Amazon's Q2 Disappoints, Sales Up 22 Percent To $15.7B, Net Loss Of $7M

Amazon just reported second quarter
earnings, with sales increasing 22% to
$15.7 billion in the second quarter,
compared with $12.83 billion in
second quarter 2012. Net loss was $7
million in the second quarter, or $0.02
per diluted share, compared with net
income of $7 million, or $0.01 per
diluted share, in second quarter 2012.
Analysts expected $15.74 billion in
revenue, and $0.05 on earnings per
share.
Operating income decreased 26% to
$79 million in the second quarter,
compared with $107 million in second
quarter 2012.
“We’re so grateful to our customers for
their response to Kindle devices and
our digital ecosystem. This past
quarter, our top 10 selling items
worldwide were all digital products –
Kindles, Kindle Fire HDs, accessories
and digital content,” said Amazon
founder and CEO Jeff Bezos, in a
statement.
“The Kindle service keeps getting
better. The Kindle Store now offers
millions of titles including more than
350,000 exclusives that you won’t find
anywhere else. Prime Instant Video has
surpassed 40,000 titles, including many
premium exclusives like Downton
Abbey and Under the Dome. And
we’ve added more than a thousand
books, games, educational apps,
movies and TV shows to Kindle
FreeTime Unlimited, bringing together
in one place all the types of content
kids and parents love.”
Bezos didn’t address why Amazon
missed on expectations for the
quarter, but perhaps this will be
revealed in the call. According to
analyst estimates, the ecommerce
giant was expected to post net income
of $28.3 million.
It’s been an eventful quarter for
Amazon. Towards the end of the first
quarter, Amazon purchased social
reading service Goodreads, which now
has 20 million members. Amazon also
expanded its international footprint,,
including expansion to India.
Additionally the company bought
screen technology company Liquavista
from Samsung.
Other news included the expansion of
its grocery delivery service to LA and SF,
a new Facebook-focused gifting
product, an online store for 3D
printers, and of course there were
those smartphone rumors.

Uncle Harry to make sure Prince George 'has fun'

Prince Harry has declared he is ready to play the proud,protective uncle for his new nephew Prince George and "make sure he has fun". Speaking at an exhibition for his charity, he said it was "fantastic" to have another addition to the royal family adding, "I only hope my brother knows how expensive my baby sitting charges are!" When asked what his mission was as an uncle, Harry replied: "To make sure he has a good upbringing, and keep him out of harm's way and to make sure he has fun." "The rest I'll leave to the parents."

Celine Dion Bigger Than Michael So Claims AEG

It's Billie Jean vs. Titanic, and AEG
claims the ship wins hands down.
Translation -- AEG is trying to convince the Michael Jackson jury that Celine Dion is bigger than MJ.AEG exec John Meglin is on the stand in the wrongful death case, scoffing at the Jackson family's claim that Michael would have earned $1.5 billion had he lived.Meglin told the jury it's his opinion Celine is a bigger star and therefore more bankable than MJ ever would have been. Yet according to reports, Celine is worth a measly $400 mil. Fun facts:  Jackson ranks #3 in most albums sold worldwide -- more than a billion (behind the Beatles and Elvis) . Celine ranks #9 at 200 million albums. As for Grammys, MJ also has her beat with 13 Grammys to her 5.

Will.i.am & Psy COLLABORATE ... For Sushi

It was a meeting of the pop
megastars at Katsuya in Hollywood
last night ... when Will.i.am and Psy hooked up for some raw fish -- one month after hitting the recording studio together. The two arrived to the restaurant in separate cars  - Psy had a driver ... and Will had his $700k custom-made metallic blue monstrosity. Just last month, Psy teased a possible collaboration when he posted a photo of the two in a recording studio with the caption -- "Some cool sh**z goin on in London at 2am!! Me& @iamwill !! Guess what!?"Neither one of the stars mentioned anything about releasing a song in the near future when they emerged last night -- but the scene in front of the restaurant felt like a media event, with Will and Psy posing together for the legions of paps.

Thiago Silva rules out PSG exit

The 28-year-old has dismissed rumours surrounding a possible move to Barcelona, pledging his
allegiance to the Ligue 1 outfit and owner Nasser Al-Khelaifi
Thiago Silva has rubbished claims he will leave Paris Saint-Germain this summer amid interest from Barcelona. The Brazil defender, 28, has been heavily linked with the Blaugrana , who see him as the main target to shore up an ageing backline.
But Thiago insists he will honour his contract with les Parisiens.
“There’s always this kind of speculation during the transfer period,” he told L’Equipe . “I felt flattered because it means that my work with PSG is appreciated, but these things are normal. “I am happy with PSG and the club is happy with me. There was no reason to jump ship. I appreciate president Nasser Al-Khelaifi as a friend, and I want to honour him. “In fact, I am buying more and more into the project PSG are working on at the moment.”
The club have plenty of options in the centre-back position, with Alex, Mamadou Sakho, Diego Lugano and new €35 million signing Marquinhos vying for a spot alongside Thiago in the starting XI.
The former Milan defender remains under contract with PSG until summer 2017.

12 Year Old Boy With Abnormal Tail Growth Worshiped as god in India

The 12yr old boy with a “tail”
growing from his back has been
hailed as a god in India.
Followers flock to Arshid Ali Khan’s
temple — often leaving cash or
gifts in return for a blessing.
They believe the youngster —
Balaji to his devotees — is the
reincarnation of Hindu monkey
god Hanuman. But doctors say he
has meningocele, a form of spina
bifida where the spinal cord
develops abnormally.
Balaji, who lives with his
grandparents near Chandigarh,
said: “I love my tail. It’s a gift from
God. It’s unusual but people
respect me and bow before me
because of it. I feel special.”
Doctors say if the growth is not
removed, Balaji’s twisted limbs
could become worse.

Tripican.com & Genesis Deluxe Cinemas Present “Celebrity Movie Night”: Join Dr.Sid, Iyanya, Toolz & More For The Exclusive Premiere of “The Wolverine” | Thursday 25th July, 2013

Join Dr. Sid, Bez, Iyanya, Sasha P,
Noble Igwe, Dolapo Oni, Toolz, Uti
and a whole lot more at Genesis
Deluxe Cinema, The Plams, Lekki
on Thursday 25th July, 2013 for
the Exclusive Premiere of one of
the most anticipated movies this
summer, “The Wolverine”!
It’s a movie premiere like no
other; Grab the chance to join
your beloved celebrities on the red
carpet for a meet & greet!
Guarantee your place among Stars
& by your ticket NOW!
Date: Thursday 25th July, 2013
Time: 7.45 PM
Venue: Genesis Deluxe Cinema,
The Palms, Lekki
For more information, go to
Tripican.com
The event is supported by
BellaNaija.com & Hosted by Genesis Deluxe Cinema.