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In addition to landing her first Vogue (::soft whisper:: Turkey) cover, Bella Hadid is also on the June cover of a major American magazine, Elle.
Earlier this year, Cindy Crawford announced she would be pseudo-retiring from modeling after turning 50. “I’m sure I’ll have my picture taken for 10 more years,” she told Rhapsody Magazine, “but not as a model anymore.” (Crawford later sort of backtracked on that statement.) A woman of her word, Crawford—who turned 50…
The latest issue of Vogue includes a spread called “Here’s What Happens When Supermodels Kendall, Gigi, and Karlie Go to Silicon Valley.” As far as I can tell, nothing happens, except maybe Grace Coddington weeping a river of relief 5,000 miles away that she has finally washed her hands of this whole operation.
If you follow fashion, celebrities, kewl teenz, or the children of the rich and famous, Lily-Rose Depp is about to be in your life a lot more from now on—particularly after this weekend, when Yoga Hosers debuts at Sundance, featuring her first starring role—so you might as well learn who, and why.
Get ready to feel a fresh, scalding surge of empowerment: a communications firm that works with biotechnology companies is single-handedly devoting itself to promoting gender diversity. Not by hiring women. Well, kind of by hiring women. Hiring women to come to their parties, anyway.
For months, the French government has been moving to ban runway models who are unhealthily thin from the runway and ad campaigns, citing not just the toll on the models themselves but the influence they may have on young women. On Thursday, the legislation passed, and now all models will be required to provide medical…
Scattered among rumors about Hollywood’s A through D-listers on People’s “News” section are human interest stories that I generally avoid. Today there was a headline about sisters meeting each other for the first time at 9 and 10 years old (too boring), some dog who found a home after losing an eye (too sad), and a…
Fashion Month: So exciting! So glamorous! So many beautiful models, who are very bored and tired!
An 18-year-old model with Down Syndrome named Madeline Stuart has landed a gig walking the runway during New York Fashion Week in September.
A modeling agency that caters to transgender models recently opened its first U.S. location in Los Angeles.
Think “Cocaine Kate” invented the misfit model? For as long as beautiful women have been posing, they’ve been wreaking havoc on the industry that catapulted them to fame. Here are four of our favorite badass beauties.
Abercrombie is still trying to remake itself into a brand that appeals to today’s Tumblring teens. Their latest move: You no longer have to be a hottie to stand around the store refolding shirts.
France is reportedly likely to pass a bill that would ban very thin models from being featured in advertising campaigns and fashion shows.
Who are the Hadid sisters?
Karlie Kloss and Doutzen Kroes are out as Victoria's Secret Angels, and sources say it's because there are too many Angels out there and not enough money to feed them.
The plus-size business is taking off—brands are launching, models are breaking out, and people are finally paying attention. This is part of a series of interviews with players in the industry; let us know if there's anybody you want to hear from!
In keeping with the trend of fashion and beauty lines revitalizing the careers of former supermodels (and in some cases just plain starting the fashion careers of women of a certain age), L'Oréal Professionnel in the UK has named former '60s star Twiggy, now 65, the ambassador for their product Majirel High Lift,…


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One of the best-selling games of all-time, Minecraft, continues to set new benchmarks almost 10 years after release.
Nearly 10 years after initially releasing to the public, Mojang’s Minecraft is still setting new sales milestones.
Just recently, Minecraft’s PC version specifically has now passed 30 million copies sold worldwide. The official Minecraft website keeps track of this data in a ticker at the bottom of the webpage stating how many copies of the title have been purchased. As of the past day, that ticker finally turned past 30 million.
Even though this surely isn’t much of a surprise to many at this point, it’s still insane when you put it in perspective compared to other gaming properties. Minecraft’s PC sales alone surpass some lifetime sales for entire franchises that have multiple sequels and other various installments.
To date, Minecraft as a whole across all platforms has sold over 100 million copies and is one of the best-selling games ever made. For a game with such humble and small beginnings, it’s a success story for Mojang that likely will never be matched again. Even a game like Fornite, which is probably the biggest video game since Minecraft took off, has the backing of Epic, which was already a rather large company to begin with. Whether you like Minecraft or not, you can’t deny its meteoric rise over the past decade.
If you somehow haven’t gotten in on the Minecraft craze for yourself yet, it’s available on pretty much every platform imaginable. Go download it and build yourself a cool house, or something.

domain: news


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When we released our story about Nestlé launching a meat-like, meatless patty dubbed the “Incredible Burger” last week, it sparked some… backlash from our audience. (To be clear: We welcome comments!) Here are a few examples:
Don't be fooled – This is not the company you want to be supporting if you are looking for eco friendly solutions
— Daniel (@DanielSirrah) December 29, 2018
Hmm, I believe there are other options for plant based food. Nestle is not on my list of fair trade corporations.
— Bharat 🌹 🦚 (@rebarrett) December 29, 2018
i'm all for more plant-based foods on the market, but as long as they're cruelty free. @Nestle has profited off of stolen water, done irreparable damage with its global anti-breastfeeding campaign, and continues to unnecessarily test on animals…PASS. #boycottnestle https://t.co/zIVXOMngV4
— kelly quinn (@kellyquinnsoc) December 29, 2018
Basically, some readers were skeptical that they could trust Nestlé — which, like most Big Food companies, has a less-than-perfect reputation — to make plant-based food sustainably. These reactions made us at the Spoon wonder: as an eating trend (like plant-based food) goes mainstream, will consumers buy products regardless of the company that makes them?
At first, maybe not so much. During a conversation about the evolving plant-based meat market, The Spoon founder Mike Wolf speculated that earlier in the adoption curve people tend to be more value-driven, seeking out certain products motivated by the ethics of the manufacturing process, the sustainability quotient, or the reputation of the parent company. Early adopters often put more value in the ethics and mission of a product, like how Impossible Foods is out to save the planet by reducing meat consumption.
As Big Food companies like Nestlé concentrate on the meat alternatives space, early adopters might be skeptical of their motives and, therefore, their products. However, as you get to what Wolf calls “the Costco consumer” — one who’s more driven by more by price value than by, well, values — the company behind the product might not mean quite as much. These mainstream consumers aren’t buying the product to make a values statement: rather, they’re selecting it because of its reduced cost, good taste, or maybe even branding. In general, they won’t boycott a product because they don’t like the ethics of the company who makes it.
This sort of apathetic consumerism might grate with the more woke shoppers. But in a weird way, it shouldn’t. Young startups are all well and good, and have been doing a great job drumming up consumer interest in meat-like meat alternatives. However, if plant-based (and, down the road, cell-based) meat has a prayer of actually disrupting the industrial meat industry, Big Food pretty much needs to be involved.
Of course, how they get involved is important, too — in no way should Big Food companies get carte blanche. They shouldn’t use their sizeable market muscles to force out startups who are on a mission, or stifle new companies. Environmental concerns are also top of mind: plants may be more sustainable than meat, but Nestlé still has to be conscious the makings its ingredients, manufacturing processes, and packaging as sustainable as possible.
All this to say, some people — especially early adopters — might not like how Big Food companies entering the meat-like meat alternatives market with their Incredible burgers and vegan hot dogs. That’s perfectly alright. These objectors don’t have to get their plant-based protein from major CPG companies; there are plenty of other delicious options which, at least from the outside, seem to have the ethical upper hand.
But giant CPG companies like Nestlé have the manufacturing power, global reach, and distribution channels that can help plant-based meat go from (relatively) niche product to mainstream food staple: one that costs the same as or less than conventional meat. In order for alterna-meats to really catch on, they have to be within reach for the “Costco consumer.” And that pretty much inevitably means working with Big Food — even Nestlé.
Do you agree? Is getting Big Food involved the only way that meat alternatives can go mainstream? Sound off in the comments or on Twitter @TheSpoonTech!


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Latest US tariffs will hit US$45 billion in cell phonesBusiness | 2 Aug 2019 9:13 pm
The new US tariffs will affect roughly US$45 billion in cell phones, US$39 billion in tablets and laptops, and US$5.4 billion in video game consoles, the Hinrich Foundation estimates.
US consumers are likely to feel the pinch of these tariffs more so than previous rounds, although the 10 percent level is considerably less than the 25 percent being applied to the earlier tranches.
Ordinary US consumers have not yet been able to “connect the dots” between the tariffs and higher costs eating into their household budgets. Will this new round of tariffs change that, and if so, will it translate to political pressure to bring the trade war to a halt? the think tank ponders.


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Chanel and Versace Are Among the Least Transparent Fashion Brands
According to advocacy group Fashion Revolution’s latest report.
U.K. based advocacy group Fashion Revolution has recently released the third edition of its Fashion Transparency Index. The list ranks brands according to the brand’s willingness to disclose their inner practices. The point system of rankings also sheds a light on the fashion brand’s disclosed information on their supply chain, workers conditions and more. Additionally, the rankings pinpoint the environmental impact of a brand and how it responds to trade unions and gender issues.
The lowest ranked luxury brands including Chanel, Versace, Dior, Marc Jacobs and Dolce & Gabbana scored less than 10-percent transparency. A few of the most transparent brands are adidas, Reebok, PUMA and H&M. Each of these companies fell between 51 to 60-percent transparency.
Fashion Revolution was founded five years ago as a direct response to the collapse of the Rana Plaza factory in Bangladesh where 1,135 garment workers died and more than 2,000 were injured according to Reuters. The advocacy group works to highlight the importance of brand transparency, which will ultimately protect human rights and tackle forced labor.
The report featured 150 brands in the luxury, accessories, sports and high-street markets with annual revenue of more than $500 million USD. In the aforementioned report, Fashion Revolution states:
“Only on-the-ground research by NGOs, unions and academics can reveal the true impacts of brands’ policies and practices in real-world situations. The Fashion Transparency Index has been designed to give an illustrative look at how much brands know and share about their supply chains. We have deliberately chosen to focus specifically on transparency by means of public disclosure and not everything that brands and retailers are doing internally or otherwise behind-the-scenes across their companies and supply chains.”
Read the full report over at Fashion Revolution’s official website.
- Image Credit
- Phil Oh/Vogue


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STRATACACHE CEO/Owner Chris Riegel cleared out the board last week when he acquired rival software CMS firm Scala, and the company has now announced a new board, which does includes a Scala veteran. Gerard Bucas was the CEO of Scala from 2002 to 2011, and was as part of that a longtime board member.
Everyone else is, not surprisingly, from STRATACACHE’s universe. Riegel chairs a board that includes:
- Cameron Waldie, the GM and President of Calgary-based Carmanah Signs, a gaming signage company Riegel bought 2-3 years ago;
- Kevin Carbone, CEO of the San Francisco shopper marketing and media firm PRN, which Riegel bought in 2015 when it was IZ-ON (it was originally PRN);
- Kevin McGree, the CFO at Dayton,OH-based STRATACACHE.
“We are excited about what the STRATACACHE acquisition and the new Board of Directors means for Scala,” says Peter Cherna, Chief Product Officer and pretty much last exec standing at the old Scala Inc. “With the resources that STRATACACHE brings, and the business and industry experience of our new Board, Scala now has renewed energy to pursue and grow our market-defining product strategy, leading global brand, and broad partner channel. I’m personally looking forward to doing great things together.”


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Senior Erika Watson was among more than 100 college students who took part in a leadership program held during IMEX America in Las Vegas earlier this month.
The Future Leaders Forum is designed to encourage and inspire the next generation of meetings industry leaders around the world. It’s a joint initiative between IMEX America—a worldwide exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events—Meeting Planners International and MCI, an independent, global association, communications and event management company.
During the three-day forum, Watson learned about sustainable event planning practices—how to be green by making simple changes such as swapping disposable dishes with real tableware and how to select green venues. Sustainability is a growing trend in the industry, she said.
The forum also showed her ways to stand out from the crowd—although Watson was ahead of the class in that regard. In one resume-writing workshop, her resume was used as a model example because of the use of color in the design.
Mostly, the forum provided networking opportunities. Nearly 2,700 exhibitors participated on the show floor of IMEX America.
“It’s a gigantic trade show specifically focused on industry vendors and suppliers, so it was a huge opportunity,” said Cindy Hazelrigg, assistant professor of Event and Convention Management.
Watson, who is graduating in December and relocating to Colorado, said she made several contacts that she plans to use when job hunting in the future.
Already, her academic experience is giving her an edge. While most collegiate participants were hospitality majors, Watson’s marketing, public relations and advertising degree combined with an event planning minor has given her a more comprehensive education that impressed those in the industry, she said.
“Stephens has definitely encouraged me to stand out,” she said, “and has made me marketable as a professional.”
Most computers will open PDF documents automatically, but you may need to download Adobe Reader.


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Veyance Technologies, manufacturer of Goodyear Engineered Products, recently announced the start of its Goodyear Gatorback Belts NASCAR All-Star Week Sweepstakes. From now through April 30, fans who visit www.goodyearep.com/allstar may enter for a chance to win one of seven prizes, including a grand prize trip for two to the 2011 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race Weekend, May 18 to 22. In addition, one second-prize winner and five runners-up will be awarded memorabilia autographed by Dale Earnhardt Jr.
One grand prize winner and a guest will receive:
2011 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race tickets, VIP tours and hospitality;
Tickets to the NASCAR Sprint Pit Crew Challenge presented by Craftsman;
NASCAR Rev’d UpTM VIP Experience;
NASCAR race team shop tour;
Tickets to the NASCAR Hall of Fame; and
Airfare and a four-night hotel stay.
One second-prize winner will receive:
Autographed Dale Earnhardt Jr. Fathead wall graphic.
Five runners-up will receive:
2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule magnet autographed by Dale Earnhardt Jr.
For more information, including contest rules and eligibility, visit www.goodyearep.com/allstar.
About Veyance Technologies, Inc.:
Veyance Technologies, Inc. is the exclusive manufacturer and marketer of Goodyear Engineered Products worldwide. In addition to automotive aftermarket belts and hoses, Veyance manufactures Goodyear-branded air springs, power transmission products, conveyor belts and services, industrial and hydraulic hose, rubber track and molded products. GOODYEAR trademarks are used by Veyance Technologies under license from The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. For more information go to http://www.goodyearep.com/.


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This year’s Tokyo Game Show featured all the usual suspects – the Sony PS4, Xbox One and big titles like Battlefield 4 – but dig a little deeper and there were plenty of oddities on display, too.
Typically, they're aimed at the Japanese market; we take a look at six games that caught our attention with their quirks – and ponder whether they'll ever make it to our shores.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle (PS3)
What is It?
A 2.5D fighting game based on the long-running JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure manga series from the late 80s. The game features a roster of spirit users, muscle-bound vampires, and horse-riding pilgrims who fire mind bullets - most of whom are named after rock musicians.
Following the basic template of Street Fighter IV, the game adds new mechanics such as side-stepping to avoid projectiles, blocking special moves mid-combo at the cost of health, and stage hazards that are triggered after knocking down an opponent onto a highlighted spot.
Already out in Japan, the game has sold half a million copies on its debut week according to sales chart site Media Creates. To put that into perspective, Street Fighter IV only managed to shift 123,857 copies in its first week.
Chances of seeing it outside Japan?
JoJo is indeed a go-go. Namco Bandai announced that the quirky fighting game will be out in North America in 2014. In the meantime, fighting game fans can catch up with the long-running series through some heavy manga reading, or tune in to the recent 2012 anime adaptation of the first two chapters.


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Sony has decided that NFC will be a great feature...for a camera. This is purportedly the next step in imaging systems by Sony. What you see in the picture is basically a standalone camera unit with a large sensor – similar to the ones you can find in the RX100 II – and comes with battery and controls. Could this be the next best thing? We'll wait until we see actual production models before we decide.
While there is no specified release date so far, the consensus is that this will be a real product, and will be hitting the stores by year’s end. This sounds like a better version of what Canon has out in the market now. Of course the biggest caveat is that you need a smartphone to use it – but hey, everyone has one now right? And will this spell the end of camera sensors in smartphones?


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- Business Advocacy
One of the problems that we all face during the COVID-19 situation is the ability to obtain food. In Alhambra, we are fortunate to have many outlets for food regardless of income. As you know, supermarkets are open and supplies are returning to normal after the panic buying that made the news. Just remember to wear masks when you are shopping.
Some local restaurants are also selling groceries. Among them is Yang’s Kitchen at 112 W. Main St. As reported in the Los Angeles Times, customers can order their available groceries as well as meals for takeout at Yang’s online store and schedule pick up. Big T Mini Mart/Krispy Krunchy, 240 W. Main St., also has groceries.
Last month, Around Alhambra printed a list of our local restaurants that are selling meals to go and for delivery. We hope you have had a chance to use these services as we do have some of the best eateries around, and we want them to still be here when this crisis is over.
We are also glad to let you know our Sunday farmers market on S. Second Street, between Commonwealth and Main, is open for business. This is the place for farm-to-table fresh produce. They have made changes to improve safety by increasing social distancing and cleanliness. The new precautions include four additional hand sinks spread out within the market, social distancing coordinators, and signs reminding customers to adhere to the new guidelines.
For senior citizens, the Joslyn Center is closed but they are passing out lunches on Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Qualified Alhambra seniors can get two boxed lunches and three frozen meals to go.
Many Alhambra residents have lost their jobs as a result of the current health crisis, so getting food is becoming more difficult. Fortunately several avenues are open for them.
The First Baptist Church, 101 S. Atlantic Blvd., provides food, toiletries, clothing, furniture, and homeless gift bags from 1 to 3 p.m. on Thursdays and delivers too. Pastor Matt Barnes and his volunteers feed up to 150 residents a week. To help feed our neighbors, you can help by sending checks to The First Baptist Church. Please write “Covid-19 families in Alhambra” on your check.
Another avenue for food in our area is the Asian Youth Center at 100 West Clary Ave., San Gabriel 91776. They are serving twice as many families in a week as they were for two months before this crisis began. Please e-mail email@example.com, or call 626-309-0622 if you can donate goods or services.
We are also seeing pop-up food collections and distributions throughout Alhambra. It started with the Alhambra Firefighters Association joining forces with Councilmember Andrade Stadler and donating over $1,000 toward food purchases and distribution.
Ms. Andrade Stadler then went to work with The Alhambra Teachers Association and community members, including Sasha Perez, Matt Cui, the Aviles, Marcia Wilson, Kaysa Moreno, and more! This resulted in more money and food donated, which helped them serve over 50 families with food and cleaning supplies. Many of the recipients are among the newest members of our community.
The Alhambra Unified School District has reopened their food program for students on a Grab and Go basis, first-come first-served, on a Monday and Wednesday schedule at Marguerita, Granada, and Ynez Schools. Details and applications for the AUSD program are available at this site: https://www.ausd.us/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=623240&type=d&pREC_ID=1897916
Another source of food that is delivered for people who have been diagnosed with a life threatening illness and cannot shop on their own is Project Angel Food. They can be reached at https://www.angelfood.org/about-us.
We thank all the people who are helping to keep Alhambra residents healthy and happy.


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Date: May 2018
Location: De Centrum City project, Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Name: Park Inn by Radisson Putrajaya – opening 2021
No. of Keys: 191
Owner: Engineering company Protasco Berhad, with Radisson to operate the new-build hotel.
The hotel is currently under development in the De Centrum City mixed-use project near Malaysia’s administrative capital Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur, the Infrastructure University of Kuala Lumpur and the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
The $2.5-billion De Centrum City project will also have a shopping centre, residential apartments and offices.
“Radisson Hotel Group envisages strong potential for all our brands in Malaysia, and the signing of Park Inn by Radisson Putrajaya is the first step in a broader expansion plan for this dynamic country.
This follows two Radisson Red hotels in Kuala Lumpur which were recently signed. We look forward to welcoming guests to our exciting new hotels in future,” Katerina Giannouka, president, Asia Pacific, Radisson Hotel Group, said in a statement.
“We are delighted to be partnering with Radisson Hotel Group”, Ir Edward Khoo Mong Wei, executive director, property & construction at Protasco Berhad, said in a statement.
“Park Inn by Radisson is a globally recognised brand with a proven track record of success in the upper-midscale sector. I look forward to introducing guests to our vibrant accommodation and international amenities in future.”
There are several Park Inn by Radisson hotels planned for Asia-Pacific as part of Radisson’s expansion across the region.
The announcement follows the group’s recent signing of the Radisson Red Cebu Mandaue in the Philippines with developer Cebu Landmasters in April 2018.
THPT Comment: Radisson plans to have more than 200 hotels operating and under development in South Asia by 2022….Fab growth.
First Seen: Hotel Management


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Adults in Luxembourg will in future be allowed to keep up to four cannabis plants in their home and garden.
Several government ministers announced this on Friday.
This makes the Grand Duchy the first European state to legalize both the cultivation and consumption of cannabis.
The aim is to fight against drug crime.
Editor in the section “Germany and the World”.
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In addition, according to the Luxembourg government, the trade in cannabis seeds will also be allowed, without any regulation regarding the number of seeds or their content of the psychoactive substance tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
This legalizes the purchase of seeds in stores, from imports or in online stores.
Whether home gardeners set up their up to four plants in the living room or in the garden is up to them.
However, the regulation applies per household and not per person.
The consumption and possession of cannabis in public remains prohibited, and with the exception of seeds, no trade in cannabis products is permitted.
However, the use and possession of cannabis in public places is now punished differently than before: Anyone carrying up to three grams of the herbal drug will not commit a crime in the future, but an offense.
Such a person does not appear in a person's criminal record.
In addition, a lower fine than before is to be expected: While the fine ranged from 251 to 2500 euros, it should be reduced to between 25 and 500 euros.
The measures are part of a bill to be presented in early 2022.
Comprehensive plans for a national production chain and state-regulated sales have so far been delayed by the corona pandemic.
Luxembourg is not the first country to take the step of legal cultivation, but follows Canada, Uruguay and eleven states in the USA.Keywords: consumption, luxembourg, cannabis, cannabis plants, cultivation, country, age, luxembourgers, europe, drug crime, possession, adults, grand duchy, seeds, home gardeners


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Walmart & Target Stretching Cyber Monday DealsWalmart is making all of its Cyber Monday online discounts available on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Meanwhile, Target announced that, for the first time, it will be offering a 15 percent sitewide discount on Cyber Monday.
5 Money Saving Tips For Your Holiday ShoppingThe pressures of holiday shopping can be very difficult, but there's no need to break the bank for a fun and memorable holiday. Save some dough this season with these easy holiday shopping tips.
Getting The Best Deals By Researching Holiday Gift PricesBlack Friday and Cyber Monday are the two biggest shopping days of the year. Don't miss out on the best deals. Shop smart and do your homework to ensure that you're saving as much as possible.
5 Hottest Gadgets For 2015 Holiday GiftsHoliday shopping can be difficult, especially if you've got some picky people on your list. Give the gift of technology this year. Here are five new gadgets that would top anyone's holiday wish list.
Some Shoppers Unimpressed By “Prime Day" SalesTouting their Amazon 'Prime Day' sale, officials with Amazon.com say order rates Wednesday surpassed that of 2014 Black Friday sales. But some shoppers aren't impressed with them or other retailers.
Trending: Cyber Monday DealsFree shipping and deep discounts from more than 800 online retailers.
How To Find The Best Cyber Monday DealsWhen Cyber Monday rolls around, the web is going to be all abuzz with the latest and greatest one-day deals. But you can get ready now. Here are some tips to get you started early.
Why Small Business Saturday Is ImportantSmall Business Saturday will take place nationwide this year on November 29. Since its launch in 2010, it has helped change the landscape of neighborhoods big and small.
Best New Apps For Holiday Shopping DealsUse your smartphone to truly maximize your holiday shopping. From coupon finders to shopping lists, these apps have everything that you need to get the best savings.
Navigating The Best Holiday Deals & SalesDon't get lost in the sea of sales, coupons, flyers and email lists. Take a little time to organize and you can save a bundle this holiday season.
North Texans Looking Out For Others On Giving TuesdayAfter the Black Friday and the Cyber Monday shopping frenzy a new national initiative is being set. But this one is aimed at getting Texans and the rest of the country in the spirit of giving.
Feds Target Counterfeiting Websites On Cyber Monday U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's homeland security investigations announced that it seized or shut down 700 domain names nationwide and 57 in Texas that were associated with the sale of counterfeit goods.


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Raf Simons has collaborated with sportswear giant Adidas to create a limited edition footwear collection, which will be available in shops from July.
Raf Simons has collaborated with Adidas to create a footwear collection.
The Belgian fashion designer debuted the limited-edition trainers with the sportswear brand at his autumn/winter 2013-14 catwalk show as part of menswear fashion week in Paris, France, on Wednesday night (16.01.13) and announced the shoes will be available in stores from July.
Fashionista reports Raf's retro-inspired trainers have five different models in a variety of colours, taking inspiration from ''signature Adidas high-end performance and running silhouettes.''
The exterior of the trainers are all-black and multi-coloured silicone bubbles in rose, green, blue or burgundy are used to accentuate the shape of the shoe by creating visual depths.
Raf - who is currently Creative Director of Christian Dior - isn't the first designer to team up with the sportswear giant.
Other brands including Stella Mccartney, Opening Ceremony and Yohji Yamamoto have previously teamed up with Adidas to develop sportswear and exercise accessories.
Raf launched his own menswear line in 1995 and has since collaborated with other brands such as Fred Perry and French bag manufacture Eastpak.
When a 100+ year-old copper & gold mine in Chile suffers considerable damage to the shaft due to a cave-in, the world's news is quick to report the...
The ex-'Top Gear' trio have a new home on Amazon Prime, and the as-yet-untitled show will be launching in 2016.
The 22 year old quit One Direction back in March, and is now making the first steps towards a solo career.
The artwork was unveiled to remember Lennon, who was assassinated in New York in 1980, his struggles to gain citizenship.
The winner will get to spend one AAA night on the set of the famous Aussie soap.
Surprise albums are becoming increasingly common in 2015, to the point where they’re failing...
Ben Affleck has denied the sensational report that he is a new relationship with his children’s ex-nanny...


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Latest data from Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement System has seen Mobile money interoperability record over 1.1 million volume of transactions, five months after its inception.
According to the latest data, over 1.1 million transactions were recorded at the end of September.
The total value of cross-network transactions amounted to about 99.3 million Ghana cedis
In its first month of operations, only 96 thousand transactions took place but that figure has risen steadily over the period to over 312 thousand transactions in the month of September alone.
Chief Executive of GhIPSS Archie Hesse believes the continuous growth in the volume of transactions clearly shows that the mobile money interoperability came to fulfil a need.
Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia launched the first mobile money payments interoperability system in Ghana in May this year.
The system allows for customers to transfer money between two accounts at different mobile money companies or to transfer money between mobile money accounts and bank accounts.
Interoperability eliminates the problems related to traditional banking services, especially challenges in opening bank accounts, high costs of maintaining a bank account relative to customers’ income levels, basic literacy, administration, proper record keeping among others.
Since its introduction, customers are able to move monies freely from mobile money to mobile money accounts across different networks. Again, mobile customers can transfer money from their mobile money accounts to bank accounts with ease.


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Toscotec extends presence in Asia
Toscotec has boosted its presence in Asia with a Steel Yankee Dryer order and agency agreements in Japan and South Korea.
A Toscotec patented TT SYD 12 FT will be fitted as part of a rebuild on PM 2 at Japanese company Nishinihon Eizai, which produces tissue based on recycled fibre.
The installation will increase production speed as well as save on energy costs.
Marco Dalle Piagge, Toscotec Asia & Pacific general manager, said Nishinihon Eizai is expected to reduce its energy costs and increase overall production by more than 10%. “This can be achieved through the drying process, which is based on the Yankee and hood. It is well known that drying paper with the Yankee is more efficient than using the hood,” he said.
He added that the company´s TT SYD is the “special one”. “It has a lot of benefits: we can guarantee more production in addition to the energy savings.”
“Green label paper and the use of waste paper as raw material are becoming key factors for the hygiene products market in South Korea.” Marco Dalle Piagge, Toscotec Asia & Pacific general manager
Nishinihon Eizai was founded in 1963 and is managed by Yasuhito Goda.
The mill is based in Tatsuno, near Osaka, and it has six paper machines and produces 2,500tpm of toilet roll and tissue towel made from 100% waste paper.
Elsewhere, Toscotec signed agency agreements with Shinsei Corporation in Japan and Cleantech Corporation in South Korea.
Dalle Piagge said: “The Japanese market is becoming more interesting by the day because there are fewer than 230 tissue machines operating in the country, most of which are quite old, and require replacement with new technology focused on energy saving. There are also good prospects for the kitchen towel market in the country.”
He added that in South Korea, the kitchen towel market has expanded by 40% since 2002: “Green label paper and the use of waste paper as raw material are becoming key factors for the hygiene products market in the country.”
Toscotec Asia & Pacific has recently concluded sales of Steel Yankees to Mirae Paper Co in Jeonu and Daewang Paper Industry Co in Gunsa.
Mirae Paper has three paper machines producing a total of some 180tpd of tissue. Toscotec will install a TT SYD 12 FT on PM3 with 3130mm face length and patented insulation system.
PM3’s speed is expected to increase from 1400 to 1700mpm.
Daewang Paper has four tissue paper machines giving a capacity of around 190tpd.


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Web publishers gear up for a gay marriage ad boom
In 2007, Disney opened its Fairy Tale Weddings services to gay
couples, allowing them to exchange vows in front of Cinderella's castle, with Mickey and Minnie Mouse in attendance. Now that the California Supreme Court has ruled the state's constitution
guarantees the right of marriage to all its citizens, those weddings will be legal, too - at least in the state.
That ruling has created a boom in the gay weddings market: California's hangover economy could get a $683 million transfusion over the next three years, thanks to nontraditional couples shelling out big bucks for the traditional cake, flowers and champagne, according to a June 2008 study by the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law.
Wedding planners don't necessarily expect the good times to last, though. "It's a market that will fade away," says Craig Smith, co-owner of Gay Celebrations in Los Angeles.
But for now, let the good times roll.
Smith and partner Mark Zangrando launched Gay Celebrations and its companion Web site as offshoots of Smith's established event production company. They hope their gay wedding services will create loyalty that will lead to bar mitzvahs, anniversaries, 50th birthday parties and all sorts of other parties. "Gay people celebrate - not just weddings," Smith says.
GBK Productions, another LA event producer, wanted to draw an affluent crowd of gay consumers to Same Sex in the City, a wedding expo held in August in Los Angeles and in Palm Springs. The company sent multimedia e-mails with embedded video to its mailing list of 15,000, as well as to a list rented from the LA Gay and Lesbian Center. The creative, produced in-house, used a few bridal tropes, such as a red-lipsticked woman in a white dress, but gave them an urban spin: The bride carries sunflowers instead of roses, and expo attendees are promised premium martinis instead of champagne. The same creative was used for a banner campaign on local gay sites.
The creative reflects the sensibility of the gay marriage market and the gay consumer in general, according to Gavin Keilly, GBK founder. "Typically, the gay couple has a more sophisticated palette," he says.
All Cake Is Local
The lion's share of the online advertising spend for same-sex weddings may go to search. "It's all about small business," says Mike Wilke, executive director of the Commercial Closet Association, an organization that advocates for advertising that's inclusive of lgbt consumers. "It tends to be wedding planners, rings or jewelry."
That's why Gay Celebrations is starting with organic search-engine optimization of its new Web site; the company is considering search advertising as well. However, like a lot of SMB owners, Smith and Zangrando know all about their industry but little about keyword auctions and response tracking. Their business, like most of the wedding industry, relies on word-of-mouth, despite the gay audience's heavy use of the Internet.
"Because of the competition in this area, it's better to market intimately," Smith says. "We're a pop-and-pop organization, and we use that."
The potential of this affluent online consumer base can't be ignored. Two new Web sites hope to be the Internet hubs for same-sex soon-to-be-weds.
In July, Jonathon Feit, ceo of Feit Publishing Ventures, relaunched withthisring-magazine.com, aimed at "the flip side of the wedding market," that is, folks of all persuasions who gag at the thought of a Disney Fairy Tale Wedding. That includes a lot of gay people, and the first online edition features a glamorously punky female couple.
They may be alternative, but as Feit points out, "These are monogamy-oriented people." The audience he wants to reach is defined by its progressive values rather than by its sexual orientation. This wider focus is also good for business.
"Ghettoizing gay marriage has its heart in the right place, but the audience isn't going to be huge," Feit says. Still, With This Ring struggles with the inherent conservatism of the traditional marriage market, as well as advertisers' reluctance to put their brands on this political hot potato. A representative of a company so gay-friendly that it sponsors Pride events admitted to Feit that the company wasn't comfortable with gay marriage.
Print and Web publisher The Knot partnered with gay.com to launch Gay Weddings by The Knot and Gay.com (at gayweddingsbytheknot.com). The Knot will provide editorial content and sell local advertising, while gay.com will sell brand ads. Carley Roney, editor in chief of The Knot, points out that her pub has included info for gay couples since its 1997 launch. "A bouquet is a bouquet, whether the couple is carrying one or two," she says. "We very much support throwing a wedding, whether it's legal or not."
The Knot brings to the joint venture a massive database of local wedding vendors and the site's built-in ability to target advertising based on user registration. When registering, site visitors specify where they want to be married because many couples take their vows out of town. This makes it a cinch to match them with local vendors.
Roney has seen no hesitation from local advertisers about jumping into the gay market. "The wedding
industry is very excited about some opportunity for market growth, especially in this economy," she says. And she sees huge upside for brand advertising. Macy's and Bloomingdale's have already had great success with gift registries for gay couples, she points out, and gay people tend to skew higher for disposable income, making them highly desirable for top-shelf brands.
Travel is another area where the gay wedding industry might go national. Newly married couples may plan a honeymoon, and travel is already among the top categories for online spending to reach the gay market.
American Airlines was one of the first carriers to understand the value of the gay market, says Stephanie Sandberg, vice president of sales and marketing for PlanetOut, which operates gay.com, a network of sites and print publications. "As their industry is getting pummeled, they understand the importance of speaking to this market," she says.
For the launch of the Palm Centro smartphone, PlanetOut worked with MindShare to create a "Nightlife Face-Off" microsite. The site, up for two months, followed two gay men as they navigated the scene, blogging as they went with the help of their phones. The campaign resonated with gay.com's gadget-loving crowd, boosting sales and Palm's stock price.
See also Hanft Raboy and Partners' ad for chemistry.com, honored in Commercial Closet's 2008 Images in Advertising Awards. The vertical rectangles and banners show sweetly kissing couples. The copy, "No issues here," alludes to competitor eHarmony's policy of not allowing homosexual members.
The gay community rewards advertisers who get it right. A 2008 study by PlanetOut and Prime Access, a media and creative services agency, found that 85 percent of gay males would support advertisers that support gay media, and 92 percent said they appreciate when a brand makes an effort to speak to the gay community. Just showing up on a gay site is great. Showing up with custom creative is even better.
"The LGBT community used to be seen as a niche that you could reach in mainstream publications," Sandberg says. "Now, Fortune 400 brands recognize that there's an intense loyalty factor from the community when the advertiser makes the effort to tailor the message to the community."


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As Individuals probably proceed to digest turkey day feasts, a brand new research suggests a “inexperienced” Mediterranean diet that accommodates much less meat may promote higher coronary heart well being.
A research printed this month within the medical journal “Heart” discovered that eaters who consumed plant-based proteins and a restricted quantity of poultry and pink meat have been extra heart-healthy in comparison with a standard Mediterranean weight-reduction plan, which consists of meat and seafood mixed with veggies, complete grains and olive oil sparsely.
For the research, researchers divided 294 reasonably overweight members – nearly all of whom have been males – into three teams. The primary group was suggested on methods to extend bodily exercise and have been instructed merely on wholesome weight-reduction plan.
The second group acquired the identical steering, nevertheless, they have been instructed to comply with a standard Mediterranean weight-reduction plan subbing out pink meat for fish and poultry as a substitute. Researchers additionally upped the quantity of greens members have been instructed to eat in the course of the research.
The third group was suggested on bodily exercise and the way to comply with the inexperienced Mediterranean weight-reduction plan sans meat and an abundance of plant-based meals with excessive protein from nuts and different elements to substitute for animal-based merchandise.
After the trial, the members, aged 51 on common, who have been following the inexperienced Mediterranean weight-reduction plan shed 13.7 kilos – greater than these following the standard hen and fished-based Mediterranean weight-reduction plan, who misplaced 11.9 kilos. The nutritious diet followers solely misplaced 3.3 kilos. Eaters following the plant-based Mediterranean weight-reduction plan additionally misplaced as much as 3.4 inches off their waistline – in comparison with 2.7 inches misplaced by conventional Mediterranean dieters and 1.7 inches shed from wholesome dieters.
The research confirms previous research that means adults who comply with a plant-based or vegan weight-reduction plan exhibited noticeable weight reduction and decreased physique fats. And nutritionists say upping consumption of plant-based meals like legumes, nuts and leafy greens may be an ample supply of sustenance with out compromising fiber and protein consumption.
“The extra plant-based meals you eat, the extra fiber and antioxidants like vitamin C you’re getting,” registered dietitian and creator of “Lastly Full, Lastly Slim” Dr. Lisa Young tells Fox.
“What individuals don’t understand is you don’t must eat animal merchandise to get protein. There’s protein in grains and greens. There’s protein in plant-based greens. Calorically, the rationale it will assist with weight reduction, is the fiber will provide help to really feel full and also you’ll be capable to eat a bigger portion and really feel extra happy,” she added.


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By Craig Trudell and Ma Jie / Bloomberg
Takata, the air-bag maker behind the biggest safety recall in automotive history, plans to file for bankruptcy as soon as next week, according to a person familiar with the matter.
The Japanese company is expected to seek protection in its home country first, with its U.S. subsidiary filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy shortly thereafter, said the person, who asked not to identified because the matter isn’t public and the timing could change. A representative for the Tokyo-based company couldn’t immediately be reached outside normal business hours.
The Nikkei reported earlier that Takata is expected to file for bankruptcy in Japan as early as this month, with liabilities exceeding $9.02 billion (1 trillion yen). The company’s steering committee has recommended Key Safety Systems Inc., a U.S. air-bag maker owned by China’s Ningbo Joyson Electronic Corp., as the preferred bidder for the entire manufacturer.
Finding a new owner is a crucial step in the restructuring of Takata, whose faulty air bag inflators have been linked to at least 17 deaths worldwide. Mounting liabilities from having to replace more than 100 million air bags forced the company to seek an acquirer that could get it through the costly restructuring process.
Honda Motor Co., a Takata shareholder and the auto-parts maker’s largest customer, first started recalling Accord and Civic models in 2008. The supplier’s air bag inflators use a propellant that can be rendered unstable after long-term exposure to heat and humidity, leading them to rupture and spray deadly metal shards at vehicle occupants. More than a dozen automakers have recalled vehicles since, include Volkswagen AG, Toyota Motor Corp. and General Motors Co.
Takata in January agreed to pay $1 billion to U.S. regulators, consumers and carmakers. The settlement includes a $25 million criminal fine, $125 million in victim compensation and $850 million to compensate automakers who have suffered losses from massive recalls.
The U.S. District Court in Detroit earlier this month said it will consider Kenneth Feinberg, a lawyer who has administered some of the nation’s highest-profile settlements, to replace former Federal Bureau of Investigation director Robert Mueller in overseeing the $1 billion settlement fund. Mueller stepped down from his role to accept an appointment as special counsel to oversee the FBI’s investigation of Russia’s alleged efforts to influence the presidential election.
—With assistance from David Welch
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Why rely on public hotspots for Wi-Fi when you can bring your own with you, wherever you go?
The controversial laptop ban on flights to the US has ended due to "enhanced security measures" being put in place at airports.
Which app is best for learning a brand new language, brushing up on one you studied years ago, or even picking up a few words before traveling? Our reviews can guide you to the right program.
The small Finnish town of Oulu leads the way toward our next mobile evolution.
The travel site has hidden some delightful Game of Thrones-themed Easter eggs – or in this case, dragon eggs – in preparation for show's big return this weekend.
Passengers on Etihad, Emirates, and Turkish Airlines can once again bring their laptops and other large electronic devices on board flights to the US.
Facebook also announced a small tweak intended to reduce low-quality links you see in your News Feed.
US authorities will require airlines and foreign airports to implement tougher screening procedures for electronic devices instead of banning them on more flights.
Banning laptops on flights in 2017 is an insane idea, but here's how to deal if it happens.
Autopilots already fly commercial jetliners by themselves, but pilots still have to make decisions about how to program them. Boeing wants to change that.
The new pilot platform connects Airbnb hosts with relief organizations that serve refugees, evacuees, and other people in need.
A new visa application form requests social media handles, but not passwords, from some applicants.
A reprieve is on the horizon for rural customers who have no choice but to turn to slow, expensive satellite internet.
You might not peg the City of Commerce, Calif. as a transportation hub, but revenue from two big nearby businesses has allowed it to offer a smart mass transit system for free.
The system is designed to eliminate both boarding passes and manual passport checks, and is integrated with the federal passport database.
Smartphones and tablets are good alarm clocks, but these apps make them great.
Silicon Valley and New York aren't the only places that can help launch a high-tech career.


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ANCHORAGE — The Alaska Superior Court has denied the request of pharmaceutical giant Purdue Pharma LLC to dismiss five state claims, alleging deceptive practices in promoting opioid use.
According to a lawsuit filed in 2017 by the Alaska Attorney General Office, Purdue violated the state's consumer protection laws by promoting OxyContin for long-term chronic pain without evidence to support the claim.
“I view this as one of the most important lawsuits that has been brought since I became attorney general of this great state,” Alaska Attorney General Jahna Lindemuth said in a statement. “Our opioid crisis has increased crime and torn apart families. Gov. Bill Walker is addressing this issue on all fronts, and this lawsuit is part of that effort. Manufacturers such as Purdue must be held accountable for the role their deceptive practices have played in this crisis.”
The state also alleges Purdue practiced unfair methods of competition, public nuisance, fraud, negligence, negligent misrepresentation, strict products liability and unjust enrichment, according to the Attorney General's Office.
The state will amend its allegations that Purdue violated the Alaska Medical Assistance False Claim and Reporting Act, due to the court's finding that the new statue is not retroactive, the Attorney General's Office said.


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Nikola Motors and Bosch are teaming up to develop electric trucks that combine hydrogen fuel cells and Bosch’s self contained e-Axle for Class 8 heavy duty cargo tractors.
Renault and Nissan have laid out a joint vision for electric and autonomous cars with a target date of 2022.
Proterra and LG Chem have jointly developed a new battery cell with higher energy density for use in heavy duty vehicles like electric buses and trucks.
Porsche says its four door dual motor electric car will be on sale in 2019 and be priced at around $85,000. Will it appeal to potential Tesla buyers or will it carve out a new market niche of its own?
The Alt Car Expo in southern California is an annual event that helps EV customers learn about the advantages of electric cars.
The electric car revolution will change the economic landscape in many ways, some obvious, some not.
Cruise Automation says it now has the first production ready self driving car. Tesla fans may dispute that claim.
Alphabet, the parent company of Google, is poised to invest a billion dollars in ride hailing service Lyft. Several years ago, it was an early investor in Uber. What’s going on?
A team in Germany took an Opel Ampera e — the European cousin of the Chevy Bolt — out for a drive and went 755 kilometers before running out of battery charge. How did they do that?
Tesla has filed a new patent application for a battery swapping system. Is there a connection between it and the upcoming Tesla Semi?
Audi has two autonomous electric car concepts at the Frankfurt auto show — Elaine, an update of the e-tron sportback last seen in Shanghai, and the Aicon, a full Level 5 self driving luxury machine for those who have it and want to flaunt it.
Daimler will begin selling its Fuso eCanter electric delivery van by the end of 2018 and is partnering with StoreDot to develop its 5 minute charging technology.
Jaguar is putting together a support series for Formula E that will feature I-PACE electric SUVs modified by Jaguar Racing.
The iconic VW minibus will become the electric ID Buzz starting is 2022.
The Volkswagen I.D. Crozz electric crossover concept is on display at the 2017 Frankfurt auto show. It is expected to go on sale in 2020.
Honda is late to the electric car party. Like most of its fellow Japanese car companies, it has been chasing the fuel cell chimera while Tesla was busy turning the automotive industry upside down with innovative electric cars. Now Honda is playing catch up. At the Frankfurt auto show this week, it is presenting two […]
Nation Drive Electric Week 2017 is here. What events do you plan to attend?
Charging infrastructure for urban areas is a problem. With open land at a premium in congested cities, finding room to install chargers can be a challenge. Tesla is aware of the issue and, as usual, is being proactive in its response. On September 11, Tesla posted on its blog that it has developed a new […]
China is making plans for the end of fossil fuel vehicles. Manufacturers in the US are making plans to sell more gargantuan pickup trucks. Cognitive dissonance, anyone?
CNET RoadShow reviews the Tesla Model X and says it is still a “car from the future.”


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Huge profits for investors
With the entry of new business by Reliance Industries, broking firms have already advised investment with a high target for the stock, which has seen continuous buying in the stock.
Share Market (stock market) Even though there has been a decline today, the celebration of Mukesh Ambani’s birthday party continued in the stock of Reliance Industries. And as a return gift, investors got a benefit of more than 63 thousand crores today. Reliance Industries (Reliance Industries) stock has seen an increase of about 4 percent today. and stock (stock) became the biggest gainer among the stocks included in the Sensex. On the other hand, there was a fall of more than one percent in the stock market. Mukesh Ambani, the head of Reliance Industries, is celebrating his 65th birthday today. On this occasion, the stock rose, the investors of RIL and Reliance got two opportunities to celebrate.
Where did the share reach today?
The stock of Reliance Industries closed at 2638.45 with a gain of 3.71 percent today. With this, the total market cap of the company reached Rs 17,84,892.43 crore. The stock had reached the level of 2667 during trading. With today’s increase, the total value of investors’ investment in the company has increased by about Rs 67 thousand crore in a day. In the last trading session, the company’s market cap was at Rs 17,18,584 crore. If market experts are to be believed, with the announcement of the company’s entry into new business last year, the stock is showing steady strength. Last year itself, Reliance announced its entry into a new era of energy through a 4 Giga factory that would house solar photovoltaics, advanced energy storage, electrolyser manufacturing facilities and fuel cells. Reliance Industries is the largest company in the country on the basis of market value.
What is the advice of a brokerage house
The broking firm’s confidence in the company has increased as it ventures into the future business. Broking firms Motilal Oswal and Goldman have expressed hope for further growth in the stock. Goldman has given a target of 3200 for Reliance Industries. On the other hand, Motilal Oswal has given a target of 2880. According to the broking firm, better cues from Jio and retail business and new investments in the energy sector have improved the outlook for the stock. At the same time, the fundamentals of the company are strong, so the stock is expected to continue to rise further.
: Language Inputs


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Dairy Farmers of Canada break new campaign
Dairy Farmers of Canada has begun a new advertising campaign called “Honest. Canadian. Dairy.” Developed by DDB Canada of Toronto, the campaign is intended to address misconceptions millennial-aged consumers may have about Canadian dairy products. The initiative includes television commercials, online videos, out-of-home advertising and audio advertising on Spotify. The creative focuses on the “functional and emotional benefits associated with increasing usage of Canadian dairy,” according to the organization. The executions feature dairy farmer characters who describe the absence of artificial growth hormones in their products, as well as the small size and family ownership of the majority of Canadian dairy farms. The campaign will run in English and French until March. Media work is being handled by Initiative.
“There’s an opportunity to shift and change millennials perceptions about dairy products,” said Lucie Bérubé, acting director of marketing for the organization. “Canadian dairy products are considered a wholesome and natural source of nutrition by millennials, but this group shows some reluctance versus older Canadians to consume dairy products on a regular basis. The new campaign sets out to clarify misconceptions millennials may have.”


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Tom Higgins - Chief economist, Payden & Rygel, LA
The world economy has lost considerable momentum in the aftermath of the global credit crisis that struck last summer. We expect world GDP growth to slow to an annual rate of 3.5% this year, down from nearly 5% in 2007. Emerging markets, though not immune to the slowdown in global economic growth, have weathered the storm better than expected.
Many developing countries are bearing the fruits of earlier policy measures designed to reduce inflation a


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US to impose tariffs on EU goods over aircraft subsidies row
03 / 10 / 2019
The US is poised to impose import tariffs on European Union (EU) goods worth $7.5bn in response to an ongoing row over subsidies given to Airbus and Boeing.
Washington was yesterday given the go-ahead by the World Trade Organization (WTO) to impose the tariffs, which it will put in place on October 18.
Goods included in the tariffs include certain types of alcohol, clothing, tools, food and aircraft, amongst others.
A tariff of 10% will be applied to aircraft, while a 25% duty will be placed on other items.
In response, the EU has drawn up a list of US exports worth a collective $20bn that it proposes it will place tariffs on, which the WTO will decide upon in the coming months.
It is hoped that an agreement can be reached over aircraft subsidies to avoid an escalation of the dispute, which started 15 years ago when Boeing filed a complaint with the WTO.
Air Cargo News sister title Flight Global says that Boeing’s complaint centred on repayable launch aid from EU member states, which Airbus insists is not a subsidy in the same fashion as grants or tax breaks.
Airbus has alleged, in turn, that Boeing benefited from support through various federal, state and local authorities.


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Here's just one example of the destructiveness of Gov. Rod Blagojevich's proposed budget: It jeopardizes a $1.5 billion plan to unravel the spaghetti bowl of railroad yards that chokes the Chicago area, the nation's transportation hub. That may not sound as interesting as some of the things that the governor's budget threatens to do, or undo, but this project is critical to Chicago's economic well-being.
Without the railroads converging here in the 19th Century, Chicago would be, with all due respect, just another Milwaukee. But the Chicago region's continuing role as the nation's rail hub is threatened by the 19th Century layout that invites gridlock. Almost 40,000 freight cars daily move through the region at an average speed of less than 12 m.p.h. A freight car can move from here to either coast as fast is it takes to get through Chicago.
Consider the mess in 2020 when freight movement is expected to double. So, the railroads and local, state and federal governments formed a special partnership to straighten out the mess. The plan, called Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency, would modernize and expand five railroad corridors, creating more efficient transfers between railroads. Underpasses, overpasses and "flyover bridges" would be constructed at more than 25 locations throughout the region. The benefits are huge, locally and nationally, generating jobs, cleaning the air, making operations safer, relieving congestion and reducing shipping costs.
The impact on the local economy is more than the sum of new jobs in the railroad industry. Like the convention and trade show industry, the rail industry brings in outside money--the best kind--which creates a "multiplier" effect that ripples through the economy by creating jobs in other industries that support the railroads. Just getting the railroads to agree to do something to unscramble this mess was an achievement in itself. The railroads' share of the project cost will be $212 million. Which is where Blagojevich's budget comes in. It would expand the 21.5-cents-per-gallon motor fuel tax to include manufacturers, construction contractors, mining operations, warehousing, packaging delivery facilities, barges, ships, retailers and, yes, railroads.
It is a stunning attack on the economic health of Illinois, its businesses and jobs. Illinois is one of a few states that already imposes a state sales tax on railroads' use of fuel. On top of the $75 million that railroads already pay in existing Illinois state and local taxes, this new levy would add $40 million annually. With the addition of the motor fuel tax, no state would come even close to taxing railroads as much as Illinois.
In a letter to the governor, the heads of six major railroads suggested the additional load could "complicate" the CREATE project--a nice way of putting it. "A significant new tax increase to the railroads in Illinois will require us to take another look at our ability to meet the financial obligation to this much-needed program," they wrote. An empty threat? More braying by a special interest? Well, maybe the railroads won't kill the project; maybe the governor will. It was missing from the list of long-term transportation projects his administration recently unveiled.
As I say, this is just one example of the governor's budgetary legerdemain. His own fellow Democrats already have done a thorough job of warning about the budget's excessive borrowing (House Speaker Michael Madigan) and larger than stated ($2 billion more) deficit (Comptroller Dan Hynes). I'd just like to add that the motor fuel tax was meant, when it was created years ago, as a fee for highway users to pay for their roads. But as years passed, politicians began raiding the highway fund for non-road uses--in effect shafting consumers out of the taxes they paid for highway improvements. This practice is continued and worsened by Blagojevich, who would shift millions more highway fund money into the state's general fund.
Now Blagojevich adds another dimension, by extending the highway users' fee to non-highway users, like the railroads, to increase the general fund. We have broad-based general taxes for that purpose, such as income and sales taxes. But Blagojevich, in an irresponsible campaign promise for a state that was entering a financial crisis, said he wouldn't raise those taxes. Instead, he's targeting consumers and industries that are critical to our state's economic health. At this rate Blagojevich is shaping up to be our own Grey Davis, the former California governor who got ousted (and his political career ended) for his fiscal irresponsibility.


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The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey (AASP/NJ) announced that the 2022 NORTHEAST Automotive Services Show, taking place March 18-20 at the Meadowlands Exposition Center (MEC) in Secaucus, N.J., will include a panel discussion on labor rates.
The panel discussion, titled “Labor Rate 2022 & Beyond: How to Get What You’re Worth,” will be moderated by veteran auto body journalist Joel Gausten and feature AASP/NJ President Jerry McNee, Lucky Papageorg (Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Massachusetts), Burl Richards (Auto Body Association of Texas), Barrett Smith (Auto Damage Experts, Inc.) and Sam and Richard Valenzuela (National AutoBody Research).
In addition to sharing real-world experiences and discussing past, present and future initiatives to address the labor rate crisis, panelists will offer insights on ways shops can advocate for the elevation of the industry and the success of repair professionals as a whole.
“Paying attention to what is going on and attending this panel is an important step in finding out what others are doing to combat the labor rate challenge,” said McNee. “I don’t think there is a shop out there that feels the current rate is fair or justifiable.
“Just because the insurance company says so doesn’t mean it is. Every time you request a rate, they say, ‘There’s nothing I can do,’ ‘It’s above my pay grade’ or ‘I don’t make the decisions.’ We’ve been hearing that same old song and dance for years. Pathetically, there are a few insurance companies that will throw us a couple of dollars or a $1 an hour raise. But it’s comical — all that does is benefit the insurer and their bottom line. If you get a $1 increase in your rates, what are you going to do about it? It’s already gobbled up before you have even received it.“
The labor rate panel discussion will take place Saturday, March 19 at 1:30 p.m.
To pre-register for free show badges and keep up with the latest information and announcements about NORTHEAST 2022, visit aaspnjnortheast.com.


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Warface – Video Diaries, September #1
In the latest Warface video diary, they go over a new map coming to the Blitz PVP Mode – Platform.
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By Jason Hanna
(CNN) — Over the river and through the woods by car, for sure. But through the clouds? Maybe not like last year.
More Americans will take a year-end holiday trip this year than last year — despite falling consumer confidence, but perhaps buoyed by lower gas prices — the auto association AAA said Tuesday.
AAA projects 94.5 million Americans will take a trip of at least 50 miles sometime during the holiday period — a 0.6% increase from the estimated 94 million last year.
The motor club federation defines the holiday period as December 21 to January 1.
“While economic growth has stagnated and consumer confidence has fallen Americans will not be Scrooges when it comes to traveling this year,” AAA Chief Operating Officer Marshall L. Doney said. “AAA is projecting more Americans to travel than ever before to gather with friends and family, exchange presents and…
View original post 207 more words


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In the wake of an alleged data breach, First Choice Federal Credit Union filed a class action lawsuit against The Wendy’s Company in Pennsylvania federal court on April 25. Wendy’s has already been hit with a consumer class action filed in February in Florida federal court based on the same event. Now First Choice seeks to bring claims on behalf of financial institutions nationwide.
According to the Complaint, Wendy’s maintained a “pervasive and inadequate approach to data security.” That approach allegedly allowed hackers to install malware on Wendy’s computer systems that remained undetected for weeks, or possibly months, until outside parties notified Wendy’s of the possible breach. The breach was discovered through fraudulent transactions involving customers’ personal and financial data.
First Choice seeks to represent a class of financial institutions throughout the country that issued credit or debit cards used by consumers to make purchases from Wendy’s while malware was installed on its payment card systems. The Complaint seeks to recover the costs, including canceling and reissuing compromised cards and reimbursing customers for fraudulent charges, which these financial institutions purportedly bore as a result of the data breach. The Complaint asserts that “[t]he financial damages suffered by Plaintiff and members of the class are massive and continue to increase. Industry sources estimate that millions of accounts could be affected by the data breach.”
The three-count class action Complaint alleges:
- negligence for Wendy’s alleged failure to use reasonable measures to protect its customers’ personal and financial information;
- negligence per se, for the company’s suspected violation of Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act; and
- declaratory and injunctive relief, requesting that Wendy’s employ adequate security protocols consistent with industry standards to protect its customers’ personal and financial information.
Other large companies have faced similar claims. For example, several U.S. banks filed suit against Target following its 2013 data breach. The banks claimed that they lost millions when they were forced to reimburse customers who lost money as a result of the breach. Target settled the class action lawsuit for $39 million in December 2015. Most recently, in March, Home Depot settled a consolidated class action filed by financial institutions for $19.5 million resulting from the 2014 breach of its systems.
Troutman Sanders LLP will continue to monitor developments in the Wendy’s data breach class action.


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The latest IDC numbers show that the trend of Linux and Windows stealing market share away from Unix is continuing. Windows servers showed a 15% increase in units sold over the same quarter last year while Linux servers showed a 20% spike. Unix units dropped 13.7%
As far as vendors go, IBM held a strong grip on the top spot, with HP second and Dell third.
Also, demand is increasing for blade servers and 64-bit servers.


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Netflix, watch your back.
The latest wave of consolidation in the online-streaming space hit this week as
(ticker: T) announced plans to combine its media assets, including HBO and Fintech Zoom, with
‘s (DISCA) in a $43 billion deal.
(AMZN), meanwhile, is reportedly in talks to acquire MGM in what would be its largest acquisition since Whole Foods.
The AT&T-Discovery deal would create yet another media juggernaut in the global streaming war with other giants like
(DIS). The last wave of consolidation in the online-streaming space three years ago saw AT&T acquiring WarnerMedia, Disney buying 21st Century Fox from
(FOX), and Viacom and CBS recombining as
(VIAC) after being separated for more than a decade.
“We see the winners within the space as mega names that can afford to consistently invest billions of dollars in content and that have global distribution networks,” wrote (BofA) Securities analyst Nat Schindler in a Tuesday note. Netflix, with more than 200 million subscribers globally, is still the clear winner for now. But as other platforms continue to beef up content through mergers, Netflix might need to look into aggressively expanding as well.
Schindler noted that Netflix’s content growth has been almost entirely organic. The firm has only made one acquisition to date: In 2017, it bought comic book company Millarworld to acquire franchises such as Kick-Ass, Kingsman, and Jupiter’s Legacy. Any future acquisition wouldn’t be focused on existing content libraries, wrote Schindler, but on franchises that the firm can build off in the future.
“The lack of franchise ownership has been an issue for Netflix in the past, requiring Netflix to build a new audience with each new show instead of piggybacking on existing intellectual property and fanbase,” he wrote. Netflix has circumvented the problem through partnerships with film studios like Paramount and Disney to host some franchise content in its library, such as the Star Trek, Star Wars, and Marvel series.
Without ownership of the underlying content, however, Netflix was forced to take a lot of content off the shelf shortly before Disney+ was launched, potentially losing some subscribers to the new rival. Recent press reports have suggested that Netflix may target Paramount, currently owned by ViacomCBS, due to its ownership of the Star Trek universe.
“We continue to see a long runway for Netflix to increase their market share from linear TV, and we believe that they are in a solid position to perform any acquisitions to strengthen their IP library,” wrote Schindler. The analyst has a Buy rating for Netflix stock and a target price of $680 per share, neatly 39% up from the stock’s current price level.
Netflix stock was up 0.7%, at $492.52, in recent trading. The
was down fractionally.
Write to Evie Liu at [email protected]


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A growing number of car manufacturers are introducing their own crash-scene researchers to attend crashes involving their vehicles.
In a piece published by The New York Times, this practice, which started back in the 1970s by Volvo, is explored in detail.
The Swedish manufacturer includes a dedicated Traffic Accident Research Team in operation 24 hours per day which responds to incidents involving one of their vehicles within an hour’s drive of the Volvo headquarters in Gothenburg, Sweden. The group is automatically alerted by the Volvo On Call system.
At a crash site, researchers from Volvo will let local authorities do their work and once all crucial rescue operations are carried out, will start inspecting the vehicles, take photos and make different measurements. Volvo collects all of its crash data and has used this information to improve the safety of its vehicles. It will also occasionally take possession of cars for additional study.
Similarly, BMW has operated an Accident Research Program since 1977 and operates it in China, Germany, and the United States. This program looks at 3,000 data points in crashes between its vehicles. The brand even uses innovative software to recreate a crash and details about impact points, seat belt usage, deployed restraint systems, injury severity and accident location data is sent to the emergency call center.
Subaru also operates a team of field investigators to perform inspections at crash sites while many auto manufacturers, including Honda, do comprehensive research at locations across the United States. Tesla also regularly sends out teams of researchers to accidents involving its vehicles.
While auto manufacturers go about their post-crash research in ways that are various, all do it with the intent of using data to further improve the safety of vehicles.
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Amazing, how a once vilified food is now considered a superfood. But, as with virtually all aspects of nature, our knowledge about food and nutrition keeps evolving. Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, is not just good for your body, but for your brain (and mood).
Recent studies show that moderate consumption of dark chocolate could help boost brain function, improve mood, and strengthen immune system. Watch this video:
In one study, scientists enrolled five healthy (lucky if you like) participants, who were each allowed to eat 48 grams of chocolate for several days. 48 grams is equivalent to one small chocolate bar. Brain activity was measured by electroencephalogram (EEG) before chocolate consumption and minutes after.
The research team found that eating dark chocolate positively influenced activity in cerebral regions of the brain involved in memory and sensory processing.
In another study, 5 healthy adults aged 25-50 were asked a similar amount of dark chocolate (48 grams), also for several days. This study was done to find out how dark chocolate affected the immune system. Blood samples were taken before and after chocolate consumption, as well as toward the end of the study.
The researchers found that eating dark chocolate influenced increased anti-inflammatory agents and increased infection-fighting cells, meaning that it boosted immunity.
While previous studies have shown that eating chocolate could make you smarter, the new studies suggest that the darker the chocolate the better. High concentrations of cacao appear to be key to the brain, mood, and immune boosting effects. The general recommendation is to go for high quality chocolate with 70 percent cacao.
Hopefully, longer studies involving more participants of various age-groups will be conducted soon. (The above studies were relatively small.) All the same, the researchers opine that the results of these studies are promising. A healthy reason to eat chocolate is always welcome, don’t you think.


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While some big brands still do well with Millennials, others are struggling. According to a study by digital ad agency Moosylvania, almost all of the top 50 brands are large companies. For example, the top three brands winning with Millennials are Nike, Apple, and Samsung. Yet there are some brands struggling to reach this target and are finding that their brands are losing relevance amongst this group. Budweiser, for example, has found that 44 percent of 21 to 27 year olds in the U.S. have never tried a Budweiser. Wanting to maintain relevance, Procter & Gamble has initiated a sampling strategy it calls Point-of-Market-Entry (POME) to drive customer acquisition at the most relevant entry point; the pertinent example here is with its Gillette brand targeting young men at the point they start shaving.
Winning with Millennials goes beyond simply building brand awareness. Relevancy is critical, and Millennials are deemed to be a demanding bunch. They expect more from brands and employers. Consider these points:
- Transparency. Millennials want to trust brands and seek authenticity and transparency. Yet, according to a March 2014 Pew Research Center study, Millennials are the least trusting when compared to other generations. Just 19 percent of Millennial respondents agreed that “most people can be trusted.” This suggests that not only do people, but companies and brands, as well, have to work hard to earn trust with this group.
- Do Good. Millennials value companies that give back and do good for society, both in terms of where they work and also where they buy. Millennials want to be associated with companies that give back to social causes. For example, according to a Deloitte Millennials study from January 2014, “50 percent of Millennials surveyed want to work for a business with ethical practices.” And a Brookings Institute Report quotes a 2013 Cone Communications study as having “found Millennials to be the generation most focused on corporate social responsibility when making purchasing decisions.”
- Value. Millennials are cash-strapped. Median incomes for twenty-something’s are lower today than in past decades, according to a study by Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies. Almost 80 percent of this group has debt, with 55 percent owing more than $10,000. Greater than 10 percent of U.S. Millennials ages 20-24 are unemployed (Bureau of Labor Statistics). And for these and other reasons, more Millennials are living at home at this stage in their lives compared to generations of the past. All this to suggest why these young adults appreciate brands that offer value. Don’t take this to mean a brand can skimp on quality; it’s quite the opposite. The Moosylvania report also states that Quality is the most important factor to Millennials, with 75 percent of respondents in their study saying High Quality Products matter.
Newer brands that seem to win with this cohort practice what we’ll call Millennial Branding, offering a mix of Transparency + Do Good + Value. Good examples are:
- Everlane – a clothing retailer based in San Francisco that champions transparency in the manufacturing process (ensuring good manufacturing practices with its factories) and retail margins (communicating a transparent mark-up), while offering quality, basic fashions at a value for its shoppers.
- Warby Parker – an eyeglass manufacturer and retailer that took a direct-selling approach to the market, which allowed it to sell cool glasses at a value, while also offering a one-to-one, do good model, a la Toms shoes.
- Toms – And then take Toms itself, which sells reasonably priced, fashionable shoes while supporting its many causes.
This Millennial ethos is one that will demand that companies and brands sell more beyond product function. Brands must build trust through more transparency and giving back, while also making it affordable for Millennials to participate in their brands.
Consumer Forecast: Help me feel good about where and how I spend my money; I want more meaning than the simple transaction between business and consumer.
Photo Credit: BigLike Images
Andreassen, Rebecca. “Millennials and Brands- What have you done for me lately?,” Edelman, February 7, 2013. http://purpose.edelman.com/millennials-and-brands-what-have-you-done-for-me-lately/#sthash.kOXTytep.dpuf
Bell, Peter and Cook, Nancy. “How Millennials Spend,” The Atlantic, September 8, 2014. http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/09/how-millennials-spend/379713/
“comScore Releases Report, ‘Next-Generation Strategies for Advertising to Millennials’”, comScore, January 24, 2012.
The Deloitte Millennial Survey, January 2014. https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/global/Documents/About-Deloitte/gx-dttl-2014-millennial-survey-report.pdf
Hawley, Dave. “7 Clues So Millennials Will Spread Your Marketing Like Wildfire,” Entrepreneur, July 1, 2014. http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/234884
“Millennials in Adulthood,” Pew Research Center, March 7, 2014. http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2014/03/07/millennials-in-adulthood/
Weissmann, Jordan. “Highly Educated, Highly Indebted: The Lives of Today’s 27-Year-Olds, In Charts,” The Atlantic, January 25, 2014.
Winograd, Morley and Hais, Dr. Michael. “How Millennials Could Upend Wall Street and Corporate America,” The Brookings Institute, May 2014. http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/research/files/papers/2014/05/millennials%20wall%20st/brookings_winogradv5.pdf
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Google Is Deleting More Email Accounts and Photos—How to Protect Yours
The tech company is doing another round of ditching inactive Gmail inboxes and other features.
Keeping your digital assets safe is an essential part of modern life. After all, technology has made it so that our inboxes are as crucial as having a phone number, and the images we snap with our phones have replaced printed photo albums. Many people turn to services such as Gmail and other free offerings for their online needs. But if you use the popular service, you might want to take note after Google announced it will soon be deleting more email accounts and photos from across its lineup of products.
In emails sent to Gmail users starting last week, the tech giant warns that inactive accounts across its wide range of services including inboxes, photo storage, Google Docs, and others associated with them, will be wiped off their servers, Forbes reports. The notification points out that any accounts in danger have "not been used in at least 8 months" and will be deleted on Sept. 20, 2024, if steps aren't taken to reactivate them.
The timeline presented by the warning appears to fly in the face of Google's current inactive account policy, in which defines an inactive account as one "that has not been used within a 2-year period." While the company clarifies that any accounts set up by businesses, schools, or other organizations are exempt from the policy, it says it "reserves the right to delete an inactive Google Account and its activity and data if you are inactive across Google for at least two years."
The new move comes nearly two months after the company began an initial sweep of long-dormant accounts from its servers on Dec. 1, 2023. In a May 16 blog post by Ruth Kricheli, the company's vice president of product management, reassurances were given that anyone affected would have plenty of advance warning from alerts sent to targeted accounts and the recovery email addresses associated with them.
"We are going to roll this out slowly and carefully, with plenty of notice," Kricheli wrote. She went on to explain that "forgotten or unattended accounts often rely on old or re-used passwords that may have been compromised, haven't had two-factor authentication set up, and receive fewer security checks by the user," making them potential tools for hackers to commit identity theft or forward phishing messages.
According to the company's policy, anyone who is concerned about losing a Google account due to inactivity can save it by logging in and completing any one of a number of small tasks. These include reading or sending an email, accessing Google Drive, or even simply watching a YouTube video or completing a Google web search.
In her initial post, Kricheli specified that "you will need to specifically sign in to Google Photos every two years to be considered active, which will ensure your photos and other content are not deleted."
Those locked out of their accounts can also try to recover them using customer support. Anyone performing a digital decluttering can also do away with unwanted or old accounts by downloading any files and data before deleting them.


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Good (and bad) news about when you can visit
Travel to Europe will soon be possible as many countries begin to reopen their borders after months of lockdown. From a ripple today for some, then to a tidal wave across the continent in mid-June.
This is good news and bad news for non-European travelers, hoping to plan trips during the recovered summer vacation season in Europe. Here are some things to consider, which will impact travel horizons in Europe in the coming weeks:
European countries are reopening their borders: to each other, not to you
Europe’s internal land borders are gradually reopening for Europeans, not for you. Not at least if you have a foreign passport.
This means you can’t confidently start planning a visit for tomorrow, let alone next week or next month. The EU’s external borders are closed until June 15 and possibly longer. This rules out tourism in around 30 countries, even after their land and sea border controls began to crumble for European travelers.
Under EU directives, each country is now free to reopen its borders at any time
Europe is a puzzle of internal borders – which have exploded in response to the COVID crisis. Many countries will now piece together the pieces to gradually restore the freedom to travel across the continent, at their own pace and in their own way.
This could be good news for foreigners, allowing some countries to travel before others. But not until the end of the EU travel ban – no earlier than June 15.
Not all countries are created equal when it comes to COVID
Each country and region will have its own rules, and they will not be general rules allowing all foreign tourists to return at the same time. Not to mention giving the green light to Europeans or compatriots to start visiting in summer.
In parts of Germany, for example, travel is again possible from today, but starting cautiously at the state level. Greece is ready to welcome foreign tourists from July 1. But she seeks to allow visitors from countries with similar COVID-19 risk profiles to enter first. Perhaps vacationers from Israel and Cyprus via safe travel âcorona corridorsâ.
Holidays in the bubbles of travel in Europe
The formation of these so-called travel bubbles between groups of countries may well work in favor of non-Europeans, but not yet. Germany-Austria-France-Switzerland are lowering their border controls, initially, only to neighbors. Only European citizens and residents of these countries will be able to travel freely among them at the beginning of the summer.
The Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are also reopening their borders, creating a travel bubble against coronaviruses. Talks between Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the Nordic countries, Greece, Cyprus, Israel and the Netherlands could soon lead to another such bubble.
Over time, the bubbles could grow larger to include more people, including foreign arrivals. For now, they still only concern the reopening of internal borders, not the EU’s external border.
Can I avoid quarantine on arrival?
Travelers to the UK can theoretically go through the mandatory 14-day isolation period and then stay. But these countries are not yet welcoming tourists. Ireland, a member of the EU but not of Schengen, even excludes British visitors before July.
Only Europeans will initially be able to avoid quarantine in the Schengen area, usually without a passport, with the travel bubbles that form. Others from abroad cannot enter with the bloc’s border restrictions still firmly in place. By July or August, that could all change. Travel bans and quarantines may disappear in some countries, but with strict health protocols.
Travel bans may mean you can’t leave home for months anyway
In addition, travel advisories from around the world currently exclude most trips abroad. Restrictions on international travel, both inbound and outbound, still apply from the United States to China and New Zealand. Australia’s travel ban prevents tourists from entering and most Australians from leaving. The government says it is in no rush to lift the border closure to tourism.
Many countries plan to block their citizens from traveling abroad for months. This may end up being your biggest obstacle to summer travel to Europe, more than the current stops on entry to Europe.
Travel horizons in Europe are changing rapidly
It is a positive thing. What seems impossible today may not be possible tomorrow or next week. Until recently, many, including the German Minister of Tourism, predicted that Europeans would spend their vacation at home this summer, rather than say in France, Italy or Greece. Today, Germany is at the forefront of restoring “free travel in Europe” by mid-June.
The most important date to watch in the meantime is June 15, when the EU could lift its three-month travel ban. If this happens, international travelers should get the green light for many places in Europe. Not all. It will depend on the quarantine and other national rules that will be applied, to protect countries, when travelers return.


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Taste of Northern Minnesota: A taste of everything
BEMIDJI – The vendors participating in Thursday’s Taste of Northern Minnesota event shared a common geography, but little else.
From local chains (Erbert and Gerbert’s, Perkins) to family-owned (Ranch House Supper Club), from mainstays (Lueken’s Village Foods) to newcomers (Bemidji Brewing), the 20th annual gathering of local tastemakers offered a range of options.
To any new Bemidji residents who may have walked into the George W. Neilson Convention Center Thursday, the two dozen or so booths would have provided a good idea of what to expect when hitting the town for some grub.
In fact, that’s exactly what drew Francois and Melinda Neville, who settled here in August.
“We’re discovering the new eating places around here that we wouldn’t otherwise have known about,” Francois Neville said.
For newer businesses, it was an opportunity to get their name out there, and their food on people’s plates.
DaRoo’s Pizza of Bemidji made its first appearance at the event this year after moving into town in August. Co-owner Cyndi O’Bryan said she and her husband had owned the Bagley location for 12 years before selling it to her cousin.
“This is just a fun event,” she said.
Bemidji Brewing Co., a team of three friends that recently began selling its beer at Brigid’s Irish Pub, was also on hand for its inaugural Taste event.
While those businesses had to merely drive across town, some like the rural Walker-based Ranch House Supper Club made a road trip. But that didn’t mean it was an unknown establishment for Thursday’s attendees.
“I was really surprised to hear the response from people up here, because you think you’re coming up to an area where not many people know you,” said Curt Magnuson of the supper club. To bring a taste of their business’s atmosphere, he fashioned a small wagon cover to go over their table, similar to the booths at the restaurant.
Just down the row from where Classic Hard Times Saloon was displaying its monstrosity of a burger (finish it in 30 minutes and it’s free), Bemidji Breeze was handing out a, well, lighter offering of green teas and soy nuts.
“They get to know that we actually exist,” Debbie Madsen, owner of Bemidji Breeze said of potential customers. “And kind of get to sample something healthy.”


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The “something else” Tesla plans on announcing next week is reportedly an introduction to the company’s automated driving functions.
With multiple automakers having revealed their upcoming automated driving technologies, it’s no surprise that Tesla is looking to announce what its been working on.
The company has never shied away from acknowledging next-generation technology and appears to be working on adding electronic features that will help drive the car. Last month, the automaker began installing cameras on its Model S, including a forward-facing one behind the windshield in order to enable the use of safety technology as required by European regulators.
Earlier this year, Tesla CEO Elon Musk admitted that Tesla was advancing plans to add self-driving technologies to its vehicles and said, “you’ll be able to jump from highway on-ramp to highway exit without touching any controls.”
GALLERY: 2013 Tesla Model S
[Source: Automotive News]
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