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The Senate rejected President Biden's decision to waive some "Buy America" requirements for government-funded electric vehicle charging stations, with several Democrats joining Republicans in a 50-48 vote.
Sens. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio; Joe Manchin, D-W.Va.; Jon Tester, D-Mont.; and Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., voted for the Republican bill, which Biden has vowed to veto.
The White House says the bill to rescind his waiver would also eliminate a requirement that EV chargers paid for by the bipartisan infrastructure law be made in America, "thereby harming domestic manufacturing and American jobs."
Congress approved $7.5 billion to fund EV charging stations, which are critical to Biden's ambitious goal for half of all new car sales to be EVs by 2030. However, the installation of new EV chargers has been slow-going.
In February, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) agreed to waive some "Buy America" requirements until July 2024, in order to allow "EV charger acquisition and installation to immediately proceed."
Republicans responded with a bill to rescind that waiver, arguing most of the parts for EV chargers would be bought from China.
The White House said the GOP bill would also overturn the FHWA decision to extend "Buy America" rules to EV chargers, pointing to a 1983 Reagan administration decision to exempt manufactured products from "Buy America" rules. The effect of the GOP bill, the White House argues, would be that EV chargers are not covered by "Buy America" requirements.
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., challenged the White House argument, arguing the administration could separately rescind the 1983 decision at any time. Rubio said the waiver would allow government funds to "go into the hands of Chinese companies to build electric vehicle charging stations."
The 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law requires EV chargers to obtain at least 55% of construction materials, including iron and steel, from domestic sources and U.S. manufactured.
The rules go into effect in July 2024. EV chargers produced by then can receive funding if installation begins by October 2024, according to Reuters.
EV chargers require iron and steel for some of their most crucial parts, including the internal structural frame, heating and cooling fans and the power transformer. Chargers with cabinets that house the product require even more steel, making up to 50% of the total cost of the chargers in some cases.
U.S. states and companies warned that global demand for EV chargers is straining the supply chain, making it difficult, if not impossible, to meet made-in-America standards and expedite construction of new chargers.
Reuters contributed to this report.


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For the first time ever, UK horror fans will soon be able to enjoy a wide variety of horror films, from cult favourites to new releases, via VOD platform TheHorrorShow.TV’s brand new subscription service, which goes live at midnight on Thursday, November 6th.
Since its launch in June 2013, TheHorrorShow.TV has been offering transactional Video on Demand (TVOD) on a growing catalogue of British, US and international horror films spanning some 60 years and a wide range of distribution partners. On Halloween, the digital platform added its 230th film, quickly followed by the launch of its brand new subscription service, which offers many of its most popular films on a subscription basis, for an introductory price of £2.99 per month (normal cost will be £4.99). It’s a bold new venture for the growing VOD platform, the UK’s only dedicated VOD destination, “curated by horror fans, created for horror fans.”
“Ever since we launched the transactional service back in 2013, the subscription (SVOD) offering has always been the ultimate goal,” says David Hughes, co-founder and curator of TheHorrorShow.TV, “and we’re delighted that many of our distribution partners have cemented their partnership with us on this exciting new venture, an ‘all you can eat’ model which will run alongside our existing ‘pay as you go’ service.” “The initial offering is modest,” adds Hughes’ partner Jack Bowyer, “but we’ll be adding to it on an almost daily basis as new deals are signed. We wanted to give early adopters, as well as our existing customer base, the chance to come aboard as quickly as possible, so they can start streaming a wide variety of films for the equivalent cost of a single monthly rental, without losing the ‘pay-as-you-go’ functionality of the rental and download options.”

domain: news


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Scion updates sporty FR-S and tC
Just in time for the summer cruising season, Scion is updating its FR-S and tC coupes with additional equipment and more exterior color choices.
For 2015, Scion gives the FR-S coupe a more rigid front suspension and retuned the rear shock absorbers for "a more communicative driving experience," the automaker said in a statement. The FR-S coupe was new for 2013 and received a standard touch-screen audio system for 2014.
Outside, a there's a new "shark-fin" style antenna and larger, more flush exhaust tips. Inside, auto on-off headlights are standard and the instrument panel gets a new design with carbon-fiber-like trim. The 2015 FR-S starts at $25,655 for six-speed manual models, $26,755 for automatics. That's a slight increase over model-year 2014 versions, which start at $25,455 (all prices include a $755 destination fee).
Scion's entry-level coupe also gets some minor changes for 2015 after its 2014 face-lift. Automatic versions of the tC now get standard steering-wheel paddle shifters. New exterior colors this year include Cosmic Gray and Blizzard Pearl. Manual transmission versions of the 2015 Scion tC again start at $19,965, automatics at $21,115, all including destination charges.
Both the 2015 Scion tC and FR-S go on sale this June. The tC's price is unchanged. FR-S sees only a small price increase for 2015.


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The market takes breath after the long rally. What opportunities do traders have today?
Japan's May exports soar at the fastest pace in two years
In May, Japan's exports inched up at the fastest pace in more than two years, following huge shipments of vehicles and steel. That’s an encouraging sign that sturdy overseas demand will underpin economic surge.
The 14.9% annual soar in exports in May stood below the median estimate for a 16.1% annual surge. Nevertheless, it appeared to be the greatest leap since January 2015.
Exports are about to continue ascending at a steady clip because overseas economies demonstrate bullish signs of strength that should help the Japanese economy to extend its recent run of sturdy expansion.
Exports of vehicles as well as car parts ascended partly due to an earthquake in Kumamoto the previous year, which temporarily ceased production of these goods.
Japan's exports to America edged up 11.6% in May from last year, which is the fastest soar since July 2015, due to a leapt of shipments of cars and auto parts.
The United States will publish a weekly update on unemployment claims on July 9, at 15:30 MT time.
The market sentiment deteriorated amid increasing virus cases in the USA and Australia. Investors prefer safe-haven assets like gold, the US dollar and the Japanese yen.
Riskier currencies and stocks are in favor of investors. Surprisingly, gold rallies too. Let’s have a closer look.
Congratulations! Gold has just opened a new era... or, rather, reopened...
Canada will publish the employment change and the unemployment rate on July 10, at 15:30 MT time.


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Skiers take a break from a spring day on the slopes at Blackcomb Mountain… (Paul Morrison )
Some slopes have shut down for the season, but skiers have until May 27 to hit the slopes at Blackcomb Mountain in Whistler, Canada.
Whistler, home to the 2010 Winter Olympics’ alpine ski events, is 80 miles east of Vancouver.
Blackcomb’s sister peak, Whistler Mountain, closed for the season Sunday, but Blackcomb had more than 36 feet of snow this winter and is enjoying one of the longest ski seasons in North America.
Spring brings some unique ski conditions, such as “corn snow.” It’s the rough, granular snow that results from alternate thawing and freezing. Experts urge skiers to watch for changing conditions throughout the day, the result of climbing temperatures and bright sunshine.
The latest conditions are available on online or by calling (604) 932-4211.
Day passes cost about $63.35 U.S. and are available at the ticket window. Passes good for the rest of the season cost about $223.
The unusually late closing date for the ski slope means that for 11 days next month, visitors can ski Blackcomb and bike Whistler on the same day. That’s because the Whistler Mountain Bike Park is scheduled to open on May 17. An additional fee applies for mountain biking.
Info: Whistler Blackcomb online or by calling (888) 403-4727.
Follow us on Twitter @latimestravel and like us on Facebook


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Oxygen Containers To Get Mandatory Vehicle Tracking Devices: MoRTH
By Sameer Contractor
1 mins read
Published on May 5, 2021
- The GPS devices will offer protection and smooth flow of operations
- The vehicle tracking devices will need to meet the AIS140 standards
- MapMyIndia is offering free GPS devices to medical vehicles
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has announced that all containers, tankers and vehicles carrying oxygen need to be fitted with vehicle location tracking devices (VLT) devices as per AIS140. These devices will ensure the proper monitoring and protection of the oxygen tankers, besides ensuring there is no diversion or delay, it said further in a tweet. The announcement comes at a time when there is an acute shortage of oxygen across hospitals in India in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The lack of oxygen has been the cause of a staggering number of deaths across the country. The second wave of the pandemic has hit the healthcare system harder and resources remain scarce to support the healthcare and frontline workers. At present, India is handling over 300,000 daily new cases every day, while there have been over two crore Covid cases in the country since inception.
Over 50 lakh infections were detected in the past two weeks alone, which goes on to show the impact of the second wave on the populace. Meanwhile, the death toll due to the coronavirus increased to 222,408 people with 3,449 new fatalities, according to the data shared by the Union Health Ministry.
MapmyIndia is offering to install #GPS tracking systems for free in all medical infrastructure transport vehicles across India. Write to email@example.com or call +919999333223 with your company and vehicle details to get you started ASAP. #GPSTracker #IoT— MapmyIndia (@MapmyIndia) April 28, 2021
Last week, MapMyIndia announced that the company is offering free GPS tracking systems on all medical infrastructure transport vehicles across India, in order to maintain quick, uninterrupted movement.
Last Updated on May 5, 2021
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The Urban SUV concept is the first in a line of 6 EVs, which the company says will be revealed toward the first half of 2024
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Prices for the Aprilia RS 457 could be announced at India Bike Week 2023, while deliveries are likely to begin from early 2024 onwards
The state government has made in mandatory for all commercial vehicles to come equipped with tracking devices and panic buttons from January 2023.
While the pandemic may have eased, it is yet to completely go away. Therefore, we tell you all about sanitising your car and we recommend you do it time to time.
Oil prices tumbled more than $6 on Monday as fears over weaker fuel demand in China grew after financial hub Shanghai lockdown efforts to curb a surge in COVID-19 infections.
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AT&T has announced it's retiring its Digital Subscriber Line broadband internet, putting more than 469,000 DSL customers into uncertainty over the future of their internet access, and leaving new residents of DSL-only areas with few options.
Critics say as more companies phase out phone-line services, rural residents could be left stranded with no access to reliable internet. AT&T is the first telecommunications giant to announce it's retiring DSL.
Harold Feld, senior vice president of the communications advocacy group Public Knowledge, said unlike copper telephone lines, which reach virtually every part of the country, internet cable and fiberoptic networks are primarily accessible in urban ares. He said shelving DSL without implementing a reliable substitute will disrupt rural economies.
"Often in these small rural areas, the copper DSL line is also the one connection for the local business, which means you're not going to be able to process credit cards anymore, you're not going to be able to do automatic teller deposits," Feld said.
He said the pandemic has put the spotlight on problems with internet access in rural communities, as kids continue to learn remotely and families rely on the internet for grocery shopping and telehealth.
AT&T says while new customers are no longer able to place a new order for DSL, current DSL users will be able to continue their existing service.
Feld said the Trump administration's 2018 Restoring Internet Freedom Order eased previous regulations that would have allowed the government to prevent companies from dropping services that left parts of the country without internet options.
"Broadband under the Obama administration had been classed as a Title 2 communications utility, meaning that you can't turn it off without permission from the FCC," he said. "When the Trump FCC reclassified it as an information service, as opposed to a communications service, the FCC eliminated its own authority."
The Federal Communications Commission maintains the high cost of broadband regulations discourages companies from investing in these rural areas. Feld said for most of the country's history, telecommunications services were viewed as critically essential for everyone.
"Imagine if we said, 'Well, you know what? We don't have to provide electricity to everybody in the country. We'll only provide it to the 85% of people where you get a good financial return, and those other 15% are just out of luck,'" he said.
More than one-third of Kentucky students don't have adequate access to the internet at home, and it's estimated around 34% of households in the Commonwealth lack reliable internet access.


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Nuvei and Visa Join Forces to Launch Crypto-Friendly Debit Cards
Having already provided crypto-friendly debit cards to blockchain finance ecosystem COTI in recent months, Nuvei via its Simplex brand, continues to make use of its Visa Principal Membership and EMI license to provide partner firms with an easy way to spend crypto anywhere Visa is accepted.
In combination with Nuvei’s Simplex Banking, the new cards simplify the fiat-to-crypto on-ramp and off-ramp process, creating a unified way for individuals to utilize and spend the funds from their crypto sales.
Nuvei’s Chair and CEO, Philip Fayer described the rollout of the cards as an important development for the firm’s partners and their customers. “The branded Visa debit card is a huge asset to our partners and their users, enabling the immediate and seamless spending of crypto earnings,” he said, “With this program, Visa has played a vital role in expanding the crypto ecosystem by closing the gap between traditional finance and crypto.”
Nikola Plecas, Director, Crypto Solutions, Europe, Visa, said: “Awareness of cryptocurrencies has increasing significantly amongst consumers across Europe, resulting in increased adoption as more people look to access crypto. We are excited to be part of this, and by deepening our relationship with Nuvei further, we are delighted to provide consumers with a simple and secure way to spend their crypto.”
The first batch of cards were delivered to COTI in September, enabling the latter to launch crypto bank accounts and COTI-branded Visa debit cards. Partnering with Nuvei, merchants on COTI’s blockchain finance network stand to benefit from increased adoption as a result of being able to accept cryptocurrency as a payment option.
For the customers of Nuvei’s partners, the use of the debit card allows them to sell their crypto holdings at the click of a button, while being able to spend the resultant funds instantly anywhere that Visa is accepted. Using the branded cards, customers effectively gain the same spending power with their crypto holdings as they would with traditional currencies.
The Nuvei-Visa collaboration stands to optimize cryptocurrency and digital asset payments by offering clients a way to close the fiat-to-crypto-to-fiat loop, a process that previously depended on the cooperation of the legacy banking system.
Nuvei’s CEO of Simplex, Nimrod Lehavi, said the branded Visa cards were tailor-made for the cryptocurrency space by meeting global standards of compliance.
“Thanks to Visa, we have created a straightforward and simple program that is tailored to the crypto industry in terms of compliance, risk, time-to-market and costs,” he said. “Our Visa card program has already seen huge success across Europe and in the UK.”
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Loomis commercial director Stuart Bartlett said that Facewatch had already been recognised as an invaluable tool in deterring crime.
"The system has been used in Cheshire and London and early results have been impressive, with a vast improvement in solved crimes and time saved in reporting," he said.
Facewatch allows retailers to report crimes immediately online, saving the retailer from having to wait for police to arrive. The company is currently in talks with forces around the country.
Bartlett added that the partnership with Facewatch would benefit Loomis customers who are keen to deter crime and who want to be able to report it quicker. He said Loomis would be offering the service as part of its extended solutions offering.
C-Store readers can get a 25% discount for the Facewatch scheme by calling 0845 437 9629 and quoting Convenience Store. A group of 10 or more retailers in the same area joining together can get a further 10% discount. The offer ends on July 31.


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Amazon the popular e-Commerce platform offers a variety of products at different price tags. Well, now you guys can able to book movie tickets via the shopping platform. The company has announced that the new facility has been added into the platform and it will also offer amazing deals such as cashback.
The company announced that it has joined its hand with the very popular BookMyShow and this will enable users to purchase movie tickets via Amazon India website. The service is already live and users can purchase the tickets via the Amazon mobile app, and it will available for both the Prime as well as non-Prime users.
Speaking about the offer, users who book a movie ticket via Amazon mobile app before November 14 will receive a cashback of up to ₹200 on every ticket. You can buy the ticket using the debit or credit card, net banking, Amazon Pay balance, Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card, Amazon Pay UPI or other methods.
Well, the new option will definitely help users to book tickets easily and we would like to hear your thoughts about the same in the comments section below and stay tuned with us for the latest updates.


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Google held their Android Dev Summit last week in California. The company demonstrated multiple changes for current & future Android devices. One of them is a big announcement for a long pertaining issue. For a long period of time, Android users have been complaining to OEM’s and Google for delayed updates on their devices. During the Dev Summit, Google developers showcased a solution to the problem in the shape of Project Treble. The company has declared that every upcoming Android 9.0 Pie devices will be Project Treble Compliant.What Is Project Treble?
Project Treble was first introduced with Android 8.0 Oreo which has matured a lot since then. It is a mechanism [...]
The Motorola One Power was launched with Android one and promised quick updates to next iterations of Android OS. The company has kept its initial promise of updating the phone to Android 9.0 Pie before the end of 2018. The update starts rolling out today and is a staggered release so all may not see it immediately.
Buy The Moto One Power
Along with the new OS update, the Motorola One Power will also get a performance boost, and improvements to battery management according to Motorola. The One Power will also now support face unlock and swipe gestures, native to Android 9.0 Pie. Since the Motorola One Power is an Android One device, it is much easier for the brand to [...]
Last month, Motorola launched the Motorola One Power running on Android One. Being an Android One smartphone, it gets latest Android updates soon after Google rolls out one. With its sturdy build and mammoth battery, the Motorola One Power is a serious contender in the mid-range smartphone market. It was initially shipped with Android 8.1 Oreo. And now, a recent listing on Geekbench suggests that the device will soon get the Android 9.0 Pie update.
Click here to buy Motorola One Power on FlipkartGeekbench Listing
A Motorola One Power device was recently spotted on Geekbench running the latest Android 9.0 Pie. The benchmark was posted on November 2nd. It [...]
Xiaomi has become one of the biggest smartphone companies not only due to good hardware but also because of the long-term software support they offer. Except for the Android One devices they are usually one of the first companies to push the latest Android updates to their smartphones.Android vs iOS adoption
Android definitely trumps iPhone in terms of device shipments but it is nowhere near Apple’s iOS adoption rate. The latest iOS 12 already runs on more than 50% of the supported devices whereas the latest Android 9.o Pie merely runs on 0.1% of Android devices.
Talking about Android adoption rate, Android Nougat has the highest market share at 29.3%. [...]


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The index for beef and veal fell 1.4 percent, while the pork index slipped 0.1 percent. Bacon, breakfast sausage and related products index advanced 1.2 percent in November.
The index for poultry advanced 0.5 percent in November, while the eggs index declined 3.8 percent.
The index for food at home dropped 0.3 percent to 242.2 in November with five of the six major grocery store food groups also declining. The index for dairy and related products also fell 0.6 percent, marking its third decline in the last four months, BLS noted. Compared to a year ago, the food at home index advanced 0.3 percent.
The food away from home index climbed 0.2 percent to finish at 258.8 in November. For the 12-month period, the index advanced 2.7 percent.
The overall Consumer Price Index was unchanged in November. The CPI increased 0.5 percent before seasonal adjustment over the past 12 months.


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Bord Bia (the Irish Food Board) has partnered with Amazon Prime’s ‘The Three Drinkers’ to showcase premium quality, sustainable Irish food and drink producers in their new show launching on 17 March 2022 (St Patrick’s Day).
According to latest research from Bord Bia, 72% of trade buyers highlighted that it is important to have suppliers with strong sustainability credentials and 82% of all grocery shoppers say that “Everyone needs to do their bit to make more sustainable choices.”
Donal Denvir, general manager of Bord Bia UK, comments: “Sustainability has become the most significant and widely accepted challenge facing the global food and drink industry as we move out of the pandemic. Ireland is renowned for quality food and drink that is sustainably produced, so we’re really excited to be able to champion some of our fantastic Irish producers as part of The Three Drinkers show. All producers chosen not only go to great lengths to be as sustainable as possible but have also been verified by our Origin Green programme – the world’s only national food and drink sustainability programme, enabling the industry to set and achieve measurable sustainability targets that respect the environment and serve local communities more effectively.”
The Three Drinkers are food and drinks experts, writers and broadcasters Helena Nicklin and Aidy Smith, joined by a diverse revolving roster of ‘third drinker’ guests. Now in its second season, The Three Drinkers in Ireland will take a slightly different tack from the previous show, discovering some of Ireland’s oldest and most game-changing distilleries as well as taking a deeper dive into the country’s incredible food scene and showcasing some traditional activities such as bog snorkelling, cheesemaking, eel fishing and Irish dancing.


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Vivo X80, Vivo X80 Pro, Vivo X80 Pro+ Price and Full Specs Leak Ahead of Launch
Months after the Vivo X70 series was announced, Vivo X80 smartphone specifications have appeared online. The Vivo X70 series successors are rumored to be in the works at the Chinese smartphone manufacturer.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is expected to power the Vivo X80 Pro+, while the X80 and X80 Pro are rumored to be powered by MediaTek Dimensity 8000 and Dimensity 9000 CPUs, respectively. Additionally, the Vivo X80 Pro and X80 Pro+ are expected to include a V1 image processing chip and capability for wireless charging of up to 50 watts.
Specifications of Vivo X80 (expected)
Vivo X80 is expected to run on a MediaTek Dimensity SoC paired with up to 12GB of LPDDR4 RAM and up to 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage, according to a tweet from a tipster. 6.5-inch full-HD+ LTPO AMOLED with 120Hz refresh rate is rumored for the Vivo X70 successor.
In addition to the 50-megapixel Samsung GN5 sensor, the Vivo X80 has a 13-megapixel secondary camera and a 12-megapixel Sony IMX663 tertiary camera on the back of the phone. According to rumors, the phone is expected to have a 44-megapixel front-facing camera when it launches. For the time being, Vivo hasn’t released any official information about the Vivo X80 series of smartphones.
Specifications of Vivo X80 Pro (expected)
In the meantime, the 6.78-inch full-HD+ E5 AMOLED display on the Vivo X80 Pro is rumored to have a refresh rate of 120Hz. Up to 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and up to 512GB of UFS 3.1 storage are expected to be included in the phone’s specifications.
X80 Pro is rumored to include four cameras, with a 50-megapixel primary camera, an additional secondary 50-megapixel Samsung JN1 sensor, a third 12-megapixel Sony IMX663 camera, and an additional secondary 50-megapixel Samsung JN1 sensor, all with optical image stabilization (OIS). Reportedly new Vivo smartphones will include 44-megapixel front-facing camera systems.
Specifications of Vivo X80 Pro+ (expected)
Preliminary reports suggest it will be powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC, which is paired with 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 1TB of storage. An AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate is rumored to be on the rumored Vivo X70 Pro+ successor.
This phone is expected to have a primary 50-megapixel camera with OIS, a secondary 48-megapixel camera (IMX598), and two 50-megapixel Samsung JN1 sensors with 2x and 5x magnification. V1 image processing chip is rumored to be included in both the Vivo X80 and X80 Pro+, as is support for 66W wired charging and 50W wireless charging.
Vivo X80 Series Price in Nepal
The next Vivo X80 could cost as little as CNY 3,699 (approximately Rs 69,200), while the Vivo X80 Pro and Vivo X80 Pro+ could cost as much as CNY 4,599 (about Rs 86,050) and CNY 5,499 (nearly Rs 1,02,885), respectively, according to the tipster. Vivo has yet to reveal any information about these devices.


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|With the lights out at the Super Bowl, Oreo posted a memorable Tweet.|
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Is the Super Bowl Now the Twitter Bowl?
Earlier this week, I shared commentary about many of the ads from this year's Super Bowl telecast and also featured one of my marketing colleagues, Julia Carcamo from St. Louis. With this post, I will analyze Twitter’s impact, share some memorable tweets, and predict how Twitter just might be the focus for marketing attention and ad budgets and for next year's Super Bowl's Brand Bowl.
As last week’s game began, viewers noticed and commented on social media channels that the ads were not measuring up to the quality of previous years’ ads. But the truth is, when a company creates amazing and memorable ads, viewers then want future ads to exceed expectations. How could Volkswagen ever surpass the success of its ad from two years ago, “The Force,” featuring a cute little boy dressed and acting as Darth Vader?
So while most of this year’s ads were not memorable, the power outage at the onset of the third quarter became the trending topic in social media. But you cannot just talk about a power outage – that would be boring. So, people in the Twitterverse put their creative hats on and made Twitter much more memorable than those 15-second, 30-second, and 60-second TV spots.
Here are the highlights from brands via Twitter:
Power out? No problem. [Photo: You can still dunk in the dark.]
We do carry candles. #SuperBowl
…we also sell lights. #SuperBowl
Hey dome operators at the Big Game, there are a few Lowe’s nearby if you need some generators.
Sending some LEDs to the @MBUSA Superdome right now…
We can’t get your #blackout, but we can get your stains out. #SuperBowl #TidePower
The lights are back on, now you can see our #MiracleStain
This might be a good time to think about alternative programing. #SuperBowlBlackOut
Here are some of my favorite comments via members of the Twitterverse:
We expected Superbowl XXI to blackout, but Superbowl XLVII? Come on Superbowl, you’re 47, drink responsibly.
I’m picturing the Harbaugh Thanksgivings for years to come. “You only won because the lights went out.”
FYI lights are still on at Puppy Bowl stadium.
I hope somebody wrote down the score before the scoreboard lost power.
Note to self: Do not build a data center in New Orleans.
Yeah everyone is worried a NY #Superbowl could be trouble bc of snow but instead we have to deal with a blackout?
Tweets about the #poweroutage have been better than the commercials.
For 2014, I predict that more brands will have teams seated around conference tables during the Super Bowl with hopes of becoming the next Oreo success story – ready to act in real time based on whatever happens in the game or in social media. The ability to tailor comments, target audiences, and engage with viewers is an incredible advantage over static television ads.
What would you have done with your brand if you had been in Oreo’s shoes?
Posted by DebbieLaskeyMBA


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How fast the world turns. Only a few months ago, as consumer spending evaporated and commodity prices collapsed, investors and policymakers were haunted by the spectre of deflation. Today, with the economy showing some signs of bottoming and commodity prices back on the rise, the worry du jour has suddenly become inflation. Much of this anxiety is just a matter of looking for a lead lining in every cloud; long-term interest rates, after all, remain historically low, and there’s little evidence of inflationary pressures in the economy as a whole. But there is one bit of inflation that can’t be written off so confidently: oil prices, after falling more than a hundred dollars a barrel last year, have roughly doubled this year, sending gasoline prices up more than sixty per cent and leaving Americans paying about a dollar more per gallon than they were in December. Many worry that higher prices at the pump could end up choking off the economy’s putative green shoots before they’ve even had a chance to grow.
This isn’t an idle concern, since recent history demonstrates how damaging skyrocketing oil prices can be. Indeed, blame for the current recession can be laid in part on the spike in the price of oil between June of 2007 and July of 2008, when it peaked at nearly a hundred and fifty dollars a barrel. A study by James Hamilton, a macroeconomist at U.C.-San Diego, reached a startling conclusion: given the already weak state of the U.S. economy in 2007, the sharp increase in oil prices might have been enough, on its own, to tip the economy into recession, even without that year’s blowup in the credit markets. It wasn’t just that, as many people assume, higher gas prices functioned as a tax increase, taking money out of people’s pockets. More important was the fact that four-dollar-a-gallon gasoline dramatically changed the way people spent their money. In particular, it killed demand for S.U.V.s and big cars; S.U.V. sales were down more than twenty-five per cent by the middle of last year. And, since these were the vehicles that American automakers relied on for most of their business, job cuts soon followed (a hundred and twenty-five thousand auto manufacturing jobs were lost between 2007 and 2008), with ripple effects for the entire economy. The price spike had other consequences, too; some have suggested that it magnified the housing bust by making long commutes to the overpriced exurbs less attractive. And this all created a classic “oil shock,” like the one that hit the economy in the early nineteen-seventies.
Given that dismal experience, do today’s rising oil prices mean that we’re doomed? Not necessarily. To begin with, not all jumps in the price of oil turn into shocks. Between 2001 and 2006, for instance, the price of oil tripled, and yet the economy seemed to suffer few ill effects: inflation was stable, unemployment low, and economic growth reasonably strong. And, even after the recent run-up, oil prices are simply back where they were for much of 2006. What’s more, higher gas prices probably can’t do the same kind of damage they did last year because of the havoc they have already caused: G.M., Ford, and Chrysler have been dramatically downsized since then, and auto sales in general have fallen so far that the decline probably can’t get much worse. All in all, a reprise of last year’s oil crisis seems unlikely.
That doesn’t mean, though, that there’s nothing to worry about. Expensive gas often has a psychological impact as well as a material one. Although there is no one-to-one correlation between gas prices and consumer confidence, a 2007 study by the economists Paul Edelstein and Lutz Kilian showed that, historically, sharp spikes in oil prices have sent consumer confidence plummeting, and have led to outsized cutbacks in general consumer spending. This makes sense: gasoline prices are the most publicly visible prices in the economy as a whole—no other prices are displayed on the street in bold, two-foot-tall numbers—so it’s not surprising that they have a disproportionate impact on the way people feel. What’s tricky is that economists don’t have a clear sense of what distinguishes a “sharp spike” from a normal rise in prices: up to a certain point, higher prices seem to make only a minor difference, but, once that point is reached, they begin to do real damage. (In other words, $2.75 a gallon may be sustainable, but $3.50 a gallon may not.) In large part, it may be a matter of expectations: if consumers see the current increase in prices as a return to normal levels, it will hurt much less than if they see it as a radical shift or a harbinger of future increases.
Even if we weather this increase, though, the problem won’t go away: unlike past oil spikes, which were the result of supply disruptions, today’s oil prices are driven mainly by the rise in demand from places like China and India, so, unless the economy falls back into the abyss, they’re unlikely to decrease sharply. What we’re hoping for is a Goldilocks solution, where the economy starts to boom again but the price of oil doesn’t. Perhaps we’ll get it. But, rather than leave so much of our fate to chance, we’d be better off doing what politicians always say they want to do: lessen the U.S. economy’s dependence on oil. One step toward that would be to phase in a gas tax designed to smooth out oil’s spikes and plunges by keeping the price of gasoline fixed (the tax would rise when the price of gas fell, and vice versa). Raising gas taxes is, of course, a solution that politicians—and voters—hate. But perhaps another oil shock or two will change that. ♦


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Vodafone Ghana declares that it has acquired Vodacom Group’s entire stake in Vodacom Business Ghana (VB) for an undisclosed price.
According to the firm, Vodafone Ghana will assimilate VBG’s operations into its existing business, to provide a seamless transition for existing clients and employees.
Vodafone and Vodacom will continue to collaborate in Ghana through a pan-African partnership model for Enterprise clients.
The transaction, which has received regulatory approval, supports Vodacom Group’s refocused Enterprise strategy in Africa, which seeks to grow and strengthen its core business.
It also aligns with Vodafone’s strategy to consolidate its African assets. Vodacom remains Vodafone’s preferred Enterprise partner in Africa and will work with Vodafone Ghana to accelerate all future activities across the continent.
This transaction forms part of the strategic repositioning announced earlier by Vodacom of its Vodacom Business Africa operations that has ultimately resulted in separate partnership arrangements involving its enterprise businesses in Nigeria, Zambia, Angola and Cote d’Ivoire.
According to Guy Clarke, Managing Director for Vodacom Business Africa, said, “This transaction shouldn’t be viewed as Vodacom exiting the Ghanaian market but rather a consolidation of resources and expertise with Vodafone to deliver an improved integrated service to our Enterprise customers within Ghana and across the continent.
“The conclusion of this transaction ensures a single brand presence in the market when addressing Enterprise customer needs. We expect this will ultimately benefit clients through the collective power of the numerous technological advancements and products.”
Also speaking, Patricia Obo-Nai, Chief Executive Officer of Vodafone Ghana, said, “The integration of Vodafone Ghana and Vodacom Business Ghana is inevitable. It combines different but similar skills sets, competencies and processes in a way that will significantly enhance go-to-market strategies and operational optimisation.
“Consolidating our customer bases, products and services portfolios and customer experience approaches will unlock further value for Enterprise customers.”


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Under a revised regulations proposal, a one-time special licensing fee of $20 million would apply for medical licensees to enter the adult-use retail market.
OG Article: here.
View our Fair Use Policy: here.
TONY LANGE AND MELISSA SCHILLER | MAY 11, 2023
New York’s 10 medical cannabis licensees, commonly referred to as registered organizations (ROs), may be given the green light to expand to adult-use dispensing operations sooner than expected. The state’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) published a proposed draft of revised adult-use regulations that would allow existing operators to expand up to three retail locations to adult-use sales, including a first site on Dec. 29, 2023—two years before originally proposed. A business’s second and third retail facilities could expand to adult-use sales on or after June 29, 2024, under the 336-page proposal. In addition, ROs would have to pay a one-time “special licensing fee” of $20 million as they transition to the adult-use market to “support New York’s Social and Economic Equity plan,” according to the OCM. See full details below. Jeremy Unruh, Senior VP of Regulatory and Public Affairs for Chicago-based multistate operator PharmaCann, one of New York's 10 ROs, told Cannabis Business Times that the company has spent a long time building out and developing its medical cannabis infrastructure since winning its medical license in New York in 2015. "The challenge is that the state legalized cannabis for adult use more than two years ago, and at the anniversary of that legalization effort, which was the end of March 31st of this year, the only thing they have to show for it is [nine] dispensaries open in a state of 22 million people," Unruh said. "Millions and millions and millions of dollars of tax revenue [are] not being recouped because of the 1,400 to 1,500 illicit commercial operators that are proliferating in New York state. They have millions, hundreds of millions, if not billions of dollars' worth of conditional cultivator product that is literally wasting in warehouses right now because there are no retail outlets." The revised regulations are subject to change ahead of the Cannabis Control Board’s (CCB) regular meeting at 11 a.m. May 11, when the five-member body will consider the proposal. If approved by the CCB, the revised regulations would enter a 45-day period for public comment. The proposed revisions deviate from New York’s intent to roll out an adult-use cannabis program that prioritizes 150 social equity retailers, referred to in New York as Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensaries (CAURD), through a “Seeding Opportunity Initiative.” As part of that plan, CAURD licensees were to be given three years to find equal footing in the market before the larger companies that currently serve the state’s medical cannabis program would be allowed to expand their dispensaries to adult use. That three-year provision was approved by the CCB in November but is one of the revisions (to be reduced to one year) in the most recent proposal. "It's very clear from the statute that New York is to prioritize its small and social equity business opportunities, which we absolutely appreciate, and we know that we can be helpful in that," Unruh said. "And they're very clear in creating a two-tier system where ... dispensaries are not allowed to also have an interest in the supply side—the cultivators, the processors, distributors." Scroll to continue with content Less than three months after adult-use sales commenced via one CAURD licensee on Dec. 29, 2022, the Coalition for Access to Regulated and Safe Cannabis (CARSC) filed a lawsuit in the state Supreme Court of Albany, alleging that state regulators overstepped their authority based on provisions of the 2021 Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA). An unincorporated trade association, CARSC includes many of New York’s medical cannabis operators, such as Acreage Holdings, Curaleaf Holdings, Green Thumb Industries, and PharmaCann Inc., NY Cannabis Insider reported. According to CARSC, the policies that have prevented medical cannabis operators and other entrepreneurs—who have the capital to more swiftly open retail sites—from receiving licensure have in turn delayed the availability of safe, regulated cannabis products for medical patients and adult-use consumers alike. Unruh argued that the MRTA, as originally written, allows New York's ROs to secure adult-use licenses to expand their retail outlets to serve the broader market. It's something that he said PharmaCann has been ready to do for more than two years now. "We are in a perfect position to support [small retail dispensary businesses] by wholesaling our goods to those small mom-and-pop operators, particularly when conditional cultivators right now don't seem to be having much success in determining whether or not to plant next year's crop," Unruh said. As of May 10, more than four months after Housing Works first launched adult-use sales, there are nine CAURD operators that have their storefronts open, most of which are in New York City, leaving the illicit market to serve the majority of the state. Now, a week after Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation to curb the illicit cannabis market in New York as part of the state budget, cannabis regulators are proposing an expedited timeline to allow non-CAURD licensees to enter the adult-use market. But the costs for entry are steep. Notably, the revised regulations propose that ROs seeking to expand to adult-use retail operations pay a one-time “special licensing fee” of $20 million, with at least $5 million due at the time the license is issued. The remaining $15 million would have to be paid either before the opening of a second adult-use dispensary location, or in $5 million installments within 30 days of each $100 million in revenue generated by the business. Furthermore, ROs would have to pay a $175,000 retail license fee in addition to various adult-use cultivation canopy fees. Also included in the 336-page proposal, medical cannabis businesses would not be allowed to have more than one adult-use dispensary in the same county or borough as any of its other licensed dispensaries. In addition, ROs would have their cultivation operations capped at 100,000 square feet of canopy, unless otherwise authorized by the CCB. Processing would be limited to 80,000 pounds of biomass, or the equivalent amount of cannabis extract or cannabis product, per year, if the RO has purchased more than 25,000 pounds of cannabis or cannabis product at wholesale from another licensee in that calendar year. Medical cannabis operators that expand to adult-use dispensary operations would be required to dedicate a minimum of 70% of shelf space available for adult-use products cultivated and processed by licensees that are not ROs until Jan. 1, 2026. After that date, ROs would be required to dedicate a minimum of 40% of shelf space for those products, as measured by total units in inventory on a 30-day rolling average. To preserve access for medical patients, ROs that expand to adult-use dispensary operations would be required to maintain a medical patient prioritization plan; keep a sufficient supply of medical cannabis products based on historical sales volumes; provide a separate medical consultation area within their retail facilities; have separate lines and access areas for certified patients; and establish priority service or express lanes for those patients. In addition to adult-use retail provisions, other revisions to the proposed regulations include:
Provisional licenses and visibility into the application process
Realigned supply license tier ownership provisions
Updates to goods and services revenues limits
Adjustments to microbusiness and cultivator licenses authorizations
Social consumption allowances for adult-use dispensaries
Updates to environmental and energy usage rules
Receivership rules to protect licensee
"New York is a tremendous opportunity," Unruh said. "It will continue to be a tremendous opportunity. It's just a matter of the state getting out of its own way and letting the market actually take off. Letting that market get off of the runway and into the air requires allowing licensed operators to engage with ... and trade with one another. That's how you build an industry. You can whiteboard it all day long and think great theoretical thoughts, but until you actually allow a conditional cultivator to sell his or her product to a conditional adult-use retail dispensary, or until you allow a registered organization to serve adult-use customers by selling conditional cultivator product from their shelves—those are the cross-license relationships that build a cannabis ecosystem here. And unfortunately, the state of New York is just having a lot of trouble understanding that and getting out of its own way."


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Home Depot has announced its third-quarter 2018 financial results.
In total, the company reported sales of $26.3 billion, which represents a 5.1 percent increase from the same period in 2017. Comparable sales for the third quarter in the U.S. were up 5.4 percent, according to the company.
Home Depot reported net earnings of $2.9 billion in the third quarter of 2018, up from $2.2 billion in 2017.
“We are pleased with our third quarter results and the growth that we saw from both our professional and do-it-yourself customers. Our customers continue to respond to our expansive assortment and enhancements we are making to drive an interconnected shopping experience. We saw continued strength across the store, as well as healthy growth in our digital business,” says Craig Menear, chairman, CEO and president. “We believe this is a testament to the overall strength of demand in the home improvement market.”
In July, the company announced plans to overhaul its supply chain. It plans to spend $1.2 billion to add approximately 170 distribution centers in the U.S. in order to speed up home delivery services.


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Members of the development team for Liberty Center, the $350 million lifestyle center under construction in Liberty Township, showed off progress of the massive project on Thursday.
Here's a look at five developments to watch in 2015.
Brandicorp LLC, the Bellevue-based commercial real estate company that has come on strong as a development force in Greater Cincinnati, has been engaged by the new owners of the 46 acres of land in Liberty Township to market the property to potential users.
Brio Tuscan Grille, Cheesecake Factory and Kona Grill are set for Liberty Center, in addition to Pies & Pints.
The Liberty Center development in Butler County is getting four big-ticket restaurant tenants, developers announced Tuesday.
Zagster, a bike-sharing company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has joined the operators of Easton and three companies in the area to stock 22 rentable bikes for use by the public and employees.
A new restaurant and movie theater concept is planned to be built in Blue Ash.
Melt Bar & Grilled, the Cleveland-based sandwich restaurant, expects to have a second eatery open in Columbus by October.
Bayshore Town Center officials are successfully turning over smaller spaces to bring in new stores and the next priority is refilling the space currently occupied by Sears if the retailer leaves after its lease expires.
The new-urban pioneer became the first Kansas City-area project in decades to try to mix residential, office and retail when it opened in May 2004.
Office space may comprise less than 7 percent of the total square footage planned for the first phase of Liberty Center, but developers consider it one-third of the mixed-use development’s “lifestyle” identity.
Zona Rosa opened a decade ago in Kansas City, bringing the urban town center concept to the market.
Good morning, Cincinnati! Here are the five most important things you need to know to help start your busy business day.
AC Hotels by Marriott, a luxury hotel brand founded in Spain, will open a location in the Liberty Center in 2015.
The specifics are still in the planning stages, but the Liberty Center hotel is expected to have about 130 rooms, 3,000 square feet of meeting space, a second floor pool and a library that serves as a business center.


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Most of us love cookies. Especially when they are free.
And to celebrate National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day on August 4, DoubleTree By Hilton in Manchester city centre is giving away free biscuits.
Cookie-lovers worldwide will be able to indulge in a free sweet treat on Thursday by asking for one of the hotel chain's famous warm, chocolate chip and walnut cookies, a token each guest usually receives upon check in.
The cookie giveaway is part of DoubleTree by Hilton's initiative to spread a little more kindness.
This is the latest in a strong list of free food giveaways in Manchester, with the Infamous Diner in the Northern Quarter celebrating its first year anniversary last week by offering 365 burgers for free.


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The Misunderstood McDonald's Hot Coffee Lawsuit
The long-running debate over frivolous lawsuits took shape years ago after McDonald’s coffee spilled into a woman’s lap and she was awarded millions in damages. Her complaint sounded frivolous. But the facts told another story.
In 1992, 79-year-old Stella Liebeck ordered coffee at a McDonald’s drive-through in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She spilled the coffee, was burned, and a year later, sued McDonald’s. The jury awarded her $2.9 million dollars.
Jurors heard testimony for a week and deliberated for hours. They learned that she was burned over 16% of her body, and had third degree burns on her groin. They also learned that McDonald’s had received nearly 700 complaints about hot coffee burns in the almost 10 years before Stella’s trial.
But those details went mostly unreported, and the public made a quicker judgment. Stella became a symbol for frivolous lawsuits and fodder for talk show hosts, late night comedians, sitcom writers, and even political pundits. The headlines, referring to an elderly grandmother spilling coffee from McDonald’s and winning millions of dollars, practically wrote themselves. But cleverness came at the expense of context, and despite some more detailed reports that offered greater context and a new perspective, such as the documentary Hot Coffee, most people still don’t know the extent of Liebeck’s injuries.
Wake Forest University Professor John Llewellyn calls Liebeck’s lawsuit the most misunderstood story in America.
View full episodes at PBS.org/RetroReport.
More Like This
Offended by lyrics they deemed too sexual and violent, Tipper Gore and Susan Baker campaigned to put warning labels on albums in 1985. Years later, warning labels have ended up in some unexpected places.
After Napster, many consumers got used to entertainment on demand. There was no turning back.
Every so often, Congress holds a hearing on the perils of pop culture. The “peril” has evolved from comic books, to rock and hip hop music, to violence in video games, but the proceedings follow a script.
As gaming becomes the dominant form of entertainment this century, game developers increasingly track player behavior to tailor experiences that will keep people playing longer and spending more money.


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The government has decided to back cloud computing, saying that the technology offers “real economic benefits” for business and the public.
Communications Minister Ed Vaizey told the third annual UK-China Internet Forum at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills yesterday that cloud computing could drastically reduce costs for new companies and expand mobile capabilities.
“Access to the networked resources provided by ‘clouds’ enables companies to enter markets without having to meet the capital costs of building their own computer infrastructure.
“This is especially significant today, at a time when we are seeing an explosion in the number of portable devices with limited storage capacity.
“Access to clouds enables them to transcend that limitation and provide a level of functionality which would normally be associated with much larger machines,” Vaizey said.
However, Vaizey believes that industry, consumers and governments need to co-operate to ensure that issues such as individual privacy and data security are properly addressed, in order to make the most of the technology.
“Cloud computing is a good illustration of the need for international co-operation to ensure the very important developments on the internet that hold great potential for both our countries are taken forward.”
Meanwhile, the Cloud Industry Forum (CIF) also launched a code of practice for the delivery of cloud services yesterday.
The aim of the code is to eventually standardise and certify companies offering cloud computing services. The code, which has been in development since October 2009, was reviewed by more than 200 organisations, including service providers, software vendors and IT consultancies.
Andy Burton, chairman of CIF and CEO of webhosting company Fasthosts, said: “We firmly believe that the market needs a credible and certifiable code of practice that provides transparency of cloud services such that consumers can have clarity and confidence in their choice of provider. The market now has that benchmark.”
EuroCloud UK, the industry body for SaaS and cloud vendors, welcomed the new initiative.
Phil Wainewright, EuroCloud UK president, said: “Organisations seeking to use these services need a straightforward form of certification or code of practice for potential suppliers that will unambiguously define the services offered, standards of operation and security.
“The CIF Code helps further EuroCloud’s strategy to develop an industry-wide framework for customer confidence in the quality and integrity of cloud-delivered services.”
The code of practice, which can be found here, covers a wide range of issues, including operational issues, delivery, financial viability of suppliers, governance and technology standards and interoperability.


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In the technology industry, there are many different technology companies. While there are many technology companies, most of the technology companies compete in the same or similar markets for customers and sales. This situation provides the opportunity for companies to generate a high level of competition regarding technology innovations and marketing.
While most companies can keep the competition in check, there are some companies that do not have good feelings towards the other. The companies for various reasons do not get along and the competition brings out a variety of issues between the companies. Two companies that have had various issues over the past few years are Securus Technologies and GTL. The two companies compete in the same technology market for customers and market share.
Securus Technologies has always felt that as a company, GTL does not provide the level of products or services that are provided by Securus Technologies. In a recent press release, Securus Technologies made a challenge to GTL regarding the products and services offered by the companies. Securus Technologies challenged GTL to a technology showdown that would have an independent judge determine which company had the best technology products and services.
Securus Technologies listed numerous reasons why the company feels that its products and services are better than GTL’s products and services. Securus Technologies feels that a technology showdown will show everyone that Securus Technologies is the better company.
However, GTL is yet to accept the challenge made by Securus Technologies. I think that GTL is aware of the challenge that was made by Securus Technologies but is concerned of the results that could occur if GTL accepts the challenge.
One of the leading companies in the safety arena, Securus Technologies provides various technology related products and services to public safety, law enforcement, correction agencies and inmates.


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The newest in an incredibly vast collection of patents filed for and held by Apple is an update to a previously held patent for solar panels. These solar panels were previously filed for patent to include touch-friendly pieces of equipment, but not displays as such. In this update, Apple’s newest next-generation ware may very well be the solar-powered iPhone.
In the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office filing granted this year and made public this Tuesday, Apple has a modified solar system in their name. In this updated patent, Apple has a set of technologies layered one on top of the other.
1. Cover Glass
3. Touch Flex attached to Dual Layer ITO Glass – Column Traces and Row Traces included
4. More Adhesive
5. Solar Flex to pull power off cell
6. Solar Cell with electrodes on rear
Both the multitouch panel connected to a solar panel and the basic design for a flexible plastic and solar cell are included in this newest listing. Supposing Apple ever wants to release an iPhone with a flexible display panel that’s also multitouch-friendly and ready to be powered up by the sun, they’ll be able to do so without fear of patent litigation.
Apple’s patent listing also suggests that the solar panel could be placed face-down. With this panel facing away from the user, reflective/light-directing elements will need to be put in place, creating another unique setup for the device.
Needless to say, this technology is a long way off from being integrated into a real product. As with all Apple patent applications – from Apple or any other similar company – there’s no guarantee that the technology described here will ever actually be pushed into a real smart product.
VIA: Apple Insider


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According to Reuters, Intel’s chip-making division experienced operating losses of $7 billion in 2023, a significant increase from the $5.2 billion lost in 2022. Despite generating $18.9 billion in revenue in 2023, this number represents a 31 percent decrease from the $27.49 billion earned the previous year.
CEO Pat Gelsinger attributes the substantial losses to Intel’s past mistakes catching up with its foundry business. As a result, the chipmaker outsourced approximately 30 percent of its wafer production to competitors like TSMC. However, Intel is now investing in utilizing extreme ultraviolet (EUV) machines from ASML, a decision that Gelsinger believes will help the company break even by 2027.
ASML’s technology is said to make mass production of computer chips more cost-effective for companies like Intel. To support this initiative, Intel plans to spend around $100 billion on building or expanding chip foundries in four states and will receive up to $8.5 billion in funding from the U.S. government through the CHIPS Act.
In order to achieve its goals, Intel needs to attract more companies to use its chipmaking services. While Microsoft recently became a foundry customer, it remains uncertain how many more partnerships Intel must secure to meet its financial targets in the coming years.


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Savage Arms has announced a new rebate program, appropriately titled "Save on a Savage," which is offering customers the chance to receive cash back on the purchase of any one of dozens of Savage rifles.
Looking to pack light? Savage Arms has you covered.
What does it mean when a gun is deemed a "women's rifle?" For some it simply means cutting down the length and painting it pink, but Savage's new Lady Hunter rifle challenges that tendency, offering performance and durability in an attractive, lightweight package. Savage achieved a lighter, shorter barrel by removing weight from the forend, and included a higher comb to better suit women's necks.


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iHear Medical, a direct-to-consumer hearing aid solution company, announced that it has partnered with FSAstore.com to offer the iHearTest, reportedly “the first and only” FDA-cleared home hearing screener, with reimbursement eligibility through flexible spending account (FSA) programs.
The FDA-cleared iHearTest has reportedly been clinically proven to accurately score hearing ability in each ear on a scale from 1 to 5 based on World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, according to iHear Medical’s announcement. Results of the iHearTest can be used to program iHEAR hearing devices, including the iHEAR HD and iHEAR MAX, based on a consumer’s individual needs.
“We are excited that the iHearTest is now offered at FSAstore.com,” said Adnan Shennib, founder and president of iHear Medical. “For people living with hearing loss, the availability of the iHearTest at this leading online retail outlet will offer additional access to our breakthrough hearing screening technology.”
With the iHearTest, iHEAR intends to increase awareness of hearing loss and to help break through persisting barriers preventing people from accessing hearing solutions.
For more information on the iHearTest, visit: http://www.ihearmedical.com/ihear-test/
FSAstore.com is described as “the only one-stop-shop stocked exclusively with FSA-eligible products and services.” The iHearTest can be purchased directly online from iHEAR or through FSAstore.com, which also allows consumers to pay directly with their FSA debit cards.
Source: iHear Medical
Image: PR News Foto/iHear Medical
Did anybody ever stop and think about the professional/ human connection that is vital in rehabilitation before they do something like this?


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After setting new industry standards in international travel Premium Economy, Emirates marks the first year of full-service operation in a popular class salon. “More than 160,000 customers have switched to flights Emirates Premium Economy as it was introduced in August 2022 and strong demand dynamics are expected in the coming months. The airline offers travelers more opportunities to experience its product Premium Economywhich is currently available on flights to 11 cities and will expand to 13 cities later this year as more aircraft with refurbished cabins enter service.
Since when Emirates presented his Premium Economy Class, customer response has been overwhelmingly positive, with demand exceeding expectations and bookings rising month on month, demonstrating its appeal to a wide range of travelers who want discreet luxury and great value for money experiences. Nearly half of the clients who arrive Emirates Premium Economy travel alone, and the other half are couples and families. More than 60% of customers who booked in Premium Economy last year they were also members Emirates Skywards and loyal customers of the airline,” Emirates says.
“Currently Emirates fly with your A380 with the latest cabins Premium Economy To London Heathrow, Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, Christchurch, Singapore, Los Angeles, New York Kennedy, Houston, San Francisco and Dubaiwith flights regularly registering full seats in Premium Economy. The airline plans to Premium Economy for customers flying to/from Mumbai AND Bangalore starting October 29, more cities will be announced soon. Emirates 20 aircraft equipped with Premium Economy14 of which were adapted by the team Emirates Engineering in Dubai in the last nine months.
Since August 2022, the airline has operated about 4,500 flights in Premium Economy, covering more than 36 million kilometers worldwide. On these flights, customers were treated to over 192,000 dishes from a carefully curated menu of the finest ingredients, enjoying generous portions of regional dishes. Menu Premium Economy updated every month to provide a variety of flavors. Over 126,000 chocolates were served to customers at the end of their meal. Premium Economy. The airline’s extensive selection of beverages in Premium Economy Class includes an exclusive global EmiratesAustralian sparkling wine Chandon Vintage Brut 2016, as well as a selection of unique red and white wines,” continues Emirates.
“The philosophy of the airline is to constantly innovate and improve the quality of service through the introduction Premium Economy has earned multiple seats and awards in the cabin category at Skytrax Awards 2023, Business Traveler Awards, Airline Ratings Excellence Awards, Business Traveler Middle East 2022 Awards.
In May Emirates launched a global campaign with Oscar actress Penélope Cruz, in which she also enjoyed spacious seating in Premium Economy. The airline also presented a taste of its proposal. Premium Economy through new class cabin tours for media and influencers, business associates, airports and government officials in cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, Christchurch, Singapore, New York, Kennedy and San Francisco.
Rolling out of Premium Economy is a key component of the airline’s multi-billion dollar modernization program, which will update the interiors of 67 Emirates A380 cabins and 53 Boeing 777 cabins. By the end of the program, more than 4,000 seats will be installed Premium Economyas well as over 700 suites First grade and 5000 seats Business Class refurbished with latest interior.
Tickets to Premium Economy can be booked for emirates.comon the Emirates app or through online and offline travel agents,” concludes Emirates.
(Emirates Press Office – Photo courtesy of Emirates)


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“Providing Aadhaar digital identity to 1.29 billion users, opening bank accounts to 430 million poor people, and linking the two to send financial entitlements directly to bank accounts eliminated the leakage of the delivery system. 900 million citizens receive benefits from one or more programs, ”said the Minister of Informatics and Telecommunications.
The G20 digital ministers’ meeting adopted a declaration to “harness digitization for a resilient, strong, sustainable and inclusive recovery,” the statement said.
Vaishnaw at the meeting stressed the importance of digital inclusion during the pandemic for which India has been a strong advocate.
He said technology is for digital inclusion, not for creating a digital divide, and India has always advocated for the digital economy to be an important tool for social inclusion.
The minister pledged India’s support for closer partnerships at the G20 forum and called on countries for future cooperation for digital inclusion and social empowerment, the statement said.
Minister of State (MoS) for IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar suggested that G20 countries should collaborate on a free, open, transparent, secure and trustworthy internet for all to benefit from technology.
Even before taking charge of the change from MoS to electronics and IT, Chandrasekhar actively participated in debates on technical issues such as net neutrality, data protection, etc.
At the G20 meeting, he shared the Indian model for the availability of robust and secure digital infrastructure, including digital platforms and connectivity under the Digital India program.
He also highlighted the role of Aadhaar, the unique digital identity that allows Indian residents to authenticate anytime, anywhere and also provides targeted distribution of grants, benefits and services in an efficient manner. and transparent.


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This is new, an electronic cigarette with an extra module containing a speaker and microphone. You connect it to your phone via bluetooth and you can make phone calls while vaporizing. …
Read the full article »
Welcome to Gadgetzz
Gadgetzz.com is a technology news website managed by Johny Krahbichler.
Gadgetzz started in 2009 and has since covered many gadgets and events such as the CES.
We are most known for covering the creepy puzzle “11BX1371”
Gadgetzz aims to cover unusual or extraordinary technology and gadgets that you won’t read about elsewhere.


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NaijaTechGuide is now on Google Currents. If you own an Android phone or tablet or an iPhone or iPad, you can now read fresh editions of the NaijaTechGuide blog on your phone or tablet using the Google Currents app. Just Download the Google Currents app from Google Play or Apple App store and subscribe to NaijaTechGuide.
Google Currents is an app that enables you read online magazine editions of your favourite news sites and blogs on your mobile phone or tablet. Simply subscribe to an edition and Google Current will deliver freshest content from the website each time you open the edition.
If allowed by the publisher, you can even read foreign news sites thanks to the auto-translate feature. Google Currents is now available globally.


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Download PDF – Cachet Releases Mobile Deposit for Tables – New RDC Consumer Application Coincides with Rapidly Growing Demand.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN—Cachet Financial Solutions, a leading provider of remote deposit capture (RDC) solutions for financial institutions nationwide, recently announced that its mobile deposit solution, Select Mobile, is now available for use on portable tablet devices.
More and more consumers are moving away from traditional personal computing solutions in favor of the more portable and powerful technologies like Smartphones and tablets. According to Bernstein Research, consumers are adopting the iPad faster than any other consumer electronics device. If this adoption rate persists, the iPad will become the fourth largest consumer electronics category, just behind, TVs, Smartphones and laptops.
Cachet believes that having RDC solutions available to users on a variety of technology platforms is key to RDC’s long‐term success.
“We have to stay ahead of the technology,” said Jeffrey Mack, President and CEO of Cachet Financial Solutions. “Tablets and other consumer mobile electronic devices are the future and it is critical that we provide our customers with the most robust RDC solutions available.”
Cachet’s Select Mobile application allows account holders to initiate mobile ‐deposit sessions on their tablets equipped with a 2 megapixel camera, key in their deposit amounts and snap photos of the front and back of checks. Select Mobile captures the check and utilizes Mitek Systems’ patented technology to convert it to a high quality image. Before transmitting the images, Select Mobile formats the images and corrects any distortions or skewing and confirms that the images meet industry Check 21 and mobile image ‐quality standards. Financial institutions may review the image though Cachet’s proprietary CheckReview technology before acceptance, if desired. All transactions are transmitted with multiple layers of security and, if necessary, can be traced back to registered Smartphones in order to combat fraud.
“Financial institutions have to develop new methods of retaining and satisfying their customers and Select Mobile for the tablet is just another example of that initiative,” said Mack. “Cachet is proud of our work and will continue to innovate and develop new solutions on behalf of our customers.”
About Cachet Financial Solutions
Cachet Financial Solutions is a leading provider of commercial and consumer remote deposit capture (RDC) solutions for financial institutions and their customers. RDC Select™, our fully integrated, customized solution, is a unique platform that eliminates the need for financial institutions to build and manage their own RDC business. Our industry‐leading software platform, developed to run on both Windows and Mac operation systems, has been designed to simplify the process for delivering, implementing and servicing RDC. Cachet’ sophisticated marketing strategy and professional sales training program ensures our customers are successful with their RDC initiatives. Let us help you unleash the power of RDC. For more information call 877.318.4449.


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VisitEngland defends £5m campaign after industry attack
VisitEngland chief James Beresford has hit back at industry criticism of the £5m marketing spend on the body's 'GREAT' campaign to promote domestic tourism.
Beresford said the investment was ‘relatively modest’ compared with the spend of international tour operators.
Both Beresford and John Penrose, the minister for tourism and heritage, came under fire at an ABTA conference for funding a campaign discouraging British consumers from holidaying abroad.
In the TV ad, which rolled out in March, actor Stephen Fry asks ‘Why on earth would anyone want to go abroad in 2012?’
Beresford told Marketing: ‘It’s worth pointing out that overseas tourist boards spent £52m in the last financial year trying to seduce Brits overseas, while hotels, airlines and tour operators spent an additional £116m for the same purpose. I think this puts a £5m campaign into perspective.’
He added that initial Visit-England research found 56% of consumers that saw the ad would be ‘more likely’ to consider the UK for a short break.
This article was first published on marketingmagazine.co.uk
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- Kevin Bacon, Google Glass and Julian Assange: the SXSW weekend in tweets
- Halifax releases 'holiday dad' campaign


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In the grand chessboard of the automotive industry, the game is rapidly changing. The world is moving towards electric vehicles (EVs), and Porsche, the grandmaster of high-performance vehicles, is making a strategic move with its iconic 911 model. The German automaker is vowing to keep the 911’s combustion engine alive for as long as possible, making it the last knight in Porsche’s petrol-powered kingdom.
Porsche is not sitting on the sidelines of the electric revolution. The company is already plotting its course towards an electrified future, with an ambitious target for 80% of its sales to be battery-powered vehicles by 2030. The first move in this electric gambit will see the compact SUV Macan model transition to electric, followed by the 718 sports car, and then the best-selling Cayenne. However, the 911, which accounted for a solid 13% of Porsche’s total global sales in 2022, will stand as a defiant exception.
The decision to keep the 911’s combustion engine alive isn’t just about preserving the thrill of a roaring engine. Porsche is also investing heavily in e-fuels, a synthetic, greener version of petrol. The company has invested $75m in a test refinery in Chile, which produces e-fuel using hydrogen and green energy. This e-fuel emits 90% less CO2 than traditional petrol, offering a cleaner, greener alternative to conventional fuels.
However, the production of e-fuels is currently in its infancy, and the high cost means it’s likely to be reserved for the most exclusive, high-end models. Despite this, Porsche remains committed to its e-fuel strategy, viewing it as a separate move from its EV gambit.
While the 911 continues to hold its ground with its combustion engine, Porsche is also facing a challenge in the form of supply-chain issues that are hampering the production of its electric vehicles. The company’s CEO, Oliver Blume, has acknowledged these challenges, stating that they have to be very flexible due to constant supply chain issues.
As the automotive industry races towards a greener future, Porsche’s commitment to the 911 stands as a powerful move in the enduring game of combustion engines. The iconic sports car, with its distinctive roar, will continue to hold a special place in Porsche’s lineup, even as the rest of the range transitions to the silent hum of electric power.


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Galaxy’s estimation was based on the rapid uptick of interest in Bitcoin NFTs, their potential to take some market share away from Ethereum, and the growing infrastructure for currency markets.
Galaxy Digital’s research unit has predicted that the Bitcoin non-fungible token (NFT) market will be worth $4.5 billion by March 2025. Bitcoin NFTs, or Ordinals, have attracted significant attention since the Ordinals protocol launched in late January, enabling users to inscribe data such as images, PDFs, video and audio onto individual satoshis — each representing 0.00000001 Bitcoin.
NFT giants such as Yuga Labs have even jumped in on the hype. On Feb. 28, the $4 billion firm behind the Bored Ape Yacht Club announced a Bitcoin-based NFT project dubbed “TwelveFold” in a notable recognition of the Ordinals movement.
In a new report published on March 3, Galaxy researchers analyzed the potential growth of Bitcoin NFTs, making estimations “conservatively based on the current size of Ethereum’s NFT market” and its growth rate over the past few years.
This report is a comprehensive analysis of the potential growth of Bitcoin NFTs. It is based on the current size of the Ethereum NFT market and its growth rate over the past few years.


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The latest version of Apple Watch doubles down on its fitness and health-tracking sensors, but as John Herrmann writes in The New York Times, it’s not yet clear exactly what value all that data-tracking might deliver—and for whom:
For now, this impressive facility for collecting and organizing information about you is just that — it’s a great deal of data with not many places to go. This is sensitive information, of course, and Apple’s relative commitment to privacy — at least compared with advertising-centric companies like Google and Facebook — might be enough to get new users strapped in and recording.
As Apple continues its institutional struggle to conceive of what the Apple Watch is, or could be, in the imaginations of its customers, it’s worth remembering that Apple’s stated commitment to privacy is, in practice, narrow. The competitors that Cook likes to prod about their data-exploitative business models have a necessary and complicit partner in his company, having found many of their customers though Apple’s devices and software.
This is especially relevant as Apple casts about for ideas elsewhere. Apple has already met with the insurance giant Aetna about ways in which the company might use Apple Watches to encourage healthier — and cheaper — behavior in its tens of millions of customers. John Hancock, one of the largest life insurers in America, said after Apple’s latest announcement that it would offer all its customers the option of an interactive policy, in which customers would get discounts for healthy habits, as evidenced by data from wearable devices. Here we see the vague outlines of how the Apple Watch could become vital, or at least ubiquitous, as the handmaiden to another data-hungry industry.


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S. Financial, Financial out-of Oklahoma, and you can Promise Economic
The newest highest-costs, quick-improve www.1hrtitleloans.com/installment-loans-ut put improve financing offered by specific creditors perform-end up being discontinued within the 2014 just after member supporters called the merchandise because loans traps.
Since the Monday, one another 5th Third Lender and you may Wells Fargo, which in fact had pages on Michigan, commonly set limitations toward customers applying for deposit improvements factors.
Newest users gets a little more time for your discuss such money up until the borrowing Continue goods are got rid of, but people however need to get ready for improvement in the future.
In order to get an advance, people need to have lead set off an income or any most other money so you’re able to a bank checking account or even prepaid service cards.
The brand new put boost is often paid towards second lead put. The lending company is usually repaid very first before any almost every other costs repayments.
The problem is that when a customer lives salary for the order in order to income, one have a tough time spending a great prie home loan from inside the the area away from using up most other funding.
Just after government had a harder stay, financial institutions providing such as for example fund revealed preparations through the the brand new January to help you sooner or later stop deposit raise. Additional banks phasing the actual current put raise features is actually Metropolises Monetary, U.
Wells Fargo said the brand new representative checking account revealed Feb. step one if not later will never be eligible for the lead Put Advance merchant. However, changes to own based Wells Fargo Direct Set Progress consumers have a tendency to occur in mid-year.
Fifth 3rd told you it does no longer subscribe people during the early Access characteristics Feb. step 1 and it surely will stage out the deposit advances tool very you are able to establish someone because of the year end.
What sort of new items will be rolling aside is simply unknown. Fifth 3rd, like, told you thorough studies have shown one people face an incredible importance of this specific service.
Jack Riley, elder vice-president, product sales movie director with 5th third Financial once you check brand new Southfield, said the lending company is basically concentrating on a choice tool.
Places Financial already has actually lead an alternate fixed-speed cost funding safeguarded by cash in an areas bank account, known as Regions Offers Secure Financing. The financial institution and additionally intentions to build most other borrowing choice, also.
Economic industry experts verbal fear of the newest guidance. “Pushing banking institutions using this team limits options for consumers and you can pushes them to your pay day lenders while can be travel-by night teams,” told you Richard Appear, president and President of the Affiliate Lenders Dating, inside the a statement.
The newest Bodies Deposit and you will Insurance Corp. together with Workplace of the Comptroller of your Money approved more challenging tips on particularly brief-identity finance in November towards the loan providers they check out.
Regulators said this new put get better had sorts of comparable features to a great cash advance – as well as large will set you back and you may a lump-express that must definitely be paid back quickly.
Taking out fully such as for instance a loan regarding the bank, not, often leads certain profiles to believe it’s safer than simply a great beneficial typical pay day loan unit.
A deposit progress is a small-money mortgage, usually for about $five-hundred otherwise reduced, that’s
Still monetary issues effectively got annualized prices that may variety ranging from 225% so you can three hundred%, according to Heart that have Responsible Money.
Tom Feltner, who may have the fresh movie director out-of financial features from inside the Member Federation of united states, that’s a consumer-advocacy classification, mentioned that a couple of times deposit advance loans drove banking individuals towards the a normal away from recite borrowing from the bank and you may brought about way more rounds regarding overdraft fees.
“In the event that $400 comes entirely, that induce an effective a lot more to need to explore those funds once again,” Feltner told you.
“It’s great innovation you to definitely banking institutions are becoming on the pay-date mortgage business,” said Lauren K. Saunders, managing lawyer for the National Individual Statutes Cardiovascular system.
Saunders recommended you to definitely banks have to set up a more modest quick mortgage tool, and you may a genuine substitute for an online payday loan. Certainly one of new features, she told you, particularly something you desire a longer time figure to own percentage, instance 90 days if you don’t lengthened, and you may can cost you a passionate annualized fee rates from thirty-six% if not smaller.


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Lanka Business Today reports the demand in Sri Lanka for shipping containers converted into modular homes has begun a trend causing one modular home builder to double production in order to meet demand. Dharshana Fernando, Managing Director of Hybrid Homes (pvt) Limited, says, “We have received considerable amount of orders from potential home owners and are currently in the process of manufacturing and delivering the first batch of Hybrid Home units. We have already taken steps to double our production capacity to meet the increased customer demand.” Hybrid offers customized homes from containers limited only by budget and imagination. They also offer standard models from the factory installed on your site, as well as containers for the DIY (do-it-yourself) crowd who wants to adapt them from scratch into homes. Useable ones start around $1,800 each. AsMHProNews knows, Sri Lanka is an island at the southern tip of India where the Bay of Bengal meets the Indian Ocean.
(Photo credit: Lanka Business Today)


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| Nov 6, 2010
Cable companies lost half-a-million subscribers last quarter, and satellite television didn't pick up the slack. Here's the numbers, Time Warner is down 155,000 subscribers and Comcast is down 275,000 subscribers. Many of us are choosing instead to...
| Nov 9, 2010
| 6:36 PM
Not only did Patty Bigbee try to sell her 10-week-old grandson on the Internet, she hatched a plan to cheat the baby's mother out of her cut of the cash, investigators said Tuesday.
Last week, the 45-year-old grandmother from Volusia County tried to...
| Nov 10, 2010
| 10:32 AM
Trying to find a good deal for a Holiday present is getting easier thanks to the internet, and businesses trying to get your money early.
The website Gottadeal has started leaking Black Friday deals weeks early.
According to the site, Target plans on...
| Nov 11, 2010
| 9:21 PM
A Volusia County woman accused of trying to sell her 11-week-old grandson received $30,000 decades ago from a couple who adopted her older daughter, the daughter said Thursday.
Danielle Skiver, 27, said she was an infant when her mother, Patty Bigbee,...
| Nov 12, 2010
| 7:51 PM
Want to spread some holiday cheer? Enjoy a burger — and for a good cause — by participating in Talk About Curing Autism's Adopt-A-Family fundraiser with Ruby's Diner.
From Nov. 18 to 21, seven Ruby's locations in Orange County, including...
| Nov 14, 2010
| 6:12 PM
Just what you don't want to hear at this time of year: sky-high interest rates on retail credit cards.
Rep. Anthony D. Weiner, 9th District, Brooklyn- Queens, released details of a new study of major New York City stores like Radio Shack and Staples, and...
| Nov 17, 2010
| 6:43 AM
Some things are $598 off. Like the HTC Droid phone, bringing the price to down only $1. Some are $40--but the list of discounts goes on and on. And it's all for Black Friday at Best Buy. Electronics are always the hottest things, usually first to fly...
| Nov 15, 2011
| 9:42 AM
Black Friday, or (as we bargain hunters like to call it) the shopping Olympics, is almost here. If you're heading out, be sure to plan your route, put on comfortable shoes and time your arrivals. For the best deals, you'll need to be at the head of the...
| Nov 25, 2010
Ninety-nine percent of American households have a television set according to Nielsen Media Research. Television is definitely part of American life and for some people, it is a very large part of life. If television brings joy to the couch potato...
| Nov 25, 2010
Anyone brave enough to start their own business deserves something special from Santa. Here are some great gifts for the entrepreneur or home office worker that are way nicer than anything their former bosses would have bought them.


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A special edition Xbox Series X Diablo 4 console has allegedly leaked before an official announcement, fueling anticipation among gaming enthusiasts. According to reputable leaker billbil-kun, the limited edition console is set to launch alongside Blizzard’s highly anticipated game, Diablo 4, on June 6, 2023.
The rumored price for the special edition console is $559.99, a $60 increase from the standard Xbox Series X price. This suggests that the console might include a copy of Diablo 4, although the dataminer’s findings do not explicitly confirm that it is a bundle.
A new " Xbox Series X Diablo IV Edition " is on the way !
No idea about its design but it hasn't the word "Bundle" in its reference
⌛Announcement date: TBD
⌛Release date: June 6th, 2023
💲Price in US: 559.99$#Xbox #DiabloIV #Diablo4 pic.twitter.com/O4RNg933wC
— billbil-kun (@billbil_kun) March 28, 2023
Diablo 4, which will be released for Xbox One, PS5, PS4, and PC on June 6, features cross-play and cross-progression across all platforms, as well as couch co-op on consoles. However, the game will not be playable offline.
Rod Fergusson, the Diablo franchise boss, recently stated that Diablo 4 is not planned for Xbox Game Pass, despite the impending acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft. This comes as a surprise to some, given the close relationship between the two companies.


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Aug 31, 2015
HK retail sales fall for fifth month as tourism slows, stocks slump
Aug 31, 2015
Hong Kong retail sales fell for the fifth straight month in July, as a slowdown in tourist arrivals further battered sales of big-ticket items such as jewellery and watches, while a plunge in the stock market hurt consumer sentiment.
July retail sales fell 2.8 percent in value terms from a year earlier, to HK$37.6 billion ($4.85 billion), versus a revised decline of 0.4 percent in June.
In volume terms, sales rose 1.9 percent in July, down from June's revised growth of 4.3 percent.
The city's retailers have been hammered by slowing mainland tourist arrivals and high rent and labour costs, with the weak sentiment expected to persist for the rest of the year.
The number of visitors to Hong Kong fell 8.4 percent in July, from growth of 11.2 percent a year earlier, Hong Kong Tourism Board data showed on Monday. The number of mainland Chinese tourists alone slid 9.8 percent in July, versus growth of 12.8 percent a year earlier.
"The near-term performance of retail sales will continue to hinge on inbound tourism growth and on whether there would be any negative spillover from the increased stock market volatility," the government said.
May retail sales fell 0.1 percent in value terms, after April's drop of 2.1 percent and a March slide of 2.9 percent.
The blue-chip Hang Seng index lost 12 percent in July, its fourth straight month of decline and the worst performance since September 2011.
For the first seven months, retail sales fell 1.8 percent in value terms on the year, though volumes were up 1.7 percent.
In July, sales of jewellery and watches fell 5 percent by value, versus a 10.4 percent fall in June, the government said. Medicines and cosmetics dived 5.4 percent and apparel plunged 13 percent.
Prada SpA said its sales for the six months ended in July were affected by "continuing weakness of important markets like Hong Kong and Macau".
Last week, luxury retailer Emperor Watch posted its first half-yearly loss since listing in 2008, hit by a strong Hong Kong dollar and weak tourism.
Tracking global rivals Burberry, Kering and LVMH, Emperor Watch said it would renegotiate rents and trim its network.
"We expect more store closures in Hong Kong, even though it has been reported that rentals in prime districts have fallen strongly by 30 percent from their peak," UBS analyst Spencer Leung wrote in a research note on Aug 20.
Rentals of ground-level shops in prime areas will have to drop 70 percent from their peak for non-jewellery retailers to cover expenses, UBS added.
© Thomson Reuters 2023 All rights reserved.


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What you need to know about Ohio Politics and Policy
· March 7, 2013
Florida’s failed experiment with sales tax expansion
Governor Kasich is seeking to expand the state sales tax base to help pay for a $4 billion income tax cut. This is not the first time a state has attempted to broaden its sales tax base. Yesterday we looked at Gov. Taft’s 2003 effort. Today we review the 1987 expansion of Florida’s sales tax to services which faced many of the same roadblocks.
At the end of the 1986 legislative session, the Florida legislature passed a bill extending the state’s five percent state sales tax to an array of new services and repealed exemptions for many previously exempt services. Florida did not have an income tax and needed additional revenue to provide services for a rapidly growing population.
After the bill’s passage, the legislature was forced to postpone the tax’s enactment until July 1, 1987, citing “significant policy, revenue, legal and administrative implications” that required further consideration. Six months later, the new sales tax was repealed.
Here’s what happened:
Businesses hated it. National advertisers such as Coca-Cola, General Foods and Procter & Gamble terminated or reduced advertising efforts in the state, and some businesses helped fund taxpayer efforts to have the tax repealed. Businesses had difficulty determining what services the new sales tax covered and were confused about how to account for the tax. Further, businesses argued that the cost of the sales tax would be passed down to consumers.
Taxpayers did not support it. Seniors worried that the sales tax would extend to medical care services, and local groups organized to oppose the tax.
The new sales tax on services was repealed just six months after its enactment. Due to a combination of confusion about the tax and public outcry against it, Gov. Bob Martinez (R) withdrew his support for the tax. On December 11, 1987, the legislature enacted new legislation that repealed the sales tax on services and instead increased the rate of the existing sales tax from five to six percent.
(For an overview of the Florida experience, see here, here and here).
Yesterday, representatives from industries including realtors, travel agents, insurers, criminal defense attorneys, laundromats, bowling alleys, grocers and veterinarians spoke in opposition to the plan that, they argued, would drive companies out of state, cut into their profit margins or result in higher costs for consumers. Testimony on the plan continues today, with amendments to the plan expected after the upcoming two-week spring recess.