HTC?s Q2 profit tumbles as company forecasts first-ever loss for Q3

They say the darkest hour is just before dawn, and HTC certainly hopes ?they? are right. The company on Tuesday posted second-quarter financial results that were in line with its unaudited pre-announcement. Profit tumbled more than 80% to approximately $41.7 million on revenue that came in just under $2.4 billion. The bad news gets worse, however. HTC said that it may post an operating loss in Q3 2013 for the first time since before its IPO as revenue and gross margins both continue to slip. On the bright side, however, the company noted that the HTC One outperformed last year?s hero models and it helped HTC ?establish strong brand awareness.? No shipment or sell-through numbers were provided. HTC?s full press release follows below.

HTC reports 2013 second-quarter results

[More from BGR: Sprint posts massive $1.6 billion Q2 loss]

Taipei, Taiwan ? July 30, 2013?? HTC Corporation (the Company, TWSE: 2498), a global leader in mobile innovation and design, today announced consolidated results for the Company and its subsidiaries for the second quarter of 2013.

2Q 2013 Results
HTC posted quarterly revenue of NT$70.7 billion, with gross margin of 23.2 % and operating margin of 1.5%. Net profit and EPS were NT$1.25 billion and NT$1.50, respectively.

?My leadership team continues to focus on execution,? said Peter Chou, CEO of HTC. ?We are seeing expected results as we fill the channels and meet demand for the new HTC One. As we broaden our focus to include a new member of the HTC One family, the recently announced One mini, we are looking forward to delivering great products and results in 2H.?

HTC announced key appointments, including Jack Yang to president of South Asia, Sirpa Ikola to senior director of marketing for South Asia, and Lorain Wong to vice president of global PR.

As manufacturing ramped up, the US saw sequential growth in 2Q, as well as expansion in retail channels. EMEA saw renewed strength in major Western European markets and emerging countries.

Progress was observed across Asia. HTC gained market share in Taiwan, showing an improved presence in Hong Kong and warm reception of its products by consumers in Japan. In China, sales of HTC?s high-end models improved, while competition at the mid-tier and affordable intensified. In South Asia, the improvement of key operator relationships provides optimism about the region.

3Q 2013 Outlook
The Company?s outlook for the second quarter of 2013 is as follows:

• 3Q revenue is expected to be in the range of NT$50bn to NT$60bn
• Gross profit margin is expected to be in the range of 18% to 21%
• Operating margin is expected to be in the range of 0% to -8%

The new HTC One has performed well in the market, better than that of our hero products for the same period last year. We aim to extend the momentum as we enter into the second half of 2013. The new HTC One has also helped the company establish strong brand awareness and received numerous accolades as the world?s best smart phone. With the help of HTC One, we have regained superphone market share across major markets including China.

We also have plans underway to launch a range of innovative and competitive mid-tier products in the coming months. We hope to regain momentum and market share in these segments in Q4. This will address our challenge of mid-tier products competiveness

Our overall gross margin has been impacted by the relatively higher cost structure, lack of economy of scale and certain provisions needed to facilitate the clearance of aging products in the channel. Actions have been taken and we expect to see improvement in Q4

We are also optimizing our organization, including the improvement of management efficiency and effectiveness.

People, innovations, and technology are the core assets of HTC. We will continue to invest in innovations and technology, as well as retaining and rewarding our best talents. We look forward to a brighter future for HTC and continue to delight our customers with the best and most exciting products.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/htc-q2-profit-tumbles-company-forecasts-first-ever-123020429.html

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Osbourne: Bieber 'doesn't realize he's white'

Celebs

Gael Fashingbauer Cooper TODAY

2 hours ago

Virginia Sherwood / NBC

Sharon Osbourne doesn't mince words when it comes to giving her opinion of other famous people.

Sharon Osbourne isn't afraid to give her honest opinion on anything -- or anyone. In a blunt interview with The Daily Beast, the TV personality and wife of rocker Ozzy Osbourne offered up her take on various musicians, including Justin Bieber.

"I feel really bad for him," Osbourne said of the teen pop sensation. "There?s this little kid with a huge dream, he?s cute, girls love him, and he wants to be a mean boy, and he?s about as mean as a (expletive) kitten, and he?s trying to act out."

Osbourne referred to Bieber infamously urinating in a mop bucket in a nightclub kitchen earlier this year while his friends laughed and filmed the event.

"It?s like, 'Oh, we?re the bad boys!' she said. "(Expletive) off! You don?t know what bad is. And I think that he?s lost, I really do. I think he doesn?t realize he?s white and not black, that?s a huge problem. And, at the point he?s at in his career, it?s so dangerous because we?ve seen it all before a million times. Where do you go when you?re a child entertainer and then you want to transition to be a man? Very few make it."

Osbourne also gave the interviewer her opinion on various other famous faces.

"I have no time for (Kanye West)," she said of the musician and Kim Kardashian baby daddy. "He bores me." But she had only praise for singers Taylor Swift and Justin Timberlake.

Osbourne also had kudos for Angelina Jolie's decision to have a preventive double mastectomy upon learning she carried a gene making her highly likely to develop breast cancer. Osbourne herself had that same operation in 2012 upon learning she also had the gene.

"But my situation is nowhere near what Angelina?s was," she said. "She had lost her mother and her aunt to it, and she has all those babies to take care of. I?ve had my life, and she hasn?t yet."

Osbourne had nothing good to say about New York mayoral candidate Anthony Weiner, whose second sexting scandal has made headlines lately.

"You?re a grown man with a great education, and you think, in this day and age, you can send pictures of your penis over the Internet and not get caught? " Osbourne said. "Now, how (expletive) stupid are you? What makes him think that he has a sense of freedom to do that?"

Source: http://www.today.com/entertainment/sharon-osbourne-justin-bieber-doesnt-realize-hes-white-6C10791074

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Afghan women's rights at risk in peace process: U.N. watchdog

By Stephanie Nebehay

GENEVA (Reuters) - Women's rights in Afghanistan risk being further undermined in the fragile country's peace process due to entrenched patriarchal attitudes, a United Nations watchdog warned on Monday.

Afghan women have made hard-fought gains in education and work since the collapse of the Taliban government in 2001, but fears are growing these could suffer a reversal when most foreign forces leave by the end of next year.

The U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women said the Afghan authorities had promised it that women would be able to participate in the peace talks, thereby rejecting Taliban demands for them to be excluded.

"We have had official assurances ... I would like to consider a government's word as credible," Nicole Ameline, committee chair, told a news briefing.

But the committee of independent experts voiced concern that "women's interests and needs may be compromised in the peace negotiations due to deep rooted patriarchal attitudes".

In addition, meaningful participation by women in the peace process is jeopardized by the fact that there are only nine women in the 70-member High Peace Council, the Afghan body created in 2010 to broker peace with the Taliban.

"We have 18 months (before the NATO withdrawal) that consist of a turning point and we have to be absolutely mobilized," said Ameline, a former French minister.

"There could be backsliding and we cannot accept that."

The committee said there was already an increasing number of attacks on girls' schools by Taliban groups opposed to their education, with girls falling ill in school from suspected poisoning in some instances.

Afghanistan has a "high prevalence of violence against women", marked by domestic violence, rapes, stoning, and so-called honor crimes, the U.N. committee said.

(Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/afghan-womens-rights-risk-peace-process-u-n-141244309.html

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Portland Metro Small College Hoops - Jul 29,2013

Oscar nominee Andy Garcia shares highlights of his extraordinary career and collaborations with Brian De Palma, Sidney Lumet, Al Pacino and James Gandolfini.

Your transformation begins as psychic Barbara Mackey answers your burning questions on dating, success, marriage, career, relationships, business and more.

Jon Taffer of the show ?Bar Rescue? talks with with Jefferson Graham and Ed Baig about his favorite sleeping apps and why he won't use restaurant-ordering apps.

Small-Business Success Talk?s Helen Callier talks with Kim Baynes, whose daughter, Victoria Baynes Lopez, helped found their startup, Itz 4 Kidz by Kidz.

As a pastor, husband, father and Christian media exec, Dr. Brad Mathias shares insightful and practical tips on modern-day parenting challenges and family life.

Andrew McMahon, frontman for the bands Something Corporate and Jack?s Mannequin, stops by The Stupid Cancer Show to share his story on surviving leukemia.

The Foundation for Democratic Process? Macdonald Chipenzi and the Committee for Protection of Journalists? Sue Valentine discuss the media in Zambia.

Smartasses Radio welcomes Producer/Director Michael David Lynch, of ?Iron Man 2,? ?GI Joe: Rise of the Cobra,? ?Live Free or Die Hard,? ?Prison Break? and more.

Jazz-influenced blues-based artist and pop iconoclast singer-songwriter A.J. Croce has traveled a circuitous road. He unveils his new album, ?Twelve Tales.?

Andrea Perron lived the events depicted in the movie "The Conjuring." She?s written her own accounting of what occurred in that farmhouse rife with spirits.

Brooklyn-based poetry/music duo Craig Ultraviolence Cady and Lucas DeeDeeRex Carey are currently on The Cassfield ?Get Yourself Together? Tour across America.

Victoria Jackson discusses calling Pres. Obama a Communist on ?The O?Reilly Factor.? And Wayne Dupree, known as ?New Ninja,? discusses his concern for America.

Get live coverage from the Tall City Blues Fest in Midland, Texas, including artist interviews, as well as chats with festival organizers and fans.

Tune in for a look at the past, present and future of the King James Radio Network, which celebrates 1 year on the world's largest online radio platform.

Gardening in a small space and want to grow roses? Consider DRIFT roses by Star Roses & Plants. VP Jacques Ferare talks about compact, easy-to-care-for roses!

Jammin? Jukebox Radio showcases indie music from Carolina Beach artists as well as debuts some new music from today's hottest indie artists.

VividLife Radio welcomes spiritual visionary Panache Desai to discuss freeing yourself from pain, suffering, sadness and self-limiting beliefs.

Sports in the Spirit gives the Biblical perspective on the suspension of Ryan Braun, who lied about his steroid use, while playing for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Tune in for a chat with legendary musician/producer/songwriter Printz Board of The Black Eyed Peas on the Wacko World with Kat Vecchione.

It?s summer in Lake Tahoe. Travel Brigade takes you to the border of California and Nevada for stunning views, Shakespeare on the beach, local casinos and more.

Dr. James Adams, co-author of ?Healing with Medicinal Plants of the West,? understands the real medicinal properties of plants and how to apply them.

Ruth Clampett, daughter of legendary animator Bob Clampett, creator of characters like Tweety Bird, Porky Pig and Bugs Bunny, talks about her dad and new book.

Joe the Plumber, a.k.a. Joe Wurzelbacher, is an inspirational speaker and now a prepper! Hear his frank thoughts on Second Amendment rights and more.

January Jones talks with Toni Harris, author of "Sometimes You Have to Take Drastic Steps to Turn Your Life Around,? about losing weight and more.

Get live coverage from the 18th Annual West Indian and Caribbean-American Carnival in Jersey City, N.J. Food Wrap: where talk never tasted so good!

Author Alexes Johnson discusses his new poetic memoir, "Junkie Witness." He shares his story about growing up with a parent battling heroine addiction.

West Coast super MC and former Aftermath prodigy Bishop Lamont dishes on what really happened and is happening at Aftermath, plus his relationship with Dr. Dre.

It?s a class reunion at ArtSees Diner Radio, as Steve Champagne and Mary E. LaLuna sing some of their favorites and reminisce about the music as they go.

Natalie Imani has sung backup for some of the biggest acts in showbiz, like John Legend and Nicki Minaj, carefully noting what she can learn from their success.

Source: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/smallcollegehoops/2013/07/29/portland-metro-small-college-hoops

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High school football starts this Monday

I?m not sure if it seems like the day where high school football coaches pass out the equipment has come much too soon or should have happened earlier.

It seems like the WIAA state baseball tournament ended just yesterday (actually last week if we?re talking summer baseball).

With the in mind, here are key dates for the upcoming prep football season and last year?s championship results.

Mon., Aug 5 - pass out equipment

Tues., Aug. 6 - earliest day for practice

Thurs., Aug. 22 - earliest date for game

Sat., Oct. 19 - football seeding meetings

Fri., Oct. 25/Sat. Oct. 26 - Level 1 football playoffs

Fri., Nov. 1/Sat., Nov. 2 - Level 2 football playoffs

Fri., Nov. 8/Sat., Nov. 3 - Level 3 football playoffs

Fri., Nov. 15/Sat., Nov. 16 - Level 4 football playoffs

Thurs., Nov. 21/Fri., Nov. 22 - State football finals

?

2012 WIAA football champions

Division 1: Arrowhead 35, Sun Prairie 14

Division 2: Homestead 14, Waunakee 0

Division 3: Catholic Memorial 42, Waupaca 7

Division 4: Somerset 35, Big Foot 33 (OT)

Division 5: Amherst 19, Lancaster 7

Division 6: Fond du Lac Springs 24, Regis 14

Division 7: Glenwood City 46, Potosi 21

Key dates for the upcoming season and last year?s champions for other sports will be posted over the course of the rest of this week.

By Jim Oskola, Post-Crescent Media

joskola@postcrescent.com or 920-993-1000, ext. 230

Source: http://wisinfo.biz/blogs/appleton/varsity-blog/high-school-football-starts-this-monday/

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The GOP Death Wish, and Why Paul Ryan Has No National Career Left to Destroy

Paul Ryan Hints at Immigration Timetable | Goppers

Rep. Paul D. Ryan might have just given away the road map for House consideration of immigration reform.

?Tentatively, in October, we?re going to vote on a border security bill, an interior enforcement bill, a bill for legal immigration,? the Wisconsin Republican and Budget Committee chairman told constituents at a district town hall event Friday, according to a report by the Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel.

Ryan also reportedly said negotiations were underway for the chamber to vote on legislation that would provide undocumented immigrants with ?probationary? visas while they waited a minimum of 15 years to attain citizenship.? (SCAMNESTY ? wtq)

If the GOP does this, it will never again win a national election.

I?ll start voting the straight Democrat ticket, unless a true Socialist Party becomes a viable alternative. Because Let It Burn won?t be a strategy, it will be the only strategy.

I am a small-l libertarian. My primary concern is to increase individual liberty as much as possible in the face of statist efforts to restrict it from both the right and the left. If I had to sum up my beliefs as concisely as possible, I would say, "Stay out of my wallet and my bedroom," "your liberty stops at my nose," and "don't tread on me." I will believe that things are taking a turn for the better in America when married gays are able to, and do, maintain large arsenals of automatic weapons, and tax collectors are, and do, not.

Source: http://www.dailypundit.com/?p=74331

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No more mail at your door? Delivery changes eyed

WASHINGTON (AP) ? Door-to-door mail delivery is about as American as apple pie. With the Postal Service facing billions of dollars in annual losses, that tradition could be virtually phased out by 2022 under a proposal in Congress.

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Wednesday approved a plan to move to cluster box and curbside delivery, which includes mailboxes at the end of driveways.

The proposal is part of broader legislation by Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., chairman of the oversight and government reform panel, designed to cut costs at the cash-strapped agency by up to $4.5 billion a year. The Postal Service had a $16 billion loss last year.

The bill was approved on a party-line vote, with 22 Republicans supporting it and 17 Democrats opposing it.

Postal Service spokesman David Partenheimer said the agency would evaluate Issa's bill based on whether it would enable the agency to make $20 billion in savings by 2017.

"The Postal Service looks forward to working with Chairman Issa and the committee to improve the bill as it makes its way through the legislative process," Partenheimer said.

The agency has been moving toward curbside and cluster box delivery in new residential developments since the 1970s. The Postal Service in April began deciding whether to provide such delivery for people moving into newly built homes rather than letting the developers decide.

"A balanced approach to saving the Postal Service means allowing USPS to adapt to America's changing use of mail," Issa said. "Done right, these reforms can improve the customer experience through a more efficient Postal Service."

About 1 in 3 mail customers has door-to-door delivery, Issa said. The shift would include safe and secure cluster box delivery areas, he said, especially for elderly customers who receive Social Security checks and prescriptions through the mail.

About 30 million residential addresses receive delivery to boxes at the door or a mail slot. Another 87 million residential addresses receive curbside or cluster box delivery.

The cost differences are clear. Curbside delivery costs average $224 per year for each address, while cluster box delivery averages $160. Door-to-door delivery costs the agency about $350 per year, on average.

Sue Brennan, a Postal Service spokeswoman, said, "While converting delivery away from the door to curb or centralized delivery would allow the Postal Service to deliver mail to more addresses in less time, doing so is not included in our five-year plan."

Brennan said the agency's five-year plan does call for shifting 20 percent of business address deliveries from door-to-door to curbside and cluster box delivery through 2016.

Rep. Steve Lynch, D-Mass., said the plan to move some 30 million residential addresses from to-the-door to curbside and cluster box service would be virtually impossible in dense urban areas such as his hometown of South Boston crowded with triple-deckers ? three apartments stacked on top of each other.

"You'd have to knock houses down in my neighborhood to build cluster boxes," Lynch said. "This will not work."

It might work in places like Manhattan with big apartment buildings, he said.

"Look, there's no availability for cluster boxes in many communities around the country," Lynch said.

Issa's plan allows for people with physical hardships to get waivers allowing them to keep door delivery. There's also a provision giving people the option to keep door delivery by paying a special fee to cover the additional cost.

Issa's bill also allows the Postal Service to take into account factors such as poverty rates and population density in deciding which areas would be allowed to keep door delivery.

The financially beleaguered Postal Service, an independent agency, gets no tax dollars for its day-to-day operations, but is subject to congressional control.

The Postal Service is pursuing a major restructuring throughout its retail, delivery and mail processing operations. Since 2006, it has reduced annual costs by about $15 billion, cut its workforce by 193,000 or 28 percent, and consolidated more than 200 mail-processing locations.

The service's losses are largely due to a decline in mail volume and a congressional requirement that it make advance payments to cover expected health care costs for future retirees. About $11.1 billion of last year's losses were due to payments for future retiree health costs.

The volume of mail handled by the Postal Service has decreased steadily as the popularity of email, Facebook and other electronic services has grown. Total mail volume handled by the agency fell to 160 billion pieces last year from its all-time high, 213.1 billion in 2006. Revenue fell to $65.2 billion last budget year, from a high of $74.9 billion in 2008.

The Postal Service is considering several options to fix its finances, including negotiations with unions to reduce labor costs and another possible increase in prices.

The service earlier this year backpedaled on its plan to end Saturday mail delivery after running into opposition in Congress. It has tried repeatedly and unsuccessfully over the past several years to persuade Congress to approve ending Saturday mail delivery and to free the service from the advance health payments. Issa's bill would end Saturday mail delivery, but keep six-day package delivery.

The Senate last year passed a bill that would have stopped the Postal Service from eliminating Saturday service for at least two years and required it to try two years of aggressive cost cutting instead. The House didn't pass a bill.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/no-more-mail-door-delivery-changes-eyed-195317141.html

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