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<ul><li><keyword id="3269053" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="rapido" source="Orion">Rapido</keyword> has launched a new campaign. </li><li>'Smart ho, toh Rapido’ campaign aims to position Rapido as a customer-centric brand and highlight its key USPs. </li></ul>Rapido has announced its first celebrity campaign ‘Smart ho, toh Rapido.’ Rapido’s strategic objective behind the campaign is to portray itself as a customer-centric brand and educate people about its key offerings and USPs. This is the first time the company has roped in movie superstars to spread awareness about its unique services, intending to strengthen its presence in the market and transform daily commute for the better.<br /><br />Going live from 5th November, the 6-week campaign will run two films each for HSM and Non-HSM markets, directed by Sizil Srivastava (HSM)&amp;Trivikram Srinivas (Non-HSM)and produced by Dream Vault media. Featuring superstars <keyword id="106133" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="ranveer-singh" source="Orion">Ranveer Singh</keyword> and <keyword id="17473" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="allu-arjun" source="Orion">Allu Arjun</keyword>, the campaign will air on OOH, Radio, TV, and Digital platforms Pan India, focusing on 14 cities.<br /><br />Commenting on the first-of-its-kind announcement, Amit Verma, Head of Marketing, Rapido, said, “We are delighted to introduce our first celebrity campaign with Ranveer Singh and Allu Arjun. Both these brilliant actors will help us seed the idea of using Rapido as an alternative yet regular medium of travel among the masses, ushering in an era of affordable and convenient daily commute”.<br /><br />As a part of the ad campaign, Ranveer Singh and Allu Arjun will entertain their fans by enacting the roles of Babban and Guru, both smart and clever personalities. Their unique and interesting characters will guide the daily commuters, who are fed up with the hassles of traveling via buses/autos, to opt for a smart option like Rapido. The bike taxis offered by Rapido can swiftly cut through the traffic to offer timely, convenient, and pocket-friendly rides.<br />  <div type="Youtube" id="bhnlZIs1Ads" title="Rapido Bike-Taxi | Smart Ho Toh Rapido | Ranveer Singh" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/bhnlZIs1Ads/mqdefault.jpg"></div><br />   <div type="Youtube" id="lyEdUcEa_g8" title="Rapido Bike-Taxi | Smart Ho Toh Rapido | Allu Arjun | Telugu" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/lyEdUcEa_g8/mqdefault.jpg"></div><br />Speaking on the campaign, Bollywood superstar Ranveer Singh, said, “I am glad to be associated with Rapido. I really enjoyed collaborating on our first campaign together. It was a delightful experience shooting for this ad film, playing a peculiar character (Babban) who has a unique and original style and persona. Rapido is all set to make waves and I’m happy to contribute my bit in what I’m sure will be a successful endeavor.”<br /><br />“I like to consider myself as a person who knows how to tackle a situation with the best possible solution. That’s why I was excited when Rapido approached me for the role of Guru, which resembles me. What Rapido is doing is quite exceptional and I’m happy to be a part of this campaign, which will help them scale their market presence to new heights,” added Allu Arjun.<br /><br />Rapido's revenue has returned by 85% compared to pre-COVID levels. Post acquiring $52 million funding in August 2021, the company is all set to scale its business operations, including expanding its auto fleet to 5 lakh by the end of 2021.

Rapido launches its first celebrity campaign with Ranveer Singh and Allu Arjun

<ul><li><keyword id="3269053" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rapido">Rapido</keyword> is aiming to achieve at least 1.5x growth than last fiscal. It is the only mobility company that is eyeing profits this year. </li><li>Rapido has already seen 25% of its business bouncing back. </li><li>Pavan Guntupalli, Co-founder, Rapido, talks to us about the story behind launching the brand, its growth, and mantra behind its road to profitability. </li></ul>The lockdown impacted most businesses across the globe. Some shut down and some learnt how to evolve with the changing tides. Home-grown brand Rapido, a Bike-Taxi service provider, saw its revenue plunge in the first two months after COVID hit the country and people were locked inside the four walls of their houses. With it, mobility came to a complete standstill. <br /><br />However, it soon saw a silver lining in June and July as 25% of its business bounced back. One of the reasons behind this demand was that people started avoiding public places and transport. Although, according to Rapido, 80% of India still doesn’t own private vehicles and due to COVID, they needed a safe and secure commute. This presented an opportunity in adversity for Rapido. <br /><br />Explaining why the brand’s demand came back, Pavan Guntupalli, Co-founder, Rapido, said, “Customers became aware that bike taxi is a more open and personalized way for intra-city travel. The customer has an advantage of less exposure to any infection due to his/her limited interaction with the captain (driver) and less touch points.” <br /><br />People also started renting its bikes for longer commutes. <br /><br />“Our average distance has suddenly changed, earlier people were using us for the last mile 3-5km but suddenly because of unavailability of regular public transport, our average distance has increased to 35% in some cities and overall, we saw 25% increase. Now people are using us for home to home travel and not just for last mile connectivity. Somewhere in December, we are hoping to come back to 100% of our business as before,” said Guntupalli. <br /><br /><strong>Shifting gears</strong><br /><br />Rapido was growing at around 15% month-on-month from the last 3 years before the pandemic-infused lockdown hit India. It also doubled its presence from 50 cities to 100 in 6 months. <br /><br />Post lockdown, it had to shift its business model from offering bikes and taxies from consumers to distributors. Around 92% of its business came from bike and taxi model (intra-city mobility) and 8% came from logistics (essential supplies). Now, 30% of its total business comes from logistics and 70% from bike taxis.<br /><br />So, it decided to pivot its focus on accelerating the existing logistics business model by following a few initiatives such as delivering essentials at home, supporting the government to resolve supply-chain challenges, etc. <br /><br />“Rapido has been operating delivery services for e-commerce companies for close to 2 years now namely Zomato, Swiggy, Delhivery.com, Myntra, Eat.Fit. SuprDaily, Mapprr, 24*7 Stores, Kalerya, Bharatpe. During the lockdown, we amped up the existing Rapido-Delivery services to provide for the delivery of essential goods and partnered with major online companies like Big Bazaar, Big Basket and Spencer’s for delivery of essential goods,” shared Guntupalli. <br /><br />Building on the demand for logistics further, Rapido launched Rapido Local, a person-to-person delivery service. <br /><br />“Rapido Store is a convenient tool for offline and online businesses to help them reach out and deliver products to their customers in these challenging times. Rapido Store helps local businesses take care of multiple customer deliveries simultaneously in the most affordable and trusted manner. The service is currently operational in Bangalore &amp; Vijayawada and will scale to all cities Rapido is present in,” explained Guntupalli.<br /><br /><strong>Marketing Strategy and Understanding Consumers</strong><br /><br />To gain its consumers' trust in a volatile market, Rapido introduced Safety Shields that helped consumers to maintain a safe distance from the driver or Captain, as Rapido calls them. <br /><br />        <div type="image" title="rapido safety shields" msid="78221466" hostid="261"></div><br />Guntupalli said, “The Shield weighs around 400 gms -- it is a lightweight, PVC board that is attached to the Captain’s back like a rucksack. The shield covers the Captain’s body and makes for a considerable distance between the customer and our Captain. Apart from the usual measures, like using masks, sanitizers and the ArogyaSetu App, that we have taken, we felt the Safety Shields will be an added measure of safety during the rides.” <br /><br />It also tweaked its marketing strategy to increase awareness about the safety measures they followed. Its strategy is multi-lingual and regional. <br /><br />“We are trying to help change consumer behaviour towards safety, by helping them embrace the new norms through best practices when it comes to precautions, like bringing their own helmet, and avoiding stepping out. We also ensure that we leverage push notifications, SMS, emailers, in-app training videos, social media campaigns and marketing campaigns in various languages like Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi, to communicate regularly on our company updates and initiatives. We recently launched our first-ever video campaign, #PromiseofProtection, that showcases Rapido’s commitment to the safety and protection of its users, through an understanding of different relationships in our lives. In the initial phase of COVID, we launched a fundraiser for the Captains to provide them with the support they needed to weather the difficult times,” said Guntupalli. <br /><br /><strong>Goals for this fiscal</strong><br /><br />As we inch towards normalcy and people have started stepping out, Rapido is aiming to achieve at least 1.5x growth over last fiscal. It is the only mobility company that is eyeing profits this year. <br /><br />According to PGA Labs, bike taxi service is now a $150 million market, growing at 20% month-over-month. In India 300 million people commute every day out of which only 1% happens via apps. It is estimated that bike taxis in India have the potential to create 5+ million livelihood opportunities, generating a revenue of $10 billion.<br /><br />With rapid urbanisation and smart status of cities, bike-taxi is becoming the future of intra-city transport. Due to COVID, they are also avoiding public transport. As a result, Rapido has become the third largest ride sharing platform in the country that sees around 10 million transactions in a month. <br /><br />Now, after securing a leadership position in the Bike Taxi ecosystem across cities, Rapido’s next focus area is to use technology to propel newer models that will help serve end users as well as businesses in the post COVID world. <br /><br />However, vehicle ownership in India is less. Hardly 18-20% people own a vehicle, that means 80% people still don’t have their own vehicle. When the pandemic hit, a huge problem statement was the need for a safe and secure commute. This became an opportunity in adversity for Rapido, as it saw a 25% spike in the month of June and July.<br /><br /><strong>Where it all began</strong><br /><br />Rapido introduced bike sharing in our country in 2015. The product was built to bridge the last mile connectivity gaps. People in Tier II, III and beyond towns and cities have limited public transport solutions, some are not even available late in the evenings, making it difficult to look for an affordable option to travel within the city and getting shared autos are a hassle especially if you are a woman. <br /><br />However, being a first mover has its own set of challenges. Rapido was dealing with both cultural and social challenges. People did not feel comfortable sitting behind a stranger. So to woo consumers, Rapido took a quirky route. <br /><br />Guntupalli said, “We took a multilingual approach for our consumer outreach. The idea was to reach larger sets of audiences across Tier I, II and III cities and build affinity with the message. We worked on short, quirky videos that are a trend among tech-savvy millennials. We introduced the brand in a fun and different way to them through 7 videos with themes such as <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgGQYrlpRHA">Don’t be late, Save Your Date</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMOxf64njqE">KabhiBhiKahinBhi</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXPThvwLKSo">Don’t’ Get Crushed Away In Traffic</a>,<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbvxRnLayYI"> Late for Exam, Just Stay Calm</a>.” <br /><br />It also partnered with traffic police in cities like Vijayawada, Mangalore, Mysore, Kota to name a few, to drive awareness about road safety with helmet distribution campaigns. <br /><br />To make its women customers feel safer, Rapido masks their phone numbers from its captains. It was also the first bike taxi company in India to introduce insurance for both customers and Captains from Day 1. <br /><br />Rapido is now present in 100 cities serving over 10 million customers with 15 lakh+ registered Captains. It is the 3rd largest ride sharing platform in the country with 10 million transactions a month and has recorded over 25 million app downloads. <br />

Rapido shifts focus to logistics; sees 25% business recovery and aims for 1.5x growth next year over FY20

<ul><li>YouTube today released the year 2021’s top 10 most-watched ads in regional languages. </li><li>The annual regional ads leaderboard features ads across six languages – Marathi, Telugu, Bangla, Punjabi, Tamil, Kannada – and represents a mix of both national and regional marketers across industries. </li><li>This listing reinforces the increasing adoption of digital by brands to engage with this large and growing consumer base to unlock growth.</li></ul>YouTube today released the year 2021’s top 10 most-watched ads in regional languages. The annual regional ads leaderboard features ads across six languages – Marathi, Telugu, Bangla, Punjabi, Tamil, Kannada – and represents a mix of both national and regional marketers across industries. With nearly half of all India internet users preferring content exclusively in regional languages, YouTube is the number one platform for accessing videos in regional languages. This listing reinforces the increasing adoption of digital by brands to engage with this large and growing consumer base to unlock growth.<br /><br /><keyword id="2097999" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sapna-chadha" source="Orion">Sapna Chadha</keyword>, VP, Marketing, India &amp; South East Asia, <keyword id="6355629" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="google" source="Orion">Google</keyword>, said, “With the rapid expansion of internet users over the past few years, YouTube is helping connect viewers to a diverse tapestry of helpful content. One of the hallmarks of this is the variety of languages users access content in. Today, an overwhelming 93 per cent of YouTube viewers prefer to watch content in an Indic language of their choice. Increasingly, brands are responding to the importance of their consumers’ language preferences and creating engaging advertising in these to enhance their connect. In prioritizing for language, businesses are thus not just creating customer delight but also achieving better business outcomes.”<br /><br />Describing the thinking behind the Bengali language ‘Live Life in Colour’ series for Sunlight, Nitish Bhalotia, GM Fabric Cleaning, <keyword id="44863" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hul" source="Orion">HUL</keyword>, said, “With a legacy of over 125 years, Sunlight is an immensely loved brand in West Bengal, where almost 8 out of 10 households purchase it during the course of a year. With our new purpose – encouraging people to “Live Life in Colour – we decided to launch a series of YouTube-only music videos during the most important moments of the Bengali festive calendar. The first was the Jiboner Rong campaign during the Pujos in 2020, and its enormous success led us to launch Boishakhi Rongeen during Poila Boishakh (Bengali New Year). For both these films, we worked with well known and new talent from the Bengali film and creative industry and the content became viral in no time. More than the numbers, we received immense love from consumers who appreciated us capturing the essence and spirit of Bengal with visual storytelling, music, and colour. Not surprisingly, post these campaigns, there’s been a sequential improvement in sales growth, market share, and in the number of households buying Sunlight.”<br /><br />Speaking about their campaign, <keyword id="193324" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vineet-sharma" source="Orion">Vineet Sharma</keyword>, Category Director-Mountain Dew® &amp; Sting®, <keyword id="110163" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pepsico-india" source="Orion">PepsiCo India</keyword>, said, “With the increasing digitization and smartphone adoption, there is an appetite for regional content and that has given brands an opportunity to connect with their audience in their preferred language across different markets. With localized creative storytelling, we focused on creating a consumer connection with our regional audience and increase brand relevance in our core markets. Sting’s association with YouTube has helped us amplify messaging effectively and the success of Energy Bole Toh Sting campaign is reflective of the brand love and impactful consumer engagement through local storytelling.”<br /><br /><b>YouTube’s Most-watched Regional Language ads in 2021</b><br /><br /><strong>Mumbai Indians Aaplya Family Cha | Official Marathi TVC<br />Brand: Mumbai Indians<br />Language - Marathi<br />Views: 661,156<br /><div type="Youtube" id="dkhw39Zm6MM" title="Mumbai Indians Aaplya Family Cha | Official Marathi TVC" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/dkhw39Zm6MM/mqdefault.jpg"></div><br />Rapido Bike-Taxi | Smart Ho Toh Rapido | Guru at a Salon | Allu Arjun | <br />Brand: Rapido Bike - Taxi<br />Language - Telugu<br />Views: 1,230,759<br /><div type="Youtube" id="YU7oOKj7cUQ" title="Rapido Bike-Taxi | Smart Ho Toh Rapido | Guru at a Salon | Allu Arjun | Telugu" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/YU7oOKj7cUQ/mqdefault.jpg"></div><br />Sunlight Boishakhi Rongeen<br />Brand - SVF<br />Language - Bangla<br /><br /><div type="Youtube" id="TmEq0B_mGJk" title="Sunlight Boishakhi Rongeen(বৈশাখী রঙিন)|Dhrubo Banerjee |Ushashi |Alaknanda |Adrija |Amit-Ishan |SVF" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/TmEq0B_mGJk/mqdefault.jpg"></div><br />Sting <br />Brand - Sting Energy Drink India<br />Language - Punjabi<br />Views - 3,766,070<br /><br /><div type="Youtube" id="MizPsSeozkQ" title="Sting TVC Punjabi 2021" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/MizPsSeozkQ/mqdefault.jpg"></div><br />TUCKER MASALA<br />Brand - Tucker Masala<br />Language - Tamil<br />Views - 1,066,181<br /><br /><div type="Youtube" id="jF92rXEnn9c" title="TUCKER MASALA |  டக்கர் மசாலா - TVC - Jingle" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/jF92rXEnn9c/mqdefault.jpg"></div><br />Kasha astat hya bayka | Cottonking | Bhau beej<br />Brnad - Cottonking Official<br />Language - Marathi<br />Views - 533,885<br /><br /><div type="Youtube" id="2zW1z081xgQ" title="कशा असतात ह्या बायका | Kasha astat hya bayka | Cottonking | Bhau beej" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/2zW1z081xgQ/mqdefault.jpg"></div><br />Prepare for JEE/NEET with Sri Chaitanya’s expert faculty on <keyword id="18635" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="amazon" source="Orion">Amazon</keyword> Academy<br />Brand - Amazon Academy<br />Language - Telugu<br />Views - 559,015<br /><br /><div type="Youtube" id="OHv9NtY_2dA" title="Prepare for JEE/NEET with Sri Chaitanya’s expert faculty on Amazon Academy (Telugu)" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/OHv9NtY_2dA/mqdefault.jpg"></div><br />Circle of Life - A Pavement Dweller's Journey for Identity | Beyond Banking | Equitas Bank<br />Brand - Equitas Small Finance Bank<br />Language - Tamil<br />Views - 328,147<br /><div type="Youtube" id="8-bp73VseoY" title="Circle of Life - A Pavement Dweller's Journey for Identity | Beyond Banking | Equitas Bank" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/8-bp73VseoY/mqdefault.jpg"></div><br />What is the true Taste Of Success for Sonu Sood?<br />Brand - Royal Green<br />Language - Telugu<br />Views - 511,551<br /><br /><div type="Youtube" id="DGXZQ69WeaA" title="What is the true Taste Of Success for Sonu Sood? - Telugu" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/DGXZQ69WeaA/mqdefault.jpg"></div><br />Ola Autovina Home Delivery! <br />Brand - Ola<br />Language - Kannada<br />Views - 295,751<br /><br /><div type="Youtube" id="42NdA4O4QKk" title="Ola Autovina Home Delivery! | Kannada Brand Film | ಓಲಾ ಆಟೋನ ಹೋಂ ಡೆಲಿವರಿ" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/42NdA4O4QKk/mqdefault.jpg"></div></strong><br />

Here are 2021’s most-watched regional language ads on YouTube

<ul><li>The <keyword id="6354831" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="indian-premier-league">Indian Premier League</keyword> (IPL) every year brings with it an advertising extravaganza where brands try to come up with communications that stand out in the clutter.</li><li>To shine the spotlight on some of the best work brands are coming up with throughout the season, we will come up with a weekly list of ads.</li></ul>It’s been more than a week since Indian Premier League (IPL) kicked-off its much talked about season. Launched in a different format this year with no in-stadium audience, IPL has been a somewhat different experience so far.<br /><br /> What hasn’t been much different however, is the advertising extravaganza that has just started. Owing to the fact that year after year, IPL has given brands a platform to advertise and connect with millions of viewers, this year too, brands are going all-out to create ads that will help them engage with a wide set of audience.<br /><br /> While there have been many who have been talking about the quality of ads that have come out of the league so far, the league has just started. Most experts expect we will soon start seeing more brands coming up with ads that create an impact.<br /><br /> Meanwhile, to join in on the fanfare, we thought it would be a good idea to showcase a few campaigns that standout every week.<br /><br /> Here are our top picks for the last week:<br /><br /> <strong>1. <keyword id="6214644" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Dream11">Dream11</keyword></strong><br /><br />    <div type="Youtube" id="4rEekXHvwK0" title="Dream11: Yahan sab same hai, #YeApnaGameHai" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/4rEekXHvwK0/mqdefault.jpg"></div><br /><br /> <strong>2. <keyword id="6358977" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="swiggy">Swiggy</keyword></strong><br /><br />    <div type="Youtube" id="LBmElWEum44" title="Trusted by uncle ji and 1 crore plus Indians. Swiggy- what a score!" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/LBmElWEum44/mqdefault.jpg"></div><br />    <div type="Youtube" id="dPrN8kNUcPo" title="And that's clearly swung the match! Get big discounts with Swiggy Matchday Mania. Order Now!" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/dPrN8kNUcPo/mqdefault.jpg"></div><br /><strong>3. CRED</strong><br />    <div type="Youtube" id="iW63vNsF8ck" title="Not everyone gets it | CRED | Anil Kapoor" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/iW63vNsF8ck/mqdefault.jpg"></div><br /> <strong>4. Khatabook</strong><br /><br />    <div type="Youtube" id="AoHYVfxfPvA" title="Bina Maange Udhaar Waapas!" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/AoHYVfxfPvA/mqdefault.jpg"></div><br />    <div type="Youtube" id="ZzhhL2tNP5k" title="Hisaab Daily Ab Automatically!" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ZzhhL2tNP5k/mqdefault.jpg"></div><br />     <div type="Youtube" id="5MWZtx3EPMw" title="Har QR Ka Hisaab Yahaan!" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/5MWZtx3EPMw/mqdefault.jpg"></div><br /> <strong>5. Wakefit</strong><br /><br />    <div type="Youtube" id="ZkoCG-W95rc" title="Watch Cricket Like a King with Wakefit Furniture | Artist Babloo ft. Vijay Raaz | Wakefit" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ZkoCG-W95rc/mqdefault.jpg"></div><br />    <div type="Youtube" id="rEhCVGNdR78" title="Get Made In India Furniture Assembled At Home | Cricket 2020 | Artist Babloo Ft. Vijay Raaz |Wakefit" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/rEhCVGNdR78/mqdefault.jpg"></div><br /> <strong>6. <keyword id="6354576" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="facebook">Facebook</keyword></strong><br /><br />    <div type="Youtube" id="7czHNAczHgs" title="Facebook: Jersey" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/7czHNAczHgs/mqdefault.jpg"></div><br /><strong>7. <keyword id="3269053" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rapido">Rapido</keyword><br /></strong><br />    <div type="Youtube" id="MkKwT9EE_jg" title="Rapido I Captains Of Tomorrow" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/MkKwT9EE_jg/mqdefault.jpg"></div><br /><br />

Our pick of the best IPL 2020 ads: Week 1

E-commerce platform <keyword id="1715801" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="shopify" source="Orion">Shopify</keyword> on Tuesday announced to cut 10 per cent of its workforce -- around 1,000 <keyword id="6357081" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="employees" source="Orion">employees</keyword> across verticals -- as it failed to predict that the e-commerce industry would continue to grow beyond the pandemic at the same pace it did during the two-year period.<br /><br />The company CEO <keyword id="5695811" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="tobi-lutke" source="Orion">Tobi Lutke</keyword> said in a statement that Shopify has to go through a reduction in workforce that will see about 10 per cent leave by the end of the day.<br /><br />"Most of the impacted roles are in recruiting, support, and sales, and across the company we're also eliminating over-specialized and duplicate roles, as well as some groups that were convenient to have but too far removed from building products," he informed.<br /><br />The company was sending emails to those affected and they will "have a meeting with a lead in their team".<br /><br /><keyword id="14565887" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="lutke" source="Orion">Lutke</keyword> said that before the pandemic, <keyword id="436047" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ecommerce" source="Orion">ecommerce</keyword> growth had been steady and predictable.<br /><br />"Was this surge to be a temporary effect or a new normal? And so, given what we saw, we placed another bet: We bet that the channel mix - the share of dollars that travel through ecommerce rather than physical retail - would permanently leap ahead by 5 or even 10 years", he mentioned.<br /><br />Shopify's workforce jumped from 1,900 in 2016 to around 10,000 in 2021 to meet the expected growth.<br /><br />However, Lutke said that it is now clear that bet didn't pay off.<br /><br />"What we see now is the mix reverting to roughly where pre-Covid data would have suggested it should be at this point. Still growing steadily, but it wasn't a meaningful 5-year leap ahead," he informed.<br /><br />Those affected in the layoff will get 16 weeks of severance pay, plus an additional week for every year of tenure at Shopify.<br /><br />"We'll remove any equity cliff, and extend any medical benefits. Knowing that Shopify is just one stop on a career journey, we'd also like to help set everyone up for success as they take their next steps," said the CEO., adding that the company will offer outplacement services with access to career coaching, interviewing support, resume crafting, etc.<br /><br /><strong>SEE ALSO:<br /><br /><a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/cryptocurrency/news/there-is-an-exodus-of-games-from-web2-to-web3-says-this-blockchain-adoption-entity/articleshow/93139457.cms">There is an exodus of games from Web2 to Web3, says this blockchain adoption entity</a><br /><br /></strong><a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/rapido-ceo-unicorn-india-invest-in-windo-that-is-helping-small-businesses-take-their-business-online/articleshow/93139058.cms"><strong>Rapido CEO, Unicorn India Ventures invest in social commerce startup Windo</strong></a><br />

E-commerce platform Shopify lays off 1,000 employees

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Mexican attorney general's office</span></p><p class="caption">Mexican federal authorities inspect a cross-border tunnel discovered in Tijuana, December 2016.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>The Mexican military and federal police, working with other law-enforcement agencies, raided two cross-border tunnels traversing the border between Tijuana and San Diego on Monday.</p><p>The Mexican attorney general's office said the tunnels were thought to be the work of the powerful Sinaloa cartel, likely for transporting drugs into the US.</p><p>Located in Garita de Otay, one tunnel reached across the border into San Diego and the other was under construction.</p><p>These tunnels are only the most recent ones uncovered in Tijuana.</p><p>In October, authorities working on an anonymous tip <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/mexican-authorities-find-narco-tunnel-between-tijuana-and-san-diego-2016-10" target="_blank">found a tunnel west of the city's airport</a>, seizing 5 tons of marijuana inside it. The entrance on the Tijuana side was inside an ice store, and it emerged in a store on the US side just a few hundred yards away.</p><p>That tunnel was <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/mexican-authorities-find-narco-tunnel-between-tijuana-and-san-diego-2016-10" target="_blank">the 13th large-scale</a> tunnel discovered in operation on the California-Mexico border since 2013, and over the last five years, 75 such tunnels have been found crossing the border, primarily in California and Arizona.</p><p>Tijuana, and the Garita de Otay area in particular, is a hotspot for cross-border tunnels for several reasons. The promixity of buildings and infrastructure on both sides of the border facilitates clandestine construction, and heavy industrial activity in both areas helps conceal such convert building. </p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Google Maps</span></p><p class="caption">Two tunnels were discovered in Tijuana in December 2016, suspected of belonging to the Sinaloa cartel.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Otay Mesa, a suburb of San Diego that abuts the border, sits on a plateau that stretches across the border and is made up of a kind of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/inside-mexican-drug-cartel-narco-tunnels-on-the-us-border-2016-4/#the-sinaloa-cartels-tunneling-activity-is-heavily-concentrated-in-the-tijuana-area-many-of-them-have-been-found-to-stretch-from-garita-de-otay-an-industrial-area-in-the-northern-part-of-the-city-to-otay-mesa-a-neighborhood-in-san-diego-that-consists-of-highways-strip-malls-and-a-few-hundred-warehouses-clustered-near-the-border-6" target="_blank">clay called bentonite</a> that is "self-supporting and workable as wax." </p><p>This clay is sturdier than typical soil, and cartel laborers can dig down into it and carve out tunnels <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/inside-mexican-drug-cartel-narco-tunnels-on-the-us-border-2016-4/#cartel-laborers-dig-down-into-this-layer-of-clay-which-is-studier-than-normal-soil-and-reduces-the-need-for-bracing-and-other-infrastructure-to-shore-up-the-passageway-vigil-told-business-insider-8" target="_blank">without bracing</a> to reinforce the passageway.</p><p>The Sinaloa cartel pioneered cross-border smuggling tunnels in the early 1990s.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Mexican attorney general's office</span></p><p class="caption">The site of one cross-border smuggling tunnel discovered by Mexican authorities in Tijuana, December 2016.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>The first one the cartel constructed was so efficient at moving drugs that the cartel's Colombian suppliers gave Sinaloa chief Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán the name "El Rapido." The cartel is also adept at building tunnels into prisons, such as <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/el-chapo-guzman-jail-escape-two-tunnels-2016-12" target="_blank">the ones Guzmán used to mount a jailbreak</a> in summer 2015.</p><p>The cartel made quick advancements in its tunnel-building efforts, adding features like ventilation systems, electric lights, and tracks to move drug-loaded carts.</p><p>The Sinaloa cartel's tunnel-building has focused on Tijuana in recent years, since the cartel wrested control of the city away from the Arellano Felix Organization in the late 2000s.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Mexican attorney general's office</span></p><p class="caption">Inside one of the smuggling tunnels connecting Tijuana and San Diego discovered by Mexican authorities in December 2016.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>More recently however, remnants of the AFO have joined with the ascendant Jalisco New Generation cartel to <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/tijuana-cartel-violence-2016-11" target="_blank">challenge the Sinaloa cartel's control</a> of the area.</p><p>The fighting has been relatively low-level, striking mainly street-level dealers and cartel members, and the Sinaloa cartel appears to still be active in the city.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Mexican attorney general's office</span></p><p class="caption">Inside one of the cross-border tunnels uncovered by Mexican authorities in Tijuana, December 2016.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>But violence in Tijuana has risen considerably. <a href="http://www.frontera.info/EdicionEnLinea/Notas/Policiaca/12122016/1158605-Vive-TJ-el-ano-mas-violento-en-su-historia.html" target="_blank">According</a> to a recent report, 2016 has become the most violent year in the city's history, with 849 homicides through December 12.</p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/agents-mexico-dumpster-cocaine-marijuana-longest-drug-tunnels-2016-4">Federal agents found one of the longest US-Mexico drug tunnels hidden under a dumpster</a></h3>        <div>            <div>        <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="M5MWowMzE6zI5O_s6bMEd5LsYVtQ0MK3" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>        </div>        </div>            </div>

Mexican authorities busted 2 more cross-border tunnels possibly built by the Sinaloa cartel

New Delhi [India], May 16 (ANI): <keyword id="9766785" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Lok-Sabha-elections-2024" source="Orion">Lok Sabha elections 2024</keyword> have seen a <keyword id="20108198" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="voter-turnout" source="keywords">voter turnout</keyword> at polling stations of about 66.95 per cent so far, as approximately 451 million people have voted during the first four phases of ongoing general elections.<br /><br />In a bid to encourage voters to exercise their franchise in large numbers, ECI has enhanced its targeted interventions to reach out to every eligible voter. The Commission led by CEC Rajiv Kumar along with ECs Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, further directed CEOs of the states going to poll in the fifth, sixth and seventh phases to timely distribute voter information slips to all electors and enhance outreach activities.<br /><br />"Commission strongly believes that partnership and collaboration are essential pillars of the voter awareness programme. It's heartening to see that, at the Commission's request, different institutions, influencers and celebrities with significant reach are working enthusiastically on a pro-bono basis," Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said.<br /><br />Further, he added that a higher voter turnout would be a message from Indian voters to the world, about the strength of Indian Democracy. He urges all the voters to cast their vote in huge numbers, as voting day is not a holiday but a day of pride, by participating in the festival of democracy.<br /><br />According to an official release, various <keyword id="21686177" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="voter-awareness-drives" source="keywords">voter awareness drives</keyword> and campaigns have been carried out by stakeholders in collaboration with ECI.<br /><br />Telecom Service Providers such as Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, Bharti Airtel Limited, Jio Telecommunication, and Vodafone-Idea Limited are reaching out to every mobile user in the respective parliamentary constituency through push SMS/Flash SMSs, outbound dialling calls to mobile users, RCS (Rich Communication Services) messaging and WhatsApp messages/alerts. These activities are carried out two/three days before the poll and even on the poll day, in regional languages, with an appeal to vote.<br /><br />ECI has collaborated with BCCI for voter awareness activities during the ongoing IPL season. The voter awareness messages and songs are being played at different stadiums during the cricket matches. The most innovative aspect of this campaign is the administration of voter's pledges by cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar in a pre-recorded video message, at various IPL venues.<br /><br />Further, voter awareness messages are integrated into cricket commentary. Cricketers from 10 IPL teams have encouraged voters to participate in the <keyword id="19895394" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="lok-sabha" source="keywords">Lok Sabha</keyword> elections in 2024 with their recorded voter awareness messages.<br /><br />A voting day alert was sent to all Facebook users pan India to inform and inform the voters about the general elections and to nudge them to participate in the festival of democracy, the release mentioned.<br /><br />The release further stated that WhatsApp personalised messages have begun on polling day. Google India is contributing through its iconic feature of Google Doodle on poll days and banners appearing on YouTube, Google Pat and other Google platforms.<br /><br />The Retail Association of India has been actively engaging with voter awareness activities, through their retail network, whereby retail chains are encouraged to celebrate the election as a festival. The vast network of post offices and banking institutions was utilised by ECI to reach out to a wide and diverse audience across the length and breadth of the country.<br /><br />In collaboration with the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the parliamentary elections campaign logo "Chunav ka Parv, Desh ka Garv" has been integrated with the IRCTC portal and tickets. Voter awareness announcements have been integrated with the public address system at all railway stations. The logo stickers are used on coaches of the superfast trains.<br /><br />In collaboration with the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, hoardings on voter awareness have been installed in about 16,000 retail outlets. In collaboration with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, airlines are making an inflight announcement with an appeal message to participate in the ensuing elections. Voter guides are being kept in aircraft seat pockets. Apart from this, many airports are providing space for the display of voter awareness messages. Selfie points have been installed at airports in 10 major cities viz. Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Patna, Chandigarh, and Pune.<br /><br />Cinema theatres across the country are playing ECI voter awareness films and ECI Song Main Bharat Hoon, Hum Bharat Ke Matdata Hai, at regular intervals, as a part of the Public Service Awareness (PSA) film.<br /><br />Sansad TV is creating short films on Unique Polling Stations set up in remote corners of the country by the election machinery after navigating difficult terrains to demonstrate the challenges in ensuring voting at the last mile.<br /><br />AMUL, Mother Dairy and other milk co-operatives have started branding their milk pouches with the message 'Chunav Ka Parv, Desh ka Garv' and encouraging voters through social media platforms. AMUL is also encouraging voters with its unique messaging through AMUL Girl Topical advertisements in newspapers.<br /><br />Prasar Bharati: Doordarshan has produced, various short films, including appeals from constitutional functionaries like President of India, Vice President of India, and Chief Justice of India, among others. Further, unique polling stations are being covered by the regional Kendra's audio-visual documentation.<br /><br />Music App Spotify is running a campaign called 'Play Your Part', and they have issued print advertisements, and curated the playlists for the elections, on their app. Payments app PhonePe has integrated voter awareness message into their app and is actively encouraging voters.<br /><br />BookMyShow has launched an integrated campaign, titled "Aaj Picture Nahi, Bigger Picture Dekho," to raise awareness among voters. MakeMyTrip is running a campaign titled 'MyVoteWalaTrip', whereby discounts are offered to citizens going to vote.<br /><br />Food delivery platforms such as Zomato and Swiggy are disseminating voter awareness messages through their platforms and social media activities. Grocery App Blinkit changed its logo to "Inkit" for the elections, incorporating a message encouraging people to "Go out and Vote" as a tagline.<br /><br />Uber India is reaching out to voters through multi-channel messaging (in-app, emails, push notifications), offering discounts for rides to polling stations, and amplifying voter awareness messages on social media platforms. Bike app Rapido has been encouraging voters with a free ride to vote.<br /><br />Urban Company has launched 'I Have Voted Campaign' to encourage voters. Tata Neu app, serving as the Tata Group's group-wide consumer-facing mobile app, prominently features the "Cast Your Vote" animated banner on its homepage, with additional initiatives currently underway.<br /><br />Truecaller is enhancing its layout by displaying voter awareness message during outbound calls<br /><br />Some other independent initiatives are Mankind Pharma #VotingVirgin campaign, clothing brand Neeru's "Vote ki Taiyaari" TVC, Tinder's "Every Single Vote Counts" campaign, creatively curated social media post by Matrimonial sites like Jeevansathi.com, etc and discounts for voting by popular brands such as Shoppers' Stop, MakeMyTrip, Chroma and many more.<br /><br />Four phases of Lok Sabha polls have been held and the voting will conclude on June 1 with results on June 4. The remaining phases will be held on May 20, May 25, and June 1.<br />

451 million voters! First four phases of Lok Sabha elections witness 66.95% voter turnout so far

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Mexico's Attorney General's Office/Handout via REUTERS</span></p><p class="caption">Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman escorted by soldiers in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, as he is extradited to New York, January 19, 2017.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><ul class="summary-list"><li><strong>Opening arguments in the trial of accused Sinaloa cartel leader Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman started Tuesday.</strong></li><li><strong>The prosecution described him as a brutal drug trafficker who built a billion-dollar organization.</strong></li><li><strong>The <keyword id="6354810" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="defense">defense</keyword> cast him as a the victim of a conspiracy mounted by fellow cartel members, the Mexican government, and US authorities.</strong></li></ul><p>Opening statements on the first day of accused Mexican cartel chief Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman's trial were delayed by six hours, after two jurors were replaced.</p><p>But both sides came out swinging in a case expected to last up to four months.</p><p><span>"Money. Drugs. Murder. A vast global narcotics trafficking organization," <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/13/nyregion/el-chapo-trial.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> Assistant US Attorney Adam Fels. "</span><span>That is what this case is about."</span></p><p><span>Guzman, 61, is accused of leading what prosecutors <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/el-chapo-faces-biggest-us-drugs-trial-050635997.html?guccounter=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> became "the largest drug trafficking organization in the world" between 1989 and 2014, smuggling 155 metric tons of cocaine and other drugs and making $14 billion.</span></p><p>Guzman himself faces 17 criminal counts and, if convicted, a life sentence.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Thomson Reuters</span></p><p class="caption">Recaptured drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman escorted by soldiers at the airport in Mexico City, after being recaptured in Mexico, January 8, 2016.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p><span>Fels said Guzman got a modest start in the 1970s, selling marijuana in Mexico before starting to build tunnels into the US. The tunnels distinguished Guzman, allowing him to move large quantities of drugs with such speed that he earned a new nickname, "Rapido," or the quick one.</span></p><p><span>Guzman was soon sending 10 to 15 planes "stuffed with cocaine" a day from Colombia to Mexico, where the drugs could be smuggled into the US, <a href="https://www.apnews.com/3517ac275298464291cf4b288fc07e49" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to Fels. With business booming, Fels said, Guzman started taking aim at rivals, kicking off several bloody turf wars in the 1990s.</span></p><p><em><strong>Read also</strong>: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/el-chapo-guzman-sinaloa-cartel-not-guilty-charges-in-us-2017-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">'El Chapo' Guzmán has pleaded not guilty - here's the case US prosecutors say they have against him</a></em></p><p><span>After the 1993 killing of Roman Catholic Cardinal Juan Jesus Posadas Ocampo, who w</span><span>as <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ap-us-trial-to-tell-epic-tale-of-mexican-drug-lord-el-chapo-2018-11" target="_blank" rel="noopener">gunned down in Guadalajara</a> in what is believed to have been an attempt to kill Guzman, the rising trafficker fled to Guatemala, where he was captured, returned to Mexico, and convicted on drug and murder charges. </span></p><p><span>But he continued to run his cartel for eight years before the first of two successful escapes.</span></p><p><span><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>(AP Photo/El Debate)</span></p><p class="caption">A helicopter arrives to where seven men were killed in a shootout in a marijuana field, in the northern Mexico state of Sinaloa. Authorities said the traffickers removed the drugs before police arrived on the scene. The shootout occurred on a mountain marijuana plantation in Higueras de Abuya, 55 miles south of Sinaloa state capital, Culiacan, July 14, 1999.</p></div><p></p></div></div></span></p><p><span>Fels told jurors that they would see evidence of enough seized cocaine for each person in the US to try some - "</span><span>328 million separate, sniffable lines of coke," New York Times reporter Alan Feuer <a href="https://twitter.com/alanfeuer/status/1062525523895730178" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> on Twitter, adding that prosecutors believed for every shipment they caught, Guzman got another 100 by them.</span></p><p><span>Fels also said the prosecution would show Guzman paid off Mexico's military and police and bought assault rifles, grenade launchers, and explosives to fight "<a href="https://www.apnews.com/3517ac275298464291cf4b288fc07e49" target="_blank" rel="noopener">war after bloody war</a>." He said Guzman personally shot two members of a rival cartel and had their bodies burned.</span></p><p><span>Prosecutors have said they would present a vast amount of evidence: <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/el-chapo-faces-biggest-us-drugs-trial-050635997.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">300,000 pages</a> and at least 117,000 recordings. So much that the defense team has said it hasn't been able to review it all.</span></p><h2><span>'This mythical Chapo figure'</span></h2><p><span><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes</span></p><p class="caption">Women read wanted posters in the main plaza of Mexico City, showing pictures of drug-cartel leaders who allegedly contracted gunmen blamed for the killing of Mexican Cardinal Juan Jesus Posadas Ocampo and six others in Guadalajara on May 24, 1993. Mexican federal authorities offered a $5 million cash reward for information leading to their arrest.</p></div><p></p></div></div></span></p><p><span>Guzman's defense sought to cast the accused cartel chief as a middling member of the vaunted Sinaloa cartel - a "<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/13/nyregion/el-chapo-trial.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">nobody</a>."</span></p><p>"He's blamed for being the leader while the real leaders are living freely and openly in Mexico," Jeffrey Lichtman, one of Guzman's lawyers, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-mexico-el-chapo/el-chapo-is-a-scapegoat-for-drug-lord-who-bribed-mexicos-president-lawyer-idUSKCN1NI18V" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> on Tuesday.</p><p>"In truth he controlled nothing. Mayo Zambada did," Lichtman said, referring to Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, 70, who is thought to have cofounded the cartel with Guzman and is in hiding in Mexico. Zambada was indicted alongside Guzman but has never been arrested.</p><p><em><strong>Also read</strong>: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rafael-caro-quintero-fbi-most-wanted-narco-2018-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The FBI just put the 'narco of narcos' on its 10 Most Wanted list</a></em></p><p><span>"While the world focuses on this mythical Chapo figure," Lichtman said, "the world is not focusing on Mayo Zambada."</span></p><p>Guzman's defense team appears to be arguing Guzman was built up by Zambada and the Mexican government, which used him as a "<a href="https://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/seguridad/el-chapo-revela-que-dio-sobornos-presidentes-de-mexico" target="_blank" rel="noopener">scapegoat</a>" for the killing of Posadas.</p><p><span>Zambada made Guzman a target through corruption and by working with "<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/13/nyregion/el-chapo-trial.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">crooked</a>" agents from the US Drug Enforcement Administration, Lichtman said, adding that t</span><span>he US only "<a href="https://news.vice.com/en_us/article/nepbmx/el-chapos-lawyer-just-claimed-mexicos-president-took-millions-in-bribes-from-sinaloa-cartel" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pretends to want</a>" Zambada.</span></p><p><span><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>REUTERS/Daniel Aguilar </span></p><p class="caption">Suspected Mexican drug trafficker Vicente Zambada Niebla is presented to the media in Mexico City March 19, 2009.</p></div><p></p></div></div></span></p><p><span>Zambada remains free because of "<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/13/nyregion/el-chapo-trial.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hundreds of millions of dollars</a>" in payoffs that "<a href="https://www.apnews.com/3517ac275298464291cf4b288fc07e49" target="_blank" rel="noopener">go up to the very top</a>," Lichtman said - including to the current president of Mexico, Enrique Peña Nieto, and his predecessor, Felipe Calderon.</span></p><p><span>Both swiftly denied the allegation.</span></p><p><span>"The government of [Enrique Peña Nieto] pursued, captured and extradited the criminal Joaquín Guzmán Loera," a spokesman for the current president <a href="https://twitter.com/ESanchezHdz/status/1062477593704771584" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>. "The affirmations attributed to his lawyer are completely false and defamatory."</span></p><p>Peña Nieto leaves office at the end of November. Calderon, who left office at the end of 2012, also rejected the claim.</p><p>"The affirmations said to be made by the lawyer of Joaquín 'el Chapo' Guzmán are absolutely false and reckless," Calderon <a href="https://twitter.com/FelipeCalderon/status/1062473039227613184" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>. "Neither him, nor the Sinaloa cartel nor anyone else made payments to me."</p><p>Corruption was said to be one of Guzman's main tactics, and allegations of bribes from narcos are nothing new for Mexican politicians. But the accusations made on Tuesday are as yet unsubstantiated.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Edgard Garrido/Reuters</span></p><p class="caption">Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto drinks water as he speaks during an investment announcement from brewer Grupo Modelo in Merida in Yucatan state, at Los Pinos Presidential house in Mexico City, May 29, 2015</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Guzman's lawyers said they would detail them further as other witnesses - many of them convicted cartel figures - testify, <a href="https://twitter.com/alanfeuer/status/1062492606792380431" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to Feuer.</p><p><span>Lichtman also took aim at the cooperating witnesses, of whom the prosecution <a href="https://elpais.com/internacional/2018/11/13/mexico/1542148254_820575.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wants</a> to call 16. Like the jurors, their identities are being kept secret for their protection.</span></p><p><span>"Why is the government going so far in this case using these gutter human beings as the evidence?" he said. "It's because the conviction of Chapo Guzman is the biggest prize this prosecution could ever dream of."</span></p><p><span>El Mayo's son, Vicente Zambada, who <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ap-likely-el-chapo-trial-witness-pleads-guilty-in-chicago-2018-11" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pleaded guilty to </a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ap-likely-el-chapo-trial-witness-pleads-guilty-in-chicago-2018-11" target="_blank" rel="noopener">trafficking conspiracy</a> in Chicago, has agreed to cooperate "in any investigation" as part of his deal and could take the stand <a href="https://www.apnews.com/3517ac275298464291cf4b288fc07e49" target="_blank" rel="noopener">as soon as</a> Wednesday.</span></p><p><span>"T</span><span>hey work together when it suits them, Mayo and the US government," Lichtman said. He told the jury the case would force them to "throw out much of what you were taught to believe about the way government works."</span></p><p><span>Judge Brian Cogan excused the jury for the day after the defense presented its theory and asked both sides to provide written briefs on the claims, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/13/nyregion/el-chapo-trial.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">suggesting</a> the defense's line of argument will face more scrutiny.</span></p><p><span>Lichtman's remarks were cut short because of the delay needed to pick new jurors. Opening arguments did not begin until 3:30 pm, and the day closed with Cogan <a href="https://www.courthousenews.com/cartel-bribes-to-mexican-presidents-alleged-at-start-of-el-chapo-trial/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announcing</a> that another juror's mother-in-law had died on Monday, telling both sides to wait for more news.</span><span></span></p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cartel-wives-reveal-el-chapo-money-hid-billion-henchmen-us-mexico-trafficking-drug-lords-2017-10">The wives of El Chapo's henchmen reveal how they hid and spent $2 billion</a></h3>        <div>                    </div>    </div>

'Money. Drugs. Murder': The first day of 'El Chapo' Guzman's US trial started with some big accusations

<ul><li><strong>Dyson recently launched its most advanced vacuum cleaner V15 Detect, in India.</strong></li><li><strong>It is priced at ₹62,900, which makes it an expensive piece of tech, but it's also one of a kind.</strong></li><li><strong>It's a good investment, but you must be sure of your cleaning requirement as it has some caveats. Is it for you? Read the full review to find out.</strong></li></ul>Dyson has launched another high-tech and high-priced vacuum cleaner in India. The latest machine is called <keyword id="14550029" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="dyson-v15" source="Orion">Dyson V15</keyword> Detect and is touted as the most powerful and intelligent cordless vacuum cleaner to date; it better be as it's priced at a whopping ₹62,900, which makes it one of the most expensive cordless vacuum cleaners in the country. <br /><br />The vacuum cleaner is the most popular product from the company for its visually distinctive design, and it's been among the favorites of many ever since it debuted in India. Having used the previous models of the machine, I can say the functionality is also as good as the design. Although, I am not sure of its durability in Indian homes as I've never used them for more than a month or two.<br />          <div type="image" title="Dyson V15 1" msid="93143385" hostid="261" sizebytes="277760" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The Dyson V15 Detect still looks the same, but doesn&amp;#39;t feel old.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>The V15 Detect has been with me for around a month, and so far, it's been a great experience using it. It is said to have 1.5 times more suction and 54% more bin capacity than the Dyson V12 Detect Slim. This means the suction is more powerful and can now store more debris in the bin.<br /><br /><strong>Why is the price so high?</strong> <br /><br />The price is not surprising for those aware of Dyson's products. As per the company, they usually carry a premium price tag for their design, service, and innovative technology. In addition, it has some great-sounding tech built inside, like a laser on the cleaning head to highlight microscopic dust particles, a sensor to track evidence of cleaning by gauging particle data, self-adjusting suction intensity, and a digital motor apart. All this in a good-looking cordless vacuum experience without compromising suction power.<br /><br />So I decided to test all of these features and see whether it does what it promises, and if yes, is it worth the premium?<br /><br /><strong>Design and build: Same futuristic laser blaster design<br />          <div type="image" title="Dyson V15 2" msid="93143451" hostid="261" sizebytes="190122" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The bin on the V15 Detect is larger than its predecessor.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div></strong>As I mentioned, the design is similar to the V11 Absolute Pro, with a slightly larger 0.75-liter bin and handheld unit weighing 3.1kg. Unfortunately, the weight takes away the ease of use; although I didn't have an issue, someone like my 55-year-old mother would not be able to run it for a long stretch.<br />          <div type="image" title="Dyson V15 Detect" height="900" width="1200" msid="93143692" hostid="261" sizebytes="2066023"></div>The increased weight is also because it has got some significant upgrades on the inside over its predecessor. The most prominent one is the 230W motor which is more powerful than the V11. Further, an acoustic piezo sensor tells the amount and type of dust particles it picks on an LCD and the remaining battery run time. I couldn't verify the particle data, but the battery stats are reliable so far. The particle stats essentially tell how dirty the floor is before and after cleaning.<br />          <div type="image" title="Dyson V15" msid="93143588" hostid="261" sizebytes="1669657" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The click and attach mechanism for attachments is still the same as seen on V11 range.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>The attachment mechanism remains the same. It has a simple click of a button to detach and insert to attach extensions and attachments. I really like this element of the Dyson design. Removing or adding parts to their products is a very satisfying experience and can quickly be done by anyone as it doesn't ask for added power or precision. That said, I faced some issues while opening the bin flap of its predecessor, which seems to be fixed on this one and is no longer flimsy. Although, it's still the exact push-to-eject mechanism as before.<br />          <div type="image" title="Dyson V15 5" msid="93143776" hostid="261" sizebytes="1530850" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The dust sticks to the bin&amp;#39;s surface, which is why regular cleaning is a must.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>The quality of the material is consistent across the vacuum and its attachments. It also has a detachable battery. That means you can invest in a spare battery and double the output. <br /><br />I miss a design feature on this machine: a lock switch for the power trigger. Right now, I must keep one finger on the button while using it. While not having a lock may avoid accidents, it's also tiring for some. So much so that I felt the need for it in just 15 minutes of cleaning. That's also because it's heavy. I'll have no discomfort putting one finger busy for long if this was a lighter machine.<br /><br /><strong>Attachments: Made to reach anywhere but not to scratch hard stains<br />          </strong>Unboxing Dyson's products is an inviting process, and repackaging them is a nightmare. Anyhow, it comes neatly packed in a box that has eight attachments.<br />          <div type="image" title="Dyson V15 5" msid="93143945" hostid="261" sizebytes="80914" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Dyson V15 Detect&amp;#39;s packaing is neat.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>There are two main cleaning heads of all. The first is the Laser Slim Fluffy cleaner head with a soft brush bar meant to clean hard floors without damaging them. Note that this is the only one with the green laser and the one I used the most at my home, where there's a mix of marble and tile flooring. The laser projects a green beam in front of the cleaning head, exposing the microscopic dust particles on the floor. <br /><br />This particular feature is an addition to those obsessed with cleaning. I had a similar individual at my home, and trust me, they did not let the vacuum cleaner rest unless it died. Despite getting the floor cleaned with conventional <em>'jhadu and pochha' (broom and mop) </em>in the afternoon, this laser showed a floor full of fine dust after a few hours. What's better is that you can clean floors even in the dark. Imagine someone with a habit of compulsive cleaning having this at home - they're going to have one arm more muscular than the other. Jokes aside, this feature not just wants you to clean more but also shows how dirty the floors are even when not visible to the naked eye.<br /><div type="image" title="Dyson V15 6" msid="93144434" hostid="261" sizebytes="1757057" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The fluffy laser cleaner head is very effective on hard floor.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>The other cleaning head is the High-Torque, which is noisier and more powerful against bigger particles, hair, and rigid surfaces. It also has a layer of polycarbonate teeth which also scratches and collects soiled dust. A miniature version of this cleaning head, the Hair Screw Tool, is designed for smaller tasks that the High-Torque can't reach. But I noticed a few scratches on its bottom after cleaning my wooden cupboard, which is a letdown.<br /><div type="image" title="Dyson V15 7" msid="93144459" hostid="261" sizebytes="1298159" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;In a weird incident, the Hair Screw Tool got scratched after I used it on wood.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Both the cleaning heads are movable, so you don't have to lift and change the cleaning path. Instead, you can tilt it to either side to turn the head in different directions. In addition, it comes with four more attachments that allow it to reach tight spaces like gaps between sofas, keyboards, cars, under the bed, and similar.<br /><div type="image" title="Dyson V15 Detect comes with seven attachments, each for different purposes." msid="93144498" hostid="261" sizebytes="90400"></div>Lastly, you get a wall mount to make a stand for the machine and a storage clip that lets you attach two accessories to the extension tube’s barrel.<br /><div type="image" title="Dyson V15 8" msid="93144559" hostid="261" sizebytes="1974179" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;You get a storage clip that lets you attach two accessories to the extension tube’s barrel.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>These attachments cover most of the cleaning needs. But it can't mop, and that's a need in typical Indian households. It also fails to remove dry stains on the floor. So be clear that this tool can remove dust from every corner of your house but not wipe the floor.<br /><br /><strong>Maintenance: Easy to keep clean and working<br /></strong><br />The Dyson V15 Detect doesn't really need a lot of maintenance, but there are a few things you need to clean periodically. <br /><br /><strong>Dirt compartment-</strong> It is easy to clean; you just have to empty it and then wash it once in a while so that it doesn't collect debris in the corners. You might need to use a brush or a cloth to clean it.<br /><strong>Laser Slim Fluffy cleaner head roll-</strong> It comes with a soft brush roll made of a material that will need regular cold water. The laser sensor will also need cleaning if you use it regularly.<br /><strong>High Torque brush roll- </strong>You can detach the brush rolls by removing the side cover using a coin. Then slide out the brush roll to clear debris or hair without damaging the bristles.<br /><strong>HEPA filter- </strong> The HEPA filter is found on the top of the handheld unit, right below the LCD. It can be removed by twisting the purple head anti-clockwise. Like the fluffy brush roll, this must be washed under cold water when the machine indicates it. Make sure to put it back after drying it, and it's fixed properly.<br /><br /><strong>Performance: It sucks so well that it blows away every other cordless alternative</strong><br /><br />This is where the Dyson V15 Detect shuts down the alternates and wins even at a higher price. After using it, I can confidently say that its only competition in terms of performance is a Dyson vacuum cleaner. The Indian market is still short of its alternatives; an advantage Dyson is leveraging.<br /><br />I shifted to a new house in the first week of July, and guess who did most of the cleaning? This machine. I got a chance to use it on hard floors, small carpets, sofas, mattresses, car, and cupboards, and I'm pretty impressed with how quickly and easily it cleans all types of places and surfaces.<br /><br />The cleaning heads do a brilliant job. Especially the laser head is great at picking up microscopic dust. Pass it through the floor once, and it's all gone. Check the image below.<br /><div type="image" title="Dyson V15 9" msid="93144617" hostid="261" sizebytes="1558591" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Vacuumed area vs normal floor condition hidden from human eye. &amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Even the intensity of suction changing with the floor and dust type is impressively accurate. You get to feel the heaviness and release while sweeping through the floor.<br /><br />Overall, it is the best vacuum cleaner for cleaning efficiency and ease. But as I mentioned, it doesn't mop, and it doesn't scrub stains off the surfaces.<br /><br /><strong>Charging and battery life </strong><br /><br />The first bummer after paying almost ₹63K for a vacuum cleaner is that it takes five hours to charge from 0-100%. That's a common issue with cordless vacuum cleaners. And with all that suction power, it only cleans for an hour in the best possible case. Put it on a thick carpet, which will come down to 40 minutes on 'Eco' mode.<br /><div type="image" title="Dyson V15 10" msid="93144682" hostid="261" sizebytes="1582781" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;LCD displays the suction modes. Auto is best for most requirements.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>It has three modes- <strong>Eco, Auto, and Boost</strong>.<br /><br />Eco mode is the most power efficient and provides light suction, which is suitable for tile and marble floors. Auto mode adjusts the suction power as needed to give you a balance of cleaning and battery efficiency. And Boost mode uses the full force of the machine and offers lesser battery backup.<br /><br />With a mixed-use on a marble floor, mattresses, and others, I got around 43 minutes in Eco mode, 19 minutes in Auto mode, and 11 minutes in Boost mode.<br /><br />If you have a big house requiring over an hour of cleaning, buying an additional battery is best.<br /><br /><strong>Should you buy it?</strong><br />The high price of this vacuum cleaner strikes off a large chunk of the customer base for a market like India. However, that doesn't take away the utility of this machine and makes it a superb vacuum cleaner for those who want to make cleaning easy and need one solution for most cleaning needs.<br /><br />Its powerful suction and ability to detect and remove microscopic dust are unmatched. Additionally, pet owners will find this extremely useful to pull their hair from carpets, sofas, and other surfaces.<br /><br />Don't buy it if you're expecting to mop and if you have a large house, as it dies in under an hour and takes close to five hours to charge. Unless, of course, you are okay with investing in an extra battery.<br /><br /><strong>SEE ALSO:<br /><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/rapido-ceo-unicorn-india-invest-in-windo-that-is-helping-small-businesses-take-their-business-online/articleshow/93139058.cms">Rapido CEO, Unicorn India Ventures invest in social commerce startup Windo</a>w<br /></strong><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/unclaimed-deposits-after-10-years-will-be-transferred-to-education-and-awareness-fund-as-per-rbi/articleshow/93137699.cms"><strong>RBI wants depositors to act on unclaimed deposits</strong></a><br />

Dyson V15 Detect review: The best just got better, but at a premium

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Mexico's Attorney General's Office/Handout</span></p><p class="caption">Mexico's top drug lord, Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzmán, dressed in tan jacket and pants, is escorted by police officers in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, as he is extradited to New York, January 19, 2017.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Sinaloa cartel chief Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán was bustled into the hands of US authorities in Ciudad Juarez early on Thursday evening, and before the end of the night he was on the ground in Long Island, being hustled to a detention center in New York City.</p><p>"<span>As he deplaned, the most notorious criminal of modern times, as you looked into his eyes you could see the surprise, you could see the shock, and to a certain extent you could see the fear," <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/20/el-chapo-joaquin-guzman-new-york-indictment?CMP=share_btn_tw" target="_blank">said</a> Homeland Security <span>Special Agent In Charge Angel Melendez.</span></span></p><p>Guzmán appeared in a US federal court in Brooklyn on Friday, where the litany of charges filed against him by US prosecutors were made known to him - apparently for the first time.</p><p><span>After US Magistrate Judge James Orenstein asked if he understood the accusations against him, Guzmán responded through a Spanish interpreter, "Well, I didn't know until now."</span></p><p><span><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>REUTERS/Christine Cornell</span></p><p class="caption">Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzmán, right, and <keyword id="6354810" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Defense">defense</keyword> attorneys Michael Schneider, center right, and Michelle Gelernt, center left, shown in a court sketch in Brooklyn, New York City, January 20, 2017.</p></div><p></p></div></div></span></p><p><span>Later, when asked again, Guzmán said he understood. </span></p><p>The Mexican cartel chief ultimately pleaded not guilty, and an additional hearing is slated for <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/el-chapo-pleads-not-guilty-to-charges-he-ran-the-worlds-largest-drug-trafficking-ring-2017-1" target="_blank">February 3</a>.</p><p><span>The Eastern District of New York, based in Brooklyn, has filed <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/joaquin-el-chapo-guzman-loera-faces-charges-new-york-leading-continuing-criminal-enterprise" target="_blank">a 17-count indictment</a> against Guzmán, carrying a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison.</span></p><p><span><span>"Who is Chapo Guzman? In short, he's a man known for no other life but a life of crime, violence, death and destruction, and now he'll have to answer to that," US Attorney for the Eastern District Robert Capers <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/el-chapo-pleads-not-guilty-to-charges-he-ran-the-worlds-largest-drug-trafficking-ring-2017-1" target="_blank">said</a>. </span></span></p><p><span><span>"<span>Guzmán's story is not one of a do-gooder, or a Robin Hood, or an escape artist," Capers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/20/el-chapo-joaquin-guzman-new-york-indictment?CMP=share_btn_tw" target="_blank">added</a>. Rather, "Guzmán's rise was akin to that of a small cancerous tumor that metastasized into a full-blown scourge."</span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span>Guzmán's lawyers have <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/el-chapo-pleads-not-guilty-to-charges-he-ran-the-worlds-largest-drug-trafficking-ring-2017-1" target="_blank">promised</a> a zealous defense and said they would look into whether Guzmán was extradited appropriately.</span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span>"I haven't seen any evidence that indicates to me that Mr. Guzman's done anything wrong. Most of you probably haven't seen any evidence like that either," federal public defender Michael Schneider <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/el-chapo-pleads-not-guilty-to-charges-he-ran-the-worlds-largest-drug-trafficking-ring-2017-1" target="_blank">said</a> outside the courthouse.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span>Prior to the heading, US prosecutors filed <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/929896/download" target="_blank">a 56-page memo</a> arguing that Guzmán should be denied release while his trial is pending. The document also outlines some of the evidence US authorities will bring to bear during the case.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span>Here's the case the US government says it has against "El Chapo" Guzmán.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Reuters</span></p><p class="caption">Mexico's top drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman is escorted as he arrives at Long Island MacArthur airport in New York, U.S., January 19, 2017, after his extradition from Mexico.</p></div><p></p></div></div></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span>According to the filing, Guzmán <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-history-of-el-chapo-guzman-sinaloa-cartel-chief-drug-lord-2017-1" target="_blank">emerged on the scene in the 1980s and 1990s</a>, when Colombian traffickers still controlled production in their country and most of the distribution in the US.</span></span></span></span></p><p>"Guzman quickly set himself apart from other Mexican transporters with his efficiency in transporting the drugs into the United States, including to California, Arizona and Texas, and returning the drug proceeds to the Colombians in record time," the memo states.</p><p>As <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/inside-mexican-drug-cartel-narco-tunnels-on-the-us-border-2016-4" target="_blank">documented elsewhere</a>, "This effectiveness earned him the nickname 'El Rapido.'"</p><p>Guzmán and his partners in the Sinaloa cartel gained power during the late 1980s and 1990s, though he was <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-history-of-el-chapo-guzman-sinaloa-cartel-chief-drug-lord-2017-1" target="_blank">eventually detained in Guatemala in 1993</a> after a series of high-profile clashes with rivals in Mexico. He was jailed at Puente Grande prison in southwest Mexico, though he maintained connections with his business partners during this time.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Google Maps/Amanda Macias/Business Insider</span></p><p class="caption">Puente Grande prison, from which Guzmán escaped in 2001, and Altiplano prison, from which he escaped in 2015, have similar layouts.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p><span><span><span><span>In 2001, with the help of bribed Mexican officials, he escaped from prison, returning to his home turf. </span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span>"To thwart <keyword id="6355470" type="CITY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Law">law</keyword> enforcement efforts to recapture him, he created an army of hundreds of heavily-armed body guards and fortified his hideaways with military-grade weapons," the memo says. </span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span>"Guzman also established a complex communications network to allow him to speak covertly with his growing empire without law enforcement detection," it adds. "This included the use of encrypted networks, multiple insulating layers of go-betweens and ever-changing methods of communicating with his workers."</span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.stratfor.com/interactive/areas-cartel-influence-mexico">Courtesy of Stratfor</a></span></p><p class="caption">A look at Sinaloa state-based criminal groups' operations in Mexico.</p></div><p></p></div></div></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span>During this period, Guzmán and the Sinaloa cartel were able to expand their operations in Mexico and abroad, typically through bloodshed. This expansion included ports on Mexico's Atlantic and Pacific coasts, as well as cities on the US-Mexico and Mexico-Guatemala borders.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span>"Guzman and members of the Sinaloa Cartel infiltrated other Central American countries, including Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica and Panama," the filing states. </span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span>Sinaloa cartel personnel in these areas moved drug shipments through ground methods like tractor-trailers, but also through <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/el-chapo-guzman-mexico-drug-trafficking-airplanes-2016-5" target="_blank">air transport via clandestine landing strips</a> and, eventually, in rudimentary <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/us-coast-guard-seize-narco-submarine-cocaine-pacific-ocean-2016-10" target="_blank">semi-submersible vessels</a> that could carry up to six tons of cocaine.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span>The Sinaloa cartel's reach didn't stop in Central America, however. According to US prosecutors:</span></span></span></span></p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span><a href="http://www.gob.mx/semar/prensa/la-armada-de-mexico-informa-sobre-la-localizacion-de-un-laboratorio-clandestino-para-la-produccion-de-drogas-sinteticas-en-sinaloa-53588?idiom=es">Mexican Naval Secretariat</a></span></p><p class="caption">Mexican authorities examine materials found in a suspected drug lab in Sinaloa state.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>In the 2000s, the growth of methamphetamines led Guzmán to establish "sources of supply for the precursor chemicals for the production of methamphetamine in Africa and Asia, including in China and India."</p><p>Guzmán's home turf in Sinaloa state has reportedly become <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/sythetic-drug-meth-production-el-chapo-guzman-home-turf-2016-10" target="_blank">a hotbed for synthetic-drug production</a>.</p><p>According to US prosecutors, Guzmán bolstered and protected this supply and distribution network through violence and graft.</p><p>Guzmán also sent these sicarios against rival cartels, particularly the Gulf and Los Zetas cartels, as well as the Juarez cartel in Ciudad Juarez, which is not only <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/violence-in-ciudad-juarez-rising-says-cartel-hitman-enforcer-2016-11" target="_blank">a major drug-transshipment point</a> but also served as <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/mexico-moved-el-chapo-guzman-because-of-blackout-2016-5" target="_blank">Guzmán's home for the months prior</a> to his extradition.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>REUTERS/Alejandro Bringas</span></p><p class="caption">Police work at a crime scene where seven bodies were found in Ciudad Juarez, northern Mexico, November 25, 2008. The bodies of seven men with signs of torture and bullet wounds were found along side three banners threatening rival gangs, according to local media.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>"These sicarios kidnapped and tortured their victims often prior to brutally murdering them and subsequently boasted of their exploits through gruesome videos that they posted on the internet," US prosecutors state in their pretrial filing.</p><p>According to the US federal government, a number of cooperating witnesses, including Colombian cartel leaders, will testify "to prove Guzman's power, corruption and violence within the Sinaloa Cartel," as well as to the "astonishing illegal profits" reaped by Guzmán from his involvement in the drug trade.</p><p>Some of the US government's purported physical evidence against Guzmán includes "recovered drug ledgers from Colombian cartel bosses and suppliers, which detail the financial agreements between Guzman and the suppliers for various drug shipments."</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>DEA 2015 NDTA</span></p><p class="caption">A map of suspected areas of influence for Mexico's drug cartels.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Guzmán has been <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/court-documents-show-ties-between-el-chapo-guzmn-and-colombian-cocaine" target="_blank">linked to high-profile Colombian traffickers</a> - some with ties to Pablo Escobar and former President Alvaro Uribe - in the past.</p><p>Other witnesses will testify to the Sinaloa cartel's various drug-transportation methods, from tanker trucks to planes to tunnels, and to <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/san-diego-record-cash-seizure-and-drug-cartel-money-laundering-2016-8" target="_blank">methods used to smuggle cash from drug sales</a> back into Mexico.</p><p>"One former member of local law enforcement in Juarez, Mexico, is expected to testify to being paid hundreds of dollars per month to release from custody Sinaloa Cartel members who were arrested, remove road blocks from routes over which trucks containing drug shipments were traveling and provide armed escorts for the drug-laden trucks that were passing through their area," the memo states.</p><p>Other witnesses "will detail specific murders carried out under Guzman's orders, including that of Sinaloa Cartel members, members of rival cartels and also government and law enforcement officials."</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez</span></p><p class="caption">A member of the "Psalm 100" evangelic church dressed as an angel holds a placard outside of the Cefereso No. 9 prison, where Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman was held in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, September 24, 2016. The placard reads "Chapo Guzman, your Mother cries out for your soul."</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Several witnesses is to testify to <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-history-of-el-chapo-guzman-sinaloa-cartel-chief-drug-lord-2017-1" target="_blank">the specific wars fought by the Sinaloa cartel</a> against the Arellano Felix Organization, Gulf cartel, Los Zetas cartel, the Juarez cartel, and the Beltran Leyva Organization.</p><p>One witnesses is expected to describe a house specifically outfitted for killing victims used during the fight with the Juarez cartel. "The house had plastic sheets over the walls to catch spouting blood and a drain in the floor to facilitate the draining of blood," the memo says.</p><p>The US government also intends to produce evidence related to weapons seizures, including "evidence of a seizure in El Paso, Texas, of a gun shipment tied to Guzman, which contained numerous AK-47s and .50mm long rifles."</p><p>"Guzman has known no other life than a life of crime and violence," the pretrial memo concludes. "Driven by insatiable power and greed, Guzman's personal history and characteristics demand detention to prevent him from being a danger to the community."</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Reuters/Joe Penney</span></p><p class="caption">District Attorney Robert Capers arrives at a press conference regarding the extradition and arraignment of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzmán in New York, January 20, 2017.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>US prosecutors say they have more than 40 witnesses ready to testify against Guzmán in a trial likely to last "<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/el-chapo-pleads-not-guilty-to-charges-he-ran-the-worlds-largest-drug-trafficking-ring-2017-1" target="_blank">many</a>" weeks.</p><p>Until that trial is concluded, Guzmán will remain locked up in a federal jail in New York City.</p><p>US officials have declined for security reasons to state where exactly he's being held, and they appear confident there will be no repeat of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-history-of-el-chapo-guzman-sinaloa-cartel-chief-drug-lord-2017-1" target="_blank">the escapes</a> for which Guzmán has become known.</p><p><span>"I assure you, no tunnel will be built leading to his bathroom," Special Agent In Charge Melendez <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/el-chapo-pleads-not-guilty-to-charges-he-ran-the-worlds-largest-drug-trafficking-ring-2017-1" target="_blank">said</a> after the hearing.</span></p><p><span><span>"What occurred in other countries will not occur here," <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/20/el-chapo-joaquin-guzman-new-york-indictment?CMP=share_btn_tw" target="_blank">added</a> Capers.</span></span></p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/mexico-drug-lord-sinaloa-cartel-joaquin-el-chapo-guzman-extradited-united-states-2017-1">Here's footage of 'El Chapo' arriving to the US</a></h3>        <div>            <div>        <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="14N2QyOTE6E4KRXZfdnnmBcJ_bInBqwt" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>        </div>        </div>            </div>

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