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It’s just Wednesday and Tesla CEO Elon Musk already lost $ 50 billion this week after Tesla shares fell 16% in two days, as reported by the news portal Business Insider.
Despite this week’s steep decline, Tesla shares are up 40% so far in 2021, and the founder of Tesla and Space X he’s still the richest man in the world, surpassing the owner of Amazon, Jeff Bezos, at $ 82 billion.
The massive losses come behind a series of headlines, including tweets from Musk himself and another from a famous short seller.
According to the Billionaires Index of Bloomberg in its last update, Musk is worth $ 288 billion after this week’s losses. $ 50bn lost marks the biggest two-day drop in index history, according to the agency.
Tesla stock prices fell sharply this week after its founder asked his Twitter followers over the weekend whether you should sell 10% of the shares you own to pay taxes. The results were a resounding yes, causing Tesla stock prices to drop as much as 7% on Monday.
Despite this week’s steep decline, Tesla shares are up 40% so far in 2021, and the founder of Tesla and Space X remains the richest man in the world, surpassing Amazon owner Jeff Bezos. , at $ 82 billion
Tesla stock prices came under additional pressure on Tuesday, when they fell as much as 12%., after the famous short seller Michael Burry suggested in a now-deleted tweet that Musk might want to sell his shares to cover his personal debts, he claimed WITH A.
The stock prices were affected by the news that Musk’s cousin and head of the electric vehicle company, Kimbal Musk, sold more than $ 100 million in Tesla shares last week.
In that context, this Wednesday Tesla shares continued to decline by around 2 percent.
Musk, who owns 17% of Tesla shares, explained that he does not receive “a cash salary or bonus from anywhere” and linked his move to tax issues.
Despite this week’s steep decline, Tesla shares are still up 40% so far this year, and Musk remains the world’s richest man, outpacing the second-richest. Jeff Bezos at $ 82 billion, according to the Billionaires Index of Bloomberg.
The businessman previously caused strong movements in the stock and cryptocurrency markets with his Twitter messages, and three years ago he faced the US regulator in a lawsuit for tweeting that he was going to take Tesla from the stock market at $ 420 per share.
Musk, who owns 17% of Tesla shares, explained that he does not receive “a cash salary or bonus from anywhere” and linked his move to tax issues: “I only have shares, therefore my only way to pay taxes personally is to sell shares.”.
Specialized media such as CNBC They pointed out that in the coming months the considered richest man in the world faces the payment of some USD 15,000 million in taxes, related to the expiration of the company’s financial options.
They also noted that after the recent arrival of Tesla to a capitalization of 1 trillion dollars, at the end of October, several members and former members of its board of directors sold part of their shares.
We would like to give thanks to the writer of this article for this remarkable material
Elon Musk lost $ 50 billion in two days but is still the richest man in the world


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Verizon has assembled a lineup of celebs and activists for its inaugural Citizen Verizon Assembly subsequent week, tapping Yara Shahidi, Karamo Brown, Andrew Yang, Ben & Jerry’s CEO Matthew McCarthy and extra for a livestreaming occasion discussing methods for driving social change.
The July 28 occasion is a part of the telco’s corporate-responsibility initiative committing to a carbon-neutral footprint by 2035, a brand new job-skills coaching program and a digital-inclusion effort.
The free livestreaming Citizen Verizon Assembly will happen Tuesday, July 28, from 5-6 p.m. ET, obtainable on Yahoo Finance and Verizon’s Twitter account.
The digital occasion will embody a dialogue on constructing a future that’s inclusive, moderated by Karamo Brown (Netflix’s “Queer Eye”) with “Grown-ish” actress and activist Yara Shahidi (pictured above); Geoff Canada, educator and school-reform activist; and Meredith Walker, co-founder and govt director of Amy Poehler’s Good Women.
A CEO panel on companies taking motion on social points will embody Verizon chief Hans Vestberg; Matthew McCarthy, CEO of Ben & Jerry’s; David Heath, co-founder and CEO of Bombas; Mindy Grossman, CEO of Weight Watchers; and Enrique Lores, CEO of HP. The session shall be moderated by Ibram X Kendi, bestselling writer and founding director of the Antiracist Analysis and Coverage Heart at American College.
Closing out the occasion shall be a keynote delivered by Andrew Yang, former Democratic presidential contender, writer and entrepreneur.
The occasion shall be livestreamed on on Yahoo Finance (and the Yahoo Finance channels on Verizon’s FiOS, Roku and Samsung Good TVs), in addition to by way of @Verizon on Twitter and the Yahoo homepage.
In keeping with Verizon, it’s the primary in a collection of deliberate Citizen Verizon Assemblies sooner or later.
These occasions, leveraging Verizon’s media distribution retailers, are a part of Citizen Verizon. Beneath the overarching initiative, the corporate has pledged to: present 10 million youths with digital expertise coaching and 1 million small companies with assets to assist them thrive within the digital financial system by 2030; grow to be carbon-neutral in its operations by 2035 by lowering emissions, investing in renewable power and buying carbon offsets; and put together 500,000 people for “jobs of the longer term” by 2030 via expertise coaching.

domain: news


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Landlord Shaftesbury, which owns a 16-acre portfolio in London's West End, has just got a little bigger in the retail area. The property giant has acquired a long leasehold in the lower floors of 92-104 Berwick Street.
Property giant Landsec — which owns most of Bluewater — spoke of its strong financial and operational position Tuesday, “expecting to deliver material growth in income”. And that's with UK economic turbulence factored in.
UK footfall’s post-pandemic recovery took a hit last week as concerns over rising prices and worries over an impending recession deepened. There were negative numbers (almost) everywhere for the 8-14 May period.
Farfetch's luxury fashion store Browns has released its AW22 trend report and an overriding theme is a focus on sustainability, while a return to full-on glam party dressing, platform shoes and rebooted denim are key.
The house of Pucci has unveiled the debut campaign featuring the first collection by its new creative director Camille Miceli, shot by photographer Lachlan Bailey during the new collection launch in Capri.
Harrods is imposing sanctions on its Russian customers, restricting their spending capacity at the luxury London department store. The retailer will no longer sell them “luxury goods” worth more than £300.


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Microsoft Files New Game Software Trademark "Fragments"
According to a registration with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, on December 15th Microsoft filed for a registration of a rather vague mark “Fragments.”
The mark is filed under Class 9, identifying game software (separate from Class 41 online game software). As of yet, Microsoft hasn’t shown or released anything that gives a clue to what this game may be, so we might be talking about a new IP? Only time will tell, but make your best guesses in the comments.
Thanks to eagle-eyed readers and Redditers, we now have footage of where Microsoft has previously used the trademark and have some minor inclinations to what this may be. In a YouTube video (below) from nearly a year ago (Jan. 21), Microsoft published a HoloLens concept video showcasing how users will be able to use the medium. In the video, one of the tiles seems to read “Fragmen” backwards, alongside Facebook, Skype and Netflix:
What does this mean? Nothing, for certain, however we may be looking at a game or service that is either compatible or exclusive to HoloLens.


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20 May Ford launching electric F-150 truck in ‘huge’ shift for low-emission vehicles
Ford will launch the electric version of its bestselling F-150 pickup truck on Wednesday, a move that automotive experts called “huge” deal for the shift to low-emission vehicles.
Joe Biden has pushed for the US to become the world leader in electric vehicles and has proposed spending $174bn of his $2.3tn jobs and infrastructure package to promote the transition from fossil fuels.
Ford’s F-Series has been the US’s bestselling vehicle since the 1970s. Last year the company sold 787,422 of the vehicles, a disappointing slide amid the coronavirus pandemic from the 896,526 units it sold in 2019, but the number still made it easily the bestselling truck in the US.
The latest version of the truck will be officially unveiled on Wednesday evening, timed for the California market, which is the largest electric vehicle market in the US.
The new F-150 Lightning is seen as being so important to the electrification of the US car pool that the president visited Ford in Detroit this week to promote his plans to overhaul the nation’s infrastructure and promote electric vehicles.
“The future of the auto industry is electric. There’s no turning back,” Biden said. “The question is whether we will lead or we will fall behind in the race to the future.”
Biden later test-drove the F-150 Lightning, which will be the most powerful version of the vehicle in the current lineup with a travel range of at least 300 miles. “This sucker’s quick,” he said.
“I think this is huge,” said Jennifer Weiss, senior policy associate for the climate and energy program at Duke University. “To launch a vehicle like this and a marketing campaign around it is going to be huge.”
Electric cars currently make up a very small percentage of the vehicles on US roads. Plug-in electric cars accounted for just 2.3% of sales in the US in 2020; Norway led the world with electric vehicles, accounting for 74.8% of sales. But it is China that has Biden most worried.
China is the world’s largest car market. Electric vehicles accounted for just 6.3% of sales last year but the size of its market makes it the largest in units sold. In 2019 Chinese consumers bought over 1.2m electric vehicles, more than three times the 328,000 electric vehicles sold in the US.
The F-150 is just one of a series of high-profile electric vehicles in the pipeline including new vehicles from Tesla and an electric Hummer from General Motors. GM’s chief executive, Mary Barra, has pledged to offer an all-electric lineup of vehicles by 2035.
But the US must tackle significant infrastructure issues if the F-150 and other electric vehicles are to become mainstream. While China has 800,000 public charging locations, the US has only 100,000. Meanwhile Republicans are pushing back against the size of Biden’s infrastructure plan.


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Blog: France vs England - now big in Japan
Andy Morton | 28 June 2012
Just the other week they battled to a 1-1 draw in the football, but it seems France and England are continuing their centuries-long grudge match on the soda shelves of Japan.
Our exclusive picture, snapped in a Japanese convenience store this week, shows Schweppes and Orangina fighting it out shoulder to shoulder just one week after the 97th anniversary of the battle of Waterloo.
It's one for the ages, this. After all, what's more English than good-old Schweppes, now owned by US-based Dr Pepper Snapple Group. Or as French as Orangina, where the concept for the drink originated, but now owned in Japan by Suntory and in North America by, er... Dr Pepper Snapple Group.
It seems in this incarnation of the Anglo-Gallic feud, it's the Americans (and the Japanese) that win.
The homebrewing revival continues in the UK - and evidence has come that even the supermarket chains are taking it semi-seriously. ...
Does Pernod Ricard have something to hide? In a press conference after the release of full-year results today, only a quarter of the 100 minutes were given over to questions from journalists....
Here's a round-up of the top stories on just-drinks last week, featuring Carlsberg, Heineken, Coca-Cola Amatil, California's winelands and Cognac....
The Coca-Cola Co's Keurig Cold machine won't be out until next year. But co-developer Keurig Green Mountain has given us a taste with the unveiling this weekend of another at-home beverage platform, t...
- Comment - Another One Bites Bacardi's Dust
- The End of the Road for International Beer Brands?
- just The Preview - Pernod Ricard's Q4 & FY
- Pernod Ricard's FY Performance by Region, Brand
- Comment - Hybrid Spirits: Innovation or Laziness?
- Mast-Jägermeister targets UK off-trade boost
- Pernod bemoans tough FY as sales, profits drop
- Bacardi announces CFO switch
- SABMiller exec to become CFO at Beam Suntory
- Brown-Forman unveils Jack Daniel's UK push


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European Pre-Owned Attire Expansions
Zalando has introduced that it will likely be rising Zircle, a service that permits shoppers to conveniently entry pre-owned trend at a fraction of the price.
As part of the enlargement, the German firm will likely be bringing Zircle to Sweden and Denmark, and plans to “extend the life of 50 million fashion items by 2023 through circular initiatives.” After first launching in Berlin, Zalando introduced its round trend resale service to shoppers in Spain, France, Belgium, Poland, and the Netherlands.
In step with the current enlargement, the corporate can also be working in direction of utilizing recyclable packing for all of its orders in order that it might scale back the environmental influence brought on by plastic packaging. It plans to completely transition to paper packaging by 2023.
Picture Credit score: Zalando


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Twin Falls Salvation Army Giving Away Items During Last Day Open
The Salvation Army in downtown Twin Falls has announced they'll be giving away all items in their store on their last day open.
Last week the store announced they'd be shutting up for good on June 14. At that time they also said the Salvation Army would be starting a 50% off sale for the entire store located at the corner of 2nd Avenue and Hansen Street.
For me, someone who often goes thrift shopping, it's sad to see stores like this close. They always offer something you might not find anywhere else. The items also likely tell a story we might never hear from the previous owner.
For anyone questioning whether or not they should take a gander and see if they find any hidden treasures at this store, stop heehawing it and just go. You never know what you might find.
If you feel bad just taking the items for free or want to donate to the organization, the store says they will be accepting any cash donations.
The Salvation Army store will be open at 10 a.m. Friday until they close their doors for the last time at 6 p.m.


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Let’s see, the Surface RT is slightly heavier than the iPad, the same thickness and gets two hours less battery life. Sign me up!
OK, so Microsoft’s new iPad vs. Windows tablet comparison site is more nuanced than that, pointing out the areas where Windows 8 and Windows RT tablets shine — including multitasking, printing, multiple user accounts, USB ports and lower prices in many cases.
But the comparison is no slam dunk for Windows, illustrating the challenge that Microsoft faces in going up against the Apple tablet.
Another problem: Microsoft’s comparison of the ASUS VivoTab to the iPad initially included misleading information about the Windows device’s screen size, which has since been corrected after it was pointed out by Elliot Temple yesterday morning.
On the subject of screens, the strong horizontal orientation of the Surface actually makes it unwieldy to use in portrait mode, something that wouldn’t be obvious by simply comparing the screen sizes of the two devices.
And there’s a bit of gamesmanship in Microsoft highlighting the fact that Office isn’t available on the iPad. Of course, Microsoft is ultimately in control of that situation, but has so far held off on releasing its flagship productivity suite for the Apple tablet.
The comparison site is part of a new effort by Microsoft to position Windows tablets more directly as alternatives to the iPad. Earlier this week the Redmond company released a new ad that uses Siri to ridicule the iPad’s shortcomings.


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A fake survey claimed that iPhone owners tend to come across as more appealing and attractive to women than their counterparts who use other handsets. This was apparently the result of a recent survey supposedly carried out by Phones4U.
The study based on the survey of more than 1500 women claimed that more than 50 percent of the women surveyed are interested in men who own iPhones, and referred to them as more reliable, humorous, intelligent and well-groomed than the men who do not have Apple's signature phone.
However, in a press statement issued later in the day, the company denied to have conducted any such survey and called it absolutely fake, directing the sites to drop the it.
Later, it came out that the survey was published by Sticky Eyes, its digital marketing agency, which conducted it through a third party, without a prior permission from Phones 4U, leaving the press deceived.
Apple's smartphone alone has led the Cupertino-based to surpass all estimated targets of its earnings, by increasing its second-quarter income of the last fiscal by almost double.


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A new Nintendo Switch controller will likely be announced this week after an official Nintendo FCC filing is scheduled for public viewing.
According to the latest rumor, a new piece of hardware is almost assuredly on the way after a previously undisclosed Nintendo filing will soon be published to consumers.
Recently, Nintendo unveiled their Nintendo Switch OLED console, and so far, it hasn’t proved easy to get a hold of, with the console selling out in minutes.
Additionally, there has also been a rumor circulating that Nintendo Switch Online will feature Game Boy & Game Boy Color titles. Although there is still no confirmation from Nintendo, this may have given fans a clue as to what we might expect from the Switch controller rumor.
Now, Nintendo fans are ready for an official announcement from Nintendo, perhaps alongside some other surprises. Here is what we know with regards to the new Switch controller.
New Switch Controller Announcement Coming Soon
With the launch of the new Switch OLED model, it’s unsurprising that Nintendo wants to keep the good news flowing. An FCC filing for a new piece of hardware, which is still confidential, will now become public starting September 24.
Interestingly, the FCC filing has the same prefix as previously announced hardware. For example, the Switch console itself is named HAC-001, and the SNES controller for Nintendo Switch Online is HAC-042.
However, a new filing, which has the same HAC prefix, has led fans to wonder what it could be. Many believe the mysterious piece of hardware is a new controller.
Although we don’t know when the next Nintendo Direct will be, Nintendo will likely want to unveil the listing before September 24 officially. Nintendo also has a long history of hosting presentations in September.
Nintendo recently announced that improvements are coming to Nintendo Switch Online. This could correlate with the Game Boy & Game Boy Color rumor floating around at the moment. Therefore, it’s not too much of a stretch to imagine the new hardware could be something like a Game Boy or N64 controller.
Although the classic Joy-Con controller has had one serious issue for Switch users, perhaps a new controller will pair well with the latest OLED model.
If you’re interested in all of the differences between the classic Nintendo Switch vs. the Switch OLED, look no further.
There’s also plenty to look forward to if you’re a Nintendo fan. Recently, Pokemon Legends Arceus revealed new Pokemon, mounts & gliders, battle mechanics, and more.


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Right now Is Actually The Moment For You To Know The Honest Truth Regarding Guy Potency
Earlier this year our experts received the news that at the very least 72 effective weight loss products that were actually touted as “nutritional supplements” to help fat loss were actually not natural products at all.
Rather than vitamins, minerals, as well as herbs that could curb hunger, they consisted of often unsafe doses of weight-loss medications.
Four of these medicines have actually certainly not been actually permitted available for sale in the USA – one given that it is believed of triggering cancer cells. One is actually an effective diuretic, while one is an anti-seizure medication.
Each of these products posture a significant health and wellness threat considering that the pharmaceutical components may cause complications such as high blood pressure, seizures, tachycardia (quick heartbeat), shakings, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. The greater the dosage, the much bigger the danger.
This is certainly not an insignificant alert: taking a lot of of some of these items might cause death or even permanent special needs.
Considering that these weight loss products have actually been actually industried as dietary supplements, they performed certainly not come under the analysis of the FDA. Had the manufacturers stated the pharmaceutical drugs included in all of them, they would certainly possess been actually controlled and also at least 4 would have been restricted from purchase in the UNITED STATE. The FDA is actually currently requesting a callback of these products. They possess the authority to take possession of items as well as initiate unlawful charges if it is actually not future.
To find the checklist of 72 tainted fat burning products, and also find out more concerning the drugs they consist of, visit the FDA website.
Incorporate male strength to fat loss …
Currently, new records are coming out that notify against male strength medications lugging the very same threat. The FDA started examining after a customer complaint, and have right now provided a claim that “Stiff Night” contains a substance that can precariously decrease blood pressure and is prohibited.
The item is industried as an all-natural nutritional supplement, yet actually has an illegal component which can easily result in a remarkable come by high blood pressure when used with prescribed medications.
On the other hand, it is being marketed in medicine retail stores as well as internet, also at outlets such as Amazon.
Consumers will do well to read tags as well as know what they’re buying just before acquiring products which can bring on severe health complications, or even fatality.
M. G. Cliff is a free-lance copy writer along with a strong interest in all-natural wellness. She enjoys composing for an assortment of business that market wellness as well as wellness through risk-free, all-natural products as well as methods. Marte’s organic health and wellness site
Non prescribed medicines created coming from all-natural herb removes are actually not just secure yet bring the efficiency of centuries-old herbal treatments delighted in by our ancestors and also very early world around the earths. They have actually discovered their method cosmeceutical products for wellness featuring all-natural male improvement remedies for addressing dysfunction and also associated sexual problems.
Are actually these naturally developed male strength supplements effective? Certainly not all, as a matter of fact, the market for male effectiveness is cluttered along with fictitious products that might not live-up anywhere to its insurance claims. The Twenty% that perform, though simply a portion of the efficacy of their prescribed equivalents, carry out consist of components that taken one by one have the following residential or commercial properties:
Have vasodilatory chemicals that loosen up the hassle-free arterial walls to make it easier for blood stream to stream to engorge the erection tissue to cause construction;
Contain chemicals that generate testosterone level creation to enhance male potency and also sexual endurance;
Have chemicals that stimulate and also enrich the blood circulation system for far better blood circulation to benefit the tissues;
Contain chemicals that boost cardiovascular wellness to preserve faster heartbeat on time of sexual stimulation as well as, hence, permit even more blood to become pushed into the cells; as well as
Include nutrients that boost overall physical body strength and also power amounts to gain sex-related strength
Since these casanova krople weight loss products have actually been actually industried as nutritional supplements, they performed not happened under the analysis of the FDA. Had the suppliers stated the pharmaceutical drugs included in them, they would have been actually moderated and also at the very least 4 would have been actually prohibited coming from sale in the U.S. The FDA is actually currently talking to for a repeal of these items. She enjoys composing for a wide array of firms that ensure health as well as health with risk-free, all-natural items and strategies. Certainly not all, in simple fact, the business for male efficacy is actually littered along with fake items that could not live-up anywhere to its claims.


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Property owners in Phoenix are objecting to a new downtown "Clean Zone" that requires them to get permission from city hall, the National Football League (NFL), and/or a private Super Bowl host committee in order to display temporary signage and advertisements in the run-up to the game.
They say the new restrictions are costing them business and likely classify as unconstitutional restrictions on their speech.
Downtown Phoenix is set to host a number of Super Bowl events in the run-up to the game, which will be played in neighboring Glendale, Arizona. Catching the eyeballs of thousands of Super Bowl attendees and revelers should make advertising downtown a lucrative proposition.
But in October, the city passed a resolution creating its "Clean Zone" in downtown. Within that area, property owners are required to get a city permit for temporary signage as well as the approval of the NFL and/or the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee.
"It's a blanket prior restraint on speech," says John Thorpe, an attorney with the free market Goldwater Institute. "There are no guidelines, no criteria they give for what the NFL or the [Arizona Super Bowl Host] Committee are allowed to base their decisions on."
On Tuesday, Thorpe sent a letter to Phoenix City Attorney Julie Kreigh on behalf of business owner Bramley Paulin, who wanted to lease advertising space on one of his downtown properties located in the "Clean Zone."
Paulin claims that the new restrictions have scared away all potential business partners who would otherwise be interested in leasing signage space from him.
Thorpe's letter argues that in addition to being economically cost to Paulin, the city's signage regulations violate "state and federal constitutional provisions protecting freedom of speech, as it is overbroad, a prior restraint, and a content-based regulation."
City officials have cited a number of justifications for these restrictions.
The intent is "to protect local businesses from 'ambush' or 'guerrilla' marketing attempts during the event period," according to a fact sheet on the Clean Zone.
At a Super Bowl small business workshop in November, a city staffer also said that the purpose was to protect consumers from "unlicensed merchandise" and official Super Bowl sponsors from unauthorized competition.
"The NFL sponsors are making a huge financial commitment to be one of those designated sponsors, and we need to provide that protection to those sponsors in the downtown area where a lot of the Super Bowl events are happening," said the staffer.
"This is about protectionism," says Thorpe. Given the city's statements about protecting official NFL sponsors, Thorpe argues that the signage restrictions effectively amount to unconstitutional content-based restrictions on speech. Additionally, the lack of formal criteria for how exactly signs will be evaluated makes the restrictions unconstitutionally vague.
Thorpe's letter to the city asks that they clarify that Paulin and any potential business partners can advertise on his property without any input or review from the NFL or the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee.
The Phoenix city government says it will be enforcing its signage restrictions from mid-January through mid-February. The deadline for turning in applications for temporary signs was yesterday.
Rent Free is a weekly newsletter from Christian Britschgi on urbanism and the fight for less regulation, more housing, more property rights, and more freedom in America's cities.


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America’s 20 best-selling vehicles were slightly more dominant in February 2011 than in January and are ever so slightly more car-oriented, as well. 13 of the 20 most popular vehicles in February are cars. That’s up from 12 in January.
Still the most successful seller, the Ford F-Series’ market share dropped from 4.4% in January to 3.8% in February. Still, 38 out of every thousand automobiles sold is…. impressive, to say the least. F-Series sales were up 14.1%. The best-selling utility vehicle in the USA was only the eighth best-selling vehicle overall. Honda CR-V sales jumped 61.4% in February. Only three other utility vehicles found their way onto the list of America’s 20 Best-Selling Vehicles in February 2011.
As for cars, there’s no doubt the $19,820-$26,675 2011 Toyota Camry is helping Toyota get its groove back. 25.5% of the Toyota brand’s year-over-year increase came as a result of 10,660-sale addition in Camry sales.


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- PCB has revealed the official jersey for the T20 World Cup 2022
- The World Cup jersey has been named ‘Thunder’
- It is available for PKR 2500 and PKR 4500
The PCB revealed the official jersey for the T20 World Cup 2022 on Twitter on the 19th of September.
The new jersey is designed for both the men’s and women’s cricket teams, and the theme followed for the jersey is “Thunder”.
PCB also released a kit launch video featuring the captain of the Pakistani team, Babar Azam, along with Shadab Khan, Kainat Imtiaz, Naseem Shah, and Fatima Sana.
Buy the T20 World Cup Jersey Today!
The jersey is now available in the merchandise store of the Pakistan Cricket Board. The jersey comes in two varieties: the Fan Version and the Pro Version.
|#||T20 World Cup Jersey||Price in PKR|
Get the T20 World Cup jersey from the PCB official Merchandise Store.
T20 World Cup 2022 – Schedule and Winning Prize
The T20 World Cup will begin in Australia on 16 October. Pakistan will start its T20 campaign on October 23 in Melbourne, against India. Check out the Winning Prize of ICC T20 World Cup 2022, and the T20 World Cup Schedule & Fixtures.


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Food delivery firm Zomato has stated, that most of the stores of Blinkit – the quick commerce business that Zomato had acquired earlier – have resumed operations. The announcement sent company’s stock price up by as much as 5%, and they are currently trading at ₹54.35.
In a regulatory filing on Wednesday, the food delivery aggregator revealed that most of the stores which had been shut earlier have now reopened. In case you missed it, the stores had been shut following wage protests by delivery partners.
“We had to shut down some stores for a few days to ensure the safety of our employees at stores and the delivery partners. Most of these stores have now resumed operations,” Zomato said in a regulatory filing on Wednesday. The food delivery aggregator added that the disruptions did not have any material impact on the operations or financial performance of the company. “Hence we believe that this event does not warrant any disclosure under regulation 30 of the SEBI (LODR) Regulations, 2015,” it added.
Zomato remained mum on how much it reduced the payouts to the delivery partners have been reduced. However, reports suggest that the payouts may have recorded a drop of ₹10 – from ₹25 per order earlier to ₹15 per order currently. Still, it is a steep fall from the peak of ₹50 per order, which was back in 2022. These reductions in payouts, understandably, were not well-received by delivery partners and executives, who protested and went on strike in response. In fact, Blinkit had to shut down some stores in Gurugram, Haryana, after delivery workers went on strike, and the company notified its delivery partner app that the stores are being shut because partners had not worked for the past 3-4 days.
Overall, around 2,500 Blinkit delivery executives have been on strike in Gurugram since April 12, and around 50 of them had been shut down. Most of them were in and around the New Delhi-NCR region. “Hi there, please accept our sincere apologies. Your Blinkit store is undergoing necessary maintenance at the moment. Our teams are working on it, and we’ll be back very soon to serve you again,” Blinkit wrote on Twitter in response to to several complaints about the lack of deliveries in their areas.
Zomato justified these reductions in its payouts by saying that this would “address the needs of delivery partners, improve customer experience and reduce cancellation/order rejection, and frauds by few delivery partners in the system.” “Such changes are done from time to time, as needed,” the company added in its statement.
“We estimate Blinkit was operating ~370 dark stores pan India as of Q3FY23. This implies that about 25 per cent of the dark stores are currently not operational. Given that at least 3-4 days’ sales have been lost, this implies a one per cent loss in revenue from Blinkit and around 0.15 per cent of consolidated revenue for Q1FY24, already,” a ICICI Securities report on Monday read on Monday.


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Mobile phone inventor discusses its future
If life begins at 40, then the mobile phone has a lot to look forward to as it reaches this milestone.
But it came from humble beginnings - from an engineer at a start-up called Motorola, who on 3 April 1973 made the first ever mobile phone call publicly to gathered journalists in midtown Manhattan.
Richard Taylor speaks to Martin Cooper, the engineer often referred to as the father of the mobile phone, about what the future may hold for the device.
Find out more on the Click homepage.
10 Apr 2013
- From the section Technology


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Real estate has been one of the best-performing sectors of the stock market recently, and it isn't hard to understand why. Many real estate investment trusts (REITs) stand to benefit tremendously from the economic reopening in the United States -- after all, most forms of commercial real estate exist for the purpose of people physically going places. Not only that, but real estate is a sector that is naturally hedged against inflation. In inflationary environments, REITs can simply choose to raise their rents.
Although REITs as a whole have performed very well recently, there are some that could still have tons of upside potential as reopening continues and the year goes on. Here are three in particular that look interesting right now.
A quiet beneficiary of the meme stock craze
If you've followed the financial news at all recently, you've probably seen headlines about so-called "meme stocks" like GameStop (NYSE: GME) and AMC Entertainment (NYSE: AMC). In fact, AMC more than doubled in a single day just before I wrote this.
However, one REIT that could be a big beneficiary of the meme stock craze is EPR Properties (NYSE: EPR). If you aren't familiar, EPR Properties invests in entertainment properties, such as ski resorts, water parks, golf attractions, and yes -- movie theaters. And AMC just so happens to be EPR's biggest tenant.
EPR's stock got crushed at the start of the pandemic, and questions about AMC's future viability are a big reason. In fact, EPR was so worried about AMC's financial position that it started to account for its rental revenue differently in mid-2020 and wrote off all receivables from the theater operator.
However, the recent activity has allowed AMC to raise billions in new capital at extremely favorable valuations, plus people are finally starting to return to theaters in large numbers. In short, there's now little doubt that AMC will be just fine. With EPR shares still trading for about 24% less than at the beginning of 2020, there could be lots of room to the upside as the reopening continues.
One of the last parts of the economy to normalize
We're finally starting to see people travel again, which is great news for hotel REITs. In fact, we learned that Memorial Day weekend was the busiest for air travel since before the pandemic started, and by a wide margin.
However, most of the travel we're seeing is for leisure purposes, such as people taking vacations or visiting friends and family. Business travel -- specifically for large gatherings -- is still not happening much.
This could be a major catalyst for Ryman Hospitality Properties (NYSE: RHP) later this year, as pent-up demand has already led to 1.6 million rebooked room nights for the group-focused operator of the Gaylord hotels. Its hotels are operating at a fraction of their pre-pandemic capacity right now, but that could change dramatically in the coming months. And with shares still well below their pre-COVID valuation, investors who add Ryman to their portfolio now could be handsomely rewarded.
As people start traveling, this REIT could have tons of upside
Last but not least, Outfront Media (NYSE: OUT) is a REIT that owns and operates outdoor advertising, specifically billboards and transit system advertising faces. For example, if you've ever seen one of those ads on the wall of the New York City subway system, there's a good chance Outfront Media put it there.
Not surprisingly, many advertisers pumped the brakes on outdoor ad spending because of the pandemic. After all, when there are fewer cars on the road and almost nobody using public transportation, why would you want to spend money to get your message in those venues? Transit advertising has been especially hard-hit, with Outfront's transit system revenue down 67% year over year in the first quarter.
However, the surge in travel demand and general reopening of the economy could create a massive boost in outdoor advertising spending, and Outfront Media could be a major beneficiary.
The Millionacres bottom line
All three of these REITs have performed quite well in 2021 so far but could still have quite a ways to go as the economy roars back to life. As is the case with most REITs, these are intended as long-term investments, but this could be a great time to add them to your portfolio as the pandemic winds down.


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Microsoft is discovered to have taken and stored location info for millions of WiFi and Windows Phone 7 devices for its online maps feature.
First Look: LG V10
OnePlus X review: In striving for opulence, does it miss the mark?
Stay up-to-date with the latest software releases
Hands-on and first impressions of Microsoft's Lumia 950 flagship
As general release nears, what do you think of Windows 10 Mobile?
Microsoft owns and operates four of the top 10 most visited web sites in the world this year, at least according to the rankings of one of the company's rivals Google. According to Google's own...
Earlier this month Kumo was released internally to Microsoft employees for testing and also several screenshots of Kumo.com surfaced over the net. LiveSide has got it hands on the new Kumo.com home page which looks...
Neowin member pikablu0530 has posted instructions on how you can register a live.com ID at Microsoft, it's a few simple steps and after that you will maybe snap up an ID that's not already registered...
Earlier today, the new Live.com (now featuring Flair/Vapor) went live. As mentioned last week, this upgrade mainly focuses on the new UI and first-run experience. Now it is much easier to get rolling with customized...


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A visitor experiences the virtual reality (VR) device during the 2019 World Conference on VR Industry in Nanchang, capital of east China's Jiangxi Province, Oct. 19, 2019. (Xinhua/Peng Zhaozhi)
The 2019 World Conference on VR Industry kicked off Saturday in Nanchang, capital of east China's Jiangxi Province, highlighting the latest technologies, products and types of businesses related to the VR (virtual reality) industry.
Themed "VR plus 5G for a new era of perception," this year's conference aims to explore the 5G-enabled development of the VR industry in the initial stage of 5G commercialization, which is expected to cultivate new opportunities for various VR application.
More than 7,000 experts, scholars and entrepreneurs in the field of VR, AR (augmented reality) and MR (mixed reality) from home and abroad attended the conference, nearly 300 of whom will share their insights at the main forum and 23 parallel forums, according to the organizers.
The three-day event will feature a VR expo with a 60,000-square-meter display area and 215 domestic and overseas corporate exhibitors and industry organizations from Japan, India, Germany and other countries and regions, demonstrating their latest developments of VR and AR products and applications.
Co-hosted by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the provincial government of Jiangxi, the conference is held annually in Nanchang. China's first industrial base for VR was launched in 2016 in Jiangxi, where a VR industry cluster is now taking shape.
A total of 108 VR industry agreements and projects worth 35 billion yuan (about 5 billion U.S. dollars) were inked during the 2018 conference, according to Yang Wenbin, deputy mayor of Nanchang, who also noted that more than 90 percent of the projects have been either registered or put into operation.


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Supply chain software supplier Strategix today announces its central involvement in an exciting new project set to revolutionise the communications industry in Nigeria.
Tehila Communications Limited, formed by leading members of the consortium which won a $285 million bid for a second generation GSM licence from the Nigerian government, has chosen Strategix as its IT solution partner to roll out its distribution network. Initially focusing on the major cities, Tehila plans nationwide coverage within its first two years of operation.
In this landmark deal, one that extends the company's reach into Africa, Strategix will supply Tehila Communications Limited with the software to support an ambitious, automated distribution network selling GSM products through flagship stores, kiosks and over the Internet. At present, the Nigerian population of some 120 million is not well connected, with less than 1% having access to a reliable land line. The use of GSM technology and mobile phones is therefore set to expand dramatically.
Strategix has a strong track record in delivering solutions for mobile phone distributors, with customers such as Virgin Mobile in the UK, who has recently announced its one-millionth subscriber. However, according to a senior member of the Tehila project team, Shola Kotun, this is the first time anyone has ever deployed automated distribution software of this size and type in Nigeria.
"When you talk about 'software' here in Nigeria, people think you mean off-the-shelf, packaged software like Microsoft Office. The deployment of automated distribution software is therefore a revolutionary concept for Nigerian businesses, and quite a dramatic leap forward when you consider the constraints that we currently operate under - including power outages and a poor telecommunications infrastructure."
Following the newly-elected Nigerian government's move to tackle the country's communications problems by selling GSM licences to selected operators, Tehila has formed to seize upon a huge market opportunity to distribute GSM products such as mobile phones and pre-paid phone cards.
Peter Lusty, Strategix chief executive explains: "The company will go live with a fully-integrated, e-commerce-enabled, Strategix implementation in August 2001: just three months after Tehila confirmed the order. Tehila plans to have 1000 kiosks using Strategix by the end of 2002, sited in strategic locations such as banks, hotels, petrol stations and college campuses."
Phillips Consulting has advised Tehila during the business planning and IT selection phases and will remain involved during the deployment. Lead consultant, Supo Fawole, says that pivotal to Tehila's decision to go with Strategix was their proven ability to deliver a rapid deployment solution to support the company's sophisticated business model. "The government has set the new GSM operators stiff targets to roll out a certain number of lines by August 9 or have their licences revoked, and correspondingly, to seize our market opportunity, we too have to be up and running by then."
Fawole adds: "Excellent references, a proven track record in distribution, the fact that the software was the best fit for our needs, and the professionalism and integrity demonstrated by the Strategix staff, were all contributors to our overall strong impression of Strategix.
"We anticipate that having complete control over our inventory within all locations will provide us with a real competitive edge. The facilities afforded by Strategix for the management of our complex inventory model are second to none. Not only will it give us full visibility, it will also track the stock position of our agents, allowing us to ensure that we optimize their stockholding position also."
Through the Strategix deployment Tehila will be able to monitor stock levels real-time, and re-order according to remaining stock and customer demand. Crucially Fawole believes that with the Strategix system, each kiosk will only have to hold two days worth of stock, and this will mean considerable cost savings to the business. "Our research tells us that our competitors will have to hold ten days stock, so this is yet another area where Strategix will give us the edge."
This is an exciting project that holds huge promise for Nigeria. And Tehila has taken a long-term view, investing in reputable, highly scaleable software to meet its distribution needs in a cost-effective, customer-focused manner. According to Fawole, ROI will be rapid; in fact the system will have paid for itself within the first two years of operation.
Soon customers will be able to buy mobile phones, phone cards and accessories on demand, from a kiosk just around the corner from their home or place of work or study. Moreover the rollout of the GSM network will enable Tehila to sell products over the Internet, currently a revolutionary concept in Nigeria due to the poor communications infrastructure. With the anticipated rapid increase in Internet access the country will now see over the coming months, customers will be able place orders directly through the Strategix Customer Portal simply by logging on to Tehila's web site. This is seen by Tehila as a crucial factor in achieving a high profile and a swift penetration of the fast developing market.
Tehila expects many more businesses in the region to follow its lead in implementing Strategix software, once they see what can be achieved in this unique rollout.
Peter Lusty concludes: "Tehila's clear goal is to quickly become the dominant supplier of mobile communication needs in Nigeria. To do this, they needed to be one step ahead of the competition at launch and this demanded the rapid deployment of a specialist solution from a reliable partner. We at Strategix are delighted to assist them in achieving this goal."
Photography is available
Strategix designs, develops and implements enterprise management and e-business software for volume distributors, resellers and electronic retailers.
Specialising in a number of distribution sectors including telecoms, electronics, IT and electrical supplies, Strategix delivers applications that provide an integrated approach to managing customer and supplier relationships, inventory, service delivery and financial accounts.
Current and recent implementations include Virgin Mobile, Bailey Telecom, Azlan, Richco, Avnet CMG, Midwich, Dimension Data, and Telindus K-NET.
About Tehila Communications
Tehila is a young and dynamic Nigerian company founded in 1998 with a unique product: a pre-paid international calling card called Connect Card. Based in Lagos, the company plans to set up an automated distribution network for a variety of goods, with a heavy focus on GSM products.
For further information please contact:
Bill Penn, SPARX Communications,
Sterling House, Station Road, Gerrards Cross, Bucks. SL9 8EL
Tel: 0044 1753 893 000 Fax: 0044 1753 888 345
Alan Goodwin, Strategix,
Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD
Tel: 0044 1628 532565 Fax: 0044 1628 532514
Shola Kotun, Tehila Communications Ltd,
2/4 Abebe Village Road, Iganmu, Lagos, Nigeria.
This press release was distributed by ResponseSource Press Release Wire on behalf of Aspectus PR in the following categories: Consumer Technology, Personal Finance, Business & Finance, Computing & Telecoms, for more information visit https://pressreleasewire.responsesource.com/about.


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To prevent the cannibalization of the 6.1-inch iPhone model with LCD panel that is expected to drop later this year, Apple has been rumored to kill off the iPhone X after the humongous iPhone X Plus has been launched. However, there has been a little twist added to the tale here because a supply chain rumor suggests that the iPhone X is going to be sold for a considerably long period.
Rumor Suggests That the iPhone X Is Going to Be Sold Through 2019 - Apple Sticking to Its Usual Smartphone Strategy?
According to unnamed industry sources, Apple is expected to launch two new iPhone models that will be touting the OLED display, and this will include the 6.46-inch variant. However, these versions are going to be sold alongside the iPhone X. Since there are going to be potentially a larger number of devices being sold this year, Apple has been reported to seek out new partners for specific components.
We feel that in addition to Samsung, the tech firm is going to be partnering with other manufacturers, which will include LG Display and possibly others. This rumor is noteworthy because according to Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple was rumored to kill off the iPhone X as soon as the iPhone X Plus would be launched in various markets.
Apple has a long-term history of reducing the price tag of the previous-generation models in order to make sure that they are able to deliver a more compelling value to consumers who earlier believed that these smartphones were too expensive to entertain a purchase.
This year, we believe that Apple is going to be sticking to its guns, but you should still take this rumor with a pinch of salt for now. The smartphone industry is going to be extremely competitive this year, and there is no telling if Apple’s decision remains consistent with that of the strategy which is taking place for several years now.
Do you think the iPhone X will continue being sold up until 2019? Tell us down in the comments.
You might also like to check out:
News Source: AppleInsider


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Over the past few years, China's digital ecosystem has been developing rapidly, and an increasing number of international brands have been working to build digital capabilities at all levels in the market. While the pandemic’s impact on offline retail might have partly driven digital advancements, it is the ongoing transformation of the entire industry and changes in consumer behaviour that has really helped to move things forward.
As the leading business intelligence resource for luxury professionals, Luxury Society has its finger on the pulse when it comes to trends and developments within the industry – both in China and around the world. This year, the Shanghai edition of its flagship Keynote event will focus on how brands can develop effective digital strategies and win in the Chinese market amidst these changing times.
Titled The New State of Commerce in China, this year's Luxury Society Keynote will be held on November 26, 2020 at The Sukhothai in Shanghai. It will be co-hosted by DLG (Digital Luxury Group), the leading independent digital agency for luxury brands, and one of China’s top e-commerce service providers, Buy Quickly, and bring together top luxury executives and business leaders for a closer look at China’s digital ecosystem.
Today, China's digital landscape has reached a tipping point. The gradual development of the market’s digital infrastructure, coupled with the continuous evolution of online platforms, have paved the way for brands to roll out their digital transformations. But at the same time, new challenges have arisen. Brands need to break away from the traditional understanding of digital and start thinking about building rich media strategies, making use innovative sales channels such as social selling, or even developing social CRM to truly resonate with today’s consumers and accelerate their pace of digitisation.
The Luxury Society Keynote Shanghai 2020 will focus on four main themes: The Convergence of Marketing and Commerce; Scaling Up with E-commerce, Diversifying Sales Channels and Digital Transformation in China. Executives from leading luxury brands such as LVMH, Pandora, GBMax Max Mara Group of Brands and Breitling, as well as industry experts from Tencent, Boston Consulting Group and JINGdigital will be sharing their experience and insights through keynote speeches, panel discussions and in-depth interviews. To discover the full programme and register for the offline event now, click on the link in the banner below.
LS Keynote 2020
Thursday, 26 November
The New State of Commerce in China
The Luxury Society Keynote Shanghai 2020 will also be broadcasted live. For more information and to register for the online event, please visit this website.


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Toyota Tacoma sales down in February
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Toyota Motor Corp. is losing some traction in the pickup truck sector.
The automaker sold 10,942 Tacoma trucks in the U.S. last month. That’s a 13.5 percent drop from the February 2013 total.
So far this year, Tacoma sales are down more than 14 percent from the first two months of 2013.
It’s a different story for the larger Toyota Tundra pickup. Last month, 7,923 consumers purchased a Tundra truck. That’s an 8.4 percent gain over the February 2013 sales total.
Year over year, Tundra sales are up 10.5 percent.
Toyota manufactures the Tacoma and Tundra trucks in San Antonio.
Overall Toyota sales in the U.S. fell 4.3 percent in February.
Bill Fay, Toyota division group vice president and general manager, says, “... Strong truck sales were a highlight this month, with RAV4 and Highlander posting best-ever February results.”
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The 14th annual Oregon Truffle Festival, held from Jan. 25 to 28, brought visitors to Eugene to sample the rare and aromatic cousin of the mushroom. The festival is curated to highlight Oregon’s budding culinary reputation and raise awareness of the quality of Oregon truffles.
The festival kicked off with the Joriad Truffle Dog Championship on Jan. 25, the only truffle dog trials in North America. Held at the Lane Events Center, the first round challenged dogs and their handlers to find bottles of buried truffle-infused olive oil. After the finalists were announced, the contestants traveled to a secret location in the forest outside of Eugene to hunt for real truffles.
Though many of the canine competitors were breeds already well-known for their hunting skills – German Shepherds, Border Collies, and Labradors of all colors – the winner was a Chihuahua mix from Springfield named Gustave. His owner, Marcy Tippmann, took home a $500 prize, and Gustave went home with a belly full of treats.
The weekend-long festival held events for all. Elite chefs from all over the Pacific Northwest held cooking classes and demonstrations using Oregon-grown black and white truffles. Package ticket deals for the festival included winery luncheons, truffle foraging classes, a lecture series and a decadent six-course dinner featuring dishes built around freshly harvested truffles. Sunday’s Fresh Truffle Market featured local and regional vendors selling everything from artisanal cupcakes to Oregon’s famous pinot noir wines.
One of the featured chefs was Lane Community College culinary instructor Chris Crosthwaite, author of the book “Capturing the Essence,” which details methods for using Oregon truffles. Chef Crosthwaite explained why truffles have long been regarded as an elite food item.
“Truffles have been sought after by humans for thousands of years. They are seasonal, difficult to find, and perish quite quickly,” Chef Crosthwaite said. “These factors, along with their alluring aromatics, give them a mystique of being rare and special, like diamonds, hence, they attract wealthy persons.”
This connection to high cuisine is well-known, but part of the Oregon Truffle Festival’s mission is to bring the truffle and its complex flavors into everyday life. Nancy Lowell, a recent retiree from California attending the festival for the first time, was filled with inspiration after a cooking demonstration.
“I’ve been cooking at home for almost 40 years,” Lowell said, clutching a box of black Oregon truffles, “and I’ve never been more excited to go home and cook dinner.”
The festival will host a second weekend of events in Newberg, the heart of Oregon wine country, from Feb. 16 to 18.


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New York investigates Sandy price gouging
ALBANY, N.Y. - More than 400 possible cases of price gouging have been reported in New York before and after Superstorm Sandy.
Reports are being investigated in New York City, the Hudson Valley and on Long Island by state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.
Among the reports: The price of a bag of potatoes jumped from $3 before the storm to $7. A box of matches more than tripled, to $10. And a loaf of bread more than doubled, to $7.
State law prohibits spikes in prices for essential goods, including food, water, gasoline, generators, batteries and flashlights. The law also prohibits sharp increases in prices by retailers, supermarkets, hardware stores, bodegas, delis and taxis.
A vendor may defend higher prices if they can show an increased cost of getting goods or delivering services.
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Daycare owner indicted on negligent homicide charge in child's death
Slow start to ticket sales for Saturday's LSU, USC game
La. VA secretary out amid patient care scandal
LSU general admission tickets go on sale Thursday
West Feliciana deputy accused of using 'n' word, multiple complaints filed


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D3 Go! is the Encino, California-based publisher behind Marvel Puzzle Quest, Puzzle Quest: The Legend Returns, and other titles. The acquisition grants 505 Games full ownership of the Puzzle Quest franchise, following the purchase of Puzzle Quest series developer Infinity Plus 2 in 2021.
“D3 Go! has done a brilliant job bringing some of the biggest Puzzle Quest titles to market, and it was a natural fit for us to welcome them into the 505 Games family, building on our library of owned IP,” said 505 Games free-to-play head Clive Robert in a press release. “This acquisition marks the second for us in only two years as we continue our dedication to growing the free-to-play business unit and bringing to gamers the best there is to offer—from original games, to powerhouse licenses, and beyond.”
The titles inherited from D3 Go! will continue to operate and be supported with new content under 505 Games, with additional investments in the near future.
D3 Go!’s team of eight will join 505 Games’ United States office in Calabasas, California.


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Tuesday, December 8, 2015 9:45 AM by Travel Tacoma
News from around Tacoma and Pierce County
Some is Travel Tacoma - Mt. Rainier's news. Some is from our partners. But it's all worth knowing.
Tag - new hire
Dec. 8, 2015—Tacoma, Washington —Travel Tacoma + Pierce County, the area’s official destination marketing organization, today announced that Matt Wakefield has been named its new communications


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Major New Orders For Wire Strand Compaction Units.
Bar Products & Services Ltd have secured a significant new contract to produce Wire Strand Compaction Units for a major European rope manufacturer.
The order further increases the orders for the units already manufactured this year for companies in Turkey, Mexico, and Europe, and establishes 2012 as being a pivotal year in the company’s history as growth continues in an otherwise gloomy economic climate.
Continued expansion of the company has seen two new production machines and an increase in personnel already put into place this year, with a further CNC Lathe due to arrive within the next few weeks mark 2012 as a year of investment and growth for the company. Established in a small office manufacturing diamond paste for polishing tungsten carbide drawing dies over 20 years ago, the company’s expansion has led to the manufacturing of everything from drawing dies to wear parts and rollers to machinery, Bar Products & Services Ltd has become one of the main suppliers to the wire, rod, tube and rope industries around the world.


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HMD Global-owned Nokia’s flagship smartphone, the Nokia 8.1, will go on its first sale today. The Nokia 8.1 was launched last week at a price of ₹ 26,999. The sale will commence at 1 pm on Amazon.in and Nokia Online Store. The smartphone has been on pre-orders since the day of it’s launch, i.e. December 10.
Nokia’s offering a ₹ 2,000 gift card on purchase of the Nokia 8.1 which can be redeemed on the Nokia Online Store. Customers will also receive a one-time screen replacement for six months. Nokia is also offering 1TB data on eligible plans from select telecom operators starting ₹ 199 for prepaid subscribers. For buyers with postpaid plans, Nokia is offering 120GB additional data plus 3 months of Netflix, and one year of Amazon Prime subscription on plans starting ₹ 499.
The Nokia 8.1 sports a 6.18-inch Full HD+ LCD display at the front. Powering the device is a rather unique Snapdragon 710 processor clocked at 2.2GHz with eight Kryo 360 cores. It comes in three variants of 4GB RAM/64GB internal storage, 6GB RAM/64GB internal storage and 6GB RAM/128GB internal storage.
The back of the phone features a 12MP+13MP AI enabled dual camera with Optical Image Stabilisation. The lens of the rear camera is made by ZEISS. The front camera is an AI-enabled 20MP clicker.
The phone runs Android One and has already received the Pie upgrade. The Android One badge also means the smartphone is on the priority list for the latest security and firmware upgrades from Google.
The phone is backed by a 3,500mAh battery and supports 18W fast-charging.


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'GREEN WAVE' WASHES OVER MAINSTREAM SHOPPING
A report from Mintel the market research organisation says that despite repression and financial pressures more people than ever want to buy environmentally friendly products and a "green wave' has swept through consumerism, taking in people previously untouched by an environmental conscience.
The report, published today, also predicts that the process will repeat itself with "ethical' products, involving issues such as fair trade with the Third World and the social record of businesses. Companies will have to be more honest and open in response to this mood.
Mintel's survey, based on nearly 1,000 consumers, found that the proportion who look for Green products and are prepared to pay more for them have climbed from 53 per cent in 1990 to 60 per cent in 1994. On average they would pay 13p in the pound more, although the premium is higher amongst women, managerial and professional groups and those aged 35 to 44.
Between 1990 and 1994 the proportion claiming to be unaware of or unconcerned about Green issues fell from 18 to 10 per cent but the number of Green spenders amongst older people and manual workers has risen substantially. Regions such as Scotland have also caught up with the South of England in their environmental concerns.
According to Mintel, the slightly "freakish' image of Green consumerism in the late 1980s - its association with "long hair and sandals" - has vanished. Angela Hughes, Mintel's consumer research manager, said it had become firmly established as a mainstream market.
"As far as the average man and woman in the street are concerned, environmentalism has not gone off the boil. It has spread across a much wider range of consumer groups, ages and occupations. "
Mintel's 1994 survey found that 13 per cent of consumers were "very dark green," nearly always buying environmentally friendly products, 28 per cent were dark green, trying "as far as possible" to buy such products, and 21 per cent were pale green - they"tend" to try and buy green products if they see them.
Another 28 per cent are armchair Greens; they say they care about environmental issues but their concern does not affect their spending habits. Only seven per cent say they do not care about Green issues.
Four in ten people are also "ethical spenders," buying goods which do not for example, involve dealings with oppressive regimes. The figure is the same as in 1990 although the n umber of "armchair ethicals" has risen from 28 to 35 per cent and only 22 per cent say they are unconcerned now, against 30 per cent in 1990.
"As the end of the 1990s approaches, consumers will be encouraged to think more about the entire history of the products and services they buy, including the policies of the companies that provide them. This will require a greater degree of honesty with consumers."
Amongst Green consumers, animal testing is the top issue - 48 per cent said they were would be deterred from buying a product if it had been tested on animals - followed by irresponsible selling, the ozone layer, river and sea pollution, forest destruction, recycling and factory farming. However , concern for such specific issues is lower than in 1990, suggesting that many consumers feel government and business have taken on the environmental agenda.
The Green Consumer, £1,395. Mintel, 18 to 19 Long Lane, London, EC1A 9HE.
- 1 British tourists 'murdered' in Thailand: Pair's bloodied bodies found naked on Koh Tao beach
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- 3 Welcome to Cameroon, where drinking Baileys can lead to imprisonment
- 4 Lego breaks out of the toy box and heads for the gallery
- 5 Vogue under fire for 'Big Booty' article
British tourists 'murdered' in Thailand: Pair's bloodied bodies found naked on Koh Tao beach
Russia freezes Ukraine into submission: Kiev admits country doesn't have enough fuel for winter
Jihadi John': MI5 may have identified Isis militant who killed David Haines but options limited
Scottish independence: Police will be on high alert on Friday whatever the result
David Haines beheading: David Cameron says Britain will hunt down Isis 'monsters' shown in video murdering aid worker
Daniele Watts: Django Unchained actress detained by Los Angeles police after being mistaken for a prostitute
The political class is doing what Hitler couldn’t – destroying Britain
Scottish independence: Nationalist leader Jim Sillars threatens pro-union companies with 'day of reckoning' after independence
Scottish independence: Yes campaign feels the heat as Alex Salmond's NHS claims come under furious attack
£23m Birmingham cycle scheme is attacked by Tory councillor for not catering to the elderly
Salmond accused of laughing off national debt with ‘what are they going to do: invade?’ joke
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KENTWOOD -- X-Rite Inc. this morning continued to show its acquisition-related growing pains as it reported a $19.6 million loss in the third quarter even as sales jumped.
The company, which makes color-matching equipment and software, has been in the process of integrating Amazys and Pantone, resulting in $8.3 million in one-time charges related to integration and restructuring for the three months ended Dec. 29.
Interest expenses, extinguishing debt and a loss on foreign currency exchange also contributed to the loss.
Subtracting those charges, the company said adjusted operating income amounted to $12.8 million, reflecting a 61 percent gross margin. That compares to operating income of $11.9 million with a 59 percent gross margin in the same period a year ago.
The $19.6 million loss, amounting to a loss of 68 cents per share, included some income from the now sold Labsphere operation. In the fourth quarter of 2006 X-Rite reported profit of $913,000, or 3 cents per share in the fourth quarter.
The company reported fourth quarter net sales of $74.7 million, an almost 24 percent increase from the $60.4 million in sales reported in the 2006 quarter. Sales included 2 months of operations at Pantone, the color standards company it bought late last year.
For all of 2007, X-Rite sales were up 48 percent, due largely to acquisition-related growth. The company's 2006 loss of $12.6 million, or 44 cents per share, compared to a net loss of $25.5 million, or $1.03, in 2006.
"Overall sales in the X-Rite and Pantone core markets were strong in the fourth quarter as we continue to successfully leverage our product lines, stabilize the organization and improve our customer experience," Thomas Vacchiano, Jr., chief executive of X-Rite, said in a press release.
"The integration of the sales, engineering and general and administrative functions for the Amazys transaction remains on track and we are excited about the impact that the Pantone acquisition will have on our combined product portfolio and cost synergies."
X-Rite stock closed at $8.12 Monday, down seven cents. The stock hit a new 52-week low of $8 earlier on Monday. The company employs about 500 at its Kentwood plant.


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With the festive season in full swing and Black Friday just around the corner, many Irish people will start to (or finish) their Christmas shopping over the coming days.
One third of Irish people will take advantage of the mega savings day, picking up bargains in shops and online tomorrow and into Cyber Monday.
New research from media agency, MediaCom shows that 33% of Irish shoppers plan to buy something on Black Friday this year - which is up a massive 24% compared to last year.
The study also revealed what the average amount Irish people will spend on Christmas gifts for their nearest and dearest this year.
We will fork out an average of €456 on presents for family and friends alike.
So if you have to shop for quite a number of people this Christmas time - it may be worthwhile thinking of picking up some deals tomorrow.


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...PMO directs Ministries and Departments to identify areas where action is possible
NEW DELHI: India has decided to pro-actively find ways to counter possible moves by the Donald Trump administration to block Indian exports as part of the US Trade Department’s review process of the 16 nations with which the US has a trade deficit.
The Prime Minister’s Office has asked all Ministries and Departments to take note of items from their respective sectors that are imported from the US and which could be restricted through various means if required, a government official said.
“Since seeking a resolution at the World Trade Organisation is time-consuming, we need a back-up plan in case the US takes unwarranted steps to check imports from India. We have to be prepared to counter the move with similar measures,” the official said.
However, it might not be an easy exercise for India to identify imports from the US where there is a possibility of imposing restrictions.
“We import a lot of high-tech goods from the US. We absolutely need these items and there is little scope to impose restrictions here,” the official added. “Similarly, we import a variety of fruits and vegetables where we have already imposed high import duties. Finding additional ways to curb these will also be difficult,” the official noted. Import restrictions can be imposed through non-tariff measures, for instance, by rejecting consignments on grounds of low quality and standards.
“The fact remains that the Indian industry is more vulnerable than the American industry as we export much more to the US than we import. For instance, our sectors such as textiles and leather, which are labour-intensive, can take a big hit if the US decides to make its import policies unfavourable,” the official said.
Early last month, Trump signed an executive order launching a 90-day investigation of countries, including India, against which the US runs a bilateral trade deficit.
Assistant US Trade Representative Mark Linscott, in his recent discussions with officials from the Commerce Ministry in New Delhi, reiterated that his Government would seriously look at the $24 billion trade deficit it has with India and find ways to address the situation.


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Along with the worldwide celebration of Europe Day on May 9, EuroCham Morocco is organizing a meeting on May 8, 2018 starting 6pm at the headquarters of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Navigation of Casablanca. Mrs. Claudia Wiedey, Ambassador of the European Union in Morocco, and the Presidents of the eight Chambers of Commerce and Industry members of EuroCham Morocco will attend the event.
Mrs. Claudia Wiedey declared on this occasion: “On behalf of the European Union, I am particularly pleased to support the work of EuroCham Morocco, which brings together more than 7,000 Moroccan and European companies within the European Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Morocco”.
Founded in 2006, EuroCham Morocco is the union of eight European Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Morocco. Its mission is to represent the interests of more than 7,000 Moroccan and European companies that are members of the European Chambers, as well as to strengthen the economic partnership relations between the European Union and Morocco based on objectives and shared values.


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The City of Sunnyvale has reinstated, after two years of COVID, the annual, transportation mitagation reporting requirement for large developments.
Starting October 31st, member companies, who chose to participate in the commute survey, will have access to an online, commute survey. Each employee who participates will be asked to tell us about his/her commute during the week of October 24th through 30th. During the survey, particpants who complete the questions are eligible for opportunity drawings, that include a $200 Southwest Airlines gift card and $200 Amazon gift card.
The commute survey will close November 11th. All answers will be converted to data that will provide a snapshot of what people are doing for their commutes. With this information, we hope to learn more about what people are doing and not doing as we come out of COVID.


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Dan Curtin, president of Greenleaf Foods, is not afraid to own governor of Indiana web web hosting guidelines.
вЂњYou understand what would beвЂќ that is really cool stated in the front of Shelbyville Mayor Tom DeBaun and Gov. Eric Holcomb at a Sunday evening reception when you look at the governorвЂ™s mansionвЂ¦ вЂњif we’d a cutting board, shaped like their state of Indiana with Shelbyville onto it. WeвЂ™re going to place Shelbyville in the map.вЂќ
The Indianapolis Star, and the Associated Press picking up the ground-breaking story, Shelbyville indeed seemed to be on the proverbial map by the next day, with media as wide-ranging as the Chicago Tribune.
The statement that Greenleaf Foods, a subsidiary of Canada-based Maple Leaf Foods, Inc. and creator of plant-based items such as ground Italian sausage and bratwurst sausage, would spend over $300 million and produce 460 brand brand new jobs in Shelbyville received accolades throughout the aisle.
вЂњThis investment is really a win that is massive Shelbyville together with surrounding area,вЂќ U.S. Rep. Greg Pence (R-6) stated in a declaration following statement.
Gov. Eric Holcomb, whom attended the big event, stated, вЂњWeвЂ™re known for the midwestern modesty in IndianaвЂќ by having a right face before gushing about the task. вЂњI suggest, the figures are staggeringвЂ¦.you speak about 450 brand new employees,вЂќ he said under a sizable tent that is white the long term home web web web site, in which a 230,000 sq ft center will lay on E. SR 44, just east associated with the I-74 and SR-44 interchange.
Mayor Tom DeBaun reminded attendees that municipality had bought 184 acres amid much community feedback in September 2018.


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FTX debtors announce LedgerX sale agreement
- LedgerX could be sold to M7 holdings after approval from the bankruptcy court
- The hearing on the sale will be held in the first week of May 2023
FTX, the infamous bankrupt crypto exchange, and its debtors announced that they have sketched an agreement for the sale of LedgerX on 25 April. The platform could be sold to an affiliate of Miami International Holdings – M7 Holdings with the firms signing an interest purchase agreement.
Collection of top AI tools to use for different tasks.
Notably, M7 Holdings was not the only one aiming for LedgerX. Kalshi Inc – a federally regulated exchange – was also reportedly interested in the crypto platform.
Fresh money inflow for FTX Debtors
Recall that LedgerX rebranded to FTX US Derivatives after its acquisition by FTX US’ parent company – West Realm Shire Services. The now-bankrupt crypto exchange finalized the purchase plan for the platform in October 2021. The deal had also given FTX US access to CFTC-regulated Designated Contract Market, Derivatives Clearing Organization, and Swap Execution Facility.
Moreover, LedgerX was one of the only wings of FTX to remain solvent. Its parent company, along with other sister entities, filed for bankruptcy in November 2022. The bankruptcy court had given a green light for the sale of the platform in January 2023, along with some Japanese and European units. Additionally, there were around 117 expressions of interest for these units.
The deal with M7 Holdings will bring in around $50 million for FTX Debtors, according to the official press release. Moreover, the agreement is subjected to bankruptcy court approval. And, a hearing on the same will be held on 4 May 2023. The current CEO and Chief Reconstructing Officer – John J Ray III – said,
“We are pleased to reach this agreement with MIH, which is an example of our continuing efforts to monetize assets to deliver recoveries to stakeholders.”
FTX’s game winds down business
Subsequently, Storybook Brawl – a digital card game – announced that it would wind down business on 1 May 2023. The game came under the wing of FTX after it acquired Good Luck Games in March 2022 as part of the crypto entity’s push for expansion in blockchain gaming.
However, the bankruptcy of the firm had cast an air of uncertainty on the future game, with the platform even canceling its World Championship event. Storybook Brawl said on Twitter,
“On behalf of everyone on the SBB team, we’d like to thank you for your support. We’ve explored different options, and unfortunately there is no path forward. We’ll be shutting down the servers on May 1st – please enjoy SBB until then, and thanks for all the memories”


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For Charlee Smith, buying an affordable family sedan used to be a no-brainer. He mainly bought vehicles from Nissan Motor Co. 7201.TO -0.45% Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. Japan: Tokyo ¥893 -4 -0.45% Dec. 12, 2013 3:00 pm Volume : 12.73M P/E Ratio 10.57 Market Cap ¥4113.85 Billion Dividend Yield 3.36% Rev. per Employee ¥58,958,200 12/10/13 China's Auto Market Is Marked ... 12/04/13 GM, Ford Stocks Wobble on Worr... 11/30/13 Takeda Taps French Glaxo Execu... More quote details and news » , believing Japanese autos cars stood out for their quality, reliability and resale value.
But when looking for a new vehicle a few months ago, the 63-year-old Templeton, Calif., sales manager broadened his search, checking out models from Volkswagen AG VOW.XE -0.19% Volkswagen AG Germany: Xetra €184.40 -0.35 -0.19% Dec. 12, 2013 1:14 pm Volume : 32,599 P/E Ratio 10.60 Market Cap €87.18 Billion Dividend Yield 1.90% Rev. per Employee €353,101 12/11/13 GM Hits End of the Road in Aus... 10/22/13 EU Court Dismisses Case vs. Ge... 10/15/13 Guns in the Parking Lot: A Del... More quote details and news » , Hyundai Motor Co. 005380.SE +0.44% Hyundai Motor Co. Ltd. S. Korea: KRX KRW230000 +1000 +0.44% Dec. 12, 2013 3:00 pm Volume : 826,526 P/E Ratio 7.55 Market Cap KRW50333.18 Billion Dividend Yield 0.83% Rev. per Employee KRW1,472,300,000 12/10/13 China's Auto Market Is Marked ... 12/04/13 Super Bowl Ads Are Sold Out 11/26/13 Hyundai Seeks to Improve Statu... More quote details and news » and the Detroit auto makers. He wound up buying a Fusion Hybrid, from Ford Motor Co. F -0.73% Ford Motor Co. U.S.: NYSE $16.41 -0.12 -0.73% Dec. 11, 2013 4:00 pm Volume (Delayed 15m) : 37.62M AFTER HOURS $16.42 +0.01 +0.06% Dec. 11, 2013 7:59 pm Volume (Delayed 15m): 230,278 P/E Ratio 11.24 Market Cap $65.20 Billion Dividend Yield 2.44% Rev. per Employee $855,585 12/11/13 Holden Road Trip Memories 12/11/13 GM Hits End of the Road in Aus... 12/10/13 China's Auto Market Is Marked ... More quote details and news » , his first domestic-brand car in years.
Mr. Smith said he felt "an emotional connection" to the $27,200 Fusion's curvaceous creases and edgy design. Ford's gains in reliability and fuel economy were a selling point, too. "The Fusion just won in every category," he said.
Most people buy a car with the goal of getting as much out of it as possible before trading it in. MarketWatch's Jim Jelter discusses five cars Americans are most likely to trade in sooner than planned. (Photo: Getty Images)
His purchase reflects a fundamental shift in the large and influential midsize sedan market. Competition is greater and consumer deals are rising. Nissan last week cut the list price of its redesigned Altima by 2.7%, or $580, and General Motors Co. GM -0.59% General Motors Co. U.S.: NYSE $40.16 -0.24 -0.59% Dec. 11, 2013 4:01 pm Volume (Delayed 15m) : 16.32M AFTER HOURS $40.26 +0.10 +0.25% Dec. 11, 2013 7:41 pm Volume (Delayed 15m): 65,018 P/E Ratio 15.63 Market Cap $56.11 Billion Dividend Yield N/A Rev. per Employee $724,174 12/12/13 Peugeot Hit by $1.5 Billion Wr... 12/11/13 Companies Grapple With Passed-... 12/11/13 'New' GM Doesn't Owe $450 Mill... More quote details and news » in February dropped its Malibu sticker by up to $770 and is offering rebates.
A weaker yen may give other Japanese makers room to lower prices as well.
A few years ago, Toyota Motor Corp.'s 7203.TO -0.80% Toyota Motor Corp. Japan: Tokyo ¥6170 -50 -0.80% Dec. 12, 2013 3:00 pm Volume : 6.89M P/E Ratio 13.82 Market Cap ¥21618.94 Billion Dividend Yield 1.94% Rev. per Employee ¥71,033,100 12/12/13 Abbott Fights to Keep Toyota I... 12/11/13 GM Hits End of the Road in Aus... 12/06/13 Toyota Tundra Leads Crowded Fi... More quote details and news » Camry and Honda Motor Co. 7267.TO -1.19% Honda Motor Co. Ltd. Japan: Tokyo ¥4165 -50 -1.19% Dec. 12, 2013 3:00 pm Volume : 5.41M P/E Ratio 18.95 Market Cap ¥7698.57 Billion Dividend Yield 1.92% Rev. per Employee ¥57,240,600 12/05/13 Toyota Hits Back in Battle of ... 12/05/13 Honda Offers Dealers Incentive... 11/28/13 Toyota, Honda Raise Output More quote details and news » 's Accord were top sellers by a wide margin. Their share fell to 28% in the first quarter, from 37% of the U.S. midsize sedan market in 2008, according to Edmunds.
Now, it is a wide-open market. Ford and GM have turned their midsize sedans into real challengers and closed the quality gap with Japan; meanwhile, the Japanese were knocked off stride by recall troubles that hurt Toyota in 2010 and production disruptions in Japan that resulted from the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
The rising challengers include Ford's Fusion, with a 11.9% share of U.S. sales through April, up from 6.8% for all of 2008, Kia Motors Corp. 000270.SE -0.18% Kia Motors Corp. S. Korea: KRX KRW56200 -100 -0.18% Dec. 12, 2013 3:00 pm Volume : 1.38M P/E Ratio 6.31 Market Cap KRW22659.81 Billion Dividend Yield 1.16% Rev. per Employee KRW1,438,160,000 12/04/13 Super Bowl Ads Are Sold Out 11/27/13 Kia's K9 Sedan Gains Two Zeros... 11/27/13 Kia's K9 Sedan Gains Two Zeros... More quote details and news » 's Optima at 6%, up 3.9 percentage points, and Volkswagen AG's Passat at 3.9%, up 2.5 percentage points, according to auto website Edmunds.com.
"We've never had anything like this," said Michael J. Jackson, chief executive of AutoNation Inc., AN -1.11% AutoNation Inc. U.S.: NYSE $49.77 -0.56 -1.11% Dec. 11, 2013 4:03 pm Volume (Delayed 15m) : 563,751 AFTER HOURS $49.77 0.00 0.00% Dec. 11, 2013 4:15 pm Volume (Delayed 15m): 2,995 P/E Ratio 17.34 Market Cap $6.13 Billion Dividend Yield N/A Rev. per Employee $817,486 11/20/13 Say Goodbye to the Car Salesma... 10/24/13 AutoNation, Group 1 Automotive... 10/24/13 Morning MoneyBeat: Risky Busin... More quote details and news » a large chain of new-car dealerships. "If you look at the quality, innovation and distinctive design of these midsize vehicles, this is what luxury cars used to be 10, 15 years ago."
Winning over midsize car buyers is crucial for auto makers. In 2012, 3.5 million midsize cars were sold in the U.S.—a quarter of the entire light-vehicle market. At an average price of $25,000, that is a $90 billion business.
Toyota and Honda's grip on the segment started to loosen in 2011, following the arrival of a boldly designed Hyundai Sonata and cheaper VW Passat. New versions of the Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion and Chevrolet Malibu arrived in showrooms last year.
Chrysler, on the other hand, is still struggling with aging midsize cars that won't be replaced for at least another year.
Both the Camry and Accord were recently redesigned, too. But they are no longer head and shoulders above the pack. "People buy them because they're reliable but they've started to fall into the appliance category," said Mr. Smith, the Fusion buyer. Last month, sales of the sedan jumped 28% over the year-earlier month.
The Ford Fusion is rated to go 36 highway miles on a gallon of gas, matching the Accord's rating, and the Nissan Altima has a 38 highway miles rating, three more than the Camry.
Further intensifying the competition is the midsize-car market is no longer growing as fast as it did last year, putting more pressure on auto makers to steal buyers from rival brands to boost sales.
"The Camry is under intense pressure," said Tom Libby, an auto analyst for research firm, R.L. Polk. "It is not just one model anymore. For the buyer who wants a midsize family car, it is a perfect time because of the competition."
The new competition has forced the Japanese to do something unexpected: Raise their discounts and other sales incentives. Toyota recently began offering zero-percent financing on its 2013 Camry, hoping to spur sales after a sluggish start to the year.
While still the market's top-seller, Camry sales were down 7% through April this year. The average net price on a Camry last month was about $21,336, down about $2,700 from March 2012, according to Edmunds.com.
The Accord, while still the second-best selling car in the U.S., is falling short of Honda's internal goals, said John Mendel, the company's vice president for sales. In April, Honda's sales fell 5% from the same month a year ago. Honda now has among the lowest incentives in the market for its midsize sedan.
GM, Ford, and others are also nudging up incentives. GM is now offering up to $2,000 in cash rebates on the Malibu on top of its price drop. Ford is offering $1,500 in rebates on the Fusion. Most manufacturers are offering dealers discounts that they can pass on to consumers to close sales, too.
"It will probably get crazy before the year is over," said Mike Shaw, who owns dealerships in Texas, Colorado and Louisiana with Toyota, Honda, Chevrolet, GMC and Ford franchises. "There are great deals out there already, but I think it is going to get better as the year goes on."
Write to Christina Rogers at firstname.lastname@example.org


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Some fresh data has emerged on the state of fragmentation of Android devices, courtesy of OpenSignal's August report on the issue which has just been published.
And the headline figure is that there are no less than 18,796 distinct Android devices out there this year – that is different devices which have downloaded the OpenSignal app, so this isn't a definitive figure for the total number of Android variants. Clearly, though, it's a hell of a lot – and it's also up considerably on last year's figure of 11,868 (indeed it's up over 50 per cent).
So, there are more and more different pieces of Android-powered hardware flooding onto the market this year, which is no surprise given that Google's mobile OS is becoming increasingly dominant. Indeed, recent figures from IDC show Android has an 85 per cent share of the global smartphone market.
While fragmentation is an issue which causes major headaches – all those different devices out there running different flavours of Android don't make it easy for developers to target their apps – OpenSignal also notes the positive side of the equation, namely the developing markets which can be leveraged with cheap Android handsets running older versions of the OS. The budget end of the global market is what has helped Android become such a dominant smartphone force.
OpenSignal notes that "Android is successfully filling the gap left behind by the decline of Nokia's Symbian", and adds: "Android is now the dominant mobile operating system and this is because of fragmentation, not in spite of it."
As regards actual Android OS fragmentation, 21 per cent of users are now on KitKat, but the vast majority (54 per cent) are still on Jelly Bean (which is of course fragmented into three incarnations itself, 4.1 through to 4.3).
10.6 per cent are still on Ice Cream Sandwich, and 13.6 per cent on Gingerbread.
As for the most dominant Android phone vendor? Well, you'll get no prizes for guessing that's Samsung with a staggering 43 per cent share of all devices. Sony is a distant second on 4.8 per cent.


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Microsoft is expected to make Microsoft Office 2013 available to the general public sometime in the first quarter of 2013, and if you were planning on getting your hands on Microsoft’s latest productivity suite, a leaked set of slides (via ZDNet) supposedly meant for retailers has made its way onto the internet, and on it are the prices that resellers will probably be selling the software at. As expected, the version that Microsoft is targeting to university students and regular home users will be the cheapest starting at $139, while those looking to get a bit more professional will have to pay $219 for the Office Home & Business 2013 edition, followed by Office Standard 2013 at $369 and Office Professional Plus at $499.
At the same time Microsoft is also offering a new subscription feature which will allow users to install the software on multiple devices, versus paying a onetime fee which only allows users to install Microsoft Office on a single device. Depending on your needs, buying it outright might be cheaper, but for companies that might need to install it on multiple computers, the subscription fee could be the way to go. Microsoft Office 2013 is expected to be launched soon, so be sure to check back with us then for the details.


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The 156th annual Maitland Show running this weekend will take visitors on an educational journey this year with it’s theme of “paddock to plate” threading through the popular community event.
In an attempt to teach its visitors and in particular the younger generation, where food comes from, the show will return to its agricultural roots with a host of stalls, demonstrations and entertainment focusing on fresh produce and the value of growing or producing home -grown food.
Bronwyn Bell, Operations Officer at Maitland Showground is passionate about bringing some tradition to the show this year and is keen to remind families in the community of the rich resource of fresh food available around us, whether it be from local producers or trying their hand at a home grown veggie patch.
“Kids on the whole, are so urbanised these days, there is often very little thought about where the food on their plate has come from. We hope that we can give them some inspiration and insight through the various stalls we have this year and encourage everyone to eat fresh wholesome food, it’s very much about returning to our agricultural heritage,” Bronwyn Bell said.
Kids on the whole, are so urbanised these days, there is often very little thought about where the food on their plate has come from.
From cow milking to wood chopping, cooking demonstrations to food tasting the show promises to give visitors a real look at living off the land and all that involves.
There will be plenty of opportunities for show visitors to get hands-on and get a real feel for the satisfaction of growing food, rearing produce and learning more about the satisfaction of living off the land.
“Youngsters can get involved in all sorts of activities from milking a cow to coming along to our animal nursery or entering our scarecrow competition as part of the preschools program for schoolies day, where they can win a sustainable garden from Bunnings,” she added.
Running from February 17 to 19, the show offers something for everyone, whether it’s cooking, gardening, livestock or machinery - or just a good day out full of great food and entertainment.
“If we can spark some interest in the next generation or inspire families to take even some small steps toward embracing a paddock to plate lifestyle we will have done what we set out do to this year,” Bell said.


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The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission will crack down on businesses that mislead customers on the need to raise prices ahead of the carbon tax, its annual report reveals.
It will also focus on regulating access to the national broadband network, monitoring fuel prices and using its new powers to tackle energy providers.
Consumer complaints to the ACCC jumped by more than 25 per cent last financial year to 186,789, the regulator reported. Most were from or about small business. Online traders and e-commerce were also targets.
Another 1425 complaints went unanswered “due to congested incoming lines or telephone system breakdown".
With carbon pricing due to begin in July, the ACCC said it would undertake “increased compliance and enforcement activities".
“An enforcement priority will be to investigate businesses that mislead consumers about the effect of carbon pricing on their price increases."
While consumer complaints rose sharply, the ACCC attributed the spike to its broader powers and greater responsibilities, which it said would lead to increased enforcement activity. “New powers include the capacity to require traders to substantiate their claims. The ACCC now has the power to obtain redress on behalf of consumers, and issue infringement and public warning notices," it said.
The ACCC has roughly doubled in size over the past eight years from 490 staff and a budget of $62.5 million to 833 staff and a budget of $147.8 million.
New ACCC chairman
The regulator said it had issued 56 infringement notices and received almost $300,000 in fines since new consumer powers came into force in April last year. Penalties of $4.7 million were imposed by the courts, including for serious breaches of product safety labelling standards and misleading and deceptive marketing of mobile services.
In the first civil penalty handed down for a breach of product safety standards, the Federal Court fined Dimmeys Stores $400,000 for children’s dressing gowns that failed to comply with safety standards.
Civil penalties of $2.7 million were also awarded against Yellow Page Marketing and Yellow Publishing (companies not associated with the Sensis Yellow Pages directories).
On mergers, the ACCC said it had completed 84 per cent of reviews of proposed acquisitions within eight weeks or less. Another 236 mergers not requiring substantive review were completed in two weeks or less.
Over the next 12 months, the ACCC would play “a key role in delivering a competitive market environment for communications", monitor and advise government and the public on fuel prices, and prepare for the new National Energy Customer Framework, it said.
Mr Sims was paid $568,110 last financial year.
The Australian Financial Review