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KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN ANCHOR ︰ Reports say that Apple's design chief is changing the look of the whole iOS operating system. But how influential will Apple's new designs be? Now, Dan Simon reports on the challenges facing the once dominant company.DAN SIMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT ︰When Steve Jobs unveiled the original iPhone, it was years ahead of what anybody else was doing. Six years later, the landscape ( 環境) has dramatically changed. Apple's visionary (有遠見的) leader is gone and competitors seem to have caught up. Can they be as dominant as they once were?BOB O'DONNELL,PROGRAM VICE PRESIDENT, IDC ︰ I'm not sure they can be as dominant as they once were. I don't think anybody can be quite as dominant as Apple once was. I think we see the pie of influence spreading.DAN SIMON ︰Samsung has stolen a lot of the buzz ( 目光) with its clever commercials on space also once dominated by Apple, and with bigger screens and innovative ( 創新的) features on its Galaxy smartphones. Wall Street hasn't beenkind as Apple's growth has slowed. Its stock is trading about 35 percent lower from its 52-week high.BOB O'DONNELL ︰I think what Apple has done is it's lost that halo (光環) around it. One of the challenges for Apple is: Can it move into areas that they have not traditionally been strong in, which is around lower price and lower cost?Samsung blankets ( 覆蓋) the world with all kinds of devices at all kinds of price points (價位). Apple, on the other hand, has remained in the top tier (階層).DAN SIMON ︰In other words, a cheaper iPhone to appeal to ( 吸引) markets like China, Latin America and India, where not everyone has a smartphone and where consumers are likely to be more driven by price. Tim Cook, was recently pressed about the company's image.WALT MOSSBERG, TECH JOURNALIST ︰There's a sense that you may have lost your cool, that somebody else has got the cool, that Samsung has got the cool. Is Apple in trouble?TIM COOK, APPLE CEO ︰Is Apple in trouble? Absolutely not. DAN SIMON ︰Cook's response was to stay tuned2 for new unveilings, but also that Apple has always been about making the best products and not the most, and that the company consistently ranks number-one in customer satisfaction.Still, some analysts say the products are starting to look stale (陳舊乏味).MICHAEL COPELAND,SENIOR EDITOR, WIRED ︰If you show up, you know, and everyone's got the same iPhone 5 and it all looks the same, and I show up with, you know, a big screen, a small screen, like a tablet that might be a phone- a phablet-what is that?DAN SIMON ︰Most importantly, industry observers say to regain luster (榮耀), the company really needs another breakout hit, whether it's with a television or something in wearables, like Google's Glass. The company known for its incredible secrecy ( 保密性) may in fact surprise us. But after years of crushing the competition, Apple no longer has the monopoly on cool, and that may be the root of its biggest problem.資料來源：CNN 互動英語雜誌Language notes1. lose one's cool標題中的片語lose one's cool 指失去冷靜、沉不住氣、發脾氣，迷你倉也可以說blow one's cool，但在本文中cool 有「酷」的意思，lose one's cool 表示「失去酷勁」。例︰ The teacher lost his cool when several students kepttalking during his lecture.2. stay tuned動詞tune 是收聽、收看的意思，stay tuned 常用在廣播或電視節目進入尾聲時，主持人希望聽眾或觀眾下次繼續收聽或收看而說的慣用語，亦可引伸表示「持續注意某事發展」。例︰ The actor told his fans to stay tuned, as he hadseveral exciting films coming out in the next year.足本Video: link.mingpao.com/14428.htm

Android specialist Hugo Barra’s move toChina will boost smartphone maker’s global growth plans as it tries to compete with rivalsAfter raising US$216 million in its third round of fund-raising in June, Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi is looking to accelerate its international expansion plans with the hiring of a top executive from Google’s Android division.迷你倉價錢Hugo Barra (pictured), who had resigned as vice-president for Android product management at Google, would join Xiaomi as vice-president for international business development and Android strategic partnerships, the Beijing-based company confirmed via Twitter yesterday. Online publication AllThingsD had earlier reported Barra’s exit from Google.In separate posts on Sina’s Weibo microblog yesterday, Xiaomi founder and chief executive Lei Jun said Barra would start work next month, while co-founder and president Li Bin hinted that Barra could join a scheduled product launch next Thursday.On his Google+ page, Barra said yesterday: “In a few weeks, I’ll be joining the Xiaomi team in China to help them expand their incredible product portfolio and business globally … and am particularly excited about the opportu迷你倉ity to continue to help drive the Android ecosystem.”Recruiting a senior executive from the world’s largest internet company marks another coup for three-year-old, privately held Xiaomi, which put its market capitalisation at US$10 billion after its latest fundraising. Its market capitalisation is on par with that of Hong Kong-listed Lenovo, the world’s biggest personal computer supplier.Sandy Shen, Gartner’s research director for consumer services, said hiring Barra could be likened to the old Chinese saying “the first step in a 100,000-mile march”.“I think Xiaomi has the potential to appeal to Chinese-speaking communities overseas, but to move beyond that will take much longer and need more effort,” Shen said. She added that Xiaomi would be hard-pressed to challenge Samsung Electronics and Apple in the high-end market segment because it “only appeals to price- and fashion-conscious users” on the mainland.Data from market research firm Canalys showed that Xiaomi moved ahead of Apple to become the mainland’s sixth-ranked smartphone supplier last quarter. Samsung, Lenovo, Yulong Computer Telecommunication Scientific, ZTE and Huawei Technologies led the market.儲存

Source: Star-News, Wilmington, N.新蒲崗迷你倉C.Aug. 29--A New Hanover County judge Thursday denied a preliminary injunction sought by a sweepstakes business owner against local law enforcement officials who closed his business on Market Street, saying it violated state gambling laws."What's going to end up happening is my client is going to end up filing bankruptcy in another week," said Tommy Hicks, attorney for Jimmy Gerodemos.Gerodemos is owner of Louis G. Enterprises and Capital One Reward Zone, which was shuttered during a raid July 30 in which officials seized some 50 computers and $2,500 in cash."I would have liked for him to keep on being able to operate his business," said Hicks. "We felt like the system that he put in place was appropriate under the statute, and although the court ruling on the injunction really didn't rule one way or the other on that. What she did do was put us in a position where this business will ultimately fail."The lawsuit, filed Aug. 21 in Superior Court, named New Hanover County Sheriff Ed McMahon, District Attorney Ben David, New Hanover County and an insurance company for the sheriff's office as defendants.On Thursday, Superior Court Judge Gale M. Adams made the ruling four hours after listening to arguments and testimony from law enforcement, an employee of a software company, and Gerodemos, who held his hand over his face, saying the stress of paying $53,000 a month in overhead for a closed business had caused him to develop temporary facial paralysis. "It was all done correctly," Gerodemos said in explaining how he worked with an attorney to implement a system in compliance with gambling laws.Attorney General's Office Special Prosecutor David Adinolfi argued for the case to be dismissed, telling Adams she had no jurisdiction over a statute that had been "upheld in the state's highest court twice in the last eight months.""Jurisdiction is not proper in this court," he said.mini storage"It's baseless to come into a superior court and ask it to overrule a supreme court."While Adams didn't agree or disagree with Adinolfi's contention, she did say she wasn't going to consider the motion to dismiss because the defense hadn't given Hicks enough notice.The defense will now file the motion to dismiss, but following the hearing Hicks said he was uncertain where the case lies after the relief his client sought was denied."The difficulty we have is my client has a quarter-million dollars in debt and he has about five or 6,000 in the bank," Hicks said. "I don't know too many businesses that can run that long that way. I don't know just how long he'll be able to proceed,"The lawsuit is the continuation of a long legal conflict statewide over sweepstakes.In 2010, the N.C. General Assembly banned electronic gaming machines. But due to ongoing legal challenges, the ban was not enforced.In December, the N.C. Supreme Court issued an opinion upholding the General Assembly's ban. Anyone who violates the 2010 ban is guilty of a misdemeanor for the first offense and a felony for a second offense, according to state statutes.Following that ruling, area law enforcement officials indicated they would crack down on sweepstakes operations.On Jan. 8, District Attorneys Ben David and Jon David, who together represent New Hanover, Pender, Brunswick, Columbus and Bladen counties, sent a joint letter to law enforcement authorities confirming they would prosecute legal violations related to sweepstakes laws."As such, you are going to have to determine on a case-by-base basis, through investigations, whether the law is being violated," the top prosecutors wrote. Their letter said the law was effective Jan. 3.F.T. Norton: 343-2070On Twitter: @FTNortonCopyright: ___ (c)2013 the Star-News (Wilmington, N.C.) Visit the Star-News (Wilmington, N.C.) at .starnewsonline.com Distributed by MCT Information Servicesself storage

中國上市公司輿情中心 曾淳臨近中秋，迷你倉新蒲崗人馬奔騰，各方都很忙，上市公司也不例外。前腳剛剛公佈中報業績的青青稞酒，以33.7%的淨利增長在深受塑化劑和三公消費影響的白酒行業中一枝獨秀，後腳又開始考慮如何回饋股東以及廣大中小投資者了。日前，青青稞酒通過互聯網平台舉辦了“中秋節回饋雪球用戶活動”，邀請所有雪球用戶（股東或非股東均可）發表對青青稞酒的相關研究、相關文章或簡單的看法——“例如您最初是從哪些渠道瞭解到青青稞酒的，為何選擇買入青青稞酒，對青青稞酒的產品和未來發展您有哪些建議等”。其中的100人，將會被隨機抽中，獲贈公司的禮品——“天佑德青稞酒”精緻大禮盒。截至目前，該活動已獲118條轉發與354條評論，在這個平台上，這可算得上是相當熱烈的參與度了。此外，從具體內容看，用戶們可不怎麼說“廢話”，多數都是從自己對青青稞酒的瞭解和觀點出發，一派誠摯。如網友鐘達奇訴說自己買入公司股票時的理由“比較簡單”，一是地處西陲、民風尚酒，區域覆蓋率不錯；二是產品基本是中低檔酒，受三公消費影響小，中報業績的出爐也證明瞭這一點；三是董事長李銀會先生系出名門，對公司管理很有一套。盡迷你倉出租後來出于行業估值的考慮而賣出了股票，鐘達奇還是對公司的未來提出了自己的建議——因為去大西北旅遊的朋友都喜歡帶一些有地方特色的東西回來送人，“公司不妨開發一些不同價位的旅遊系列酒，和較大的旅遊景點展開合作，以取品牌和收入雙收之效”。也有不少網友表示這樣的活動挺特別，公司管理層“很有趣”。公司的證券事務代表趙小姐在接受本中心採訪時表示，公司的酒是用青稞釀造的，跟其他酒企有差異化競爭優勢，而活動的出發點正是為了讓投資者“能實際地體驗公司產品，增強感性的認識”。因此，活動是受到公司管理層支持的，得到董事會審議的通過。在此之前，青青稞酒曾發佈面向股東的產品分紅公告，為6月27日下午收市時持有公司股份的股東免費贈送“股東禮品盒”一套，並附贈“天佑德青稞酒購酒卡”一張。趙小姐表示，此次活動與給股東的產品分紅不太一樣，“更多是一種品牌推廣活動”。中國上市公司輿情中心認為，讓廣大投資者以理性的認識來換取感性的體驗，既有利於向其他投資者推廣對公司基本面的瞭解，又可以讓公司從中得到一些有益建言，還可以拉近與投資者之間的距離，可謂一石三鳥，是上市公司投資者關係管理的創新，或值得借鑒。迷你倉

本報記者 張 雙 潘笑天在T27次列車廚房，迷你倉工作人員正在為旅客精心準備午餐。本報記者 潘笑天攝從北京到拉薩的T27次列車單程需42個小時，旅客至少要在列車上吃5頓飯。吃點啥成了旅客們關心的大事兒——8月28日中午，記者循著飯菜的香氣來到T27次列車餐廳，不到11點，剛剛吃完早飯的客運服務人員就已經在為乘客們準備午飯了。在廚房的出餐口，一份份熱氣騰騰的盒飯新鮮出爐，醬鴨腿、炒芹菜、炒菜椒、西紅柿炒雞蛋，顏色鮮亮，味道噴香。在駛向高原的列車上能吃上這麼一頓，很多乘客都說，真是一個驚喜。青藏鐵路開通已經7年了，餐廳工作人員不斷摸索，形成了適合高原環境食用的近20種特色小炒，口味清淡可以增進食慾，葷素搭配又能及時補充體力。由於高原煮飯炒菜都不容易熟，在列車駛向格拉段之前，餐廳會對肉、菜、飯進行預處理，確保乘客們在海拔4000米以上的高原，也能吃到可口的飯菜。八九平方米的廚房稍顯擁擠，廚師們忙著炒菜、裝盒。廚師長張學慶今年52歲，從京藏線一開通就跟車，“我們工作人員在車上吃的特別簡單，中午一般是麵條，晚上就吃點亂燉。”廚師長告訴我們，出于安全和蔬菜保鮮的考慮，廚房里不能使用空調和氧氣，廚師們在高原地段一直站著炒菜、顛勺、盛菜，非常消耗體力。“冬天廚房是列車上最冷的地方，玻璃上和地面上都會結冰，夏天又會熱得像個悶爐。”由於列車自存倉運段的服務人員人手緊張，每個人都要承擔多項工作。50歲的餐廳主任邵玉俠剛剛給客人點完菜，一轉身又去端菜倒水了。廚師長曾在高原路段扛大米暈倒在廚房門口。第二列車長黃振旭是個80後的小伙子，他笑著說，“我最擅長的是洗碗！”說話間，一位頭髮花白的長者披上廚師服，滿面笑容地朝廚房走來。他叫王長元，今年55歲，是北京客運段的副段長，2006年7月京藏線開通時，他是第一任隊長。王長元說，跑京藏線的客運人員要過3關。一是環境關，從格爾木開始進入高原，1142公里的路程中有700多公里在海拔4000米以上；二是身體關，工作人員在自身缺氧不適的情況下，仍要為旅客服務，一天需要工作十四五個小時；三是吃飯關，很多客運人員一到高原就吃不下飯，有人一趟走下來能瘦好幾斤。從京藏線開通到現在，我們是踉踉蹌蹌走了六七年。聊天中我們得知，這個班組每月進藏兩次，一年要跑24趟高原，跟車7年的幾位老同志卻都沒去過布達拉宮。列車長裴志忠說，“列車下午3:40到拉薩，第二天下午一點多返回。這期間，我們還要完成清理車廂衛生等很多工作，基本沒有時間出去逛。”這是一份艱苦的工作，卻又仿佛超越了工作的意義本身。用王長元的話說，“京藏線隊伍是最能吃苦、最能忍耐、最能團結和最能完成任務的隊伍。青藏鐵路是一米一米修成的，我們可能做不到最好，但只是想一趟車一趟車地做到盡心。”迷你倉新蒲崗

桂畔海時評上周關於順德史努比公園復工的消息著實讓人們高興了一陣子，迷你倉出租這也重新吊起了順德百姓的胃口：這一回史努比公園真要建成了，於是關於這一主題公園的各種評論與想象又一次沉渣泛起，又一次成為街談巷議的話題。提起史努比，其實在令人興奮的同時，更多的則是讓人心酸的情感與回憶。至少它會讓我回想到十年前，當時嘉信城市花園的投資方召開了一次大規模的新聞發佈會，並放出了一個至大無比的氣球：我們要建設全球最大的史努比公園。全球最大到底有多大，面積不過三十畝。但就是這樣一則新聞，足足讓缺少旅遊景點與主題公園的順德，對這一項目充滿了無限的憧憬，事情隨後的發展卻演變成了一出狗血的懸疑劇，在懸疑達十年之久後還依舊找不到謎底在哪裡。一個袖珍的主題，竟然創紀錄的建設十年之久，與其說投資方一直將其原因推給政府，說是因為土地權屬、建設審批與環評問題致使工程一直拖到現在，我認為還不如說從項目的一開始就是資方設立的一個商業迷局、一個足以引誘平民百姓踴躍購房的噱頭，一個先把房子賣光然後不理後事的常見故事。然而在十年之後，這一項目依舊讓一部分人像打了雞迷你倉，其實我們完全該為它潑一盆冷水，在深圳華僑城即將進入順德大舉建設上千畝的旅遊項目之餘，相隔不過幾公里的史努比究竟還有多少戲？誰都清楚過去的十年，是中國大變革大發展的黃金十年，也同樣是順德旅遊市場演繹深刻變化的十年，過去的旅遊市場早已今非昔比。如果說十年前一個30畝的主題公園足以讓人怦然心動的話，那麼現在人們眼裡這只能是小兒科，因為占地幾百成千畝的旅遊項目早已遍地開花、見慣不驚了。照這樣來理解，那麼這樣一個工程即便完工之後，又有多少生存的理由與價值，又如何能成為順德旅遊市場的一個景點呢。更何況，這樣一個主題公園的選點本身就存在重大的失誤，緊鄰順德主動脈105國道的路邊，每天過往的幾萬台車輛呼出的廢氣不知有多少，在連交警都經常需要戴口罩的國道旁，到底會有多少家長陪著小孩去史努比公園里吸廢氣呢？在卡通形象已經不斷更新換代的今天，一個過氣的史努比又到底能讓多少兒童能夠記取與追隨呢。由是觀之，至少在幾年前，由房地產公司講述的史努比故事就已經講完了，這一齣戲也基本演完了，或者說這齣戲最多留下的也只是淡薄無味的殘渣而已。王基國儲存倉

　　張苗雨　　去年4月份，迷你倉出租當幾個酷愛戶外運動、志趣相投的人第一次結伴出游的時候，誰都不會想到，這個小小的旅行團隊，如今已經發展成為將近150人的戶外運動俱樂部。而把這些不同性別、不同職業、不同年齡的人聯繫在一起的，就是一種在快節奏生活中也不斷尋求自我的“樂活”的精神和生活方式。從十幾人的小團體到每次活動名額要“要秒殺”　　今年51歲的唐勳是戶外運動俱樂部的“元老”之一。他是一名中學歷史老師，年輕的時候就特別喜歡游山玩水、到處走走，用他自己的話形容，是“51歲的老小孩兒”，年紀越來越老，心態卻越來越年輕。　　“我是一名老師，每天除了站著講課就是坐著備課，時間久了，身體總會有些不舒服。”唐勳緩解這種不舒服的方法，就是到新安江周邊到處逛逛，爬爬山、踩踩水，哪怕每次只有幾個小時，重新回到工作崗位的時候，精神也會大不相同。　　由此，唐勳萌想把自己的同事全部帶出去，換一下環境，也換一下心境。於是他就向同事和朋友都宣傳了一下自己的想法，起初響應的並不多，但是組織了幾次活動之後，周圍的人看到唐勳越來越精神，便紛紛“申請”加入，開始只有不到10個人的旅行俱樂部很快發展壯大起來。唐勳介紹說，俱樂部最多的時候有200多位成員，最大規模的一次戶外旅遊有60人參與。　　俱樂部的元老們已經記不得第一次出游是在哪裡，而一年多以來，近至建德周邊，遠至貴州、雲南，數十個大大小小的景點都留下了這一群人的足跡。“我們曾經從新安江暴走到梅城、徒步穿越九里坑等等，開始的時候都喊累，幾次之後也都習慣了，現在只要有活動，大家就生龍活虎的。”唐勳說道。　　由於每次出游都是人數限制，而想要參加的俱樂部成員太多，所以唐勳就想到了一種“秒殺”名額的方式。組織出游前三天，負責人會指定一個時間讓成員在群里搶名額。對很多成員來說，這種秒殺的刺激程度根本不亞于網上的“10元秒殺冰箱”。搶名額開始前10分鐘，就有成員把自己的信息輸入完畢，只等負責人一聲令下立馬敲回車。“我們每次活動一般都是20人左右，經常是負責人剛剛宣佈搶名額開始，群對話框里就會同時出現將近50個人的秒殺信息，實在是熱鬧。”在唐勳看來，秒殺名額是每次出游的第一個樂趣。是團隊更是家庭，旅行讓人心更懂包容　　起初，這個業餘的戶外旅行俱樂部只有唐勳的幾個同事和朋友，而經過成員的介紹，越來越多的人想要加入俱樂部跟大家一起“樂活”。年齡從20歲到60歲不等，各行各業都有人陸續加入進來。迷你倉到俱樂部的規模一天天壯大，唐勳心裡也有些猶豫。　　在唐勳看來，旅遊是考驗和增進人與人之間感情的十分有效的方法。　　在這個“樂活”俱樂部里，有教師、醫生，有商人也有幹部。經過一年多的發展和磨合，這150個成員不僅僅是“旅友”，更像一家人一般，互相關心。“俱樂部里的成員只要有困難，只要在群里吼一聲，我們就‘義不容辭’提供幫助。”　　王齊泉是俱樂部里年齡比較大的一位，有一次和大家一起爬山，傍晚下山的時候腿部突然抽筋，寸步難行。“本來以為就跟平時一樣，休息一下就好了，結果那一次一直緩不過來。”幸好同行的有醫生，一直幫他按摩，其他隊員用衣服擋在他頭頂遮陽。“那一刻我真是特別慶幸自己能夠成為這個俱樂部的一員。”　　程知艱和張沐珍是一對夫妻，兩個人直來直去的“暴脾氣”是在整個俱樂部里都出了名的。妻子張沐珍加入了俱樂部之後，也把程知艱拉了進來。這對夫妻檔的變化，所有人都看在眼裡。　　“旅遊讓人心胸開闊確實是真的，之前，我對他的一些毛病根本不能容忍，跟著大家出去多了，我的性子也平和了很多，大山大河心裡都裝得下，他這一點小毛病又有什麼呢？”在張沐珍看來，跟著“大部隊”看到的不僅僅是美麗的山水，也看清楚了自己的內心。　　一起玩，一起瘋，彼此照料。平時工作中還是“正經人”，只要聚在一起，就跟剛做完家庭作業的孩子一般，去打探這個世界。“群十條”畫出健康方圓，做廣告、搞推銷就請出去　　雖然戶外運動俱樂部的成員已經彼此熟悉、彼此認可了，但有幾件事情還是讓唐勳認識到了“規則”的重要性。於是，經過商討，唐勳和成員一起為這個俱樂部指定了“群十條”，來維護俱樂部的秩序。　　“開始沒有這些規矩的，但是有些人加入我們並不是為了尋求一種健康、積極的生活方式，而是做廣告、搞推銷，有一段時間真是把我們俱樂部搞得烏煙瘴氣的。”　　“和諧、平等、安全、健康、快樂”是俱樂部的八字準則，十條規則制定之後，唐勳就一次性清除了數十人，在他看來，只要違反了規定，無論關係多好，也沒有什麼回旋的餘地。　　“大掃除”行動之後，整個俱樂部的氣氛確實好了很多。“其實我們這個俱樂部特別簡單，大家都是兄弟姐妹，也都是有素質的人，出去玩就是要陶冶心境，如果不能有一套規則進行約束的話，我們所追求的健康、快樂就是無稽之談。”唐勳說，這種“大掃除”還會定期舉行，“要做就要做到最好，我們一些元老用心去維護俱樂部的秩序和榮譽，我們也希望所有的成員也能用心去呼應我們。”儲存倉

　　摘要　　• 財務表現增長強勁，迷你倉公司擁有人應佔溢利增加41%至5.769億港元，去年同期則為4.084億港元。每股基本盈利為37.6港仙(二零一二年上半年: 33.2港仙)　　• 集團透過聯營公司新濠博亞娛樂有限公司(「新濠博亞娛樂」)經營核心博彩及澳門業務，二零一三年上半年淨收益及經調整EBITDA分別大幅增長24%及35%至24.4億美元及6.036億美元　　• 新濠天地的第五棟酒店大樓預計將於二零一三年底動工。該新酒店大樓將增添更多完善並專為高注碼中場及高端客戶而設的配套設施，進一步提升集團在高注碼中場的領先地位　　• 座落於增長迅速的路�城、以電影為主題的綜合度假村項目新濠影�將如期於二零一五年年中開業　　• 新濠博亞娛樂旗下的馬尼拉項目將設有多項地標式娛樂景點，預計將於二零一四年中開幕　　• 集團持有5%權益的俄羅斯娛樂場度假村預計將於二零一四年九月開業，將成為俄羅斯自二零零九年禁止賭博以來，首個在其遠東地區合法經營的持牌娛樂場　　• 新濠國際獲Veremonte邀請以娛樂場營運商身份參與其Barcelona World項目　　• 新濠博亞娛樂榮登《福布斯亞洲》「亞太最佳上市公司50強」，躋身亞洲最佳大型企業之列　　【本報訊】 新濠國際發展有限公司 （「新濠國際」或「集團」；香港交易所股份代號：200） 今天公佈截至二零一三年六月三十日止六個月的中期業績。集團財務表現強勁，公司擁有人應佔溢利增長41%至5.769億港元，去年同期則為4.084億港元。每股基本盈利為37.6港仙（二零一二年上半年：33.2港仙）。　　期內，集團繼續保持一貫穩健的財務狀況，公司擁有人應佔每股資產淨值增加12%至6.88港元，資本負債比率為12%。　　新濠國際集團主席兼行政總裁何猷龍先生表示：「新濠國際於二零一三年上半年再創佳績，我感到十分欣喜。集團除顯著提升財務表現外，同時亦成功抓緊進軍新興亞洲及歐亞市場的龐大機遇。集團旗下經營核心博彩業務的主要聯營公司－新濠博亞娛樂榮登《福布斯亞洲》『亞太最佳上市公司50強』，充分肯定其傑出成就。在競爭激烈的市場下，憑藉其卓越營運，新濠博亞娛樂的業績錄得創破紀錄佳績。澳門的旗艦項目新濠天地持續提高盈利能力及擴大客戶基礎，反映集團在賭桌供應數量有限的情況下仍能獲取最大賭桌效益。　　「集團的各項發展項目正順利推進。座落於增長迅速的路�城、以電影為主題的綜合度假村項目新濠影�預計將符合預算並如期於二零一五年年中開業。另外，新濠天地的第五棟酒店預計將於二零一三年底動工。該新酒店大樓將增添更多完善並專為高注碼中場及高端客戶而設的配套設施，進一步提升集團在高注碼中場的領先地位。 」　　「澳門以外，我們一直整裝待發，積極進軍其他亞洲及歐洲國家，以抓緊進一步的增長商機及與現有博彩及娛樂資產締造更龐大的協同效益。新濠博亞娛樂早前宣布的馬尼拉發展項目預計將於二零一四年年中開幕。該項目將擁有多項地標式娛樂景點，勢必令菲律賓的旅遊及娛樂事業發展更趨多元化。此外，Entertainment Gaming Asia Inc. (「EG自存倉」) 亦積極拓展旗下博彩業務，並以『Dreamworld』品牌在柬埔寨發展及經營自家的區內娛樂場。EGT於毗鄰泰國邊境、具規模的博彩市場波別市開設了 Dreamworld Club。該娛樂場自2013年5月開業以來，一直深受客戶歡迎。　　「此外，新濠國際已落實收購位於俄羅斯Primorye地區之娛樂場度假村發展項目的5%股權。該俄羅斯娛樂場度假村佔盡地理優勢，鄰近目標市場中國東北，預期將於二零一四年九月開幕，成為俄羅斯自二零零九年禁止賭博（除了四個指定邊境地區）以來，首個在其遠東地區合法經營的持牌娛樂場。此外，集團更獲Veremonte邀請以娛樂場營運商身份參與其Barcelona World項目。　　「展望未來，新濠國際將繼續鞏固集團作為首屈一指的博彩及娛樂企業的領導地位。除現有發展中項目外，集團亦將繼續拓展海外市場，把我們的成功經驗帶到其他市場，以擴大投資回報及為股東創造長遠價值。」　　集團營運全面造好　　由新濠博亞娛樂營運的核心博彩及澳門業務於二零一三年上半年錄得強勁淨收益及經調整EBITDA增長，分別上升24%及35%至24.4億美元及6.036億美元。升幅主要受惠於集團整體中場賭桌收益大幅提升、集團整體的泥碼下注額增加，以及逐步見效的成本控制措施所致。新濠天地於中場賭桌市場佔據重大市場佔有率，中場賭桌收益亦遠超澳門其他項目。　　集團持有38.14%權益的EGT在柬埔寨及菲律賓經營博彩機收益分成業務。EGT 於二零一三年上半年的收益增加8%，主要由於其積極拓展娛樂場業務及博彩籌碼和飾板籌碼業務。繼其首個娛樂場所項目於二零一二年五月開業後，公司已於二零一三年五月在鄰近泰國邊境的波別市開設一家設有約300張角子機座位的角子機娛樂場Dreamworld Club。　　集團持有50.59%權益的新濠環彩有限公司（「新濠環彩」）錄得約58%的收益增長，主要受惠於為國營的中國體育彩票管理中心提供的彩票終端機分銷業務。憑藉善用其策略性股東的世界級專業知識，以及加強專注於新媒體技術及銷售平台，新濠環彩致力抓緊不斷增長的中國市場所帶來的商機。　　其他成就　　於二零一三年，新濠國際於《Corporate Governance Asia 亞洲企業管治》雜誌舉辦的「亞洲企業管治年度大獎」中獲得「傑出企業管治」殊榮，並在該雜誌舉辦的「亞洲卓越大獎」中連續第三年榮獲「香港最佳投資者關係企業」獎項。而集團主席兼行政總裁何猷龍先生不僅獲《Corporate Governance Asia 亞洲企業管治》雜誌連續第二年頒發「亞洲企業最佳董事獎」，同時亦在該雜誌舉辦的「亞洲卓越大獎」中連續第二度獲選為「亞洲最佳行政總裁（投資者關係）」。這些獎項充分證明新濠國際對企業管治所作的努力廣獲認同。　　此外，集團亦憑藉其為旅客提供的獨特及精采的住宿及娛樂體驗而贏得多項殊榮。新濠天地首次在國際博彩業大獎中榮獲「年度最佳綜合渡假村」。新濠天地之皇冠度假酒店更成為澳門路�城首家榮獲《福布斯旅遊指南》五星級酒店大獎的酒店，而澳門新濠鋒亦連續四年榮獲酒店及水療組別的福布斯五星級大獎。迷你倉新蒲崗

Highest Turnout for Travel in Five Years; Gas Prices TumbleNEW YORK, Aug.迷你倉 28, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- An estimated 34.1 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home this Labor Day weekend, the highest turn out since 2008, when the recession was at its peak, the American Automobile Association reports. Gas prices are also down, nearly 5 percent, another plus for vacationers. However, for those renting a car, it can be confusing, frustrating and downright daunting. Unfortunately, many consumers do not even think about car rental insurance until they get to the counter, which can result in either wasting money by purchasing unnecessary coverage or having dangerous gaps in coverage, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).Before renting a car, I.I.I. suggests that you make two phone calls--one to your insurance professional and another to the credit card company you will be using to pay for the rental car.1. Insurance CompanyFind out how much coverage you currently have on your own car. In most cases, whatever coverage and deductibles you have on your own car would apply when you rent a car, providing you are using the car for recreation and not for business. If you have dropped either comprehensive or collision on your own car as a way to reduce costs, you will not be covered if your rental car is stolen or damaged in an accident.Check to see whether your insurance company pays for administrative fees, loss of use or towing charges. Some companies may provide an insurance rider to cover some of these costs, which would make it less expensive than purchasing coverage through the rental car company. Keep in mind, however, that in most states diminished value (the reduction in a vehicle's market value occurring after a vehicle is damaged and then repaired), is not covered by insurers. 2. Credit Card CompanyInsurance benefits offered by credit card companies differ by both the company and/or the bank that issues the card, as well as by the level of credit card used. For instance, a platinum card may offer more insurance coverage than a gold card. Credit cards usually cover only damage to or loss of the rented vehicle, not for other cars, personal belongings or the property of others. You may not have personal liability coverage for bodily injury or death claims. Some credit card companies will provide coverage for towing, but many may not provide for diminished value or administrative fees. Some credit card companies have changed their policies, too, so you may not have as much coverage as you thought. To know exactly what type of insurance you have, call the toll-free number on the back of the card you will be using to rent the car. If you are depending on a credit card for insurance protection, ask the credit card company or bank to send you its coverage information in writing. In most cases, credit card benefits are secondary to either your personal insurance protection or the insurance offered by the rental car company. If you have more than one credit card, consider calling each one to see which offers the best insurance protection.At the Rental Car CounterSince insurance is state regulated, the cost and coverage will vary from state to state. Consumers, however, can generally choose from the following coverages:-- Loss Damage Waiver (LDW)Also referred to as a collision damage waiver outside the U.S., an LDW is not technically an insurance product. LDWs do, however, relieve or "waive" renters of financial responsibility if their rental car is damaged or stolen. In most cases, waivers also provide coverage for "loss of use," in the event the rental car company charges the renter for the time a damaged car cannot be used because it is being fixed. It may also cover towing and administrative fees.Waivers, however, may become void if the accident was caused by speeding, driving on unpaved roads or driving while intoxicated. If you already have comprehensive and collision coverage on your own car, check with your personal auto insurer to make sure you are not duplicating coverage you already have. Should you decid文件倉 it is necessary, this coverage generally costs between $9 and $19 a day. -- Liability InsuranceBy law, rental companies must provide the state-required amount of liability insurance. Generally, these amounts are low and do not provide much protection. If you have adequate amounts of liability protection on your own car, you may consider forgoing additional liability protection. If you want the supplemental insurance, it will cost between $7 and $14 a day. An umbrella liability policy, however, may be more cost effective. Umbrella liability insurance is so named because it acts like an umbrella, sitting on top of your auto and homeowners (or renters) liability policies to provide extra protection, including accidents, while driving your own car or one that you rent. These policies, usually sold in increments of a million dollars, cost as little as $200 to $300 annually for a million dollars worth of coverage and another $50 to $100 for each additional million. Those who do not own their own car and are frequent car renters, can also consider purchasing a non-owner liability policy. This not only provides liability protection when you rent a car, but also when you borrow someone else's car. -- Personal Accident InsurancePersonal Accident Insurance offers coverage to you and your passengers for medical and ambulance bills for injuries caused in a car crash. If you have adequate health insurance or are covered by personal injury protection under your own car insurance, you may not need this additional insurance. It usually costs about $1 to $5 a day. -- Personal Effects CoveragePersonal Effects Coverage provides insurance protection for the theft of items in your car. If you have a homeowners or renters insurance policy that includes off-premises theft coverage, you are generally covered for theft of your belongings away from home, minus the deductible. If you purchase this coverage through the rental car company, it generally costs between $1 and $4 a day. If you frequently travel with expensive items such as jewelry, cameras, musical equipment or sports equipment, it may be more cost effective to purchase a personal articles floater under your homeowners or renters insurance policy. With such a floater, your valuable items are protected at home as well as while traveling anywhere in the world and the coverage is broader.Other Things to ConsiderStates have minimum age requirements for renting a car, and most major rental car companies refuse to rent a car to someone who is under 21, and in some cases under 25. In addition, some rental car companies now investigate your driving record and/or credit history, so check with the rental car company before picking up the car.In addition, many car rental companies now impose various fees after an accident that you may not be aware of and will be held responsible for. These fees, which can run from several hundred to several thousands of dollars, can include: towing, storage, impound fees, loss of use, diminished value and administrative services. So check with your insurer and credit card company to see which of these fees are covered.I.I.I. has a podcast available that outlines the coverages offered in most rental car policies. Knowing more about these coverages consumers can make smart choices and save money when renting a car.To view or download the podcast, go to iTunes and type "Insurance Information Institute" into the search field, or go to Podcast: Rental Car Insurance on the I.I.I. Web site.The I.I.I.'s free mobile apps can help you create a disaster plan, learn about selecting the right insurance for your needs and budget, and create and maintain a home inventory. Learn more about our suite of apps here.THE I.I.I. IS A NONPROFIT, COMMUNICATIONS ORGANIZATION SUPPORTED BY THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY.Insurance Information Institute, 110 William Street, New York, NY 10038; (212) 346-5500; .iii.org.facebook.com/InsuranceInformationInstitute twitter.com/iiiorg .linkedin.com/company/insurance-information-institute .youtube.com/iiivideo https://plus.google.com/113369356227754162778Insurance Information InstituteWeb site: .iii.org/存倉

By Agencies in Beirut, Lebanon and Geneva ( China Daily) An Israeli soldier walks next to Merkava tanks in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights near the border with Syria on Wednesday.迷你倉 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will strike back "fiercely" if Syria attacks the Jewish state. Menahem Kahana / Agence France-Presse The United Nations Security Council was set for a showdown over Syria on Wednesday after the United Kingdom sought authorization for Western military action that seems certain to be vetoed by Russia.UN chemical weapons experts investigating a purported gas attack that killed hundreds of civilians in rebel-held suburbs of Damascus made a second trip across the front line to take samples.But the United States and European and Middle East allies have already pinned the blame on the Syrian government and, even without full UN authorization, US-led air or missile strikes on Syria look all but certain, though the timing is far from clear.Meanwhile, evidence suggests that some kind of chemical "substance" was used in Syria that may have killed more than 1,000 people, but any military strike in response must first gain UN Security Council approval, UN Special Envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi said on Wednesday."With what has happened on the 21st of August last week, it does seem that some kind of substance was used that killed a lot of people: hundreds, definitely more than a hundred, some people say 300, some people s自存倉y 600, maybe 1,000, maybe more than 1,000 people," Brahimi said."This was of course unacceptable. This is outrageous. This confirms how dangerous the situation in Syria is and how important for the Syrians and the international community to really develop the political will to address this issue seriously, and look for a solution for it," he said.The development has set Western leaders on a collision course with Moscow, which has a veto in the Security Council and disapproves of what it sees as a push for Iraq-style "regime change" - despite US denials that President Barack Obama aims to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.Uncertainty over how the escalation of the conflict at the heart of the oil-exporting Middle East will affect trade and the world economy sent oil prices and gold to their highest levels in months, while stocks fell. Fears over the economy of Syria's hostile neighbor Turkey pushed its lira to a record low.Germany, Europe's economic superpower, urged Russia to back the resolution that the UK will propose for the United Nations Security Council. But Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had already said earlier in the day that any attack would be folly.Brahimi said "international law is clear" in requiring Security Council authorization for any military action. But Western leaders have made clear they are ready to proceed without it, citing precedents for foreign intervention to protect civilians.Reuters-AP迷你倉新蒲崗

BROOMFIELD, Colo.自存倉, Aug. 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Aircell , a leading provider of in-flight connectivity equipment and services to the business aviation market, announces that its Gogo Biz service will expand to include voice capabilities, beginning October 1(st). Gogo Biz was originally launched in 2009 as an Internet-only service in the business aviation market.(Logo: photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130415/CG94789LOGO)Because Gogo Biz operates on Aircell's air-to-ground technology, its voice calls are among the clearest in aviation - on par with mobile phone calls on the ground. As a "two-in-one" service, Gogo Biz offers Internet and voice capabilities from a single system, which can eliminate the need for separate systems, dramatically reducing equipment requirements and installation costs.Monthly voice plans for Gogo Biz start at $134.95/month, which includes 60 voice minutes.In flight, passengers and flight crews can use the new Gogo Biz voice capabilities on their own smartphones and/or with Aircell's new cabin handsets, as detailed below:1. Gogo Text & Talk. Your Own Smartphone, Your Own NumberGogo Text & Talk is an exclusive new service that allows passengers to use their own smartphones for calling and texting in flight - with their own mobile number.It's easy to use because it mimics the native features and operation of the passenger's smartphone. Passengers can use their own contact lists and hands-free devices. Features like Caller ID and call histories are supported. Calling someone in flight is as simple as dialing their number.Gogo Text & Talk is a game-changing service because it operates over Wi-Fi technology (not cellular) and uses the passenger's own mobile number (not an auto-attendant, two-step dialing or call-forwarding protocol). Because the service is 100% software-based, it can be added to any standard Gogo Biz equipment package without additional hardware, weight or installation downtime. This makes Gogo Text & Talk practical for aircraft as small as light jets and turboprops - while being hundreds of thousands of dollars less expensive than traditional, picocell-based solutions, which offer similar capabilities.Available with any Gogo Biz system, Gogo Text & Talk is obtained by purchasing a software key for the aircraft's onboard equipment and installing a free app on passengers' smartphones. The service will be available for iPhone 4, 4S and 5 beginning October 1(st). Support for select Android devices will begin on November 1(st). More information is available at .aircell.com/gogotexttalk. 2. The Gogo OnePhone. Aircell's Next-Generation Cabin HandsetThe new Gogo OnePhone offers superior voice quality and the industry's most advanced noise reduction technology. Its big, bright, touchscreen display and Android-based operating system mean it's very easy to use. High-end industrial design and carefully-chosen finishes and 迷你倉新蒲崗aterials make it a perfect complement to any business aircraft interior. Wired and wireless options are available.Shipments of the Gogo OnePhone will begin October 15(th). More information is available at .aircell.com/gogoonephone.John Wade, Aircell's Executive Vice President and General Manager, commented, "Although in-flight Internet has captured the world's interest in recent years, customers never stopped asking for the ability to use their own smartphone - with their own number - to call and text while they fly. We firmly believe in the future of in-flight voice service and the role it plays in our 'always on' lifestyles. With today's introduction of voice capabilities for Gogo Biz, a new cabin handset and the ability to use personal smartphones, customers have more options than ever."NOTES TO EDITORSTwo images accompany this release:Image 1: Gogo Text & Talk-- Caption: "The new Gogo Text & Talk service allows passengers to call and text in flight, using their own smartphone and mobile number." -- Download: .aircell.com/files/graphics/gogotexttalk.jpgImage 2: The Gogo OnePhone-- Caption: "The Gogo OnePhone is a next-generation cabin handset from Aircell." -- Download: .aircell.com/files/graphics/gogoonephone.jpgAbout AircellAircell, a Gogo company, is a leading provider of in-flight connectivity equipment and services to the business aviation market. Through a full range of services including voice, high-speed Internet, cockpit data and more, Aircell increases the productivity, safety, and enjoyment of the business aviation travel experience. Headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado, USA, Aircell is an AS9100-certified company serving a global customer base with an authorized dealer/distributor network that spans six continents. A trusted brand in airborne communications, Aircell is a factory option at every major business aircraft manufacturer and installed on the world's largest fractional ownership fleets. The only company to offer equipment for three of the industry's most popular network technologies - Iridium Satellite, Inmarsat SwiftBroadband and Gogo Biz(R), Aircell provides advice and solutions addressing any customer need, aircraft type, or geography.A Collier Trophy nominee and the recipient of several dozen awards for innovation, Aircell is widely credited with many of the industry's most influential historical achievements, beginning with the groundbreaking airborne cellular concept that launched the company in 1991. Connect with us at .aircell.com and on Twitter at .twitter.com/aircellbizav.(C) 2013 Aircell. All rights reserved. Aircell, Gogo and Gogo Biz, and In Touch, In Flight are trademarks of Aircell Business Aviation Services LLC or its affiliates. Third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Not endorsed by any smartphone device manufacturers or distributors.Press Contact:Tom MyersDirector, MarketingOffice +1.303.301.3237tmyers@aircell.com.twitter.com/aircellbizavPhoto: photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130415/CG94789LOGOAircellWeb site: .aircell.com/迷你倉出租

【記者王家文報道】iPhone5S及5C將於下月20日開售？本報取得富商李嘉誠旗下3香港的一封內部電郵，迷你倉出租指將有新手機推出，限令門市員工下月20至30日期間只可休假一天。內部電郵披露香港可能是首批開售iPhone5S及5C地區之一，為迎接出新機熱潮，有指3香港高層要員工瘋狂加班，每天工作16小時，更縮短用膳時間。工會質疑3香港違反勞工法例。3香港逼員工加班疑違法日前3香港向各分店經理發出內部電郵，指多款新手機即將發佈，規定「每名員工在9月20至30日期間，只准休息一天」。據悉，3香港以往在新手機推出前，只口頭下令員工不可額外請假，但可照放例假，惟今次明文規定只可休假一天。「越來越過份！」3香港員工親屬李太向本報投訴，指早在iPhone4S及5開售時，該公司已要求員工不斷加班，「朝早9點返工，凌晨3、4點先收得工，第二朝又要返9點」。用膳時間更由一小時縮減至半小時，抱恙也要死撐，「睇完醫生都要你返工」。李太指員工加班沒補水，只可在淡季迷你倉「返少幾個鐘」作補償；若員工加班至凌晨，管理層也要員工湊夠三、四人才可一起搭的士回家，或索性叫員工留宿公司。她斥3香港為搶生意壓迫員工「好冇人道」。和記電訊回應稱，根據紀錄，9月20至30日期間有店員獲批超過一天的假期，但沒回應有否發出有關指令及原因，並指若門巿員工因配合推廣或銷售活動而逾時工作，會作適當安排，如讓員工乘的士回家。《僱傭條例》規定，連續性合約僱員每七天可享一天休息日。職工盟組織幹事王宇來指，僱主雖可要求員工在休息日上班，但必須獲僱員同意，「3香港出通告話連續11日只可放一日假，係大石壓死蟹，公然違法」。盛傳蘋果公司於美國時間下月10日發佈iPhone5S及5C，3香港內部電郵是否意味本港將成首個海外發售地區，於下月20日開售？本報昨向多間電訊商查詢，1010及one2Free稱正待蘋果指示，暫不評論；數碼通稱暫沒公佈；電訊盈科未有回覆。此外，昨有網站報道，指蘋果計劃下月推出舊機換新機服務，顧客只需補貼差額即可換購新機。儲存倉