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NetNames launches online brand protection services for Asia region
SINGAPORE, Aug. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — NetNames, the global leader in online brand protection and domain name management, today announces the launch of its full suite of brand protection and corporate domain name management services for the Asia region. NetNames is launching its services at a reception hosted by British Deputy High Commissioner, Judith Slater, at Eden Hall in Singapore on September 2nd.
NetNames entered the Singapore market in May 2014 following the merger with corporate domain name management company Adicio. South East Asian corporations now have access to NetNames’ industry-leading online brand protection services, already used by many global brands to combat online counterfeiters and cyber criminals.
With the internet now offering over 1,000 new domain name suffixes, the risk of cybersquatters operating phishing or pirate websites has multiplied dramatically. Even before the launch of the new generic Top Level Domains (gTLDs), online threats were on the rise. For instance, in 2012, Google reported a 524% increase in requests to remove links to websites hosting pirated content. The introduction of new web address endings also comes at a time when businesses are becoming more aware of the threats posed by cyber criminals and paying more attention to the need to safeguard their Intellectual Property.
In light of these developments, the Singapore Copyright Act was amended in July 2014 to make it easier for complainants to seek an injunction disabling access to infringing content online, consolidating the city-state’s position as a regional hub for registering trademarks and Intellectual Property.
Gary McIlraith, CEO of NetNames Group, comments: "In recent years, the Asia region has grown into a global economic powerhouse, home to an ever-increasing number of large corporations with an international reach. As internet usage in the region grows, these brands will need to ensure they are protecting their reputation, revenues and customers from online counterfeiters and cybersquatters. By launching our full range of brand protection services in Singapore, we hope to contribute to the city’s role as an Internet IP hub in the region, whilst helping South East Asian brands be present, protected and prosperous online."
Judith Slater, Regional Director of UK Trade & Investment and Deputy British High Commissioner to Singapore, adds: "We are delighted by the launch of NetNames Group’s brand protection and corporate domain name management services for the Asia region here in Singapore.
"Singapore and the UK have similar goals in promoting their information economy. In June 2013, the UK PM David Cameron, with then Science Minister David Willetts, launched the Information Economy Strategy as part of the UK’s Industrial Strategy that set out an effective road-map to establish the UK’s lead in information technology and infrastructure. The strategy helps identify steps for the British government and the private sector to work together on this goal.
"A Frost and Sullivan study states that total revenues from business to consumer e-commerce in six Southeast Asian countries, including Singapore, reached SGD$5.6 billion in 2013. It is expected to grow at 37.6 percent annually to reach SGD$27.2 billion by 2018. This is very impressive growth and I look forward to seeing NetNames Group help an increasing number of companies protect their brands online as they take advantage of this expanding industry."
NetNames is the world’s largest corporate brand protection specialists. Through its industry leading brand protection, domain name management, online security, anti-piracy and acquisitions services, the company is responsible for keeping corporate brands one step ahead of online threats across the globe. The company is headquartered in London (UK) with offices in New York (USA), Los Angeles (USA), Cambridge (UK), Copenhagen (Denmark), Munich (Germany), Oslo (Norway), Paris (France), Stockholm (Sweden), Zurich (Switzerland), Singapore and Melbourne (Australia).
NetNames can be found on Twitter @NetNamesDomains


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Consumers International to co-host G20 Consumer Summit in Argentina
Consumers International is delighted to announce that we will be co-hosting the 2018 G20 Consumer Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina.READ MORE
On 15 March 2018, Consumers International is calling for fairer digital marketplaces.
E-commerce has transformed the way that people shop, giving consumers more choice than ever before. But it has also raised global issues that we can only tackle together. In 2017 global e-commerce sales reached $2.29 trillion, but nearly 70% of consumers worry their digital payments are unsafe. Meanwhile, half the world’s population are still offline.
For World Consumer Rights Day 2018, we’re calling for access to fair and secure internet for all, action against scams and fraud, and better consumer protection online. To find out more about this year's theme, download our background report on e-commerce.
Explore our interactive map to find out how World Consumer Rights Day is being celebrated in your region. To view our interactive map in Spanish, click here.
Follow our live blog for instant updates and highlights throughout the day. We'll be sharing videos, images, event updates, blogs and articles so you can get the full picture of how World Consumer Rights Day is being celebrated by the global consumer movement. To view our live blog in Spanish, click here.
Our members around the world are coming together to mark the day with action on local, national and global issues in e-commerce. As the day approaches, we will be populating an interactive map with information on our members’ activities and showcasing social media activity.
If you want to find out more about the World Consumer Rights Day 2018 campaign or share information about your plans for the day, you can email our team at email@example.com or contact your regional networker.
You can join our call for fairer digital marketplaces on social media with the #BetterDigitalWorld hashtag. To help you spread the word about our campaign, we've created a pack of social media resources that can be shared on Twitter and Facebook. Click below to download them in English. You can also download them in Spanish, French and Arabic.

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With less than a week remaining before Greg Mortenson’s address, fewer than 500 of the 2,150 allotted student tickets remain available for pick-up or reservation.
CSU’s Box Office Manager Jim Taggart said the 8,500 total available tickets have sold rapidly since Mortenson was announced as the Monfort lecturer just over a week ago, and all 6,350 general admission tickets sold out by Aug. 20.
Taggart called the event “very popular” and said the box office sold 96 tickets in the first minute they were available online.
Both the general admission and student tickets were available to students and both types were free.
Mortenson is the co-author of the New York Times bestselling “Three Cups of Tea.” The book has spent over 130 weeks on the bestseller list and sold more than 3 million copies. It chronicles his experiences founding rural schools in volatile regions of Pakistan and Afghansitan, where he continues to work today.
Matt Helmer, the director of Events for CSU, said he thinks Mortenson may be particularly popular with students because they can relate to him more than to a world leader or politician.
Helmer said Mortenson embodies many of CSU’s ideals by
demonstrating that just one person with a vision can make a difference in the world. He called Mortenson a symbol of hope and said he “demonstrates the power of philanthropy.”
Mortenson’s lecture will be in Moby Arena at 7 p.m. on Monday, and Taggart said tickets will be available to students with a valid student ID on site in the unlikely event that they don’t sell out beforehand.
Will call is available at Moby, but Taggart said the box office is the best and easiest place to pick up a ticket due to the sheer number of will call orders already placed. The limit is now one ticket per student.
News Editor Jim Sojourner can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.org


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Support the (for the time being) underdog without buying a CPU or GPU.
The Navy will install a Cray supercomputer of 12.8 petaflops powered by AMD CPUs and Nvidia GPUs and destined for scientific and military research.
Complete with 6 cores, 12 threads, and access to PCIe 4.0 on the X570 chipset, AMD's Ryzen 5 3600 is a killer processor for anyone looking to upgrade.
AMD issued a statement to clarify that there are no performance advantages to using Windows 10 Enterprise with the Threadripper 3990X.
AMD today launched the Navi-powered Radeon Pro W5500, a natural rival to Nvidia's Quadro P2200, as well as a mobile variant.
Professional overclockers have dropped a number of world records around the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X, including pushing its 64 cores to 5.5 GHz.
AMD's Ryzen Threadripper 3990X CPU is scheduled to hit shelves tomorrow. However, the 64-core monster is already available for pre-order for 5,476.91 CAD.
ASRock's X570 Phantom Gaming-ITX/TB3 is the first AMD-based motherboard to earn Intel certification for Thunderbolt.
After ending its sponsorship of Ferrari, AMD has announced it's teaming up with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team
Asus recently ushered in new firmware for the RS700A-E9-RS12V2 1U server that adds support for four Epyc processors that AMD hasn't announced yet.
U.S. retailer SabrePC has already listed the upcoming AMD Radeon Pro W5500 graphics card with the 100-506095 part number.
Dedicating more shipments to AMD-based motherboards is reportedly expected to help boost ASRock revenue in 2020.
If you're into overclocking memory and are on an AMD platform, 1USmus' DRAM Calculator tool is really helpful.
Although it is currently being built, Indiana University has decided to postpone the GPU installation until Nvidia launches its next-generation hardware.
AMD clarified that the Navi "refresh" will consist of new cards based on the next-gen RDNA architecture.
MSI execs explained why some custom versions of AMD's RX 5600 XT will stay at 12 Gbps despite AMD's vBIOS.
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If you’ve got three minutes, I highly recommend sitting down to watch the latest Horizon: Zero Dawn trailer. It’s fantastic, and provides plenty of new insights into the character of Aloy and the fusion of high technology and lumbering beasts in her post-apocalyptic world.
Unfortunately, this gift comes with a price, and Guerrilla Games sadly announced a short delay for Horizon: Zero Dawn on the PlayStation Blog today. Previously scheduled to launch in late 2016, the game’s release has now been pushed back to February 28, 2017. Here’s what Hermen Hulst, Guerrilla’s Managing Director, had to say about the delay:
As you can see in the trailer, we’ve decided to push the release date for Horizon: Zero Dawn to February 28, 2017. It wasn’t an easy choice to make; we know many of you have been anxious to play the game since we first announced it. However, we also want to ensure that Horizon: Zero Dawn lives up to the visuals and gameplay quality that our games are known for. The new date affords us the extra time required to deliver fully on our ambitious vision for Horizon: Zero Dawn.
Horizon: Zero Dawn is exclusively in development for the PS4 and will be published by Sony Interactive Entertainment.


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Iceland has become the first UK supermarket chain to install a ‘reverse vending machine’ in one of its stores that will give customers 10p per plastic bottle.
The group will trial the machine at its branch in Fulham, London, for six months before deciding whether to roll it out to the rest of its 900 UK branches.
The trial aims to understand customers appetite for recycling using the machines and will give them a 10p voucher for each Iceland plastic beverage bottle they deposit.
“There are 12 million tonnes of plastic entering our oceans every year, so we feel a responsibility both to tackle the issue of plastic packaging,”
“There are 12 million tonnes of plastic entering our oceans every year, so we feel a responsibility both to tackle the issue of plastic packaging,” said Iceland managing director Richard Walker.
Other supermarket chains are also looking to introduce variations on the reverse vending machines.
Pop-up festival machines
Plastic bottles sold at the Co-op pop-up stores at various music festivals this summer will have a mandatory deposit added to the price, which customers will get back when they return them.
The festivals are Download in June, Latitude in July and Reading and Leeds in August.
This ‘deposit return scheme’ model Co-op is using is similar one the government is currently considering after launching a consultation in March.
Environment Secretary Michael Gove welcomed Iceland’s announcement.
“We can be in no doubt that plastic is damaging to our marine environment. Plastic pollution contributes to killing dolphins, choking turtles and degrading our most precious habitats,” he said.
“I applaud Iceland for leading the way with their trial scheme. It is absolutely vital we act now to curb the millions of plastic bottles a day that go unrecycled. Support from businesses will be a vital part of ensuring we leave our environment in a better state than we found it,” he added.


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Volkswagen will meet its 2008 pretax profit target of 5.1 billion euros ($7 billion) a year earlier than planned as cost cuts boost results, the group said on Friday, sending its shares sharply higher.
After reporting second-quarter operating profit surged to 1.74 billion euros, far better than consensus, Volkswagen said it would significantly exceed in 2007 the previous year's figure before special items as it goes on to sell over 6 million cars for the first time ever.
The increase in unit sales and the continuous optimization of cost structures will lead to a sustainable improvement in competitiveness and our earnings power, the world's fourth-largest car maker said in a statement.
The company had previously just forecast that operating profit would probably surpass last year's pre-exceptional result, which was 4.38 billion euros.
A Reuters poll of 18 analysts had only estimated operating profit of 1.47 billion in the first half.
The news comes amid a spate of forecast-beating results from European rivals. Renault and PSA of France both expanded their first-half margins faster than expected while Fiat's car business more than doubled its quarterly trading profit.
Overall it's pleasing. It fits perfectly with the European auto story - stable growth in earnings, a trader said.
Volkswagen shares gained 2.7 percent to 123.81 euros by 0853 GMT, reversing earlier losses and outperforming moderate gains in the broader German market.
Nonetheless, VW's peers have taken a beating recently, with the European autos index falling almost 5 percent since Fiat posted results after markets closed on Tuesday as investors became more risk averse amid a credit market-related sell off.
Earlier this month, Volkswagen reported a 7.8 percent increase in first half vehicle sales to 3.09 million units, thanks mainly to strong growth in emerging markets like Asia and South America.


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THE TD COWEN INSIGHT
Access to legal cannabis continues to drive a migration away from alcohol in the U.S. and Canada. Alcohol sales in legal cannabis states have underperformed by 100-150 bps over the past 5 years. With $29B in sales in 2023, we expect U.S. cannabis sales to grow at a 7% CAGR over the next 5 years, as the category is set to gain 18M past-month users (while alcohol could lose 2M users).
LEGAL CANNABIS NOW COMPETES WITH ALCOHOL
Legal cannabis is now a formidable competitor to alcohol. 11 years since Colorado voted to legalize retail sales for adult use cannabis, legal sales are now 11% the size of alcohol. That’s up from only 4% five years ago and reflects the notable benefits of incremental state legalization. As such, we believe that over the next 5 years, the cannabis category will add 18M past-month consumers, while alcohol will lose 2M past month consumers, as consumers increasingly embrace cannabis and temper their alcohol consumption.
CONSUMERS CONTINUE TO EMBRACE CANNABIS CUTTING INTO ALCOHOL PURCHASES
Among 18–25-year-olds cannabis’s category retention opportunity holds especially true. In the past month, cannabis category retention has grown ~1,000 bps, to 68%. Meanwhile, past month alcohol category retention has fallen ~400 bps to 74% in 2022.
Consumers’ embrace of cannabis puts the marginal alcohol unit at risk, we believe. Our proprietary survey (N=~2,500) shows that over 2/3 of consumers who use cannabis report cutting back on drinking. In turn, we are seeing divergent revenue growth trends in states where consumers have access to legal cannabis. According to BEA data, states with access to legal cannabis are underperforming by over 100 bps, while select Nielsen states show a ~140 bps delta. Meanwhile, the 5-yr alcohol volume CAGR for adult use cannabis states has underperformed non-cannabis states by 150 bps in IWSR.
ALCOHOL ABSTINENCE AND CANNABIS ARE HEADWINDS FOR ALCOHOL
Historically, the alcohol category in the U.S. has grown at a 5% CAGR. However, with more drinkers opting for longer periods of abstinence (in particular younger consumers), we think that trend alone will present a 100 bps headwind to industry volumes over time. And, with cannabis consumers showing an outsized preference for spirits (as do younger consumers more broadly), we believe that annual price increases and continued premiumization will need to be increasingly necessary.
U.S. LEGAL CANNABIS SALES PROJECTIONS
While cannabis growth is normalizing, we expect cannabis sales to grow 11% in 2023. Comparatively, while on tougher COVID recovery comps, alcohol should grow 3% in 2023. With recent adult use activations in New York, Connecticut, Missouri, and Maryland, as well as pending transitions in Minnesota and Ohio, we are adjusting our U.S. legal TAM. We now expect total U.S. legal cannabis retail sales of $29B in 2023 and $37B in 2027.
CANNABIS AND ALOCHOL CONSUMER BEHAVIOR
Among cannabis consumers, we can see that past month consumers are frequent users in the category. According to the NSDUH, over 47% of past month consumers use cannabis on a daily or near daily basis (20-30 days/month).
Meanwhile, based on our proprietary survey data, we can see that alcohol consumers who are taking breaks skew young. Not surprisingly, our proprietary data also shows that past month cannabis users who drink alcohol are more likely to participate in intentional abstinence than drinkers who have never used cannabis.
IMPACT OF CANNABIS ON ALCOHOL
For the alcoholic beverage names under our coverage, we believe that the near-term impacts of cannabis conversion have proven manageable, especially as the industry is taking outsized pricing today. That said, on a medium- to long-term basis, positioning in advantaged subcategories, like bourbon and tequila, and annual price increases will be increasingly important.
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Thanks to the initial lack of enthusiasm towards bicycles, mobility startups—like Mobycy—are now increasingly turning to e-scooters.
But Bengaluru-based two-wheeler rental platform Bounce hasn’t given up on bicycles yet. It has reportedly bought out Ofo India’s bicycle assets. Now, why is a two-wheeler rental company interested in cycles? Possibly to have a fleet of a range of two-wheelers. Multiple requests for an interview were turned down by Bounce CEO Vivek Hallekere.
Bounce’s rival ONNBikes has a similar story. The company’s Chief Marketing Officer Akashdeep Singal told The Ken that ONNBikes started off as a weekend leisure product. People used to rent out bikes—mostly the Royal Enfield Bullet—to go on weekend joy-rides. But this is changing, says Singal.
“So, in the last one year, all the startups in vehicle rental space started to understand the potential of solving the problem of a daily commute, rather than the aspirational weekend commute market,” he says.
An excellent opportunity to evolve
Ola, too, seems to have smelled this opportunity.
In December 2018, Ola announced a $100-million investment in VOGO and its e-scooters. But why would an “on-demand” player suddenly shift focus to the self-drive market? Is there a last-mile in Ola’s services it’s trying to connect?
Industry experts that The Ken spoke to say that the typical users on public bicycle/scooter rental services come primarily from three usage sets:
Ola and Uber users, especially the Uber POOL and Ola Share user base.
Regular metro and bus users who would try out cycles/scooters instead of walking to these stations.
People looking to get a quick morning/evening ride to work and back.
Self-drive has now also evolved into the sub-division of “dockless” (pick and drop and anywhere) and “docked” (pick up and drop at designation stations). Because of this, the likes of Ola would also be able to access areas where their cars and autos couldn’t go.
Mobility sharing startups that The Ken spoke to—including VOGO, Mobycy, ONNBikes, Ofo, Yulu and others—pointed out that their early pilots revealed three kinds of usage networks: the office-goers who use public transport, students within educational institutions, IT parks, and residential areas. By segmenting the market this way, the placement of scooters/bicycles is established. But before that, they assess if the bikes should be docked or dockless.
Dockless or abandoned?
Both models come with their own advantages and financial risks. The docked variety comes with the obvious benefit of making cycles traceable. It is also easier to maintain as the pickups and drops happen in designated parking stations. However, it falls short on last-mile as the user has to make their way to the bike, making it self-defeating. Dockless, on the other hand, helps the customers pick the bicycles up and drop them off anywhere. But it comes with the demerits of higher expense, vandalism, theft; it’s also a lot harder to locate if lost.
Whether docked or dockless, the underlying tech interface for enabling a bicycle or a scooter-sharing product is a bigger priority. Thanks to exploding smartphone growth (especially in cities) and mobile data, startups have their first problem solved: locking and unlocking of vehicles. Today, startups like Bounce and VOGO depend on OTP-based authentication to this effect.
Reports by the Uber
The tech, however, isn’t new and, scooter-sharing is taking off in a big way in, say, the US. In fact, Uber claims that the number of riders registered by its new electric vehicle JUMP has seen an actual jump during peak hours in cities like San Francisco (and a drop in Uber cab requests), saving time and fuel. Can this happen for India?
Maybe, but India will first need to address the lack of safety on roads, the negligence and corruption at the municipal level before one can even imagine it.
Shrinath V, a tech consultant, who first tried out Yulu bicycles for fun is now dependent on them for his last-mile commute to the gym (from his house) which is under 2 km. But he doesn’t use it for long commutes as it’s “too risky to go out cycling in Bengaluru roads without a helmet”. Of course, not being handed a helmet is a deterrent among Indians which these startups must consider.


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|Home > East Asia >
India - South Korea economic summit to consolidate trade ties
New Delhi: Indian and South Korean entrepreneurs began a conference in New Delhi on Wednesday, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between them. South Korea has emerged among the five largest foreign investors in India since the opening up of Indian economy in 1991. Addressing the delegates, Foreign Secretary Shashank said the two countries need to consolidate their gains.
|© Copyright 2002-2007 AFAR|


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Following the inaugural Business Readiness Index on Information Security, Canon Australia has today announced a second module focused on innovation.
Conducted by GfK Australia, the report is based on surveys with more than 530 local business leaders, with a focus on attitudes and actions aimed at staying ahead of the curve.
While 78 per cent of businesses surveyed believe being innovative is important to being successful in the modern economy, businesses have implemented an average of just three initiatives. Furthermore, only 38 per cent of the respondents considered their business to be innovative.
According to the study, most businesses are not doing enough to drive innovation, with 40 per cent implementing just one innovation initiative. While challenges vary by business size and across industries, a lack of budget is perceived as the biggest inhibitor and resistance to change also features prominently.
The study also found a range of emotional barriers that hold organisations back from implementing measures to drive innovation. For medium to large businesses, conflicting agendas and a breakdown in communication are cited as the biggest struggle for 63 per cent (medium) and 70 per cent (large), respectively. Self-doubt is also a concern (49 per cent) of small businesses, where leaders lose faith in the value of original ideas over time.
The report suggests that the divide between highly innovative companies, and those that rated themselves lower on the scale, is a culture that encourages new ways of thinking and working. Seventy-four per cent of highly innovative businesses believe it comes down to fostering an innovative culture, with 69 per cent building this from the inside out.
“Not only do innovative businesses place a stronger recognition on skills such as digital literacy and data science, they also value curiosity, independent thinking, and a sense of initiative more than their counterparts,” Canon Information Systems Research Australia Research Manager Dr Jeroen Vendrig said.
“To facilitate a dynamic environment where employees can learn and grow, and where ideas can thrive, reward attempts even if they ‘fail’ – like a badge of honour. It’s not really failure if you learnt something along the way.”


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Get flash to fully experience Pearltrees
LinkedUp – Linking Web Data for Education Project
Here you can check out a presentation on how LEGO proceeds with their open innovation efforts.
Engineer Eben Upton with an earlier prototype of the Raspberry Pi computer, which is fully programmable and capable of running software such as Firefox. Photograph: Antonio Olmos A new British computer that costs just £22 went on sale at 6am on Wednesday morning – and immediately sold out, crashing the websites selling it in the process. The Raspberry Pi is intended to inspire a new generation of schoolchildren to learn to program, just as the Sinclair Spectrum and BBC Micro did in the 1980s, which led to the burgeoning UK games sector. As small as a credit card, the first versions of the Raspberry Pi, which are being sold through the components companies RS and Farnell, are intended to go to developers who will then write software that people can use to write their own programs.


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Disney + already has it fulfilled its five-year plan. The streaming service has recorded a new high in subscribers, as in the course of the quarterly report was communicated.
Due to the corona pandemic, the Disney group is facing significant financial losses this year (DF reported). While business with amusement parks and vacation resorts is idle, Disney can look forward to growing popularity with its streaming services. Disney + currently has 60.5 million subscribers around the world, according to Disney CEO Bob Chapek. The numbers are already in the range of 60 to 90 million.
This range is said to have been targeted by 2024. The streaming service has already fulfilled its original five-year plan after about eight months. It was only in April that Disney + announced that it had exceeded the 50 million mark. Since then, the numbers have continued to rise. The reason for this is likely to be the release of the musical “Hamilton”, which once again brought the streaming service (despite the Corona crisis) a whole lot of new subscribers.
This means that Disney + continues to develop into a major competitor for established streaming services such as Amazon Prime or Netflix. For comparison: Disney has already reached about a third of the subscribers that Netflix has been able to win over the years with its platform. And Disney seems to be doing everything it can to keep winning new customers. The premium VoD release of the “Mulan” remake announced yesterday could be a decisive guide. Together with ESPN + and Hulu, the Disney streaming services together have around 100 million subscribers, according to the quarterly report.


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Maybe. China Mobile’s CEO Wang Jianzhou confirmed that his company has been in discussion with Apple to bring the wildly popular handset to China, “because our customers like this kind of fashionable product,” said Wang.
But, negotiations have stalled over Apple’s subscription revenue sharing business model. In Europe and the US, Apple receives a portion of iPhone users’ data/voice revenue from their wireless carriers. China Mobile, with its 350 million user base and de facto monopoly status, doesn’t feel that it needs to play by Apple’s rules. Besides, if Apple doesn’t play ball, there is always Android, Google’s recently announced open source linux Mobile OS offering. China Mobile was on hand and spoke during Google’s unveiling of its highly anticipated wireless initiative last week.
Update: Huang Xiaoqing, head of China’s Academy of Mobile Communication killed earlier rumors that China Mobile will introduce Apple’s iPhone to China in 2008. Talking to Netease reporters, Huang said, “In China, SIM cards are free to work with any mobile phones, and our carriers do not share subscription revenue with handset manufacturers. Therefore, iPhone’s current business model isn’t a good fit for China.” Huang went on to say, “China Mobile has had contacts with Apple, but it was very preliminary, no agreements were reached. Of course, China Mobile welcomes the iPhone in China, but only as a handset(i.e. lose the business model).”
Update: Yahoo News: China Unicom also open to iPhone talks
Jay Sheng is Shanghaiist’s Business Editor. Email tips, news and gossip about business in Shanghai and China to biz at shanghaiist.com.


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Average American household credit card debt now
Credit card debt is reaching record levels, with day-to-day expenses fueling the problem.
Credit card debt is reaching dangerously high levels for millions of Americans. As Forbes reports, the average American household now has $16,425 in unpaid credit card bills, which is a 10 percent increase from 2013’s figures and is at a level that has not been seen since the Great Recession. Furthermore, the high credit card debt load is a sign not that Americans are being more frivolous with their money, but that they are relying on credit cards to simply get by. Another study found that day-to-day necessities are what is driving up credit card debt, thus indicating that more consumers are struggling financially with bills and the high cost of living.
Credit card debt keeps rising
In total, Americans hold close to $1 trillion in credit card debt and that level is rising quickly. In May 2017 it was found that credit card debt had risen by six percent in just one year and that overall credit card debt levels were at their highest since the Great Recession began in 2008.
Furthermore, American households are spending thousands of dollars just trying to keep up with interest payments on those credit cards. The average interest rate on credit card debt is 18.76 percent, which results in the average household paying $1,292 just in interest each year. On the bright side, 60 percent of households either do pay off their credit cards each month or don’t have a credit card at all. However, that only further suggests that the remaining 40 percent of households are especially struggling to keep up with their credit card bills.
Carrying credit card debt
In fact, another study shows just how difficult the situation with credit cards has become for millions of Americans. As Fox Business reports, nearly half of people who have credit card debt have been carrying that debt for at least the past two years. Those aged 63 to 71 were the most likely to be carrying long-term credit card debt at 63 percent, while 57 percent of those aged 72 and over were carrying a credit card balance for at least two years.
Day-to-day expenses, such as groceries, heating, childcare, and utilities, were the most commonly cited reasons for the debt. Interestingly, the study also found that higher income and better educated Americans were more likely to be carrying credit card debt than those with lower income and lower educational levels were.
Drowning in debt?
When people are struggling with debt, credit cards are often just one piece of the problem. Medical debt, auto loans, mortgages, and student debt can all combine with credit cards to make one’s debt levels unsustainable. Instead of drowning in that debt and trying to make minimum payments that mostly only go towards interest, those struggling financially may want to consider talking to a bankruptcy attorney. An experienced attorney can show individuals how personal bankruptcy can help them discharge certain debts and give them the breathing room they need to get back on their financial feet faster.


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For the second year in a row, We Energies is asking customers to submit recipes for its annual Cookie Book.
Original recipes can be submitted online at we-energies.com/recipes. Recipes will be considered for the 2013 book and possibly future editions. Customers also are encouraged to share the history behind their recipes.
The cookie book is part of a holiday tradition dating back more than 80 years. The first edition was published in 1928. For many years, the recipes originated in the home-economist-staffed test kitchens of the formerly separate gas and electric companies.
Recent issues of the We Energies book have featured recipes from former and current employees; last year, customer recipes were included for the first time.
The 2013 Cookie Book will be unveiled in November, with major distribution events at Miller Park in Milwaukee and Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium in Appleton.
Customers who submit recipes will be notified in advance if their recipe is selected for this year's book.
The Balistreri Sendik's stores have announced a Community Soup Recipe Contest. Customers can enter through Sendik's website.
Ten winners will receive a $100 Sendik's gift card and a Sendik's prize package, and their soup will be featured in Sendik's deli later this spring and throughout the year.
The contest ends Feb. 5, and winners will be announced Feb. 28.
The top prize is still a million bucks, but the 46th Pillsbury Bake-Off contest - now open for entries - has been redesigned.
The major changes:
For the first time in the contest's 64-year history, America will vote to determine all 100 finalists.
To encourage simpler, original recipes, submissions must include no more than seven ingredients (not counting salt, pepper and water) and take 30 minutes or less to prepare, not including baking or cooling time.
The contest now features three recipe categories (instead of four), each with a separate entry period:
Amazing Doable Dinners: This category is open now through Feb. 7. Voting is open from March 14 to 28.
Simple Sweets and Starters: Entry period runs from April 4 to May 9. Voting is open from June 13 to 27.
Quick Rise and Shine Breakfasts: Entry period runs from July 4 to Aug. 8. Voting is open from Sept. 12 to 26.
Judges will select 60 recipes from each category for public voting. Voters will select 33 finalists from the dinners and breakfast categories and 34 from sweets.
The Bake-Off finals will be held Nov. 10 to 12 in Las Vegas.
Entry forms and complete rules can be found at Pillsbury.com/bakeoff.


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Dragon Ball has countless collectibles under its banner, and the franchise has yet to slow its roll. In a few months, Son Goku will return to theaters for an outing and surely churn out all sorts of merchandise. But, if Dragon Ball GT is more your speed, Banpresto has got your back. After all, the company has revealed one of its next collectibles, and it is all about that Super Saiyan 4 Gogeta hype.
Recently, Branpresto gave fans a first look at its new SSJ4 Gogeta figure. As you can see below, the visual has the fused Saiyan at full power, and it turns out the figure is part of a special collaboration.
Banpresto teamed up with Ichiban Kuji and Dokkan Battle for this special piece. So far, there is no word on when this figure will hit shelves or what its retail price will be. However, fans are hoping it will ship out before next spring rolls around.
For collectors, this special Gogeta piece will be a must-have part of their horde. They will also want to keep a close eye on Dragon Ball Super: Broly as the film near its release as its big merchandising pull will pop out some stellar pieces. So far, high-end figures for Broly’s rebooted character have been announced, but he will not be the only one getting such a treatment. Bardock needs join the list alongside Dragon Ball’s usual heroes, and if Gogeta does make an appearance in the film, the fusion’s canon debut would surely get one as well.
So, do you like this brand-new figure? Let me know in the comments or hit me up on Twitter @MeganPetersCB to talk all things comics and anime!0comments
Funimation will bring Dragon Ball Super: Broly to theaters in the United States on January 16th as well, and fans of the English dub are just waiting to find out which theaters the film will release in. You can read its synopsis below:
"This is the story of a new Saiyan. Earth is peaceful following the Tournament of Power. Realizing that the universes still hold many more strong people yet to see, Goku spends all his days training to reach even greater heights. Then one day, Goku and Vegeta are faced by a Saiyan called 'Broly' who they've never seen before. The Saiyans were supposed to have been almost completely wiped out in the destruction of Planet Vegeta, so what's this one doing on Earth? This encounter between the three Saiyans who have followed completely different destinies turns into a stupendous battle, with even Freeza (back from Hell) getting caught up in the mix."


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Everyone knows Christmastime means deals, as stores compete to lure holiday shoppers. But while it's great to save money on gifts, don't think the deals end once the presents are unwrapped.
In recent years the hyper-competitive nature of holiday retailing has led more and more chains to extend sales into the post-Christmas period. Many stores running 50 percent off sales through Dec. 25 will add a 10 percent kicker the following week. So gift card recipients, take note: Your card has extra buying power if you use it quickly. Otherwise, think about putting it away until next December.
"If you're an apparel retailer, you want your shelves cleared by President's Day weekend," says industry tracker Britt Beemer of America's Research Group. "Spring is vital; it's the only time people might be willing to buy stuff at 20 percent off, or even at full retail if they love it." Consumers are hitting the stores this year, Beemer says, but some caution remains. They're still just as intent on deals as they've been for the last couple of years.
Post-Christmas deals stretch beyond apparel, according to data compiled by Dealio.com, a shopping guide website. Consumer electronics like television sets, laptops and GPS systems can be had for bargain prices near year's end. A few of the notable sales slated to extend past Christmas:
- CompUSA is chopping $600 off a Samsung 46-inch LED TV (to $899.99)
- Price reductions on notebook computers at newegg.com, including $100 off Lenovo's 15-inch widescreen G560.
For those willing to be patient, computer accessories can be had at a relative bargain, with Staples and CompUSA trimming prices on monitors. And big discounts on GPS navigation systems will be out there at Best Buy (the TomTom XL 350TM system for $149.99, down from $229.99), and J&R (a Bushnell ONIX 350 Hand Held system for $64.97, a $20 discount).
Then there's the light, fun stuff. Looking for a foosball table for the basement? Sports Authority is offering up a 48-inch unit for $89.99, a $60 savings. For the kids, Walmart has lots of toy clearance activity, including blocks and Leap Frog games. Lego.com, meanwhile, is expected to offer 50 percent off specials on several variations of its popular plastic blocks.
Other deals for the taking: men's shoes at Macy's (lots going for 30 percent off through a coupon sale) and 60 percent markdowns on jewelry at chain retailers including Zales and Gordon's.
Chalk it all up to retailers not only wanting to clear out those excess inventories, but to impress Wall Street with holiday sales performance. Comparisons are generally applied to year-over-year sales numbers for the November-December period; come Christmas, that period still has a week to go, keeping the competition fierce. Some gifts just need to be in the house Christmas morning. But for those that can wait, more savings await.
© 2012 Forbes.com


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Despite the fact that it brought in almost three times as much revenue as Nike last year, you probably haven't heard of CVS Caremark's (NYSE:CVS) "other" business -- the one that doesn't involve retail pharmacies on street corners, yet brought in the majority ($76 billion of $127 billion) of revenue last year.
That business, which operates under a handful of names including, most notably, Caremark, helps healthcare payers deliver prescriptions more cheaply to patients. Since CVS' pharmacy services business is relatively unknown among big national companies, let's take a closer look.
Connecting the dots
CVS' pharmacy services business is a pharmacy benefit manager, or PBM. Its clients include healthcare insurers and companies and organizations that self-insure employee healthcare plans.
The primary goal of PBMs is to save payers money. Much like a national footwear chain negotiates with Nike for the lowest price on its latest running shoe, PBMs leverage the buying power of many different companies to negotiate cut-rate deals with drugmakers.
Those deals allow insurers to deliver patients prescribed medicine for less than it would cost them if they negotiated with drugmakers directly; however, PBMs don't just orchestrate rock-bottom drug prices. They also provide other services including making sure patients use less-costly generics when they're available, mail order pharmacies which can deliver drugs at a lower cost, and management programs like Pharmacy Advisor, which helps ensure that plan members are adhering to their medication regiments, which can help reduce expensive hospitalizations.
Protecting its moat
In 2007, PBMs like Caremark, Express Scripts, and Catamaran were increasingly winning away prescriptions from pharmacies like CVS by delivering convenient, 90-day prescriptions directly to patient doors.
That threat helped prompt CVS to outbid rivals to acquire Caremark, one of the nation's largest PBMs.
The deal catapulted CVS forward; revenue jumped from $43 billion in 2006 to more than $132 billion over the trailing-12 months. CVS' operating profit has similarly climbed following the Caremark acquisition, growing from $2.4 billion in 2006 to $8 billion in 2013.
The cost of medicine is growing rapidly as new personalized drugs make their way through expensive clinical trials to market. This next generation of drugs aims to improve patient outcomes, but does so at a steep price.
Many new expensive drugs are coming to the market (think multiple sclerosis drugs Tecfidera and Gilenya), but it's Gilead's Sovaldi, an $84,000 treatment for hepatitis C that effectively cures more than 90% of patients taking it, that has become the poster child for the next generation of expensive medicine.
While these therapies are exciting, they are also straining insurers caught between public demands for low monthly insurance premiums and rising expenses tied to prescribing these treatments. As a result, payers are seeking out strategies that lower costs and PBMs are responding with a slate of solutions, including programs designed to improve patient health.
As a result, PBMs like CVS' Caremark business are at the forefront in the battle to deliver patients the medicine they need at a lower price.
Fool-worthy final thoughts
While PBMs like the one run by CVS would seem to be in the sweet spot of rising drug spending, they still face heady challenges.
Lowering costs for payers means that PBM profit margins are thin, particularly given that drugmakers remain eager to earn top dollar for their medicine and insurers are laser focused on improving their own bottom lines.
Having said that, the ability to reduce the cost of drugs is front and center given that 10,000 baby boomers are hitting 65 every day and those over 65 typically fill twice the number of scripts per year compared to those age 45 to 54 years. With soaring healthcare costs likely to continue to pressure payers, PBMs like the one run by CVS may prove to be winners if they can deliver savings that justify clients sticking with them.


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Digital news outlet, Loop Trinidad was the premier media partner during the annual American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) T&T membership appreciation reception in early December at the multi-purpose event space, HOME.
The event sought not only to recognize the contribution of some 300 influencers registered to the business organization, but also to promote 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence – a global campaign spearheaded by the United Nations.
Presenting at the event was Eileen Ruddy, Regional Sales Director at Trend Media Group, the Caribbean-based digital agency and publishers of Loop News.
“We are able to promote AMCHAM T&T and its members with targeted digital campaigns, while leveraging our dynamic news product, Loop to meet their business objectives. Tonight we also support this anti-violence campaign. Our activity will reach thousands of Trinidadians and the Diaspora to help raise awareness for such a worthy cause.”
The campaign encourages both organizations and individuals to ‘orange the world’ using the bright hue as a worldwide flag in drawing awareness of the anti-violence movement.
Throughout the evening, guests were encouraged to share orange-themed content to their personal social accounts, effectively joining the global campaign led by Trend Media’s and Loop News’ social channels.
“This exciting collaboration will give both the AMCHAM organisation and our membership greater exposure through the Loop content distribution channels, thereby affording us the opportunity to communicate with a wider audience and our members the chance to connect with a larger customer base. We will also be working together to disseminate information on digital marketing and non-traditional media in 2016 as we seek to facilitate members’ access to information which they need to get value for their spend,” said Nirad Tewarie, AMCHAM T&T CEO.


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(NaturalHealth365) Reducing the risk of hip fractures is easier than you might think, according to a Framingham Osteoporosis Study. You can enhance bone health by taking a vitamin you should be taking anyway: vitamin C.
This finding comes out of a 17 year follow-up of the Framingham Osteoporosis Study. And, the message is quite clear: those taking the highest amounts of vitamin C showed a hip fracture rate that was significantly lower than those taking the least of this powerful antioxidant.
(Natural News) Judy A. Mikovits, Ph.D., is a research scientist, as well as the co-author of the recently released ground-breaking book, Plague. Mikovits has spent a lifetime studying autoimmune and neuroimmune diseases, cancer, and other conditions caused by chronic inflammation. Specifically, she’s been studying retroviruses and how they contribute to the onset of these life-altering conditions….Read more


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As Apple’s latest Mac OS X Lion has been rumored for release by July, no specific dates were given. It was then reported that the release date was July 14th,, which then became July 15th, resulting in no updates over the weekend. The new rumored day of release is now expected to be tomorrow or Thursday, together with the new Thunderbolt-ready MacBook Airs and Mac Mini, which has been reportedly to be release on July 21st.
OS X Lion will be a digital-only release, which means that you will either have to download it, or you will buy a new computer already running it. Lion is expected to be made available as $29.99 download exclusively from Apple App Store. Lion requires at least 2GB of RAM and an Intel Core 2 Duo, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7 or Xeon processor, which means it is compatible with Apple computers except Mac Minis from late 2006 onwards.
The MacBook Air is expected to come with a 128GB solid-state drive and 4GB RAM, though it’s still unclear if the MacBook Air will have a Mac OS X Lion pre-installed. There may even be a new Thunderbolt-equipped LED Cinema Display in the mix, and backlit keyboards.
With the anticipation over its new product releases, NPD expects near record of Mac sales over Apple’s Q3 earnings. Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster noted that Mac sales were up by 12 percent year-over-year for every month in the quarter.
In the third fiscal quarter of 2010, Apple sold 3.47 million Macs which, at the time, was a 33 percent sales increase year-over-year. A 12 percent increase from this would be just under 3.88 million Macs. A 12 percent increase from would be just under 3.88 Macs, which would almost meet the company’s current record of 4.1 million during the first fiscal quarter of 2011.
Despite these record-breaking figures, quarterly growth has apparently slowed down, which Munster credits to anticipation about new products.
“We believe consumer anticipation of the new Mac operating system, Lion, announced on June 6 to ship in July, and new MacBook Airs (estimated 16 percent of Mac units in the June quarter) likely shipping in July negatively impacted June quarter Mac sales,” Munster wrote. “However, we expect these same factors to cause a reacceleration in Mac growth in the September quarter.
Apple, who is known for its conservative outlook, has forecast third quarter earnings of $5.03 per share on revenues of about $23 billion. On average, 51 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expect the company to have earned $5.80 per share in the quarter on revenues of $24.92 billion. Analysts’ estimates typically excluded special products.


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Official statistics show that the economic growth of Germany in the last three months of 2013 has been driven to a huge extent by overseas trade.
The overall picture is that in the past two years, the performance of the German economy has deteriorated. This marked its slowest expansion since the beginning of the global financial crisis in 2008. According to the statistics, Germany’s GDP in the fourth quarter of 2013 was up with 1.3% compared with the same period in 2012.
A growth by 0.4% is observed in the quarter compared to the third quarter, according to German statistical agency. The main driver behind this increase is foreign trade which accounts for 1.1% points of the overall rise in gross domestic product. However, the figure was hurt with 0.7% by the weak domestic demand. Nevertheless, economic experts express their views that domestic demand will rise now, in the first months of 2014, compared with the end of last year. The reason for this expectation is that the high levels of job security, together with rising incomes will enhance consumer assurance. Also, very low inflation rates will further influence the expected stronger household spending growth in 2014. The government is forecasting a growth of 1.7%
Furthermore, the statistics show that the key economic mechanism in that specific period was the balance of export and imports.
The central German bank, Bundesbank, has stated that German economy is in good shape because of the low unemployment rate and wage growth which has reached normal levels again. Also, low interest rates had been boosting house building and private consumption in Germany, even though trade had been weakening.
Another factor which will assist German economy is other improvements that have been happening in the rest of the Eurozone and the US which are both big export markets. Thus, Germany might be able to outperform the rest of the Eurozone for the next coming years. It is important to note that despite some of these negative statistics, Germany’s economy continues to be a strong point of the Eurozone and has credit for the help it provided in the pulling the single currency bloc out of recession last year.


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MILPITAS, California, January 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Forget the Valentine's Day cards, Vpype (http://www.vpype.com/), a social video company, is hooking up friends and lovers like never before this Valentine's Day with the launch of their free vGreeting (http://apps.facebook.com/vpypebroadcaster/index.php/vgreeting) messaging application. Using the Vpype vGreeting, users can spice up their Valentine's Day by sending personalized video messages on Facebook to their other half, crushes, loved ones serving the country overseas and anyone else they choose to connect with on this special day.
Vpype's vGreeting is putting a social twist on Valentine's Day by allowing anyone on Facebook to create their own personal video messages and share them with their network. The easy-to-use application gives people the opportunity to record a video using a webcam and microphone and distribute their message to select recipients. The possibilities for this application are endless. Users can send their crush a virtual kiss, stay in touch with loved ones, catch up with old friends or send a special greeting to their significant other, doing so from the privacy of their home or a local cafe. Additionally, the vGreeting is a great way for couples in long distance relationships to connect and see one-another on Valentine's Day.
On a holiday that is known for giving standardized greeting cards, the vGreeting gives people the opportunity to customize a message for each intended recipient. vGreetings go beyond what a simple card or even an eCard can offer by letting users add a personal touch.
Vpype's technology was created for consumers to connect by easily sharing video and we wanted to give people a platform to stay in touch on Valentine's Day, said Shoieb Yunus, president and CEO, Vpype. Using the vGreeting only takes a few minutes, and will allow users to easily connect with personal messages on this special day.
The vGreeting is hosted within the Vpype Live Broadcaster, a secure, stable and personalized Facebook application that allows users to broadcast their content live to the 350 million members of the global social network. To send a Vpype vGreeting visit: http://apps.facebook.com/vpypebroadcaster/index.php/vgreeting
Vpype is a social video company committed to helping people tell their story to the world. Based in Milpitas, Calif., the company was founded in 2009 by entrepreneurs with expertise in video technology, consumer and enterprise software as well as broadcasting and entertainment. Visit www.vpype.com, our Facebook Fan Page (http://www.facebook.com/vpype) or Facebook Application (http://apps.facebook.com/vpypebroadcaster/)for more information.
Note to Editors:
A picture accompanying this release is available through the PA Photowire. It can be downloaded from http://www.pa-mediapoint.press.net or viewed at http://www.mediapoint.press.net or http://www.prnewswire.co.uk.


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Gamesys Restricted premieres unique VirginBet. com online sportsbook. Macau informations improvement throughout May aggregated gross game playing revenues
Casino online games developer and owner, Gamesys Confined, has released that it has got partnered through fellow English innovator SBTech to kick off the new mobile-friendly sportsbetting domain name at VirginBet. com .
The London-headquartered firm utilized an official press release to describe VirginBet. com for a ‘unique personality-led brand’ which was premiered so as ‘to discompose the United Kingdom market’ by offering ‘a straightforward and interesting betting feel. ’
Gamesys Limited in addition stated which its brand new Android-based on-line sportsbook, that should soon build up to those running an Apple equipment, has been designed utilizing a base and bespoke front-end control panel from SBTechand is a measure of a ‘extensive digital capabilities’ together with its ‘firm commitment’ on the British iGaming market.
Ben Mizzi, Promotion Director for Gamesys, used the press release that will declare which will his firm’s alliance with SBTech grades www.aussie-pokies.club/ ‘one on the United Kingdom’s biggest iGaming sportsbook specials in recent times’ and came following the finishing ‘a demanding tender technique. ’
Mizzi’s statement read…
“We’re fired up to release VirginBet. com into the planets most competitive sportsbook market. We think the Maiden brand is able to help replace the industry for the better and we anticipate giving some of our customers the feeling we sense they deserve. ”
Rank support, fortification:
Established in 3 years ago, SBTech describes itself as ‘a world leader in omni-channel sportsbetting and gaming’ while the firm’s Ceo, Richard Davidson, proclaimed how the debut regarding VirginBet. com is sure to ‘strengthen’ his firm’s presence in the United Kingdom’s burgeoning casino and sportsbettingmarket.
Carter’s assertion read…
“Gamesys has fit its morals in all of us due to all of our proven status delivering brilliant sportsbook and also casino software solutions. That is testament to your talented workforce, outstanding item portfolio along with the exceptional effects we are able to crank out for our lovers. Gamesys will likely become one among our biggest customers after some time and we will delighted to become working with the management company, whom received long esteemed. ”
Next two months’ of comparison declines, Macau reportedly spotted aggregated nasty gaming revenues from her collection of over 35 gambling dens rebound a few weeks back courtesy of a one. 8% year-on-year increase to be able to approximately $3. 21 thousand.
Trade war concerns:
Based on a report, the actual May result comes amid developing investor worry that the persisted China-United States trade world war may well be working against a rise from the value of Macau gaming stocks and shares. Although the ex- Portuguese division purportedly has its relationship with the World Industry Organization, it all nevertheless continues to be as the basically Chinese area where betting house gambling is actually legal as well as the continuing argue is considered responsible for decrease consumer demand from customers.
GGRAsia reported by official information from Macau’s Gaming Inspection and Sychronisation Bureau like detailing the fact that the city possessed seen a good year-on-year decrease in aggregated VIP major gaming bottom line for Might while its mass-market sector possessed conversely taped improved effects.
Japanese fiscal services business Nomura Communauté Incorporated supposedly used the Sunday submitting to describe May’s result to be a ‘modest favourable surprise’ this had are available despite the ‘softening economic tempo in Cina. ’ Analysts, Brian Dobson, Daniel Fyr and Harry Curtis, expressed that ‘rhetoric around the swap dispute provides worsened’ and that they now estimated any foreseeable future growth in Macau’s aggregated gross gambling revenues to generally be driven by simply ‘the root strength in mass demand from customers. ’
Regardless of the May result, Deutsche Bank Sec Incorporated foretold that Macau’s annual pre-taxed gaming profits for the whole involving 2019 are often only 1% higher year-on-year. Nevertheless, the exact brokerage’s, Steven Pizzella as well as Carlo Santarelli, used a similar Sunday carteggio to maintain a tender forecast that this city’s comparable results for all of 2020 could be higher by as much as 2 . 8%.
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News of Steve Jobs’ death on Wednesday was greeted with an outpouring of emotion by Apple (s aapl) fans and followers around the world in the form of moving tributes and memorials. We’ll see many more throughout Thursday and beyond, no doubt, but we wanted to take a moment to highlight a few of those gestures.
Apple Stores draw crowds
Around the world, Apple Retail storefronts attracted many mourners and countless memorials in the form of flowers, scrawled messages and Post-it Notes. The little squares of paper quickly covered the windows at the Stockton Apple Store in San Francisco. In Boston, at the Apple Store on Boylston Street, fans and admirers gathered and left flowers and photos outside the storefront. According to the Boston Globe, one mourner, Brad Lackey, despite having never owned a single Apple product, called Jobs “[his] generation’s Edison.”
The Apple Store in Ginza, Tokyo, became a makeshift memorial when the news hit the nearby Ceatec conference, which is Japan’s largest consumer electronics show. Fans left flowers outside the store and organized a candlelight vigil there for after dark. The Fifth Avenue store in New York City was nearly covered in fliers featuring the image of Jobs with messages inscribed upon them by mourners. Apple Stores in Brazil, Australia and many other countries around the world were host to similar tributes.
Artists, designers and developers remember
Macs have always been tools of inspiration, so it’s no surprise that the creative community has already paid a lot of tribute to Jobs. Comic artist Randall Munroe at xkcd shared this fitting memorial:
R. Stevens, the creator of Diesel Sweeties, also offered a simple but sweet visual memento:
Mac developers Panic talked about how Jobs has given direction to their lives in a splash page on their site, which I think sums up the feelings of most of us who work in the shadow of Apple. This, in particular strikes a chord:
Apple went from a marginal novelty to rewriting the rules of entire industries, in the blink of an i.
And as Apple grew, we grew.
And as Apple inspired, we were inspired.
Dylan Roscover, an L.A.-based graphic designer, created this beautiful image that fittingly uses font to tell a story about a man who obsessed over exactly those kinds of details.
Last but not least, there’s an image that’s been making the rounds almost as long as the news of Jobs’ death itself. Created by Jonathan Mak Long, a 19-year-old Hong Kong resident and designer, it seems to be acting as a touchstone for what many are feeling. So we’ll leave you with Long’s stunning, stark tribute as we get back to the business of watching and wondering as Apple changes the world.


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Recent studies show that RIM is still in the lead when it comes to the amount of handsets they sell, but Apple are waiting in the wings for the BlackBerry maker to slip up. However, Apple are not sitting pretty either and thoughts of an iPhone 4G is not worrying Google Android in the slightest.
Both Apple and RIM now have to watch their backs — Android are winning thanks to an onslaught of handsets. Although Android only has a 7.1 percent market share in the U.S. — 4.4 percent of that was made up in the last four months alone.
This growth is amazing for such a young brand — and new handsets on the way will do nothing but good for Google. According to Cnet — more than 60,000 Android smartphones are being shifted each day. These are not the huge numbers that we have seen with the iPhone, but the new 4G model will need to be something extra special — if not Android will become the No.2 or even the No.1.
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According to the new EU law, Apple must use the USB-C port in future iPhone devices. While the Cupertino giant was said to be planning to limit some USB-C functionality on the iPhone, the European Union has now warned the company that it is not allowed to do so.
Last year, the European Union passed a law requiring iPhones and other devices with wired charging technology to be equipped with a USB-C port to be sold in member states. Apple has until December 28, 2024 to comply with this rule, but the iPhone 15 models that will be introduced this year are expected to be equipped with USB-C instead of the Lightning port.
Late last year, a report suggested that Apple might limit charging speeds and other USB-C functions on the iPhone. Now, in response to this rumor, EU Commissioner Thierry Burton has sent a letter warning Apple that it is not allowed to limit the functionality of USB-C cables and this will prevent the sale of iPhones in the EU.
Given that Apple has until the end of 2024 to comply with the new EU law, the company could still implement its decision by putting an authentication chip in the USB-C port of the iPhone 15 phones that will be introduced this year. Also, given that the iPhone 16 phones are expected to be introduced in September 2024, even these devices may have limited USB-C port performance.
The report said the EU plans to publish a directive in the third quarter of this year to ensure “uniform interpretation” of its law.
Finally, it should be noted that the limitation of the USB-C cables of the iPhone 15 phones is currently a rumor, so this news cannot be confirmed for sure. It should also be noted that iPads with a USB-C port do not have the mentioned authentication chip.


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IN THE past six months the wholesale price of oil has fallen from $145 to $38 a barrel. By the time you read this, a litre of unleaded petrol could be 80 pence from a high of £1.30, a reduction of 40 per cent.
In the meantime the retail price for gas and electricity has soared by the same amount and is not expected to come down until April or May when the peak consuming winter months are over, although industrial and commercial users are already enjoying the reduction.
You would think industry regulator Ofgem might have something to say about such blatant exploitation, which clearly affects the elderly and less well off most severely and they do. Ofgem have refused to force energy suppliers to pass on this collapse in oil prices.
Ofgem say the delay is because energy suppliers bought when prices peaked in the summer and it will ‘take time for the lower prices to feed through to retail customers’. So, how come industrial and commercial users are getting discounted prices now? Ofgem don’t say.
What we do know is that Ofgem has proved to be totally ineffective in safeguarding the interest of the general public from large corporations intent on exploitation.
The views on this page are Vic Barlow's and not necessarily those of the Express


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- Joined Nov 15, 2001
Statement from Nike today:
I honestly didn't know they were still making anything Livestrong besides the bracelets.Nike has made the decision to stop producing new LIVESTRONG product after its Holiday 2013 line. We will continue to support the LIVESTRONG Foundation by funding them directly as they continue their work serving and improving outcomes for people facing cancer.
We are proud of the collective efforts between Nike and the LIVESTRONG Foundation to raise more than $100 million to help people with cancer, distributing 87 million LIVESTRONG wristbands and serving and improving health outcomes for more than 2.5 million people with free cancer support services, programs, tools and resources.


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The chipmaker has been working on new technology for its cable provider customers, including a TV dongle and a chip for faster broadband speeds.
Deleting photos with Purrge is faster and easier than deleting photos with the stock Photos app.
An Australian artist has reimagined the world of BBC's "Doctor Who" through the eyes of Dr. Seuss. It's like "Oh, the Places You'll Go" but for Time Lords.
It's not just smartphones. Samsung says it's maintaining its dominance in the TV market as the industry moves to ultra-high definition.
Virtual reality is actually real, and it's finally here. But there's a lot of work that needs to be done before it's ready to be experienced by everyone.
As consumers buy more from the Internet's largest retailer, it keeps up by outfitting warehouses with robots that work at speeds humans can't.
This charming fan-made trailer recasts famous scenes from "Ghostbusters" with toy cars, homemade ghosts and girls lip-syncing Bill Murray's funniest dialogue.
Researchers reveal a flaw in Android, iOS and Windows that lets hackers peer into Gmail, Chase and other apps. Also, Norton reduces its software line to one product, and Pebble gets score alerts with the ESPN app.
Virtual reality may be one of the most important new frontiers in tech. But its pioneers still need to sell the public on the idea of reality-escaping face computers. Enter Google Cardboard.
Stanford researchers have created a basic system that shuns silicon in favor of imperfect lines of carbon atoms that could one day deliver even more performance and efficiency than current technology.


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Tesco has issued a one-month warning to customers as it closes down its Clubcard app from April.
The change, which will impact millions of shoppers who use a Clubcard to get money off their shopping, will be effective across every store in the UK’s largest retailer, including Express and Metro stores, from April 18.
From that date, shoppers will need to download the Tesco Grocery & Clubcard app to get access to Clubcard prices and vouchers.
Subscribe to Grocery Gazette for free
However, shoppers will still be able to access to their old points, coupons and vouchers as the Clubcard points will roll over to the new app.
Customers who do not download the app will still have access to their points online.
“With the combined power of Clubcard Prices, coupons and vouchers alongside our Reward Partner codes, Clubcard is the best way to get value at Tesco – and our Grocery & Clubcard app is the easiest way to make the most of all your Clubcard has to offer,” a spokesperson said.
“You can use it when shopping online or in-store as a one-stop-shop to save money, collect points and use your vouchers and coupons.
They added: “You can also unlock extra value from your vouchers by using them with one of our Reward Partners through the Grocery & Clubcard app.”
It comes as Tesco has promised Groceries Code Adjudicator Mark White that suppliers will not be de-listed if they refuse its new fulfilment fee system.


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It doesn’t appear that most organic grower-shippers plan to play up the nutrition value of their product despite the release this summer of a study that says organically grown food is more healthful that conventional.
A news release from the Organic Trade Association says the study from the United Kingdom shows that “organic crops, and the food made from them, are nutritionally superior to their conventional counterparts.”
The study “should put to rest any doubts about the benefits of organic,” the association said in the release.
As part of the study, experts led by Newcastle University researchers analyzed 343 studies and found organic crops and organic crop-based foods are up to 60% higher in a number of key antioxidants than conventionally grown crops.
The report also showed that pesticide residues are found more frequently in conventional foods, and there were lower levels of a toxic heavy metal in organic crops.
The report was published in the July 15 issue of the “British Journal of Nutrition.”
The study reevaluates nutritional differences between organic and conventional crops and “strongly shows that organic fruits and vegetables have definite health benefits to conventionally grown products,” Jessica Shade, director of science programs for Washington, D.C.-based The Organic Center, said in the release.
But grower-shippers aren’t jumping on the bandwagon to sing the nutritional praises of their organic fruits and vegetables.
Firstfruits Marketing of Washington LLC, Yakima, which grows and sells organic and conventional fruit, wants consumers to make their own decision, said Matt Miles, organic program director.
“It’s a personal choice. Consumers have to do the research and understand why they want to buy organic, and we support that,” he said. “But others don’t choose to buy organic or learn about organic practices, and we support them, as well.”
“We value both those customers,” he said. “There’s no wrong decision when it comes to choosing fresh fruits or vegetables.”
Scott Boyajian, director of marketing for Sunview Marketing International, Delano, Calif., doesn’t think growers are qualified to make statements about nutrition value.
“We would default to the scientific community and let them make those determinations,” he said.
Nutrition content isn’t what attracts most people to organic produce anyway, said Addie Pobst, organic integrity and logistics coordinator for Viva Tierra Organic Inc., Sedro-Woolley, Wash.
“That’s not what we see as the value in organic,” she said.
“We look at it more in terms of ecological health of the planet, preventing the use of toxic chemicals in agriculture getting into the environment, into workers, into consumers.”
Viva Tierra never has claimed that organic products are more nutritious than conventionally grown equivalent vegetables or fruit, she said, and the company doesn’t plan to start now.
Samantha Cabaluna, vice president of marketing and communications for Earthbound Farm, San Juan Bautista, Calif., agreed.
“While we’ll make note of that study, it wouldn’t be a focus of our conversations with consumers because it’s not the primary reason people choose organic,” she said.
“They choose organic to reduce their exposure to conventional agricultural chemicals, GMOs, and irradiation,” she said.
Conditions under which organic produce is grown can vary greatly, depending on climate, soil type, farming methods and other factors, said Scott Mabs, CEO at Homegrown Organic Farms, Strathmore, Calif.
“It is very hard to paint a broad brush stroke on the whole deal,” he said.
“We believe in the methods of organic farming and how we’re doing it and believe that we’re producing a wonderful piece of fruit that has great flavor and great nutritional content,” he said.
Beyond that, he said, “We’ll let the scientists continue to argue about that.”
Stemilt Growers Inc., Wenatchee, Wash., “definitely won’t” be using claims about the nutrition content of organic produce as a marketing tool, said Roger Pepperl, marketing director.
“We think our country needs to have more people eating fresh produce — both conventional and organic,” he said. “We don’t want to be a negative influence on either.”


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The new brand positioning aims to clearly communicate the Budget Direct brand as the smarter insurance option for consumers.
Following research, Hulsbosch—Communication by Design, an Australian branding and design company, concluded that Budget Direct needed to change its narrative to maintain brand awareness levels and enable communication around more than just attractive price points.
The repositioning project includes a new logo, the new slogan 'Simply Smarter Insurance', a website, online quote and sales engine, along with a new advertising campaign.
The first TVC will air until 31 August. It features two new characters Zeek and Zia, an apparently highly intelligent alien couple. They replace the characters of Michael and Michelle from previous commercials.
The campaign will scale via additional national TVCs, online display, large format outdoor, YouTube, PPC and other tactical activity, according to the brand.
The creative concept on the repositioning project were led by Hulsbosch, while Liquid Animation developed and animated the TVCs in collaboration with Budget Direct’s in-house Marketing & Digital team.
“The essence of the brand is framed by one idea articulated by the tagline—Simply Smarter,” said Hans Hulsbosch, executive creative director at Hulsbosch. “We have taken the uncomplicated nature of this concept through to font, colour palette, iconography and image library to create an immediately engaging and consistent brand.”
“We’ve shifted Budget Direct’s positioning from cheap price to price plus,” said Jonathan Kerr, director marketing and digital at Budget Direct. “We’re telling our customers that they’re clever to have found us, and this by association also makes the brand smart. It’s the start of a more relevant dialogue with consumers when a brand can offer more than just a price point.”
Hulsbosch said value is the badge of today’s savvy consumers, and in the insurance category, people want to feel smart in their purchase decisions. “Our creative ‘aliens’ concept on which the TVC was built places intelligence at the heart of making sound insurance decisions,” he added. “The concept redefines the tone of insurance advertising in this country and permits Budget Direct to clearly stand apart in this sector.”
Executive creative director Hans Hulsbosch
Director Jaid Hulsbosch
Design director Steve Harrington
Design director Belinda Hubball
Senior account director Natasha Marsh
Senior account manager Lisa Rowlinson
Director Mike Viner
Producer Geoff Viner
Live action director Damon Escott
Producer Georgie Uppington
Marketing & Digital Department


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Italy’s billionaire Agnelli family has acquired a 15 per cent stake in Dutch conglomerate Philips, promising to back the group’s effort to shift away from consumer electronics to healthcare.
As part of the deal announced on Monday, Exor, the Agnelli’s holding company, can increase its stake to 20 per cent. Exor said it intended to be a “long-term minority investor”.
Philips, which was founded 132 years ago, is counting on a shift from electronics towards health technology to help revive a share price that has tumbled more than 60 per cent since April 2021.
John Elkann, the chief executive of Exor, said: “The path of change taken by Philips in recent years has created a company that combines two areas — healthcare and technology — to which we are committed.”
Exor said it acquired the 15 per cent stake through “on-market” purchases of the stock and existing Philips shareholders would not be diluted.


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Pop star Rihanna has prevented Topshop selling T-shirts displaying her picture in a test case reinforcing the ability of celebrities to control their public image.
The court of appeal has ruled that the fashion retailer’s unauthorised use of the singer’s photograph amounted to “passing off” – illegally exploiting an unregistered trademark.
The three court of appeal judges – Lords Justices Richards, Kitchin and Underhill – affirmed there was no English law directly allowing anyone to restrain reproduction of their name or image. But their judgment provided further legal grounds for the famous to limit the circumstances in which commercial advantage can be derived from exploiting their celebrity status.
The dispute dates back to 2012, when Topshop began selling a £22 sleeveless T-shirt bearing a recognisable image of Rihanna derived from a photograph taken of her during a video shoot for her Talk That Talk album.
The picture was taken by an independent photographer who, as owner of the copyright in the photograph, licensed the use of the image to Topshop. Rihanna and two of her corporate licensing companies then launched legal action alleging that the use of her image for fashion clothing was not licensed and that people buying the T-shirt would think she had endorsed it.
The high court found in favour of the Barbadian performer and granted an injunction prohibiting Topshop from selling the clothes without informing prospective purchasers that it had not been approved or authorised.
Topshop’s unsuccessful appeal examined precedents where other celebrities, such as Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, had tried to stop pictures of them being published.
Because there are no directly applicable laws, Kitchin said, “a celebrity seeking to control the use of his or her image must therefore rely upon some other cause of action such as breach of contract, breach of confidence, infringement of copyright or, as in this case, passing off.”
He added that passing off does not “protect a person against the sale by others of the same goods or even copied goods. What it protects is goodwill and it prevents one person passing off his goods or services as those of another.
“No one may, by the use of any word or name, or in any other way, represent his goods or services as being the goods or services of another person and so cause that other person injury to his goodwill and so damage him in his business.
“This allegation did disclose a sustainable case in passing off. In substance Rihanna alleged that she had suffered damage to the goodwill in her business as a result of the misrepresentation, implied in all the circumstances, that she had endorsed the T-shirt.” The law of passing off, Kitchin explained, had expanded over the years.
Commenting on the implications of the judgment, Mike Gardner, head of intellectual property at the law firm Wedlake Bell, said: “Rihanna was forced to rely on the English common-law right of passing off because in the UK, unlike certain other countries, there is no ‘image rights’ law to help celebrities to control the commercial use of their image.
“The court of appeal has dismissed Topshop’s appeal against that earlier high court decision, so the ban remains in place. This ruling, in what was seen as a finely balanced case, may encourage other celebrities to make similar claims in the future.
“Retailers will have to be extra careful in how they sell items bearing celebrity images. They will need to learn lessons from what happened with Topshop. Anything that is seen as wrongly suggesting an official tie-up or endorsement by the celebrity could lead to legal action.”
Georgie Collins, an intellectual property partner at the law firm Irwin Mitchell, said: “In the UK, there is no free-standing law of ‘image rights’ that allows a person to control the reproduction of their image, contrasted with the US. Anyone seeking to protect and prevent the unauthorised use of their image must choose from a variety of rights, including trademarks, copyright, designs and the developing law of privacy. The court of appeal has just reinforced this position.”
Leon Glenister, a barrister at Hardwicke Chambers, said: “Until now celebrities have struggled to protect their image being used by other organisations. Even now there needs to be an implied endorsement of the product [for a celebrity’s case to succeed]. Without that, there is no protection of image.”


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Thursday, September 8, 2011
BeachMint Announces BeautyMint With Jessica Simpson
Santa Monica-based BeachMint, the celebrity and social e-commerce company run by Josh Berman and Diego Berdakin, said last night that it has launched the next in its line of celebrity-focused businesses, BeautyMint. BeautyMint is focused on personalized skincare, and is being run in conjunction with Jessica Simpson and Beverly Hills skincare expert Nerida Joy. BeachMint said that it will launch BeautyMint in October. The company said BeautyMint will provide a personalized, monthly skincare system with products developed by Nerida, using "anti-aging technology" and natural ingredients. BeautyMint is the third in a series of celebrity e-commerce sites launched by BeachMint; the company's other two brands are StyleMint (with Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen) and JewelMint (with Kate Bosworth and Cher Coulter). All of those sites feature monthly, personalized shopping and product subscriptions. BeachMint is venture backed by Scale Venture Partners and Lightbank. Berman is an ex-MySpace executive.


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When the Braves leave for the suburbs in 2017, the City of Atlanta will lose about $4 million in annual sales tax revenue. That figure comes from an economic impact study by Professor Bruce Seaman of Georgia State University.
Georgia's sales tax holiday is expected to bring more shoppers to stores this weekend. Customers won't have to pay the sales tax on many back-to-school items. The tax holiday ends at midnight Saturday.
Across the state today residents in many counties will be voting on tax policies. Camden County residents are considering a special 1% sales tax that could raise $65 million over the next 6 years for public works projects. And McIntosh County is considering a similar tax increase to expand education programs.
A leader in the state Senate is sponsoring two amendments to the state constitution that would alter Georgia's tax policy. Duluth Senator David Shafer wants to shift Georgia from an income tax to a sales tax. John Hopkins University sociologist Katherine Newman says the regressive sales tax creates lower wage jobs and denies employers skilled labor.
Cities and counties have to split local option sales taxes every 10 years based on several criteria including population. But Chatham County and its 7 municipalities couldn't reach a deal last year and opted to go to court. Three days into the trial that began Monday, both sides apparently decided they didn't want a judge to choose between their proposals.
Chatham County and its seven municipalities are going to court today to argue over how to split more than $500 million worth of tax revenue. Negotiations broke down last year over how the divide local option sales taxes - known as the LOST. Now it'll be up to a judge to decide a case that will affect property taxes and local budgets.
This March the birthday tax and sales tax on new cars and trucks are going away, replaced with a new one-time title tax. But what does that mean for those thinking about buying a vehicle now? It depends on a variety of circumstances.


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Inspired by the colorful persona of 1970′s NBA Star World B. Free, Nike alongside the Footlocker House of Hoops will be releasing a special pair of Blazers in a tie-dye colorway. The kicks are set to drop on Friday June 12th, 2009 at the House of Hoops.


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The vaping industry has undergone a substantial shift due to the swift rise of disposable e-cigarettes. According to ECigIntelligence’s recent analysis, these one-time-use devices now constitute nearly 40 percent of the entire vaping sector. This in-depth report explores the driving forces behind the surge in disposable e-cigarettes, their growth patterns, global variances, and environmental implications. Additionally, we highlight the significance of the newly introduced ECigIntelligence Disposable E-Cigarettes Tracker, which offers valuable insights into this flourishing market.
Disposable e-cigarettes initially gained popularity in the United States. Their appeal was fueled by the convenience they offered and their affordability compared to traditional vaping devices.
Yet, the expansion of disposable e-cigarettes has not reached a plateau. This trend is no longer limited to the U.S. market, as countries worldwide are currently witnessing a rapid increase in the appeal of these products. Disposable e-cigarettes are demonstrating their transformative impact, drawing the interest of both seasoned vapers and those new to the experience.
Various factors contribute to this upsurge. Convenience is a crucial factor, as users value the straightforward, ready-to-use design of disposable e-cigarettes. Moreover, their affordability broadens their accessibility, particularly in regions where traditional vaping products may be comparatively more costly.
While the core appeal of disposable e-cigarettes remains consistent globally, there are notable variations in products and consumer preferences. These variations often stem from regulatory factors and cultural differences.
One critical factor shaping the disposable e-cigarette market is the EU Tobacco Product Directive (TPD). The TPD imposes strict restrictions on the amount of e-liquid that can be used in vape products. This has led to larger disposable e-cigarette sizes in non-TPD countries to accommodate more e-liquid content. Conversely, TPD-compliant markets have seen an increase in zero-nicotine disposable products as they are permitted to have larger tank capacities.
Impact of EU Tobacco Product Directive (TPD)
The EU Tobacco Product Directive (TPD) has a significant influence on the development of disposable e-cigarettes in Europe. TPD imposes stringent regulations on the vaping industry to ensure the safety and quality of products. However, these regulations have led to distinct product variations in the market.
In TPD-compliant markets, there has been a notable rise in zero-nicotine disposable e-cigarettes, as these are allowed to have larger tank capacity. This caters to users who prefer nicotine-free options or those looking for a longer-lasting vaping experience.
In non-TPD countries, disposable e-cigarettes have evolved to include more e-liquid content, accommodating the needs of consumers who desire a more extended vaping experience without nicotine content.
As the disposable e-cigarette market expands, so do concerns about its environmental impact. Many of these products, traditionally made from plastic, contribute to plastic waste. Recognizing this, some companies are now making strides in producing more environmentally friendly alternatives.
Recent developments include the emergence of products made primarily from paper or incorporating biodegradable components. These innovations mitigate the environmental footprint of disposable e-cigarettes, aligning with the growing global consciousness towards sustainability.
The ECigIntelligence- Disposable E-Cigarettes Tracker
To provide an even more in-depth understanding of the disposable e-cigarette market, ECigIntelligence has launched a cutting-edge tool – the Disposable E-Cigarettes Tracker. This tracker offers data on pricing, technical features, flavors, and nicotine strengths. Users can select specific models and compare competitors in terms of essential features like the number of puffs, e-liquid capacity, battery capacity, and physical shape.
Tim Phillips, managing director of Tamarind Intelligence, which produces ECigIntelligence, expressed the significance of this new tracker, stating, “The disposables market has ballooned at such a rate that there is an urgent need for reliable, in-depth data. This new tracker will provide the intelligence that players at every level in the industry have been crying out for as they formulate their strategy on disposable products.”
The disposable e-cigarette market is experiencing remarkable growth, driven by factors like convenience, affordability, and regulatory variations across countries. With environmental concerns in mind, companies are innovating to produce more sustainable disposable e-cigarette options.
The ECigIntelligence Disposable E-Cigarettes Tracker is poised to be a game-changer in the industry, providing invaluable insights and data to players at every level. As the vaping industry continues to evolve, the disposable e-cigarette market is a space to watch, and ECigIntelligence is at the forefront of providing the essential information needed to navigate this rapidly changing landscape.
More news you can read on our website.


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"When the #model @cocorocha arrived on the New York City scene 14 years ago, "we all looked alike and we were all disposable," she said. Injecting personality into the social media landscape wasn't advised. "We were told that posting on Twitter about brushing your teeth takes away the mystery," her husband @jamesedwardconran added. But @cocorocha took a different view: "It also humanizes you." Today, the 27-year-old model and social media star has a towering social media presence, which includes 1 million followers on @Instagram and 1.44 million on Twitter. She used her online celebrity to launch the #CoAndCo fashion line, and along the way she has nabbed speaking engagements, stints on TV and a book deal. @anrizzy photographed @cocorocha at @wearespin, a #tabletennis social club in Manhattan. Follow @anrizzy to see another photo from the evening." By nytimes on Instagram.
Posted on infosnack.


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New Zealand-new electric cars and plug-in hybrids will get cheaper from today, under the Government’s recently unveiled subsidy. Yet one of the most popular and environmentally friendly electric vehicles isn’t eligible: the e-bike.
Biking advocacy group Cycle Action Network wants subsidies to be extended to e-bikes and traditional bicycles, plus safety gear, as well.
Transport Minister Michael Wood said e-bikes were “a fantastic option” to cut carbon, but didn’t commit to incentives. “We’re working through all of the options to meet our emissions-reduction targets.”
Over their full lifetime, an EV’s carbon footprint is 60 per cent smaller than a traditional petrol or diesel car, according to the Climate Change Commission. Yet since they require fewer materials, less lithium and electricity, an e-bike’s overall footprint can be 10 times smaller than an electric car, an independent international study found.
Cycle Action Network member Jill Ford said initiatives that boost cycling address other issues, such as inner-city congestion and poor health from a lack of exercise. “We have one of the highest car ownerships per head in the whole world and we’re also second or third [in the OECD] for obesity. I’m sure they’re linked.”
Ford is a push-bike and e-mountain bike rider. E-bikes are suitable for a range of trips, from the commute to work to the school run, she said, plus cycling removes the stress of arriving in time to find a car park.
Ford thinks the upfront costs – with e-bikes starting from $2000 and push-bikes built for commuting around $700 – is getting in the way. “That is a lot of money if you’re a family living week to week.”
She’d prefer a straight subsidy, like the one being considered by the UK, because she worries a feebate system with additional charges on large cars could cause “yet more bike-lash”. But these subsidies could reduce the negative health impacts of inactivity by millions of dollars, she added.
Minister Wood believes the cost of e-bikes is less of a barrier, compared to EVs. “There’s plenty of evidence of huge uptake of them at the moment.”
E-bikes are already the most popular electric vehicle – more than 47,000 were imported last year, more than the total number of electric cars on the road. In 2019, 65,000 e-bikes and scooters arrived in the country.
The transport policies in the Government’s Emissions Reduction Plan, to be released before the end of the year, will consider health benefits, Wood said.
In its advice, the Climate Change Commission recommends a suite of policies to boost cycling, as well as walking and public transport. E-bike subsidies didn’t make the cut.
Commission transport team leader Alexandra Aimer-Seton agrees e-bikes – which make longer and hillier journeys easier – will play an important role in reducing emissions.
“For low-income communities, the price is 100 per cent going to be a barrier and low-income communities are often some of the people who can benefit the most from technologies like e-bikes,” she said.
But the data indicates the country must make cycling safe with dedicated infrastructure first, she added. This was the focus of the commission’s recommendations. “If people don’t feel safe, they’re not going to want to get on them.”
How does the EV subsidy work?
Newly imported electric or plug-in hybrid cars will be eligible for a rebate if sold from today onwards. If you’re buying brand new, an electric car will qualify for a payment of $8625 and a plug-in hybrid for $5750. Used imports also qualify, though the payments are smaller: $3450 for a fully electric vehicle and $2300 for a plug-in hybrid.
If the car has already driven on New Zealand roads, it won’t be eligible for the scheme. Cars must cost under $80,000 and receive three or more stars in safety ratings.
This cash won’t be paid to the dealer. The owner will need to register the sale online and the payment will be made directly.
The straight subsidy will last for a maximum for six months, though could run out sooner. There’s a limited pot of money available, and if demand outstrips this amount, some new EV owners will miss out.
In 2022, a more complicated system of rebates and fees (which is intended to balance each other out) will replace the subsidy. The process to claim a rebate will remain the same. Fees for more-polluting vehicles will need to be paid when the car is first registered.
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