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Will Facebook finally introduce its own branded smartphone in the near future?
Despite what the rumor mill likes to perpetually suggest, the answer is still no. And that comes straight from the top.
When asked by Michael Arrington at TechCrunch Disrupt if he plans to enter the smartphone arena, Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg said such a product doesn’t seem to make sense for his company at this time.
“It doesn’t move the needle for us,” Zuckerberg said in response to the inquiry, adding that Facebook wouldn’t likely attract a large enough segment of buyers to warrant such a venture.
Moreover, Zuckerberg said, a phone runs counter to the company’s strategy of being available on every major device.
“We want to build a system which is as deeply as possible integrated into every major device people want to use,” Zucker said, according to CNET.
Are you disappointed that there won’t be a Facebook phone any time soon? Please weigh in with a thought or comment below.


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Wednesday, September 14, 2016
Suncode joins IFS Partner Network
Leading IT consultancy to resell IFS Applications to large and medium-sized companies in Poland
IFS, the global enterprise applications company, announces that Suncode, a leading Polish provider of business process management services and solutions, has joined the global IFS Partner Network. As an IFS partner, the company will resell IFS Applications™ as well as complementary best-of-breed products such as Suncode’s workflow solutions.
Suncode, headquartered in Poznań, Poland, has a long and successful track record of implementing business solutions for large and medium-sized companies in Poland and internationally. Suncode’s products and services are also available for customers in other European countries, including Germany, Portugal, Hungary, Austria, Romania, Norway, and the Czech Republic.
Through the partnership, Suncode will resell IFS Applications to large and medium-sized companies in Poland, thereby expanding the IFS ecosystem in target industries such as manufacturing. Suncode will also offer solutions comprising IFS’s ERP suite bundled with Suncode solutions for workflow management, barcode scanning, and OCR management.
“We are passionate about helping companies simplify and streamline their business processes—a goal that IFS supports with its comprehensive product offering,” said Suncode CEO Marek Adamczyk. “Having already worked with IFS’s solutions at some of our key customers, we see major synergy effects for both companies as we jointly deliver value to new and existing customers.”
IFS CEE president Marcin Taranek added, “We are pleased to announce the partnership with Suncode, which is in line with IFS’s strategy to increase market share through an extended partner ecosystem. Suncode’s solid reputation for offering premium products and services in our target sectors will be a great asset to IFS as we continue to grow in Poland.”
For more information about the IFS Partner Network, please visit: www.ifsworld.com/corp/partners/.
Suncode (formerly Plus MPM) is the provider of the business process management system Plus Workflow and document management system Plus DMS. The company also offers scanning systems, OCR solutions, and barcode solutions. The company cooperates with renowned business partners and academic centers. Suncode is a business partner of global companies such as IBM, KOFAX, Microsoft and EMC. Suncode solutions are compliant with the Polish financial, legal, social and organisational regulations. For more information visit: http://www.suncode.pl/en/
IFS™ is a globally recognized leader in developing and delivering enterprise software for enterprise resource planning (ERP), enterprise asset management (EAM) and enterprise service management (ESM). IFS brings customers in targeted sectors closer to their business, helps them be more agile and prepare for what's next in their industry. IFS is a public company (XSTO: IFS) founded in 1983 and currently has over 2,800 employees. IFS supports more than 1 million users worldwide from its network of local offices and through a growing ecosystem of partners. For more information visit: IFSworld.com.
Follow us on Twitter: @ifsworld
Visit the IFS Blog on technology, innovation and creativity: http://blog.ifsworld.com/

domain: news


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13 October 2022, Ludwigshafen: BASF has released preliminary figures for the third quarter of 2022. Sales, income from operations (EBIT) before special items and EBIT are slightly above average analyst estimates.
Net income of BASF Group is expected to amount to €909 million. This is considerably below the prior-year quarter figure (Q3 2021: €1,253 million) and the average analyst estimates for the third quarter of 2022 (Vara: €1,105 million). Net income contains non-cash-effective impairments on the shareholding in Wintershall Dea in the amount of about €740 million. These result from the partial write-down of Wintershall Dea’s participation in Nord Stream AG, which operates the Nord Stream 1 pipeline.
Sales increased by 12 percent in the third quarter of 2022 to €21,946 million (Q3 2021: €19,669 million). This was mainly driven by higher prices. Currency effects, primarily relating to the U.S. dollar, had a positive effect as well. Volumes declined compared with the prior-year quarter. Sales thus slightly exceeded average analyst estimates for the third quarter of 2022 (Vara: €21,076 million).
EBIT before special items amounted to an expected €1,348 million in the third quarter of 2022, considerably below the level of the prior-year quarter (Q3 2021: €1,865 million) and slightly above the analyst consensus for the third quarter of 2022 (Vara: €1,313 million). Increased prices for raw materials and energy could only partly be passed on through higher selling prices.
EBIT amounted to an expected €1,294 million in the third quarter of 2022, considerably below the figure for the prior-year quarter (Q3 2021: €1,822 million) and slightly above the analyst consensus for the third quarter of 2022 (Vara: €1,285 million).
The outlook published by the BASF Group for the 2022 business year in July remains unchanged. EBIT before special items continues to be expected between €6.8 billion and €7.2 billion.
Cost savings program of €500 million annually
Against the background of significantly weaker earnings in Europe – especially in Germany, where earnings in the third quarter of 2022 were negative – as well as the deteriorating framework conditions in the region, BASF has initiated a cost savings program focusing on Europe and particularly Germany to be implemented from 2023 to 2024. Cost savings possible in the short term will be implemented immediately. Upon completion, the program is expected to generate annual cost savings of €500 million in non-production areas. More than half of the cost savings are to be realized at the Ludwigshafen site. Operating, service and research & development divisions as well as the corporate center are to be streamlined.
Further measures to structurally adjust BASF’s production Verbund in Europe in the medium and long term are currently being developed and are expected to be communicated in the first quarter of 2023.
Employee representatives in the relevant bodies will be involved regarding the different measures.
(For Latest Agriculture News & Updates, follow Krishak Jagat on Google News)


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FILE PHOTO: Visitors walk past an advertising billboard for Fitbit Ionic watches at the IFA Electronics Show in Berlin, Germany, September 1, 2017. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch
(Reuters) – Wearable device maker Fitbit Inc reported better-than expected first-quarter results on Wednesday, benefiting from higher sales of its smartwatches and wearable devices that track daily activities.
Shares of the company rose 1.5 percent to $5.45 in late trade.
Fitbit’s trackers returned to year-over-year growth for the first time in three years, getting a boost from higher demand for its new ‘Inspire’ devices. Smartwatch sales also more than doubled in the quarter.
Fitbit said it sold 2.9 million devices in the quarter, 36 percent higher than a year-ago. Average selling prices fell 19 percent to $91 per device as the company focused on cheaper devices to compete with tech-heavyweights Apple Inc and Samsung .
The company’s net loss narrowed to $79.5 million, or 31 cents per share, in the first quarter ended March 30, from $80.9 million, or 34 cents per share, a year earlier.
Excluding items, Fitbit reported a loss of 15 cents per share, beating analysts’ average estimate of a loss of 22 cents, according to IBES data from Refinitiv.
Revenue rose to $271.9 million from $247.9 million, above Wall Street expectations of $259.7 million.
Reporting by Arjun Panchadar and Shariq Khan in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila, Bernard Orr


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Nearly All Ad Deliveries Via Extreme Reach Are Now Digital
Our network just hit another major milestone!
Extreme Reach now has more than 7,000 video affiliates across the US and Canada, making just over 98% of our TV ad deliveries digital. (Feeling crafty? We’d like to suggest this new use for tape.)
Our network also digitally connects to 30 percent more TV and HD TV media outlets than any other.
What does this mean for advertisers?
Our cloud-based ad platform currently helps over 2,500 advertising clients deliver more than 98% percent of their TV commercials digitally. With Extreme Reach, your TV ads can be delivered in minutes. And we deliver to nearly every TV destination in North America – all while eliminating the costs and delays associated with dedicated hardware and satellite infrastructure. Advertisers can now execute broad-reaching ad campaigns faster and connect to more media and larger audiences in record time.
Find more details in this new article.


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Jamshedpur, Feb 8: Leading jewelers Chhaganlal Dayaljee (CHD) is braced up to celebrate the 103rd foundation day between February 10 and 17. As part of the celebration CHD will be unveiling a book written in Gujarati by the man himself, Chhaganlal Dayaljee the Hindi version of which will soon be published informed Piyush Adeshra, proprietor of Chhaganlal Dayaljee.
CHD is coming up with offers and special discounts at its Bistupur and Sakchi showrooms to mark the occasion.
Addressing a joint press conference on Monday, Piyush Adeshra, Manish Adeshra and Chetan Adeshra said, flat Rs 103 per gram discount on making charge of gold jewelry and 25 % discount on making charges of diamond jewelry and 10 % discount on making of silver jewelry will be offered to customers.
“With Valentine’s Day round the corner we have decided to hold lucky draw. As part of the offer, for every purchase made above Rs 25,000, a coupon will be provided to customers. Lucky draw will be held daily from February 10 to 17 at both the Bistupur and Sakchi showroom where two lucky winners will receive a diamond ring each”, informed Piyush Adeshra.
They further informed that on the occasion of the 103rd foundation day, a blood donation camp was organised by Kasturbaben Adeshra Trust on Monday, February 8 while free eye camp was organized in memory of Shahikant Adeshra at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital on February 1.


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So What's Up With Amazon And Moderna Today?
Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) shares are trading higher by 0.4% after Oppenheimer analyst Jason Helfstein maintains with an Outperform and raises the price target from $4,100 to $4,200.
As one of the world’s highest-grossing e-commerce platforms, Amazon is more than retail services alone. The tech giant's revenue streams also include Kindle; Audible and Music subscriptions; and the IT service management subsidiary AWS.
Moderna Inc (NASDAQ:MRNA) shares are trading higher by 7% amid the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. President Biden said the U.S. will reach over 200 million doses this week. The company late Tuesday also announced a 10 million dose supply agreement with Israel for 2022.
Moderna is engaged in creating transformative medicines based on messenger RNA, or mRNA. It transfers the information stored in the genes to the cellular machinery that makes all the proteins required for life.
© 2021 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.


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Sadly, the trend launched by the Essential phone and Apple’s iPhone X has taken over. It’s actually really hard to find any flagship smartphone that does not feature a top notch and now we can say the same about budget phones. Chinese phone maker Elephone did indeed just unveiled three top notch equipped phones that are set to bring down the cost of devices with this design choice.
Elephone even went as far as creating a special category over on their official website which comprehends only smartphones with the notch. Within it we find the previously launched Elephone A4, the nearing A4 Pro, and other three devices we don’t know anything about, the A5, PX Mini and P60.
Aside from the older A4, the already know the hardware inside the upcoming Elephone A4 Pro. Which includes a 5.85-inch 18.9:9 display, an octa-core CPU paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage; meanwhile the OS is Android 8.1 Oreo. Camera wise, we have a single 16MP rear shooter, which is probably better than a fake or a not as good dual camera setup. On the front we find a good 8MP selfie snapper.
As we previously mentioned, we don’t have any details about the other three phones but we can at least have a first look at the photos. Let’s start with the Elephone A5:
Meanwhile this is one is the Elephone PX Mini:
Gizchina News of the week
Finally, we have the Elephone P60, is this going to be powered by an Helio P60?


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J.Crew Says Mickey Drexler to Step Aside as CEO
Continue Reading Below
J.Crew Group Inc. said its longtime leader Mickey Drexler will step aside as chief executive and hand over those duties to an outsider, as the seller of preppy clothes struggles with a prolonged sales slump and hefty debt load.
Apple Unveils Smart Speaker Called HomePod
Apple revealed a premium voice-activated speaker called HomePod and announced a series of upgrades to its line of Mac computers and iPads as it looks to bolster its product lines amid rising competition from rivals like Amazon and Microsoft.
Apple's Slim New iPad Pro Teases Mac-Rivaling Features
Apple Inc. unveiled a new iPad Pro with a 10.5-inch screen Monday, in its latest attempt to stoke sales of its flagging tablet category.
Continue Reading Below
CSX Chief Says Health Isn't an Issue
CSX Corp. CEO Hunter Harrison reassured the railroad's shareholders that he is able to lead a turnaround despite an undisclosed medical condition that requires supplemental oxygen.
Perrigo CEO to Leave After 14 Months
Drugmaker Perrigo Co. announced late Monday that current CEO John Hendrickson is retiring.
Uber, Lyft Asked by San Francisco to Turn Over Driving Records
Uber Technologies Inc. and Lyft Inc. have been subpoenaed by San Francisco to turn over four years of records on driving practices, disability access and service.
Pimco Threatens to Scuttle Novo Banco Sale
Pacific Investment Management Co., or Pimco, and other bondholders in troubled Portuguese lender Novo Banco are threatening to derail a sale of the bank to private equity group Lone Star Funds, saying they would rather buy it themselves.
Study Questions Value of Costly Cancer-Drug Combinations
A new study is stirring debate about whether the benefits of cancer drugs are worth their cost, particularly as drugmakers develop treatments that combine multiple pricey drugs.
Veterans Affairs to Adopt Medical-Records System Defense Department Uses
The head of the Department of Veterans Affairs said Monday the agency will scrap its current electronic records system and use the same system as the one now operating at the Department of Defense.
Merrill Pulls In Brokers Before Recruitment Pause
Just before a self-imposed recruiting pause set in, Merrill Lynch made at least three multibillion-dollar hires from its biggest rivals.
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
June 05, 2017 19:15 ET (23:15 GMT)


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Maltesers pouches have 'lost weight' according to one food retail expert
If the missing Toblerone triangles story made you angry, then wait until you hear about the shrinking weight of Maltesers' pouches.
Earlier this month it was announced Toblerone was spacing out its triangles to reduce the weight of the bar.
But now it seems as though you'll also be getting less in one type of Maltesers bag.
Steve Dresser, a food retail expert, tweeted about Mars reducing its pouch weight from 121g to 103g.
His pictures highlighted the difference between the shelf label and the packet.
It's thought the change may have been made to the pouch weight earlier this year.
He also pointed out that a Galaxy Counters pouch appears to have shrunk - from 126g to 112g.
Mars, which owns the Maltesers brand, says rising costs means it's having to cut back.
"Like all chocolate manufacturers, we have seen the cost of raw materials rise and, while we try to absorb these pressures as much as possible, sometimes we have to make the difficult decision to reduce the size of some of our products so our consumers can continue to enjoy an affordable treat," a statement says.
"Our focus is always on offering consumers our great tasting, high quality chocolate brands at the best value for money."
We wonder if Jenny even knows what's happened...
And this is the last Maltesers news that Abi is worried about.
It's not the only changing chocolate this year...
Quality Street removed its Toffee Deluxe in September and replaced it with a Honeycomb Crunch.
Then October brought a 10% decrease in the size of Terry's Chocolate Orange.
There was also "outrage" last year after the recipe for the Cadbury's Creme Egg was changed by its US owners.
Find us on Instagram at BBCNewsbeat and follow us on Snapchat, search for bbc_newsbeat


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Although it was not a chaotic situation, the Activision-Blizzard security system implemented in Battle.net that required the registration of a cell phone per account did create some problems. Initially, the company’s expectation was to cover those who had a monthly rental plan, in order to prevent the indiscriminate use of numbers. However, those with a prepaid plan had a hard time signing up and playing but that is behind us.
Activision improves user registration and accounts in Call of Duty and Overwatch
The official Call of Duty and Overwatch Twitter accounts reported that with the update released today, November 18, Battle.net phone registration will accept any phone regardless of whether the user has a rental or prepaid plan. With this change, players should no longer experience any problems when registering or linking their account with the online platform that handles these 2 franchises.
This measure was adopted from the current generation games and is intended to reduce the number of bots as well as act directly against toxic users or those who use software to take advantage illegitimately.
Accompanying the message related to the registration of phones with user accounts, Activision-Blizzard confirmed its commitment to security in the online experience, a problem that the industry has dealt with for years but that has a greater presence in the most popular games. popular.
Brent Dubin, known as the Gaming Giant among Globe Live Media staff, is the chief Gaming Reporter for Globe Live Media. Having attended all the major events of Gaming around the World, he is sure to give you exactly the update related to gaming World you are looking for.


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OUT-OF-DATE chicken drumsticks, wings and ducks’ heads are being “cleaned” in underground food mills — then sold to the unsuspecting public.
Expired stewed snacks, usually sold in vacuum-sealed packaging, are collected from companies by unscrupulous processors in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, reported Jiangnan Times yesterday.
Eating such “recycled” food can cause conditions including diarrhea and food poisoning.
Companies whose out-of-date products are collected include Xiangbalao, a famous Wenzhou brand, according to the newspaper.
Collected rotting snacks are unwrapped and then bleached with cleaning powders.
Then they are sold to suppliers who use chemical additives to improve the appearance, repack them and sell them to markets all over the country.
Wenzhou police uncovered 10 underground mills in Zhejiang’s Cangnan County in June, as well as large quantities of chemical additives and coloring agents.
Officers said millions of tons of out-of-date packaged food is recycled in Pingyang County, Zhejiang Province.
Expired food is supposed to be reclaimed and destroyed by the manufactures. However, few local companies do this, according to the report.
Such recycled food counts for over 5 percent of the whole industry, it has been claimed.


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An independent TD believes that there are practices occurring inside the gates of beef processing plants that require “serious investigation”.
Deputy Michael Collins raised the matter during a Dáil debate on Wednesday, November 27th.
“Will the Minister at least start the process of a serious investigation into what is going on inside the factories?”
“We need to know, and beef farmers need the money for which they are working hard.”
“Will the Minister come out of the bed with Larry Goodman and stand up for the farmers of this country?” the Deputy questioned.
Collins called on Minister Creed to “stand up” for beef farmers – many of whom, he pointed out, are in “very serious financial circumstances”.
“They know that the wrongdoing is happening inside the factory gate. We need that rectified.”
“I am advising many farmers to change their style of farming. Many of them did a lot of courses in the organic sector. They signed up, paid for the organic feed and did everything by the book, and 70% of them are now being left outside the door.”
“The Minister of State must step in here and at least help these farmers, if there is another choice out there in order that they can at least be accepted into the organic sector.”
“There are two issues here: what is going on in the factories and the organic sector. We need an answer.”
Organic farming applications
In response, Minister Andrew Doyle said: “Regarding the organic sector, I have answered those questions. Deputy Michael Collins is right that there were 255 applications.”
“A good number of them either did not complete the form or submitted forms that were ruled ineligible. When I announced the reopening of the existing scheme - it is not a new scheme - I said it was on foot of the organic strategy's recommendations that it be targeted at the areas of deficit, which were cereals, dairy and horticulture.”
“The majority of applications were in the beef and lamb sector, where there is already an oversupply, and only up to 30%, or perhaps slightly more, of organically produced beef and lamb is sold in that way.”
One of the reasons for this, he added, is that there is not enough feed in the system at an affordable price.
“We need to get more cereals into the system in order that beef and lamb producers who are already registered as organic farmers have an affordable source of supplementary feed.”
Doyle noted that cereals were prioritised on foot of the recommendation of a strategy group, which involved all stakeholders.
Image source: Image source: Michael Collins Independent TD \ Facebook


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Sticking a chip in a product and calling it “smart” is all the rage these days. So much so that a speaker at the Hardware Heroes conference last month gave a speech called “Internet of Stupid Things.” This trend has finally made its way to the lowly cable, and the results are actually surprising.
Claims of cables significantly improving quality have been suspect since the early days of HDMI adoption when some companies like Monster made a killing selling higher priced cables that they said improved video quality. There was no evidence they worked, though. Now, the company Marseille claims to achieve the same thing with its mCable HDMI products. This time, though, the cable actually works thanks to embedded processing.
Linus Tech Tips took a look at the mCable in a YouTube video and concluded that it does improve image quality with anti-aliasing and improved visual fidelity. Linus ultimately recommends the cable for people who stream a lot of web content and play console games, but the $119 starting price still seems like a lot to ask of consumers. The price will no doubt fall in time as these smart cables become more popular.
Marseille is not in a league of its own, either. Others are already hard at work developing their own smart cables for other operations. The Xround Xpump improves audio quality, a claim they were able to prove through demonstrations at the Startup Launchpad show this year.
The Xpump has two modes. One turns on “surround sound,” which enhances the audio detail and makes the audio coming from stereo speakers sound fuller. Another press of the Xpump button also boosts the bass.
Like the mCable, the Xround dongle starts at $119. This might say something about demand in the smart cable market. Some consumers will no doubt be left to choose whether improving the quality of video or audio is more important.
One thing that probably sticks out about these products is that similar effects can be achieved through software. There’s an advantage in having a dedicated chip to handle the processing of video or audio enhancement. This keeps it from draining resources from a computer, console or another system.
There are business reasons for going the hardware route, as well. Many companies are moving into hardware to promote software enhancements. Hardware is harder to copy and counterfeit. It also allows companies to better control the experience.
This is why Google has exclusive features in its Pixel phones that could theoretically be put on any Android phone with similar hardware. Giving the Pixel a unique software experience that only Google can provide makes sure consumers have to buy from Google to get that experience.
Whatever the reasons Marseille and Xround decided on putting out hardware products, it appears to be working for them.
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Bertelsmann Accelerates its Revenue Growth in First Quarter of 2018
- Revenues rise to €3.99 billion
- Organic growth improves to 2.7 percent
- High-growth businesses show organic revenue growth of 7.9 percent
- Operating EBITDA before negative exchange-rate effects up year-on-year
- Group profit at €172 million
- Strategic progress across all corporate divisions
- Full-year forecast confirmed
Bertelsmann stepped up its growth course in the first quarter of the year. Fueled by the positive development of its digital and high-growth businesses, the company recorded a revenue increase despite high negative exchange-rate effects – in particular due to the weakness of the U.S. dollar. The international media, services and education company’s organic growth improved to 2.7 percent.
Group revenue increased by 1.3 percent to €3.99 billion (previous year: €3.94 billion), the highest first-quarter revenues in ten years. Exchange-rate effects had a negative impact amounting to €145 million; Bertelsmann generated around 20 percent of its revenues in the United States. The Group's high-growth businesses saw an organic revenue increase of
7.9 percent and generated 32 percent of total revenues. Especially strong growth was achieved at the music subsidiary BMG (17 percent organic growth), Arvato (six percent) and the Bertelsmann Education Group (21 percent).
Operating EBITDA was €473 million (previous year: €482 million). Adjusted for exchange rate effects, operating earnings exceeded the previous year's figure by €8 million. Losses at the French soccer club Girondins de Bordeaux – a subsidiary of Groupe M6 – were up by €11 million year-on-year. Both Arvato and the Bertelsmann Education Group posted earnings growth. The EBITDA margin was 11.8 percent (previous year: 12.2 percent).
At €172 million (previous year: €198 million), Bertelsmann’s Group profit was at a high level. The decline compared with the previous period is primarily attributable to negative special items and exchange rate effects. The fund activities pooled in the Bertelsmann Investments division once again made a positive contribution to earnings. The Group’s financial income and tax income both improved year on year.
Thomas Rabe, Chairman and CEO of Bertelsmann, said: “Bertelsmann is growing faster under its own steam than it has for a long time. The strategic expansion of our high-growth businesses is becoming increasingly noteworthy. They now account for around a third of our Group revenues. We are increasingly focusing on organic growth and investing heavily in our businesses. In the first few months of 2018, we continued to work to make Bertelsmann a faster-growing, more digital, more international, and more diversified company. We have made a good start to the current year and are confident that we will achieve our full-year targets.”
Bertelsmann has made a series of strategic advances in recent months: RTL Group increased its TV advertising revenues in its core markets of Germany, France and the Netherlands during the reporting period. The group's digital revenues increased to €190 million in the first quarter (previous year: €178 million).
Penguin Random House delivered a strong bestseller performance and acquired the U.S. nonfiction imprint Rodale Books in January. The publishing group announced that the memoirs of former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama will be simultaneously published in 24 languages on November 13, 2018.
Gruner + Jahr's digital businesses once again recorded growth in its core markets of Germany and France. Gruner + Jahr also launched new magazines including “JWD” and “Dr. v. Hirschhausen's Stern Gesund Leben.”
In April, BMG acquired the Australian production music company Big Bang & Fuzz and signed an exclusive worldwide publishing contract with former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr.
Bertelsmann’s services division Arvato renewed framework contracts with key customers – including Daimler and Facebook – and further expanded its logistics and financial services activities. As one example, Arvato acquired a stake in the Israeli fintech start-up Secured Touch. Bertelsmann announced that it would review strategic options for the development of its CRM activities outside the French-speaking territories.
The Bertelsmann Printing Group renewed several print contracts, including for the news magazine “Der Spiegel.”
Bertelsmann’s e-learning subsidiary Relias recorded double-digit organic growth and expanded its customer base to more than 8,300 institutions. The Bertelsmann Education Group acquired a majority stake in the U.S. university services provider HotChalk, and the corporate training platform Udacity, in which Bertelsmann owns a stake, launched new nanodegrees, including in the field of artificial intelligence.
Bertelsmann invested in innovative companies through its international funds
. For instance, Bertelsmann Asia Investments (BAI) invested in companies including the Chinese car-sharing service provider Dadao, and participated in a new round of financing for the
e-commerce platform Club Factory. In April, Bertelsmann Brazil Investments (BBI) became the majority shareholder of Affero Lab in Brazil.
Bernd Hirsch, Chief Financial Officer of Bertelsmann, said: “Given our solid financial position, we are optimistic for the full year. As before, we expect higher revenues and continued high operating profitability in 2018. Our net profit should once again exceed one billion euros.”
Key Financials (in € millions)
|Jan 1, 2018 -
Mar 31, 2018
|Jan 1, 2017-|
Mar 31, 2017
|Group revenues (continuing operations)||3,992||3,940|
|Operating EBITDA divisions
|Earnings before taxes from continuing operations||253||283|
|Earnings after taxes from continuing operations||172||199|
|Earnings after taxes from discontinued operations||-||(1)|
Investments (including financial debt assumed)
|Balance as of
31 Mar 2018
|Balance as of|
31 Dec 2017
Bertelsmann is a media, services and education company that operates in about 50 countries around the world. It includes the broadcaster RTL Group, the trade book publisher Penguin Random House, the magazine publisher Gruner + Jahr, the music company BMG, the service provider Arvato, the Bertelsmann Printing Group, the Bertelsmann Education Group and Bertelsmann Investments, an international network of funds. The company has 119,000 employees and generated revenues of €17.2 billion in the 2017 financial year. Bertelsmann stands for entrepreneurship and creativity. This combination promotes first-class media content and innovative service solutions that inspire customers around the world.
Key information about the Q1 figures delivered directly to your ears – listen now via podcast.


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I have a new editorial in the Saint Louis Post-Dispatch arguing, among other things, that cannabis prohibition has been laughably ineffective at keeping people from using the substance:
However, these arrests serve little purpose, as they do not appreciably deter people from using cannabis. When cannabis was first criminalized in the United States in the 1930s, the number of users was vanishingly small. Now, according to a 2008 study from the World Health Organization, 42.4 percent of America’s adult population has used cannabis. That’s more than twice the rate of the Netherlands, where cannabis use is almost fully legalized.
Moreover, young adults are more likely to use cannabis than any other age group. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows that in Missouri nearly a quarter of adults ages 18 to 25 used cannabis in the past year, and nearly 15 percent of young Missourians break the state’s cannabis laws at least once a month. Cannabis prohibition has utterly failed to keep Americans — and young people, in particular — from using the substance.
Contrast the explosion of cannabis use under prohibition with rates of cigarette smoking — a habit that is treated as a truly private matter for anyone over 18 years of age since public health campaigns first began highlighting tobacco’s dangers in the 1970s. According to Gallup polling data, 40 percent of Americans smoked cigarettes in the 1960s and 1970s, but by 2008, only 21 percent of Americans reported lighting up in the previous month.
The article’s publication was fortuitously timed, as the latest Monitoring the Future Study was released just yesterday, and its finding back up my arguments. From the study’s press release:
Marijuana use among teens rose in 2011 for the fourth straight year—a sharp contrast to the considerable decline that had occurred in the preceding decade. Daily marijuana use is now at a 30-year peak level among high school seniors.
Alcohol use—and, importantly, occasions of heavy drinking—continued a long-term gradual decline among teens, reaching historically low levels in 2011.
So we are having great success combating teen alcohol abuse, despite the fact that alcohol is a legally regulated product and available to anyone over 21 years of age. On the other hand, cannabis prohibition leaves its distribution to the criminal market, where dealers are extremely unlikely to check IDs and law enforcement lacks the transparency of oversight. The evidence is clear: if you are worried about teen cannabis use, you should support its legal regulation.


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The quirky story behind Jack Baran's fan-favorite YouTube name
Most YouTubers tend to just stick to their first and last name for their social media channels, but Jack Baran isn't your typical social media influencer. The 19-year-old has amassed a huge social media following since he began his online presence, 1.4 million subscribers on his YouTube channel thatsojack, 1.3 million on Twitter and 1.2 million on Instagram.
And the inspiration behind the channel name thatsojack came from one quirky Disney Channel show. That's right, Baran decided to put his own spin on the title "That's So Raven."
Nowadays, thatsojack has become an online destination for fans to watch almost every aspect of Baran's life, including his reaction to One Direction's songs, completing viral challenges with other big YouTubers, and everything in between.
We recently sat down with Jack Baran to talk about how his YouTube channel came to life, what his first AIM screen name was, and more! Above, watch as AOL.com exclusively dishes out their rapid fire questions to the young creator.
YouShouldKnow is a feature that showcases up-and-coming social stars. To see more of past interviews, including more Jack Baran exclusives, click here.
And if you want more Jack Baran news, watch the video below!
More from AOL.com:
Fashion influencer Chriselle Lim is poised for world wide web domination
Meet the former Miss USA turned fashion blogger, Alyssa Campanella, who is dominating NYFW
YouTube star Michael Buckley talks his famous YouTube channel, his favorite video to make and more!


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Intel buys major chip maker
According to The Wall Street Journal news outlet, Intel could soon announce a nearly $6 billion acquisition that would boost its relatively young foundry business. The chip giant is reportedly close to striking a deal to buy Israel-based Tower Semiconductor, and it could be announced sometime this week if talks don't suddenly come to naught. Tower, which has a market value of about $3.6 billion, makes different types of chips for customers in a variety of industries, including automakers, medical and industrial equipment manufacturers. The company's Web site says it has seven manufacturing facilities located in Israel, Italy, the U.S. and Japan that produce 6-inch, 8-inch and 12-inch chips.
Tom's Hardware says the manufacturing processes it uses are not the most advanced, but the chips it produces don't need the latest technology anyway. Tower Semiconductor only needs to reliably and regularly generate large volumes of chips. It was reported that Intel had previously been in talks to buy the much larger chip maker and AMD subsidiary GlobalFoundries for about $30 billion. However, that didn't happen, and instead GlobalFoundries decided to conduct an initial public offering. Recall that Intel launched its manufacturing services back in 2021, when it committed $20 billion to build two factories in Arizona and explained that it would operate as its own business unit.
It might be interesting
To bring high-definition television content to its iTunes Store, at last, Apple has signed a deal with all almost all the major television studios.
The new launch of a multitasking singular S-frame with high stylization as well as S-frame digital photo framing with printer is in fact one of the really stylish photo frame printers of today


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BackgroundEpic Games' newest endeavor, featuring an entirely new gameplay and visual style.
Release dates have yet to be determined, the game is a PC Exclusive.
The studio that brought us Gears of War is looking for more people to work on their upcoming... posted Jan 20, 14 2:23pm
People Can Fly, the studio most well-known for the Painkiller series, Bulletstorm and most... posted Nov 01, 13 11:45am
Epic Games' Cliff Bleszinski believes very strongly in the PC gaming market, as he considers it the next gen. To... posted Sep 06, 12 6:24pm
During an SDCC panel for the upcoming Epic Games title Fortnite, Cliff Bleszinski broke some surprising news.... posted Jul 12, 12 11:52am
At the start of this week, Epic Games' CliffyB announced that the company was preparing a major reveal for... posted Dec 10, 11 8:08pm


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London-based CircleSquare is calling on the travel retail channel to be “ready to start the race” when consumer spending returns in airports post COVID-19.
The experiential marketing, brand activation and consumer engagement specialist works with retailers such as Dufry, DFS and Gebr. Heinemann and a wide range of international travel retail brands including Diageo, Mondelez and L’Oréal.
The company’s executive creative director and founding partner, Philip Handley, says that brands and retailers should be looking to hit the ground running with retail activations and experiences that will capture the attention of air travelers who are likely to be cautious and safety-conscious as the industry gradually gets back to its feet.
Handley says that brands and retailers should spend this enforced downtime from COVID-19 developing ideas and plans for an eye-catching comeback when traffic starts moving again:
“They will be the early winners post –COVID,” he says, warning that companies that “put the brakes on” could miss the chance to “access a significant share of the consumer spending” when people can move freely again.
“There are going to be a lot of people who are not going to be ready to start that race… more agile brands could make huge gains over competitors by acting now and preparing properly.”
Handley notes that there are signs of a rebound for consumer spending in China, with COVID-19 cases down to manageable numbers and the domestic flight market starting up again. The travel retail industry in countries where the coronavirus pandemic is still at its peak, such as many in Europe, need to track activity and be ready, as their recovery is likely to follow a similar pattern to China and other Asia Pacific countries, he says.
These recovering countries are experiencing what Handley describes as “Revenge Consumption.”
He comments: “Most of the best retail experiences we create for brands take between three and six months to execute, from strategic planning and conceptualization to fabrication and installation in store. That means brands and retailers need to start briefing their creative agencies now to be ready on time. CircleSquare has been offering clients a free planning service: “We have the proven ability to create activations that drive footfall,
increase dwell time and change the focus away from a pro-duct’s price and onto a product’s experience – this is what you will need to succeed in winning the early business when it becomes available,” says Handley.
He adds that even if budgets are on hold, travel retail directors should start planning now, testing new ideas for retail space without sacrificing revenue so that they can be ready to move quickly when the time comes.


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Watching a large number of athletes participating in the second edition of Vasai-Virar marathon made brand ambassador and London Olympics silver medallist wrestler Sushil Kumar nostalgic. He recalled the past when he competed in a mini marathon as a 12-year-old, before he seriously took up wrestling.
“I seriously feel that one needs some determination to compete in a marathon, forget winning it. And it surely is not my cup of tea. When I see the athletes in such large numbers participate in the marathon, I recollect my old days. I must have been in fifth standard when I ran a mini marathon,” Sushil told MiD DAY.
Talking about the motto of “Save the Girl Child and Maintain Nature’s Balance” he said, “I am enlightened that such a motto has been chosen. The issue needs wider awareness,” the grappler said.
Pics: Prabhas, Tamannaah Bhatia at 'Baahubali 2' first look launch at MAMI
'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' photos: Aishwarya, Anushka, Karan get candid at MAMI
Photos: Huma Qureshi, Neha Dhupia and other celebs at MAMI
Photos: Amy Jackson, Daisy Shah at Mumbai airport
Photos: Sridevi, Irrfan and other celebs at 'Mughal-e-Azam' screening


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The COVID-19 pandemic and official advisories to avoid social contact have spurred the growth of more online business in Yellowknife.
Advisories from the chief public health officer to avoid social gatherings saw almost all dine-in restaurants close down about two weeks ago.
But restaurateurs with innovation on their minds have found new opportunities in this challenging business environment.
Touchless online orders
Copperhouse Eatery began offering "touchless" takeout just over a week ago.
“We're pushing all phone orders online to avoid any contaminated objects,” owner Mark Henry told NNSL Media.
The process starts with customers buying their meals online, arranging a pick-up time and then driving to Copperhouse and pulling up to a service window.
“The building was a Dairy Queen previously so we're set up to adapt fairly well to that quick service model,” Henry said.
Customers give their name at the drive-through window and the order is passed through by a staff member wearing gloves.
Henry said the touchless model is proving popular and the restaurant has doubled its regular takeout sales.
“It was really nice to see the ticket machine printing more online ordering than we've experienced before. On one level it didn’t surprise me because the Yellowknife community rallies when they need to. The public has responded to this new market.”
The Woodyard Brewhouse and Eatery also offers online ordering after the pub closed down two weeks ago.
The online side “is keeping us afloat,” said marketing manager Thomas Bentham.
“We do food takeaway. Obviously our sales aren’t much compared to what we had before and we've had a reduced menu. We'll be starting beer delivery it in a few weeks. And also with the whole COVID part we have to be as touchless as possible. Our staff all wear gloves and all of our beer vessels are sanitized,” Bentham said.
Business lending a hand
But Copperhouse isn’t just keeping its success for itself.
Mark’s brother and co-owner Paul explained to NNSL Media that he is offering his services to other restaurants in helping them set up online ordering systems during the pandemic-related business doldrums.
“We’re really fortunate to have a functional platform to operate. Most restaurants don't have that luxury. Mark and I have talked about this and being able to lend support to other restaurants in town really opens up their capacity to have a fighting chance to get through this,” he said.
Copperhouse uses a restaurant ordering platform called ueat.io, developed by a company based in Quebec City. It’s fully integrated with its point of sale ordering system.
Paul said most “mom and pop operations” would be surprised at how easy it is to set the system up and he is offering the technical direction to help them.
“For me it’s just allowing people to learn about this. If you’re a traditional restaurant and your phone is ringing you’re limited to the number of people calling. You’re losing business if you’re doing it just by phone. But online ordering you can catch the market, and catch a lot more customers.”
He wouldn’t identify its name, but said he has been talking with one restaurant in Yellowknife about helping getting an ordering platform up and running.
Paul noted that last weekend Copperhouse was doing brisk business, and passersby said that cars were lined up around the parking lot.
But Paul said even that represented just half the revenues they were earning before the pandemic hit and Copperhouse’s success with the online ordering system has been a kind of lifeline.
“This is a crucial time to be doing this. Today this is our competitive advantage. Online ordering has given us a fighting chance. This isn't a platform for success but this is a platform to get through this (pandemic),” he said.
While online ordering isn’t suitable for Bullock’s Bistro, which chooses to serve its fish freshly cooked on site, co-owner Jo-ann Martin said the offer of help by the Henry brothers is very generous in this tough economic time.


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Booming sales of popcorn brand Butterkist, which is currently on the auction block, has helped slow a decline in sales at parent Tangerine Confectionery.
Total revenues at the group dipped by almost £800,000 to £151.9m in 2015 but Butterkist popcorn sales soared 30%, new accounts on Companies House showed, although it did not provide a breakdown for the figures.
Tangerine blamed interruptions in production caused by factory closures for a fall in sugar confectionery sales.
Total turnover in the UK actually increased last year, from £139.6m in 2014 to £141.4m, but exports to Europe and the rest of the world fell by about £2m to £10.5m.
As reported by The Grocer in July, the US private equity owner of Tangerine, Blackstone, has hired advisers at Stamford Partners to find a buyer for Butterkist. The sales process was not expected to kick off until after the summer.
The popcorn brand is the market leader in a category undergoing massive growth, accounting for £45.5m of total supermarket sales of £114.3m last year and growing its value by 30% [IRI 52 w/e 5 December 2015].
Blackstone is hoping Butterkist will command a premium valuation if sold as a standalone brand.
Butterkist sits alongside other Tangerine iconic sweet brands such as Sherbet Fountain, Refreshers, Black Jack and Fruit Salad. However, Tangerine has struggled with the confectionery side of the business in the past two years as it closed factories and the war on sugar intensified.
Tangerine managed to increase group EBITDA by 36% to £20.6m despite the overall decline in revenues thanks to efficiencies stemming from factory closures, an improved product mix, currency exchange benefits and investment in NPD and capex.
A factory in Blackpool was closed in March 2015, with production transferred to other sites. Exceptional costs related to the closure of about £2m lowered operating profits to £11.1m, but it was still £6m more than the £4.9m booked in 2014 when one-off charges were more than £4m after a site in Dorset was shut. Pre-tax profits increased from £2.1m to £9.4m.
“The market is expected to continue to be extremely competitive in 2016 and the growing debate on the cost of obesity will undoubtedly impact on the business,” chairman Steven Joseph said in the accounts.
“However, the directors are confident that the company’s investment in NPD and its philosophy to be a responsible supplier will allow Tangerine to grow its business and maintain its position in the confectionery and popcorn market in the future.”
Tangerine has expanded rapidly since 2006, with revenues more than quadrupling to almost £170m by the end of 2013. The group blamed a “tough climate” and “fundamental” changes in the business for the fall in sales to £158.4m in 2014.
Blackstone acquired a 40% stake in the group from Growth Capital Partners in 2011.


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IGN has recently revealed one of Hasbro’s exclusives for San Diego Comic Con 2016. The Collector’s Vault is the latest multi-pack release for the 3.75 Inch Marvel Legends figures. The set will retail for $69.99 at the convention, however limited run of the set will be available at Hasbrotoyshop.com. This set will later be available at Fan Expo Canada this September.
The set includes:
- The Collector
- Howard the Duck
- Moon Boy
The set will also include the Zodiac Key, Casket of Ancient Winters, and the Wand of Watoomb.
SDCC 2016 will be held at the San Diego Convention Center on July 21-24.


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Big name bankruptcies have proliferated in North Texas over the last few months, but the pandemic-induced economic downturn doesn’t just impact the big names. Small to midsize businesses are also suffering, but the landscape for many of these businesses isn’t as dire as headlines make it seem.
For smaller to midsize businesses, there hasn’t been a significant uptick in bankruptcies just yet, says Dan Winikka, a partner at Dallas-based Loewinsohn Flegle Deary Simon LLP. With loans available from the federal government and changes to the rules surrounding debt for small businesses, many have continued to creep by without throwing in the towel or restructuring their debt. The Tuesday Morning, Pier 1, and JC Penney bankruptcies were businesses already on the brink prior to the crisis, Winikka says, and most businesses that were doing well have avoided bankruptcy since the downturn.
Lenders are being lenient with businesses, because they would prefer to get paid back rather than have the business declare bankruptcy. “With the prospect of a rebound in the fairly short term, banks more willing to give relief and forbearance,” Winikka says.
CARES Act Relief
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) has thrown small businesses another lifeline should they decide to declare bankruptcy. New regulations allow a greater number of businesses to spread out their payments to creditors under Chapter 11 bankruptcy, allowing owners to restructure debt rather than fully liquidate in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The law increased the amount of debt small businesses owe from $2.7 million to $7.5 million while still filing for Chapter 11, meaning more owners are eligible to spread out their payments and maintain control of the business.
But this new legislation extends the debt limit for only a year, meaning if businesses are still in trouble in 2021, they may not be able to take advantage of the new rules. This puts businesses in a precarious situation. They have to decide if they want to declare bankruptcy under the new provision, giving them more control and leniency, or do they see if the business can power through the downturn and risking liquidation after the protection of the CARES Act ends?
It is still early in the process, and there is always the chance that the provision in the CARES Act could be extended, giving businesses more time to see if they can avoid filing for bankruptcy, but not forcing them to liquidate if they owe too much debt after the law expires.
The Great Recession
When compared to the economic downturn in 2008 and 2009, the current bankruptcy environment is similar in that there hasn’t been a rush of liquidations, though eventually there may be a number of filings. Similar to today, creditors were flexible, deals were cut, and bankruptcies were avoided or at least spread out.
Eventually, there were many bankruptcies filed as a result of the great recession, though the filings on the front end of the downturn was very similar to what has happened in North Texas over the past few months. Companies that were already struggling were tipped over the edge by the Great Recession, and the rest were able to cut deals and extend their credit without filing, at least right at the start. The same pattern is happening today.
“The lenders extend and pretend,” says Winikka. “The lending partner extends the loan out, and pretend that everything will be ok.” If markets return what they were like prior to the pandemic, the filing might be an unnecessary move. “Most want to avoid bankruptcy at all costs, and it is certainly the right way to go if you can get it out of court.”


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Neal McDonough has joined CFORTH! Neal is a world-famous American actor and producer who has over 130 movies and series to his credit.
It’s finally here! CFORTH has today launched our Patented and EPA Registered Fuel Saving Catalyst, Blaze EcoTech, as an eGigStore! Now available to all US and Canadian customers.
After weeks of tech integration and design work, CFORTH today successfully deployed MassPay as the company’s payout solution.
CFORTH has today entered into a binding, global, distribution agreement with Rennsli Corp
Tonight, Monday the 23rd at 8PM (EST), is our official opening! We have prepared an action packed event for you!
The First NutraGrove products have been shipped! After many months of developments, a milestone has now been reached with the launch of CFORTH’s eGigStore shopping platform. The platform has been developed by CFORTH’s own technology and design teams. The eGigStore shopping platform has also enabled CFORTH to launch its’ first eGigStore products within the Health […]
A true international Business Leader has joined CFORTH! Fredrik Staël von Holstein has today joined CFORTH as the company’s Chief Executive Officer. CEO of nine companiesFredrik is a high-level Swedish executive with a long and successful career from working in dynamic and fast-growing companies and industries. Specialized as a turn-around expert, Fredrik has been the […]
CFORTH has today the pleasure to announce that the company has signed a product supplier agreement with NutraLife BioSciences Inc. (”NutraLife”). The plan is to launch NutraLife’s products in April 2022 to the U.S. Market Segment of CFORTH.
Meet our newest Board Member! Bo Wänghammar joins CFORTH’s Board of Directors, bringing over 35 years of executive experience from fast growing, international, companies.
CFORTH today has launched its website! CFORTH is a revolutionary online marketplace that will allow customers to access great services and products with outstanding value, while earning extra income by sharing access with others.
The eGigCoin – CFORTH’s token with the intention to become a regulated cryptocurrency with a real valuation prior to being globally traded. The plan is for the eGigCoin token to be converted in the second half of 2023. Until that time, CFORTH’s customers will be able to earn and save the eGigCoin token as part […]
Oscar Bjers joins CFORTH’s Board of Directors in-charge of the eGig Stores. As the CEO of Apple in Sweden during the past 20 years (2001-2021) and under Oscar’s leadership,


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Supporting a new energy economy
By installing solar panels, you’re investing money into local businesses that provide jobs and contribute to economic growth in your community.
Compare that to purchasing electricity from large electric utility companies, who use your money to import and extract fossil fuels, pay back shareholders, or lobby Washington politicians.
California’s solar industry is robust and growing, even as utilities desperately try to hold on to old business models. Some reasons to choose solar over fossil fuel-fired electricity include:
- Utilities don’t have consumer interests in mind
- Power companies need revenues to appease shareholders and out-of-state interests
- The solar industry creates local jobs
- Solar employment in California grew by 13.2% between 2011-2012
Utilities don’t have consumer interests in mind
The 3,200 electric utilities throughout the country have largely relied on fossil fuels to bring them continued success over the last century. Fossil fuel-generated electricity is what utilities have built the electric grid around. Their business is to make sure you pay for the use of this grid and pay for the centralized generation of energy with a significant fee.
Rather than spending those revenues to invest in our communities, these utilities send money to corporate shareholders and lobbyists who fight to maintain the energy status quo in Washington. In 2012, electric utilities gave nearly $15 million to congressional members across party lines.
Utilities hope that by lobbying politicians, they’ll be able to stick with the business models that have brought them so much money. The business model of an electric utility is quite simple: sell as much electricity as possible to as many people as possible.
In order to meet their goals, utilities often import electricity from power plants that lie outside of their states. Consider that California utilities actually import more electricity than any other state in the country – using the money from your monthly power bills.
Solar poses a huge threat to utilities, which are watching consumers abandon traditional fossil fuels in droves. The Edison Electric Institute, the industry trade group, themselves acknowledge the threat solar poses.
Writing in a report that solar could lead to “irreparable damages to revenue and growth prospects,” the EEI then spends the remainder of the study examining how they might maintain their current business model, rather than evolving toward a more consumer-focused one.
The solar industry creates local jobs
Unlike the fossil fuel industry, which thrives on selling expensive power to appease shareholders, solar is focused on the consumer.
When you contact a solar installer, you’ll be working with a local community member who cares about reducing your electricity costs and carbon footprint.
While California’s utilities spend your money to purchase coal-fired electricity from Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Nevada, solar companies spend your money to hire workers and expand services in state.
That’s because the nature of the solar industry requires jobs to remain at home. Solar installers, customer representatives, and system designers must travel to new solar sites in person, keeping the jobs local.
In California, solar job growth has tremendously accelerated over the years. Between 1995 and 2012, employment of solar workers increased by over 166% to 43,700. Nationwide, jobs increased by 13.2% between 2011 and 2012, even as fossil fuel jobs fell by 3.77%.
You can support this industry as it expands by contacting local installers today. You’ll feel safe knowing that your money will be reinvested in the community, driving local economic growth and creating jobs at home.


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The Mt. Prospect Village Board on Tuesday concurred with a recommendation of the Zoning Board of Appeals allowing development of 20,880 square feet of retail space at the site of the former Heilig-Meyers store at 1 E. Rand Rd.
More than half of the development would be occupied by a CVS Pharmacy with a drive-through. Other tenants have not been secured.
The Rhode Island-based pharmacy chain operates more than 5,000 stores in the eastern U.S., said John M. Wojtila, a representative of the developer, Zaremba Group LLC of Lakewood, Ohio. Wojtila said the company hopes to break ground in early fall.
Community Development Director William Cooney said the pharmacy will provide the village an opportunity to upgrade the unsightly parcel.
The proposed pharmacy would be a little more than half the size of the Heilig-Meyers structure. The entire development would cover 75 percent of the lot and would include landscaping on all four sides.
The matter must come back to the Village Board in ordinance form for further action on April 18.


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In the past two years, the position of the richest man has changed several times. Ma Huateng and Ma Yun have alternately become the richest man in China. According to the”Forbes Rich List” released not long ago, China’s richest man has changed again! According to reports, the share price of Tencent has been rising in recent days, and Ma Huateng’s wealth has also increased, which has exceeded US$60 billion. 410 billion yuan.
This number has After Ma Yun, Ma Huateng’s surpassing has attracted the attention of many people. We know that the founder of Tencent is Ma Huateng. He It is a large enterprise with a scale of 4.88 trillion yuan. I must say that anyone who knows the Internet should use the two chat software”QQ” or”WeChat”. In addition, the development of Tencent is also reflected in many fields such as music, games and video.
this time, Tencent surpassed Jack Ma, not only because of Tencent ‘s stock price rose because of its outstanding performance in this special period. Tencent also released a performance report for the second quarter of this year. The report shows that Tencent’s revenue in the second quarter exceeded 110 billion yuan, and its net profit exceeded 33 billion yuan, greatly exceeding the market. Expectations. This is also the third consecutive quarter that Tencent has achieved revenue of more than 100 billion yuan.
Then why Ma Huateng Can your wealth increase so much in just a few months? At the beginning of the year, everyone stayed at home and had to engage in”family culture”. When trapped at home, most young people choose to play games to kill time and entertainment. If you calculate the quarter according to the 90-day standard, you can earn 300 million yuan a day on average.
in this paragraph In time, some companies may face bankruptcy, but the Internet industry is just the opposite. When everyone stays at home, the time spent on the Internet will naturally increase, which will enable Tencent during this time Fight against adversity. According to relevant information, Ma Huateng has invested in more than 800 companies. Ma Huateng’s total value is four times that of Wang Jianlin and eight times that of Liu Qiangdong!


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Credit Journey provides a VantageScore to customers as well as to those who don’t bank with the company
The mystery about credit scores is getting easier to solve.
J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.’s credit-card unit said Wednesday that it is launching a new website that will provide consumers with their credit score and allow them to see how certain financial actions will affect it.
The free Chase service, called Credit Journey, provides a VantageScore, a credit rating that was launched a decade ago by credit-reporting firms Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. It competes with Fair Issac, known as FICO, which is the score used by most lenders in deciding whether to extend credit.
Like FICO, the VantageScore provides a range of 300 to 850, with higher credit scores representing a more creditworthy borrower. The score is refreshed weekly and calculated based on a number of factors, including payment history, age and type of credit as well as credit use. The two scores are generally similar, though can diverge in some circumstances.
Read the full article here.


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By Steve Rosenbush There was a time, not so long ago, when making a mobile-phone call involved all sorts of "maybes." Maybe the call would go through. Maybe the connection would remain stable. Maybe the person on the other end would sound like they were enclosed in a shark tank at the bottom of the ocean.
While cell-phone service isn't perfect now, the era of the "maybes" is over. Having mastered the task of transmitting voice calls, wireless carriers have moved on to providing new services such as instant messaging, sending photos, and perhaps, one day, mobile spam.
SOUR NOTE. The most important of the new services, however, might be the delivery of music to mobile phones. Now that consumers have grown accustomed to carrying around small digital devices packed with thousands of songs, the convergence of such music players and wireless phones is an obvious next step. "The growth in music on wireless devices is really the key for growth for the wireless industry," says Rudy Baca, wireless analyst for independent researcher The Precursor Group.
Expect the mobile service providers to have some growing pains, however. Cellular carriers, particularly those in the U.S., are accustomed to building and controlling the bulk of new services. Witness Verizon Wireless's decision to disable certain Bluetooth features on Motorola's (MOT) new V710 phone. Wireless Bluetooth technology allows users to send messages, photos, music, and other kinds of data for free to printers, laptops, and devices a few feet away. Verizon disabled the features so users would have to send the data over the wireless network and pay a fee. The decision prompted a lawsuit that's just getting underway in Los Angeles.
If the U.S. wireless industry is threatened by Bluetooth, what will it make of mobile music? While service providers still could charge users who download songs, they would have to learn to partner with other businesses in a new way. It won't be easy, but it probably makes sense.
FEAR OF COMMODITIZATION. Musiwave, a startup based in Paris, provides mobile music services to such carriers as Europe's Vodafone (VOD), France Telecom's (FTE) Orange unit, and Spain's Telefonica (TEM). The privately held outfit hasn't signed up any customers in the U.S. "We find the wireless business model in the U.S. very unusual," says founder and Chairman Gilles Babinet. "Wireless carriers in the U.S. want to do everything for themselves. But they don't have the expertise to run a music business, which is why we tell them they would be better off -- and make more money -- working with a company like Musiwave."
The wireless industry's business model in Europe is similar to the pioneering road paved by DoCoMo (NTM) in Japan. The latter opens its wireless networks to thousands of entertainment and news companies, which pay a small percentage of their revenue to DoCoMo, Babinet says.
That business model is slow to take off in the U.S., especially when it comes to music. Wireless carriers fear that their brand will be overshadowed by entertainment providers, relegating cellular service to commodity status. Their fears aren't baseless, although that dire scenario isn't inevitable, Baca says.
UNCOMFORTABLE WITH MUSIC. As a general rule, mobile users can't download music directly from the Web to their phones. Motorola offers a handset that includes an MP3 player. It has external memory, which can carry content that has been downloaded or copied from a computer to a memory card, depending upon which country the carrier is based in. The download service isn't generally available in the U.S, according to Motorola.
There are signs of change. Motorola is working on a music service with Apple Computer (AAPL) that will turn cell phones into wireless iPod devices, but it won't be available for several months, according to Alberto Moriondo, worldwide director of Motorola's wireless entertainment group.
But even if Apple makes its software available to wireless users, it could be several years before the market really takes off. Wireless outfits just don't seem comfortable with the idea. Music is curiously absent from Verizon Wireless's (VZ) cutting-edge V Cast service, which is scheduled to debut next month.
NOT COOL ENOUGH? Spokesman Jeffrey Nelson said the high-speed wireless service will allow users to download an unlimited number of videos for $15 a month to new phones from LG, Samsung, and UTStarcom (UTSI). But music videos will cost extra -- and music without the video won't be available at all. "We're offering other cool things," says Nelson.
Few things are cooler than the latest popular song. But companies like Verizon know they can charge a hefty premium for content like music videos and games. Music is harder to control and won't command the same premium-per-download. But it's widely available to mobile-phone users in Europe and Asia, and the cellular sector in those regions is doing fine. Maybe the U.S. wireless industry will catch up someday. Just maybe. Rosenbush is a senior writer for BusinessWeek Online


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In May Drinks International reported that plans had been hatched for an expansion that would see capacity of the pot still and grain distilleries double.
Pot still capacity will go from 10 million litres to 22 million litres and grain from 20-21 million litres to 40 million litres.
The expansion is intended to relieve pressure on the Cork-based distillery which is currently running at capacity.
Anna Malmhake, chairman and CEO of Irish Distillers, said: “This expansion project is a reflection of the international success of Jameson and the great future potential for the brand. The brand reached the three million cases milestone in 2010 – one million of which were sold in the US.
“With this investment, we are confirming Midleton, where the tradition of distilling dates back to 1825, as the global centre of Irish whiskey production.”
The 15-month project begins in 2012 and, according to Irish Distillers, will create 60 manufacturing and technical jobs while 250 construction positions will also arise from the expansion.
Irish Distillers has said it will also also be increasing the 33,000 tonnes of barley it sources from the local area.
The news follows Irish Distillers’ announcement earlier this year that €100m had been invested in a whiskey maturation facility in Dungourney near Midleton.


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The GM logo is seen on the facade of the General Motors headquarters in Detroit, Michigan, March 16, 2021.
Rebecca Cook | Reuters
DETROIT – General Motors on Wednesday topped Wall Street’s earnings and revenue estimates for the third quarter, while telling investors its full-year results would be at the “high end” of its previous guidance range.
Here are the numbers:
Adjusted earnings: $1.52 a share vs. 96 cents a share estimate, according to RefinitivRevenue: $26.78 billion vs. $26.51 billion estimate
The third-quarter was expected to be a rougher one than the first half of the year for GM. Analysts, however, said they expect relatively solid results, despite a global shortage of semiconductor chips that has depleted vehicle inventories and shuttered plants.
GM’s guidance for the year includes adjusted earnings of between $11.5 billion and $13.5 billion, or $5.70 to $6.70 a share and net income of between $8.1 billion and $9.6 billion.
“Our third-quarter 2021 results clearly illustrate the strength of the underlying business that is funding our future, especially when you put them in the context of the calendar year,” GM CEO and Chair Mary Barra said Wednesday in a letter to shareholders.
On an unadjusted basis, net income was $2.4 billion for the third quarter compared with $4 billion a year earlier, when dealerships and plants largely reopened after being shuttered during some of the second-quarter due to the coronavirus pandemic. The automaker reported pretax adjusted earnings of $2.9 billion for the third quarter, down from $5.3 billion a year earlier.
In the third-quarter, GM benefited from a deal with LG Electronics that would offset $1.9 billion of $2.0 billion in estimated costs of a recall of Chevrolet Bolt EVs due to fire risks. LG produced defective batteries for the vehicles at plants in South Korea and Michigan.
GM previously warned investors that its North American wholesale volumes would be down by about 200,000 units in the second half of 2021 compared with the first half, due to the parts problem.
In August, GM CFO Paul Jacobson said the automaker expected to take a hit of between $3.5 billion to $4.5 billion during the second half of the year, due to a $1.5 billion to $2 billion rise in commodity costs and lower earnings from its financial arm.
Shares of GM are up by 37.5% in 2021.


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Apple continues to work on launching the new update of its operating system, iOS 16, which will be in the next iPhone 14, as the system has been enhanced with improvements and new features, some of which were revealed in beta versions of the system.
Apple first revealed some of the features of iOS 16 at the WWDC 2022 event for developers, and began explaining them to people and companies developing applications in order to work on improving their applications on the system and take advantage of updates.
According to a report published by BGR, Apple’s upcoming operating system will include a smart feature that will help users bypass the human verification tools known as CAPTCHA, which websites use in order to determine whether a visitor is a real user or just a bot that may cause them harm.
Captcha codes are one of the most annoying things for users when using the Internet, in many times the user has to decipher them, whether letters, images, or any form of response to prove the truth of the human user.
The report indicated that the new system feature will be able to bypass captcha codes without user intervention completely automatically.
He pointed out that the feature will not work completely on all sites or all forms of CAPTCHA, while it will be able to solve many types, which will reduce the inconvenience of users and provide sites with the confirmation they need.
Apple is said to have come up with the ability to decipher characters by collaborating with companies Cloudflare and Fastly to develop automatic verification, which provides sites with services to defend against attempts to hack, pull data or send spam links in comments on sites’ content.
It may not stop CAPTCHAs entirely, but it should at least ease them when using iOS 16 while also pointing out that Cloudflare and Fastly are the most popular online services, i.e. there will actually be a benefit to the user by reducing the annoyance of investigation codes.


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Original title: Annual inventory | Are you a devil or a show? 2018 You can’t miss the fashion circle big event!
2018 is about to die, look back in this year, small to someone, big to the entertainment circle and fashion circles have a number of unsuccessful changes, experience the wind and rain, and finally fruitful. To say this year, what happened in the year, starting from the beginning of the year, the lanvin started, China stepped into the trend of the fashion circle, bravely, bravely. The occurrence of traffic in the event, strategic cooperation, brand transformation, etc., is destined to be an extraordinary year. Unconsciously, 2019 is approaching, at the time transition, let us review the 2018 fashion circle!
Fashion circle personnel change
In 2018, it was the greatest year of luxury brands. In this year, we witnessed the return, leaving and transfer of countless people.
Kim Jones X Dior Homme
March, Dior Men’s Brand Dior Homme Kris Van Assche announced that his resilience was the Director of Men’s Creative Director of LV Kim Jones. It demonstrated its first series of works in Paris Men’s Men. The second show is accompanied by giant art works with empty mountains and slightly and winding design, Dior men’s clothing adds more colors with imagination under the leadership of Kim Jones.
At the British Fashion Awards held on December 11, Kim Jones won the “Pioneer Award” awarded by the British Fashion Association, Kim Jones is really excellent.
Virgil Abloh x louis vuitton
This year, the most populated news this year is that Louis Vuitton announces that Virgil Abloh is a new men’s art directors. As a designer that brought OFF-White to the peak, the artist of AJ explosion models, when exposed to the creative director of the LV, the public opinion was blown up. Some people think that Virgil Abloh off-white is not the street fashion brand they love. Some people think that Virgil Abloh is a major turning point of LV, and some people questioned that the people like him are not suitable for LV, But no matter what, in this year, we have witnessed the success of the LV in the leadership of Virgil Abloh, and the streets are integrated with advanced fashion, witnessed Virgil Abloh himself to the street fashion talent and persistence.
Riccardo Tisci X Burberry
In March this year, the former Givenchy Creative Director Riccardo Tisci ended Used to Burberry Creative Director. “The new official’s three fires” changed the brand’s logo, and also created the latest Monogram, redefined the visual image on the “Burberry Gripet” of the old style house. The success of this change was also attracted to Vivienne Westwood, successfully completed the first joint plan for this year’s Riccardo Tisci into Burberry, and its style to the Burberry Gothic cropping style and this year’s propaganda film is also convinced.
Raf Simons X Calvin Klein
On December 22, the inventive creative director Raf Simons declared to Calvin Klein. As early as the contract expired eight months ago, the news will be officially true. Because of the differences between the concepts of both sides, Raf Simons did not have a letter from Calvin Klein from Calvin Klein, and who will take Raf Simons as the Chief Creative Officer of the next CK. We have not known.
Hedi Slimane X Celine
LVMH officially announced that it will be a creative director of the Céline brand by Hedi Slimane, not only that, but he will also launch men’s clothing, advanced customization, and fragrance series for Céline. And this news is exposed, the dispute is constant on the Internet, plus it to change LOGO, empty INS, etc. is even more embarrassed. I am used to Phoebe Philo’s era, there is also doubt about Hedi. Some people like new Celine, but some people think that Hedi Slimane has changed Celine existing image and spirit, in any case, Hedi Slimane has brought a new era for Celine. Hedi’s strength, I would like to answer this question when I came to the 16th hand bag.
Fashion big Oolong
In 2018, it was the “joint” prevailing year, which is the frequent era of the Oolong incident, which constitutes the most exciting moment of 2018 fashion circles.
Supreme X Samsung Oolong Joint Name
This month, Samsung announced in its Galaxy A8S conference to cooperate with the international tidal card SuPreme, attracting countless hot discussions. Just as you think that Supreme should develop electronic products around, Supreme official said that there is no cooperation with Samsung.
The original brand with Samsung is the Italian version of the supreme instead of the US SuPreme we are well known. But I saw this trademark, but I have to sigh, and the supreme logo is really tense. But if you still think this is the first time that SuPreme was first by Ulong, then you are too underestimating the imagination of Chinese netizens. In fact, this year, “SuPreme” has been “named” in many times, no matter whether video shooting is still a photo, everyone will add the words of SuPreme, even Weibo and shakes have “all things can be “Tag” “” “
It has to be admitted that when ordinary photos and video adds supreme words, it will suddenly become very fashionable. So “SuPreme” has actually been kidnapped by China netizens, and it is not a point in 2018. Although I admire everyone’s imagination, but there is no brand license, it is also an infringement (although SuPreme does not seem to be not a Care) and this time Wulong is just a warning. In this small series, it is said: Supreme is wrong, what do you want to do? ? ?
As for the two protagonists of this event, Samsung took into account the impact of the event and the brand reputation, and canceled cooperation with the cottage supreme. However, this SuPreme Italia just took the opportunity to fry a wave of popularity and suddenly opened a wave of “cottage also wants to go to the end”, according to the Italian magazine “NSS Magazine” news, the Supreme Italia Parent Company IBF said that the next two years will open globally. More than 70 stores, including two flagship stores in Beijing and Shanghai. I want to take the opportunity to enter the Chinese market, but when the netizen came to the “cottage” physical store, I found no popularity.
In addition to the end of the year Samsung and SuPreme, the Oolong event happened this year. In July, C supermodel Bella Hadid released a beach semi-nude photo in its own, and the giant wide loose hat that came out quickly caused discussion. Not long, the fashion brand Jacquemus forwarded this photo to the brand INS and promoted his own straw hat. But in fact, Bella’s straw hat comes from another Mexican brand Olmos y flores, Bella’s photo is also her side of the Mexican version “Vogue”, which can be said to be very embarrassing.
Brand discrimination big fermentation
2018 is a very extraordinary year, witnessed the center of gravity of the luxury goods market to the Chinese market, witnessed the consumption of Chinese buyers in luxury goods stores in the world, witnessed the strong initiative of China’s luxury brand. However, when my country’s “Forces” in the luxury market gradually spread, this year’s luxury brand’s insulting incident also happened. The fashion brand will take two functions in the “racial problem” this year. In this regard, Chinese netizens said “I am not your father”. “
In this year, Paris family is in the Sales Site – France’s famous mall in Parisian counters, Chinese consumers are discriminated against and insults. Some netizens broke the news. Every day, there are many Chinese consumers being intermediary. Some people accuse it from being beaten. The security guard is only pulled Chinese. The salesperson even shouted “Chinese people rolling out” French also blamed the Chinese. The consequences of this incident are resisted by the Paris family. When things are more intensified, the officials of Paris have published two statements and apologize, but China netizens said not to buy.
DOLCE & GABBANA
Du Ji, Duhua, who happened last month, I would like to be deeply impressed. On the eve of Du Jiaba, Du Jiabanna’s publicity advertisement, “the batch chopsticks” is suspected of insulting, because the model is crowded, and the brand’s shallow knowledge of Chinese traditional culture, Du Jiaban will step by step. Take the abyss. The misconduct of its designer Stefano Gabbana has completely aroused an anger of the Chinese people. Even the Communist Youth League sent a picture of the four words “self-suction” and @ @ 嘉 嘉 官 官 官 微 微. And Du Jiabai’s magical public relations were arguing all the mistakes to the account, insulting and pulling black netizens, this is not banned to question the sincerity of Du Jiabanna.
This month, Prada’s latest seven new biological images of a monkey OTTO is suspected of racial discrimination. This incident was due to a post released on December 14th, when he passed through Prada’s window, saw the doll of the store window, black skin, cool like a black figure “Sangbo” as a black man anger. And call on people to focus on Otto’s image and resist PRADA, stopping the black face. On December 16th, Prada apologized “They are all fictional creatures, no intentional association with the real world, and of course, it is not intended to be black,” and said that the brand has been removed all of the offensive products and immediately takes measures from it. lesson.
Strategic cooperation big trend
In 2018, it is an era of luxury brands and e-commerce to launch strong cooperation. This year, the brand has made countless efforts to open the market; this year, it is also a rapid development of China.
Amazon’s global shop, launched China’s “fashion +” project
On December 24th, Beijing-Amazon’s global opening of China announced that the “fashion +” project in China, further promoted the Chinese fashion product sellers to develop fashion business overseas through cross-border e-commerce exports to create a self-brand. “Fashion +” project covers the five major categories of clothing, shoe boots, jewelry, watch and luggage, combining Amazon’s global fashion resources with local resources, and provides sellers in different types and different development phases through the fashion product sellers. Customized services helps to achieve global layout, and continue to drive brand upgrades to accelerate Chinese fashion brands to the world stage.
Amazon’s “Global Opening” enables companies to jump through traditional middlemen, facing consumers, and makes more and more factories and traders enter cross-border e-commerce. This initiative is a propeller that is developing in the field of enterprises or in China.
Today’s headlines and fashion group reached a strategic cooperation
On the evening of December 21st, “2018 Today’s Head Fashion Festival” was successfully held in Chengdu First, Longhu Xiyu Tianjie, today’s headline and fashion group officially reached a strategic cooperation. In the future, the two sides will force in terms of major event marketing, vertical industry data, cross-boundary IP customizing, MCN system co-construction, etc. Fan Baile, Vice President of Fashion Group, said: “Today’s headline has become an important bridge in the current connection information and the public, especially young people, and look forward to the brand new traffic entrance, and more fashion User dialogue, let more people understand the fashion attitude and lifestyle of the fashion group. “
Luxury brands have changed LOGO
In 2018, it was a new year of luxury brand, witnessed the designer’s replacement, witnessed the luxury brand to get rid of traditional dead plates and greet future efforts, this is the spring of luxury brands, is the future of luxury brands
This year, the luxury brand has updated his logo. For the brand, logo is the facade, in order to comply with the needs of graphic planning from scientific and technological development, the brand adjusts the font size, alphanumeric, and font. The luxury brand logo does not only usher in the era of new designers, but also means that the brand image is updated, it is not difficult to find that the Logo of the luxury brand is simplified, and Celine removes the stress, Hermes dropped the carriage. Celebrate the needs of young consumer groups. This year, we saw the new generation of luxury brands, and the luxury brands were refurbished, and this also made a full preparation for greeting better era.
Fetish? ? ? -Gosha rubchinskiy
A mega in this month should be Gosha Rubchinskiy’s love books. This Russian designer who is commented by the netizen “The Handsome Designer” has been accused of being accused of in love with the 16-year-old model. Gosha Rubchinskiy declares after clearing the individual INS “At that time, the number of people was in the selection, while the 16-year-old model could not take pictures, so that the model was required to take pictures as soon as possible to archive.”
However, according to chat records, some people think that foreigners define “love children” is too harsh, and some people think that Gosha is a 16-year-old model to go to the bathroom to take pictures of love. But in any case, Russian law stipulates that naked photos or improper photos under the age of 18 belong to children’s pornographic content. Gosha should recognize this only, and “show me sadhing” and “can’t wait for tomorrow”. Too connotation. For this, netizens said, still pay attention to the price reduction reminder of the brand.
The most “dedicated” designer – Stefano Gabbana
D & G’s insulting events can be said to be one of the most exciting things in the second half of 2018. This once a man who brought D & G to hot search is designer Stefano Gabbana. From the propaganda film suspected of insulting China, Stefano Gabbana did not avoid the fact that it took out the fact that it was insulting, D & G was only in a week, so that he was cool in the Greater China, and later apologized video could not help but sigh. “Don’t accept, you can’t afford China Dad”
But do you think just this? When an interviewed brother Maurizio Gabbana, a brother, his brother was directly in the facts of Stefano Gabbana “Six-pro.” For art, the family and international relations are sacrificed, and such dedication, the designer has to be “can’t meet”
Recipe Wang-Jeremy Scott
I don’t know how many people were amazed by this year’s Moschino2019 Spring and Summer Series, but this “not mad, not living” ghost designer Jeremy Scott is once again accused after the big show. After 16 autumn series accused of plagiarism, the murals of Joseph Tierney were accused of misappropriation of artist Jimbo Phillips, this year, Norwegian women’s designer EDDA Gimnes and PO spurred by Jeremy Scott after meeting Moschino team. Source, look at the two designers’ works, although “if there is a similar, purely coincident”, but have to say that the design style is too similar.
Previous works before EDDA GIMNES
Moschino 2019 Spring Summer Series
After being accused, Jeremy Scott issued a declaration with this series of designs to clarify. As for this copy of the plagiarism, we still keep the identity of the melon people.
China acquired into popular
In 2018, the environment of the global consumer market continued to heat up, and the luxury brands in performance have been looking for mountains; the Chinese company is frequently active in the capital market in the fashion industry, frequently acquiring overseas fashion brands. Personal designer brands have begun to take a downhill.
In January, China Shandong Ruyi Holdings announced that the European investment giant Jab Holding Co., the German REIMANN family, was acquired from the German REIMANN family. According to the terms of the agreement, after the completion of the transaction, the original management team, including the Bally’s management team, including CEO Frédéric de Narp, and JAB will continue to hold Bally’s minority equity. Before this, Shandong is in the international fashion market. I have already acquired a number of well-known brands that have been acquired, including Yag Lish Dan, Sandro, Maje, etc.
Lanvin Paris Change China
In February, Fosun International and its subsidiaries successfully acquired French luxury brand Lanvin with 120 million euros. Not only did Wolford, but also held many fashion brands such as urban beauty, Folli Follie. Focused Star Frequency Layout Stylish Retail Industry, established a Fosun Fashion Group. Shandong Ruyi successively acquired Sandro and Maje parent company, British Aquascutum, Switzerland Bally; seven wolves investment Karl Lagerfeld; Hermei Group 800 million yuan to acquire Versace, MCM and other brand China Agency.
With the call of the New Year’s holiday, this year is about to end. Small to individual, big to the fashion circle, this year we experienced the wind and rain, but recalling but still feel wonderful.


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Bless unleashed is a free to play Massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), a reboot of Bless online, which has been developed by Round 8 studios, it has recently released for PC on August 6, 2021, and many players are facing game crashes.
The game went through closed beta releases in April and July 2019 and then an open beta in November 2019 and in January 2020 the same open beta was re-opened to stress test the servers
It was released on March 12, 2020, for Xbox, October 22, 2020, for PlayStation.
Bless unleashed plot revolves around the “Hero of Lumios”, after waking up from a dream-fighting cutscene, the hero of Lumios explores his home island of Telarion, which is full of festivities and trade and also serves as a safe haven for refugees escaping war. Guiding these refugees is a lighthouse that stands unguarded and always lit, each year travelers gather for festivities as a celebration for the beginning of this island.
However, during this year’s festivities, the island is attacked by a powerful mage named Gideon and his minions, after defeating multiple of these creatures, the hero of Lumios narrowly escapes the island with his new ally Don Diego and has now begun their new adventure to defeat Gideon.
Bless Unleashed crashes
Players stated in various threads on the Bless unleashed community discussion tab that they are facing random crashes during their gameplay and the cause is still unknown.
The developers of Bless unleashed have not acknowledged the crashing as of yet and most players are simply providing advice on how they fixed their crashing issues but these fixes aren’t working for everyone, forcing players to reinstall the game in hope that solves their crashing problems.
Many players suggested simply lowering your graphical settings as that would fix the issue but this hasn’t solved the issue for many
As of today, a fix is still awaited from the Bless Unleashed developers.
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In preparation for the Indonesia International Motor Show coming up in September, Honda has released a teaser sketch (click to enlarge) of a new three-row MPV – specifically designed for this region – set to debut at the show. Honda says this yet-to-be-named people mover will be positioned in the entry-level MPV segment, which it says is a crucial part of the Indonesian auto market.
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British chip designer Arm Holdings' shares debut on the Nasdaq on Thursday, in what is the largest initial public offering in nearly two years.
The market waited with bated breath for the entrance of the chip designer, an initial public offering (IPO) that has caught the eye of the biggest tech companies; Apple, Samsung and Intel all signalled their interest and the world's largest contract chipmaker TSMC announced that it is going to buy into the company, up to $100 million.
Arm Holdings' shares were eventually priced at $51 before starting trade, following reports that the company's owner SoftBank Group Corp would take the price even higher after strong interest from investors across the world.
The final price secures a $54.5 billion market valuation for the company. Japanese SoftBank took it off the market seven years ago, when it was valued at $32 billion.
This time SoftBank has sold 95.5 million shares and raised $4.87 billion, still keeping nearly 90% stake in the company.
Why is Arm so valuable?
Arm's chip design is used in virtually all smartphones, the majority of tablets and digital TVs. More recently, Arm has expanded into artificial intelligence, smart devices, cloud computing, the metaverse, and autonomous driving.
Arm’s business centres on designing chips and licensing the intellectual property to customers, rather than chip manufacturing, for which it relies on partners. The company recorded $2.68 billion of revenue in its last fiscal year, which ended in March, and had $524 million in profit for that period.
Why is this IPO so important on the market?
It’s the biggest IPO since the electric truck maker Rivian debuted in November 2021 with a market value of more than $66 billion.
Arm's offering is an important development for the IPO market, which has seen relatively few companies go public in the past two years.
In 2021, nearly 400 companies went public as the stock market rallied for a third straight year, according to IPO tracker Renaissance Capital.
Then last year the Federal Reserve rapidly raised interest rates to combat high inflation and the stock market went into reverse, with the S&P dropping nearly 20% and the Nasdaq composite falling more than 30%.
Private companies became hesitant to go public, and the number of IPOs sank to 71. This year, with the economy showing unexpected resilience, 70 companies had gone public by early September.
The slump in IPOs, as well as mergers and acquisitions, has contributed to a decline in revenue at some of Wall Street's storied institutions, including Goldman Sachs. Goldman is one of the lead underwriters for the Arm IPO, as well as an offering from grocery delivery service Instacart, expected next week.