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We did not ask members to sell petrol at N140 per litre —IPMAN
THE leadership of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, has dismissed media report that it had directed its members to sell petrol below the official pump price of N145 a litre..
IPMAN in a statement by its National President, Alhaji Sanusi Fari, called on members nationwide to continue to render services to the public within official price. Reacting to the purported directive to members to sell PMS at N140 per litre, Fari noted: “Members who wish to sell at any price below N145 were free to do so because the current government policy that makes the product available encourages price competition. “The National President of IPMAN, Fari, has called on members to continue to render their services to the public in view of the one week postponement of the general election and not to sell petrol (PMS) above the Federal Government’s approved pump price of N145. Petrol “Members who wish to sell at any price below N145 are free to do so because the current government policy that makes the product available encourages price competition. “The National President has not ordered that marketers should sell at N140 and for anybody to issue such directive suggests lack of the realities on ground.” Similarly, the Western Zone of IPMAN advised members to ignore the purported directive asking member filling stations across the country to sell PMS at N140 a litre. A statement by the zone’s acting chairman, Kunle Bamigboye, said: “For the avoidance of doubt, PPMC ex-depot price to us has not been reduced by a dime as at the time of this press release. Similarly other related costs associated to getting fuels to our various stations also remained unchanged.”


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Bitcoin has reached an all-time excessive in 14 nations, together with Turkey, Argentina, Egypt, Pakistan, Nigeria, Japan, and Lebanon, regardless of buying and selling 25% beneath its peak of $69,000.
The paradoxical state of affairs underscores the numerous depreciation of those nations’ currencies in opposition to the U.S. greenback (USD) over the previous two years. The worldwide monetary market has been extremely unstable up to now few years, because the enchantment of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin has elevated in these countries as a hedge in opposition to financial instability.
For example, the Lira has seen a dramatic devaluation in Turkey, with the USD/TRY alternate charge escalating from round 7.80 in November 2021 to 31.02 at this time. Equally, the Argentine Peso has weakened considerably, transferring from roughly 98 to over 838 in opposition to the USD in the identical interval.
The shifts illustrate these nations’ broader financial challenges and inflationary pressures, contributing to Bitcoin’s rising prominence in its place funding and retailer of worth.
Even Japan, recognized for its sturdy economic system, the Yen has depreciated from round 104 to 150 in opposition to the USD, marking a decline in buying energy.
Since Bitcoin’s inception, the USD has collapsed in opposition to BTC by six orders of magnitude, highlighting the exceptional ascent of cryptocurrency within the international monetary panorama. Initially seen as a digital novelty, Bitcoin has grow to be a crucial asset for traders in search of refuge from foreign money depreciation and financial uncertainty.

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April 25, 2012 BY Aaron Hope / 9
Nike Sportswear head Gentry Humphrey recently showed us that there’s another ‘Year of the Dragon’ Nike Air Force 1 Low on the way with a more vibrant colorway than January’s release, which means that earlier black silken drop ends up closer to the elegant if simple 30th anniversary pairs we’ve seen from the XXX ‘Pearl’ collection. Sneaker customizer Zhijun Wang (author of the spectacular laser-etched edition) has also offered his own take on how to blend the YOTD and 30th anny themes, his new appropriately nicknamed AF1 Lows adding a bunch of golden detailing that represent the five elements and their place in Chinese lore. Have another look at these after the jump and let us know how they compare to both this year’s Chinese Zodiac kicks and the other 30th anniversary Air Force 1s we’ve seen in 2012.
This is what I expected Nike to do but they dropped some garbage instead. Nice job on the custom. Id definitely rock these.


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Westbrook's signature shoe is getting even more wild colorways.
Ever since debuting the Jordan Why Not Zer0.2, Russell Westbrook has been out on the court flexing some pretty incredible PE's. Westbrook's latest signature shoe is a sneaker designers paradise as there are multiple materials and toolings that make up the upper. It's one of the most interesting shoes on the market purely because of the potential for unique colorways. Westbrook has always been known to dress in an eclectic way and these shoes definitely fit his personality to a tee.
In a recent showcase in Paris, Jordan Brand showed off some brand new colorways of the Jordan Why Not Zer0.2 which will be sure to get the attention of fans once they release. The colorway above shows a "salmon" offering that has a gum bottom. Meanwhile, there looks to be an all-white/pure platinum colorway in addition to two others. One of those colorways is reminiscent of the Pure Platinum Air Yeezy, while the other has volt, pink, khaki, black, and white accents. Needless to say, all four colorways are pretty unique in their own right.
According to Sneaker News, there are no official release dates for these although you can expect them to drop some time in the Summer for $125 USD.


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Discount outdoor retailer Sierra plans to open its first store in Indiana in Carmel, the company confirmed Wednesday.
Sierra plans to occupy a 17,855-square-foot space just north of Interstate 465 at 10025 N. Michigan Road. The location formerly was home to an OfficeMax store. It’s in a strip of stores that includes Best Buy, HomeGoods and Marshalls.
A company spokesperson could not provide an estimated date for when the store might open.
Sierra has 66 stores in 25 states, including five in Illinois, five in Michigan, two in Ohio, and one in Kentucky. It offers outdoor and activewear apparel, footwear and gear from more than 3,000 brand names at discount prices.
Clothing brands on its website include Eddie Bauer, Hurley, Telluride and Columbia Sportswear, while it also sells a variety of cycling, hiking, camping, running, yoga and hunting gear.
Sierra began in 1986 with one 500-square-foot warehouse in Reno, Nevada. The company launched an e-commerce website—SierraTradingPost.com—in 1998, and it was known as Sierra Trading Post Inc. until 2019.
Framingham, Massachusetts-based TJX Companies Inc. acquired Sierra in 2012 for $200 million. The parent company also purchased the domain name Sierra.com in 2018 from California-based video game publisher Activision Publishing Inc.
TJX Companies also owns department store chains T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods.


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UK breeders sceptical over controversial white strawberries
26th January 2023
The recent launch of White Pearl strawberries that ‘taste like pineapple and vanilla’ in M&S Foodhalls was met with scepticism by UK breeders and controversy among the public who have expressed concerns over the origins of the fruit.
The peculiar strawberry variety arrived in Marks & Spencer stores on 17 January, with the retailer claiming to be the first on the UK high street to launch the fruit.
The strawberries are white on the inside and outside with red seeds and have been described as “sweet like a red strawberry, with an aroma of pineapple and notes of vanilla” by the retailer.
M&S has previously launched unique food items such as Candy Floss Grapes, Baby Kiwi Berries, the Orange Candy Melon and the Limelon, a hybrid between lime and melon. The White Pearl strawberries add to the selection of fresh produce found exclusively in M&S Foodhalls for a unique shopping experience.
“We love to be first to market and introduce products that no one else can,” said Tom Pedley, M&S strawberry buyer. “Our customers get really excited when we introduce new flavour produce or hybrids.
“We’re known for our Candyfloss Grapes, while the Limelon was all over the news so that’s why we had to bring the White Pearl strawberry to M&S. Not only does it have a really unique flavour but it’s incredible to look at. Plus, it’s great for kids: who doesn’t want to try a reverse strawberry?”
While the retailer is expecting a high demand for the novelty fruit, the launch has sparked controversy among the public so far. Some shoppers find the colour of the berries off-putting, others have called the origins and credibility of the variety into question on social media.
Putting consumers’ minds at ease, M&S explained the White Pearl was naturally developed in Japan by crossing Japanese white strawberries with traditional red varieties to create the right size and quality.
Meanwhile, UK strawberry breeders are sceptical over the viability of white strawberries in the wider soft fruit market. Grower Nick Darby from Beeren Plantproducts believes the White Pearl will be of little interest to British growers as it’s an imported variety that would be difficult to produce commercially in the UK climate.
“I have no doubt there’s a niche market for them and there are M&S shoppers who will be prepared to pay a premium to have something different,” he told Fruit & Vine.
Currently retailing at £4 a punnet, the new Collection White Pearl strawberries command a higher price than their conventional reverse counterparts.
“As a premium-priced product, they are not going to replace traditional strawberry sales and I doubt that there’s a place for them on the shelves of the main grocery supermarkets,” Mr Darby remarked.
“White strawberries are nothing new but have never been of much commercial interest. If anyone wants to grow some at home, then there’s a variety called Snow White (bred in Germany) that will happily produce fruit in the UK and is available from a number of sources.
“However, it can be a little soft so is unlikely be suitable for the UK supermarket trade – more PYO and farm shop.”
Adam Whitehouse, project leader in strawberry breeding at NIAB, confirmed white strawberries have little history in British soft fruit breeding to date.
“We did develop some white strawberries several years ago, one of which found a market in the amateur gardening sector. We are of course interested to see how this product develops and how customers react.”


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Microchip Technology has signed an agreement to buy Atmel in the latest billion-dollar deal in the consolidating semiconductor industry.
The $8.15 per share cash-and-stock deal has an equity value of about $3.56 billion.
Microchip’s bid, which was unsolicited, topped a cash-and-stock offer from Dialog Semiconductor that was worth $4.56 billion when it was announced in September. (Dialog’s share price has since declined.)
“Microchip continues to execute a highly successful consolidation strategy with a string of acquisitions that have helped to double our revenue growth rate compared to our organic revenue growth rate over the last few years, ” said Microchip president and CEO Steve Sanghi. “The Atmel acquisition is the latest chapter of our growth strategy.”
Dialog declined to increase its offer after Atmel announced Microchip’s bid. Atmel had also received an offer from Cypress Semiconductor .
It’s the latest deal in a consolidating semiconductor industry. Last year, NXP Semiconductors bought Freescale Semiconductor for $11.8 billion and Intel acquired Altera for $16.7 billion. Avago Technologies will close its $37 billion Broadcom deal next month.


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Amazon is to open a fulfilment centre in Daventry, Northamptonshire next year. It is the third new site the company has announced plans for in recent months. As well as the Daventry site, which will […]
Online retail giant Amazon has launched a seasonal recruitment drive for warehouse staff to help meet demand over the Christmas peak.
Eddie Stobart and the Unite union could be heading to arbitration service Acas to end the row over drivers’ jobs at Tesco’s Doncaster DC. The move comes after a 72-hour walkout last week by 180 […]


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HARTFORD – A city ordinance forcing gas stations and convenience stores to close overnight was unconstitutionally applied, a judge has ruled.
In June 2018, several gas stations and stores in Hartford were denied permits to stay open for 24 hours. In July, the owner of the Exxon station at the corner of Woodland and Homestead streets, which was denied a permit, filed a civil lawsuit against the city’s corporation counsel.
The lawsuit claimed the city ordinance was not fairly applied to this specific business, arguing the decision “lacked any rational basis and was entirely arbitrary.” The city’s licensing division relies on the police department’s “recommendation based on the number of calls to the police from that location in the past,” according to the lawsuit.
But, according to a court filing, the city conceded that there is no written standard for how many police calls are grounds for denial.
In the lawsuit, the store owner didn’t argue the city ordinance was unconstitutional, just its application in this specific case.
The store owner claimed the denial of an 24-hour permit hurt the business. Before July, the store’s sales were around $34,000 per week, but when forced to close during overnight hours, the store’s sales fell to $17,000 per week. Gas sales went from 80,000 gallons per month to 59,000 gallons per month.
The judge in the case agreed the store “will likely suffer irreparable harm if it is not allowed to operate its store on 24 hours basis.”
“Its business has steadily declined since its renewal permit was denied it has lost goodwill,” the judge wrote, “and the plaintiff may no longer be able to afford the rent for its location, which could result in the business closing.”
The judge granted a temporary injunction for the store to stay open for 24 hours.
While the ruling may only apply to the Exxon station on Woodland Street, it may be used as precedent for other stores in the city.
“We will of course comply with the temporary injunction granted at this particular location, and we remain willing to consider negotiated resolutions with conditions on a case by case basis,” Hartford Corporation Counsel Howard Rifkin said in a statement to FOX 61. “As we have always said, the granting of twenty-four hour permits is a question of balancing quality of life and public safety concerns with businesses’ desire to maximize revenue,” Rifkin said.


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Jordan Brand‘s sleek Air Jordan Future gets a blue makeover with the debut of a brand new “Royal” colorway this summer. Joining the likes of “Volt,” “Camo,” “Multi-Color” and “Infrared” motifs, the latest edition of the Air Jordan 11-inspired high-top couples a contrasting Air-cushioned white midsole with Varsity Royal hits to the woven upper, laces and translucent rubber outsole. Retailing for $150 USD, the Air Jordan Future “Royal” is set to hit Jordan stockists and Nike.com Monday, May 26.


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Gitanjali Gems, the country's largest jewellery retailer, is close to acquiring a jewellery retail company in China and hopes to announce a deal in the next 2-3 months, a top official said.
In December 2011, it acquired Hong-Kong based jewellery manufacturing company Crown Aim, but has so far not disclosed the financial details of the deal.
"We are looking at another company in China as that market is very attractive for us," Abhishek Gupta, head of corporate strategy, said in an interview on Monday.
"This time round we are looking to acquire a retailer with about 50 stores...It will be a sizeable buy," he said.
The retailer plans to expand in China, India and the US in the coming fiscal that begins April 1.
The United States accounts for 35% of the total diamond jewellery market, while China, Japan, India and the West Asia each account for 10% of global demand.
Gitanjali retails diamond jewellery under the brands Gili, Nakshatra, Asmi and D'Damas in India.
It also manufactures and wholesales gold and diamond jewellery, and has signed a sourcing pact worth $10 million with a consortium of diamond miners.
"This sourcing deal is very important as procuring roughs [diamonds] is a big challenge," Gupta said.
He said the deal will help the company achieve consistency in supply and bring down costs by 8-10%.
The company, which the market values at $752.2 million, hopes to achieve a 45-50% rise in profits in FY13, as it expects robust demand for its high-margin retail business, and sees a 30-35% rise in sales.
Gitanjali expects its same store sales, a key gauge of profitability for retailers, to rise 30% in FY13, even as same store sales for other lifestyle retailers in India drop to single-digits due to sluggish consumer offtake.
The company, which has completed restructuring its Indian operations, aims to finish restructuring its overseas operations by March.
It hopes to make an announcement about roping in a private equity partner post that, he added.
RETAIL EXPANSION PLANS
Gitanjali, which is continuing to expand its retail footprint in India, aims to add 485 points of retail sale in FY13 at an investment of Rs 15-20 crore.
It expects revenues from its retail operations to touch 50-60% of its total sales over the next three years from about 30% currently.
The jewellery retailer is also seeing a revival in its US business, which has been under stress for the past two years, and aims to achieve a 30% rise in revenues from that market in the upcoming fiscal.
It plans to open 20 new stores in the US in FY13.
"We will be able to achieve overall profitability of our US operations by the end of this fiscal," Gupta said.
Shares of the company ended down 1.81% at Rs 398 in a weak Mumbai market.


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Wireless LAN maker AirMagnet has released an upgraded version of its enterprise platform that offers new security features, as well as performance monitoring and event analysis capabilities.
One of the highlights of AirMagnet's Enterprise 7.0 software is its support for new wireless sensors that can monitor and analyze the radio frequency (RF) spectrum for interference by non-Wi-Fi devices such as cordless phones and Bluetooth devices.
"Traditional sensors capture wireless packets out of the air and do a stateful analysis of those packets" to identify potential problems, said Wade Williamson, product manager at AirMagnet. "What's new here with our sensors is it gives you a regular Wi-Fi analysis -- plus it gives you an analysis of what's going on at Layer 1."
The changes are designed to help companies more quickly identify potential WLAN performance issues, he said.
AirMagnet's new product is among the first in the industry to combine Wi-Fi protocol analysis with spectral analysis, said Craig Mathias, an analyst at Farpoint Group in Ashland, Mass.
Though there's not a "huge need" yet for this capability in traditional enterprise settings, it can be very useful in certain environments, he said.
Smart City Networks is one company that expects to benefit from the upgrade. As a provider of conference and trade show networks, Smart City often has to deal with wireless environments that are rife with interference, said Ron Shaul, the company's director of technology development.
"Over the past couple of years, we've seen a fairly steady increase of non-Wi-Fi interference from cordless phones, microwaves and Bluetooth [devices]," Shaul said.
AirMagnet's new sensors can pinpoint and identify sources of interference more cost-efficiently than special-purpose spectral analyzers, said Shaul, whose company has been beta-testing Enterprise 7.0 for over a month.
Other enterprises such as hospitals and manufacturing floors could also benefit greatly from the features, he said.
In addition to incorporating a spectral analyzer, AirMagnet added location-based detection and alarm features that let companies identify rogue devices by location, Williamson said. That lets companies establish perimeters for indoor and outdoor locations and create unique alarms and location-based recommendations for security and performance problems, Williamson said.
Also new is an Alarm Correlation feature designed to help companies better analyze security and event information on their WLANs, Williamson said. With it, an administrator can more quickly identify specific devices or access points in a wireless network that are causing problems.
AirMagnet 7.0 is available as a free upgrade to existing customers and starts at US$8,995 for new users.


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See inside new look Downey's Roker restaurant as it opens for first time since lockdown
The Roker branch of Downey’s restaurants has opened for the first time since lockdown - and it looks the plaice to be.
While the local chain of fish and chip shops has still been reeling in plenty of customers for take away chippy teas throughout the pandemic, the sit-in side of its Roker branch has been closed since March 2020.
But it’s now back open with a new look, and new food and drink menu options to tuck into.
Downey’s was the first restaurant to open in the new Pier Point development eight years ago and has remained a firm favourite throughout.
But owner Glen Downey used the time in lockdown to update its look and maximise the space at the 32-cover restaurant.
"We used to have big booths along the front window and couples of two would come in and use them, so we’ve created more seating options and given it a more up-to-date look,” explained the Sunderland businessman.
As well as a new look, there’s new menu choices such as seafood tapas bowls, with options such as battered langoustines, hot and spicy breaded prawns and mussels with garlic butter or tomato and chilli sauce, which have proved popular at the Stack Seaburn site.
There’s also an increased alcohol offering, with a better range of beers and wines for people to enjoy with their meal.
As well as Stack, Downey’s has branches in Seaham, Barnes, Pallion and West Rainton, all of which have been a source of comfort food during the pandemic.
“We’ve been flying with take aways during the lockdowns, but people have been keen to sit back in at the Roker site, it’s such a great spot,” said Glen.
"We were the first ones in the new Pier Point and have seen a lot of changes in that time. It’s gone crazy down here now and it has great footfall, there’s so much choice for people and we all offer something different. Even when it’s freezing, it’s really busy.
"People are very keen on supporting local and they like that these are all independents.”
*Downey’s at Roker is open 11am until 7pm seven days a week, and until 8pm in the summer months.


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Close on the heels of West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra stating that time was not right for implementation of Goods and Service Tax, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley here on Thursday said there was no question of going back on GST.
“I am here to clarify that GST will definitely be implemented. I read some comments about demand for reconsideration of GST. But if somebody goes through the constitutional amendments, he or she will understand there is no scope for such reconsideration,” said Mr. Jaitley.
“The Centre had notified certain provisions in the constitution amendment law for GST with effect from September 16 last. The old tax regime can continue for one year. If not implemented, tax collection will be difficult for States after September 16, 2017. If somebody tries to create roadblock for GST implementation neither any scope nor much time is left for such attempt,” he said
Stating that the GST implementation had become constitutional compulsion, the Finance Minister said, “after GST implementation whole country would become one big market. The country was united from political point of view, but financially, it was never cohesive. Tax rate differed from one state to another, sometime there was duplication in tax imposition. The GST leaves no scope for that. There would be seamless flow of goods and services.”
Earlier speaking at Make in Odisha conclave, Mr. Jaitley said, “over a period of time, this will help in the growth process. It will help the consuming State like Odisha.”
“Tax evasion would be increasingly extremely difficult because from inception to the end the whole process of would be captured on the IT backbone that is being developed. Coupled with this, our country will move to a far clear and formal economy. The informal sector will be formalised,” he said.


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It seems that Apple will never leave the courthouse. At the end of July, we were watching as major technology companies decided to support Samsung in its fight against Cupertino’s to protest the heavy fine imposed on the South Korean company. Now it was not Samsung, but a user who decided to sue Apple because by switching to Android it could not receive text messages sent by users with iPhone .
These messages were identified as if they were sent by iMessage and therefore the plaintiff Adrienne Moore did not receive them on her Android smartphone. However, District Judge Lucy Koh H. has dismissed the lawsuit against Apple.
Switching from iOS to Android means several things, including losing the iMessage service , which is exclusive to Apple. That’s exactly what happened to Adrienne Moore, who switched from her iPhone to a Samsung smatphone and the messages her friends sent her didn’t reach their destination, but stayed in limbo.
Judge dismisses Apple’s lawsuit over iMessage messages
The solution Moore found to this was to sue Apple, no less. This happened in November 2014 and eventually became a multi-user class action lawsuit , but it has not been until now that Judge Koh has dismissed it.
The grounds on which the judge based her decision is that it is not possible to determine whether all the plaintiffs were harmed by a breach of contract or interference caused by the operation of iMessage. The fact that they did not receive the messages does not derive from the malfunctioning of iMessage.
In the original complaint, Adrienne Moore noted that when she switched from her iPhone 4 to an Android-based Samsung phone she suddenly stopped receiving text messages from her iPhone contacts . The problem lies in the fact that iMessage links the phone number to the Apple ID, using the latter as the priority for messages to reach any iOS or OS X device linked to it.
On the other hand, Apple Insider does not rule out the possibility that Apple could see the wolf’s ears with this lawsuit, and that is that quickly launched a web tool to allow unlinking the phone number of iMessage . This tool was launched days after the lawsuit was filed, but Apple soon extended it from the United States to the rest of the markets.


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There’s plenty of stirring work out there, from Angie Thomas to Toni Morrison, to the trend-setting science fiction of Octavia E. Butler and Rivers Solomon’s smash hit An Unkindness of Ghosts. Black creativity is unbridled, and it fits no easy mold. That’s a problem when it comes to the publishing industry, because the modern publishing industry is notorious for seeking the same five books over and over again. For the last 15 years, you couldn’t throw a book in the Young Adult section of a bookstore without hitting a Harry Potter knock-off. And then, with the onset of Amazon and other online retailers, you couldn’t find a book store in which to throw a book.
This means money problems for an industry that seemingly has less and less capital to invest every year. When a publishing house fails to sell a book that catches fire it costs them dearly in terms of capital and investment. For that reason, agents—who are the gate-keepers for the industry—take care to limit books submissions to tight, stylized standards with a history of nabbing audiences. Black authors don’t often color inside those strict lines, and it helps create an industry that is overwhelmingly white.
The New York Times determined that out of a sample of 7,124 books published between 1950 and 2018, 95 percent were written by white people. The paper acknowledged that author diversity at major publishing houses “has increased in recent years,” but white writers still dominate the industry.
A 2019 survey similarly revealed that 85 percent of the people who acquire and edit authors’ books are white, and that the heads of the largest publishing houses were white in 2020. According to the NY Times, “of the 512 books published by Random House between 1984 and 1990, just two were written by Black authors,” in the years after renowned Black editor Toni Morrison left the company in 1983.
Terri Hamm is the owner of Kindred Stories bookstore, in Houston, Texas, and she is one of only a few Black bookstore owners in the nation. Hamm says the traditional book industry has plenty of Black authors producing stories of personal struggle, like The Hate You Give, but her customers are demanding more variety.
“(We promote and sell books by Black authors at Kindred) but I had a customer ask me the other day for a book about cars, and it wasn’t easy to find a book about cars from a Black author. … I want books about butterflies, and books about science and life written by Black writers,” Hamm told The Lighthouse. “I want to be able to say, ‘hey, look at this beautiful book on butterflies, and, look, it’s written by a Black author.”
Hamm said she was inspired to open Kindred Bookstore by the absence of Black presence in the book industry. The realization hit home, she said, when she discovered a popular “Black” book was penned by a white author.
“I remember reading The Nutcracker in Harlem, and then learning that it wasn’t written by a Black author,” said Hamm. “I want more books written by Black authors and my customers want more books by Black authors. Why can’t we have that?”
To be clear, agents—who are primarily white women—are claiming to give minority or “underrepresented” authors extra attention and preferential treatment when accepting writers’ book submissions. This does not mean they’re willing to look outside the industry’s tight-assed little box of requirements and standards to risk investing time or money in them, however.
Gary Swaby is a Black U.K. author who’s penned three books, including Descendant of the Elders, a science fiction adventure about a soldier who must reckon with the daily pain of sickle cell anemia, even in the future. Swaby, who suffers from sickle cell himself, says there aren’t enough Black agents and publishers to bend the system right now.
“What tends to happen is there are so few of these positions open to Black people that our people begin fearing that their position isn’t secure. And that leads to them inheriting (and adhering to) the same standards as their employers, and then nothing really changes,” said Swaby.
Search results for the word “underrepresented” on popular agent request feed MSWISHLIST. Despite the favorable-looking results, most Black authors will face rejection from these same agents, for a wide variety of reasons. Source
Publishing houses now very rarely accept un-agented submissions, so many Black authors who write outside strict platform standards (which is most) instead turn to independent publishing at small, bespoke publishing houses, or they self-publish their work through online distributors like Amazon. Ironically, the recent self-publishing trend floods the market with books and further erodes the resources of the traditional publishing industry. But for many Black writers, there simply is no other option.
“I prefer the term independently published over self-published,” says Swaby. “I just don’t think any agents are ready to take on (my) project because the publishing industry is very dependent on trends and buyer habits. I made the decision that no one could sell this book better than I can.”
Side-stepping the militaristic standards of the agenting process and the publishing industry means finally getting your book into the light, but it also means no in-house advertisement and distribution. Without talent, connections and a big online presence, the writer’s family and Twitter connections could wind up being the only people to read their work. Skipping past agents and a publishing house also means losing the benefit of the horde of editors necessary to make your book readable.
And don’t think for a second your book is ready for public viewing without intense editing. No matter how good it sounds to you, you will need an honest editor to scour every page of your book for mindless boredom, pointless ego-strokes and assorted dross. And, no, your spouse or Mom can’t do it, because they can’t be trusted to tell you when your dialogue triggers menstrual cramps. They will lie to you to make you feel good. Every time. If a Black writer isn’t publishing through a company like Penguin Random House, they’ll need to nab a harsh editor with true editorial experience, but it won’t be cheap. Professional freelance editors on websites like Reedsy, for example, cost between $1,500 and $3,000 for help on an 84,000-word book.
The high cost of nontraditional publishing, coupled with poor distribution and one-person promotion means Black writers are not reaching readers, and that’s a problem for distributers like Hamm who desperately want more POC voice on their shelves.
Black presence in the industry is so limited that Black books often become the kind of oddity that bookstores stick into the store’s “Diverse Section,” rather than on shelves that correspond with the books’ genre. Swaby says this is yet another problem facing Black authors.
“Instead of having a section just for diverse books, why can’t our books be on the shelves next to all of the other books? Separating us sometimes hurts us more,” said Swaby. “All we’ve ever wanted is to be given the same respect as authors like John Grisham, Sarah J. Maas, and Stephen King. Those are all authors I adore, and I’d love for Black author brands to see similar success without being placed on a shelf where everyday readers aren’t looking for books.”
The publishing industry can change things by investing more time and consideration in Black book submissions, but buyers can also do their part by shopping at local bookstores, or—even better—Black-owned bookstores. Amazon has its convenience, but Hamm says her store can order any book that Amazon can, and her company gets a financial boost when you buy through her.
Originally Published: November 17, 2021


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Nokia may have netted up to 420 million Euros in the recent settlement with Apple regarding smartphone patents, according to a Deutsche Bank analyst.
Quoting the figure in a research note, Deutsche Bank analyst Kai Korschelt calculated the figure by assuming Apple would pay a one per cent royalty rate on all iPhones sold previously.
Kai said the figure was typical among recent settlements between technology giants. Patent analyst Florian Mueller, having recently gloated about correctly predicting the settlement, tweeted that he thought an also-rumoured figured of 8 euros per iPhone, or nearer 5 per cent, to be ‘plausible’.
Mueller called the structure of the settlement in the form of a one off payment and ongoing royalties as ‘very telling’, saying it was the hallmark of ‘serious money’ for Nokia.


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One of the major public policy challenges over the past nearly two decades is what we might call the “wussification” of the major corporate CEO. Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s recent actions may have initiated an end to that era.
Those of us involved in promoting free market economic polices, lite-touch regulation, low taxes and limited government have often found ourselves fighting alone. Major corporate CEOs—whose companies, with their hundreds or thousands of employees who benefit most from the policies we promote—often remained silent against the constant progressive assault on them and their companies.
And with some justification. CEOs don’t want to alienate customers on political or social issues. But progressives have been making that stance difficult.
Ironically, some of the most viciously attacked CEOs are sympathetic to the progressive causes of those attacking them with protest marches, media and social media blitzes, and efforts to shame them. Many of those CEOs believed that the only way to end the attacks was to agree to a number of progressives’ demands. Oh, and make a large contribution to their causes.
But Musk—who is probably more libertarian than anything else—decided to fight back, moving most of his operations out of Tax-ifornia and, most recently, challenging the limits imposed on speech by offering to buy Twitter.
And now former Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos is pushing back, which took progressives and the media by surprise. He is publicly challenging President Biden’s ludicrous assertion that raising corporate taxes and imposing higher taxes on the wealthy will lower inflation.
Like Musk, Bezos has felt progressives’ sting. Amazon was going to open a second headquarters in New York City—until Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and other progressives attacked him and the company, in part for receiving tax breaks. Bezos and Amazon likely thought they were doing a great thing for New York City, creating thousands of new, high-paying jobs—and they were. After the progressive onslaught, the company recalculated and went to Arlington, Va., near Washington, D.C.
Progressives’ latest effort has been to push CEOs into promoting their cultural agenda. Disney’s CEO, Bob Chapek, recently tried to avoid taking that step, but flipped when his own progressive employees and some shareholders criticized him.
While most CEOs have little to no expertise in social policy, they can speak with authority about how high tax rates affect their companies’ business decisions, such as business investment, wages and benefits, and plans to expand or contract. And that’s what Bezos has done.
If these recent events indicate that major company CEOs are becoming more willing to come out of the shadows and publicly criticize the White House when it makes stupid economic claims and decisions, that would be a positive development. The last thing most companies—and economies—need is a wussy CEO.


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Iconic supercar is 15th Corvette to lead ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing’
The 2019 Corvette ZR1 is the official Pace Car for the 2018 Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil and will lead drivers to the green flag on Sunday, May 27, for the 102nd running of the legendary race.
It marks the 15th time a Corvette has served as the official Pace Car since 1978, and the 29th time a Chevrolet has led the field dating back to 1948, when a 1948 Fleetmaster Six convertible paced the race.
No other vehicle has served as the Pace Car more than the Corvette. To celebrate the iconic supercar’s connection to “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” the 2019 Corvette ZR1 and the other 14 Corvettes that have paced the 500 were on display on the front straightaway today at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
“Chevrolet is proud to once again pace the Indianapolis 500,” said Steve Majoros, marketing director for Cars and Crossovers. “The ZR1 is the most powerful and fastest Corvette ever made. It’s the perfect choice to pace ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.’”
The 2019 Corvette ZR1 Pace Car features:
- LT5 Small Block 6.2L supercharged V-8 engine with 755 hp and 715 lb-ft of torque
- 8-speed 8L90 paddle-shift automatic transmission
- ZTK Performance Package featuring a stanchion-mounted adjustable carbon-fiber high rear wing, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires and performance suspension
- Magnetic Selective Ride Control™
- Brembo® Carbon Ceramic brake system
- ZR1 chrome-aluminum wheels, 19-inch front and 20-inch rear
- Standard Performance Traction Management and Electronic Limited-Slip Differential
- Unique Indy 500 graphics package
- GM Design fully integrated safety strobe system
- Performance Data and Video Recorder
The Corvette ZR1 Pace Car can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 2.85 seconds and reach a top track speed of 212 mph, the fastest Corvette in history.
Chevrolet has a storied history with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Chevrolet was founded in 1911, the year of the inaugural 500-mile race, and company cofounder Louis Chevrolet, along with brothers Arthur and Gaston, competed in early Indy 500 races. Arthur Chevrolet competed in the 1911 race, and Gaston Chevrolet won it in 1920.
“Chevrolet and IMS enjoy one of the longest-running and strongest bonds in motorsports,” said J. Douglas Boles, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president. “Seeing all of the incredible Corvettes that have paced the Indianapolis 500 on the track today is an exciting reminder of the rich history of this great relationship. This year’s Pace Car, the 2019 Corvette ZR1, is an incredible fast machine that is a perfect fit to lead the 500 field to the green flag.”
Chevrolet is pursuing its seventh consecutive IndyCar manufacturer championship this year, building on a successful 2017 season that saw 10 wins out of 17 races.
Visit IMS.com to purchase tickets for the 102nd Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil on Sunday, May 27, and for more information on the complete month of May IMS schedule.
The race also will be televised live on ABC, with the pre-race show starting at 11 a.m. EDT. Advance Auto Parts IndyCar Radio will provide live coverage of the race to its affiliates and on Sirius 214, XM 209, www.indycar.com, www.indycarradio.com and the INDYCAR Mobile app.


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Polystyrene cups and single-use plastic plates and cutlery will be prohibited.
The government has launched a consultation with the goal of prohibiting these items from being sold starting in April 2023.
Single-use plastic plates, cutlery, and polystyrene cups will be banned in England starting in April 2023, following a 12-week public consultation.
Other polluting products, such as plastic-containing wet wipes, tobacco filters, sauce sachets, and single-use cups, are also being investigated by the government.
To accomplish this, policy options include prohibiting the use of plastic in such items and requiring mandatory packaging labeling to assist consumers in proper disposal.
“There is a growing awareness of the harm that plastics cause to our environment, particularly marine life.
Environment Secretary George Eustice stated, “We want to reduce the use of plastics in packaging and ban its use in items that are linked to littering.”
“We welcome the consultation to expand the range of single-use plastic items to be banned in England,” said Marcus Gover, chief executive of sustainable resource use charity Wrap.
“If we are to reverse the tide on plastic pollution and keep plastic out of the environment, we must eliminate problematic and unnecessary single-use plastic.”
“This announcement is hugely welcome,” said Steve Hynd of the Bristol-based environmental group City to Sea.
We’re pleased to see the public’s concerns being taken seriously after nearly 100,000 people signed our petition earlier this year calling on the government to take immediate action.
Although there is still a long way to go in combating plastic pollution, this is a positive and critical first step.”
The consultation comes just a week after the Environment Act was passed, allowing England to take tougher action on single-use plastics.
The Act gives the government the authority to impose fees on single-use items, and the investigation into single-use cups and sachets will look into whether such a fee could be imposed on them to encourage people to stop throwing things away.
Following a ban on microbeads in rinse-off personal care products, a reduction in the number of plastic bags used, and a restriction on the supply of single-use plastic straws, stirrers, and cotton buds, the proposals are now being considered.
The Government is committed to enacting the bans it has proposed – and most, if not all, of the proposals in these – regardless of the outcome of the consultation.
UK news summary from Infosurhoy
Plastic plates and cutlery, as well as polystyrene cups, will be phased out.
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Single-use plastic plates and cutlery and polystyrene cups are set to be banned


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LG Celebrates Biggest Revenue Ever In June Quarter
LG has hailed its highest quarterly revenues ever, with skyrocketing sales driven mainly by home entertainment and appliances.
The South Korean tech giant and major rival to Samsung saw worldwide consolidated revenues grow 48.4 per cent year-on-year in the June quarter, reaching KRW 17.11 trillion ($20.66 billion AUD), while profits were up 65.5 per cent year-on-year to KRW 1.11 trillion ($1.34 billion AUD).
This came off the back of strong sales in both Home Appliance & Air Solutions and Home Entertainment. Home Appliance and Air Solutions revenue was up 32.1 per cent year-on-year to KRW 6.81 trillion ($8.27 billion AUD), with a 6.8 per cent boost in operating profit, which LG attributes to stronger sales in non-Korean markets and improved management of resources.
“Costs are expected to increase as raw materials become scarcer while the pandemic-impacted world begins to return to normal.
“Product competitiveness and operational efficiencies are expected to help LG maintain sales and profit momentum for major appliances in key markets,” the company says.
Home Entertainment, meanwhile, grew revenue by 71.1 per cent year-on-year to KRW 4.04 trillion ($4.87 billion AUD) with a staggering 216.4 per cent rise in operating profit, attributed to “the growing popularity of premium OLED TV products and the recovery of the global TV market, which was negatively affected last year due to retail store shutdowns”.
“With the price of TV panels continuing to rise, LG’s Home Entertainment strategy will centre on growing the premium TV segment and nimble inventory management,” LG said.
Vehicle Component Solutions and Business Solutions also saw a lift in revenue, though Vehicle Component Solutions chalked up a loss due to a spike in the price of automotive semiconductors.
As Mobile Communications has been wound up, figures from this segment were dropped from LG’s quarterly earnings reports.


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Today, U.S. small businesses are expanding into international markets faster than ever before. The development of digital sales tools and platforms such as Google Ads, Google Market Finder, email marketing platforms, and social media have leveled the playing field for small businesses to compete and grow in both domestic and international markets.
But with this growth also comes new challenges that small businesses have to learn how to navigate. The uncertainty around trade agreements around the globe and escalating tariffs between the U.S. and China are hindering the growth American entrepreneurs are seeing in these markets.
This was the topic of discussion at an event October 30 in Washington, D.C. held by Google and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which featured a panel of four small business owners discussing how digital innovation has allowed them to grow internationally, while also discussing the challenges that come with international growth.
The U.S. Chamber sat down with these four small business owners to better understand the opportunities and challenges to selling internationally. Here are some of the key takeaways from that discussion:
1. U.S. small businesses are seeing growth in a variety of international markets, with many citing Canada, Europe and Australia as growth areas.
Currently, the top six export markets for U.S. businesses are Canada (43%), U.K. (15%), Mexico (14%), Australia (13%), Germany (12%) and France (12%), and small business owners are seeing growth in these markets, with particular focus on Canada, Australia, and Germany.
Marc Pichik, founder and CEO of Iowa-based Smart Retract, which makes sleek and compact retractable safety gates for children and pets, has been selling to Canada for over a decade and has seen steady growth in the market over time.
“We've been shipping to Canada the longest and so they would be our biggest [international market] share overall, but close behind would be the United Kingdom and then second to them would be France and Belgium,” Pichik said.
Choon Ng, founder and CEO of Michigan-based Rainbow Loom, the company behind a plastic tool that allows children to weave colorful rubber and plastic bracelets, is seeing growth in regions rather than countries and has expanded his business internationally through YouTube tutorials. He is finding that German-speaking and Russian-speaking markets are his biggest opportunities for growth.
Chad Price, founder and managing partner of Texas-based Kettlebell Kings, which carries lines of kettlebells and accessories, has sold to over 40 countries, and is seeing the biggest potential for growth in Australia. Wei-Shin Lai, founder and CEO of Pennsylvania-based SleepPhones, which sells comfortable headphones made for sleeping in, also cites Australia as an area of growth, though Germany is a growing market for her company as well.
2. Long-term trade agreements are needed for international market stability.
Canada and Mexico are the top two export destinations for U.S. small and medium-sized enterprises, more than 120,000 of which sell their goods and services to our North American neighbors. With many small businesses counting on Canada and Mexico for their export growth, business owners said USMCA would bring a much-needed stability for future expansion plans in those markets.
“I think [USMCA] will just help bring some stability, so that people can start focusing on IP issues and other bigger problems rather than getting stuck with nothing moving forward,” Pichik said.
But Canada and Mexico aren’t the only markets that need stability, China is another market where small businesses say an overarching international trade agreement is needed. The current trade war with China and the ongoing tariffs are hurting the bottom line for small businesses.
“The trade war with China has impacted us because speakers are only manufactured in China and that's pretty much what we source from there,” Lai said. “We've been able to keep prices the same, but we've been talking about potentially decreasing our MSRP.”
She went on to say, “The uncertainty really does impact us. I also feel like [the U.S.] need to be at the table for any international trade agreements – not necessarily bilateral type of agreements, but international agreements because they just have more power.”
3. IP protection is the biggest concern for small businesses in international markets.
Price has had to battle copyright issues in China, a cost that is affecting the growth of his business.
“This year alone we've probably spent close to $50,000 battling other Chinese companies trying to steal our brand,” he said. “It feels like China is the Wild West a little bit in terms of regulations because the tariffs can happen at any time and then you have [China] basically not caring about any kind of international laws or regulations in terms of IP.”
“It definitely drains the budget, but it also drains morale when it comes to expansion because do you really want to do this 10 more times in 10 different countries?” Price went on to say.
And while small businesses recognize the intention behind tariffs is for stronger IP protections, business owners are questioning whether there is another way.
“I know, the trade war is to provide leverage so that we can have stronger IP protection in China. But at the same time, like I feel like there are other ways to get IP protection done in China than to hold this trade war. I don't feel it's had much effect yet, but it's kind of just tariff tag back and forth.” Price said.
About the authors
Kaitlyn Ridel is the Senior Director of Digital Content at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.


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Kanye West sued for alleged infringement by Hungarian musician, Australian authors express concern over proposals and Hi Score Girl to go back on sale.
Fox says it is skipping San Diego Comic Con over piracy concerns, author claims new King Kong film is based on his work and Jim Sterling fools Content ID.
Fashion designer sues over dress at royal wedding, Getty Images claims Google Image Search promotes piracy and Goodlatte talks copyright reform.
Tidal sued over Kanye West exclusivity, Australian record labels seek to block Kickass Torrents and Moschino says graffiti can't be copyrighted.
The Second Circuit asks for help on pre-1972 sound recordings, judge in Blurred Lines case denies attorneys fees and playwright sues over Barbershop movie.
Universal Music Publishing moves ASCAP songs to SESAC, Justin Timberlake sued over sampling and judge dismisses 'Empire' lawsuit.
Photog sues Instagram over failure to remove infringing images, car sim removed from Steam over copyright claim and Internet Association supports TPP.
PETA appeals loss in selfie monkey case, Nigerian musician sued by photographer and Netflix jumps into the Google DMCA game.
Junkin wins YouTube fair use case but settles before jury finished deliberating, MGM sued over Creed and SCOTUS declines to hear Batmobile case.
Fox News settles lawsuit over 9/11 photograph, FilmON sanctions upheld and both Justin Timberlake and Will.I.Am face a lawsuit over Damn Girl.


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Resident Evil Revelations is making the jump to consoles this month and the Wii U is not only getting the high definition remake, but a special version of the game that includes a variety of Wii U features. Check out the trailer above to get a look at all the ways the Wii U will be the way to play Revelations:
- A quick way to view the map and change weapons.
- Use the touchscreen to interact with the environment.
- Off-TV Play
- Miiverse support including a customized “Game Over” screen that shows messages from other players who died in the situation.
Resident Evil Revelations will be released for the Wii U on May 21. PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 editions will also be available.


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People nixing vacations to Hawaii's Big island has cost the tourism industry millions of dollars as the top attraction, Kilauea volcano, keeps spewing lava. The booking pace ..


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More than 100 people lined up on East Third Street, counting down from 30 until 8 a.m. struck. The doors of Toastique opened for the first time, welcoming the first 50 customers with free Toastique for a year.
Dannah VanPraagh, ‘23, said she had been standing in line since 6 a.m. in the freezing rain on March 11.
“We planned on going at 5:45 a.m., thinking no one was going to be there and we could just wait in the car and listen to music and then we got there and we were already number 10 and 11 in line,” VanPraagh said.
Owner of Toastique Jessica Morrissey said the first customers in line for opening day got there as early as 3 a.m.
Morrissey graduated with an MBA from Lehigh in 2021. After her graduation, Morrissey and her mom were in Stone Harbour, New Jersey, when they decided to eat at a Toastique location. She said she loved the concept of the menu and thought it would be a great fit for Bethlehem.
“I really enjoy the food and the healthy aspect of it and that the founder is from (the) Lehigh Valley, so I was attracted to the ties to this community since I was born and raised here,” Morrissey said.
Toastique is an emerging brand that was founded in 2018 by Brianna Keefe and began franchising in 2019.
The menu consists of various toasts, smoothies, smoothie bowls and juices, as well as grab-and-go items, such as salads. Morrissey said a lot of their ingredients come from local vendors and all of the menu items can be customized to your liking.
She said Toastique offers gluten-free bread, for which they use a separate toaster. Many of the items on the menu are naturally vegan, but customers can customize any of the items to make them plant-based.
Along with the food items, Toastique offers coffee drinks.
Before the opening, Morrissey said she was worried about being able to staff the restaurant. She said she was lucky because her Lehigh connections allowed her to hire employees from the student population.
Kaitlin Forman, ‘23, a Toastique employee, said she was looking for a part-time job to fill some of her extra time this semester, and Toastique was the perfect opportunity.
“I really have enjoyed it so far, it’s such a fun work environment,” Forman said. “The other workers are great to work with and there is always something different going on.”
Forman said she thinks Toastique is a great addition to the Southside community, for both students and residents. She said she sees many students using it as a work space, as they offer WiFi.
Morrissey said she hopes Toastique offers the community a place to come together. She said, so far, she has seen people on dates and birthday celebrations — they also almost had a proposal in the restaurant.
Along with the restaurant, Toastique offers an event space and catering. Morrissey said she hopes to use the event space as a community space and possibly offer yoga classes.
Toastique has a mobile app, where you can order, keep track of points and receive rewards, including a free smoothie on your birthday. Morrissey said just signing up for the app gets you a free juice over ice.
Morrissey said along with in-store pick up, they also offer delivery.
In the future, Morrissey said she hopes to expand Toastique’s grab-and-go fridge, offer more noodles and soups, and have a build-your-own salad option.
Toastique is open every day from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is available to order from the Toastique app and other food delivery apps.
“People have different tastes and interests, which is fine — that is what makes life exciting,” Morrissey said. “If we all were the same, it would be boring.”


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It was not too long ago that Cash-over-valuation (COV) prices for resale HDB flats dominated the headlines. The rarer and more highly-in-demand the unit, the higher it went. HDB flats were being sold at close to the million dollar mark, with a few pulling ahead and making it across.
But the weakening property market has meant a dip in demand in resale flats and sellers now find themselves lowering their asking COV prices, or even selling prices, especially if there is some urgency involved in selling their HDB flat. From the median of $11, 444 in October, COV prices are now at $8, 000 in November. There were expectations that it will regain its foothold at $10, 000 by year-end. But the future seems a little foggy at the moment.
What are the factors causing this decline? And will these reasons resolve themselves in the new year?
- Housing curbs. Stricter loan limits means buyers now have lesser to spend and affordability of their property purchases will now take priority in their decision-making process.
- Less demand for resale units overall. As new private properties launch at an increasingly rapid pace, with smaller units available at lower prices, the popularity of public housing may continue to wan.
- Less demand for resale units in popular estates. As more BTO flats are rolled out, with some in mature estates, buyers may be drawn to apply for these instead of buying a unit off the resale market, especially if they are not in a hurry and location is not as crucial a deciding factor.
- Increasing number of HDB upgraders. As suburban condominiums become a more viable and popular option, there may be more HDB upgraders looking to sell their flats in order to purchase private, but this would also mean a growing pool of sellers looking to let go of their flat and hence diluting the intensity of the market.
Considering the fact that July 2009 was the last time COV prices fell below $10,000, the recent $8,000 mark could be one of the lowest in the last five years. In fact, some sellers are now offering their units for sale without any cash premium, and even at prices below valuation. But these cases could be few and far in between as resale units in popular HDB estates are still rare and may fetch reasonable prices.


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Taco Bell Is Making Nacho Fries Now
Along with all the cheap tacos you eat to help soak up the beer you've been drinking, there's a good chance you hit up your local Taco Bell for its equal parts delicious and absurd stunt food creations, like the Triple Double Crunchwrap, the Naked Chicken Chalupa, and the Doritos Quesalupa Crunch. But now, it looks like the "food innovation"-crazed chain is offering a new menu item that's, well, decidedly ordinary: French fries.
They're called Nacho Fries and they're just as simple as they sound: seasoned French fries served with nacho cheese dipping sauce. T-Bell is also serving a loaded version similar to its regular nachos dubbed Nacho Fries Supreme, which come topped with beef, pico de gallo, nacho cheese, and sour cream. A Taco Bell spokesperson said the chain is testing the new fries at locations in West Virginia for $1. However, it looks like people have recently spotted them in California as well, according to a report by The Impulse Buy.
Exciting as the West Virginia test may be, it's worth pointing out that it's not the first time the company has experimented with fries and nacho fries in some markets, including the small test in Irvine, California we told you about last year. They've also appeared in various forms at international T-Bell locations. Although the chain hasn't announced plans to roll fries out nationwide, with any luck, you'll be eating them with a bag full of Chalupas and Smothered Burritos in no time. Get a few packets of Fire Sauce ready.
Sign up here for our daily Thrillist email, and get your fix of the best in food/drink/fun.


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People celebrate the Gitlab IPO at the Nasdaq, October 14, 2021.
GitLab shares rose 31% on Tuesday after the provider of code-deployment software notched a loss that was narrower than analysts expected while reporting an improved full-year forecast.
The stock enjoyed its best day since GitLab’s 2021 Nasdaq debut. It’s still roughly 65% below its peak from November of that year, the month that tech stocks reached record levels. After that, investors began shifting money out of risky assets on concerns of slowing growth and rising interest rates.
related investing news
GitLab said revenue in the fiscal first quarter ended April 30 jumped 45% to $126.9 million from $87.4 million a year earlier. The company had an adjusted loss of 6 cents per share, according to a statement. Analysts surveyed by Refinitiv had expected sales of $117.8 million and an adjusted loss of 14 cents per share.
GitLab’s net loss widened to $52.9 million from $26.6 million in the year-ago quarter.
For the 2024 fiscal year, GitLab sees an adjusted loss of 14 cents to 18 cents per share on revenue of $541 million to $543 million. Analysts had expected an adjusted loss of 26 cents per share and sales of $532.6 million. In March, GitLab had called for an adjusted per-share loss of 24 cents to 29 cents on revenue of $529 million to $533 million.
During the quarter, GitLab raised the price of its premium tier to $29 per user per month from $19.
“To date, customer churn is unchanged for the premium customers who renewed in April,” GitLab finance chief Brian Robins said on Monday’s call with analysts. He added that average annual recurring revenue per customer “increased in line with our expectations.”
Sid Sijbrandij, GitLab’s CEO, said more revenue could come from a generative artificial intelligence add-on that will cost $9 per user per month when billed annually.
Sijbrandij, who co-founded the company over a decade ago, had some encouraging personal news to share. Three months after announcing he had chosen to undergo treatment for osteosarcoma, Sijbrandij said on the call that there was “no sign of detectable disease,” adding that he’s excited about the company’s future and “retaining my role as CEO and chair.”
The business still has challenges. Sales cycles took longer than usual during the quarter, and customers reduced the number of seats they bought, Robins said.
But the financial numbers led several analysts to raise their price targets on GitLab stock.
“The quarter was stronger than most expected, and the company was able to maintain a very positive and conservative outlook — a contrast to last quarter,” wrote Piper Sandler analysts Rob Owens and Ethan Weeks in a note to clients.
The analysts have the equivalent of a buy rating on the company’s stock and lifted their price target to $52 from $50. GitLab shares closed at $46.44.


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Two armed men stole thousands of dollars worth of phones and iPads during an Aug. 18 armed robbery at the in the Kroger shopping center on Dacula Road.
According to the incident report, Gwinnett County Police arrived at the store just 45 seconds after the suspects fled. The employee on duty at the time of the robbery said two male suspects entered the store shortly after noon. One of the suspects started to ask the employee about phones while the other suspect looked at an iPad display. As the first suspect approached the employee, he reportedly pulled a silver, small frame revolver out of his pocket and pointed it at the employee. When the employee looked up, he noticed the other suspect had pulled a hoodie over his head and was wearing sunglasses and a bandana over his face. The second suspect was armed with a black semi-automatic pistol.
The employee said the first suspect gave him 30 seconds to open the cash drawer. When the employee was not immediately able to open the drawer, the suspects allegedly forced him into the back room and asked him where the phones were kept. After the employee said the phones were stored under the counter, the suspects escorted him back to the front of the store. The second suspect pulled a 55-gallon garbage bag out of his pocket and ordered the employee to put the phones in the bag. One of the suspects then shoved the employee towards the cash register and again ordered him to open it allegedly saying, “You have 15 seconds to open the drawer or I’ll put 15 bullets in your ass.”
The employee was able to open the drawer and handed over the contents, which included just over $80 in cash. As the victim was placing the money in the bag, the second suspect reportedly grabbed two iPads and put those in the bag as well.
The employee said the first suspect struck him in the head with the barrel of his revolver as the other suspect ran out of the back of the store. The first suspect then left the store while keeping the revolver pointed at the employee.
Police canvassed the shopping center in an attempt to locate witnesses, but were unable to find anyone who could provide a good description of the suspects’ vehicle. Police were able to obtain images of the suspects from the surveillance video. The surveillance video, which had been posted on YouTube, was removed from the site on Aug. 20.
The total value of the merchanside taken during the robbery is listed as $13,505.
The case is listed as active.
Gwinnett County Police are currently investigating a . Since May 26, 2012, seven Gwinnett cell phone stores have been robbed -- six in unincorporated Norcross and one in unincorporated Lilburn. In each case, the robberies were committed by one or two armed suspects. It is not known if the Dacula robbery is connected to those incidents.
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Keycorp, the nation's 12th-largest banking company, has joined the growing number of institutions using image technology for lockbox applications.
Retail lockbox payments consist of consumer to corporate payments for various services including cable television and credit card bills.
Cleveland-based Keycorp has begun testing Banctec Inc.'s Image First remittance processing technology and plans to make image-based services available to customers in the next few weeks.
"We believe this is the next generation of lockbox processing technology," said Linda Grandstaff, executive vice president of Keycorp's commercial services group.
"This system will give us more control of the operation and reduce human interaction with the payments, giving us increased efficiency and productivity."
Keycorp each month processes over four million retail lockbox payments, with an estimated value of over $400 million, through eight processing centers scattered throughout the country.
Ms. Grandstaff said the system cost over $2 million and has already been installed in the bank's Cleveland processing center. The bank plans to have all its remittance customers converted to the system by the end of 1995.
Image First operates in an open-system architecture using technology that reads printed and written words and numbers.
Once the characters are recognized, the equipment encodes the documents with magnetic ink.
With the character recognition software, which is based on neural network technology, the bank expects to reduce the number of items it encodes manually by 45%.
"The remaining 55% will be passed through operators, who will enter the information into the system. The items will then be coded electronically," said Carlton Peace, assistant vice president and lockbox product manager at Keycorp.
Ms. Grandstaff said one of the system's long-term benefits is its ability to provide customers with check images on a same-day basis through a terminal or personal computer.
The bank also intends to provide the data on CD-ROMs. "Our plan is to begin rolling out the information on disks within the next two years," Ms. Grandstaff said.


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Luxury, sophistication, and an unwavering commitment to excellence are the hallmarks of the Bugatti brand. Renowned for their iconic sports cars that have captivated the world for over a century, Bugatti has now set its sights on creating an extraordinary residential experience. Teaming up with the esteemed UAE real estate developer Binghatti, Bugatti is introducing its first Bugatti Residences in Dubai, embodying the essence of the Bugatti lifestyle.
Crafting Architecture with Distinction
Bugatti and Binghatti, through their unique collaboration, demonstrate a shared dedication to exceptional craftsmanship and visionary design. Binghatti, known for its bold and intricate architectural creations, mirrors Bugatti’s commitment to pushing boundaries and redefining industries. By infusing its real estate developments with the same level of artistry that Bugatti has brought to the automotive realm, Binghatti upholds its heritage while embracing innovation.
The forthcoming Bugatti Residences will serve as a testament to the fusion of these two extraordinary brands. Embracing Bugatti’s design philosophy of “Art, Forme, Technique,” the residences will epitomize architectural brilliance and translate Bugatti’s visionary approach into an unparalleled living space.
Merging Visions for an Iconic Residence
Mate Rimac, Bugatti Rimac CEO, expressed the remarkable alignment between Bugatti and Binghatti, stating, “Our union seems almost destined. We share a mutual vision of what a Bugatti branded residence should represent.” Rimac’s sentiment echoes the words of Ettore Bugatti himself: “If comparable, it is no longer Bugatti.”
In Muhammad Binghatti, Bugatti has found a partner who possesses a deep appreciation for automotive design and luxury, along with a profound talent for creating iconic architecture. Together, they aspire to bring forth an extraordinary residential experience that embodies the soul of Bugatti.
Embracing Bugatti’s Legacy
The Bugatti Residences developed by Binghatti will be more than a mere homage to Bugatti’s automotive prowess. They will transport residents into a realm of excellence, evoking emotions and capturing the essence that Bugatti has instilled in enthusiasts worldwide since its inception in 1909. Expert craftsmanship, in line with Bugatti’s impeccable French luxury heritage, will infuse every aspect of these residences, culminating in an architectural masterpiece that will leave a lasting impression.
Muhammad Binghatti, CEO of Binghatti, affirms the significance of a well-defined design ethos and lifestyle philosophy in creating a global impact. “Just as opening the door of a Bugatti conveys a sense of exclusivity and unmatched excellence,” Binghatti explains, “we aimed to recreate that feeling within the heart of the metropolis with Bugatti Residences.” By adhering to fundamental principles similar to those that underpin Bugatti’s success, Binghatti aims to establish the Binghatti brand as a beacon of luxury and refinement.
An Oasis of Elegance in Dubai
The Bugatti Residences will offer residents an oasis of serenity amidst the vibrant city of Dubai, mirroring the tranquil ambiance of the French Riviera. Exuding the timeless “Art de Vivre” associated with Bugatti, these residences will serve as a highly exclusive retreat for a discerning few. Intriguing details about this extraordinary project will be unveiled during the much-anticipated launch event at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai on May 24th, 2023, where Bugatti and Binghatti will come together to showcase their shared vision.


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Publix, whose cakes are a staple of office parties and birthday celebrations, on Thursday recalled 45 kinds of the sugary treats because they may contain potentially deadly bacteria.
The company yanked the cakes from stores in 21 Florida counties — including all in Central Florida — after its supplier, Maplehurst Bakeries of Indiana, notified it of possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.
The potentially contaminated cakes were sold from Sunday through Thursday in Orange, Seminole, Osceola Lake, Volusia and Brevard counties. Customers can return them to any store for a refund.
Listeria can be treated with antibiotics, but it can be fatal, particularly in young children, the elderly and people with weak immune systems. Symptoms include fever and muscle aches.
Cakes affected include mainly those that include a 7-inch chocolate layer, according to the company. They range from Cookies and cream, ice cream and iced buttercream to raspberry sacher torte, latte blast and chocolate ganache bon bon.
No one has gotten sick, but the company decided to err on the side of caution, a Publix spokeswoman said.
For more information, call 1-800-242-1227 or go to publix.com.
email@example.com or 407-540-5981


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Super Street Fighter II HD Remix, according to associate product manager John Diamonon, has sold in excess of 250,000 copies and is "on its way to becoming the highest grossing digital title ever." Diamonon states that the game has already broken both day one and week one records -- the game...
Posted on Oct 20th 2014 3:30PM
Posted on Oct 20th 2014 12:49PM
Posted on Oct 18th 2014 1:30PM


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Domino’s Pizza Wednesday announced the release of its Domino’s Pizza app for Windows Phone 8.
They used to say that you didn’t want to see how they make sausage. Apparently Domino’s Pizza is much more confident about the process used to make its pizzas, at least at one of its 10,300 stores.
Domino’s Pizza is hosting an information technology open house on Tuesday, April 9 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the company’s headquarters in Ann Arbor, 30 Frank Lloyd Wright, Lobby F.
Domino’s Pizza is giving fans a special deal as they follow their favorite teams through the first week of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship, which tips off Tuesday.
A federal judge has blocked the Obama administration from requiring Domino’s Pizza founder Tom Monaghan to provide mandatory contraception coverage to his employees.
Tom Monaghan, a devout Roman Catholic and former owner of the Detroit Tigers, says contraception isn’t health care but a “gravely immoral” practice.
Quite a scare Friday afternoon for an elderly couple and the staff at a brand new Domino’s Pizza.
When it comes to pizza ordering from smartphones, Domino’s Pizza habla Espanol.
If you’re a pizza lover who’s ever dreamed of being a vehicle designer, a national pizza chain is offering up $50,000 for your ideas.
Domino’s Pizza is sharing a special deal with customers this week – 50 percent off all pizzas ordered online at menu price.


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Tesla CEO Elon Musk Demands Increase Voting Control of Tesla to 25% Amid AI and Robotics Expansion
- 3 months ago
Tesla CEO Elon Musk is seeking to increase his voting control over the company to approximately 25% from the current 13%. Musk said he is "uncomfortable" growing Tesla's leadership in AI and robotics without having around 25% voting control of the company. Achieving 25% control could give Musk more influence over the company's direction while still allowing him to be overridden by shareholders. Concerns from investors about Elon Musk include his management of multiple companies, controversial public statements, federal investigations, and allegations of drug use as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk lives up to Twitter promise, sells around 900,000 Tesla shares worth $1.1 billion
Asianet News English
Tesla co-founder and CEO Elon Musk unveiled the all-electric battery-powered Tesla Cybertruck
ELON MUSK ISN'T LEAVING AS CEO OF TESLA: TESLA 2023 ANNUAL SHAREHOLDER MEETING RECAP
ChinesePod Today: Tesla CEO Elon Musk Faces Contempt Charges (simp. characters)
ChinesePod Today - simp.
Will Trump Gain Political Backing From Tesla CEO Elon Musk? Possible Florida Meeting Fuels Speculation
Tesla’s Elon Musk Confirms Meeting With PM Narendra Modi, Says ‘Looking Forward To Meeting PM Modi’
Elon Musk on micromanaging: ‘If you’re trying to make a perfect product, then attention to detail is essential’
Elon Musk has predicted that superhuman AI will outsmart us all by next year
A report says Starlink terminals are being used in Russia after Putin and Musk deny it
RFK Jr Campaign Official Expresses Staunch Trump Support, Linked to Election Fraud Claims and 'Stop the Steal' Rallies
Trump Urges Republicans to 'Kill FISA' Reauthorization Bill. 'THEY SPIED ON MY CAMPAIGN!!!'
Former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg Sentenced to 5 Months in Jail for Lying in Civil Fraud Trial
Trump's Lawyers Trolled by Brooklyn Man After They Mistakenly Subpoena in Hush Money Trial. ‘I’m keeping the fifteen dollars.’
Tesla's Model 2 Vital for Growth Targets Amidst Reports of Scrapping, Says Morgan Stanley Analyst
Unravelling Tesla's Turmoil: Declining Sales, Competition, and Elon Musk's Impact | Oneindia News
Tesla's Price Cuts Impact on Used EV Market as New Study Reveals Steep Depreciation of EVs


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Consumer Confidence Plunges in February
February 21, 2013 | Chris Powell | Comments
It’s a quartet of disquiet. Following prior bad news about employment, the housing market and the Canadian dollar, the latest Canadian Consumer Confidence Index from marketing and social research firm TNS shows that Canadian consumer confidence fell sharply in February.
The index fell from 99.1 to 95.5 – its lowest level since August. Norman Baillie-David, senior vice-president of TNS in Canada and director of the firm’s monthly tracking study, said a number of factors contributed to consumers’ gloomy outlook.
“Canadians are feeling the effects of a number of adverse economic developments coming together at the same time,” he said in a release. “Employment is down, the housing market has ‘cooled off’ with fewer home sales, and Canadians continue to be wary of high debt.
“Any one of these can be cause for concern, but with fewer Canadians working, fewer buying or selling houses, and more holding off on incurring debt to make major purchases, it’s conspiring for quite the gloomy outlook. In summary, Canadians aren’t happy campers about the economy this month.”
The TNS Present Situation Index, which assesses how Canadians feel about the economy right now, fell almost six points, from 99.8 to 93.9. In comparison, the Expectations Index, which measures consumers’ feelings about the economy six months from now, remained fairly stable, dropping only 0.3 points.
Baillie-David said that this suggests Canadians are taking a “wait and see” to their future expectations.
The TNS Buy Index, which measures the extent to which Canadians feel that now is a good time to purchase a big ticket item such as a car or a major household appliance, dropped 3.6% – its largest single month drop in two years – to its lowest point since October 2010.
The monthly Consumer Confidence Index study is part of a global study conducted by TNS in 18 countries. The results are based on telephone interviews with 1,015 nationally representative Canadian adults conducted between Feb. 11 and Feb. 14, and are considered accurate to within plus or minus 3.1 percentage points 19 times out of 20.


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Hutchison Ports ECT Rotterdam has ordered 10 hybrid straddle carriers from Kalmar for its ECT Delta terminal in Rotterdam.
The order was booked in Cargotec’s, Kalmar’s parent company, 2021 first quarter intake and the equipment are expected to be delivered during the third quarter.
Mikko Mononen, VP sales, EMEIA at Kalmar, said: “It is a great honour to welcome ECT as a Kalmar customer and deliver our first hybrid straddle carriers in the Netherlands.
“This order further demonstrates the confidence that the market has in our proven hybrid technology and reflects the commitment from operators to work towards a more sustainable future for cargo handling.”
Compared to traditional diesel-powered machines, Kalmar’s hybrid straddle carriers significantly reduces both fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
Hybrid machines also generate much less noise than their diesel counterparts.
Kalmar’s hybrid machine features a maintenance-free regenerative energy system that converts braking and spreader lowering energy into electrical power and stores it in an on-board lithium-ion battery system.
Hutchison Ports ECT Delta is located on the North Sea coast of Rotterdam and is one of Europe’s largest container terminals.
It benefits from frequent connections with more than 100 ports across Europe, Asia, and North Africa and is capable of handling the latest generation of ultra-large container vessels.
ECT Delta uses its fleet of straddle carriers for the horizontal transportation on the landside, for loading and unloading trucks.


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Laying the fashion glory groundwork
DUBAI: With almost 54 per cent of the major fashion retailers currently having outlets in Dubai and the retailing in the UAE expected to reach Dhs200 billion by 2017, the College of Fashion & Design’s (CFD) competitive programmes will train homegrown talents to meet market demand for jobs in the fashion retail sector.
The fashion industry is growing by a 5 per cent on average each year, according to an analysis by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) earlier this year.
The survey detailed that consumer spending, across various categories, is expected to hit a whooping Dhs750 billion by 2017, resulting in the opening up of a tremendous range of opportunities for young college graduates in the fashion retail industry.
The first fully accredited college of its kind in the region, CFD’s Bachelor in Fashion Business Management is set to fully prepare young Arab and expatriate fashion enthusiasts for job opportunities by offering students real-world knowledge.
CFD President, Prof. Abhilasha Singh says: “The retail and wholesale sector plays a very important role in contributing to the economy of the emirate as it represents 29.2 percent of the GDP of Dubai. As the market continues to grow, experts estimate that there will be continued substantial employability in the sector.”
She adds: “With the launch of CFD, students will benefit from the expertise of its multinational faculty and staff, preparing them for major challenges in the world of fashion, design, and business to make an effective contribution to the fashion industry. In addition, all the programs at CFD are focused on inculcating a global mindset and an entrepreneurial spirit among the students as the personal and professional Development skills are ingrained in each course delivery.”
Dubai’s trendy, youthful, high-spend-per-capita population has been a major factor in driving its retail growth, with many keen to stay up to date with the latest apparel, footwear, health and beauty and luxury product trends.


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BOI AXA Mutual fund plans to launch a scheme maintaining a fixed allocation of 40% towards gold. Not only do hybrid funds don’t work, but allocating 40% towards gold could be highly risky
The upcoming meet of Confederation of Indian Industries to discuss ways of expanding and ‘deepening’ the Indian capital markets has no place for the retail investor. Has corporate India written off retail investors? Or do they continue to think that retail investors have nothing to contribute to policy making?
On 12 December, the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) will hold its 4th Capital Market Summit in Mumbai. A quick look at the agenda and the speakers shows that almost every capital market segment has a role and a space at the summit except the biggest stakeholder of all—the 10 million retail investors.
The theme of the summit is “Deepening of Capital Markets: Faster Growth of the Economy” and the objective is: Facilitating raising of capital from domestic resources; restore capital markets as the centre for capital formation; and, building stable and mature capital markets. To our mind, all three objectives need to take into account the retail investor. More specifically, it should address why 20 years of economic liberalization and so-called capital market growth has halved the number of retail investor. The most recent survey commissioned by SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) puts the retail investor population at 10 million, which is two million more than that reported by the D Swarup Committee report.
Without the presence of retail investors, markets lack depth and companies find it hard to make successful IPOs.
However, CII is apparently unconcerned. It has put together industry representatives of every kind -- investment bankers, private equity investors, mutual funds, at least four stock market chiefs, regulators, law firms and banks (which hard-sell products to investors) – to deliberate on how to grow the size of the capital market. It is satisfied that if they interact with lawyers, policy makers, investment bankers, advisors and other corporate stakeholders who are helpfully listed under “who should attend”, the summit should be successful.
Is it any surprise then that investors’ fury at repetitive, cumbersome Know Your Customer (KYC) processes are never addressed. It is any surprise that transmission of shares remains a slow, expensive and endless process? And is it any wonder that investors have voted with their feet and switched to bank fixed deposits, gold or real estate or tax-free bonds?
Retail mutual fund investors have also been pulling out of SIPs (systematic investment plans) in large droves. As many as 5.10 lakh SIPs were ceased before the completion of the stipulated tenure (http://www.moneylife.in/article/mutual-fund-sips-decline-further-who-is-to-blame/29873.html).
Here’s the irony—excluding trustee members, there is no direct representative from the mutual fund industry to speak either in the CII summit. In the past, summits of this sort at least had a token representation from investors, investor groups or at least analysts who were seen as the voice of the ordinary investor. But industry has now chosen to dispense even with this pretense.
Keeping retail investors out of capital market summits would have made sense if there were other forums for the regulators to address their concerns or interact with them. But this does not happen either.
The chief guest at CII’s summit is UK Sinha, the chairman of SEBI. In over two years at SEBI, Mr Sinha has diligently addressed a plethora of corporate summits or events organized by industry associations and chambers of commerce, but there is no record of his having addressed any genuine investor meets or directly engaging with investors.
In fact, under his tenure, SEBI does not even respond to investors’ email suggestions; worse even letters from retired secretaries of the government of India are mechanically transferred to the outsourced grievance redressal mechanism which sends out absurd replies like “the issue is not under SEBI’s jurisdiction”. This happened specifically in the case of former expenditure secretary EAS Sarma and has been published by Moneylife.
The bigger irony is that the finance ministry, the ministry of corporate affairs is forever exhorting market intermediaries and stock exchanges to conduct “financial literacy” seminars, as though lack of financial literacy and not bad policy making or mis-selling or regulatory apathy have driven away investors.
The President elect of the Archery Association of India, Vijay Kumar Malhotra has served for more than three consecutive terms in the past and is also above the age of 70 years


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Americans may continue to buy shoes and the shoe industry may be recession-proof, but German shoemaker Puma is reporting a drop in sales during the third quarter of 2009.
Talk about globalization: Britain’s number one tennis player is going to be sponsored by Germany’s number one shoemaker Adidas.
Is the Marcus Jordan shoe scandal a case of much ado about nothing? Or do the parties involved have valid points to stand on? And if we are looking for someone to blame for the scandal, who do we blame?


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Extinguish PR fires with a little bit of paper
Your customer engagement plan is never a “set it and forget it” proposition.
You can bring everyone together to map out a strategy and put execution plans in place one month, and then have an unexpected event turn everything on its head the next.
Just the other day I was watching the news and heard about the U.S. government preparing to sue Fiat Chrysler after they allegedly rigged emission test results on some of their vehicles.
I bet that wasn’t in the marketing plan for 2017!
In addition to a sticky legal situation that may result in billion-dollar fines, Fiat Chrysler now has a big problem with customers who may feel cheated. We only have to look back at the Volkswagen emissions scandal to see how damaging this kind of problem can be.
But as somebody else’s mother once said, “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”
A problem becomes a crisis when it’s mishandled. In situations such as this, corporate panic often results in leadership transferring communications responsibilities to lawyers, who provide legal cover without any regard to consumer engagement.
So while the corporate entity fights the legal war, the brand suffers in the eyes of consumers.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. Recently I wrote about recall notices and how they damage the reputation of car manufacturers.
In that piece I discussed how this could be avoided if they only treated all notifications, including recall notices, as potential customer engagement pieces.
In the case of Fiat Chrysler you can bet there will be a slew of communications going out to affected owners. But will they be written to appease the company’s compliance department, or win back customer support during what promises to be a long process?
We’ve all received the standard chain letters from banks, car dealerships and other institutions that should know a lot about us. So why is it that these communications often look like they were meant for someone else?
Everything that comes from the brand needs to sound like the brand and connect with the consumer like the brand. Personalization humanizes the relationship and makes it much easier to get any message across.
The temptation is to send out an email blast. But don’t forget the power of paper mail. If I own a product that is now getting chased by the government, an email filled with legal jargon isn’t going to reassure me. Mail has a higher perceived value to customers. And a recent study showed that 57% of participants said they are more likely to feel valued when brands contacted them through mail rather than email.
Affordable full-colour variable data printing
Brands also need to have triggers and be ready to pull them. Every person affected by the Fiat-Chrysler situation is easily identifiable by the company. Each of these folks should have a custom mail piece landing in the mailbox this week with a message of reassurance and positive engagement. With the advancements in full colour variable printing it is now possible to print and mail very affordable dynamic messages, almost instantly. Images and text can change on the fly as the print software reacts to the data. A very powerful, personalized message is the result.
In times of trouble, speaking directly to your customers with strong, positive, customized, messaging will make it more likely that they will trust you and stick with you for the long run.


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GOVERNMENT CAMP, Ore. — Officials say Mt. Hood Meadows is delaying the start of its season for a few days while the ski area waits for conditions to improve.
Meadows’ 50th anniversary season was supposed to begin full operations on Friday.
However, on Thursday, officials posted on their website that they will not operate the lifts as scheduled.
Officials say they plan to assess the ski conditions Friday and update the public Friday afternoon.
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Higher up the mountain Timberline Lodge was open with limited operations.
Mt. Hood Ski Bowl officials said Thursday the ski area would not open this weekend.


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With Apple's education event imminent, Google has debuted its first ever Chrome OS tablet. Round one — fight!
The iPhone X is here, but you don't have to buy it. There are plenty of phone fish in the phone sea. Here are the best alternatives to Apple's latest and greatest.
It's just a little bigger than a horse pill but it comes with Android 7.0 and a removable battery. Is Jelly worth braving the hazards of thumb cramps (and Kickstarter)? MrMobile's got the answer.
Whether you're a Mac user who can't leave their Android phone behind or you're curious to give the Android operating system a try, the Galaxy S8 is too pretty of a package to overlook.
Paying for software is increasingly rare in the mobile landscape, but the email startup formerly known as CloudMagic is taking the hard road by asking all of its customers to pay an annual fee.
Microsoft has announced Class Notebook Tools for OneNote 2016 on OS X. The new tools aid teachers in working more efficiently with Class Notebooks on the platform.
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