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In addition to mentioning several unconfirmed details about upcoming Windows Phone 9 changes, Russian blogger Eldar Murtazin has also revealed an even more interesting note about Microsoft’s upcoming Windows Phone plans: apparently the Redmond-based giant plans to pay an astounding $1 billion “bribe” to another tech behemoth to ensure that it continues making Windows Phone handsets. “Another ‘good’ news from Microsoft,” Murtazin wrote on Twitter. “Company negotiates with Samsung and offer $1 billion support if vendor will produce Windows Phone devices.” More →
Russian blogger Eldar Murtazin, known for some of his accurate tips on the mobile industry in the past, said on Twitter that Windows Phone 9 will launch at some point in the second half of 2014 (third or fourth quarter) without the iconic Metro user interface that’s currently present on all Windows Phone handsets and Windows tablets. In several tweets that followed, he suggested that the tiled Metro UI will still remain as an option to users. More importantly, he said that Windows RT will cease to exist as a standalone OS fork, as it will be incorporated in WP9, which will become the “same system” for phones and tablets. A previous report said that Microsoft sees Windows RT merging with Windows Phone by 2015. More →
The Start menu really does look like it’ll be making a comeback in the next version of Windows. ZDNet confirms a report from Paul Thurrott earlier this week that Microsoft plans to bring back the Start menu to a future version of Windows 8. ZDNet doesn’t yet know whether the Start menu will come in a Windows 8.1-style update or whether it will be part of the larger “Threshold” update that’s on track to release in early 2015. All the same, ZDNet says that the Start menu is definitely on Microsoft’s radar especially because it doesn’t want Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 users to hold off on upgrading their PCs to Windows 8 because they’re worried about the new platform’s learning curve. More →
Windows RT still might be folded into Windows Phone or canned completely at some point in the near future, but Microsoft is reportedly considering another, less severe option. According to a report from Verge, Microsoft is debating whether or not to release free versions of its Windows Phone and Windows RT software. The company currently charges partners a licensing fee per installation, just as it does with its Windows desktop operating system. Meanwhile, Android is free to smartphone and tablet makers. Couple that with Google’s massive app ecosystem and OEMs don’t have much of a reason to bother with Windows Phone or Windows RT. Verge says if Microsoft does offer versions of its smartphone and tablet software that don’t carry licensing fees, the move will be accompanied by an increased effort to push Microsoft’s apps and services.
Whatever else you might think about Steve Ballmer’s reign at Microsoft, there’s no doubt that he’s helped the company maintain its position as an absolute cash cow with a thriving enterprise software and services business. In an interview with Fortune, the outgoing Microsoft chief distills his philosophy as CEO into five simple words repeated three times: “How do you make money? How do you make money? How do you make money?” More →
As was reaffirmed in a report on Tuesday night, Nokia has been prepping a low-end Android phone that is close to being ready for commercial release. The handset, code-named Normandy, is an entry-level device resembling some of the recent Asha budget phones that were successful enough to halt Nokia’s feature phone unit volume and average sales price erosion in the autumn quarter. More →
There are no losers (except Nintendo) in the epic Microsoft-Sony console war so far. Microsoft’s Xbox Live programming director Larry “Major Nelson” Hryb announced on Wednesday that Microsoft has now sold 2 million Xbox One consoles in the two-and-a-half weeks since its November 22nd launch. In hitting the 2 million sales mark, Microsoft has kept pace with Sony, which announced last week that it has sold roughly 2.1 million PlayStation 4 consoles so far. Given that Sony had a one-week head start over Microsoft because it launched the PlayStation 4 on November 15th, it’s fair to say that neither company has emerged as a clear winner in the early stages of the next-generation console wars.
It’s taken a while but 2014 looks like the year when Windows tablets will finally break through. Barron’s points us to a new survey of American and European CIOs conducted by Bernstein Research showing that “81% of CIOs issue/plan to issue Windows tablets, up dramatically from 56% six months ago, and nearly in line with iPads.” This is particularly important for Microsoft because the rise in corporate interest for Windows tablets has coincided with a collapse in corporate interest for Android tablets: According to Bernstein, only 15% of CIOs surveyed said that they’ve issued or plan to issue Android tablets. An upswing in demand in Windows tablets would dovetail nicely with the growth Microsoft has seen in Windows Phone sales this year, which has helped the company firmly establish Windows Phone as the world’s No. 3 mobile platform provider.
We learned earlier this week that Microsoft will reportedly bring back its dearly departed Start menu to Windows 8.2, a change that will come as welcome news for many desktop users who feel isolated by some of the changes the company has made to its signature operating system. And now Paul Thurrott at Windows IT Pro has written in greater detail about how Microsoft’s vision for Windows 8.2 is all about making desktop fans happy again… and it goes way beyond bringing back the Start menu. More →
Bing may not be making any money for Microsoft but it seems to be doing wonders for Yahoo. Bloomberg reports that Microsoft’s payouts to Yahoo in exchange for using Bing as its search engine accounted for 31% of its revenue last quarter, a surprisingly high number given that Yahoo before would only say that the Bing payouts accounted for more than 10% of its revenue. The 31% of revenue figure is also surprising because of a report we read in The Wall Street Journal earlier this year that claimed Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer was itching to back out of the Bing deal because “Yahoo’s revenue per search has been worse under the Microsoft deal than when it operated its own Web-search technology and advertising system.”
As Microsoft’s search for a new CEO drags on, you may be wondering why outgoing CEO Steve Ballmer decided to step down without having an obvious replacement lined up. One answer is that Microsoft during Ballmer’s reign has seen a major exodus of top executives that have either left the company or have been reportedly pushed out by Ballmer and his deputies. More →
We don’t always post additions to our “WTF of the week” series each week but when we do, they’re doozies. This week, we really have something special for you. Speaking with Fox Business on Varney & Co., Money Map Press analyst Keith Fitz-Gerald posed an idea that most people would consider absolutely ridiculous. According to Fitz-Gerald, Apple and Microsoft might merge. Soon. The analyst believes it is “absolutely possible” that the two companies will become one, however unlikely such a deal might appear. And thus begins our WTF of the week. More →
The years of waiting have finally come to a close: Microsoft’s Xbox One and Sony’s PlayStation 4 are here. Many of you have undoubtedly already made your choice, but there are millions more who are setting aside some cash or carefully crafting a holiday wish list this year who have yet to decide which console is worth the investment.
We reviewed both the Xbox One and the PlayStation 4 without getting into any comparisons between the two, but all bets are off in this final console showdown. Only one black box can be crowned king of this console generation. More →


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By now you’ve probably heard about the Department of Commerce’s (DOC) investigation into whether Chinese solar manufacturers had been improperly funneling parts through Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam; four countries that supply approximately 80% of the PV cells and modules used here in the United States. These solar tariffs, along with supply chain constraints and growing demand for solar energy projects have bucked the long-standing trend of decreasing solar energy costs and caused countless solar projects to grind to a halt. But, there’s good news on the horizon.
The Biden administration has recently announced a 24-month tariff exemption on solar modules manufactured in the above mentioned countries while also invoking the Defense Production Act as a means to accelerate American manufacturing with the goal of boosting domestic solar and clean energy technology manufacturing, strengthening the power grid, creating greater energy independence, and tackling climate change.
Where does U.S solar manufacturing stand today?
Most U.S. solar jobs are in building and design, not manufacturing. As of 2022, the U.S. solar industry employs 230,000 plus workers, just 13% of whom are employed in solar panel manufacturing. Most of the solar manufacturing process (even overseas) is automated by machines. The rest of the U.S. solar workforce is comprised of solar installers, design, engineering, project management, operations, administration, and other important areas critical to successful solar energy deployment.
Increasing U.S. manufactured solar panels may not add a significant portion of new jobs directly, but it could still provide major benefits by reducing volatility and reliance on foreign energy production and bolstering the production needs necessary for a carbon-free grid. Beyond the detrimental environmental impacts of fossil fuels, they are a finite resource and it’s inevitable that they will need to be replaced with other energy resources; the sooner we begin building the infrastructure for this transition at home, the better. Our domestic manufacturing industry is nowhere close to what is needed to deploy solar energy at the scale we need, but passing legislation that bolsters the solar industry could remedy this issue.
A prime example is the Solar Energy Manufacturing for America Act. This bill would incentivize domestic production for producing solar energy technologies and provide tax credits for solar manufacturing at each stage of the supply chain. This would create tens of thousands of jobs and help the U.S. get on its way to becoming a leader in solar technology manufacturing.
There is also the America COMPETES Act of 2022 (America Creating Opportunities for Manufacturing, Pre-Eminence in Technology, and Economic Strength) which, if passed, authorizes $3 billion to fund the development of a strong U.S. solar manufacturing supply chain. This would include the manufacturing of technology needed at every stage of production. Every year through 2026, the Department of Energy (DOE) would be authorized to distribute $600 million dollars in grants and direct loans for the construction of new solar manufacturing facilities along with the expanding and upgrading of existing facilities.
Will Solar Panels Get Cheaper?
The cost of solar panels saw an exponential decrease over the last two decades thanks in part to economies of scale & manufacturing efficiencies, among other things. It’s unlikely that we’ll continue to see such dramatic decreases in price (solar costs have increased during the pandemic due to increased demand at a time of global supply constraints, supply shortages, and inflation at an all-time high), but we could expect to see some decreases in price as domestic manufacturing ramps up and volatility subsides. The Solar Energy Manufacturing for America Act and the America COMPETES Act of 2022 would drive the U.S. solar industry to expand its manufacturing capacity and should lower the cost of solar here at home, keeping more money in your pocket.
Until the aforementioned legislation passes into law, suspension of additional solar tariffs can and will likely benefit solar energy adopters with lowered costs, as any new tariffs could be made retroactive, meaning solar installers would have to increase prices to cover the cost of the tariff. The good news is that with the tariffs temporarily lifted, solar companies can get projects back on track and customers can look forward to their systems being installed in as timely a manner as possible without the concern of project delays from the uncertainty created by the investigation.
The remedy truly lies in passing legislation that supports the manufacturing needed for our industry to thrive on American soil. The America COMPETES Act of 2022 would alleviate overall supply chain disruptions by investing $45 billion to strengthen American supply chains and serve as a step toward resolving inflation.
Should I Wait to Go Solar?
If you’ve been considering having solar panels installed for your home or business, there’s no reason to put things off any longer, in fact, waiting could be a bad thing. Beyond the obvious need for climate action, waiting to go solar could mean you’ll miss out on the current Federal & New Mexico Solar Tax Credits which help cover up to 36% of your solar system costs. The longer you wait, the more you’ll continue to pay on electric bills as well. If you’re considering waiting because you want American-manufactured solar panels, those are available today as well! Positive Energy has several solar panel offerings to meet your needs.
Interested in learning more about New Mexico solar programs and options? Get started with a free consultation and evaluation.

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Counterfeit breast implants can harm patients’ health and even threaten their lives. A German research team is using tomato DNA tags to tell the ‘real thing’ apart from frauds.
The silicone used in implants need to have a high-quality to prevent silicone from leaking out of the implant. As a result, the silicone used in breast implants is significantly more expensive than silicone used for industrial purposes.
Some implant manufacturers illegally cut high-quality silicone with cheap industrial silicone in order to increase their profits. The counterfeit implants are very difficult to trace because complex analyses are needed to detect their cheap components.
A team of German researchers at the Fraunhofer IAP in Potsdam may have found a way around this. They want to use tomato DNA to tag real breast implants to distinguish them from counterfeits.
The researchers took DNA from tomato leaves and embedded it in a silicone matrix approved for use in breast implants. Experiments showed the embedded DNA remained stable and did not degrade after heating it to 150 °C for five hours, indicating it can withstand industrial production processes.
The idea is that when the silicone components of breast implants are made, the manufacturer can mark them with the tomato DNA during the manufacturing process. By adjusting the type and concentration of DNA used, the manufacturer can create a unique mark for each silicone component before selling it to the company that produces the implants. A lab test can then be used to see if the implant manufacturer used a lower concentration of the high-quality silicone components to stretch them with low-quality materials.
Tomato DNA has a very low cost and could also be used to mark other polymer-base implants such as lens implants. The research team already patented its technology and published their findings in the Plastische Chirurgie journal.
The idea of using DNA to tag products is not new. For example, the UK company SelectaDNA sells a DNA-tagging spray for identifying moped criminals. The spray marks the bikes, skin and clothing of individuals with uniquely coded DNA, which could be used to identify suspects involved in a crime.
Images by Shef-time, kpakook/Shutterstock


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Infiniti is on a hot streak. While it still might not be in the same league as the really big players in the luxury car game in terms of sales, Nissan’s luxury brand has been seeing significant growth, largely thanks to its competitive crossovers and SUVs. It’s hit a global sales record every year for the past eight years with 7 percent global growth in 2017 and 16 percent growth in China in the same timeframe.
But that’s not good enough for Infiniti. According to Automotive News, the brand is setting its sights on selling 150,000 units annually in China by 2023. For reference, Infiniti sold 48,408 vehicles in China in 2017. A big part of that planned growth will be from building the cars locally rather than taking big tariff hits by importing them into the world’s largest auto market.
A Chinese-built QX50 will go on sale there by the end of 2018 with more models being added to Infiniti’s Chinese manufacturing operation over the next five years. Currently, the only Chinese-built Infinitis available are the Q50L and Q70L which are long-wheelbase versions of the brand’s mid-size and full-size sedans. They really seem to like stretched out sedans in China.
China is experiencing a similar crossover craze that we’re experiencing in the U.S. which is where the QX50 comes in. Another key factor for growth in China is electrification. Infiniti has already said that more than half of all of the new cars it sells will be electrified by 2025 and we’ve been promised two Infiniti EVs by 2022.
China is a hot market for luxury cars and crossovers and Infiniti is wise to aggressively expand its operations in that region. Time will tell how the Chinese expansion will impact the Infiniti models we get here in the States.


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BISMARCK, N.D. - Lyft is a big-city concept that's finally made it to Bismarck and other North Dakota cities.
Less than a week old, it's already creating a buzz.
"It'll give an opportunity for patrons downtown and of events and such to have another option. They're great. They're super easy," said Heidi Ripplinger, advocate of ride-sharing apps.
Here's how it works:
You can download Lyft on your phone, and it'll ask you for a credit or debit card number. There is no cash exchanged in the cars.
Once you have the app downloaded, and your credit card in the system, it's pretty simple from there. Just type in your current location, and then the destination that you want to end up at. It will let you know how many drivers are in the area and how many are available.
Once you hit set pickup, it will let you know how far away your Lyft driver is.
"I think our patrons will feel more comfortable coming out knowing that they can get home safely, and in an effective, timely manner," said Gwen Jones, manager of Elbow Room.
Elbow Room customer Shaun Eisenbeisz is already a fan of the app, and says it's more efficient than taking a taxi.
"Even if it's more expensive, I will end up using it because I rather get home faster than waiting out in the cold, said Eisenbeisz.
And others say it's another employment opportunity.
"I like the aspect of people being able to make some money on the side, and get people around safely and stuff," said Jarrod Kastrow, JL Beers manager.
Although there are less than a dozen Lyft drivers in Bismarck, some say they're just excited to have another form of transportation available.
The app also debuted in Grand Forks and Fargo last week.


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When is an SUV not an SUV? When the US Treasury Department says it isn’t. The distinction is important because the maximum sale price for an SUV to qualify for the new federal EV tax incentives is $80,000, but only $55,000 if a vehicle is classified as a passenger car or wagon.
We know many of you will find this hard to believe, but the same federal agency can define the same car differently for different purposes. That’s a shocker, huh? But the Treasury Department has the final say when it comes to specifying which car qualifies for the federal EV tax incentives and in this case, it said on January 8 that both the Tesla Model Y and Cadillac Lyriq were passenger cars/wagons, meaning buyers would not be eligible for any tax credit because they both cost too much money. Certain models of the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4 were also excluded from the latest tax incentives.
General Motors was none to pleased with the news. In a press statement reported by Reuters, it said, “We are addressing these concerns with Treasury and hope that forthcoming guidance on vehicle classifications will provide the needed clarity to consumers and dealers, as well as regulators and manufacturers.” It added that Treasury should use criteria and processes similar to the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy. Treasury replied that it was doing exactly that by using fuel economy standards “which are pre-existing — and longstanding — EPA regulations that manufacturers are very familiar with. These standards offer clear criteria for delineating between cars and SUVs.”
Things got even more silly in the case of the Model Y. Treasury said it was an SUV if it had the optional third row seats, which very few customers want. Not to put too fine a point on it, but those seats are hardly suitable for actual adults. In response, Tesla slashed the price of the Model Y by nearly $20,000 so it would qualify for the EV tax credit that went into effect on January 1.
In a clarification dated February 3, Treasury surrendered to the lobbyists for Tesla, GM, Ford, and Volkswagen and issued new guidance. Here’s the relevant part of its press release:
To make it easier for consumers to know which vehicles qualify under the applicable MSRP cap, Treasury is updating the vehicle classification standard to use the consumer-facing EPA Fuel Economy Labeling standard, rather than the EPA CAFE standard. This change will allow crossover vehicles that share similar features to be treated consistently. It will also align vehicle classifications under the clean vehicle credit with the classification displayed on the vehicle label and on the consumer-facing website FuelEconomy.gov.
Customers who have purchased and placed in service vehicles since January 1, 2023, that qualify under the EPA Fuel Economy Labeling classification standard announced today and who satisfy the other clean vehicle tax credit requirements can claim the credit, including customers with vehicles that did not qualify under the prior EPA CAFE standard.
All vehicles that were eligible under the MSRP limitations prior to today’s notice remain eligible under the updated standard. Updated information about the MSRP limit that applies has been posted to IRS.gov. As outlined in December, subsequent guidance on critical minerals and batteries will be issued in March.
Of course, one can argue that Treasury should have used the fuel economy standard rather than the CAFE standard in the first place. I own a Model Y and bought it specifically because it is about 6 inches taller than the cheaper Model 3, which helps my old knees and hips get in an out. It also has a hatch instead of a trunk, which makes it much more useful for hauling knick-knacks and the occasional small piece of furniture. I bought it because it was an SUV and was frankly stunned when Treasury ruled it was just another passenger car. You could have fooled me.
Mr. Musk Goes To Washington
Just a week ago, Elon Musk flew to Washington, DC, where he met with two Biden administration officials and several Republican lawmakers. The purpose of the conversation at the White House was to discuss how the administration and Tesla could work together to advance electric vehicle production and speed electrification of US vehicle networks. It is just possible that Musk may have had a thing of two to say about the SUV classification issues as well.
Musk met John Podesta, a Democratic stalwart who serves as Biden’s senior adviser for clean energy innovation, and Mitch Landrieu, who oversees infrastructure spending, the White House said. Musk and Biden have often been at odds over political and labor issues. “John Podesta and Mitch Landrieu met with Elon Musk to discuss shared goals around electrification and how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act can advance electric vehicle production and charging as well as the broader cause of electrification,” a White House spokesperson told Reuters.
What Abut Those Tesla Price Cuts?
The question on everyone’s lips now is, what will happen to the price cuts Tesla announced a few weeks ago? No one knows. At the time, many warned that demand for Tesla automobiles was softening, but since the price cuts went into effect, the company says demand has surged once again and now far exceeds its annual production capacity.
Stock analysts warned that the price cuts could be fatal to Tesla’s bottom line, but in fact its profit margin is the envy of the auto manufacturing world and that’s after the price cuts. Will Tesla now raise prices again? A good guess is, it will, but maybe not back to where they were before. Boosting demand is never a bad thing, as long as profitability remains strong.
The play for an individual consumer who is contemplating buying a Tesla is to do so today, right this very minute, in order to lock in the lowest prices ever seen on most models in the past two years. It wouldn’t surprise anyone here at CleanTechnica if Tesla posts new prices overnight. “Strike while the iron is hot,” seems like good advice right now. There is very little likelihood that prices will be lowered again any time soon.
Ford also announced lower prices on some Mustang Mach-E models to counter Tesla’s price reduction. Will it now rescind some or all of those reductions? The situation can best be described as fluid right now. Changes could occur at any moment.
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Bentley Motors and Aston Martin are preparing for the worst as Brexit looms. Prior to and following the British Parliament’s rejection of Brexit deal proposed by Prime Minister Theresa May, the Chief Executive Officers of two leading luxury automotive companies said at the Automotive News World Congress in Detroit that they had been preparing for the disaster. Both the leading automakers have been making strategic approaches to tackle the upcoming supply chains issues.
Andy Palmer, the CEO of Aston Martin said that he has assumed the worst in their plate, and thinks they will be full swept away from Europe, and their supply chain at a broader level will be disturbed badly. Last week, Aston Martin rolled out emergency planning for Brexit, including distribution of car parts through air cargo to be able to use ports besides Dover, which is likely to face the utmost brunt if the government officials reach on no deal.
Volkswagen Group-owned Bentley CEO Adrian Hallmark said at the conference that for more than half-a-year Bentley has been supplying some parts via some other port. Hallmark added that its time he take back his words reading, ‘we are prepared’.
With the final date of Brexit coming closer, Rolls-Royce and Mini worries are accelerating, with their hearts in their hands.
Britain would get the hardest hit if it loses its grip on free trade with European markets as 80 percent of Britain-manufactured vehicles are shipped to the European Union. The stakes are also high for Germany.
In 2016, German manufacturers gained lucrative market form Britain, it being the most lucrative market which saw sales of over 8 lac new cars or accounted to 20% of German manufacturers’ total global exports. German carmakers didn’t export many cars to the U.S. and China, as it already has its factories there.
Following the vote, German auto industry association VDA said that the aftermath of a ‘no deal’ is going to be devastating for them. VDA added that if there would be no proper and feasible solution for business, jobs in the automotive industry, mainly in the British areas will be on the verge of extinction.
While commenting on the dooming scenario, BMW, the owner of Mini and Rolls-Royce, said in an email that the due to the severe ambiguity of EU and UK trade relations, it has to pull up the socks to face the worst.
Low-margin high volume carmakers, including Toyota have a grave concern ahead in the form of tariffs, as the automaker owns a facility in Derby, and Nissan with main business in Sunderland would suffer significantly. With just a single British factory Bentley, VW Group is high frightened as it depends on imports to serve U.K. customers.
Having Knack for precision, I take a meticulous approach to find informative pieces of news across industries such as technology, ICT, healthcare and F&B to name a few. Follow me to catch the latest trend.


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And the wiener is… hot dog puns!!
The former Get Franked (which was the former Let’s Be Frank) has yet another new name — And the Wiener Is — and a new location. It opened a week ago at 2322 E. Douglas, less than a block west of and across the street from its original Douglas location.
Top dog Brad Standing has added several new dogs to the menu board, and the new place has seating for around 35, which is more than the previous location.
Let’s Be Frank was a pioneer in the recent rash of hot dog restaurants in Wichita and has had landlord and copyright issues during its first year of business, necessitating its location and name changes.
He’ll be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, from 11 a.m. to 4 a.m. Fridays, and from noon to 4 a.m. Saturdays.


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Unley Shopping Centre is now home to the cheesburger dumplings and biscoff boba with the opening of Mumpling Dumpling and Boba!
Unley restaurant Cafe Paparazzi receives a facelift with the help of new management, re-opening its doors on Wednesday, June 22
After the success of their Gawler Place location, The Potato Project is opening their second store in Unley this April.
E-scooters are slowly rolling out across the city, with the latest expansion now announced in the City of Unley set to rollout on February 14.
The offering has banana, strawberry, and of course Nutella wrapped in the Unley eatery’s soft pita bread.
The burger experts are offering you a chance to win a year's worth of free burgers to celebrate the grand opening of their Unley store.
A studio in Unley is calling for old dogs in particular as part of a very special offer that will also raise funds for the Animal Welfare League.
The gorgeous eatery has coffee, sandwiches, salads, pastries, and what co-owner Jacob Baker describes as “the best donuts in town.”
The expansion was announced this week, with ultra-fast internet connectivity to be made available at the Unley Civic Centre and Healthy Living Precinct in Welland.
Chico Tea Boba Project is having its CBD grand opening on Thursday at 11am.
The Photographyroom in Unley is calling for poodles and poodle crosses in a very special deal that will raise funds for the Animal Welfare League.
Looking for brunch plans? Make sure you check out Bricks & Stones, Unley's hidden gem.
Whether you’ve got something that’s broken, torn or busted, bring it in to the cafe and learn how to fix it with the help of expert repairers on site whose aim is to reduce the waste that ends up in landfill.
The new burger of the month from Burger Incredible called the Notorious P.I.G, and it has our mouth watering.
The SA fashion house announced its new shoe line alongside the showcase of the 2020-21 autumn / winter Heirloom collection during a beautiful event at Mercedes-Benz Unley.
Photographyroom in Unley is on the hunt for dachshunds to offer their new photography session package.
Only five minutes drive from the CBD, Tomich's cellar door is here to entertain the notion of the mid week wine tasting (cheese included).
Gathering and grazing on gorgeous spring platters and insta-worthy brunches? Yes Please.
To help combat domestic violence, and violence against women, an Unley martial arts studio is offering free martial arts lessons for any woman who would like to learn how to better defend themselves.
Enjoy an exclusive look at new season looks and support a local charity all the while munching on tasty, South Australian goods at this year's Mercedes-Benz Unley Long Lunch on King William Road!


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HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Born during the fight against the spread of COVID-19, AirX - the world's first coffee mask, encourages great effort in establishing itself as a fashion trend. After a year of circulation, coffee mask AirX has upgraded to a new level.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a new normal of wearing face masks as a part of governments' preventive measures against the deadly virus. The promotion of mask wearing has led to a great increase in the production of disposable masks. According to The ASEAN Post, there are already 8,000,000 tonnes of plastics entering our oceans every year. A study in the UK cited by the World Economic Forum (WEF) found that if every person wore a single-use face mask a day for a year, it would create an additional 66,000 tonnes of contaminated waste and 57,000 tonnes of plastic packaging.
Where wellness meets sustainability
Product improvement is not only reusable and protective packaging, but also an adjustable nose clip as well as an easy face-fitting with flexible ear straps. The "new-and-improved" mask can be well customized for corporate logo branding and personal remarks with lines of new colors. In addition, a bendable metal bridge holder has been added to AirX face masks to tighten up the nose area with adjustable face covered with string ties using PowerKnit and FlexKnit technology. Replaceable bio-based filter is AATCC 100 certified by QUATEST 3, modified with medical – grade N95 respirator applied in European countries.
AirX is N95 face mask with triple antibacterial layers of protection. The outer and inner layers are woven from coffee yarn using PowerKnit technology, provides a comfortable fit but softness for sensitive skin. In the middle is the patented face mask filter made of coffee, while the mask is washable and reusable.
AirX: eco-friendly, yet eco-fashion
As a matter of fact, face mask becomes the must-have accessory that everyone's wearing this season. In addition to the affordable price tags, it also inspires some luxury brands to sell the so-called luxury sake of fashion.
When Gucci made one for Billie Eilish to complete her all-Gucci look at the Grammys, as part of her message that her body is her own, for her eyes only, Burberry announces its face mask production and Louis Vuitton releases a branded face shield for its Cruise 2021 collection. Christian Siriano, Eckhaus Latta, and Rick Owens featured face masks on every model in their pandemic-aware collections.
Thanh Le, founder of AirX said that the rise of face mask eco-fashion helps to raise awareness to COVID – 19 relief efforts and the involvement of luxury brands as well as celebrities could maximize the sustainable and ethical purpose of face mask. Thanh marks that his goal is to focus on controlling the product's quality instead of increasing output as well.
About AirXcoffee – www.airxcoffee.com
AirX, the new face mask from the Vietnam via Canada-based company, is touted as "the world's first ever coffee mask". The coffee component of the AirX Coffee Mask comes in two forms: the coffee yarn using "Powerknit technology" that comprised the mask itself as well as the biodegradable coffee air filter insert, made with "N95 / FFP2", ready to supply in Vietnam and on over the world.
Media contact: Ms. Dandelly Nguyen – [email protected]


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A Richmond BC (that’s in Canada) grocery store has been linked to six cases of listeriosis resulting hospitalizations. Health authorities are, according to Global News, unsure of the source.
The health authority says at least six people have been hospitalized with signs of infection due to Listeria.
Customers are urged to throw out any food that may have been contaminated including ready-to-eat meat products, sushi, produce and baked goods purchased from the store since July.
Health inspectors have closed the store and kitchen and say the store will be reopened once all health and safety standards are met.


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Intuit shares, currently trading at $135 or 31x current fiscal year’s estimates, are at the high end of their recent multiple trading range despite looming risk in their largest business segment.After posting better than feared results during the 2017 tax season, focus shifted back to the growing Small Business segment and the stock climbed to new highs.As we get closer to the 2018 tax season, however, I believe sentiment will shift back to the tax business and the stock will come under pressure.
The Company breaks down its operations into three segments:Small Business (mainly Quickbooks), Consumer Tax (Turbo Tax) and Professional Tax.The Consumer Tax business is the largest and most profitable segment, contributing over 50% of operating profits before corporate overhead (and over 80% when accounting for overhead).It currently generates segment operating margins over 65% while the faster growing Small Business segment, which contributes just under 40% of combined segment operating profits, generates margins of around 40%.
Consensus numbers currently forecast high single digit revenue growth in the fiscal year ended 7/18, driven by 11% revenue growth in the Small Business segment and 6.5% growth in the Consumer Tax segment.The street also expects margins to expand 120bps leading to 15% EPS growth, including some share buybacks.Based off of recent history these numbers might make sense and can possibly justify the valuation but in order for the stock to work from here I think you likely need continued upward revisions.In addition, recent changes in the competitive environment for the tax segment put estimates at risk.
Over the past several years do-it-yourself e-filings have taken share from other types of tax filings.According to IRS tax statistics, overall filings grow anywhere from 0-2% every year while self-prepared e-filings have grown mid-single digits, until this year. In 2017 cumulative returns fell 50bps and self-prepared returns only grew 30bps.While the exact cause of the declines isn’t known (speculation ranges from missed deadlines resulting from new security measures to lower filings from undocumented immigrants on account of the political climate), the important factor may not be the overall level of filings growth but the slowdown in outperformance of DIY e-filings.Their share only grew marginally this year while it averaged 150bps over the past four years. While overall IRS filings growth will likely resume next year, losing the mix shift tailwind will make it more difficult for Intuit to hit street estimates.
H&R Block presents another headwind.For several hears HRB was content to protect their fleet of company owned and franchised tax prep locations by raising prices and ceding share.Assisted filings have fallen for five years straight while online delivered inconsistent performance.In 2017, however, HRB stated that they would change the growth trajectory of their filings and began discounting offerings and rolling out new products.As a result, online filings grew 3.5% in 2017 and they regained some lost share of DIY filings.Although HRB is currently looking for a new CEO, I would guess that growing their share of online filings will remain a key part of the strategy for 2018.
Intuit was able to post close to 10% consumer tax growth in 2017 but that came on the heels of a mix shift benefit that drove revenue/filing up over 6%.It is possible that this trend continues but given the aggressive commentary from HRB, pricing could be at risk next year.Looking back at the 2017 tax season, INTU stock traded down from over $125/share to $116/share on fears that tax forecasts were at risk.I see the potential for that fear to reenter the valuation as we progress through the remainder of this year.If HRB is able to win back additional share next year, I see the stock trading closer to $100/share which is still 20x next fiscal year’s earnings estimates.
I do not hold a position with the issuer such as employment, directorship, or consultancy. I and/or others I advise do not hold a material investment in the issuer's securities.


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TX: HVHC Relocating HQ to Downtown San Antonio, Bringing 350 Jobs
15 Apr, 2013
Eye Care Centers of America (ECCA) and Davis Vision, along with HVHC Inc., the holding company for these companies and for Viva International Group, announced the move of their national headquarters to downtown San Antonio. The companies will take over more than 100,000 square feet in the Houston Street building which was formerly occupied by AT&T.
The company will also begin to consolidate its 15 national retail brands under a single name, Visionworks, and will open a new flagship state-of-the art retail location on the ground floor of the building. This store will provide the downtown community with a one-stop source for affordable vision care and eyewear.
"After a thorough search in Texas and across the country, we chose to relocate our corporate operations to downtown," said David Holmberg, HVHC’s president and chief executive officer. "This is an exciting time for our family of companies as we begin to rebrand our 500+ retail locations in Texas and nationwide, and we integrate our retail and managed care and insurance services in one location. We thank Mayor Castro and city officials for their partnership in helping to make our move a reality."
The new headquarters will bring more than 350 jobs downtown, including 100 new positions as Davis Vision relocates from Long Island, N.Y.
In addition to executive and administrative offices, the new location will offer an on-site conference and training center to serve associates of this vertically integrated family of vision companies.
"This exciting announcement is proof that the city's focus on retaining good corporate citizens as well as recruiting new ones is paying off," Mayor Julián Castro said. "With its decision to include retail space along with its corporate offices, HVHC is also providing fresh momentum to our SA 2020 goal of transforming downtown San Antonio into a vibrant place to live, work and conduct commerce."
"Our companies and our associates look forward to establishing and building new partnerships throughout the area and becoming even more involved in the downtown community," said ECCA President Jim Eisen.
City Manager Sheryl Sculley said, "This announcement implements the City’s strategy to retain and expand local businesses, particularly corporate headquarters, while continuing our efforts to attract new jobs. This project also represents the first corporate location in Downtown of over 40,000 square feet in the last 15 years and will be a catalyst for more business growth in our central city."
Viva International is not included in this move.
About HVHC Inc.
HVHC Inc. is a privately-held, for-profit holding company for a portfolio of vision companies which includes, among other companies, Davis Vision, Inc., Viva Optique, Inc. and Eye Care Centers of America, Inc. Together the vertically integrated company is the third largest provider of managed vision care products and services, and the third largest operators of specialty optical retail stores in the United States. It is also the second largest designer and distributor of eyewear in the United States and seventh largest global distributor of eyewear.


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Coinbase shares fell Wednesday below their initial opening price as traders scrambled to assess the largest U.S. cryptocurrency exchange's value in a volatile first day following the historic direct listing on Nasdaq.
After opening at $381 at around 1:30 p.m. ET, Coinbase shares (NASDAQ: COIN) soared to as high as $429.54 before dropping more than 100 points over the next hour and a half to close at $328. That was below the $348 price where the shares last changed hands in private markets.
"There's always a lot of excitement that builds up to this moment," FundStrat analyst David Grider told CoinDesk. "That excitement rolled over a little bit."
Even with their dizzying drop, Coinbase shares were well above their $250 reference price assigned Tuesday evening by the Nasdaq. Compared to the first trade of $381, however, COIN closed down 14% on the day.
At a share price of $328, Coinbase would have a valuation of about $65 billion, assuming 199.2 million shares outstanding. Using the fully diluted share count of 261.3 million, the implied market capitalization would be about $86 billion.
Earlier in the day, Coinbase had achieved a valuation over $100 billion, based on the higher share count.
"The uninformed were driving price on it more than the informed," said Jeff Dorman, chief investment officer at the cryptocurrency asset manager Arca. "In three to six weeks you'll see higher prices."
In percentage terms, the COIN listing ranks about even with other similar debuts, according to data compiled by CoinDesk Research:
“There is bound to be a lot of volatility,” Coinbase board member Fred Ehrsam told CNBC Wednesday. “That’s just the nature of such a huge technology coming into existence.”
CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.


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Opel broke and revealed the mystery altogether Astra OPC Extreme model that will be presented to the public next week's Geneva Motor Show. This is the fastest Astra ever produced and authenticated to the streets.
With the approach of the Geneva Motor Show, held in March, the manufacturers begin to submit your news, Aston Martin has released special editions that will take the Vantage and DB9 for the event in Switzerland.
Ford is working on the development of a 3.0 V6 diesel engine for the recently launched new generation of F-150 pickup. The news was revealed by the website The Truth About Cars, citing internal sources of the automaker, who maintained anonymity.


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Emperador Inc's namesake brandy became the second-largest spirits brand in the world last year, but still trails far behind HiteJinro's South Korean soju Jinro, new figures show.
Inver House Distillers, the Scotch arm of International Beverage Holdings, has released three new vintages in its Balblair single malt Scotch portfolio in time for Christmas.
Inver House Distillers has released its final anCnoc expression in a link-up with US artists Peter Arkle.
Inver House Distillers has launched a 22-year-old version of its anCnoc single malt, with 950 cases made available throughout the year.
Fraser & Neave's board of directors has branded Overseas Union Enterprise's SGD13.1bn (US$10.7bn) offer for the group as “not compelling, but fair”.
- The End of the Road for International Beer Brands?
- Comment - Another One Bites Bacardi's Dust
- Allegro: The shape of things to come at Pernod?
- Pernod Ricard's FY Performance by Region, Brand
- US craft vodka puts squeeze on Pernod's Absolut
- Mast-Jägermeister targets UK off-trade boost
- Pernod bemoans tough FY as sales, profits drop
- ASA bans Jägermeister TV ad
- Bacardi announces CFO switch
- SABMiller exec to become CFO at Beam Suntory


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Student raising awareness for human trafficking through “Dressember”
December 13, 2019
The store is filled with aisles and aisles of clothes. Aisles and aisles of pain. The shoppers see t-shirts, sweaters and jeans, but they fail to see the stories behind these items. They don’t see the sweltering factories, unlivable conditions, and abuse behind some of their favorite brands.
However, the Commitee Against Human Trafficking is working to raise awareness for the victims of these everyday tradgedies.
“We are an advocacy team at Wando that consists of students that their goal is to learn more about the issue that impacts our community… and to also educate others in our community about it,” said Misty LeClerc, the group’s faculty advisor. “There is very little… discussion about human trafficking, and there’s very little acknowledgment that it would actually occur in Mount Pleasant.”
The team will be taking part in “Dressember” during the week of Dec., 16. Next week, they will wear dresses or ties everyday as a way to bring awareness to human trafficking.
“The point of wearing the dress… is to start the conversation,” said club member Jolie Crunelle, “I’m someone who wears jeans and a sweatshirt most days to school, so wearing a dress the first couple of days my friends were like, ‘Oh my gosh. You look so nice,’ and so that gave me the opportunity to be like, ‘Yeah, I’m doing Dressember.’”
Crunelle originally discovered Dressember when she found an Instagram page called “Wearing Hope” that was promoting the cause.
“Jolie has recently joined the team, and she has… done her own research and has become familiar with this opportunity to raise awareness for human trafficking,” LeClerc said, “so we’re trying to get people to dress up for that last week to just raise awareness that it is an isssue.”
Wearing a dress or tie isn’t just a way to get people talking about human trafficking, it is a deeper symbol of one of the biggest culprits of human trafficking.
“The fashion industry is… known for poor working conditions and for situations that perpetuate human trafficking, and so some of that is debt slavery or paying wages or putting workers in conditions that are not livable,” Crunelle said, “The fashion industry is notorious for that, and so some of it [Dressember] is being more conscious about fashion choices.”
Even though Crunelle has recently joined Wando’s fight against human trafficking, she hopes that others will also soon be inspired to learn about and fight against the tradgedies that unknowlingly occur around them everyday.
“I’m hoping that people outside of the club will participate in it [Dressember]… I did not know that this happened around me, but it does. It happens in Charleston. It happens in South Carolina. It happens all over the U.S.,” Crunelle said, “It’s so often thought of as just ‘Oh you know those people in less developed countries that’s just something that they have to deal with. I don’t have to worry about it.’”


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SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CustomWeather, Inc., a premier, specialized provider of high-resolution weather data and alert services, announced that it has redesigned its public weather website, www.MyForecast.com, and has added expanded content that was previously only available to paid clients. MyForecast.com has long been proven as one of the most accurate weather resources and is known for its uncluttered and user-friendly interface. Now, a comprehensive suite of weather data products is presented in a sleek, responsive design, allowing consumers to get the weather forecasts and information they seek without sifting through cluttered ads or distracting non-weather-related content.
Newly added weather features include:
- Hourly Forecasts
- 15-day Extended Forecasts
- Detailed Hurricane maps
- Future Doppler Radar
- Expanded Charts and Meteograms
- Storm Center
Geoffrey Flint, President and CEO of CustomWeather, Inc., says, “Most weather web sites try to lure visitors into spending time on their site via cluttered interfaces, simply to maximize their ad revenue. CustomWeather understands that most visitors are busy and just want a forecast and pertinent severe weather alert information. They may check the Doppler radar and other maps. We launched MyForecast.com as a fast, easy and satisfying site to quickly get that information without too many clicks. If the user wants more detailed or additional weather data, it’s there for them to explore as well, but you won’t have to spend all day scrolling through ads or articles to find it. MyForecast.com is a way for us to offer access to what is really just a small piece of the complex and advanced weather services that we provide to paying customers.”
CustomWeather, Inc. prides itself on highly accurate, precision forecasting data using proprietary forecasting technology. Our commitment to addressing unique customer needs and requirements allows us to provide unprecedented service and quality weather intelligence tailored to meet the needs of each individual business that we work with.
About CustomWeather, Inc.
San Francisco-based CustomWeather offers the industry's most robust weather solutions for both decision support and consumer application. CustomWeather generates granular weather forecasts for over 200 countries, providing sophisticated weather services to leading companies in a variety of industries. For over a decade, CustomWeather has been the leading one-stop solution for historical, real-time, and forecast weather services. For more information, visit www.CustomWeather.com.


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THE rising cost of fish – both wild caught and farmed – appears to have hit the profits of Young’s, Britain’s largest seafood company.
The Grimsby based business today reported second quarter (January 1 to March 30) turnover of £134.2 million, down by just over £2 million on the same period last year.
The EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) slumped from £5.5 million 12 months ago to £4 million this year.
Young’s CEO Bill Showalter referred briefly to the ‘challenges associated with raw material inflation’,
There is no doubt that the cost of principal species such as cod, haddock and salmon have risen sharply over the past 12 months, placing pressure on all UK seafood processors.
‘Our second quarter results reflect our steady underlying performance, the challenges associated with raw material inflation and a footprint transformation project which had an impact on production, and has since been concluded,’ said Showalter.
‘The steps we have taken to address these issues will be fully reflected in the subsequent quarters.
‘We welcome Mark Richmond as group operations director, who now oversees our manufacturing operations.
‘Proudly making fish dishes for over 200 years, our focus is on inspiring consumers to love fish through our fresh, frozen, own label and branded products.’
Again, there was no mention of the sales process involving Young’s, which was launched more than 12 months ago.


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What is the best ongoing comic book series being published today? According to a quick poll on iFanboy, the answer is Saga, and… Well, that’s a pretty good choice, isn’t it? What’s kind of nice about the poll results is that, of the six books listed, two of them are creator-owned (Jonathan Hickman’s The Manhattan Projects being the other). Sure, two of them are also Batman books, but, hey; Batman’s doing pretty well over at DC these days, I guess?
(I am surprised that Waid and Samnee’s Daredevil didn’t make it on there, but Hawkeye and Wolverine and the X-Men are pretty good standard bearers for the House of Ideas, let’s be honest).


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Zappos was quick to communicate after discovering a data breach impacting 24 million customers. But did the online retailer respond appropriately, or make some missteps in its haste to notify? Francoise Gilbert of the IT Law Group gives a mixed review.
Cybersecurity Coordinator Howard Schmidt recognizes the need to battle online piracy to protect U.S. intellectual property but contends legislation before Congress to do just that would unacceptably curtail Internet freedom and increase cybersecurity risks.
Notifying patients about a healthcare information breach requires a "difficult balancing act" by entities to ensure that risks are not exaggerated, says attorney Robert Belfort, an expert in HIPAA compliance, fraud and abuse.
Steven VanRoekel says the mobile revolution will fundamentally change the way the federal government serves the public and its employees. But in outlining the Federal Mobile Strategy, the federal CIO hardly mentions security and privacy.


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PERTH, Australia -- The Timezone unit of Leisure & Allied Industries, headquartered here, continues to strengthen its position in India and Singapore, and has begun recovery efforts in New Zealand following the devastating earthquakes on the South Island there.
Timezone India opened its first store in Patna, the capital of Bihar state and an economic powerhouse. The company reports that this initiative, extending its penetration of the eastern portion of the country, has conferred a "first mover" advantage as it paves the way toward meeting the demand for entertainment in Patna. The new store offers a mix of games appealing to all ages, as well as a themed party room. Timezone now operates 17 facilities in India.
Timezone Singapore marked the recent holiday season by opening four stores in December and January. Heralded by extensive advance publicity that generated substantial interest, the company hosted festive openings in Anchor Point and at the West Coast Plaza before the holidays, and at Changi City Point and Katong Mall in early January.
Timezone Singapore group chief executive Sonaal Chopra recalled that, not very long ago, the company had only four outlets in the island city-state. Steady expansion culminating in the midwinter push has brought that number to 20 -- "which strengthens our market share further, and makes us the dominant player in the country," Chopra said.
Timezone New Zealand, which closed a number of its stores in 2011 as a result of the severe earthquakes in Christchurch, is looking forward to a happier 2012 as it starts to open new satellite locations in the country. Now open for business is a fun center on the nation's Lower North Island, featuring two lanes of "Highway Bowling," plus a kids' play area, Jungle Rama, indoor basketball, cricket and netball court. Complete food and beverage service is provided by a full bar, a restaurant and a cafe.
Timezone runs 224 FECs in seven countries.


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BMW Z4 & 6 Series revisions to hit showrooms this month
With the help of BMW’s EfficientDynamics, the updated 6 Series and Z4 models arriving in showrooms this month have increased performance, improved economy and reduced emissions.
Both vehicles gain Brake Energy Regeneration as standard across the range, a feature that improves fuel consumption in the 6 Series by up to 6.8 per cent.
The new 6 Series gets a more distinctive look with bigger 19-inch alloys and lower-profile tyres (245/40 front, 275/35 rear), a swooping contoured bonnet and dark chrome tailpipes.
The V8 Valvetronic powerplant remains the same, thumping out 270kW and 490Nm of torque and launching the 650i Sport Coupé from 0-100km/h in 5.2 seconds and the 650i Sport Convertible in 5.6 seconds.
Meanwhile, the Coupé’s fuel consumption is down 5.4 per cent to a combined 10.5 litres/100km, while the Convertible has dropped even further, down from 11.7 to 10.9 litres/100km.
BMW hopes the reductions will help flagging sales of the 6 Series of which just 57 were sold in the first 10 months of the year – 46 per cent below last year’s 105 at the same point.
BMW Australia managing director Stavros Yallouridis says the efficiency improvements plus the addition of features like the new generation iDrive system with an 8.8-inch high-definition TV screen and an 80GB hard drive and new sporting trim options are a real step up from the old model.
“The new BMW 650i Sport further shapes the top end of the BMW product portfolio and signals yet another example of BMW’s uncompromised BMW EfficientDynamics strategy.”
The new BMW 650i Sport Coupé costs $227,300 and the Convertible is $245,100 (both up $6000) before dealer and on-road charges.
Fuel and emissions savings also lead the changes in the Z4, with consumption improved by between 4.2 and 7.8 per cent across the range.
The automatic sDrive23i now uses 8.2 litres/100km and emits 192 g/km CO2 (down from 207), while the heaviest drinker and worst polluter is the manual sDrive35i at 9.4 litres/100km and 219 g/km.
Mr Yallouridis says the improvements come courtesy of the brake energy regeneration, optimum shift indicators on the dash and reduced rolling resistance tyres on the base model.
“BMW is committed to improving the efficiency of all of its cars, not just a few less powerful small cars.
“There’s no reason why sports car drivers can’t meet their sporting and lifestyle needs whilst emitting fewer emissions and using less fuel.”
And drivers agree, with the Z4’s sales soaring almost 100 per cent year-to-date over 2008.
Other new features include electric power steering and a high precision injection twin turbo motor in the range-topping 35i.
The updated Z4 and 6 Series ranges will be on display in BMW showrooms later this month.
by Tim Beissmann


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B&Q’s HR director has vowed to make employee engagement and qualifications top of the people agenda now she sits on the DIY retailer’s board.
Liz Bell was this month promoted to the board of the home retailer to represent HR, replacing Martyn Phillips, retail operations director. She has been responsible for the HR function at the firm for the past nine months.
Speaking to Personnel Today, Bell reiterated the importance of HR presence at board level and said it helped ensure the people agenda was aligned with the business agenda.
“The difference [at board level] is that you are in the decision-making process, sitting at the table when the business decisions are made,” she said.
Bell said HR was represented on the B&Q board previously, through Phillips, but the new role would give her the opportunity to focus on training and retention.
“Part of what we are doing is investment in our people in terms of external qualifications – NVQ Level 2 and City and Guilds.
“We want customers to feel our people are friendly experts. The qualifications programme, which started at the beginning of the year, is going to help create that.”


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Ahead of busy shopping weekend, Columbia woman shares her cautionary experience
Days away from Missouri's tax free shopping weekend, a Columbia woman spoke out about a recent experience she had in the parking lot of a popular shopping center.
Nora Dietzel posted to Facebook Tuesday, claiming a young man watched her get into her car in the Best Buy parking lot. As she started her engine, she said he tried to open her rear passenger's side door.
Dietzel told KRCG13 Wednesday she was running errands in the Stadium Plaza shopping center on Worley Street.
She said when she reported the incident to police, they told her they had already received a call with the man's description.
Dietzel said upon entering her car, she immediately locked her doors. She said it's something she doesn't normally do, but says now she's going to make it a habit for her safety.
Her Facebook post had been shared more than 3,000 times as of Wednesday night.
Columbia police would not confirm the incident, but the department's spokeswoman said an officer was following up on an ongoing call on Worley Street Wednesday afternoon.
The department has several personal safety tips while in a parking lot on its website.


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Elite to Build New Facility
June 16, 2022
Bedding manufacturer Elite Comfort to open first Maryland plant in Havre de Grace
By Lorraine MirabellaBaltimore Sun•Jun 06, 2022 at 11:48 am
Bedding manufacturer Elite Comfort Solutions plans to open its first Maryland plant in Havre de Grace and add 224 full-time jobs within three years.
The Georgia-based maker of specialty foam for bedding and furniture production will run a foam pouring and fabrication operation in a leased facility at 1900 Clark Road, located in a Harford County Enterprise Zone, where new job-creating businesses are eligible for tax breaks. The facility is expected to open in 2024.
Tyson Hagale, president of bedding products at manufacturer Leggett & Platt, Elite Comfort’s parent company, said the new facility is part of an overall expansion of the maker and producer of polyurethane foam technologies.
It makes Advanced Memory Foam, temperature responsive foam and conventional comfort foams used for the company’s boxed and finished mattresses, mattress and furniture components and other fabricated items. The company operates more than a dozen facilities across the U.S., in states including Arkansas, California, Georgia, North Carolina and Mississippi.
Gov. Larry Hogan, in an announcement Monday, called Elite’s decision to expand to Maryland a “huge gain” for the state’s manufacturing industry and Harford County’s economy.
The company will receive a $900,000 conditional loan through a state Department of Commerce program, Advantage Maryland, formerly known as the Maryland Economic Development Assistance Authority and Fund. Harford County also is providing a conditional loan, of $90,000, which will go toward workforce training costs. The manufacturer is eligible for state and local tax credits, such as the Enterprise Zone Property Tax Credit and the Job Creation Tax Credit.
“They join a growing list of national brands that have chosen Harford as an ideal place to do business,” Harford County Executive Barry Glassman said in an announcement Monday.


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Samsung’s next flagship phone, the Galaxy S8, will be late — if you compare it to its predecessors, that is.
The chief of Samsung’s mobile division, Koh Dong-jin, confirmed to Reuters on Monday that the company would not unveil the Galaxy S8 at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, which starts Feb. 27.
Koh did not share any information about a future launch date.
Although MWC was never officially confirmed as the launch date for the Galaxy S8, many of its predecessors — including the …
Via: Mashable: Tech


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Kumsheen Rafting Resort is located six kilometers northeast of Lytton. It has made its grounds available for residents of Lytton who want to unwind and enjoy their time. Apart from campsites and an RV park, there is also a restaurant and a pool. Andrew Fandrich, the owner of the resort, said that he wants his community to have a place to gather, a report said.
The resort is available for residents to use for free the hot tub, pool, games, and grounds. Fandrich said that the grounds include teepees and cabins as well as campsites, RV sites, camping, and other amenities.
Fandrich stated that he was grateful that his resort survived the fire, and that it took little to prepare it for opening day on August 7, according to the report.
He stated that everything that survived the fire was available to the community. “The most important thing was to do a lot more cleaning and debris removal. We have 50 workers who are available for work and we were able to hire them to clean and repair.
He said that although they lost a few units, the remaining units are still available for rent. “We also offer a significant discount on rafting. Although it may not be the most popular activity right now, it is a great activity that makes people feel good,” he said.
In the report, Fandrich stated that the community‘s response has been overwhelmingly positive. “There are many locals who show up to meet here. The entire community hub of Lytton was destroyed. It’s a close-knit community that greets each other and knows everyone’s names. It’s sad to see it gone. We will continue to work hard for this hub.”
Fandrich stated that he intends to keep the resort open through the winter to support the community, the report said.


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Looking into deals that delay lower-cost generic drugs from hitting the market, Alaska Attorney General Craig Richards requests information from Hayward-based Impax.
Impax stock climbs to a 52-week high as its first in-house-developed drug — a treatment for Parkinson's disease patients — wins Food and Drug Administration approval.
Impax Laboratories will cut 42 jobs in its research and development operations as it combines some functions of its generic and branded drug businesses.
The FDA delay may give Impax more time to deal with manufacturing issues.
The Menlo Park company raised its first round of funding to enter a final pivotal trial for its oral anti-coagulant, or blood thinner.
Problems at two Impax plants raise concerns about pending approvals of an experimental Parkinson's Disease treatment as well as the company's traditional generic drugs.
A generic heart drug is at the center of a Connecticut price spike probe.
Impax Laboratories Inc. bought two generic drugs from Actavis.
Generic drug maker Impax Laboratories Inc. chose Frederick Wilkinson as its next CEO.
Impax Laboratories Inc. reshuffled its manufacturing executives, putting Jeffrey Nornhold in charge of manufacturing, including a Hayward factory that got several downchecks from the Food and Drug Administration.
Generic drug maker Impax Laboratories Inc. has two big overhangs: troubles at its Hayward plant and the search for a new CEO.
Impax Laboratories Inc. will pay $2 million up front and as much as $61 million more to Durect Corp. in a deal to develop a pain patch.
Generic drug company Impax Laboratories Inc. added Mary Pendergast to its board of directors on July 3.
Impax Laboratories Inc. founder, president and CEO Larry Hsu will retire from the generic drug maker, capping an up-and-down tenure that saw a four-fo ...
Hayward-based drugmaker Impax Laboratories is laying off 110 people—about 10 percent of its global workforce—after approval for a new drug designed to ...


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The food gods giveth and they giveth some more.
Welcome to The Lovin Round Up, our weekly look at the main hospitality headlines for Dublin.
This week, a hotly anticipated fried chicken restaurant opened its doors (we've had our eye on them for months), a new açai spot for Harold's Cross and a new place for ice cream and coffee on Dun Laoghaire pier. Here's the lowdown on all three:
Spatched opens in Rathmines
The long awaited sister restaurant of Sprezzatura opened up in - you guessed it - Rathmines this week, serving up exquisitely crispy fried chicken and an intriguing selection of loaded fries (carbonara fries, we've got our eye on you. Especially if you're anything like the Sprezzatura carbonara). Read more about the new opener HERE.
Ama Açai opens in Harolds Cross
Just in time for smoothie girl summer, Ama Açai have set up camp in Harold's Cross, right beside the pizza truck. After a successful run keeping Dublin in smoothies and bowls of fruity goodness last year across Bushy Park, People's Park and Marlay Park, we've no doubt their new spot will be a hit amongst health food lovers. More info on this new opening HERE.
Cafolla's opens on Dun Laoghaire pier
Serving up a storm with coffee from Two Fifty Square, ice cream sundaes and vegan options to boot. The perfect place to hit up after your walk, and you can read all about it HERE.
Same time, same place next week for a fresh round up of Dublin's main foodie headlines!


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Google finally unveiled its smartphones for 2020, the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL. Right from the surface, I realized two things: 1. That Google could no longer shy away from the industry’s craze for multi camera setup and 2. Abandonment of the fingerprint scanner.
The lovers of crisp smartphone photography must be thrilled by the news that Google has joined the multi camera setup. Today the industry standard is 3 cameras, but Google still thinks that two camera setup is just enough. Actually from Pixel through to Pixel 3 Google managed to stay with a single camera setup and at the same remain one of the leaders in smartphone photography. By adding a telephoto 16 MP camera to the primary 12 MP f/1.7 lens, your guess is as good as mine, Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL photos will be one of the best in the smartphone world. Heck, the phone already promise to deliver beautiful astrophotography. Just pick up your phone, shoot the stars at night, and feel like an astrophysicist.
Dropping fingerprint scanner is a minus on my part. I love securing my phones with both of my index fingers. Then when I pick the phone with whichever hand the index finger automatically slides to the back and opens the phone so effortlessly … at least for the phones that I have owned. I am yet to try phones that have front fingerprint scanners, or even the on screen fingerprint scanner that came with Samsung Galaxy Note 10.
Face unlock is something I have tried but I always disable it as soon as possible. That’s because not only hasn’t Face unlock worked seamlessly with the phones that I have owned, but also those with facial shape that looks closely with mine have managed to unlock my phones with their faces. For Google Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL however, the face unlock technology is said to be so secure that you can use them for securing payment apps including purchases done at Google Play Store.
The technology for Google’s Face unlock is both Infrared sensor and a tiny radar sensor. There is also an illuminator that should illuminate your face when you want to unlock the phone in the dark. Users have to buy this phone and use it for several weeks for me to believe that the face unlock in the two devices is actually worth its salt. Those who have tested the devices unveiled by Google at the Google event in New York praise the face unlock tech.
Then there is the display on the Google Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL. DisplayMate has given the phones A+, terming the displays as the best in the market currently. The OLED displays are best not just because they are crisp, but also because they feature a 90Hz refresh rate, which means when viewing photos you are able to view them in the best way possible, without having to see any distortions. But since 90Hz refresh rate consumes a lot of battery juice, Google has given users the ability to turn it on or off, or rather, toggle between the standard 60Hz and 90Hz refresh rate. Added to the display tech is Ambient EQ, which gives the display the ability to change screen color depending on environment outside – so that what you see on screen is always close to true colours.
The haters of the notch have been made happy too. Instead of housing the front facing camera and other sensors in a notch, Google has decided that a forehead bezel will work much better. On this bezel Google has put on the 8 MP front facing camera, motion sensor called Motion Sense (a Soli chip) and other sensors like the tiny radar sensor.
For Kshs 80,000 for Google Pixel 4 or Kshs 90,000 for Google Pixel XL, you get a phone with 64GB of storage. Note that the only difference between the phones is the physical size, as every other spec is the same across board. Both phones run on Snapdragon 855 7nm technology, are powered by Android 10 out of the box, and all the other specs already discussed above.
If there is one critical aspect of the two devices is the way Google has integrated Google Assistant. Those of us with normal Android phones have basically two methods of waking up the Assistant – either by long pressing the Home Key, or by calling out “Hey Google” or “Okay Google”. For the Pixel 4 devices, Google has allowed one to also tap by the sides, or just slide a finger diagonally from bottom left to top left.
The integration also means there are so much more the Assistant can do when it comes to phone operations that includes opening and controlling compatible Apps, setting up things like reminders, etc. These phone based functions are now natively built into the phone, meaning the Assistant will not have to call on Google servers for answers. The times the Assistant needs to visit the servers is when one needs online based information e.g. traffic, weather, or web information. The Assistant has also for the first time been allowed to hold a meaningful conversation – which takes it a step closer to being a true personal assistant for the phone user.


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Mohali, June 22
There is news of a major fire in Sector-54 furniture market on Chandigarh border at around 4:30 pm. 10 to 12 shops have been burnt in this fire. The fire brigade team is trying to douse the fire. In view of the fire, the police closed the road on both sides and diverted the route. After the fire, the shopkeepers took out the furniture from the shops in time.


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North Dakota, many companies didn't have to collect sales taxes.
The nation's high court in a 5-4 decision reversed precedent established in two prior cases, the most recent of which was in 1992 before the internet boom.
Until Thursday, states had been allowed to levy sales taxes only on internet companies with a physical presence, such as a warehouse, within the state. "Consumers are going to be following the same rules no matter where they be". "Here in California, we already pay sales taxes on Amazon transactions".
Its law was effective even before the court ruling, Behlke said, by expanding sales tax collections to third-party marketplaces - a category that in most places has so far gone untaxed.
In a post on its website Thursday, the company said it "urges Congress to step in and provide clear tax rules, with a strong small business exemption, to help small businesses take advantage of the Internet to grow and create local jobs". "The expansion of e-commerce has also increased the revenue shortfall faced by States seeking to collect their sales and use taxes".
Amazon then added Pennsylvania to that list after a similar law there went into effect April 1.
Will sign 'something' to keep families together
More than 2,300 migrant children have been separated from their families at the border since May, the government said. Border authorities have been dealing with children who come to the US without a parent for many years.
Catholic priest slaps crying baby during baptism
The shocked congregation can be heard to gasp at the strike from the priest and the scene that was unravelling in front of them. The woman can be heard saying something to the priest before the man has to physically remove the baby from the priest's arms.
The ruling is likely to lead other states to try to collect sales tax on purchases from out-of-state online businesses more aggressively.
E-commerce giant Amazon voluntarily agreed in 2017 to start paying New Mexico gross receipts tax, though it is unclear exactly how much the state has collected because tax filings are confidential.
The ruling is a win for large retailers, who argued the physical presence rule was unfair. Kennedy wrote that the rule "limited States' ability to seek long-term prosperity and has prevented market participants from competing on an even playing field". Any adjustment to those rules with the potential to disrupt the development of such a critical segment of the economy should be undertaken by Congress.
Chief Justice John Roberts, writing the dissenting opinion, agreed with Kennedy in that Quill was wrongly decided, but he wrote that Congress should make any necessary changes, rather than the court. While the Supreme Court spoke approvingly of the law it sent it back to South Dakota's highest court to be revisited in light of the court's decision. "Clearing this hurdle puts Oklahoma in a position to collect much-needed new revenue to fund core government services".
The court decision could also be important in Florida because of the state's heavy reliance on sales-tax revenue. Thirty-one of the 45 states that collect sales taxes have some sort of laws allowing them to expand their tax collection beyond the physical presence standard vacated in the court ruling, according to an analysis from the Tax Foundation. The ruling reversed a 1992 court decision that held online retailers could only be required to collect and remit sales taxes if they had stores or some other "nexus" in states. The state conceded in court, however, that it could only win by persuading the Supreme Court to do away with its physical presence rule.
Stock prices for major online retailers fell after the decision was announced. South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley said South Dakota businesses will now have tax fairness and a level playing field.
Costa Rica is looking to repeat is unlikely sucess at the 2014 World Cup , where the team reached the quarterfinals. There was also support for the Brazil captain from Coutinho, man of the match here after a fine driving performance.
This new series will be a different take on the 1990s feminist series from writer Grace Edwards ( Inside Amy Schumer ). In addition to the four revivals, MTV Studios has two new reality shows cooking behind the scenes.
I just can't stop smiling. "That dream is very, very far away when you're over there, so it's exciting to be here". He was joined at the draft by his parents, several German friends and the MI coaching staff.
As a matter of regulation, they are not allowed to be detained with their parents during legal proceedings. It's immoral and goes against fundamental human rights we must always respect, no matter the situation.
It's ideal, for instance, for people who are looking to get new furniture in, but might not have a physical tape measure to hand. Samsung apparently doesn't implement ARCore very well on the Galaxy S9 (shocker!), but it works great on the Pixel phones.
A similar procedure is already used by YouTube, however it would become standard procedure for any website if the law is passed. Its original proposal introduced the new publishers' license for online news snippets and recommended that it last 20 years.
Still, the future of the project, which could lead to the establishment of a sixth branch of the USA military, remains uncertain. The United States is a member of the Outer Space Treaty , which forbids weapons of mass destruction in space.
Tite's men will face the same challenge when they meet a Costa Rica team who pride themselves on a solid backline. Serbia , who have three points, play Switzerland , who drew with Brazil in their opener, later on Friday.
Securus, which was supplied the data by the reseller 3CInteractive, has been cut off by all four of the carriers. AT&T spokesman Jim Greer tells The Associated Press the carrier will stop as soon as practical.
This small, disk-shaped sea creature was only half-a-centimeter to two centimeters across and had spiral grooves on its surface. Now, scientists have risen the ancient lifeform to fame by naming it after former President Barack Obama.
But the chances of the bill passing are unclear as is the case with any bill dealing with the volatile issue of immigration. The senior aide also said critical comments made by GOP senators who are typically allies of Mr.
VR Is Dead on the Xbox One
Microsoft itself is working with partners on so-called mixed reality headsets , which are basically just VR headsets for PCs. "We don't have any plans specific to Xbox consoles in virtual reality or mixed reality", he said .
Nigeria 2 - 0 Iceland | 22 Jun 2018
So she goes to the local market where the fakes are on sale for a cool $7: "Emeka tell me say the jersey na 2500 (naira)". Argentina and Iceland both have one point after drawing their opening game in Moscow.
Fleetwood positive despite falling short at U.S. Open
I think the fans like that, too. "It was go out, play some solid golf, try to post a number and see if you can get the job done". I, however, won't be one to hold it against him. "I get a break after, but it was the same deal past year ".


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Hong Kong-based ZA Bank is fully optimistic about the future of Crypto, Web3, and blockchain and confirmed that it will provide direct crypto trading services.
Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China but Hong Kong authorities deny any association or control with the mainland China. Hong Kong has its currency, central bank, & ruling government. In mainland China crypto is fully banned but in Hong Kong crypto trading is fully legal.
Recently ZA Bank, a Hong Kong-based virtual Bank, stated that they are currently providing their banking services to multiple local licensed platforms and also commercial banking services to more than 80 Web3 focussed companies.
Furthermore, the bank confirmed that it will allow customers to trade cryptocurrencies directly from the Bank’s banking app in fiat pair in future.
This statement by ZA Bank confirmed that the Bank decided to enter the crypto business and probably it will bring a good option for crypto Investors to invest in cryptocurrencies because services will be available by the bank directly.
Notebely in Sep of this year, Hong Kong’s central bank issued a warning against all those crypto companies which claim to be a Crypto Bank.
The central bank ordered all such crypto banks (crypto lending platforms) to shut down their crypto services, as no one company is allowed to provide crypto lending/loan services under the current rules.
From the mid of this year, Hong Kong has been a centre of attraction for the crypto companies, as the Hong Kong authorities legalised crypto trading for retail investors and also introduced a clear crypto regulatory policy to regulate the crypto companies under proper rules & laws.
Reportedly many people from mainland China visit Hong Kong to trade crypto assets illegally. Usually, they buy/sell crypto assets directly with the local shops despite high commission fees.
According to Chinese government agencies, many people use Telegram to trade drugs because of the inbuilt crypto wallet feature.
Read also: “Stop The Crypto Ban” petition gains worldwide momentum


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78% of financial services marketing and communications leaders from all over the world believe that data analytics will have biggest impact over the coming 12 months. 57% consider marketing automation as the technological development that will shape their marketing efforts in 2018 – according to the Cognito Communications and Marketing Survey 2017/18.
Respodents consider securing budget/investment (86%), adaption to disruption (83%) and adaption to technology (80%) as the great challanges to their marketing success in the upcoming year.
The report found that data analytics is the solution that will have the highest impact on communication and marketing in 2018 (considered as such by 79% of respondents). The second most influential trend is marketing automation, with 57% respondents agreeing that it will highly influence their marketing. Other important technological developments include AI and machine learning, although their impact is seen as less immediate.
The survey also showed that the majority of marketers are not satisfied with the quality of their content marketing. Thus, 61% sees content creation as a top budget winner for 2018. The other areas for which budgets are going to grow include digital marketing (56%), social media (54%) and digital advertising (48%).
The study also points to the increasing importance of LinkedIn among financial services marketing professionals. 85% say this social networking service is getting more important because of the effectiveness of paid campaigns and targeting. On the other hand, social media platforms such as Facebook (25%) and Instagram (22%) are not seen as crucial for financial services companies.
165 respondents from across multiple sectors including banking, asset management, wealth management, FinTech, insurance, technology and professional services across the US, EMEA and APAC were surveyed for the report.


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The new Mini John Cooper Works ushers in a new level of performance for the British BMW subsidiary.
There's nothing wrong with its 6-series Gran Coupe, and even less with the M135i, but BMW went and revamped them anyway.
The latest Panigale is just 100cc up on its predecessor, but is an infinitely better machine.
Dave Moore spent his 65th birthday in the company of what's often known as the world's finest car.
NZTA says it did not need to spend lots of time looking at Basin flyover alternatives.
We sample the new Mercedes-AMG GT S on road and track, and find it a more muscular alternative to a 911.
The latest Mercedes AMG C 63 makes the move to forced induction and adds plenty of technology to give it a dual luxo-sport personality.
You’re looking at the vehicle that could help to take Mercedes-Benz to luxury car leadership in NZ next year. Meet the GLC.
Former Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson has signed an exclusive deal with Amazon to present a new motoring show.
New documentary Steve McQueen: The Man & Le Mans takes an intimate look at a Hollywood legend.
It is one of the most iconic British sports cars of all-time... but not the most reliable.
Jaguar has been putting its first performance crossover through its paces before its official reveal in September.
It started as a sketch on an envelope, and became one of the main roadblocks to the Basin Reserve flyover.
A former Timaru man is behind a petition calling for an American writer to apologise for an article taking aim at police.
New Italian police cars have been built to withstand gunshots from weapons such as the 357 Magnum and the AK47 machine gun.
Dangerous road layout and unsatisfactory consultation make for an absolute disaster.
The gift of a 1970 Chrysler Valiant unleashed mid-life obsession for this Kiwi mum.
Audi has confirmed plans to outfit the next-generation RS 4 with a downsized engine.
Ford is releasing its Mustang GT350R's with the world's first mass-produced carbon fibre wheels.
A redesigned and repackaged Basin Reserve flyover could still get the green light, opponents say.
A road layout experiment creating two cycle lanes and one for cars was an abject failure.
I was nervous, alone in a different country and driving on the "wrong" side of the road.
A video purporting to show an angry cyclist lifting a small car out of a cycling lane has gone viral.
Volkswagen has clinched the top spot in global auto sales for the first half of 2015 by selling 5.04 million vehicles, enough to overtake longtime standout Toyota.
When you consider buying a premium compact you generally think Audi, BMW or Mercedes, but you should include Volvo's V40.
Council moves to muffle supercars that roar through posh London suburb.
New Ford Everest SUV does admirable job in hairy conditions in mountain jungle country in Thailand.
A Dutch construction company called PlasticRoads is ready to make roads out of recycled water bottles and other waste plastic.
Amateur spy shots taken in Thailand have revealed the all-new Mitsubishi Challenger well ahead of its scheduled debut.
Toyota has revealed a special-edition GT86 only for customers in Japan, which means someone is bound to bring some here to New Zealand.
Mitsubishi quits US production to concentrate on building vehicles in Japan, Southeast Asia and Russia.
Semi truck soars through the air to set a new benchmark.
Pricing has been announced for Ford's new Aussie-developed SUV the Everest, which will be launched in New Zealand in September.
Basin Reserve flyover opponents attack NZTA's effort at coming up with other ideas.
Worried your car needs new tyres but don’t have the time or energy to sort them out? Pricemaker can help.
A terrified Russian motorist has come within a few metres of being crushed by an overturned truck.
US auto safety watchdog has fined Fiat Chrysler a record NZ$159.6m over lapses in safety recalls involving millions of vehicles.
An American couple have increased the size of their world record Dodge/SRT Viper collection to 79 cars.
Provincial governor in Italy reverses law that allows licences to be confiscated for drink-driving.
A facelift for the Mazda6 probably won't result in massively increased sales, but it does add to the vehicle's already strong appeal.
Subaru has confirmed that its Levorg wagon will be launched in New Zealand.
Years of planning, wrangling and unpopular decisions led to Wellington's urban motorway in the 1960s.
Normally this sort of carry-on shouldn't be allowed. A sub-$30,000 five-door hatch shouldn't be subjected to a fair old caning at a motorsport facility.
The sporting version of the Lexus NX200t range is the model appropriately badged F Sport.
One and a half million vehicles that are vulnerable to hacking will be recalled.
The Italian motorcycle-maker’s latest triple comes with the best manners in MV’s three-cylinder history.
NZTA just can't admit it got it wrong on the Basin Reserve flyover, says Save the Basin.
Transport Minister Simon Bridges is hoping to lure Google into testing its driverless cars in NZ.
Rideshare company Uber is keeping a close eye on Queenstown after taking Christchurch by storm.
Mitsubishi has declined to comment on a report that it planned to end auto production in the US.


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As the coronation night for Miss Universe Philippines 2021 draws near, the organization finally revealed its official sponsors. The beauty pageant is proud to announce that they have partnered with brands that align with their values and inspire Filipinos. That said, not everyone was pleased with this year’s line-up.
Miss Universe Philippines 2021 Official Sponsors
Frontrow Philippines will be presenting this year’s spectacle, one of the major sponsors last year. Other official sponsors include Belo Sun Expert, SHEIN, Jojo Bragais, BYS, and Center for Advanced Dentistry.
“Their sponsorship goes beyond the financial and promotional values,” said Voltaire Tayag, Miss Universe Director of Communications. “No business is spared from the trying times, but this is not the time to do nothing. This is the time to reach out, engage, and most importantly, inspire. We are beyond grateful that they share this common mission with us.”
Partnership with SHEIN: ‘Wrong Move’
However, netizens were dismayed that the beauty pageant chose SHEIN as the official clothing sponsor. They were quick to comment their sentiments about the fashion retailer and why it left a bad taste in their mouths.
“Wtf is this? Shein notoriously steals and copies the work of small female designers on Instagram. How does this partnership embody a #PhenomalWoman ???” one comment read. Another brought up how they aren’t a sustainable brand, which goes against their advocacy for a better world.
Many called them out to do better and claimed this was a wrong move. “You should’ve asked Philippine RTW/Streetwear designers to dress up your girls. There’s no harm in asking us. Such an insult to local talent,” another commented.
The Miss Universe Philippines 2021 coronation night set for September 25 is postponed until further notice. Organizers have rescheduled pre-pageant activities, with the national costume competition taking place on September 23, followed by preliminary interviews on September 24, and preliminary swimsuit and evening gown contests on September 26.