation of Personal Objects
Digital Forming ltd co founded by Assa Ashuach and partners from the science and business sectors (see www.digitalforming.com for more) was set to develop the vision of an online platform for the Mass Customisation of personal designed objects.
Digital Forming ltd and UCODO ltd, the two London based companies are set to democratise the personalisation of everyday products; introducing the notion of ODO – Original Designed Object and CODO – Co Designed Object, using a set of innovative 3D software solutions for online customisation and shape modification of designed objects. Digital forming was awarded government funding and was invited to show at London’s Science Museum’s 100 years anniversary featuring the future of manufacturing.
For more visit www.UCODO.com / www.digutalforming.com


text:
More than 18 months have elapsed since US office products giant Staples emerged with a 59 per cent stake in Corporate Express after acquiring its Dutch parent, but speculation that Staples will eventually buy out minority shareholders in the local company refuses to die.
Both Macquarie Research and Credit Suisse have revisited the possibility of an $800 million to $900 million bid by Staples following the release of Corporate Express's third-quarter results this week.
The results were less than inspiring. Third-quarter revenues were down 11.3 per cent, compared with a 6 per cent decline in the six months to July, and net profit fell 10 per cent, lowering profits by 9.2 per cent so far this year.
However, Credit Suisse raised its target price from $4.25 to $4.50, citing the resumption of sales growth and a Staples bid for outstanding shares as catalysts for a rerating of the stock.
Macquarie, which says a mop up bid would be a snap for a company the size of Staples, valued Corporate Express at $4.05 to $4.62 a share, based on a multiple of 8.5 to 9.5 times forecast 2011 earnings before interest and tax.
Goldman Sachs JBWere noted that Staples is trading at 21.1 times earnings per share and EV/EBITDA of 9.4, compared with Corporate Express' price-to-earnings ratio of 13 and EV/EBITDA of 8.4. So any offer by Staples would be earnings accretive.


text:
Wendy’s is giving its new chicken sandwich out for free, here’s how to get one
The chicken sandwich battle has its newest contender, and Wendy’s really want’s you to try theirs. That’s why they’re offering customers a free one.
The fast-food restaurant rolled out their chicken contender last week to replace the Homestyle Chicken Sandwich which has been on the menu for the last decade.
Wendy’s says their new Classic Chicken Sandwich has a crispier and juicier fried-chicken filet they’ve topped with mayo, a slice of tomato, lettuce, and pickles — all placed on a toasted bun.
“We can’t wait for our fans to get their hands on the New Classic Chicken Sandwich which has the perfect crunch from breading and pickles paired with the juiciness and flavor of the fillet,” Carl Loredo, Chief Marketing Officer for The Wendy’s Company said at the launch of the sandwich.
How to get a free Wendy’s Chicken Sandwich
If you play your cards right, you can actually get two free Wendy’s chicken sandwiches.
Wendy’s is set to run this promotion until November 8th, where customers can get a free Classic Chicken Sandwich with any other purchase made on their mobile app or at the drive-thru.
In the app, the offer can be found in their ‘Rewards Store’ under ‘Offers.’
More chicken stories:
Today’s Top Stories
- 8-year-old girl in critical condition after getting injured at Kaysville parade
- Police name ‘person of interest’ as manhunt underway for gunman after mass…
- Deuel Creek Fire starts in Centerville overnight, evacuation order lifted
- Fire officials say aerial firework caused brush fire in Saratoga Springs
- UPDATE: Shooting on TRAX platform leaves one dead, one injured
- Layton City is under extreme firework restrictions
- Man dies during performance at Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show
- UPDATE: SLCPD arrest two in connection to Sunday’s Ballpark neighborhood shooting
- Several people killed in Copenhagen mall shooting, police say
- Tooele City releases fireworks restrictions map


text:
Google has re-launched its Android market as a hub where users don’t just access apps but books, movies and music as well, calling the result Google Play.
In a post on the Google blog, director of digital content Jamie Rosenberg describes Google Play as ‘a digital entertainment destination where you can find, enjoy and share your favourite music, movies, books and apps on the web and on your Android phone or tablet’.
"Google Play is entirely cloud-based,” Rosenberg says, "so all your music, movies, books and apps are stored online, always available to you, and you never have to worry about losing them or moving them again.”
Unfortunately, only users in the US, Canada, the UK, Australia and Japan will get to experience Google Play as anything other than a rebranded Android market, as the movie, music and book sections of the site haven’t been enabled for any other countries.
However, Rosenberg says the long-term goal is to roll out as many types of content to as many people as possible around the world.
If you’re still curious you can check out what’s new in Google Play here.


text:
The average fruit juices and smoothies contains at least twice as much sugar as drinks which will be subject to new Government taxes, a BMJ study reveals.
The research on 158 drinks led by the University of Liverpool found that the average juice drink contains 5.6 g of sugar per 100ml – meaning it would just cross the threshold to be affected by new planned taxes.
But pure fruit juices – which will be exempt from George Osborne’s tax – contained twice this amount, while smoothies, also not covered, had even more sugar in them, the major study found.
Researchers called on manufacturers to cut their sugar content, or covered by the new taxes.
They said fruit juices and smoothies should no longer be included as part of “five a day” consumption.


text:
VIENNA –Mfg. Poland Sp. z o.o. reintroduces a third production shift at its plant in Gliwice.
The factory went to two shifts in January 2009 as a result of the global economic crisis. The plant has hired 630 temporary employees to work the extra shift.
The production increase at Gliwice is driven by the market success of the new, fourth-generation Opel Astra hatchback, manufactured in Poland, as well as atCo.’s U.K. plant in Ellesmere Port.
GM Poland also produces the third-generation Astra sedan and Zafira multipurpose vehicle.
While there is no official forecast for output at Gliwice this year, Polish press reports suggest the plant will produce more than 160,000 vehicles.
Last year, the factory built 96,697 cars, down 43.6% from 2008.
In related news, Adam Opel GmbH says in a statement it will increase production this year of its Corsa small car by 16,000 units, beginning immediately.
Opel’s plant in Eisenach, Germany, will build 9,000 additional units, while another 7,000 more than initially targeted will come from the auto maker’s Zaragoza, Spain, facility.


text:
By Matthew Chapman2014-07-30T14:32:00
DIY retailer Wickes is doubling the number of branded products it sells in response to customer demand as it eyes further store openings.
Please sign in now if you have a subscription
Retail Week is the most trusted source of business intelligence for the retail industry. Subscribe now to enjoy:
Discover Retail Week subscribe now
Please note, if you have recently purchased a subscription, it may take a few minutes before your account is updated.


text:
Matt Weafer’s dream of owning his own restaurant came true in February, when he and his wife, Jessica, bought Niko’s Bakery & Cafe in Wesleyan Park Plaza from the Nousiadis family.
Then, a month later, they had to close the dining room when the coronavirus pandemic hit.
“It didn’t feel like we had made a good decision,” Weafer said last week. “It was a very stressful time. But we went into survival mode and tried to think of everything people might want.”
He said, “We started selling family meals, added a butcher shop with local meats, have coffee from local roasters and created burger and meal prep kits for people to fix at home.”
And suddenly, the lemons that the pandemic threw at the Weafers turned into lemonade.
The building on the south side of Wesleyan Park Plaza “was built to handle everything the pandemic threw at us with a drive up and online ordering,” he said. “We’ve been busier during this pandemic than we were before. We offer something that people have been wanting.”
Niko’s was so busy that the Weafers had to hire three more people to handle all the business, bringing the staff to 18.
In February, 80% of the business was in the 36-seat dining room.
Today, Weafer said, 60% is drive-thru.
“One of the biggest challenges we had before this was to make people aware of the drive-thru and our app,” he saiid. “Now, the app is about 50% of our orders. It’s so handy.”
The small dining room could accommodate 18 people now, based on 50% seating capacity.
But Weafter said, “We’re keeping the tables six feet apart, so we can’t handle that many.”
He said, “A lot of restaurants can’t survive on 33% of capacity or even 50%.”
That’s why having the drive-thru window was so important.
“Lunch is our busiest meal,” Weafer said. “But we’re selling twice as many pastries as before in the mornings. Saturday 8 a.m. is really busy.”
He said, “We took special orders on Easter and cars were lined up all the way across the parking lot to Kroger.”
Weafer said Wesleyan Park Plaza merchants are planning a block party this summer with live music.
The restaurant has added works by local artists that are available for purchase.
“Cole Fogle, one of our baristas, is one of the artists featured now,” Weafer said. “Kelsey Boarman is the other. We’ll keep rotating it.”
He said, “I’m blown away by all the local coffee enthusiasts. We have Stave, Big Turkey Foot and Mylke. It’s all great coffee.”
Weafer said, “We’ve had huge requests for vegan food and vegan soup.”
The restaurant sells products at the Owensboro Regional Farmers Market.
“It’s doing surprisingly well this year,” Weafer said.
He said, “We love this part of town. We’re centrally located and things are happening here again.”
Keith Lawrence, 270-691-7301 email@example.com


text:
BMW India extends special-service support for flood-affected customers in Mumbai
BMW India has announced special aftersales support for flood-affected BMW customers in Mumbai. A special task force of certified technicians and service advisers has been deployed at various service points for a wide variety of comprehensive checks to bring vehicles back on roads. BMW India has also prioritized ordering of all spare parts for Mumbai dealership workshops to support flood-affected vehicles. Here's more.
We stand with our customers in meeting any challenges: BMW
Vikram Pawah, President, BMW Group India said, "The torrential rainfall in Mumbai recently is alarming due to flooding of low lying areas. We stand with our customers in meeting any challenges they might have to face due to inclement weather conditions." BMW India has taken special steps to ensure that its customers receive a prompt response to their service and insurance requirements, he added.
Don't attempt to restart engine of stalled vehicles, says BMW
In regards to the insurance process, both BMW-authorized dealers and BMW India have arranged daily visits of surveyors of both BMW partnered and non-BMW collaborated insurance companies. This will provide ground support for the faster assessment and processing of insurance formalities. BMW India has advised customers not to attempt to re-start the engine of a stalled vehicle to avoid damages to the engine.


text:
Braking news: Tesla preps firmware fling to 'fix' Model 3's inability to stop in time
Auto auto slammed for garbage stopping distance
Tesla is to issue a firmware update before the weekend for its Model 3 to deal with a critical brake weakness that was highlighted by US website Consumer Reports.
The publication found lots to like about the 'leccy saloon, particularly its record-setting range and insanely fast acceleration – but when it came to slowing down the vehicle, concerns emerged.
Consumer Reports said its testers “found flaws – big flaws – such as long stopping distances in our emergency braking test and difficult-to-use controls.”
The stopping distance of 152 feet from 60mph was “far worse” than any of the 500 “contemporary” cars the publication has previously put through their paces. And it was “about seven feet longer than the stopping distance of a Ford F-150 full-sized pickup”.
For its part, Tesla said its own tests showed an average stopping distance of 133 feet based on a 60mph speed.
According to the UK's Highway Code, the typical stopping distance locally is measured at 73 metres, 240 feet or 18 car lengths.
The main Musketeer, a man called Elon, responded to the finding in the best way he knew how, via Twitter.
Looks like this can be fixed with a firmware update. Will be rolling that out in a few days. With further refinement, we can improve braking distance beyond initial specs. Tesla won’t stop until Model 3 has better braking than any remotely comparable car.— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 22, 2018
The Tesla boss also pointed out that Consumer Reports had an “early production car. Model 3 now has improved ride comfort, lower wind noise and many other small improvements. Will request that they test current production”.
He went on to say that all Model 3s “will have same great braking ability” but the “Nature of any product, however, is that if you care about perfection, you make constant small refinements. Today’s Model 3 is far more refined than initial production."
Luckily Elon didn’t find any of the questions he fielded on Twitter to be boring. His explanation for the variability in stopping distances was related to the “ABS calibration algorithm”. ®


text:
President Joe Biden signed an executive order Wednesday designed to make U.S. supply chains more resilient and secure.
Problems with the current system were exposed by the pandemic, when, for example, we saw shortages of protective gear like medical masks and in the auto industry, which is hurting for semiconductors. These products are mostly made in Asia.
In the order, the administration promised to examine some of those critical sectors to find out what the vulnerabilities are and come up with ideas to fix them.
The action was spurred not just by the face mask shortfall during the pandemic. The order is about the future of U.S. competitiveness.
The White House fact sheet stated, “The United States must ensure that production shortages, trade disruptions, natural disasters and potential actions by foreign competitors and adversaries never leave the United States vulnerable again.”
Improving the situation involves altering global supply chains. It won’t be easy, but there are tools we can use, said Steven Vogel, who chairs the political economy program at the University of California, Berkeley.
“It could be stockpiling certain things, in some cases it could be trying to create domestic manufacturing capacity where there isn’t in a particular niche,” Vogel said.
Practically speaking, that means public funding for research and development, or it could mean having the government promise to buy a strategic product. For example, the U.S. promised to buy COVID-19 vaccines before they were developed. That propped up pharmaceutical companies.
There are lots of other options. According to C.J. Muse at Evercore ISI, “It’s tax subsidies, it’s providing incentives to making investments here, so I would like to see Washington, D.C., get creative.”
In the past, the U.S. has relaxed antitrust rules to encourage companies that normally compete with one another to work together on research. When it comes to supply chains, making them reliable doesn’t mean going it alone.
Arthur Herman, senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, suggested: “Making a secure supply chain for critical industries doesn’t necessarily mean everything has to be made in the 48 states, or even the 50 states.”
Herman said that even the Pentagon relies on a handful of trusted countries like Canada and the U.K. to supply materials.
But rearranging global supply chains and nurturing sensitive industries isn’t some small side project.
Asia’s highest-tech semiconductor manufacturers, for example, invested hundreds of billions of dollars and took multiple decades to get where they are today.
Marketplace is on a mission.
We believe Main Street matters as much as Wall Street, economic news is made relevant and real through human stories, and a touch of humor helps enliven topics you might typically find…well, dull.
Through the signature style that only Marketplace can deliver, we’re on a mission to raise the economic intelligence of the country—but we don’t do it alone. We count on listeners and readers like you to keep this public service free and accessible to all. Will you become a partner in our mission today?


text:
Jun 25, 2015
MachineryMax is proud to announce our expansion into Ontario Canada. We have settled on Toronto, ON for our Canadian headquarters and warehouse.
Mar 11, 2015
MachineryMax is proud to announce our expansion into the Southeast. We have settled on North Carolina for our East coast headquarters and warehouse.
Jul 30, 2013
MachineryMax.Com attends the AWFS show in Las Vegas NV and had a Very Succesful show.
Feb 02, 2013
MachineryMax.Com has released a new online auction calendar. Now you can stay up to date on auctions ending on specific dates. Never miss an auction again by using the automatic reminder feature.


text:
Microsoft has unveiled a new LTE variant for those that want to use the convertible PC even more on the go. The Surface Go has been paired with the Qualcomm X16 modem, which is the same modem they used in the Surface Pro LTE.
The new Surface Go LTE is available online for pre-order now, starting at $679, which is a $130 increase over the same 8 GB / 128 GB Wi-Fi model, or $729 for commercial customers which will probably mean a bump up to Windows 10 Pro.
The new model will be available in 23 markets by November 22, and more are coming after that.
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. will invest about $28 billion, over the next three ye…


text:
Johannesburg – David Makgatho, 61, is the latest victim to fall prey to the card-not-present (CNP) scam when an amount of R8 500 was fraudulently removed from his account while he had the card with him.
According to an Accenture 2020 report, there has been a 100% increase in mobile banking application fraud and a 79.5% increase in card-not-present (CNP) fraud on South African-issued credit cards, making this scam the leading contributor to gross fraud losses in the country.
The report says that R2.2 billion a year is lost to cybercrime in South Africa – ranked third among countries with the most cybercrime victims worldwide – owing to the low investment in cybersecurity and inadequate cybercrime legislation.
Makgatho should know this because he believes his card was cloned to access his Standard Bank accounts, transferring money from one account to another using the CNP scam, before withdrawing the funds.
He said that on the same day after he withdrew…


text:
LOS GATOS, Calif., May 20 (UPI) -- Netflix Inc., the U.S. online movie rental service, says it is selling a device that allows subscribers to stream movies and TV shows from a digital library.
The Netflix Player by Roku enables Netflix subscribers to instantly stream movies and TV episodes from Netflix directly to their television sets via the Internet.
Priced at $99.99, the player is available for purchase at http://www.roku.com/netflixplayer.
Netflix and Roku said the player is simple to install and to use, and gives Netflix members instant access to more than 10,000 movies and TV episodes.
"The key breakthroughs of The Netflix Player by Roku are simplicity and cost," Reed Hastings, chairman and CEO of Netflix, said in a statement. "First, it allows consumers to use the full power of the Netflix Web site to choose movies for their instant Queue, and then automatically displays only those choices on the TV screen. That's a major improvement versus the clutter of trying to choose from 10,000 films on the TV. Second, there are no extra charges and no viewing restrictions. For a one-time purchase of $99, Netflix members can watch as much as they want and as often as they want without paying more or impacting the number of DVDs they receive."


text:
News tagged ‘MacBook Pro’
Just a couple of moments ago at the WWDC keynote, Apple has announced new MacBook models. The company has refreshed the entire lineup of its laptops, including the 12-inch MacBook, both 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro, and even the 13-inch MacBook Air that was last updated in 2015.
Several new rumors related to the upcoming iOS 9 and its features have recently appeared on the Internet. According to these rumors, the guys from Cupertino are currently planning to add the support of Force Touch technology to the next iteration of their mobile operating system. In case you don’t know, the aforementioned technology was first introduced in the Apple Watch and the 13-inch MacBook Pro released last month.
It is Sunday today, which means it is time for me to tell you about the most interesting posts of the past seven days. Let’s take a look at these articles right now.
As you probably know, Apple may release the next-generation iPhone as soon as this August or September. Yesterday, a new report appeared online, which gives us some more details on the smartphone and its technical specifications. The document was released by the TrendForce reporters. According to this report, the next-generation iPhone will get 32GB of internal storage, 2GB of RAM and the support of Force Touch technology, which was first introduced in the Apple Watch and the 13-inch MacBook Pro. Just like the previous reports from reliable sources, this one suggests that there will be two iPhone models with 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch displays.
Apple on Tuesday released the 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro and the 27-inch iMac with an amazing 5K display. The release took place one day earlier than we expected. As you know, rumors pointed to the official launch of the aforementioned devices on Wednesday.
Yesterday I told you about the possible shift in Apple's usual product update cycle due to the release of the 15-inch MacBook Pro and the 27-inch iMac this Wednesday. Today a new rumor appeared on the Internet that suggests that the guys from Cupertino may release the next-generation iPhone as soon as in August instead of September. The reason for such an early release of the device is probably connected with the good supply of components for the handset called presumably the iPhone 6s or iPhone 7.
According to the latest report from MacG, the guys from Cupertino may release a brand new 15-inch MacBook Pro as well as the 27-inch iMac as soon as this Wednesday. The report goes in line with the previous rumors suggesting that Apple is working on the updated versions of its laptop and desktop. Still, earlier it was believer that these devices will be announced at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference scheduled for June. If the latest rumor turns out to be true, we’ll see a shift in Apple’s usual update cycle.
It is Sunday today, that is why I’ve made up a list of the most interesting articles of the last seven days, which I want to share with you. Let’s not waste time and take a look at this list right now.
The shipping times for many 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro models have recently begun slipping to 2 or 3 weeks. This indicates that the supplies of the high-end laptop continue to decline. It’s true that the guys from Cupertino may unveil a brand new 15-inch MacBook Pro model with a Broadwell processor inside at the Worldwide Developers Conference scheduled for June. However, keeping in mind that these chips are currently deeply constrained, I don’t think that the official announcement is imminent.
According to a new patent application published earlier today, Apple’s Force Touch technology may be improved in future to allow users’ fingers to “feel” different textures, for example, wood or metal. Looks like the guys from Cupertino plan to add a special hardware component capable of simulating the surface of a certain material using different vibrations and temperatures. Frankly speaking, currently I don’t understand the purpose of creating such a technology, however, Apple will surely find a good application for it.
It is Sunday today, which means it is high time I told you about the most interesting posts of the past seven days. Let’s not waste our time and take a look at the articles I have selected for you right now.
A small number of 2015 MacBook Pro users have recently begun complaining about minor user interface lags and freezes on OS X Yosemite. While the number of these users is small, it continues to grow steadily and that is a problem.
It is Sunday today, which means it’s high time I told you about the most interesting posts of the last seven days. Let’s not waste time and take a look at the articles you might like right now.
Looks like the guys from Cupertino have finally received all the required approvals from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission. This means nothing prevents Apple from making its long-anticipated Apple Watch available for U.S. customers. In case you don’t know, the wearable device will hit the store shelves in the USA and a number of other countries as soon as on April 24th.
Apple on Monday seeded the fourth beta of OS X Yosemite 10.10.3 to registered developers and public beta testers. The release came only a couple of days after the release of the third OS X 10.10.3 beta and nearly a month after the release of the very first beta of this version of Apple’s operating system for desktops.


text:
Sasta bazaars fail to deliver relief to citizens
RAWALPINDI: Ramazan Sasta bazaars have failed to provide relief to the citizens, as the prices of daily-use items have no much difference compared to the open market rates.
The Rawal Town administration has set up six Ramazan Sasta bazaars at Liaquat Bagh, Murree Road, Haideri Chowk, Sadiqabad, Committee Chowk and Awan Market Khiaban-e-Sir Syed.
Total 19 Ramazan Sasta bazaars are established in Rawalpindi out of which eight bazaars are in Rawalpindi city and Cantonment.
According to citizens, most of the food items are available in Ramazan Sasta bazaars but with meagre price differences. The bazaars at various points of the town, including Committee Chowk and model bazaar at Liaquat Bagh, have failed to deliver any relief to the masses and could not attract the citizens. Most of the people were also complaining of sub-standard food items.
On the other hand, Utility Stores Corporation (USC) subsidise shops have insufficient stock of some items.
Likewise, during a visit to different Utility Stores in the city, it was observed that most of the outlets were facing shortage of items such as sugar and gram flour. Prices of other commodities were also not much different from prices in the open market. Many people visited the bazaars to buy sugar and flour on subsidised rates but returned disappointed.
The citizens alleged that some managers of the USC outlets were selling subsidised sugar to retailers in the open market. According to the DCO Rawalpindi, district government was trying to control the prices of the commodities at Ramazan Sasta baazars to extend maximum relief to the masses in this holy month. “Meat, poultry and flour are available on subsidised rates in different Sasta Baazars,” he added.
He said special teams were constituted to check the quality and rates of food and they were conducting raids on a daily basis.
The DCO said Ramazan Sasta bazaars were set up to provide relief to citizens on special directives of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. Solid steps are being taken by the Rawalpindi district administration for the provision of quality products to the consumers, he added.


text:
A sell-off in the broader stock market may still be fresh in many investors' minds, particularly those who had a portfolio weighted toward growth and tech. However, some stocks haven't just recovered from the sell-off but soared to new highs.
Two examples of companies with surging stocks in 2019 are fast-casual chain Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) and customer service platform Zendesk (NYSE: ZEN). Shares of these two companies have jumped 66% and 49% year to date, respectively, fueled by strong growth in their underlying businesses.
Here's a look at their momentum.
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Chipotle stock's surge in 2019 has been driven by the company's strong fourth- and first-quarter results.
In February, Chipotle announced that it had returned to growth in comparable restaurant transactions. Transactions were up 2% in the company's fourth quarter of 2018, driving overall comparable restaurant sales 6.1% higher. This continued in the company's first quarter; Chipotle announced late last month that its first-quarter comparable transactions were up 5.8%, helping the fast-casual restaurant deliver 9.9% comparable restaurant sales growth -- the best growth Chipotle has seen in this metric in four years.
Of course, with comparable sales growth like this, it's no surprise that revenue and operating income are rising sharply, too. Chipotle's first-quarter revenue and operating income increased 13.9% and 19% year over year, respectively.
Chipotle expects more strong growth throughout 2019. Management guided for comparable sales for the full year to rise by a mid to high single-digit percentage rate.
Zendesk's soaring revenue, improving non-GAAP earnings per share, and robust free cash flow have helped investors' long-term outlook for the stock.
Shares surged 15% in one day in February, following better-than-expected fourth-quarter results. The company's year-over-year quarterly revenue growth rate accelerated to an impressive 41% -- up from 38% growth in the third quarter of 2018.
Strong business growth has continued into 2019. Revenue in the company's first quarter increased 39.8% year over year to $181.5 million. Non-GAAP earnings per share doubled, rising from $0.02 in the year-ago quarter to $0.04.
Notably, Zendesk's free cash flow is rising sharply. The key free cash flow metric, which is equal to cash from operations less capital expenditures, increased 98% year over year to $36.3 million in 2018. And now management is guiding for 2019 free cash flow between $55 million and $65 million.
"Demand for our products remains strong as companies around the world, large and small, seek to transform their businesses by adopting modern software architectures and applications," said Zendesk management in the company's first-quarter shareholder letter.


text:
Santa Ynez Valley restaurant weeks is now underway and in its 10th year.
Nearly three dozen restaurants are offering three-course meals for $20.20, excluding tax and tip.
Some wineries are offering wine and small bite pairings for the same price. Reservations are highly recommended.
Restaurant week runs through January 31.
For a full list of restaurant menus and tasting room offers click here.


text:
One in two consumers say booking with a reputable travel agent or company is now more important in the wake of coronavirus.
This is increasingly important for those aged 55 and over, according to Mail Metro Media exclusive research presented at today’s Clia River Cruise Conference.
More than half of people will also be looking for guarantees from their agent or travel firm, rising to 66% for the older age group.
The implications of catching Covid or being ill on holiday is the top travel concern revealed in the research followed by companies’ refund policies.
Other issues in order of priority include staying safe in transit, emergency assistance by insurance providers, travel firms going bust, staying safe on holiday, restrictions in destinations, holiday cancelations, re-booking policies, availability of emergency assistance, staying safe at the airport, emergency assistance offered by government and changing travel advice impacting holidays.
An overall safety net is seen as being more important than before, including appropriate insurance cover, confidence in being able to get home during an emergency, good health systems in destinations as well as travelling to places not badly impacted by the virus.
The least important factor is choosing a sustainable or eco-friendly travel company.
Other less important factors include no-fly holidays, convenience of departures airport, holiday cost and getting away from as many people as possible.
Most people surveyed want travel companies to show how they are protecting customers; how to travel safely and to detail refund and cancellation policies, according to the study.
The river cruise sector is perceived to be resilient but there are worries around costs, crowding and changing rules while quarantine restrictions are a real barrier to booking.
Only 20% of people have booked holidays for next year, a third will spend longer researching trips then previously and 20% will book closer to the point of departure.
Emphasising traveller reassurance, the research said: “Short term concerns over health need to be mitigated and processes explained, particularly for 55-plus audiences.”
This is a community-moderated forum.
All post are the individual views of the respective commenter and are not the expressed views of Travel Weekly.
By posting your comments you agree to accept our Terms & Conditions.


text:
Pizza lovers’ hearts broke on Monday as Cottlesloe’s Canteen Pizza closed its coastal doors for the last time — but the team has promised it won’t be for long as they get ready to fire up the oven at a new venue south of the river.
The beachfront pizzeria announced via social media last week that it would be embarking on a new venture to Applecross, and The West Australian can reveal exactly where you’ll be able to find the new store.
Works are underway to revamp the former Inside Realty building at 32 Ardross Street — opposite the Good Grocer IGA — to make the space ready for the new dine-in and takeaway hotspot.
Owner of neighbouring Crumbs Patisserie, Julia Buri, is thrilled with Canteen Pizza’s choice for their new home.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.READ NOW
“Applecross people love Italian food and we are so excited,” Ms Buri said.
“When I started Crumbs I told people that I wanted to create a community with the businesses here. Some people say there are too many cafes here but I say the more the merrier.
“This is what the strip needs and what the community need. We need a little bit more nightlife and I think it’ll make a perfect addition to the area.”
While Canteen Pizza has kept it quiet on when they anticipate being ready to open to the public, Ms Buri believes they will be ready “in early May”.
The former home of the pizzeria on Marine Parade Cottesloe is being redeveloped this year into a five-storey apartment block.
Posting to their Instagram account on March 4, the Canteen crew explained they were excited about “what lies ahead for the best beach-side pizza joint in WA”.
“When Canteen Pizza opened in Cottesloe in 2017, the plan was to run a little pop-up until we opened a brand-new, beachy iteration in a new building. Five and a half years later… it’s been pizza, wine, and a real good time,” they shared.
“The property’s redevelopment has been long in the making, but now the time has finally arrived.
“A huge thank you to our incredible team, past pizza hustlers, and all our fabulous guests over the years. Stay tuned and watch this space for updates on fresh Canteen Pizza pop-ups and our new joint in Applecross.”


text:
Movement to Develop XML Standards
For Ad Industry Picks Up Steam
by Pamela Parker, InternetNews.com
Have you ever faxed an advertising insertion order or received one in an overnight delivery? If so, it's no surprise. Even though Internet advertising revolves around bits and bytes, the most crucial transactions are still often made on paper.
That's why 46 industry people from 29 different companies got together in December to discuss a solution to that problem.
These people, who hail from companies like Flycast Communications (FCST), DoubleClick (DCLK), Solbright, OpenGrid, and Winstar Interactive (WCII), established an organization to try to come up with digital standards for exchanging information like ad sizes, numbers of impressions, and types of ads.
In recent weeks, the action at adXML.org, so named because the XML language is central to the process, has heated up, as the group gets closer to releasing the beta version of the standard.
"It's ironic that the advertising industry still relies on fax and overnight delivery to try and drive a medium that should be totally electronic," said Gregory Raifman, chairman and chief executive officer of Mediaplex (MPLX).
"The adXML.org's mission is to create an 'open exchange,' like an XML-based commodities exchange, that gives the industry the ability to buy and sell the stock of its trade -- time and space -- in real time."
Mediaplex started the initiative because, as a media buying firm, it was dealing with the problems of inefficiencies and human error as it bought space on Internet sites. The company still sponsors adXML.org, but it hopes to eventually bring in other companies to help with the expense.
"The long term vision is that the organization stands on its own," said Ken Kucera, vice president of strategic business development at Mediaplex.
XML is a metalanguage, providing self-describing information. Within the language itself, there are ways to describe what is being described, which means that, given the correct translating software, it can easily be imported into whatever software the agency, publisher, or advertiser is using to manage its advertising.
The development of such a standard is especially important for the burgeoning wireless and broadband markets. Because there is currently no standard governing size or placement of ads in these new media, it's important to find a way to communicate those parameters.
With XML, information about size, placement and the type of ad can be built into the order (or request for orders) themselves. So an XML standard could, theoretically, provide the industry with a way to communicate effectively about all of the new kinds of ads that are popping up -- in handheld devices,
on wireless phones, in elevators, at kiosks at airports, and on refrigerators. Since developers of wireless advertising eventually hope to target ads to people depending on where they are physically located -- a McDonald's ad, for example, would appear when someone was walking past the restaurant -- that kind of information could be communicated, as well.
"We felt it was important that adXML had a real-time component," said Jens Horstmann, president of OpenGrid, a wireless company that's participating in adXML.org.
"The opportunity here is to build a standard before a de facto standard falls into place. Simple things like http and HTML worked out to the benefit of everybody, and I think adXML will be one of those things."
And the vision for adXML goes well beyond digital advertising. AdXML.org hopes that it can also be used in traditional media -- print, TV, and outdoor.
The idea is that, like with http and HTML, the establishment of a standard would help everyone, and that, the more companies adopt this standard, the more valuable it will be.
"The more ubiquitous this becomes, the better it is for the industry," said Kucera. "It's good for our business, as it is for everybody's business."
Although this isn't the first time there have been efforts to create a better way of communicating, the growing use of XML is what seems to give this initiative a better chance, according to Stefan Pomerantz, senior product manager at Flycast and head of the online subcommittee of adXML.org.
"The people that I've spoken with about it seem pretty excited," Pomerantz said. "It's sparking a lot of ideas."


text:
The Scorpio Tankers fleet of about 130 tankers is active world wide, and so it is not unusual to see one of its ships in Halifax.
STI Modest, one of many MidRange tankers in the fleet, arrived early Friday morning January 28 from Amsterdam and anchored in Bedford Basin. I am assuming it will wait out some nasty weather over the next few days before delivering cargo to Irving Oil.
The scrubber fitted ship was built by Hyundai Vinashin Shipyard Co in Ninh Hoa, Vietnam in 2019. It is a 29,991 gt, 47,499 dwt product tanker.
In an unintended pun, owners Scorpio Tankers recently announced the sale of 16 of its tankers to Singapore based Hafnia Tankers to "increase liquidity". Certainly the half billion US dollar price tag will return a lot of cash to Scorpio, but Scorpio's capacity to carry liquid cargo is reduced by 10% - a reduction in liquidity ?
For more detail on the complicated deal see Hafnia's press release
Scorpio is publicly traded in the NYSE. Chairman and CEO is Emanuele A. Lauro. Hafnia is the world's largest product tanker owner and is listed on the Oslo stock exchange.


text:
When it comes to cloud services, Amazon and Microsoft are the leaders and Google is a distant third. But, during the past year or so, Google has been slowly ramping up its efforts to become a bigger player in this segment and by acquiring Orbitera, they are taking another small step to taking market share away from Amazon and Microsoft.
Orbitera has announced that they have been acquired by Google; the company specializes in making it easier to buy and sell cloud based enterprise software and services. With this acquisition, Google is streamlining its sales and services model which is a critical step for ramping up its cloud platform and making it easier to service its customers.
Gartner has recently released its IaaS rankings where it listed Amazon as the industry leader with Microsoft close behind. Both of these companies were in the upper right quadrant and were termed ‘leaders’ whereas Google was ranked third and is listed as a ‘visionary’.
From the report by Gartner, only Google is listed in the bottom right quadrant with all other players, like IBM, VMWare and many others listed as niche players. Seeing as Google is the only vendor to be in the visionaries quadrant shows that they are the challenger to watch as they are ramping up services and infrastructure to take on both Microsoft and Amazon.
Amazon, Microsoft and now Google are spending billions to build out their cloud services as that segment of the industry continues to grow rapidly. With only two, and eventually three large players in this segment, due to the significant capital expenditures required to compete in this segment, both Amazon and Microsoft have been rewarded for their efforts and Google is hoping to follow a similar path.
For both consumers and corporations, the faster that Google can ramp up its cloud services to be at the same, or near the same level, as Amazon and Microsoft, the better it will be for the market. Having options for where you host your infrastructure and services is always a good thing and typically results in the price of these products being driven down while the pace of innovation increases as each company tries to stay one step ahead of the competition.


text:
Want to join the conversation?
Eddie Plank with Jefferies asks about what's happening in the Diane von Furstenberg line. $CAL CEO Diane Sullivan said it's been so far so good. There's been not a lot of business out there right now, it's about 200 doors. $CAL is excited about a new appointment, which had a bit of a turnover at the design level.
$PYPL jumps 6% in after hours on strong results. I am bullish on this stock.
$TSCO stock remained active in the after hours trading and rose more than 2% after the retailer posted better than expected 1Q17 results.
Instagram has reached 700 million monthly active users. Looks like it will hit 1 billion soon. That would make it $FB’s fourth billion-user platform.


text:
Rocket Internet’s fashion e-commerce marketplace ZALORA sure showed everyone in Singapore how a pop-up store should be like.
Samsung Galaxy tablets positioned near every rack, showcasing clothes adorned by models; computers with barcode scanners for those who would like to purchase immediately; and free WiFi in the entire store for customers to check out styling tips. Furthermore, it was located in one of the most expensive parts of town – ION Orchard.
But to call it a “digital interactive pop-up store” and have only all that to boast was a tad disappointing.
We had expected more from an online brand like ZALORA. What about mirrors that can detect clothing and take your photograph, a loyalty point system where you can scan barcodes with just a mobile phone and win rewards, or even an indoor GPS system that knows exactly where you are in the store?
Personal experience with the barcode scanners was a huge let down as well. After much browsing, I found a blue work skirt in one of the many hanging racks only to realise the “SKU did not match”. A friend asked, “Why not just type it in?” Sure, one could do that, but what’s the point? Isn’t convenience one of the biggest selling points of shopping online?
Back to my point, the shop was never an attempt to display its technological prowess, despite the words “digital” and “interactive” in the headline of a press invite; the store was “designed to increase awareness of the site among local consumers”, said Tito Costa, Regional Managing Director, ZALORA, in conversation with the Wall Street Journal.
Dione Song, Marketing Director, ZALORA Singapore, however, said, “The ZALORA Shop at ION is as much about us introducing ZALORA as both a retailer and a brand with our own recently re-launched private label, ZALORA Collection to shoppers, as it is about us really pushing the boundaries of consumer behaviour and challenging the dichotomy between online and offline retail.”
A physical space, she added, allows the brand to reinforce the concept of retail trust — that the clothes are real, without defects and are the right fit. It also reduces the number of returns and exchanges, which improves efficiency. Customers will also be happy to know that purchases will be delivered to their doorstep; they will not have to lug heavy shopping bags around.
“E-commerce is still the heart of our business, perhaps in the future, but not for now. But, we’ll see,” said Song, when asked about whether ZALORA will ever have a permanent physical store.
Next time, just call it a showroom with computers and tablets, ZALORA.
*The ZALORA Shop @ ION Orchard is located at #B2-04/05. It will operate from 10 am to 10 pm daily till the end of January 2015, according to an official press document.


text:
There’s a new shop in town dedicated to gender expression and affirming gear. Urbasics is an online outpost created by local transwoman Ashley Grullon and her mother Eileen Bonetti. Their goal is to address the need for a one-stop shop for supplies for trans and gender non-conforming people.
“[Urbasics] is the kind of store I wish I could have had,” says Grullon of when she began transitioning. She says she struggled to find local stores that could get her the items she was looking for at affordable prices and instead would have to order them from the U.S. and pay associated duties and shipping costs.
“We were trying to find a one-stop shop for everything you need,” says Bonetti. “We didn’t find that so we decided to be the solution.”
The idea for the store came to Grullon in the middle of the pandemic, which is the reason the shop is currently online only. It had its soft launch on March 26, 2021 and features products from well known brands like banana prosthetics and includes packers, STPs, pumps, dilators, and binders. With the shop’s official launch in early May, the site’s contents will broaden to include items from the Urbasics brand — a collection which was “designed with the gender spectrum in mind, whether you’re on the gender spectrum or not.”
The upcoming Urbasics collection will come in non-standard sizes. The transfem collection launches this month and the transmasc collection will launch in June.
“Our bras and bralettes are unlike the ones you find in the department store and are designed for wider ribs. This comes from the experience of shopping for Ashley and never finding a good fit,” says Bonetti. “We wanted more variety so that folks early in their transition, or people who want to wear breast forms, have that capability.”
The collection will also cater to people in every age range. “I know as a parent that there is a need for underwear for kids at 11, 12, and even younger and we’re gonna have that. We wanted to cater to younger folks because we see that people are coming out at younger ages and that the trans and non-binary communities have more visibility,” says Bonetti.
Grullon says when she first began transitioning four or five years ago, she couldn’t find items that hit all three criteria of affordable, comfortable and affirming. That is the driving force behind Grullon and Bonetti’s efforts to make items at Urbasics both cost efficient and inclusive.
To ensure the affordability of the collection, the pair has negotiated with manufacturers in order to pass the savings onto their clients. This is so that clients have the financial capability to purchase more than one of the same item, something difficult to do when gaffs cost up to $39 on Etsy.
Simultaneously, according to Bonetti, “[the] collection will have similar or better quality items [than you can] get from the U.S.” The site strives to educate clients on which items are right for them, how to choose size and style, and how to take care of their products. “We wanted to be a store and also a source of education.”
As a charitable initiative, Urbasics is selling pins on Flamingo Market. All of the proceeds from the pins go to Binders OUT, a Toronto organization that enables binder access for folks who cannot afford it. The pins can be purchased here, and donations (material or monetary) to Binders OUT can be made here.
For those that are new to shopping for these items, Grullon says: “I know how hard it can be starting out with all these options and not knowing what to get or what will be best for you. We definitely want to be there to help people with that.”
For questions about Urbasics items, email firstname.lastname@example.org.


text:
Sony is reportedly redesigning its PlayStation Network (PSN) user interface as part of a major rebranding operation to counteract the fallout from a month-long network outage. The outage began in April of this year after hackers gained access to PSN servers and potentially compromised the personal details of 77 million users.
It’s thought that the prolonged outage resulted in the PSN losing 10 million users, not to mention millions in lost earnings and subsequent compensation deals.
PC Magazine are reporting that Sony is planning a PSN “design upgrade that could transform the online environment into a more image-driven layout along the lines of Xbox Live and Steam”. The words “de-clutter” are also used to describe the updated user interface (UI), or the PlayStation XMB (XrossMediaBar) as it is known.
The new-look XMB will include an overhauled search feature, a “deals of the week” section, and a movie section that will provide “IMDB-style” data for selected films.
Earlier this week we reported that Sony may also release its next generation PlayStation 4 console towards the end of 2012.


text:
Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products.
Tesla delivered 310,048 vehicles over the first three months of 2022, the automaker announced on Saturday. “This was an exceptionally difficult quarter due to supply chain interruptions and China Zero-Covid policy,” Musk said on Twitter shortly after Tesla shared the news.
This was an *exceptionally* difficult quarter due to supply chain interruptions & China zero Covid policy.
Outstanding work by Tesla team & key suppliers saved the day.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 2, 2022
Last month saw the company suspend production at its Shanghai Gigafactory, its largest manufacturing facility, twice. Despite those hiccups, the 310,048 vehicles Tesla delivered in Q1 represent a 68 percent year-on-year increase from Q1 2021 when the company shipped approximately 184,400 cars. According to Tesla, the Model 3 and Model Y made up the majority of its deliveries in Q1 2022, with 295,324 of those cars making their way to consumers since the start of the year. Over the same time frame, the company produced 305,407 vehicles, a not insignificant feat when you consider the supply chain issues that have affected Tesla and many other automakers.
Q1 also saw Tesla begin shipping vehicles from its $5.5 billion Gigafactory in Grenheide, Germany. The company plans to eventually produce 500,000 cars per year from the plant.


text:
Most AT&T iPhone owners have been waiting for any word from their beloved carrier regarding the activation of MMS and as it turns out, AT&T just notified us personally to make sure we pass on the good word that MMS will be available on the iPhone on September 25th.
Has AT&T been delaying the US launch of iPhone 3.0's MMS and tethering services due to concerns about their network being able to handle it? Um, yeah, that would have been our guess... The New York Times, however, states it as fact:
[AT&T] has also delayed bandwidth-heavy features like multimedia messaging, or text messages containing pictures, audio or video. It is also postponing tethering, which allows the iPhone to share its Internet connection with a computer, a standard feature on many rival smartphones. AT&T says it has no intention of capping how much data iPhone owners use.
Lars Ulrich rejoice, Napster will NOT be heading into Apple's coveted App Store any time soon. Strange considering they once toyed with our emotions by mentioning an iPhone app was in the works? Sadly, unlike Spotify, it is just not going to happen anytime in the near future. Did Apple reject it? No, so do not go ditching your iPhone for a Android or RIM device just yet -- Napster have scrapped apps for those devices as well.
Dieter and Derek of the PreCentral.net PalmCast invited me on to throw down on the topic of iPhone vs. Palm Pre, App Store vs. App Catalog, virtual vs. tiny tic-tac keyboard, and other assorted controversies. (No smartphones were hurt during the recording, however). Listen in!
Apple has gone and shocked the world again as, according to the company's Twitter feed, popular VoIP service Vonage has been approved for the iTunes App Store.
Vonage has announced that Apple approved its mobile application for iPhone and iPod Touch. Vonage is currently conducting a beta test and general availability will be announced at a later date. This new service, along with the recent launch of the Vonage World unlimited calling plan, continues Vonage's heritage of using innovative technology to create significant value for its current and future customers.
Rumors of an iTablet continue to gain steam while Apple boats a metric ton of refinements for their new Mac OS X Snow Leopard release, including better performance and smaller footprint, then goes and adds a new virtual keyboard that just begs to be touched...
...Ah, yeah, here come the Mac OS X Snow Leopard on iTablet stories!


text:
California bills aim to help CSAs, farmers' markets
By TIM HEARDEN
SACRAMENTO -- A pair of bills aiming to improve the marketing environment for small farms is advancing in the California Legislature.
A bill by Assemblyman Rich Gordon, D-Menlo Park, would enable community-supported agriculture businesses, or CSAs, to prepare and ship their own products without having to obtain expensive retail food permits or have commercial facilities.
Assembly Bill 224 would instead require CSA programs to register annually with their county agricultural commissioner and meet certain other standards, including properly labeling their products and keeping records.
Another bill by Assemblyman Roger Dickinson would crack down on fraud at farmers' markets by increasing penalties for misrepresenting how and where fruits, vegetables and other food items were grown.
The bills, both of which are supported by the Community Alliance with Family Farmers, are before the Assembly Appropriations Committee after having unanimously passed the chamber's Agriculture Committee on May 1.
"CSAs have not been regulated ever," said David Runsten, the Davis-based CAFF's policy director. "They're not included in direct marketing legislation. County environmental health officers discovered that and said these people need to get a retail food permit and be inspected by environmental health. That was going to cost people hundreds of dollars a year."
CSAs are a relatively new phenomenon, with the first ones starting in the early 1990s, noted Noelle Cremers, the California Farm Bureau Federation's natural resources and commodities director.
However, since 2004 the number of CSAs nationally has more than doubled, and recent estimates place their number in California at 276, Cremers told the Agriculture Committee.
The Gordon bill resulted from discussions with producers held last year by an ad hoc committee on direct marketing set up by the state Department of Food and Agriculture, Cremers told the committee.
The Dickinson bill, Assembly Bill 996, comes after a Los Angeles television station did an undercover story several years ago exposing a farmers' market vendor who was not producing what he was selling.
The bill uses a CDFA task force's recommendations to restructure and expand the requirements for certified farmers' markets and producers, according to an Agriculture Committee bill analysis.
It requires producers to declare that they are "selling what they grow," creating a claim that can be pursued by district attorneys or consumers if it turns out to be false, the analysis explains.
Among its provisions, the bill increases fines for violators and designates the money to be used for future prosecutions.
"Californians are fortunate to have the highest concentrations of farmers' markets in the nation," Dickinson said in a statement. "AB 996 will increase consumer protections and accountability at our certified farmers' markets, protect local farmers and help this growing sector of the economy continue to thrive."
Assembly Bill 224
Proposal: Define community-supported agriculture under California law and establish registration and guidelines for producers
Author: Assemblyman Rich Gordon, D-Menlo Park, http://www.asmdc.org/members/a24/
Proponents include: Community Alliance with Family Farmers, http://caff.org/
Read the bill: http://leginfo.ca.gov/
Assembly Bill 996
Proposal: Increase penalties for misrepresenting how and where foods sold at certified farmers' markets were grown
Author: Assemblyman Roger Dickinson, D-Sacramento, http://www.asmdc.org/members/a07/
Proponents include: California Federation of Certified Farmers Markets: http://www.cafarmersmarkets.com/
Read the bill: http://leginfo.ca.gov/


text:
BlackBerry’s best smartphone in a decade, has not helped the struggling smartphone company rebound.
BlackBerry sold just 600,000 of the Priv, which runs Android, between January and March. CEO John Chen blamed the poor sales on the device being “too high-end of a product” at $699. BlackBerry CEO John Chen said the company plans to release two midrange Android phones this year. One will have have a keyboard and one will have a full touchscreen.
Last month BlackBerry announced the Priv would be coming to Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint. But it looks like the company’s canceled launch plans for Sprint.
This video was produced by YT Wochit Business using http://wochit.com


text:
On Wednesday Microsoft announced that the previously expected end of year release of Internet Explorer 8 would be pushed back into 2009. IE8, which entered public beta in March has undergone scrutiny for compatibility issues but was still expected to be ready for a winter 2008 release. The news that this will no longer happen has unleashed further hostility in the community from those who have adopted Firefox.
Microsoft has touted a number of new features with the release of Internet Explorer 8 but the delay has stressed validity. The problem with many of the features, such as deleting browsing history and enhanced crash recovery is that these features have already been incorporated in competitors browser’s for years. Other features such as Web Slices feel gimmicky and not worthy of holding up a project. The most important upgrades are for security and an improved rendering engine, but again, these features have already been done. Why is it taking Microsoft so long to implement them?
The release of Windows 7 is planned for the second half of 2009 and is expected to ship with IE8. Considering the complications that would arise if the operating system shipped with a broken browser it can be expected that a standalone version will ship prior to the launch. It will be interesting to see if Microsoft can get its act together and release a product worthy of the version update by then.
For years Microsoft Internet Explorer has retained the largest market share of browsers despite falling into last place with performance. In recent years this has begun to fall but the majority of computer users still will not seek out a new browser and so Microsoft remains on top. With the eventual release of IE8 one can only hope Microsoft finally earns that place.
– Richard Keene
IT Computer Support of New York
Design and Optimization Department


text:
An Indian court docket on Thursday declined to carry a freeze on Xiaomi’s $676 million (nearly Rs. 5,500 crore) truly worth of assets, even as the Chinese smartphone group claimed this enforcement action experienced “proficiently halted” its operations in its key Indian market place.
India’s federal money crime agency, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), froze Rs. 5,551 crore of Xiaomi belongings in April, alleging the firm manufactured unlawful remittances to overseas entities by passing them off as royalty payments. Very last week, an appellate system confirmed the seizure.
Xiaomi, which denies any wrongdoing, challenged the asset freeze in the Superior Court of southern Karnataka state, declaring in its lawful submitting it “is seriously disproportionate and has proficiently halted the functions” of the business.
Xiaomi and Samsung are sector leaders in India’s smartphone market place, the world’s next most important immediately after China, dependent on details from Counterpoint, with an 18 per cent share each and every.
On Thursday, Xiaomi’s law firm Udaya Holla sought to stop the freeze by searching for relief from the choose, but the court docket stated the organization will have to very first supply financial institution ensures covering the $676 million in belongings that are frozen.
Holla instructed the court docket these kinds of financial institution guarantees would necessarily mean depositing the whole total, earning it tough for the business to functionality and shell out salaries and make stock purchases in advance of Hindu competition of Diwali — when consumer income growth in India.
The decide declined any immediate reduction, and adjourned the situation until eventually Oct 14.
Nargund M B, 1 of India’s More Solicitor Generals, who was representing the Enforcement Directorate, urged the court not to grant any fast aid to Xiaomi, and also questioned for the lender assures.
Xiaomi did not promptly react to a request for remark.
Xiaomi has beforehand stated its royalty payments ended up all legitimate and truthful, adding it will “proceed to use all indicates to protect the reputation and interests.”
Many Chinese providers have struggled to do company in India due to political tensions subsequent a border clash in 2020. India has cited safety concerns in banning extra than 300 Chinese apps since then, which include popular ones these kinds of as TikTok, and also tightened guidelines for Chinese businesses investing in India.
© Thomson Reuters 2022


text:
RMI.NET Launches First National Ad Campaign
Page 1 of 1
E-business and convergent communications company RMI.NET Inc. launched its first national advertising campaign, aimed at increasing awareness of the company's expanding line of products and services.
The company has begun a multimedia campaign -- including radio, newspaper and magazine advertising -- in Denver/Boulder, Kansas City, Phoenix, Seattle, Salt Lake City, Tucson and Bloomington/Peoria, IL. In mid-October, the company will add direct mailing targeted to business customers.
RMI.NET, formerly Rocky Mountain Internet, retained the services of Karsh & Hagan, whose clients include the Colorado Lottery, the Denver Rocky Mountain News, McDonald's Corp. Rocky Mountain Advertising Cooperative Association and the Steamboat Ski & Resort Corp.
Billings were not disclosed.
"Our national campaign differs from most others in our industry because it doesn't just show what we can do for the Internet consumer. It shows what we've already accomplished," said Douglas H. Hanson, chairman and chief executive officer of RMI.NET.


text:
One of the channel's worst kept secrets was finally outed last month as US behemoth Arrow Electronics agreed to snap up Munich-headquartered VAD Computerlinks for a cool €230m. In many ways it was a canny bit of business for Arrow and should give it access to some high-end customers, but the deal raises more questions than it …
Two green bottles standing on the wall, two green bottles standing on the wall and if one green bottle, should accidentally fall there'll be one green bottle standing on the wall..........but not for long.
Bit of a turkey-shoot for the big four's insatiable appetite....'your turn next then mine again'
- US Treasury to launch pre-emptive strike on EU's Ireland tax probe
- French, German ministers demand new encryption backdoor law
- Linux turns 25, with corporate contributors now key to its future
- Corporates ARE sniffing around Windows 10, says Computacenter
- Both HPs allegedly axed people just for being old, California court told


text:
Survey Says 75 Percent of Americans Still Prefer Paper Books to eReaders
The report is based on a telephone survey, and it found that 75% of American Adults would rather read a book in a traditional print format than on an electronic book-reading device like a Kindle. Fifteen percent (15%) prefer reading on an electronic device. Ten percent (10%) are undecided. The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on July 11-12, 2013, but it's important to note that this is simply showcasing preference. The reality of how exactly people do read can often be different. For example, many may prefer a full desktop with a 30" LCD monitor, but due to cost and mobility constraints, those same folks end up relying on a notebook.
For those who travel, hauling around a paperback can be more of a burden than hauling around a multi-faceted e-reader or tablet. Still, semantics aside, it's quite interesting to see the love for print. We suspect it'll continue to fade as newer generations become the majority and that nostalgic love for print begins to fade.


text: Gaming on Android will surpass that for iOS in revenue within a few years, but this does not necessarily mean more money for Google. For some time, Google Play Store recorded more downloads an application from the App Store, but it does not matter, as the owners of the iPhone and iPad spending more money than those on Android devices. According to analyst firm Digi-Capital, this trend will change soon, as 2018 applications for Android will now begin to earn more money. This will happen thanks to the China market, which currently Google Play Store present very weak. The company predicts that by 2018 that same consumer will spend $ 45 billion on mobile games. Interestingly, Google will get almost nothing from the proceeds of China as the market there is dominated by local platforms for mobile applications such as Baidu, Qihoo 360, Tencent and Wandoujia.If you add this to their revenue that comes from official Play Store, total revenue from Android games will surpass those of iOS titles. "In 2018, iOS will still brings the most revenue from a single digital store, but revenues from all stores for Android together will be more," wrote the founder of Digi-Capital Tim Meral. According to him, the crucial year for the Chinese market for mobile games was 2012 then Symbian still had a 40 percent share there, but then Android and iOS quickly placed on the market and now together have 98% share.However, the rise of Android does not automatically and the rise of Google. "Google will have to do a lot to ensure the conditions for both developers and consumers that Apple offers. To receive revenue from a downloadable game for iOS you need two downloads in Play Store and eight of downloads Chinese Android stores, "says the report.


text:
The good news is that Tanuma also shares the belief that the GT-R’s performance should be more accessible. Speaking with Automotive News (subscription required), Tanuma said he was looking to boost volumes for the GT-R and focus on quality and value rather than simply increasing the horsepower.
“We need more of a volume car, not just more horsepower,” Tanuma explained. “Americans love this kind of big power, but I want to show more quality, more value.
Currently, the car’s production is limited because there are only four staff, known as Takumi, that are trained to assemble the car’s handmade engine. Tanuma said that a fifth Takumi is being trained. Last year Nissan sold 1,188 GT-Rs in the U.S., the car’s biggest market.
Tanuma was tight with further details on the GT-R’s future. He did reveal, however, that there would be more electronic aids.
According to previous reports, a redesigned R36 GT-R could be introduced as early as the 2016 model year and feature hybrid technology developed with the Williams F1 Team. Before the arrival of the R36 GT-R, however, we’ll see a new GT-R NISMO model launched.


text:
Tax data suggests that the consumption of alcoholic beverages spiked in Wisconsin during the 2021 fiscal year — a potentially worrying public health trend — according to a new report released Wednesday by the Wisconsin Policy Forum.
The report from the nonpartisan policy research organization found that revenues from the state’s excise taxes on alcohol increased 16.6% during the 2021 fiscal year, which started in summer 2020 and ended on June 30 of this year. That’s likely the largest jump in alcohol tax revenues in the state in almost 50 years, according to the report.
During the 2021 fiscal year, the state brought in a projected $73.8 million in excise taxes on alcohol. That figure was $63.3 million in 2020.
Citing data from the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau, WPF found that the only two fiscal years with larger percentage jumps were 1964 and 1972. Both those years saw tax increases on at least one beverage type.
Excise taxes — a tax levied when a product is produced rather than sold — in Wisconsin are based on the volume of alcoholic beverages sold, not the price of the beverage. Taxes are levied at different rates depending on the type of alcoholic beverage, which include beer, wine, hard cider and liquor. Beer, for example, is taxed at 6.5 cents per gallon. Distilled liquor is taxed at a much higher rate of $3.25 per gallon.
Beer taxes are paid by wholesalers and breweries each month on sales of beer in the state or shipments into the state, according to the report. All other taxes are collected on Wisconsin sales and shipments into the state. The state’s 5% sales tax is also collected by retailers based on price at the time of sale.
Nationwide, Wisconsin is among a handful of states that tax alcohol the least, according to the Tax Foundation, a Washington-based think tank. The state’s beer tax is 48th nationwide; its wine tax is 43rd; and its liquor tax is 41st.
Wisconsin hasn’t increased it’s beer tax since 1969, according to the Department of Revenue.
The increase in alcohol tax collections in 2021 was greater in Wisconsin than in all but a handful of other states, a WPF analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data concluded.
The report notes, though, that the increase in alcohol tax collections will have a marginal impact on state finances. However, “the public health implications of increased alcohol consumption may be a greater concern,” the report found.
Wisconsinites drank 150 million gallons of beer in 2021, a 14 million gallon increase from 2020, according to data from the Department of Revenue. The amount of liquor consumed in the state increased from 15 million gallons to 18 million gallons over the same time period.
WPF points to a report from the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute that concluded binge-drinking in the state costs nearly $4 billion annually in health care costs, criminal justice costs and lost productivity, among other areas. $1.6 billion of that cost is paid by the state.
The nonpartisan research shop also cited prior research it conducted that found increases in alcohol-related driving deaths in Wisconsin during the pandemic and research that found that total deaths related to alcohol in Wisconsin have been increasing as potential cause for concern related to the increase in alcohol consumption.
“In light of these and other considerations, it will be important to monitor alcohol sales closely to determine if the marked increase in sales and presumably consumption observed in fiscal year 2021 is a one-time byproduct of the pandemic or the beginning of a longer-term and possibly harmful trend,” the report concluded.
Share your opinion on this topic by sending a letter to the editor to email@example.com. Include your full name, hometown and phone number. Your name and town will be published. The phone number is for verification purposes only. Please keep your letter to 250 words or less.


text:
Many farmers in northern Hai Phong City, a major farm produce supplier of the now COVID-19 epicenter of Hai Duong Province, have been crying for help as their products could not find buyers due to the recent outbreak.
Currently, farmers in some districts in Hai Phong have seen farm produce prices dropping strongly due to little market demand, according to chairman of Hai Phong Farmers Association Do Duc Hoa.
In several places, no traders have come to buy crops that have been in the harvest time.
In Cap Tien Commune in Tien Lang District, which is famous for winter vegetables, a total area of 35 hectares of such yields as potatoes, cabbages, tomatoes, and chilies has yet to find consumers.
Specifically, three hectares of cabbage ready for harvest have seen demand down by 70 percent while about 130,000 kilograms of tomatoes have left unsold.
Local farmers have suffered falling prices, with cabbage and cauliflower in Tien Lang District priced as cheap as VND2,000-5,000 (US$0.087-0.22) per kilogram. However, they still accept the meager revenues to cover a part of seed and fertilizer costs.
Tomato is sold at even more dirt cheap prices of VND700-1,000 ($0.03-0.043) per kg.
In addition, a large amount of onions, garlic, and eggs is waiting for supportive policies from relevent agencies so as local farmers could avoid hefty losses.
In previous years, these agricultural products were quickly bought by local agricultural cooperatives, in collaboration with enterprises of Hai Duong Province.
But since Hai Duong became a COVID-19 hotbed, with travel restriction in place, the circulation of farm produce has been affected.
|Cabbage and tomato are purchased in support for farmers in Tien Lang District, Hai Phong City, Vietnam. Photo: Bao Long / Tuoi Tre|
Thai Bao Long, a member of a group that buys agricultural products to help people in Tien Lang, shared that in recent days, the group has purchased a part of farm produce there.
However, only the effort of a single group as Long’s is not enough as the number of crops in the harvest time in Hai Phong is still quite large.
Chairman Hoa on Friday said that the Hai Phong Farmers Association had issued a document calling for organizations and individuals to support farmers by consuming some agricultural products being hit by the current COVID-19 outbreak.
The latest wave of infections since January 27 has seen a total of 770 locally-transmitted cases logged in 13 provinces and cities.
Among them, 590 patients have been reported in Hai Duong Province, 60 in Quang Ninh Province, 27 in Gia Lai Province, 35 in Hanoi, five in Bac Ninh Province, two in Bac Giang Province, 36 in Ho Chi Minh City, two in Hoa Binh Province, one in Ha Giang Province, three in Dien Bien Province, six in Binh Duong Province, one in Hai Phong, and two in Hung Yen Province.
The national tally stood at 2,362 COVID-19 cases as of Saturday afternoon, with 1,627 recoveries and 35 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health’s data.


text:
Apple’s smartwatch has been the subject of rumors going back months and months, and while we’re always hearing new ones, they never do seem to take us anywhere closer to seeing some hard evidence of this project. In that sense, it’s been similar to the environment surrounding rumors of a PureView Lumia, long before we ever heard the number 1020; like that device, will this so-called iWatch also eventually emerge to impress, or have we just been chasing our tails here? Well, the iWatch rumors continue on, at least, and the latest to cross our desk has a little to say about screen technology.
Before Samsung launched the Galaxy Gear, rumors suggested that the company might finally employ its long-in-development flexible OLED technology to give the watch a bendable display. It clearly didn’t, but now rumors are claiming Apple might be the one to actually follow-through on such a move.
Unfortunately, this rumor doesn’t get much into specifics, and there’s no suggestion of who might manufacture such a component for Apple. We also get word that Apple is working on three different iWatch sizes, with 1.3, 1.4, and 1.5-inch displays. Given the tiny differences there, we can’t imagine that the company would actually release all three models, and may just be evaluating them. The 1.5-inch version, at least, has reportedly already been manufactured as a prototype.


text:
Domestic automakers aren't calling it a recovery. But they say the latest 10-day sales report, showing the ninth consecutive gain over comparable periods the year before, gives them something to smile about.
U.S. automakers sold 144,478 new cars in mid-January, an 11 1/2 percent increase over 129,531 sold last year. The latest figures yield a seasonally adjusted annual selling rate of 6.5 million cars, down a bit from the 6.8 million adjusted selling rate in the first 10 days of this month.
But the mid-January performance brings gains for the ninth time since late October 1982.
Analysts, however, remained cautious because sales incentive programs are still in effect.
Of the Big Three, General Motors Corp. sales were up the most, by 14.2 percent, at 88,222 cars compared with 77,247 in the year-ago period. Ford Motor Co. sales rose 1 percent, from 33,397 to 33,738. Chrysler Corp. sales improved 12.1 percent, from 14,846 to 16,650.
American Motors Corp. sales were estimated to be up 77.8 percent at 3,800 compared with 2,137 last year. AMC's newest car, the Alliance, continued to be the largest seller in the company's lineup.
Volkswagen of America Inc. said it sold 2,068 cars in mid-January, up 8.6 percent from sales in the year-ago period.