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Bacardi Martini switches MD
Unique and high-end 'boutique' spirits helped the US spirits markets grow by 3.5% by volume in 2011, according to a new report.
Drambuie Liqueur Co is set to launch its Drambuie 15 variant across the US.
Bacardi’s Bombay Sapphire East
Bacardi USA, Inc. today applauds the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit for its unanimous decision in favor of Bacardi in connection with its packaging and marketing of Havana Club rum in the US.
Both Bacardi and Pernod Ricard have made positive noises about the latest ruling in the US on their long-running row over the Havana Club trademark.
The US arm of Bacardi has lined up a television advert in the country for Martini's Asti sparkling wine brand.
The US unit of Bacardi has teamed up with the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the country for a “multi-year” marketing tie-up.
Bacardi has claimed a legal victory in its long-running row with Pernod Ricard over the Havana Club trademark in the US.
Bacardi has switched media agencies for several of its brands in the US.
Bacardi has secured the distribution contract for Tia Maria in the US after signing a deal with the coffee liqueur brand's new owner, Illva Saronno.
The US arm of Bacardi has released Seven Tiki, a spiced rum, in two states of the US.
Bacardi USA has expanded its Martini & Rossi sparkling wine portfolio to include a rosé.
The Charmer Sunbelt Group (CSG) has taken on the distribution of Bacardi USA and Brown-Forman's brands in a handful of states in the US.
Bacardi USA has named Michael Misiorski as its new senior vice president and chief financial officer.
Vodka Market in US 2016-2020
Vodka is an alcoholic beverage that comprises water and ethanol and contains 35%-40% alcohol by volume....
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According to the founder of Russia’s mobile-review website, who has leaked info in the past, we can go ahead and confirm Samsung’s unveiling event for the Galaxy S4 to take place in New York City on March 14. Previous rumors suggested that we could see it unveiled on March 15 with availability beginning in April, so this is starting to become more of a time frame to get used to.
March 14 is just two short weeks after MWC in Barcelona, which would give Samsung all of the spotlight in terms of their competition and no other phones being announced during that time.
Whenever it does finally come, we will be ready.
Via: SamMobile | @eldarmurtazin
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As some of you are adjusting to the start of school, everyone in the design world’s sights are set on the trends that will take over in the months ahead—especially the colors we’ll be seeing everywhere next year. Sherwin-Williams is plotting a new course with its Colormix Forecast for 2023: Terra.
Presented as a collection of 40 colors spanning the spectrum of green and blue to brown, warmer neutrals, and even pops of yellow. Terra is separated into four palettes—Biome, Lore, Nexus, and Origin— collectively representing notions of connection, whether with the earth, our creative practices, ourselves, or our wildest dreams.
Continue reading “Sherwin-Williams 2023 Colormix Forecast”
Color trend predications for this next year are coming out later than normal and it’s no surprise, really. With the population shifting away from pandemic paradigms and toward internet-fueled “microbursts” that can last just a few months, the process of pinning down 2022 color trends has become a particularly tricky task.
Continue reading “New ColorMix Forecast 2022”
Each year, I cover emerging palettes and design styles that reflect the changing landscape of interior design. I start my first in a series of posts with 5 palettes from Dunn-Edwards Paints.
Dunn-Edwards Paints has announced its , a collection of five distinct color palettes – Meraki, Retrouvailles, Mysa, Elysian, and Naturrensing – that celebrate simple pleasures, new possibilities, and optimism for the future. Continue reading “2022 COLOR + DESIGN TRENDS”
As 2020 draws to a close, the powers to be at the Pantone Color Institute have released their annual color of the year. According to the color experts, 2021’s vibe is to be expressed in not one, but two separate hues. It’s only the second time Pantone has selected two colors. Continue reading “Pantone Reveals 2021’s Color of the Year”


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The-Dream is the latest in a long line of musicians hopping into the realm of personal audio devices, whether it be headphones — like Dr. Dre, Jay-Z, and 50 Cent — or portable speakers, which the singer has signed on to do.
Dream recently announced a partnership with Jerboa Audio/Aionia to release a signature line of special edition The-Dream Eclectic Speakers, featuring quality sound in a small package.
The line of speakers are compact, boasting seven hours of playback with a maximized passive woofer and tweeters, 80db sound in an extremely sleek, cigar-sized aluminum casting.
“Jerboa Speakers offer the best in both design and performance for those seeking cutting-edge lifestyle accessories,” the company’s website says.
“When I learned about the Jerboa speakers, I was excited to help develop a product that pushed out a great sound from a speaker the size of a cigar,” The-Dream explained of the partnership. “We are extraordinarily proud of the woofer. It’s a whole lot of sound packed into a very sleek package.”
Dream’s Special Edition Eclectic speakers are compatible with all computers, popular mobile devices like the iPod, iPhone, iPad, and Blackberry, as well as other music devices and MP3 players. It uses a 3.5mm (headphone) jack, and is available in either silver and/or black.
It retails for $149.99.
For more information, visit TheDreamSpeakers.com.


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The ringgit has been on a rise gradually since 2018 and that is of course, great news! Sure, there are occasional drops in between, but that is only normal as our ringgit continues to rise back up again right after.
For instance, as of 19th January, NST reported that the ringgit had strengthened against three strongest currencies, namely:
- US Dollar standing at 3.9410/9450
- Singapore Dollar at 2.9838/9875, and
- Euro at 4.8242/8303
Pretty impressive for a currency that’s just had a rough year previously.
In January itself, here’s how our currency looked like against the other three:
1. MYR v USD from 4.0614 to 3.9005
2. MYR v SGD from 3.0261 to 2.9494
3. MYR v EUR from 4.8693 to 4.8395
Now, with all of this sudden hike, you may be wondering, “How did this happen?” Well, it’s pretty straightforward TBH. While there are a lot of factors that come into play, it’s mainly thanks to these two industries:
Well, it has been known that Malaysian currency is directly influenced by crude oil prices; so, rising oil prices will result in the increase of our country’s revenues.
Since Malaysia is one of the top oil exporters in South East Asia, stronger crude oil prices will allow us to export oil at higher prices which will cause a hike in revenue and reinvestment. This will eventually lead to a rise in our currency rate.
As for the trade, well, Malaysia has been bringing their A-game to the trade business in case you haven’t noticed. FYI, we trade manufactured goods (like wood and rubber), palm oil, and crude petroleum. In May last year, Malaysian exports had reportedly grown by 32.5 per cent to RM79.4 billion while trade had expanded by 31.5 per cent to RM153.3 billion. As a result, this significant growth helped boost our currency.
Well, when export rises, there will be more people demanding ringgit.
Summary: Export increases > Demands on MYR currency increases > Rise in currency rate
Again, sure there are other factors that affect currency rates (such as the increase in commodity prices affecting US currency and US banks moving towards policy normalisation), but that’s a general and simplified reason why Malaysia’s currency has had a significant growth last year as well as at the start of this year!
Now, if only it’ll continue increasing until the year end.


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Why Andy Rubin Is Going Exclusive With His Essential Phone
Sprint will be the only wireless carrier selling the new smartphone from Android creator Andy Rubin when it debuts later in the summer, the company announced on Monday.
Rubin’s upcoming gadget, dubbed the Essential phone, resembles the popular Apple (AAPL) iPhone or Samsung Galaxy S8 but is made of titanium and ceramics. Sprint didn’t say how much it would charge for the phone, which will come with 128 GB of storage, a 5.7-inch edge-to-edge display, and Qualcomm’s fastest Snapdragon 835 processor. Rubin unveiled the phone last month amid much speculation about his plan to take on the industry’s leaders.
But under CEO Marcelo Claure, Sprint has been gaining momentum and adding subscribers. Rubin is also an advisor to Sprint majority owner and Softbank Group founder Masayoshi Son, and the Japanese billionaire will be increasingly leaning on Rubin’s insights as he put his massive $100 billion Vision Fund to work.
“We like to bet with where we think the market is going as opposed to where the market was,” Essential President Niccolo de Masi told USA Today. “I feel like we are a new brand and a new consumer electronics company and we are partnering with the network of the future.”
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Sprint (S) will sell the phone in its stores and online, as well as at Best Buy (BBY) stores and the retailer’s web site. Essential will also sell an unlocked version of the phone that can work on other carriers on its own web site for $699. The inclusion of Qualcomm’s (QCOM) Snapdragon 835 chip should allow the phone to reach gigabit-per-second download speeds, at least in theory, on Sprint’s 4G LTE network.
Rubin created the Android operating system software that was bought by Google (GOOGL) in 2005 and now runs over 80% of the world’s smartphones. But Google took Rubin off the phone unit in 2013, and he left the company a year later and decided to to form Essential.


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(CNN) – Another retailer is hiring more people during the coronavirus outbreak.
Walgreens says it is looking to hire more than 9,500 full-time, part-time and temporary workers.
The boost in hiring comes in response to the coronavirus and increased demand for supplies.
The pharmacy chain says the positions include customer service associates, pharmacy technicians and shift leads.
Walgreens says it plans to fill part of its wanted workforce by hiring furloughed workers from hotel chains.
Current workers will also get bonuses.
It announced full-time employees will receive $300, while part-time hourly employees will receive $150.
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One Direction lead singer Harry Styles is the latest detractor to turn the Internet against SeaWorld, as if the beleaguered amusement park needed another.
“Don’t go to SeaWorld,” Styles shouted toward a crowd of impressionable teens during a concert in San Diego last month, which happens to be SeaWorld’s headquarters. The comment, not surprisingly, barreled through social media with teens tweeting negatively about the park despite a tweet quickly sent by SeaWorld defending itself.
While criticism directed at SeaWorld isn’t anything new — it stems from the 2013 documentary “Blackfish” that accuses the company of animal abuse — analysts say Styles’ comments are more detrimental to the brand’s reputation than anything else.
Analysts at Credit Suisse released data yesterday saying that with the recent revelation of a SeaWorld employee working undercover at PETA plus Styles’ urge to boycott the park, there has been a 400 percent spike in mentions of SeaWorld online in the past two months, with 68 percent of comments trending negative.
But it was Styles’ comment that contributed to the majority of negative comments within the past three years, the analysts said.
Data compiled by Brandwatch for Digiday backs those numbers up. SeaWorld has garnered 1.2 million mentions since July 1, with 62 percent of tweets being negative. Two days after Styles’ call for a boycott, July 11, mentions of SeaWorld spiked 4.5 more times than normal.
Directioners, as One Direction fans are called online, are reveling in the news:
Harry brought the negative commentary about SeaWorld to an all time high. Yay! pic.twitter.com/wsDtjDRTXO
— The Styles Update (@HStyles_Update) August 28, 2015
I’M LAUGHING AT THE FACT THAT SEAWORLD HASN’T BEING DOING GOOD BECAUSE OF WHAT HARRY SAID. DARK HARRY IS REAL.
— ˗ˏˋ*beth noelle*ೃ (@nakedmagic) August 28, 2015
So, did teens online completely destroy SeaWorld’s chance of a comeback? Not yet.
“Perhaps we need to get a little more current on the latest boy bands; however, while this could negatively impact SEAS’ core demographic in San Diego, we don’t believe it’s too late for SEAS to rectify its brand impairment issues, particularly as their reputation campaign (launched in March) gains traction,” the analysts said, according to Business Insider.
If SeaWorld wants to prevent its brand from drowning, perhaps getting on the teens’ good side could be start.
Image via Flickr.
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As more inclusive marketing becomes the norm, brands like IPSY, SiriusXM and Jack Daniels ramp up for Black History Month and beyond.


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It’s finally happened. Homeopathic remedies are going to come under some regulatory oversight in the United States.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on December 17 that it is taking a new, harder line on homeopathic products, targeting products that science and evidence indicate pose the greatest risk to Americans’ health and safety.
The Center for Inquiry (CFI), which had long been campaigning for regulation of homeopathic drugs, welcomed the move.
The FDA said it would focus on situations where homeopathic treatments are being marketing for serious diseases or conditions but have not been shown to offer clinical benefits. The new policy also covers situations where products labeled as homeopathic contain potentially harmful ingredients or do not meet current good manufacturing practices.
Since 1988, drug products labeled as homeopathic have been manufactured and distributed without FDA approval.
“In recent years, we’ve seen a large uptick in products labeled as homeopathic that are being marketed for a wide array of diseases and conditions, from the common cold to cancer,” said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD. “In many cases, people may be placing their trust and money in therapies that may bring little to no benefit in combating serious ailments, or worse—that may cause significant and even irreparable harm because the products are poorly manufactured, or contain active ingredients that aren’t adequately tested or disclosed to patients. … We respect that some individuals want to use alternative treatments, but the FDA has a responsibility to protect the public from products that may not deliver any benefit and have the potential to cause harm.”
The FDA noted that over the past decade the homeopathic drug market has grown exponentially, “resulting in a nearly $3 billion industry that exposes more patients to potential risks associated with the proliferation of unproven, untested products and unsubstantiated health claims.”
“FDA’s decision to strengthen regulation of homeopathic junk is a major victory,” said Ronald L. Lindsay, former president and CEO of CFI. He noted that CFI was one of the few nonprofit organizations that consistently lobbied for improved regulation. “We promote critical thinking and science across the board, whether it’s examination of claims about religious miracles or drugs with miraculous properties.”
“For years, the Center for Inquiry has pushed for the government to protect consumers against the pseudoscientific sham that is homeopathy,” said Nick Little, CFI’s Vice President and General Counsel. “Science shows homeopathic products to be at best nothing more than placebos, and at worst, a serious health risk with fatal consequences for some.”
“Homeopathy is marketed as a ‘natural’ way to treat maladies, when in fact it has proven to be both ineffective and often harmful,” said Little. “To add insult to injury, when these manufacturers dupe consumers into purchasing sugar pills and fancy labeled vials of water, they are defrauding them of their money.”
CFI, drawing upon expertise from physicians and medical scientists in its Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, has diligently worked to ensure homeopathic products are effectively labeled and has given testimony to the FDA and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by their invitation. CFI is seeking to work with the FTC to enforce the policy it announced in 2016 regarding the labeling of such products and urging retailers to protect their customers by providing adequate information. CFI is currently preparing an action under District of Columbia consumer protection law to prevent further swindling by the manufacturers of homeopathic sham treatments.
Said Little, “While we’re excited by this announcement by the FDA, we’re also concerned that they follow through.”


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We’re all concerned about the vast amounts of money being spent to get your vote. It’s getting crazy, especially since the Citizens United court ruling.
But the problem isn’t the money, and it isn’t the advertising that the money buys. The problem is that the advertising works! The advertising works because people aren’t responsible for their own thinking.
A great example is the recent California Initiative for a cigarette tax.
Without debating the merits of the specific initiative, it’s interesting that the advertising against was sponsored by out-of-state tobacco companies. It’s stated so at the beginning of the ads.
Here are some other “red flags” that people seemed to miss:
1) The ad copy complains about the tax, stating it as if it were a tax on everyone, not just on cigarettes.
2) The statement that no money from the tax will go to “Cancer Treatment” obfuscates the fact that it will be going to “Cancer Research”
3) All the “hot” words peppered throughout- “bureaucracy,” “fine print” and the like. We hate bureaucracy and fine print- we don’t want to vote for that…
It’s not only conservatives though- this is what advertising is all about- “Hey! Look Over Here!! (and don’t look over there).” Most people know that they’re not going to get, or be, the hot female model if they buy that car- but they don’t seem to know that they’re being plugged in by certain hot words (fnord) in political discourse. And they don’t seem to know that they’re being sweet-talked, sometimes by entities that couldn’t possibly have their best interests in mind (tobacco companies? oil companies?)
So our job could be to shake people awake- do what we can to help people to think critically about what they’re hearing. And that starts at home, with ourselves.


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– Dec. 14th 2022 4:44 am PT
Verizon is offering both new and existing customers free Netflix for a year – if they sign up to another streaming service too.
The offer is intended to promote Verizon +play, a service that lets customers manage all their streaming subscriptions in one place …
The WSJ reports.
Verizon said new and existing customers on postpaid wireless plans or with 5G wireless home internet service can receive a year of Netflix’s $19.99 a month premium tier if they buy a year-long or season-long subscription to one of several other services through +play […]
The services that are part of Verizon’s Netflix deal include NFL+ Premium, the National Football League’s streaming service; NBA League Pass, which lets users watch some professional basketball games live; the meditation app Calm; the workout app Peloton; the language-learning app Duolingo; and AMC+, the main streaming service of AMC Networks Inc.
As the piece notes, Verizon is one of a number of companies trying to insert itself as a middleman between streaming services and customers. Customers pay the same fee as usual, while Verizon takes an Apple-style cut from the services. The +play service was launched back in March.
The fact that Netflix is on board with this is a sign of desperation by a video-on-demand service that has already lost well over a million subscribers this year, and could lose another 25% by the end of the year.
Netflix has been trying to stem the tide by cracking down on password sharing, and launching a cheaper ad-supported tier. The company has also been trying to buy-up exclusive sports streaming deals in response to Apple’s own moves in this area.
Apple TV+ is slowly applying pressure to Netflix. While it can’t compete with Netflix on quantity of content, it is challenging on quality, while also gradually increasing its catalog, including older content for the first time.
There is something else in it for Netflix: access to customer data on competing services.
As part of its deal with Verizon, Netflix gets to find out which of the streaming services customers chose to pay for in order to get the free promotion. That information could, for example, give it a sense of demand for sports content among the new customers the deal brings in.
Verizon’s offer of free Netflix for a year is currently available to around 30M customers.
Photo: Venti Views/Unsplash
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British multinational universal bank Barclays has been blocking payments to cryptocurrency exchange Binance over the last week. The bank has confirmed to cardholders that Barclays debit/credit card payments to the cryptocurrency exchange will not be allowed until further notice.
The bank, however, has been receiving negative feedback on the new policy. The UK's Financial Conduct Authority warned consumers late June that Binance Markets Limited (BML) will no longer be allowed to engage in any regulated financial services in the UK. Binance however, clarified to users in a statement on July 1, that BML is a separate business and legal entity, and that the FCA's injunction did not exclude Binance.com from conducting business with residents of the UK.
The FCA warnings have spooked other banks as well, with British Monzo and Starling Banks also reportedly blocking payments to Binance and other crypto exchanges.


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When our government came to power our first priority was to restore the economic growth rate
of the country which had slumped.
According to the report issued by the Kuwaiti Diplomatic Center, the Kingdom's annual rate of energy consumption exceeded 5 percent while the economic growth rate
reached 4 percent.
The council is also expected to set an economic growth rate
8%, but there is a good chance of an economic growth rate
of around 2.
Now, some folks in OPEC are worried about a steep fall given the anemic economic growth rate
in America, the slump in Europe and the apparent end of giant annual growth rates in China.
17, 2012 (CENS) -- Global Insight recently revised its forecast of the global economic growth rate
Mpumalanga s economic growth rate
is expected to average 3 per cent next year and rising to 3.
Stavreski still contends that the economic growth rate
next year will be 4.
Regarding Iran's economic growth rate
during the above mentioned period, Hosseini insisted: "The Central Bank of Iran has estimated the country's annual growth rate to be around 4.
Iran's Economy Minister Shamseddin Hosseini said after Tehran delayed in announcing its economic growth rate
, and the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have embarked on announcing the figures on their own, instead of waiting for Iran's announcement.
A strong fourth quarter 2010 economic growth rate
estimate by the government that was later revised sharply downward encouraged many economists to soften the level of their pessimism in early 2011," said Leavens.
Summary: "It is expected that the average economic growth rate
of the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries will slow down to about 4 percent in 2012," Shamali told a financial conference.
Lebanon's economic growth rate
in 2010 reached 7 percent compared to 8 percent in 2008 while the inflation rate stood at 3 percent," he said.
In April, the BOT forecast that the country s economic growth rate
for Y 2010 would be about 4.
ANKARA, Jul 5, 2010 (TUR) -- Turkey's deputy prime minister said on Monday that Turkey had achieved an economic growth rate
above expectations and its inflation figures were in decline.


text: Zoran zran is falling $1.83, or 14 percent, to $11.40 after competitor and DVD-market share leader ESS Technology esst slashed financial targets late Thursday for the second half of the year. Analyst Eric Gomberg at Thomas Weisel downgraded Zoran to "market perform," and lowered third and fourth quarter estimates. Meanwhile, Pacific Growth Equities' Brian Alger believes there is "very low risk" to Zoran's third quarter, saying the problems at ESS Tech are likely company specific. "We believe ESS Tech's comments regarding worldwide demand are associated with its Chinese customers and are not representative of actual consumer demand or market sales," Alger said in a note to clients. ESS shares are slumping $3.31, or 30 percent, to $7.92.


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UFC today announced a new integrated marketing partnership with Motel 6, the leading economy lodging provider with more than 1,430 owned and franchised hotels across the United States and Canada.
Under the terms of the agreement, the chain becomes UFC’s first-ever “Official Economy Lodging Partner,” creating a new sponsorship category for the MMA promotion.
“We’re excited to join with Motel 6 to create a new partnership category for UFC,” said Paul Asencio, UFC Senior Vice President, Global Partnerships. “This new agreement strengthens our relationship with Motel 6 and allows our respective brands to work together to grow our customers in key markets.”
The two businesses have partnered on several UFC events since November 2017.
“Elevating our partnership with the UFC will enhance the visibility of the Motel 6 brand across a diverse, multi-channel sports platform,” said Lance Miceli, Chief Revenue Officer at G6 Hospitality, owner and franchisor of the Motel 6 and Studio 6 brands. “We’re excited for the activation opportunities to increase engagement among our guest population and UFC’s substantial fan base.”
Additional partnership activations will include in-venue commercials, branded integrations in select UFC Pay-Per-beViews and collaborations on digital and social media campaigns. There will also have a branded presence at several UFC Fan Experience activations in the U.S.


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Felixstowe: Workers at UK’s largest container port join country’s wave of strikes | International
is the headline of the news that the author of WTM News has collected this article. Stay tuned to WTM News to stay up to date with the latest news on this topic. We ask you to follow us on social networks.
Workers at the largest container port in the United Kingdom have joined the wave of strikes that are affecting sectors such as rail transport this summer. This Sunday, the 1,900 employees of the port of Felixstowe start eight days of protests that both their union and the shipping companies warn could affect trade and the supply chain.
Inflation and the rising cost of living fly over this strike, like others that have taken place in the country this summer. The unions of the workers of Felixstowe, in Suffolk, on the east coast of England, have decided to stop work for the first time in 30 years after not obtaining the salary increases they expected to face inflation.
The evolution of prices in July has been even worse than expected and, for the first time in 40 years, it has reached the double-digit psychological barrier, with 10.1%, according to figures published on August 17. The data is the highest since February 1982 and some economists predict that the escalation is not over and could reach 15% in the first quarter of 2023 due to the increase in the cost of energy and food.
“The strike will cause a huge upheaval and shock throughout the UK supply chain, but this dispute is entirely the company’s doing,” said Bobby Morton, national dock manager for the Unite union. “The company has had every opportunity to make a fair offer, but has decided not to,” added the union representative. The 7% salary increase offered by the company was insufficient for Unite, which pointed out that salaries are even more affected by the crisis because they did not incorporate last year’s rise in the CPI.
The shipping group Maersk, one of the world’s largest container carriers, has warned that the action will have a significant impact, causing operational delays and forcing it to modify its fleet of ships.
The port assures that it would have a contingency plan and that it works to minimize disruptions during the stoppages, which will last until August 29. “The port regrets the impact this measure will have on UK supply chains,” said a Hutchison Ports spokesperson.
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The pressure on households from the increase in the cost of living has already caused protests in the United Kingdom by workers in other sectors this summer, in which the Government of Boris Johnson says goodbye with the largest transport strike since 1989, which has affected especially in the railway sector. The protests in the sector started in June and the stoppages are still felt. The last ones have been convened between Thursday and Saturday of this week. The railway workers have been joined by other workers, such as the staff of the London Underground and buses, who have gone on strike this Friday.
Employees of Royal Mail, the British postal service, are called to stop between August 26 and 31, also due to wage disputes.
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Last year, when Android phone manufacturers were launching devices with a whopping 8GB RAM, Google decided to take a step back and launch the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL with 4GB of LPDDR4x RAM each. This year looks to be a repeat of a compromise again but in a different category. According to a new benchmark leak, the Pixel 4 storage speeds could be slower than a few 2019 Android flagships. At least the good news here is that we’re getting a slightly upgraded design and more cameras.
UFS 3.0 Flash Memory Might Not Be Present on the Pixel 4 & Pixel 4 XL, as Google Reportedly Looks to Stick With the UFS 2.1 Standard
The UFS 3.0 standard that’s complied by devices like the OnePlus 7 Pro and Galaxy Note 10, to name a few, gives them significant advantages. Apps open up a lot faster, the UI becomes much smoother with little to no noticeable lag or hitch in the OS. It also opens more doors for users to start recording footage at higher resolutions and framerates. Unfortunately, where the Pixel 4 storage speeds are concerned, Google might shift in the reverse gear as the company could incorporate UFS 2.1 storage in both models launching later this year.
According to a leaked benchmark spotted by 91mobiles, the Pixel 4 storage speeds peak at 655.57 MB/s for the sequential read category and 254.48 MB/s for sequential write. In a previously reported benchmark, the Galaxy Note 10 obtains an astonishing 1577.14 MB/s and 591.62 MB/s in the sequential read and write speed departments, respectively, showing the massive differences between the two storage standards. We certainly hope this isn’t the case because even with the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL featuring stock Android, the experience could be choppier than devices equipped with UFS 3.0 flash memory.
If we ignore the Pixel 4 storage speeds and look at the bright side for just a moment, at least Google will up the RAM count on both devices. According to a previous specifications rumor, both the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL will ship with 6GB of LPDDR4x RAM, which is an increase of 50 percent memory from last year. Sadly, it is pale in comparison to manufacturers like ASUS shipping phones with 12GB RAM. Like always, we recommend treating this leak with a pinch of salt and awaiting future updates in order to know for sure if the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL support UFS 2.1 speeds or not.
According to a tipster, both phones are expected to get unveiled in October of this year, so with less than a month remaining for September to finish, we’ll know eventually what kind of speeds of expect from Google’s latest and greatest phone series.
News Source: 91mobiles


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With tourism becoming more demanding and most developing countries improving on their tourism sector. Tourism in Nigeria isn’t left out as it is growing and following trends of developed countries to portray a positive image of the country, boost the economy revenue, create employment opportunities and infuse a sense of cultural exchange between foreigners and citizens.
Unarguably Lagos State, a city in Nigeria with an estimate of 25 million population is strategically positioned as the main convergence point for most tourists visiting for the first time. Its coastal ambience coupled with the peaceful and tranquil atmosphere attracts tourists who are looking to relax and enjoy the beautiful serene nature of the sea.
With several beaches in Lagos State, its coastal atmosphere is often cooler and appealing to many tourists and as such, they are attracted by the landscape of cliffs, seawater, and air which gives most of them the ample time to relax, partake in outdoor sports and other activities connected with the sea.
One of such beaches where influxes of tourists can visit to have a memorable tourism experience includes Takwa Bay, Eleko, Elegushi, Alpha beaches among others.
Recently, Landmark beach distinguished itself from others in Lagos state by bringing a touch of international standard and ambience to the Nigeria tourism experience.
Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, most tourist centers were temporarily shut down.
As the lockdown eased and companies gradually reopened, Landmark returned with an entirely different strategy by launching an automated gate pass payment platforms that allow customers to register online via their website using the QR code technology before gaining entry into the beach.
The Landmark beach which is located at Landmark Village in Lagos State made it compulsory for its customers to pay the sum of N2000 entrance fee via the online channels and N3000 for payment at the venue.
Interestingly, most customers registered online which automatically generated a QR code that is scanned at the entrance and a few others paid extra N1000 added to the initial N2000 using POS at the venue.
The disruption brought by the COVID-19 pandemic made most organizations strategize and restructure their business model to adopt the new normal. Other beaches and resorts in Lagos should replicate this form of payment to avoid the long queue that customers usually experience at the entrance of the beach which is a pet peeve for many customers.


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The skies over coastal Delaware will light up over the holiday weekend with a variety of pyrotechnics displays.
But not all of them will be legal.
Delaware is one of only five states in the country that ban all consumer fireworks. That includes everything from the seemingly innocuous sparklers to small fountains to large rockets. (Only toy guns using paper caps and explosives approved for agricultural use — such as frightening birds — are exempted.)
Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island are the only other states where consumer fireworks are completely banned. (The number of states banning all consumer fireworks is actually down from 10 in 2002.)
All fireworks displays in Delaware require not only a license from the state fire marshal’s office but $1 million in insurance. And fines range from $25 to $100 for violations.
Despite the law, each year holiday revelers bring their own fireworks with them to the beach or travel over the state line to Maryland to purchase a supply. Those actions themselves are illegal under Delaware law, since simple possession of fireworks is against the law.
Why the tough stance on what has historically been viewed as good, clean, patriotic fun for the family?
“Every year consumer fireworks injure and maim our children,” said James M. Shannon, president and CEO of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), a combined group of organizations for health and fire professionals. “Consumer fireworks are a significant public safety concern shared by doctors, nurses, other health care professionals, and members of the fire service,” he said.
The NFPA cited the following statistics to show how significant the safety concerns about fireworks are:
• Injuries: In the year 2003, five out of six (84 percent) of the 9,300 fireworks injuries reported to emergency departments involved fireworks that federal regulations permit consumers to use (formerly known as Class C fireworks). Total injuries were up from 8,800 from 2002.
More than one-third (38 percent) of the 2003 fireworks injuries that presented in emergency departments were to the head, and half (51 percent) were to the extremities. About 20 percent of injuries involved the eyes. Nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of all injuries were burns.
Of those injured, 60 percent were 19 or younger. The highest risk of fireworks injury was to children, ages 5-9, whose risk in 2003 was nine times the all-age risk; in most other years. Children ages 10-14 had the highest risk. Males accounted for nearly three-fourths (72 percent) of fireworks injuries.
22; Fires: In the year 2002, the latest year for which national fireworks-related fire statistics are available, fire departments responded to an estimated 3,000 structure and vehicle fires started by fireworks. Outdoor fires, however, can no longer be sorted by cause, as a result of fire coding changes beginning in 1999. But traditionally, on the Independence Day holiday, fireworks cause more fires in the U.S. than all other causes of fire on that day combined.
In the year 2002, fires started by fireworks caused $28 million in property damage to structures and vehicles.
• The estimated injury risk from legal fireworks was 14 times as high in the states that permitted sparklers and novelties compared to the full-ban states. In states that permit most or all consumer fireworks, the estimated injury risk was 57 times as high compared to states that ban the use of all consumer fireworks.
The NFPA pointed directly to concerns with varying state laws on fireworks, noting the tendency of consumers to cross state borders to buy what they can’t find in their own state due to restrictions like those in Delaware.
“It is very difficult to enforce restrictions on fireworks use through state laws because residents of a state that prohibits fireworks can often cross a state border to buy the devices. Every year, for example, people from Massachusetts drive into neighboring New Hampshire to buy fireworks from retail stands that set up near the border.”
In contrast to Delaware’s ban, in neighboring Maryland the law allows consumers to possess and use sparklers; “non-aerial, non-explosive, ground-based” devices and small explosives like paper-wrapped snappers and “snakes.”
And many of those who would shy away from handing a child a Roman candle or M-80 (the latter is now considered a federally banned explosive of a type still responsible for one third of all “fireworks” injuries) will overlook Delaware’s law to break out a package of sparklers for fun on the Fourth of July.
But safety experts at the National Council on Fireworks Safety warn that fireworks of any variety should never be given to children, while representatives of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission specify: “Sparklers, considered by many the ideal ‘safe’ firework for the young, burn at very high temperatures and can easily ignite clothing. Children cannot understand the danger involved and cannot act appropriately in case of emergency.”
Despite the majority of states that allow consumers to possess and use some varieties of fireworks, the NFPA does not endorse the use of consumer fireworks and instead encourages the public to enjoy displays of fireworks conducted by trained professionals.
The area will offer at least two such displays, both on Monday, July 4.
The pyrotechnics in Bethany Beach will follow the town’s traditional noon parade and a 7:30 p.m. concert. The town’s public fireworks display is set to light up the skies from the Wellington Parkway are around dusk — approximately 9:20 p.m.
A display hosted by the Dagsboro Church of God will cap a daylong event, also moving to the skies shortly after dusk — again, approximately 9:20 p.m.


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Nokia and Microsoft unveiled a broad strategic alliance Friday under which the two companies will develop a new mobile device ecosystem based on Microsoft's Windows Phone software to compete against rivals Apple and Google.
For Microsoft the deal could provide a boost for the Windows Phone 7 mobile operating system the company launched last year to compete against the Apple iPhone and Google Android devices. Since smartphones based on Windows Phone 7 began selling in October Microsoft has shipped about 2 million copies of the mobile OS.
For Nokia, the Microsoft relationship is part of a broader effort to turn around its struggling position in the mobile phone arena. Friday Nokia also disclosed changes in its management ranks and operational structure.
The two companies announced the relationship during a press conference in London with Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and Nokia President and CEO Stephen Elop, who was president of Microsoft's Business Division before leaving to take the Nokia post in September.
"Nokia is at a critical juncture, where significant change is necessary and inevitable in our journey forward," Elop said in the press conference. "Today we are accelerating that change through a new path, aimed at regaining our smartphone leadership, reinforcing our mobile device platform and realizing our investments in the future."
While Nokia is the world's largest manufacturer of mobile phones, phones based on its Symbian operating system have been losing market share to iPhones and Android-based devices.
Next: The Future Of Nokia's Symbian OS


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Apple's got another press event planned for this week, their third in just over a month. The announcement promises "Apple’s latest pro innovations" but what does that mean?
The Apple Core
Apple technology keeps gaining respect in the executive suite, with businesses and in the data center. Jason O'Grady and David Morgenstern deliver critical news and penetrating analysis that managers need to succeed.
Jason D. O'Grady
Jason O'Grady is a journalist and author specializing in mobile technology. He has published six books on Apple and mobile gadgets and his PowerPage blog has been publishing for over 18 years.
David Morgenstern has covered the Mac market and other technology segments for 20 years.
After watching Tuesday's festivities one of the coolest things I took away from the Steve's presentation was Apple's innovative Front Row remote control which turns any Mac into a media center—as long as it's a new iMac, that is.
I am simply shocked and amazed that Apple has abandoned FireWire on the just-announced fifth generation iPods with video. I understand why there's no FireWire on the iPod shuffle (no port) and even why it's off the nano (tiny form-factor, lower cost) but why in blazes did Apple leave FireWire off the new video iPod?
The theme of the day in San Jose today was thin. In addition to the new iPod with video playback, Apple used today's "One More Thing" media event in San Jose to announce revisions to it's all-in-one iMac line.
Apple used a media event today to announce a new, video-capable iPod and a new version of iTunes that sells videos and TV shows. Just don't call it a video iPod, ok?
Good organizational skills are required in order to get the most out of your iPod otherwise music can get as boring and monotonous as the pre-programmed music you can hear on any radio station in the U.S.
I've been getting a ton of email to ask about the deal with my Web site: O'Grady's PowerPage. First, let me dispel some rumors. The PowerPage wasn't shut down by Apple legal, a Denial-Of-Service (DOS) attack or unpaid domain or hosting bills. And we certainly weren't acquired by a large media company (my favorite). The PowerPage is simply suffering from a case of the migration blues.
We're all aware that it exists but that doesn't make it any easier to swallow when it happens. Odds are that everyone has purchased a shiny little gadget only to find it replaced with a new model a scant few months later.
There's speculation swirling that Apple's will use their October 12th event to announce a video-enabled iPod. After some thought I can't think of a worse product for Apple to announce next week.
Apple has sent out invitations to media and analysts about a special event they're throwing on October 12 at 10am PST at the California Theater in San Jose. AppleInsider has posted a copy of the teaser invitation and is speculating that Apple may release an iPod with video capabilities.


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John Wall’s week of training with Team USA didn’t end the way he would’ve liked. After his uneven performance during a showcase that ended with the grotesque Paul George injury, Wall was cut Monday from the team, along with teammate Bradley Beal.
But if there is any positive that can be taken from his early departure, it’s that Wall will have a chance to complete an Adidas promotional tour through China and Japan next week.
More than a year after his split from Reebok, Wall has become of the one of the faces of Adidas and said last week that he will have a signature shoe line, complete with a personal logo, released in October. During his time in Las Vegas, Wall got to break in his new sneakers and even put on some of his personal shorts and shirts after removing his Nike-produced USA Basketball gear.
“It’s pretty exciting and fun to know you can have your own stuff,” Wall said last week in Las Vegas. “All the Adidas stuff I wear will probably have my logo on it, just like [fellow Adidas endorser] Derrick [Rose] will wear everything that’s got D-Rose on it. Makes it fun.”
Wall signed a five-year, $25 million deal with Reebok before he was drafted by the Wizards, but that relationship came to an end in the third year. With Wall’s career stalled by injury and an unstable Wizards roster, the partnership with Reebok soured and he moved over to Adidas – which owns Reebok – in January 2013. The move took Wall from being the foundation of one brand into a situation where he had to prove his worth as a player to a company that already had a stable of established all-stars.
“Reebok was kind of a tough situation because they was trying to get back going and be relevant in this basketball business. I think if any other guy would’ve gone No. 1 [in 2010], they would’ve tried to push it, if it was a guard,” he said. “And that’s how it was in that situation. And I was the guy who was No. 1 at the time, so it worked out. They know what they want to do. I could’ve signed with Adidas [coming out of Kentucky] and they said, ‘Go with them and see how it goes.’ And it didn’t work out. I just switched over.”
After returning from missing the first 33 games of his third season with a stress injury in his left knee, Wall knew he couldn’t move up Adidas’ hierarchy and have his own shoe simply because he was a former No. 1 overall pick. Adidas wanted to see what he could do.
“It wasn’t planned at all,” Wall said of his signature shoe line, “because they didn’t know I was going to produce, coming off my injury for one. And then they were like, ‘We can’t put no money into a guy that ain’t going to be playing.’ And things like that. They were going through a tough time with Derrick being injured and they invested a lot of time in him and the other guys around Adidas are happy to have him back playing. But how the season went along and I played big, had a 47-point game. And going into the next season I had the Crazy Quick 2. I started wearing and they were, ‘Well, we think it’s time you start building you marketing-wise.’ ”
Adidas decided to put Wall in a ‘Quick Ain’t Fair” campaign with Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday and rapper A$AP Rocky. Wall then went on a tour through China with Lillard and Mike Conley last summer. Wearing the Crazy Quicks last season, Wall had the best season of his professional career as he earned his first all-star appearance and led the Wizards to their first playoff victory since 2005.
“It’s different. It’s a great opportunity to come in and try to prove myself,” Wall said. “I just think I’m doing a great job of getting my career going the way I want it to be. And I just don’t have to deal with injuries no more.”
Wall had more input in his new shoe design than he had with his first Reebok shoe. When he sat down with Adidas designers, Wall said he wanted to make sure that the shoe would be a lifestyle brand that came in different colors. “I definitely wanted them to be light. I wanted them to be midcut. I wanted them to be able to come in all different type of colors, like you see [Kevin Durant], LeBron [James] got wild colors you can wear off the court. I’d like to wear my shoe on and off the court, so having my own colorways, I can wear them with jeans and I just wanted to be creative with it and come out with different designs. I think it’s the colors that make the shoes. You got to be able to have different colors to make the shoe hot.”
To Wall, having Adidas reward him with his own shoe and a logo – a design centered around his initials, JW – represents how far his career has rebounded from its rocky beginning. “It’s great, a dream come true. My second one, I can say, but like, my real one,” Wall said. “It means a lot.”


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In the first quarter of 2006 unsolicited commercial email (spam) accounted for approximately 80% of all email traffic on the Internet. It seems that the Controlling the Assault of Non-solicited Pornography and Marketing Act 2003 has failed to slow down spam as intended.
Senator John McCain has introduced federal legislation that would require commercial websites and personal blogs to report illegal images or videos posted by their users, or face fines of up to $300,000. However, US free speech advocacy groups have expressed concern that the bill would curb legitimate communication on the Internet.
A US district court has rejected KinderStart.com's claim that Google violated the free speech rights of various websites, engaged in anti-competitive behaviour and misled the public by projecting itself as an objective source of internet content, while it was actually penalizing certain websites for unexplained reasons related to the sites’ efforts to improve their Google ranking.
In a ruling that could have a significant impact on the rights of online publishers and bloggers, a California court of appeal has held that the identities of anonymous employees of Apple Computer, Inc who leaked trade secrets of Apple to online news magazines (also known as 'e-zines') were protected from discovery.
The executive and legislative arms of the federal government are actively attempting to stamp out offshore online gambling sites. Most recently, an online sports betting company headquartered in Costa Rica stopped taking US bets after the US Department of Justice charged it with operating an illegal gambling operation. A bill aimed at eliminating many forms of online gambling has also been tabled.
The search engine Google continues to make legal news in the US federal courts. In the most recent decision of note, a court ruled that Google need only disclose something over 50,000 random uniform resource locators (URLs) to the government, which initially had sought to compel Google to turn over billions of URLs and two months' worth of search queries.
A Nevada federal court has granted Google summary judgment against a lawyer and author named Blake Field who had sued for copyright infringement. Field had contended that by allowing internet users to access copies of 51 of his copyrighted works stored by Google in an online repository, Google violated his exclusive rights to reproduce and distribute copies of those works.
A Los Angeles court has ruled that Google's popular 'image search' function likely violates the law by displaying copyrighted photographs in the form of 'thumbnails'. Some commentators believe the decision will undermine Google's prime defences in its dispute with publishers and authors who have challenged its right under the Library Print Project to scan books that are still under copyright.
Internet regulation by particular states almost inevitably has a significant impact on out-of-state activities and interstate commerce. Accordingly, courts have invalidated a number of state laws restricting internet-related activities under the federal Constitution’s so-called 'dormant commerce clause'.
Recent guidelines drafted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Secret Service outline practices advocated by these bodies to deter and respond to cyberattacks. They are a useful source for businesses that wish to formulate a proactive and responsive strategy to this threat.
The Child Online Protection Act has cleared its first hurdle before the Supreme Court, but this was a limited test that left many questions unanswered concerning the act’s constitutionality. In spite of their different approaches, six justices have indicated significant concerns about this issue. The future of the act thus remains uncertain.
While the constitutionality of the Anti-cybersquatting Consumer Protection Act's jurisdiction over domain names has been questioned, analysis shows that fits squarely within the boundaries of established law and relies upon a court’s sovereign power to adjudicate the rights to an item of property under the custody of the law.
A new Minnesota internet privacy bill provides consumers with a right of action against both internet service providers (ISPs) and spammers for violation of its provisions; but its enactment presents a troubling development for ISPs due to the restrictions and uncertainties of a vague, untested statutory text.
The new '.us' country-code top-level domain for the United States within the global domain name system went live on April 24 2002. Names within this domain can be registered by US citizens and residents, as well as businesses and organizations with a genuine presence in the United States.
The US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit recently held that an employee’s expectation of privacy in his office computer was objectively reasonable because the employer had not notified employees that their computer usage would be monitored.
Recent reports indicate that internet attacks are dramatically on the rise and that the Internet is vulnerable. Companies should thus become familiar with the legal weapons that can be used to protect them, punish those who perpetrate internet attacks and create disincentives against future attacks.
The 9th Circuit has addressed a number of key outstanding questions relating to hyperlinking on the Internet. The decision allows use of image 'thumbnails' in a search engine but bars use of full, high-quality images on a 'framed' webpage or an 'inline linked' webpage.
A recent Federal Trade Commission consent order serves as a useful roadmap for companies interested in implementing an internal privacy and data protection due diligence programme. Among other things, specific employees should be designated as responsible for privacy issues and training should be provided on information security procedures.
All multinational companies must develop a compliance strategy for the new legal privacy regimes in operation worldwide. This update sets out a three-stage work plan which should assist multinationals in complying with international privacy laws.
US federal courts have accorded limited deference to World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) domain name dispute decisions. Federal litigation will override WIPO proceedings, and WIPO litigants will not be denied their day in a US court by virtue of having tried (and even failed) in WIPO proceedings first.


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Markets like Crossroads support immigrant farmers by connecting them with other immigrants, making it easy to exchange knowledge, and helping them find a way to return to their agrarian roots.
The Crossroads farmers’ market is known statewide for being the first farmers market in Maryland to electronically accept various types of nutrition benefit programs: food stamps, known federally as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); as well as senior food assistance vouchers. Dudley explains that the market committed to accept electronic food stamps after paper vouchers disappeared in the late 1990s.
Although there is a growing population of Latino and Hispanic farmers in the United States, they often struggle with linguistic, cultural, and legal barriers. According to the Agricultural Census of 2007, Hispanic farmers are the fastest-growing population of new farmers and grew 14 percent from 2002, as compared with a 7 percent overall increase in farm operators.
Marie was only 11 years old when she spoke at the “Raise the bar, Hershey!” rally in 2010. She’d seen videos of children in Ivory Coast and Ghana lugging around heavy sacks of cocoa beans and wielding machetes to open cocoa pods. She heard that these malnourished children in forced labor are often whipped or beaten. And she knew that wasn’t right.So Marie started a Fair Trade group at her middle school in San Francisco. She began telling everyone she could about the chocolate farmers who don’t earn a living wage, and the children kidnapped to work on plantations.
This is a great article which breaks down some of the problems with Fair Trade and poses some possible solutions. Also discovered in the article that a Mennonite started the fair trade movement.
There is today a far wider, more exciting range of chocolate bars available than we knew even a decade ago, and consumers can exercise a certain amount of ethical practice in buying them. Putting faith in a blue-and-green Fairtrade label alone is, perhaps, too simple. Through their different models, Fairtrade-certified companies, direct-trade companies, and artisanal producers are pushing each other to rethink standards for the entire chocolate industry.
Each year, the world produces about 1,471 pounds 670 kilograms of edible food for every person on the planet. We only eat about half of that. What happens to the rest? This video breaks it down — and gives you a few suggestions for what you can do to fix the problem.
Hamilton and Morgan belong to a new food recovery organization called Gather Baltimore. Every week — under the direction of the energetic, foul-mouthed Morgan — volunteers collect some 15 tons of fresh produce that would otherwise end up in the compost, or more likely, the landfill. Then they give it away to people who need it. Hamilton, a development director who volunteers with the organization, articulates it thus: “The thing I love is it’s such a simple idea. It’s one of those ideas that when you see it, you think, How is this not happening already? How did we miss it?”


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Brian reports, "One developer showed us that Apple has been testing hardware relating to a new 'iPhone6,1′ identifier, powered by a device running iOS 7, which is expected to be released by Apple in the middle part of this year."
The current iPhone is marked in developer logs as 'iPhone5,1' and ' iPhone 5,2'. Therefore, Apple appears to be testing new hardware.
In last two years Apple has released a new iPhone in the fall. The fact that a new iPhone is showing up in developer logs already suggests its going to pull the release date forward.
We've already heard a few rumbles about Apple planning to release the next iPhone, which many are calling the iPhone 5S, in June or July.


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The Onecoin Ponzi scheme is still making headlines because a report in a German trial showed that the missing “cryptocurrency queen” Ruja Ignatova used the proceeds of the Onecoin business to purchase a London penthouse worth $18.2 million. The Münster court’s findings stemmed from the trial of Ignatova’s German lawyer Martin Breedenbach, who was accused of money laundering.
“Cryptoqueen” Ruja Ignatova’s $18.2 million London penthouse-an artistic apartment, rare works by Andy Warhol
Luya Ignatova OneCoin According to reports, “Cryptoqueen” purchased a luxury penthouse in London through a shell company. Recent report From the BBC. The report stated that Martin Breidenbach is in Münster, Germany, and two other individuals are on trial for money laundering charges related to the Onecoin Pyramid Project and Ruja Ignatova.According to a report published many years ago, Breidenbach start working Use Onecoin in 2014.
Lawyer cooperates with Breidenbach Rechtsanwälte law firm Said The lawyer also served as the chairman of Onecoin Limited (Gibraltar) for eight months in 2015, and ostensibly also a partner of Cryptoreal company RSB Central GmbH (Switzerland). Breidenbach’s trial, as well as from British writers, BBC reporters and “The lack of a cryptocurrency queenThe podcast host Jamie Bartlett found that Ruja Ignatova’s tastes were extremely expensive.
According to the report, this four-bedroom luxury apartment contains many exquisite artworks, including a rare Andy Warhol work. The property was purchased by a shell company in 2016, which did not mention the name “Cryptoqueen”. Just before she rented her London apartment, Ignatova admitted to the German bankruptcy. Now Breidenbach is accused of money laundering after transferring 20 million euros ($23 million) to fund the property.
The report states, “Crypto Queen‘I did live in a luxury apartment in 2016, but I didn’t spend much time there. The owner of the property, as indicated in the deed, is called Abbots House Penthouse Limited. At the same time, Ruja Ignatova has been missing since 2017 and has not been found despite extensive searches across the globe. Onecoin is considered to be one of the largest crypto-related Ponzi schemes in history, and also the first.
In 2014, the law firm Breidenbach Rechtsanwälte stated: “In our opinion, OneCoin is a legal product”
German law firm Breidenbach Rechtsanwälte helped legitimize the idea that Onecoin is a cryptocurrency in 2014, even if it does not have a blockchain or Any similarities Any blockchain technology.
According to the law firm Breidenbach Rechtsanwälte: “Most countries recognize that cryptocurrency is a real commodity that can be held and traded by their citizens.” Opinion in 2014The law firm added in December 2014: “In our view,’Onecoin’ is a legal product limited to 2.1 billion (coins).”
What do you think of Martin Breidenbach’s trial in Germany and the expensive habits of the “Queen of Cryptocurrency”? Please tell us your thoughts on this topic in the comments section below.
Image Source: Shutterstock, Pixabay, Wikimedia Commons
Disclaimer: This article is for reference only. It is not a direct offer or invitation to buy or sell, nor is it a recommendation or endorsement of any product, service or company. Bitcoin Network Does not provide investment, tax, legal or accounting advice. The company or the author shall not bear direct or indirect responsibility for any damage or loss caused or claimed to be caused by using or relying on any content, goods or services mentioned in this article.


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U.S. burrito French fry chain opening in Toronto, Alberta
There are two things Torontonians love when it comes to fast food -- fries and burritos.
There are two things Torontonians love when it comes to fast food — fries and burritos.
Man vs Fries launched in 2018 in San Francisco as a pop-up restaurant and has significantly grown since then in the U.S. According to local food blog Taste Toronto, the company has a goal of opening 75 new locations across North America.
It already has locations throughout the U.S., including Houston, Portland, Seattle, Miami, Austin and Atlanta.
In a recent interview with Eater, restaurant founder Bill Bonhorst said he grew up in Connecticut and payday for his parents meant dining out as a family. The food options were limited where he lived, he said, so he became a connoisseur of French fries, including at KFC and McDonald’s.
“For us, fast food was special, so that’s just how I was sort of raised,” he told Eater. “I never met a French fry I didn’t love.”
The menu allows customers to build their own stacked fries, burritos and nachos. One of the signature menu items are the Asada fries — “hella crisp, delicious french fries, drizzled with savory toppings beloved by everyone, everywhere. Hell-oh! Calling all bad boys to step their game up! #MANVSFRIES”
Man vs Fries will be available Feb. 23 on local delivery apps in Toronto, serving take-out only, said Taste Toronto. The locations will be at 1071 King St. W., 300 Geary Ave., 325 Front St. W., and 200 Queens Quay E.
Speaking of fries, Wendy’s has teamed up with Pringles to create a Baconator-flavoured chips, available for sale in Canada.


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James O'Donoghue of Longways Cider accepting his Gold Award for Longways Sweet Katy Cider
The Carrick-on-Suir company won the Gold Award for Longways Sweet Katy Cider and Bronze Award for the Longways Apple Cider Vinegar.
Now in its 12th year, the Blas na hÉireann Awards are the all-island food awards that recognise the very best Irish food and drink products, and the passionate people behind them.
A thrilled James O'Donoghue, owner of Longways Cider, says the awards are a wonderful validation of all the hard work, innovation and forward-thinking involved in bring new products to the market.
Congratulations to James and the Longways Cider team from all at TipperaryLive.ie.


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Blommer Chocolate’s cocoa sustainability plans enhanced by Satelligence partnership
US-based Blommer Chocolate’s supply chain strategies have gained a valuable boost from a partnership with Satelligence, an established specialist in geospatial sustainability, focused on the confectionery group’s cocoa farming network, writes Neill Barston.
The Chicago firm, which operates a total of 16 plants around the world, has placed a strong emphasis on producing premium product ranges that are responsibly sourced, which has seen the business join the World Cocoa Foundation.
Consequently, the company, which was acquired by the Fuji Oil Group in 2018, has sought to enhance its sustainability credentials further, with its latest venture targeting eradication of deforestation risk from its supply chains.
This has begun with an analysis of its cocoa farming network, meaning Satelligence’s analysis will allow Blommer, which has a manufacturing heritage dating back to the 1930’s, to capture carbon and gain insights that will inform the confectionery company’s roadmap to deliver on its science-based scope three emissions reduction targets.
Notably, the scalability of satellite platform has proved significant draw for the US business, which stands as reportedly the country’s largest cocoa processor and ingredient chocolate supplier, which will seen initial areas covered of around 50,000km² across Ivory Coast, Ghana and Ecuador.
As Satelligence, which has worked with other key companies across the sector, including Cargill, Tony’s Chocolonely, and Bunge, explained, it uses uses its E&Y certified methodology which combines satellite imagery, AI-driven algorithms and ancillary data on cocoa farm locations. The picture that emerges will bolster Blommer’s sustainability strategy with landscape and farm level insights. This includes canopy cover change, carbon loss/gain on and around cocoa farms, risk triaging for deforestation on high/low risk farms, identifying areas of shade cocoa and monitoring for carbon sequestration.
Furthermore, the company added that its methodology allows it to distinguish between deforestation and regrowth clearing. A real-time risk alerting system was implemented that enhanced the chocolate and cocoa group’s capacity to swiftly address the drivers of forest loss and degradation, enabling it to meet international compliance standards.
The geospatial specialists prepared a report on land cover change in the area analysed between 2001 and 2021, as well as a Forest Loss Risk Index (FLRI) that rated their concessions on the farm level between 0 and 1, with 1 being almost certain and 0 being the least likely to cause forest loss.
Moreover, Satelligence’s asserted in its conclusion that “no clear trends are visible from year to year for deforestation” in Blommer’s cocoa supply chains, which it claimed showed that deforestation has remained consistently low in the company’s supply chains. As the mapping technology firm added, the encouraging initial results should serve as strong foundation to focus on a robust strategy for monitoring environmental risk in global supply chains.


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1. PAUL REID: The artist’s work has regularly exhibited at the 108 Fine Art Gallery in Harrogate and an exhibition of his latest work is on display there from December 8 to January 23. For more details visit www.108fineart.com.
2. LITTLE GEMS: A new Christmas exhibition will feature small paintings and artists’ prints at Kentmere Gallery in York, taking place every weekend until December 20, then January 2 and 3. For more details visit www.kentmerehouse.co.uk
3. LUCY KETCHIN: A local artist has transformed a retail unit at the Ridings Shopping Centre in Wakefield with a festive theme. It took Lucy 10 hours to complete the Christmas window which was a collaboration with the Hepworth Wakefield.
4. TEXTILE SCREEN PRINTING – BEGINNERS: Run by textile artist Karen Stansfield and with no experience necessary, the course takes place on December 12 to 13 at the West Yorkshire Print Workshop in Mirfield. For details visit www.wypw.org
5. KITTY NORTH: The local artist has launched a new website which is filled with a gallery of her own work, her latest shows and merchandising. Originally from Lancashire she has lived in the Yorkshire Dales for 25 years. For more details visit www.kittynorth.com


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Shelbyville, Tenn, United States, October 14, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Uncle Nearest, the most-awarded Bourbon and American Whiskey company of 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, has proudly secured ownership of Domaine Saint Martin. Nestled along the scenic Charente River in the city of Cognac, France, this esteemed estate traces its lineage back over 350 years, first to the Lord Mayor of Cognac, Philippe Fé de Ségeville, and subsequently to various cognac-making luminaries including the Martell family, its four-generation custodian.
Portion of Domaine Saint Martin, now owned by a French subsidiary of Uncle Nearest, Inc.
Encompassing over 100 acres with Charente River frontage and a unique island, the property adjoins a significant cooperage, expansive cellars, and a distillery. Furthermore, its 50 acres dedicated to Grande Champagne vineyards make it Cognac city’s crown jewel. To be labeled Cognac, the spirit must be exclusively produced in the Cognac region of France, which comprises six distinct crus. The Grande Champagne cru stands out as the most sought-after.
“The Uncle Nearest brand thrives on its profound story of love, honor, respect, and heritage. Our mission in Cognac echoes this essence,” remarked Fawn Weaver, Uncle Nearest Founder and CEO.
Throughout the past year, Weaver and her team, involving key spirits industry figures, have delved deep into Cognac’s roots, extracting groundbreaking insights which she believes will captivate global audiences.
“Our brand strategy pivots from the norm. We are unveiling a short film first at several film festivals, then launching the brand,” teased Weaver, hinting at an exploration of Cognac’s history that surpasses even Uncle Nearest’s meticulous research standards. Similar to The Story of Nearest Green, this cinematic portrayal of Cognac’s ascent across America, Europe, and Asia will be narrated by award-winning actor Jeffrey Wright, with filming commencing this Spring.
Spirits industry stalwart, Adrian Parker, takes the helm as president of this new venture, which is owned by Uncle Nearest, Inc., but will not share the same brand name. He is flanked by seasoned spirits professionals Brielle Caruso, who serves as Chief Marketing Officer, and Chauncey Hamlett from The Formulation Group, who heads innovation.
“Under Fawn’s guidance and innovative approach, the Uncle Nearest team has created a playbook for independent spirits that has never before been seen,” said Adrian Parker. “In four years, they have grown Nearest Green Distillery to the seventh most visited distillery in the world. While there recently, I observed cars backed up for 1.5 miles each way trying to get in, with more than 14,000 visiting that weekend. The Uncle Nearest team went from distribution in one state to all 50 states in less than two years and their sales now rank them in the top 10 of all ultra-premium American whiskey companies, the only independent company in that ranking.”
Parker, Caruso, Hamlett, and the Cognac team are entrusted with expanding upon Uncle Nearest’s success blueprint. The strategic roadmap, according to Weaver, entailed exhaustive historical research as the foundation, collaborating with a globally renowned artist to amplify the story, assembling a top-tier team that is finely attuned to the discerning Cognac consumer’s desires, and then securing a well-known historic property as provenance.
While more will be unveiled in 2024, Weaver has invited her vast community on Instagram to join her and the Uncle Nearest team on this exhilarating journey as they seek to prove lightning in a bottle can strike twice.
About Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey
Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey pays tribute to the world’s first-known African American master distiller, Nearest Green. It was the pioneer spirits brand to bear the name of a Black American. The brand’s portfolio boasts the Most Awarded Bourbon and American Whiskey titles for the years 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022, amassing over 900 awards and accolades since its launch in 2017. This includes an impressive 581 Gold medals or higher, which includes 97 Best in Class honors and an average critic’s score of 92. Uncle Nearest is currently available in all 50 states and 26 countries, with a presence in more than 30,000 stores, bars, hotels, and restaurants. Uncle Nearest is also available at its 432-acre Nearest Green Distillery in Shelbyville, Tenn., now the seventh most visited distillery in the world.


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RESULTS FOR 2009 Ranking: 406= Worth: £130m Up: £10m Source of wealth: Property
Derbyshire entrepreneur Clowes, 68, bought Wilson Bowden Developments' 290-acre industrial and distribution portfolio for a knockdown £46m last year. Chairman Clowes owns all the shares in Clowes Developments, which made £6.2m profit on £23.5m sales in 2007-08. It has £57.8m assets and we settle for a £130m valuation, despite reports that Clowes wanted to sell for £300m in 2007.
RESULTS FOR 2008 Ranking: 644= Worth: £120m Source of wealth: Property


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Local news stories affecting the auto body industry in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut, Maryland, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine
Two people were injured and a portion of the interstate had to be shut down Oct. 11 after several cars crashed into a moose.
ABT Auto Body Technicians in Marshalls Creek, the oldest, largest auto body shop in the Poconos, was sold Oct. 6 for $3.45 million.
An ad on the Achin’s Garage website promises Massachusetts state inspections “made easy,” done in almost no time at all “without taking up a chunk of your day.”
Not only does Carubba Collision donate to feed those who are less fortunate in its community, but Carubba Collision also helps feed the community’s pets! The donation will provide 18,000 pounds of pet food.
Pittsburgh Glass Works says “a combination of difficult realities” could lead to closing its Creighton plant next year.
When police arrested a New Jersey man in August for allegedly stealing a Honda CRV in central Greenwich, officers assigned to the car theft squad and the accused had met before.
Cole’s Collision Centers, the Capital Region’s largest and fastest-growing, family-owned auto repair company, officially opened its newest location in the Town of North Greenbush.
Carmen Vega-Rivera is bracing for change, as her neighborhood may look a little different in the next few years.
Joseph Carubba, President and CEO of Carubba Collision Corp., has announced that Carubba Collision has acquired and opened three new shops across New York State as the Carubba Collision brand continues to expand and grow.
J.D. Byrider is facing a lawsuit from the Massachusetts attorney general filled with allegations about its business practices and the quality of its vehicles.
More than three years ago, 45 mechanic and auto body shops agreed to move from their Willets Point storefronts to a large warehouse in The Bronx after the city took over their properties for a massive redevelopment of the area.
The Dansville Travel Center had a special car show fundraiser for the Hornell Humane Society on Sept. 9.
Josh Cohen of Neshaminy Collision & Auto Repair says his customers have high standards---but his are even higher.
9 North Capital, LLC, through its affiliate 39N Maaco Holdings, LLC, has acquired the Maaco location in Newark, DE.


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The merger between Sirius and XM has happened, but the issue was not totally resolved with the FCC when the decision to allow the companies to merge was announced. With the announcement of the approval of the license transfer, the FCC took it upon itself to investigate the possibility that HD radio technology should be included in 100% of satellite radios manufactured.
The file on the issue has had a spattering of comments from manufactures, Sirius XM, Ibiquity and others, but the debate has been rather slow...until now. Over the past couple of days, the HD issue has begun to heat up.
The first salvos came early on, and there was little discussion and debate, but rather various companies and organizations offering up an opinion, or jockeying for position. Comments from Ford, GM, and Toyota that oppose the requirement were strong statements, but it is a recent comment by the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM) that perhaps is the most damning yet of forced HD inclusion. AIAM includes Aston Martin, Ferrari, Honda, Hyundai, Isuzu, Kia, Maserati, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Peugeot, Renault, Subaru, Suzuki, and Toyota. The organization offered up very strong arguments such as the fact that the forced inclusion would add costs to cars for a product which as yet is uproven as a desire from consumers.
Other interesting filings include:
Continental, a parts supplier to the auto industry, calls HD inclusion in theior FCC filing the "Anti A-La-Carte" proposal and warns that forced integration is a slippery slope that would propel Ibiquity to instant market parity through regulation instead of market success.
The Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology (COAT), offers support for HD Inclusion. Their argument states, " Like any other consumer group, many of the over 50 million people with disabilities inthe United States listen to radio for news, information, music and other entertainment. They listen to over-the-air broadcasts, they pay for radio programming in their cars, and they want the
benefits of any new radio technologies, particularly if these offer a means of accessibility."
While I have compassion for people with disabilities, I would stop short of saying that mandated HD inclusion into SDARS receivers helps those that are disabled in any meaningful way at this point. COAT does not address costs associated with the issue, but rather relies on a "the more the better" type of mentality.
It would not be a debate without comments from the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB). As you can imagine, the NAB wants the inclusion to happen. They still maintain their "monopoly" stance, and justify the forced inclusion by stating that Sirius XM are being some sort of "bully" in wanting to see HD take the journey of getting acceptance in much the same way Sirius and XM did. The NAB states, " Unsurprisingly, Sirius XM opposes any Commission action that would enable consumers to more conveniently access competing technologies with their monopoly satellite radio services."
I would submit that the issue is less about convience to the consumer, and more about the dollars behind the inclusion. Sirius XM have stated as part of the merger that they would allow any manufacturer to include any capability in receivers. Thus, HD inclusion is allowed to happen as a function of demand.
NPR, an opponent of the merger, and proponent of HD inclusion gives HD radio a lot of credit, citing, "The Commission has pledged its support for the HD Radio technology as a means of preserving and promoting a robust terrestrial radio broadcast system. In the case of public radio stations, Congress has appropriated substantial funding, enabling grants to more than 700 stations and the conversion of more than 430 stations. Stations converting to HD Radio have made a substantial commitment of time and money because HD Radio promises to revolutionize local broadcast services."
This is interesting. HD already gets congressional funding, FCC support, and grants to stations. Is HD revolutionizing the audio landscape, or is it draining off dollars? I guess according to NPR, the next hand-out should be that satellite radio pay for the mandated inclusion of HD.
Sirius XM Radio offered up a lengthy filing, noting, First, an HD Radio mandate would be harmful to consumers, car manufacturers, and receiver manufacturers. It would harm consumers by driving up costs for features and services that they may not want and would adversely impact consumer choice in audio entertainment. Moreover, it would add an unnecessary additional economic burden on struggling car manufacturers."
Ibiquity profers the argument that satellite radio is blocking them from enering the marketplace. In their FCC filing Ibiquity states, "As iBiquity demonstrated in its comments, Sirius XM has a strong incentive and the ability to impair the introduction of HD Radio technology into the marketplace. iBiquity again urges the Commission to expeditiously initiate a proceeding to develop the appropriate rules that will ensure the market works properly and prevents Sirius XM from blocking the rollout of HD
Interestingly, this issue was addressed in the merger. Sirius XM Radio do not hamper Ibiquity from entering the market, Ford, BMW and others all offer HD as an option. Adoption of it seems slow, but is that Sirius XM's issue? Ibiquity can play in the game, but to be a success, you have to have some game. Up until now it simply has not been demonstrated.
In their own recent filing, GM slams the HD argument in one fell swoop stating, "HD is already penetrating the automotive sector without a mandate. Several manufacturers are either currently offering HD or have announced plans to make HD radio standard or optional in future models. Nothing in General Motors’ agreements with Sirius XM inhibits our ability to offer HD radio."
A substantial group of various disability organizations have come out in hopes of seeing mandated HD inclusion. The cite that the only fair way is equal access. Somehow, I think HD already has equal access. They can develop deals with anyone they want. Perhaps these organizations should be demanding that HD work free market deals with everyone.
The Minority Media and Telecommunications Council offers up an interesting stance. They state, "The Commission should require seamless scan AM/FM and HD Radio capacity in SDARS receivers because, without such a requirement, Sirius XM could use its satellite monopoly in the marketplace, the cost savings generated from the merger, and its relationships with equipment manufacturers and retailers to retard the growth of terrestrial services."
Is satellite retarding terrestrial growth? impossible, terrestrial radio has 95% of the market! Just ask them. They will tell you! The comments fall on their face when you look at all of the advantages HD radio already has. It is terrestrial that has spent a decade trying to retard the growth of satellite!
In the end, if you boil everything down to it simplest form, it comes down to dollars. This is not about access, consumer good, or anything else. Who is going to foot the bill for HD Radio's attempt at creating a new market. I say enough taxpayer money has already been spent, and taking money from SDARS is not an answer either.
position - Long Sirius XM


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September Sales: Winners, Losers, And Clamoring Sales Records
We ran down the sales numbers for September, but it's a lot to take in. Fortunately, it's our job to comb through it. In any list, there are winners and losers, and sometimes, they come from surprising sources. While we're sure Honda, Chrysler and Volkswagen are feeling pretty good with their double-digit percentage increases, there were five who scored higher. On the other hand, Nissan, Volvo, and Cadillac can console themselves with the fact that, even though sales declined, it could've been worse.Winner: Smart, +119.6% Normally, a company adding a mere 500 cars to its sales total wouldn't garner much attention. But, when you're Smart, every little bit helps, especially when sales numbers have been as diminutive as your cars. The net result is that sales of the little two-seat fuel sipper more than doubled in September, despite new competition from cars like the Scion iQ. There's one simple reason why: Advertising. Last month, Smart launched a new ad campaign, darwing attention to the fact that it is, in fact, an actual car company that sells vehicles. It also helps that Smart has gone through and improved the car in a number of ways, although, you can still get a lot more car for the same money. For example...Winner: Fiat, +51% Fiat only sells one car in the U.S. right now: The little 500. But that's not quite the whole story. There's the 500, 500 convertible, turbocharged 500 Abarth, a 500 Turbo that's not the Abarth, and more special editions than we can count. After missing sales targets, a few misfired ad campaigns (Jennifer Lopez, anyone?), and a generally lukewarm reception from critics, people are finally taking notice of the little Fiat. A new ad campaign--with Fiat's jumping into Mediterranean seas and arriving in the U.S.--is raising awareness as well. The question is: Will Fiat remain strong as new competitors, such as the lower-priced Chevy Spark, start to go on sale?Winner: Toyota, +47.1% The perennially popular Camry gave Toyota a boost by over 40 percent from this time last year. Last year, in fact, is when the current Camry was introduced—which may explain its dipping sales from last year, as dealers cleared inventory of old Camrys in a bid to get as much supply as possible. Combined sales of the Camry and Camry Hybrid rang up to 34,252 models, with Corolla taking second place with 23,026—which goes to prove that beating the Big T is a Herculean task for anyone outside of Toyota-shi. And keep in mind, the current Corolla has been on sale since 2007, an eternity in car model cycles, and it still tops most sales lists. When the new Corolla bows sometime next year, all bets are off.Winner: Acura, +43.% Acura is recovering from last year's tsunami-related parts and vehicle shortages, and like its Honda corporate parent, the numbers keep growing. It also helps that Acura finally has some new product in its portfolio. The new RDX is a runaway hit, handily outselling its predecessor, and even the Civic-derived ILX is finding a few new homes. However, the brand standout remains the ever-popular MDX crossover, proving that Acura has a winning formula on its hands with its biggest vehicle. We'll see if Acura can keep the trend going when the 2014 Acura MDX debuts sometime next year.Winner: Lexus, +35.7% Likewise for Lexus, it’s been a busy month: not one but three new cars came out this year for Toyota’s snob brand. The GS, ES, and facelifted LS and RX all represent an entire upheaval in Lexus’s lineup—and yes, it did pay off. This September shattered last year’s by a not-insignificant 3,000 or so cars, when the GS still looked awkward and the ES was hoary. (It’s still hoary, just slightly less so.) Still, this wasn’t close enough to match August’s high of 24,237 cars, as close to lightning in a bottle as it gets for Lexus.Loser: Lincoln, -3.1% For Lincoln folks, it must be like Waiting For Godot: that shiny, gorgeous new MKZ is ever so just around the corner, the first new product from Lincoln in years and the start—they hope—of a veritable brand renaissance. Here’s a spoiler: Godot never shows up. The MKZ, however, is slated to drop by the end of this year—Lincoln hasn’t announced a date yet. It doesn’t seem to be in a hurry. Current examples of the MKZ sold at a steady clip since June, but only took a dip this month—still selling at a healthy 2,575 examples in September. That’s more than what Lincoln can say for the larger MKS; the only people buying the MKT are dead people, and ever since Big Daddy Kane dropped the big ‘Gator it just hasn’t been the same. Bring on the MKZ.Loser: Suzuki, -5.2% Suzuki's sales problems are well documented, and its gotten to the point where its 5.2-percent drop probably isn't worse simply because it can't drop much further. The Japanese automaker sold fewer than 2,000 cars, trucks and SUVs last month, or about the same number of Civics that Honda sells on a Saturday afternoon. Why? Partly brand awareness: Suzuki's well known for its motorcycles, watercraft, quads, and other small vehicles, but its history with cars has been muddied. The good news is that it means you can probably score a killer deal on a Suzuki Kizashi, which is actually a pretty good car, and even the best-selling Suzuki SX4 isn't too shabby.Loser: Mazda, -5.4% Mazda is either smallest of the big Japanese manufacturers, or the biggest of the small ones, depending on how you look at it. Either way, it's a company that has definitely seen better days. While the Mazda3 compact seems to be picking up steam thanks to its new (and effective) Skyactiv fuel-saving technology, and the CX-5 certainly seems to be pulling its own weight, the rest of the lineup is in desperate need of an update. Luckily, changes are in the pipeline, starting off with the 2014 Mazda6. The final production version was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show last week, and at the very least, it sure looks like a winner.Loser: Jaguar, -10% Jaguar deserves better than this. The XF is an excellent mid-level luxury sedan, the XJ runs with the big dogs when it comes to a premium driving experience, and we dare you to try to stop ogling the XK grand tourer. But the numbers don't lie, and even though it's only 100 cars, with volumes as small as Jaguar's it turns into a big hit. However, change may be coming. The new Jaguar F-Type sports car essentially stole the Paris Motor Show, and if Jaguar can keep its Porsche-911-killer promises, it could steal a few customers from the German sports car maker, too.Loser: Mitsubishi, -17.2% A little too easy making fun of Mitsubishi today, but within the Three Diamonds, a glimmer of hope: the Outlander Sport carried the brand by doubling its sales from August, up to 2,253 models. Specifically, the Outlander Sport is just 3,000 models away from matching its total 2011 sales, which is the only good news from Mitsubishi. Want some bad news? Look at the rest of the company’s lineup.
The Month That Was seemed to slow down a little from the frenetic pace that was August: a month that saw...


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Harvard University’s Public Health Graduate School and Levi Strauss & Co(Levi’s), an American clothing company have announced a collaboration to develop a self-reporting infrastructure on blockchain.
According to Reuters, the blockchain-based system will replace external auditors with an annual safety survey on the blockchain making the evaluation of working condition in factories more transparent. Three Levi Strauss’ s factories in Mexico will be the first to use the system this year, another pilot is planned for 2020.
Dr. Eileen McNeely, director of Harvard T.H. Chan’s Sustainability and Health Initiative for NetPositive Enterprise believed that the survey on blockchain could offer a new solution to the existing work in supply chain. The results will never be manipulated due to the transparency of blockchain.
The project’s blockchain solution will be allegedly provided by ConsenSys. According to Reuters, the United States Department sponsors for the development of the system.


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When you buy an Android device, even if it has just hit the market, you are probably on borrowed time when it comes to your manufacturer’s support for it. Sometimes after a year you no longer receive software updates, and after two years you are also abandoned in the arena of security updates. So Germany seems fed up with this situation, and according to a report, it is trying to push the EU to oblige Android makers, and even Apple, to support devices for much longer with security updates.
Manufacturers in the sights of the EU
According to the report, Germany is pushing the EU to enact the new law that will require smartphone manufacturers to provide security updates for at least 7 years, while also ensuring a stock of spare parts. These days the very EU is considering the option of charging manufacturers 5 years of such support, but it seems that Germany wants to challenge technology companies even more.
It is nevertheless important to separate security updates from software updates, especially when we are talking about Android, as these are completely separated from each other at the operating system level. Apple has also decided to adopt this separation, and although it supports iPhones for an average of 5 years with regular updates (more than any other Android maker), it will allow users to receive security updates without updating the operating system – so it is relatively pre-arranged in case of a bill You will pass.
Top of the list of updating Android manufacturers are Google with the Pixel devices that receive regular updates for 3 years from their release to the market (including updates to the operating system) and now also Samsung which promises to provide 4 years of security updates for all its devices released since 2019. Now their devices, they will stay up to date and safe for a long time, so their value will be higher.
Neither the EU nor Germany seem to be trying to push manufacturers to provide software updates throughout this extended support period, but only security updates, so if you’re dreaming of getting Android 19 with the device you bought in 2021 – that’s not the case, even if the bill passes. .
40% of Android users are not even on Android 9 or higher
Those who are not happy about this are a group called DigitalEurope, which demands that the support period be reduced to 3 years of security updates, and limit the spare parts inventory to batteries and monitors only, instead of also providing spare parts for speakers, cameras and other components that may break down over the years. In case you haven’t guessed by now, DigitalEurope is an association that includes 61 technology companies that include Apple, Samsung and Google.
The EU proposal is scheduled to take effect as early as 2023, and could greatly alleviate the problem stemming from the fragmentation of the Android device market: according to StatCounter data from last month, only 40% of Android users run version 9 or higher of the operating system, which means many no longer accept Even security updates are separate and exposed to a host of vulnerabilities and security issues.