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Wearable tech users consider themselves early adopters
It's being seen as a natural progression in the mobile world - from carrying around a smartphone to actually wearing the technology. New research from Nielsen reveals that self-professed early adopters are leading the way in the trend for wearable tech.
Nielsen's latest survey found that most consumers (70%) are already aware of wearable tech. Of those, 15% have already bought into the trend and are sporting technology in the form of smart-watches and armbands.
However, three-quarters of those sporting wearable tech consider themselves early adopters. Furthermore, almost a third (29%) fell within the affluent category with more disposable income and earning over $100,000. In fact, Nielsen's study found that cost was one of the key barriers to wearable tech adoption with 72% of those yet to purchase a device saying they wished they were cheaper.
Among these trendsetters fitness bands were the most popular device (61%) followed by smart-watches (45%) and mobile health devices (17%).
The fashion-conscious will be buoyed by today's news that Google Glass has teamed up with Luxottica, the leading luxury and designer sports eyewear group, that includes brands such as Oakley, Arnette, Ray-Ban and Vogue-Eyewear.
"Luxottica understands how to build, distribute and sell great products that their clients and consumers love - something we care deeply about at Glass, too," says Google Glass in a Google+ post. "They'll bring design and manufacturing expertise to the mix, and, together, we'll bring even more Glass style choices to our Explorers."
Will the designer-look appeal to potential tech wearers or make them more wary of their personal safety while wearing Google Glass?
Image via Shutterstock
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Server sales across the Asia-Pacific region were up 12.4 percent in the second quarter to US$1.4 billion, according to new Gartner Dataquest figures.
The market analysis firm said China led the region, buying US$488.3 million worth of servers and enjoying a 23.7 growth year-on-year.
South Korea took second place, spending US$224.7 million -- 10.9 percent less than in the same period last year, Gartner Dataquest said.
Australia came third, shelling out US$203.4 million for servers but only growing a dismal 0.3 percent year-on-year, it said.
Matthew Boon, vice president for hardware and systems at Gartner Asia-Pacific, said the second quarter continued to grow as it had in the first quarter of 2004.
"The region remains intensely competitive and price-sensitive as multinationals take on local vendors in markets such as China," he said.
Chinese server consumers had taken advantage of their local conditions to buy more product, Boon said.
Australia's server spend was still healthy, he said, despite the strong appreciation of the Australian dollar against the greenback.
Other strong national performers in server sales across the Asia-Pacific were India, which came fourth. India bought US$98.4 million-worth of servers, up 31.3 percent on last year's second quarter.
Hong Kong grew its server sales an astounding 59.4 percent on the year ago quarter. That country came fifth, selling US$62.8 million-worth of servers, Gartner Dataquest said.
Indonesia took sixth place, growing 13 percent up on 2003's second quarter to record server sales of US$25.5 million.
As for the vendors, IBM still led the region and grew 1.2 percent from the year ago quarter to take 37.2 percent market share. HP came second, with 30.7 percent marketshare, Gartner Dataquest said.
"While HP managed to hold its market share, given the growth across the region as a whole this must be disappointing for them," Boon said.
Sun came third, with 14 percent market share, but was down 2.3 percent on the same quarter last year.
"While managing to improve its efforts in the volume space, tough conditions in the traditional mid-range and high-end continue to cause revenue issues for Sun in the Asia-Pacific," Boon said.
Dell came fourth, with 5.9 percent server sales. That was up from 4.9 percent in the 2003 second quarter.
"China in particular remains a strong focus for Dell," Boon said.
Fujitsu and Fujitsu Siemens came fifth, with 1.6 percent market share across the Asia Pacific, Gartner Dataquest said.

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On 24th March 2020, an economy driven by over a billion people came to a jittering halt, and less than a quarter of economic activities were functional. India reported a double-digit decline in the second quarter, though the growth is expected to recover moving forward, as businesses strategize to get their revenue generation back on track.
These days, if someone is asked for their opinion on the outlook of the Indian economy, usually their response is coddled in pessimism which could hold true for short-term economic projections. Despite these negative estimations, India will remain an emerging nation backed by thousands of tech startups and an opportunistic pharmaceutical industry as emerged in times of COVID-19. With all the eyes on how the economy is going to recover, the India economy could either witness a V-shape or a U shape recovery. Also, a number of nations have high hopes with India in terms of discovery and manufacturing of vaccine, which could strengthen the nation’s foundation in economic development.
The way infections are spreading in India, we might not see the peak this year, let alone the second wave. A total number of cases is reaching the 6 million mark, though the recovery rate looks pretty good– quite comforting news in times of distress with the economy going downhill, and high counts of unemployment and hunger.
To remain in the race, companies are making the best out of the current scenario. How can we forget about Ambani and Adani, the billionaires who believe in the ideology that “…growth is a way of life and we have to grow at all times”. Reliance Industries has harnessed the opportunity in consolidating its retail and telecom business.
According to IBEF, the Indian IT sector was estimated to be worth US$ 92 billion in FY19, of which approximately half is contributed by IT services while hardware manufacturing pegs about one-tenth share. In the last decade, the Indian IT industry grew with an average rate of 10% every year.
In a matter of a couple of months, the pandemic has helped in fast-forwarding the digital transformation to the next five years with millions of people working from home, the surge in e-commerce, and adoption of
automation enabling solutions in IT companies such as transition towards cloud platforms from on-premise infrastructure.
Digital Transformation – the New Segue
COVID has triggered a pernicious chain reaction yet it seems to be acting as a catalyst in digital transformation. In the Asia Pacific, India is amongst the top three nations in adoption of digital hardware yet we are lagging way behind in the implementation of automated services and software even though about half of our population uses the internet or have access to the internet. Traditionally, Indian businesses have a perception of “old is gold” making them comparatively slower in adopting cutting edge technologies. However, with Fortune 500 companies setting up their camps in India, the lookout is changing at a noteworthy pace. In order to future-proof business sustainability, companies are enhancing their strategies and their conventional “good to have” opinion is inclining towards “must-have”.
Earlier, budgetary constraints were implemented while IT funds for digital transformation. Now digital transformation in IT is becoming the need of the hour and being prioritized. For instance, TCS has made budget allocation towards process automation and supply chain management their top priority, and recently the company collaborated with Automation Anywhere, Inc. to enhance its supply chain and automation skills. Another such example is of ITC Infotech that is looking to procure SaaS (Software as a solution) to automate mundane tasks for its employees.
Digital transformation is not a step, it is a long journey with businesses modifying their platforms according to the consumer requirements and market demands. Considering the intensity of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the state of the supply chain is transforming and businesses are addressing the situation in the best way possible. Though the market has witnessed an unprecedented surge in consumer demand for services, the manufacturing processes and related verticals are facing the major brunt of this pandemic.
Some of the identified steps being taken across the supply chains are:
- IT companies are boosting their digitization efforts, eliminating their existing inefficiencies, and aiming to witness significant upgrades in their revenue generation
- Manufacturers are forming an alliance with IT companies in order to diversify their supply chain network and cope with the revenue lost in the second quarter of FY2020 and expecting future surge.
- Due to labour migration, organizations operating in sectors like e-commerce are automating their facilities and fulfilment centres.
- Alongside, there some companies who are digging deeper in their existing businesses to create scope for revenue generation.
Once the pandemic is contained, we might witness some shift from digital platforms back to the traditional operations. However, enhancement of customer experience will motivate most enterprises to stick to the digital mode of operations. Yet, COVID-19 is proving to be an inflection point in India’s digital transformation. In the words of Robin Sharma, Recession is an opportunity in wolf’s clothing
Author: Sadhana Yadav
Sadhana Yadav is an Electronics and Telecommunications (E&TC) engineer and a strategy consultant with more than three years of experience in the field of market research and business operations analysis. Sadhana has extensive experience in information and communication technology (ICT) and Industrial Automation areans. She keeps up with the ongoing trends in market landscape and is currently focusing on projecting the dynamics of upcoming trends and the ongoing COVID -19 pandemic.


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This article was first published in October 2020 by Daily Cargo News.
For many years, disputes on trade have led to actual warfare. “Send a gunboat”, was often cited as part of British foreign policy when trade was at risk. Think of the British and French Opium Wars with the Chinese Qing Dynasty which led to the opening of additional European jurisdiction over Chinese ports including Guangzhou and Shanghai and the concession over Hong Kong in favour of the British.
The Royal Navy maintained bases in Hong Kong and Singapore to protect open sailing rights over Asian trade routes including the South China Sea, an area that remains controversial. There are echoes of these concepts with the navies of the United States (US), Australia and allied nations sailing through the South China Sea, a stretch of water claimed by China via the construction of islands and other infrastructure to assert “freedom of the seas”.
At various times Dutch and British trading companies (eg. the British East India Company) had their own military divisions. The British and Americans fought the War of Independence over many issues but among them was trade and taxation, remember the Boston Tea Party and “no taxation without representation”.
Recognising the damage both actual and potential from trade disputes, the world has largely tried to move away from the use of force in such matters. Of course, there have been various forms of embargo imposed with military support, but in significant part, most of the world resolved to proceed with the General Agreement on Tariff and Trade and the World Trade Organisation. In addition, the variety of agreements entered into by countries trying to establish a structure for trade and to avoid and resolve disputes regarding trade such as the Agreements on Dumping and Countervailing Agreements, Agreements on Intellectual property, Technical Barriers to Trade and Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreements, with the ultimate body to resolve disputes being the Dispute Settlement Understanding (DSU).
However, each country implements these agreements themselves in their own fashion. For example, Australia and the US both implement the Dumping and Countervailing Agreements in different ways. That tends to contribute to disputes on the operation and treatment under the various agreements as they are implemented and a lot of time is given over to resolving disagreements on whether parties have been treated properly, such as the recent dispute between Indonesia and Australia through the DSU.
Of course, the virtues of the DSU system have now been limited by the absence of enough members of the Appellate Body of the DSU due to the refusal of the US to endorse any new members. While 16 countries, including Australia, have agreed to a de facto new appellate organisation known as the Multiparty Interim Arbitration Agreement (MPIA), details of the MPIA have yet to be finalised.
In recent times we have seen several instances where “trade remedies” action (dumping and countervailing investigations) or biosecurity actions have been seen as a means to secure a wider set of interests and which actions are then seen as evidence of a “trade war”. That terminology arrived around the time the US Trump administration terminated the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and sought a new deal with Canada and Mexico, seen as “putting America first”.
That same administration then resorted to an investigation under little-used national security and intellectual property provisions to set quotas and much higher tariff rates on imported goods without resort to dumping or countervailing investigations. These were generally aimed at looking after vital US industries or actions against countries that were not seen as protecting US intellectual property in those other countries.
While these could have affected Australia, some Aussie producers were exempted from these actions but it has not saved those Australian companies subsequently facing a dumping action in the US. The national interest and intellectual property measures largely resulted in significant duties being imposed on Chinese products.
In response, China negotiated a separate agreement with the US in which China made commitments to purchase certain quantities of US products and to take stronger action to protect US intellectual property. This is currently being conducted under a Phase One Agreement and even with the COVID–19 pandemic and other trade impediments, the US seems to be relatively satisfied that China is buying adequate US products to comply.
Tariffs and counter-tariffs also have been the subject of actions between the US and the European Union who have been undertaking litigation under the DSU for many years. Given those actions were part of promises by the Trump campaign prior to the last US Presidential election and have been portrayed as evidence of Trump’s, success, it seems likely that more of the same type of actions will be promised during the current US election cycle. It certainly reflects the reality that trade remedies and related issues are as much political as legal or economic issues. It is this intersection of law, politics and economics which makes the practice in this area of law to be of such great interest.
The Australian context
Australia has not been immune from these types of issues and has been an active supporter of the multilateral regime to resolve disputes. Over the years, successful action has been taken against Australia at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) against our biosecurity and trade remedies regimes, most recently when Indonesia brought action at the WTO against certain parts of the Australian anti-dumping procedure.
In another example, Australia’s ban on New Zealand (NZ) apples over fire blight disease was overturned by the WTO and replaced with a new regime which would allow the safe import of NZ apples. Australia has also had some successes at the WTO in protecting its plain packaging directions for the sale of tobacco as well as protecting the same directions in an action brought under a separate Investment Agreement with Hong Kong.
Barley and Wine
Australia is currently the subject of new complaints by Canada against Australian barley exports that came shortly after Australian barley producers had endured severe drought. It seemed hard to see that enough sales could have occurred so soon after the drought but the investigation continues. Shortly after most of the WTO actions brought by Australia against Canadian federal and state governments over Australian wine exports were resolved without the need for recourse to time-consuming full hearings.
The operation of trade remedies and other border controls has been the subject of tensions between Australia and other trading partners even when they involve a country with which we have free trade agreements. Those agreements still preserve the rights for trade remedies action so long as they are done according to WTO rules.
In most dumping actions brought against Asian exports, the government of the export country often lodges submissions complaining about our regime. Similarly, in countervailing investigations brought based on programs or other government support in the country of export, those governments see their programs as legitimate exercises of government policy.
Most recently there have been rising political tensions between Australia and China, which seems to be occurring at the same time as rising trade tensions. This has included dumping and countervailing (or subsidies) investigations against Australian wine exports to China (which may be hard to sustain given the high price of Australian wine in China). This came sometime after delays in clearing of goods into China because of various biosecurity concerns expressed by Chinese authorities.
Certainly, some comments from Chinese officials have been to the effect that our exports of high-value goods such as wine and meat may be at risk if the political relationship fails to improve. Shortly thereafter, China also instituted delays and extra examination against Australian barley exports, even though there had been no earlier biosecurity issues.
All of this points to the reality that while we hope that countries do not resort to armed conflict to resolve trade issues, disputes over trade in various forms remain alive and well as an option in an international disagreement. We can only hope that the current international impasse on the appeal mechanism at the WTO is resolved quickly or replaced with another acceptable procedure at the earliest opportunity. From a domestic perspective, we continue to place our faith in the work of the Anti-Dumping Commission and in its continued evolution.
|Disclaimer: This publication contains comments of a general nature only and is provided as an information service. It is not intended to be relied upon as, nor is it a substitute for specific professional advice. No responsibility can be accepted by Rigby Cooke Lawyers or the authors for loss occasioned to any person doing anything as a result of any material in this publication.
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.
©2020 Rigby Cooke Lawyers


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Edcon to fight back over fees
Consumer tribunal’s ruling a big blow for struggling retailer — but regulator says it will oppose any appeal
SA’s largest clothing retailer Edcon says it plans to appeal last week’s ruling against it by the national consumer tribunal, which could have potentially far-reaching financial consequences on the struggling retailer.
The tribunal ruled that Edcon, which owns Edgars and Jet, isn’t entitled to add a "club fee" to its credit agreements with customers. It’s a blow for the company, given that an estimated 3.4m account holders are also club members.
For the year to March 2016, these club fees brought in R590m in revenue for the retailer. For the nine months to December, it had clocked up R418m in club fees.
At this point, however, the financial consequences for Edcon are unclear — including the size of a potential fine, as well as the quantum of any refunds for customers.
The national credit regulator (NCR) first brought the case against Edcon in November 2015. Last week’s ruling will affect other retailers whose customers also belong to a club.
Edcon, however, will appeal the finding.
A spokesman said: "The board and shareholders are aware of the (tribunal’s) decision, and based on our legal advice they agree with management that the decision is wrong."
However, he said it would be premature to respond to whether Edcon would refund members, if the appeal goes against it, "as the matter is not yet finalised".
The retailer argued that club membership is voluntary, and can save members up to R17,000 per year if they use the benefits — including discounts for gyms, movie tickets and travel.
However, Nthupang Magolego, a senior legal adviser at the regulator, says Edcon has not yet provided the NCR with an official response.
"Should we be notified of the appeal, the NCR will file its intention to oppose the appeal, as we believe the tribunal came to a correct decision on the matter."
However, Magolego is tight-lipped about the course of action the regulator would take should Edcon be unable to pay the fine, saying: "In order to avoid jeopardising our next course of action, we wish not to divulge or pre-empt the next course of action."
For Edcon’s new investors, who bought the company from Bain Capital in a debt-to-equity swap for US$1.5bn in September after the retailer almost hit a wall under a R27bn debt burden, this finding is unwelcome.
For the three months to December, Edcon’s revenue fell 2% — a sign of just how difficult it is to get back on its feet.
Kaeleen Brown, a retail analyst at SBG Securities, says there is no positive spin for Edcon in this news. "Edcon’s debt has been restructured, but the bottom line is that there is no real positive — it’s negative.
"The fact is that the environment is deteriorating a lot more than everyone is expecting so, as difficult as it is for everybody else, it’s even more so for Edcon, which is in a relatively weak position."
Brown says that losing close to R590m is not something that a retailer such as Edcon would recover from easily.
"What I can tell you, having chatted to their competitors, is that pretty much across the board the numbers have come in weaker than expected for this year ... but other retailers are better positioned than Edcon and are also getting much more cautious about the outlook."
What seems clear is that Edcon won’t be the only casualty of the regulator’s scrutiny. Asked about retailers that have similar pending cases against them, Magolego says: "We are not able to divulge this information at this stage."


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Take a look at the companies that are making headlines before the bell rings:
Home Depot (HD) – The home improvement retailer beat quarterly estimates by 3 cents with earnings of $ 2.65 per share. Revenues were also above estimates. Comparable store sales increased 24.5% during the fourth quarter, more than the consensus estimate of 19.2% from analysts surveyed by FactSet. However, Home Depot is not providing guidance for 2021 due to uncertainty related to the pandemic. The shares fell 2.7% before trading.
Macy’s (M) – The retailer reported an adjusted quarterly profit of 80 cents a share, well above the consensus estimate of 12 cents, and revenue also beat Wall Street forecasts. Comparable store sales fell 17.1% in property + license, less than the 21.3% drop anticipated by analysts surveyed by Refinitiv. Macy’s shares were up 2.2% in pre-market share.
Tesla (TSLA) – Tesla shares fell more than 5% in pre-market trading on Tuesday, after suffering its biggest single-day loss in months on Monday. Wedbush analyst Dan Ives cautions that Tesla’s share price is now directly tied to the price of bitcoin after the electric vehicle maker’s investment in the cryptocurrency.
Palo Alto Networks (PANW) – Palo Alto Networks reported adjusted quarterly earnings of $ 1.55 per share, 12 cents above estimates, and the cybersecurity company’s revenue also beat forecasts. Palo Alto issued a mostly weaker-than-expected current quarter earnings outlook but noted the opportunities provided by the massive SolarWinds hack. The shares fell 3.7% before trading.
Churchill Capital IV (CCIV) – Lucid Motors will go public through a merger with the blank check company in a deal that values the combination at $ 24 billion. The deal would inject $ 4.4 billion into the California-based manufacturer of luxury electric vehicles. Churchill Capital shares fell 34.5% in premarket trading.
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG): IHG reported an operating loss of $ 153 million for 2020, affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdowns. However, the company said that its Holiday Inn Express brand performed better in key markets and that global travel is beginning to rebound. The shares were up 1.2% before trading.
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) – J&J is setting aside $ 3.9 billion in relation to talc-related litigation, according to an SEC file. In November, the company said it would set aside $ 2.1 billion for talc cases, as it faces thousands of lawsuits claiming its talc products cause cancer.
Occidental Petroleum (OXY) – Occidental lost 78 cents adjusted per share in its most recent quarter, more than the 59 cent loss analysts anticipated. Revenues also missed forecasts. The failure occurred despite the rebound in oil and gas prices. The shares fell 2.2% before trading.
Shopify (SHOP) – Shopify traded a 1.18 million share offering at $ 1.315 per share, and the e-commerce platform provider expects to raise around $ 1.55 billion from the sale. Shopify plans to use the profits to strengthen its balance sheet. The shares fell 5.5% in pre-trade stock.
Carnival (CCL) – Cruise line operator’s stock fell 3.4% pre-market after it priced an offering of around 40.45 million common shares at $ 25.10 per share , and the cruise line operator sought to raise about $ 1 billion to be used for general corporate purposes. The cruise industry was shut down during the pandemic.
RealReal (REAL): RealReal lost 49 adjusted cents per share in its most recent quarter and posted revenue that also fell short of analyst forecasts. The second-hand luxury goods seller said 2020 was a challenging year, with the pandemic “temporarily interrupting” its path to profitability. The stock fell 10.8% before trading.
ZoomInfo (ZI) – ZoomInfo was up 8.1% pre-market after beating estimates by 2 cents with adjusted quarterly earnings of 12 cents a share. The marketing database provider’s revenue also exceeded expectations. ZoomInfo also provided an optimistic outlook for the current quarter and the full year.
AMC Entertainment (AMC) – Shares of the theater operator rose 3.4% pre-market on news that New York City theaters will reopen with limited capacity on March 5.
Wells Fargo (WFC) – The bank announced an agreement to sell its Wells Fargo Asset Management unit to private equity firms GTCR and Reverence Capital for $ 2.1 billion. Wells Fargo will retain a 9.9% stake in the business.
Dollar General (DG) – Dollar General is taking steps to find a possible successor to CEO Todd Vasos, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke to Reuters. Sources say Vasos had not communicated any intention to leave the discount retailer when its contract expires in June, calling the process “good governance”.
—CNBC’s Sara Salinas contributed to this report.


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Just ahead of Xenoblade Chronicles 3… Uh oh.
The ‘My Nintendo Store’ is currently under maintenance for several countries in the EU and will reportedly be down for “a few weeks”, meaning it is currently not possible for users to browse or make purchases on the store (thanks to user NielsNL for the tip).
We’ve tested this out, and the store is down in France, Spain, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands among other EU countries. The reasoning behind this is unclear at this time; perhaps the stores are being updated to be more aligned with the UK version. Either way, we’ve reached out to Nintendo to get some clarification on the matter.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com


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Canon Japan has announced several new products, including the R3 and seven lenses, are in short supply and there is a forthcoming delay.
Unforeseen demand is apparently the cause of the delivery delay, with the company citing ‘more orders than expected’.
The delay covers the EOS R3 mirrorless full-frame camera, RF100-500mm f4.5-7.1 IS USM, RF100mm f2.8 L MACRO IS USM, RF400mm f2.8 L IS USM, RF600mm f4 L IS USM, RF14-35mm f4 L IS USM, RF100-400mm f5.6-8 IS USM, RF16mm f2.8 STM, and numerous accessions.
The photo industry has grown accustomed to product shipping delays attributed to ‘unforeseen demand’, despite it being a relatively new phenomenon.
Camera companies may occasionally be impacted by shoddy sales forecast modelling. But given it has happened with almost all major recent releases by Canon, Nikon, Sony and others, it’s hard to believe so many are this poor at measuring demand.
This is compounded by the fact that there are other more plausible factors, such as supply chain disruptions, production facilities at lower capacities, and component shortages. For instance there is a semiconductor shortage, and a shipping container shortage brought about by the lack of air freight. One executive we talked to last week pointed to LCD panels being in short supply.
While these issues have impacted numerous global industries, camera manufacturers are yet to formally acknowledge whether they are also victims.
Instead, we’re led to believe that manufacturing plants are at full swing, with unbridled access to all components and international freighting, but it’s the overly-eager consumers who are creating supply issues.
Here’s Canon’s list of delayed products:
– RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 IS USM
– RF100mm F2.8 L MACRO IS USM
– RF400mm F2.8 L IS USM
– RF600mm F4 L IS USM
– Ring type tripod mount E (B)
– RF14-35mm F4 L IS USM
– EOS R3
– Eye cup ER-h
– Eye cup ER-hE
– Strap ER-L1
– RF100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM
– RF16mm F2.8 STM
– Lens hood EW-65C
– Multi-accessory shoe adapter AD-E1
– Speedlight transmitter ST-E10
– Multi-accessory shoe directional stereo microphone DM-E1D
– Multi-accessory shoe Smartphone link adapter AD-P1


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Disney + continues to grow. During the fourth quarter of 2021, Disney’s streaming service recorded a total of 11.7 million new subscribers, reaching a total of 129.8 million subscribers. The company aims to reach the target of 230-260 million subscribers by 2024. To reach this level, a new, cheaper, ad-supported subscription plan.
Disney + may introduce a new subscription plan with advertising to increase subscribers
To launch the indiscretion, not yet officially confirmed, is The Information. According to rumors, Disney + may soon introduce a new a reduced price but with advertising in order to increase the number of users. This is a similar solution to that adopted in the US by Hulu, a service owned by Disney that offers its users a subscription at almost half price ($ 6.99 instead of $ 12.99) but with advertising. Similar solutions have also been introduced by other “American” streaming services such as HBO Max and Paramount +. Disney + could also see a sharp price cut thanks to advertising.
There are new price hikes on the horizon
Meanwhile, Disney + may register a new price increase, after the one arrived last year which, in Italy, brought the price from 6.99 euros per month to 8.99 euros per month. The increase could be accompanied by the arrival of new content. More details on the matter could arrive in the coming weeks.


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It was also £10 or more cheaper at least 43 times in the six months following Black Friday, including on 33 days between December and January.
New research from consumer group Which? has revealed that the overwhelming majority (87%) of products were actually cheaper at other times of the year.
We've shown you every Black Friday ad that leaked in the past few weeks now and we've covered all the official sales announcements coming from various retailers. Beyond smart-enabled TVs, users with regular "dumb" TVs can still pick up a Fire TV device with a considerable Black Friday 2018 discount.
A 49in LG television was £599 at Currys PC World - but £20 cheaper from the end of December to mid-January, and again in April. On Black Friday, it's a good idea to steer clear of lesser or unknown brands that are on offer - it's likely that these won't be worth even the reduced price. Which? found it was £10 cheaper at least 27 times in June and July 2017.
Black Friday is nearly upon us and the bonanza of sales are starting to take hold.
Online transactions are expected to rise by 4% for this year's Black Friday, although that is a lower pace of growth than recorded last year amid signs that shoppers are becoming wary that "bargains" offered may not be as attractive as they look.
Neha and Angad name their daughter Mehr Dhupia Bedi
Others who showered their love and blessings on the newly born included Aayush Sharma, Harbhajan Singh and Nimrat Kaur. She shot for her show " No Filter Neha " season 2 where several celebrities made some candid confessions.
But Springboard said online spending for Black Friday is not rising as fast as in the past, amid economic pressures and scepticism over claimed savings.
Alex Neill, managing director of home products and services at Which?, said: "The results of our investigation will disappoint many who are expecting nothing but bargains this Black Friday".
"To bag a bargain, do your research and don't get carried away by the hype when shopping in the upcoming sales".
Currys PC World insisted it offers great value on products throughout the year and clearly states when a product was available for a higher price. 36% could be found at the same price as on Black Friday at other times of the year. In what follows, we'll recap everything you should know about the Black Friday 2018 shopping season, including handy links to Black Friday ads, sales catalogs, opening times, shipping offers, and early sale details.
There are some also good gaming hardware deals!
A John Lewis spokesperson said that prices are matched throughout the year as part of the chain's Never Knowingly Undersold commitment.


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Deals of the Day compiles this morning’s biggest news about mergers and acquisitions, banking, bankruptcy and more. Catch us on Twitter, @WSJDealJournal.
Mergers & Acquisitions
Viterra: Glencore, backed by partners Richardson International and Agrium, has agreed to buy Canada’s Viterra in a cash deal valuing the country’s largest grain handler at C$6.1 billion ($6.2 billion). [Reuters]
Amazon: The company agreed to buy Kiva Systems, a maker of robots used in e-commerce fulfillment centers, for $775 million. [WSJ]
UPS-TNT: UPS’s €5.16 billion all-cash offer for TNT Express might not be the deal investors dreamed of, but it may be the best they can expect. Instead, UPS shareholders should question the 50% premium, given the uncertain outlook. [WSJ]
Related: UPS turned to one of the same Morgan Stanley bankers who took the delivery company public in 1999 for advice on its largest takeover, the $6.8 billion purchase of TNT Express. [Bloomberg]
Siemens: German industrial conglomerate isn’t planning to buy Suzlon Energy Ltd.’s German wind turbine unit REpower. [WSJ]
Citigroup: The bank sold its entire 2.71% equity stake in Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, a move that will result in an after-tax gain of approximately $349 million. [WSJ]


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Indus pips Apple, Microsoft to take second spot in smartphone operating system market
Indus OS had a 5.6% share, ahead of Apple’s iOS which was at no. 5 with 2.5% share and Microsoft’s Windows which had a share of 0.3%.
EU slaps anti-trust charges on Google over Android phone operating system
Competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager said Google had used pr...
Mozilla to kill Firefox smartphone operating system
"Through the work of hundreds of contributors we made an awesome push and created an impr...
Here are 10 apps to help switch operating systems
The user interface has a learning curve involved but thankfully there are cross platform apps that make the transition easier.
E-tolling system on 360 plazas to be operational soon: Nitin Gadkari
The electronic tolling (e-tolling) system on 360 toll plazas will be operational before April this year, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said today.
Scoot launches flight operations in India
Scoot, the long-haul budget arm of Singapore Airlines, today launched its operations in India with flight services to Chennai and Amritsar from Singapore.
Infosys to run German bank's IT operations
The IT major will streamline the investment bank's IT architecture and consolidate its systems and applications to service clients better.
Stocks in news: IDBI Bank, Ramco Systems
The Indian market is expected to open flat-to-higher tracking positive trend seen in other Asian markets. Here is a look at the key stocks that are in news this morning and are likely to be on investor radar through the day.
Snapdeal plans to scale down operations in regional offices
Snapdeal may even shut down a few offices in the next six months, if it doesn't raise a fresh funding round, the sources said.
Samsung, Alibaba team up on mobile payment systems
Samsung has struck a partnership with Alipay, the online payment platform run by a unit of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba.
Myntra apologises for technical glitch; to review systems and process
On Thursday, users of Myntra app had taken to Twitter to complain about notifications being sent for orders they had not placed with the retailer.
Opportunities and hurdles with Google's Daydream VR system
On Wednesday, Google said it will develop a range of VR headsets that promise to be more comfortable and durable than its ultra-cheap Cardboard headset.
Tirupati Airport to begin international operations by June end
Customs and other procedural formalities are being completed at the newly-developed airport for the launch of international operations, Principal Secretary for Energy, Infrastructure and Investment, Ajay Jain said.
DU likely to retain relative grading system under Choice Based Credit System
Under CBCS, students are marked by relative grading system in which grades are dependent on their performance in relation to those of other students.
India seeks rights to operate Iran oil field
Indian Oil has proposed that it be given rights to operate and produce crude oil from the discovered field to help build a strategic partnership between the two nations.
Five free computer operating systems you must check out
If you happen to buy one of those laptops without a pre-loaded operating system, there’s no need to pay a fat sum to buy one or resort to piracy.
Buy Persistent Systems, target Rs 769: Gaurav Ratnaparki
The stock has hit a high of Rs 733.70 and low of Rs 723.50 so far in trade. The stock is moving between its 20-day and 50-day moving averages.
Andhra Pradesh to introduce e-Office system in all districts
Already 2,23,582 files with 1,72,40,119 pages have been scanned and kept ready while another 2,02,193 files would also be digitised soon.
Israeli Spyder system emerges as frontrunner for Indian Army's air defence needs
The Army’s SRSAM project has, however, gone through several delays and hiccups and has been running for over five years now.
‘Govt to keep check on telecom operators’
In a major relief to the telecom operators on call drop issue, the apex court has slamed TRAI calling their order as not transparent. In an interview with ET Now, Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad talks about the steps govt will take form now onward.
Implications of FCNR-B outflow for financial markets and banking system
India will witness a likely $26 billion outflow of FCNR-B deposits, raised under a special Reserve Bank of India (RBI) scheme in 2013 aimed at boosting reserves.
Centre considering implementing new education system: Ram Shankar Katheria
Modi government has set a target of establishing 20 private and public universities. Professors of international standards will be invited to train students.
Microsoft's latest operating system Windows 10, running on 200 million devices
Microsoft Corp's latest operating system, Windows 10, is running on 200 million devices in what the company said was the fastest adoption rate of any of its operating systems.
Intelligent system is ticket to future: BMTC
Public transporter to introduce vehicle tracking, electronic ticketing and passenger information systems soon.
US to work for transparency in financial system: John Kerry
US Secretary of State John Kerry said the country is prepared to take steps to prevent unauthorised parking of foreign money in America.
Demat accounts increased over years but operations have fallen
Data from Central Depository Services India (CDSL) showed an uptick in the number of demat accounts in all financial years from 2010-11 to 2015-16.
Ericsson in talks with Indian telcos to help digitise operations
Swedish telecom equipment maker Ericsson is talking to India’s telecom companies that are looking to digitise their operations.
Lockheed Martin in talks with AAI for deploying wind measuring system
Lockheed Martin and the AAI are looking at the possibility of using the system at the congested Mumbai airport, sources said.
My view on Decision Review System remains same: Shashank Manohar
Manohar held the view as BCCI president that DRS, in its current form, was not acceptable as the leg before decision in the system was not foolproof.
Two Harbour Defence Systems inaugurated at Vizag
The Systems were inaugurated by Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command Vice Admiral HCS Bisht, at the Naval Dockyard, a Defence release said.
ArcelorMittal South Africa's Saldanha plant will keep operating: Chairman
ArcelorMittal South Africa's Saldanha plant will keep operating, its chairman said on Wednesday.
Jet Airways to operate additional flights to Dammam
Jet Airways will introduce the new daily services to Dammam, one each from Delhi and Mumbai, starting June 9, a release said today.
Misaligned mirrors cause fire at the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System in California
The plant works by using mirrors to focus sunlight on boilers at the top of three 459-foot towers, creating steam that drive turbines to produce electricity.
Not going slow on international operations: Tatas
"We are actually now a truly global corporate rather than an Indian company," Tata Sons Group Executive Council member Mukund Rajan said.
Ethiopian Airlines plans to expand operations in India
The pan-African flag carrier currently operates a daily double service to New Delhi and Mumbai from capital city Addis Ababa.
Tech Mahindra supply management system to reduce food wastage by 20%
The solution is targeted at companies to transport the farm-grown produce, called Fresh Produce End-To-End Digital Supply Chain, will help in reducing inflation.
Re-looking Indian operations owing to diesel ban: Toyota
Toyota Kirloskar Motor -- a joint venture between Toyota and the Kirloskar group, is not considering shutting shop here, but it is also not looking at launching new models here.
BlackBerry may abandon BB10 operating system and and switch to Android
BlackBerry is likely to abandon its BlackBerry 10 (BB10) operating system and switch to Google’s Android for its mobile phones.
Samsung, Alibaba to team up on mobile payment systems: Reports
Samsung Electronics and Alibaba Group Holding plan to announce a collaboration on mobile payment systems on Friday, South Korean media reported.
Israel successfully tests missile defence system at sea: Army
A video provided by the army showed a rocket launcher installed on a ship firing at targets in the sky and later intercepting a missile.
HP unveils world's first commercial 3D printing system
With partners such as Nike & BMW, HP has taken a major step in reinventing prototyping & manufacturing industry with first commercial 3D printers
TinyOwl shuts operations in all cities besides Mumbai
Online food ordering platform TinyOwl has "temporarily discontinued" its services in all cities besides Mumbai.
TinyOwl halts operations in all cities besides Mumbai
TinyOwl was previously operational in cities like Delhi-NCR, Bangalore, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Nagpur, Lucknow and Chandigarh.
Henry Ford Health Systems inking franchise partnership with KWalls Hospitality
Under the partnership deal, KWalls will set up stores branded ‘Culinary Wellness’ in the country, starting with the northern region.
3D CAD firm Onshape launches its operations in India
Onshape has shifted the entire process to a cloud-based system that can be accessed even on the mobile and doesn't require an app or a browser plug in.
Nissan forecasts 11% decline in annual operating profit
After operating profit jumped 35% to 793.3 bn yen ($7.3 billion) in the 2015/16 financial year, Japan's second-largest automaker said it expected profit for the current year to fall to 710 bn yen.
China plans base station for rescue operations in South China Sea
The civilian bureau has 31 ships and four helicopters conducting rescue missions in the South China Sea, and officials from the department told the China Daily they work with the military on such efforts.
Bajaj Electricals launches innovative lighting system
Bajaj Electricals Limited has come up with brand new range of LED lights with a motive of saving energy.


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Riccardo Tisci’s sneaker moment officially arrived at Burberry on Sunday evening when the creative director unveiled his second collection for the house at London Fashion Week.
During a show that highlighted Tisci’s well-known affinity — and talent — for elevated streetwear, Burberry offered up a series of new creeper-sole sneakers. Fashioned in bright red, animal prints, black and diamante, the kicks were an obvious nod to the now-ubiquitous dad shoe trend. But Tisci’s versions were a bit more subtle than the best-selling Balenciaga Triple S and other chunky styles.
It’s not surprising that Tisci, a self-described sneaker fanatic, is making a big play for the market in his new role. After all, he stirred up huge consumer excitement with his past designs, most notably with his wildly successful Nike collaborations.
Still, market watchers have been debating how long the incredible sneaker momentum can continue at retail. So far, there hasn’t been a slowdown — with sneakers still driving huge sales for Balenciaga, Versace and other fashion houses. But the market has never been more saturated — so it remains to be seen whether Burberry can cash into the same degree.
Meanwhile, Gigi Hadid — who typically skips London Fashion Week — walked in her first-ever Burberry show wearing studded knee-high boots paired with a mini-skirt and a polo shirt under a corset top. The model also carried a puffer coat and matching backpack.
“I have been thinking a lot about England as a country of contrasts, from the structured to the rebellious and free, and I wanted to celebrate how these elements coexist,” Tisci said in show notes.
“My first season for Burberry was about starting to develop my alphabet for the house, it was about identifying new letters and new codes. And now, I’m starting to put these letters together to begin writing my book here, to form the first chapter for a new era at Burberry.”
To see more from Burberry’s fall ’19 collection at London Fashion Week, click through the gallery.
Victoria Beckham Makes Another Strong Case for This Trend-Defining Shoe
These Manolo Blahnik Beaded Slippers for Wales Bonner’s LFW Show Take One Week to Make
All the Jimmy Choo Shoes on the Runway at London Fashion Week


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- PPG partners with Prague Crafts Academy to train the next generation of painters
- Offshore wind farm Hollandse Kust Zuid inaugurated
- UPM selects Brenntag as sole European distributor of its new bio-based MEG
- PPG partners with Dutch university to develop world’s first off-road solar car
- Philippine lead paint ban feted in Bonn, Germany
Sika is opening a new technology centre and manufacturing plant for high-quality adhesives and sealants in Pune, a city in the federal state of Maharashtra. Developments at the new R&D laboratories and the production in the new plant are aimed at meeting the rapidly growing demand in the Indian market. On its three new production lines, Sika mainly manufactures products for the transportation, construction, and renewable energy sectors.
Situated 100km southeast of the port of Mumbai, Pune is one of India’s main industrial centres. The city and its agglomeration represent more than eight million people. Vehicle manufacturers and automotive suppliers in particular have settled in Pune and nearby in the state of Maharashtra. The new Sika site at one of the region’s key logistics hubs is ideally located in terms of transportation infrastructure, ensuring rapid and reliable deliveries to customers.
Morten Muschak, Corporate Target Market Manager Industry said: "This latest investment in India allows us to further strengthen our position in the country’s construction and industrial sectors. By expanding our own production and R&D facilities at this site, we can develop our local expertise and generate huge benefits for our customers. Customer-specific solutions can be developed, produced, and delivered within a very short period of time. Sika is laying the foundations for our long-term expansion and development in this key market."
Rapid economic growth continues
Both the building industry and the automotive sector in India are benefiting from dynamic economic growth and ongoing urbanisation, as well as from favourable government investment policies. India is now the world’s fifth biggest market for cars. The construction industry is expected to grow by an average of 6.5% per annum from now until 2030. Annual growth in the automotive sector in the same period should exceed 10%.


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Eternals will be available on Disney Plus
Eternals, the new Disney movie that premiered only in theaters, will be available on Disney Plus next week, Diez Minutos reported.
Disney Plus has recently announced that Chloé Zhao's 2021 Marvel movie will be available for streaming at no additional cost starting January 12, the company announced in a statement on its official Twitter account.
They are ready. The great news is that you won't have to wait 7000 years to see it in your home. #Eternals, available January 12 on #DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/KfHvZn9zHp
– Disney + Latin America (@disneyplusla) January 6, 2022
The plot of Eternals follows a group of cosmic heroes who have protected the Earth since the dawn of man. When monsters called Deviants return, the Eternals are forced to rally to defend humanity once more.
The Eternals cast includes stars such as Gemma Chan as Sersi, Richard Madden as Ikaris, Kumail Nanjiani as Kingo, Lia McHugh as Sprite, Brian Tyree Henry as Phastos, Lauren Ridloff as Makkari, Barry Keoghan as Druig, Don Lee as Gilgamesh and Kit Harington. as Dane Whitman, with Salma Hayek as Ajak and Angelina Jolie as Thena.
The film's arrival on Disney Plus comes 69 days after its November 5 theatrical release, relatively quickly compared to Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, which hit the streaming service 71 days. after its theatrical release on September 3.
Eternals joins 13 other Marvel Cinematic Universe movies airing in IMAX Enhanced on Disney Plus, a feature that allows viewers to view select movies in an enlarged aspect ratio.
Why was it so fast on Disney Plus?
In recent months, the great mouse film company has been shelving Disney Plus release strategies for the day, especially after the company's legal dispute with Black Widow star Scarlett Johansson.
The Marvel actress filed a lawsuit against Marvel in July, arguing that Black Widow's simultaneous streaming premiere on Disney+ Premier Access breached her contract and sacrificed the film's box office potential.
Hopefully the relatively quick arrival of Eternals on Disney+ means things are running a bit better behind the scenes. At least there are no deviants to worry about in Hollywood.
Author: Natasha Palís 4:23 pm


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Herbal Way to Promote Health Tourism
MALACCA: Malaysia wants to promote health tourism using traditional herbs, said Health Ministry
director- general Tan Sri Dr Mohamad Taha Arif.
"We are exploring ways to introduce herbal baths and traditional massage to Western tourists," he
said. "Health tourism is not only confined to seeking Western medical treatment but it is also for a
healthy person who wants to try out traditional methods," he said.
Thailand had been successful in wooing Western tourists through its traditional massage, spa and diet,
he said after opening the 16th Malaysia-Thailand Goodwill Committee meeting at the Golden Legacy
Hotel here yesterday.
Also present was Inspector-General in the Thai Public Health Ministry, M.L. Somchai Chakrabhand.
Dr. Mohamad Taha said the ministry would look for ways to promote health tourism, particularly in
Kelantan, which shares borders with Thailand. "We will look at safety practices and register those who
are involved and conduct research," he said. - The Star
On the Web: Virtual Malaysia »


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We're looking for the best and brightest to join us as we innovate, collaborate and dedicate our efforts to driving the future of the perfect pool and wellness experience.
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Call: (800) 822-7933
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January 14, 2020
Fluidra is a leading global company dedicated to the pool and wellness sector
September 24, 2019
Zodiac - A Fluidra Company, a leading manufacturer of innovative automatic pool cleaners and pool equipment, is introducing three optimized pumps to their Jandy...
July 08, 2019
Caretaker™, the original in-floor pool and spa self-cleaning system, is taking in-floor cleaning to new levels of efficiency with its latest innovation — the...
January 24, 2019
Zodiac Pool Systems LLC, a leading manufacturer of innovative automatic pool cleaners and pool equipment, introduces the new Polaris Quattro Sport pressure-side...
September 25, 2018
Jandy, a leading manufacturer of innovative pool equipment, is raising the bar when it comes to pool lighting performance with the launch of its state-of-the-art...
July 02, 2018
Fluidra, S.A. (BME: FDR) and Zodiac Pool Solutions ("Zodiac") have closed their merger, which was announced in November 2017. The combined company will keep the...
June 21, 2018
Zodiac Pool Systems LLC (Zodiac), a leading manufacturer of innovative automatic pool cleaners and pool equipment, is delivering more lighting options to pool...
February 26, 2018
Zodiac Pool Systems LLC (Zodiac), a leading manufacturer of innovative automatic pool cleaners and pool equipment, has reconfigured its Loyalty Program, designing it...
November 03, 2017
Zodiac and Fluidra, a Spanish publicly listed multinational group serving the pool sector with both residential and commercial pool products, have signed an...
October 05, 2017
Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc. (Zodiac®), a leading manufacturer of innovative automatic pool cleaners and pool equipment, has added the new Polaris 7240 Sport compact...
October 02, 2017
Custom outdoor decorative fire and water features added to industry-leading product lineup.
January 18, 2017
Zodiac Pool Solutions SAS has closed its sale to global asset management firm, Rhône, positioning the global residential pool and spa business and its family of...


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Giant-Carlisle marks 90th anniversary
CARLISLE, Pa. — Giant Food Stores turned 90 Friday, the Ahold USA-owned supermarket chain said.
The supermarket banner, which operates nearly 200 stores under the Giant and Martin’s Food Markets brands in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia, marked its 90th anniversary Friday morning at a store in its hometown of Carlisle, Pa. Customers at all the company’s 200 stores will receive free slices of cake and free apple slices Friday.
L-R: Joe Marsicano, aide to state Sen. Pat Vance; Pennsylvania state Rep. Stephen Bloom; Giant-Carlisle president Rick Herring, president; Pennsylvania secretary of agriculture George Greig; Carlisle mayor Bill Kronenberg; and Vivian Sheck, Project SHARE.
"Since Giant-Martin’s was founded in Carlisle on Oct. 4, 1923, our commitment to being a good neighbor has been unwavering," Giant-Carlisle president Rick Herring said. "We celebrate with and wish all our associates a happy 90th birthday."
During the time leading up to the anniversary, the company spent 90 days donating to local charitable organizations, including a $9,000 donation to Project SHARE, a local group that provides food and nutrition education assistance. In total, the company donated $81,000 to nine regional food banks.
"Our 90 days of giving enabled us to give back to our local communities and exemplified the enthusiastic and generous spirit of our associates, who we view as our best community ambassadors," Herring said.
David Javitch founded the chain in 1923 when he opened a two-man butcher shop called the Carlisle Meat Market. A decade later, Javitch purchased a store in Lewistown, Pa., and renamed it the Giant Shopping Food Center, introducing the new concept of dry goods and perishables under one roof. Growth continued, and the company purchased the Hagerstown, Md.-based Martin’s chain in 1970. The Javitch family sold the company to Ahold in 1981.
Retail health clinics to be a focus at Forbes’ second annual Health Summit in NYC
NEW YORK — As retail-based health clinics increasingly illustrate the important role they plan in today’s U.S. healthcare system, Forbes is gearing up for its second annual Healthcare Summit in New York City Oct. 9 to 10.
The two-day event, hosted by Steve Forbes at the Lincoln Center, will bring together leaders from a wide spectrum of disciplines in the healthcare industry.
Among those presenting at the event will be Andrew Sussman, SVP and associate chief medical officer of CVS Caremark, as well as president of MinuteClinic, who will be among those participating in the panel discussion, “The Walk-In Clinic Revolution.”
Also participating in the event will be panelist Traver Hutchins, CEO of ASAP Urgent Care, who will discuss the growth of the urgent care segment.
Publix makes move into two South Carolina markets — Myrtle Beach and Pawleys Island
LAKELAND, Fla. — Publix Super Markets on Thursday announced it will enter the North Myrtle Beach and Pawleys Island, S.C., markets with two stores.
The first lease is for North Myrtle Beach located in the Coastal North Town Center. The store will be a 49,000-sq.-ft. Publix supermarket and is expected to open in late 2014.
The second lease is for Pawleys Island in the Pawleys Island Plaza. The store, part of a redevelopment of an existing shopping center, will be a 45,000-sq.-ft. Publix supermarket and is expected to open in early 2015.
“On the heels of our continued expansion in North Carolina, we are excited to offer our associates growth opportunities and bring new jobs to the area,” stated Chuck Roskovich, Publix divisional VP. “We look forward to providing South Carolina residents and visitors alike with the high-quality service, products and active community involvement that Publix has become known for in our areas of operation and beyond.”
The grand opening dates for both locations will depend on several factors, including permitting and completion of the store’s construction.


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Paula's career travels to the top
The event, hosted by David Cameron, brought together some of the UK’s leading companies to celebrate the employment of thousands of apprentices across the country. The reception also took place to formally introduce the new, national Apprenticeship Delivery Board.
Paula began her career at Hays Travel 25 years ago on a two-year apprenticeship. After completing this in 1992, aged 18, she was awarded an NVQ in Travel Services and has since progressed up the career ladder to become the holiday company’s head of retail.
She is now responsible for more than 120 retail branches, which employ about 850 people, from the Hays Travel head office in Sunderland.
Paula was one of the youngest branch managers to win ‘Branch of the Year’ in 1999.
Paula said: “I felt very proud to be invited to such a prestigious event at 10 Downing Street where careers like mine were celebrated. I hope this will inspire young people to take on an apprenticeship like I did.”
Hays Travel employed about 117 apprentices in 2015 and is planning on recruiting a higher number this year.
The company offers apprenticeships in both its nationwide retail branches, as well as its head office in Sunderland. Hays Travel has its own training department and accredited NVQ assessors, which offer in-house training to all apprentices.
Applicants for this year’s Hays Travel’s apprenticeship scheme can apply online at www.haystravel.org/Recruitment/apprenticeships.php


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Hey Siri has just become more intelligent with the latest upgrade. Apple voice-integrated digital assistant has been updated with information about baseball and its statistics.
Just as the Major League Baseball’s Opening Day on Sunday has begun, Apple updated Siri with history and stats going back to the beginning of baseball records. Users can now get all the information on career statistics, and it also covers specific information for leagues other than the Majors, which includes 28 other leagues and minors.
However, the publication notes that Siri’s capacity is still limited, and it cites an instance that when asked, “When was the last time the Yankees had a perfect game?” it led to a generic search for the Yankees. Other searches just led to a Google query and some results showed inconsistent presentation that was displayed in an Apple-designed frame. Some results showed a simple copy of a Wolfram Alpha result. However, Apple has brought good improvement to the feature.
According to CNET, the Cupertino-based company is mulling over that the improvement in Siri may come in handy for MLB teams. The company has stated last week that its 12.9-inch iPad Pro will be used this year to help coaching staffs and make a real-time decision during games.
Moreover, asking Siri will also offer team rosters, injury reports, latest scores and upcoming games.
Recently, another report suggests that Apple has included Sexual Assault Hotline number to the virtual assistant. CNN report cited that Siri responds to variations like, “I don’t know what you mean,” or, “I don’t understand,” and offered to do a web search.
It also included National Sexual Assault Hotline number as 800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit RAINN.org.


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GAMERS anxious to get their hands on a sold-out next-gen console won't have to wait long, if the latest rumours are to be believed.
Insiders claim that multiple retailers in both the US and UK are expecting restocks of the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 in the coming days.
The high-powered machines, which cost up to £450/$500, launched in November but huge demand has left stock in short supply.
Restocks are often gobbled up within minutes, leading many frustrated customers to simply give up the chase.
According to one trusted leaker on Twitter, up to seven UK retailers are releasing a fresh batch of PlayStation 5s soon.
PS5UKStock, an account that has previously made accurate predictions about the arrival of console restocks, said the next drop arrives today.
"BT & EE drop tomorrow most likely," the anonymous tipster wrote on Wednesday.
However, when contacted by The Sun, BT, which owns EE, dismissed reports of a restock as mere rumours.
PS5UKStock added that they expect six other retailers to restock soon.
"Still expecting a drop from Argos who have stock, Smyth's digital PS5s, Very, Hughes, Amazon, and Amazon Europe (we can import over) & JD Williams".
Speaking to The Sun, an Argos spokesperson said: "We haven’t announced any updates. We continue to encourage customers to check back regularly."
In the US, Gamestop has revealed that it will open up additional PS5 stock this week.
The retailer wrote on Twitter that a "limited number" of consoles, including the Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and Nintendo Switch, will go on sale today.
Gamestop is keeping the specific time its stock will go live a secret. The company told customers to keep an eye on its Twitter account for updates.
The Sun has reached out to Smyths Toys, Amazon UK, Very and Gamestop for comment.
Sony reportedly flogged more than 3.4million PS5 units in the first four weeks of sales.
It marks the biggest PlayStation launch of all time.
Those who fail to get hold of a PS5 this month need not despair.
Sony is tipped to be mass-producing 18million consoles ready for stores later this year.
Microsoft, which launched the Xbox Series X and Series S in early November, is also reported to be ramping up production.
Gamers can expect available stock for each console to rise rapidly from around March or April, according to rumours.
Sony launched two versions of the PlayStation 5 in the US on November 12, and in the UK on November 19.
PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X – when did they launch and how much do they cost?
Microsoft launched the Xbox Series X and its smaller, cheaper sibling, the Series S, on November 10.
The release date covered the UK, US, Australia and a bunch of other countries worldwide.
The disc-free Series S costs £249/$299, while the Xbox Series X comes in at £449/$499.
So how does that compare to the new Xbox's biggest rival, the PlayStation 5?
The PS5 launch fell on November 12, but not everywhere.
That date only stood for the US, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea.
UK gamers had to wait until November 19 to order one of the consoles.
The PS5 proper costs £449.99/$499.99, while the digital edition comes in at £359/$399.
The full PS5 costs £449/$499, while a Digital Edition without a disc tray is priced at £359/$399.
They're up against the Xbox Series X (£449) and Xbox Series S (£249), which hit shelves worldwide November 10.
All four consoles have been sold out around the world, with stock seesawing in and out of availability over the past few weeks.
The PS5 launched with major exclusive games like Spider-Man Miles Morales and a revamped version of Dark Souls for players to enjoy.
Xbox gamers, on the other hand, have a new Halo title to look forward to this year.
Most read in Gaming
In other news, The Sun's favourite alternative to a games console is the Oculus Quest 2 VR headset.
Grab a VR headset and you'll be able to play the legendary Beat Saber – like Guitar Hero, but with lightsabers.
And Dell's Alienware R10 Ryzen Edition is a gaming PC powerhouse that crushes both the new consoles.
Are you excited for console restocks? Let us know in the comments!
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online Tech & Science team? Email us at firstname.lastname@example.org


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The pandemic has boosted the adoption of livestreaming among brands and retailers looking to engage more directly with customers. But the addition of shopping features is now transforming livestreaming into a growth engine for e-commerce.
An increasing number of brands and retailers are turning to livesteaming as more platforms emerge that allow viewers to instantly buy featured products.
For example, China-based livestreaming app Kuaishou went public a few weeks ago following stellar gross merchandise volume growth in 2020, while payment unicorn Klarna recently partnered with ShopShops to offer livestream shopping during its second virtual shopping event.
Livestreaming commerce has also captured executives’ attention recently, with mentions on earnings calls soaring in 2020.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- China leads the way: Livestreaming is expected to generate up to 20% of China’s total e-commerce sales by 2022 — doubling its share from 2020 — according to estimates by HSBC and Qianhai Securities. Chinese live video platforms such as Kuaishou and Bytedance are quickly adding commerce features, while e-commerce leaders such as Alibaba and JD.com have both ramped up their livestreaming efforts in the past year, including a push in Europe from Alibaba’s AliExpress.
- Livestreaming is slowly gaining traction in North America: Amazon has been experimenting with livestream shopping for some time and holds several patents in the space. During its Prime Day event in November 2020, the company actively promoted its Amazon Live feature by working with its network of influencers to promote exclusive deals on select products. More recently, US-based TV shopping player QVC debuted a livestream shopping channel on YouTube TV.
- Luxury brands and esports companies will move to popularize livestreaming outside of China: While luxury brands have been experimenting with livestream shopping in China, the pandemic has pushed a number of them to start livestreaming runway shows in other regions. For example, Burberry livestreamed its spring/summer 2021 collection show on US-based Twitch, a popular livestreaming platform among gamers.
- More social media platforms will make live videos shoppable: Facebook launched Instagram Live Shopping in the US at the end of 2020, making it possible for sellers to tag products when they go live for viewers to buy. Tiktok is also reportedly working on a livestream shopping feature, which could further boost livestream commerce penetration outside of China.
- Startups want to make shoppable content tech more accessible: Startups such as Mai and Instreamatic are using artificial intelligence to make it easier to add shopping features to visual and audio content respectively. These tools aim to help content creators, including brands and retailers, to offer livestream shopping experiences on their own platforms.
- Livestreaming technology partners will become essential for brands and retailers: As livestream commerce becomes more popular, brands and retailers — looking to boost their return on investment — will drive up demand for technology partners that can help offer high-quality streaming and convenient purchasing experiences.


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A construction sign at MarketFair Mall in Princeton, N.J., is "apologizing" for the catcalls its workers have made at women. The sign, located outside the mall, reads:
We apologize for the whistling construction workers, but man you look good!
So we will soon, please pardon our dust, dirt, and other assorted inconveniences.
Since so many women have experienced street harassment -- an estimated 90 percent of women by age 19 -- it's perhaps no surprise the ad didn't go over well. A Change.org petition to remove the sign is quickly gathering signatures, and another one has been started on Stopstreetharassment.org.
Meanwhile, over in the UK, Emma Barnett, the Digital Media Editor at the Daily Telegraph (and a radio/digital presenter) found this washing instructions tag inside her boyfriend's new pants—which came from British streetwear retailer Madhouse. Here's what the tag says, after the standard info on washing warm and tumbling dry medium: "Or give it to your woman, it's her job."
The world's most sexist road sign.
Local pizza shop, sexist job offer.
A classy establishment.
A controversial Reebok ad has been removed from display following widespread complaints. The poster, which ran at a gym affiliated with the brand in Germany, was intended to motivate, with the slogan: "Cheat on your girlfriend, not on your workout."
Instead, however, it was met with consumer backlash, and the sportswear firm pulled the ad and acknowledged that it was "offensive." The promotional gaffe was not part of a worldwide marketing campaign, but thanks to social media, the reaction has been global.
Today's special: gender descrimination.
This sexist sign was being held proudly outside the Indiana Jefferson-Jackson dinner where Hillary Clinton was speaking.
From Stuart Freeman @ Hype - Hampshire, Basingstoke, UK.


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WASHINGTON - The Department of Labor has settled its whistleblower case against Brush Creek-based trucking company Mark Alvis Inc.
CHICAGO - Hurricane Sandy hit a region that's both densely populated and important economically. According to IHS Global Insight, the initial estimate of economic losses are in the $30-$50 billion range. However, some trucking companies may see a boost in both the near term and longer term.
MACHIAS, ME – The wide range of customer needs in the local area has made a partnership with KIOTI Tractor the perfect match for Profile Tractor & Equipment, due to the vast capabilities and versatility of every piece of KIOTI equipment.
ANNANDALE, NJ — In exchange for their words of wisdom, technicians will have a chance to win a new W5130 3/8" mid-torque cordless Impactool from Ingersoll Rand.
POWAY, CA – Michael Makowsky of Oakville, Conn. was named the Mitchell 1 2012 Educator of the Year during North American Council of Automotive Teachers (NACAT) conference held recently at Tyler Junior College.
HAYWARD, CA - ATDynamics, a global supplier of semi-trailer rear-drag aerodynamics technology, announced it has completed the relocation of its headquarters and operations to a larger manufacturing and assembly facility in Hayward, Calif.
CHANTILLY, VA - Rappahannock Goodwill Industries has selected FleetCommander fleet and motor pool software to manage its fleet of sedans, box trucks, trailers, and tractor-trailers.
DURHAM, NC – A railroad trestle at Gregson and Peabody streets in Durham, N.C., has claimed an unprecedented number of fleet and other trucks over the years, earning it the ominous nickname the “Bridge of Death.”
BEIJING – This past week, more than 120 attendees from U.S. and Chinese clean truck and bus technology companies took part in the first U.S.–China Clean Truck and Bus Summit in Beijing to help link U.S. firms with Chinese partners and increase exports.
FULLERTON, CA – Yokohama Tire Corporation has released its latest episode of “Tire Tips,” a consumer education video series. In the newest installment, the importance of winter tires and their proper application is covered.
DETROIT – Chevrolet donated 50 Silverado full-size pickup trucks and Express cargo vans to the American Red Cross for use in relief and recovery efforts following Hurricane Sandy.
SEAL BEACH, CA – Clean Energy Fuels Corp. released the second edition of “The Road to Natural Gas,” an update of truck companies, refuse haulers, fleet operators, airports, municipalities and other organizations, which are making the switch to natural gas.
GARNER, IOWA – Iowa Mold Tooling Co. Inc. (IMT), an Oshkosh Corporation company, announced two employee promotions.
INDIANAPOLIS - Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC has launched several social media sites to allow increased interaction among Ride-Rite customers.
FARMINGTON HILLS, MI - The NTEA, the Association for the Work Truck Industry, announced that four companies have qualified for the Member Verification Program (MVP) for the quarter ending September 2012.
SAN RAMON, CA – Chevron Lubricants, maker of the Delo brand of technologically advanced engine oils, lubricants and coolants, unveiled the eight drivers inducted to the Chevron Delo sponsored Red Eye Radio (formerly Midnight Trucking Radio) Million Mile Club in September 2012.
TORRANCE, CA - Join us for a webinar, to be held Nov. 15, titled, "How Fleets Are Increasing MPG by as Much as 14% and Decreasing Collisions by 50%."
SAN ANTONIO – The Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) has awarded Ford F-Series trucks and utilities with top honors in key categories after comparing the vehicles against competitors during the group’s annual Texas Truck Rodeo near San Antonio.
WOODS CROSS, UTAH - During the recent Green Fleet Conference & Expo in Schaumburg, Ill. Go Natural conducted a live demonstration in front of more than 1,000 attendees.
LAS VEGAS - XRS Corporation announced that its Turnpike mobile solution is the official fleet optimization platform for the American Trucking Associations’ (ATA) Interstate One truck.
ARLINGTON, VA - A team of million-mile, accident-free truck drivers helped to raise safety awareness during Operation Safe Driver, October 14-20, 2012.
SALTILLO, MEXICO – Chrysler announced that the first Ram 2500 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) pickup trucks began coming off the assembly line at the company’s Satillo, Mexico, assembly plant, on Oct. 29.
CHICAGO - In its newly released documentary, Safety-Kleen tells the EcoPower story about how engine oil can protect the environment and protect engines, even up to 1 million miles.
CHICAGO - GE’s FlexEfficiency Truck Tour, which is showcasing the power generation technology of tomorrow and is making stops in 25 North American cities over the next four months, rolled through Chicago on Thursday, Oct. 25.
WESTLAKE, OHIO - TravelCenters of America LLC, operator of TA and Petro Stopping Centers branded travel centers, has once again earned honors at the TMCSuperTech competition.
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Woo, ah, baby! And step aside everyone, Kim Petras is the new queen of pop we’ve all been waiting for.
Jam band titans Gov’t Mule have announced the release of Bring On The Music – Live at The Capitol Theatre, a brand new live CD/DVD package out June 28th via Provogue / Mascot Label Group
Kim Petras’ new track “Broken” blends the styles of her early releases and debut era for a soulful treat.
After an incredibly successful run in the highly competitive arena of reasonably priced, high-performing audio/video equipment, Oppo Digital has announced that it will cease the development of new products.
The Blu-ray combo pack release of the 2016 ‘Ben-Hur’ remake has just been dated and detailed by Paramount.
Roald Dahl Fantasy ‘The BFG’ comes to Digital HD, Blu-ray™ and Disney Movies Anywhere Dec. 6. courtesy of Disney and Walden Media.
Get ready to boldly go where no man has gone before again when Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan Director’s Cut warps onto Blu-ray for the first time this June.
Second season of HBO’s hit political comedy Veep starring Julia-Louis Dreyfus is making its way to Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital in March
Disney’s The Jungle Book will swing onto Blu-ray this February in a 2-Disc Diamond Edition with Digital Copy.
Reference Recordings, a well-known producer of state-of-the-art audiophile records has begun the release of high resolution audio downloads.


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WELCOME TO The engineering REPORT
ILLIES & CO. HANDELSGESELLSCHAFT
Feature market insights and perspectives from top C-Level executives, elite technology influencers and thought leaders from your company here. This signature initiative has garnered immense support...
Tesla | January 28, 2020
Tesla is helping its Chinese vehicle owners during the coronavirus outbreak by providing free supercharging throughout the country. Electrek reported a notice appears on the screens of Tesla owners in China, saying it was offering free supercharging to facilitate travel during the outbreak. From now on, we will temporarily open all Tesla vehicles to charge at the supercharging station for free until the epidemic is resolved. We hope that during this extraordinary period, you will be able to effi...
Bowman Consulting Group Ltd. | December 16, 2021
-Bowman Consulting Group Ltd. (the “Company” or “Bowman”) (NASDAQ: BWMN), announced the acquisition of the assets of Kibart, Inc. (“Kibart”). Established in 1986 and based in Towson, Maryland, Kibart delivers a variety of services including mechanical, electrical and energy engineering, master planning, utility and infrastructure design, commissioning, LEED-certification design, and construction administration. Under the leadership of Ed Abbott, Kibart service...
Worcester Polytechnic Institute | July 29, 2020
A Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) chemical engineer has received four separate grants totaling more than $2 million to support his research into using yeast and fungi to take on significant genetic engineering challenges. Through his research in synthetic biology, Eric Young, the Leonard P. Kinnicutt Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering at WPI, aims to engineer organisms to make it easier to develop numerous products, like medicines, biofuels, and plastics, and increase security by ...
AZ Big Media | March 11, 2020
CommercialCafe recently took a nationwide look into the country’s top cities for women working in STEM. Glendale and Chandler were among the top cities for women in STEM. According to data analyzed by the National Girls Collaborative Project, women account for roughly half of the total college-educated workforce in the U.S., yet they’re represented in only 28% of science and engineering jobs. Furthermore, within the range of STEM occupations, women tend to be more concentrated in soc...
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Christine Tsai is convinced that one of the biggest reasons startups fail is because they don't focus enough on distribution and acquiring customers.
"Our accelerator is a great fit for a company that has launched and has paying customers, but is need of distribution and growth" said the 500 Startups Managing Partner at Startup Grind Global Conference. "We have a team in-house focused on growth and retention" she explains, "we've even coined our own term for it - Distro."
The 500 Startups portfolio has done a strong job of distribution, in its own right: with 1300 investments in 40 countries, and adding 40-50 new startups into the premiere 500 Startups accelerator program about 4 times a year, the fund is one of the most diversified early-stage investment houses in Silicon Valley. Together, founding partners Christine Tsai and Dave McClure have been working with startups most of their careers, and kicked off a startup of their own - namely, 500 Startups - in 2010.
The Next Step After Product Is...
Tsai cites the number one killer of startups after building the wrong thing as not knowing how to sell it. Too many founders don't realize the importance of acquiring and retaining customers as part of a company's success, says Tsai. "They think that a good product will just attract customers," she says "but it turns out that you have to go out and get them. And that's actually really hard work."
That's why, when asked what differentiates 500 Startups from other accelerators, the first thing she mentions is the strong in-house resources for growth and distribution. In an ecosystem where accelerators rarely do much to help portfolio companies beyond throwing around product feature ideas, 500 offers a critical service by assisting a company's growth stage with resources that make all the difference.
500 Startups: Global Network & Scaling Expertise
Look at the 500 Startups Partner list and you'll see another of the fund's strengths: a vast global network. With presence in over 25 countries, "we're only a couple degrees removed from any given company" Christine proudly declares. She notes that a couple years ago, their international presence was seen as a reason to see 500 Startups as a tier 2 accelerator. "We invest in volume, not concentrated bids" she says, and part of this broader investment philosophy includes not limiting investment to one specific location.
And by all accounts, this strategy seems to have paid off. Christine uses the example of 500 Startups' portfolio company GrabTaxi, the "Uber of Southeast Asia", as an example of this. "They're basically a Unicorn in Southeast Asia" she declares.
Not only does 500 Startups have a global network to leverage for the benefit of their accelerator companies, but with the sheer volume of investments they have also acquired a great deal of expertise on how companies should approach fundraising strategically. The advice 500 gives their startups is granular down to the level of where and when to meet investors for coffee and what to say.
Christine admits that for the first few batches, it was hard for her to tell whether or not 500 Startup's accelerator companies were doing any better than their seed investments. But after some time it became apparent that the accelerator was having a measurable impact.
So, what do you have to do to get in?
1. Have at least one technical founder or full-time technical person. Not having a technical side to the team will make it tough to get in, say Christine.
2. Have a minimum viable product and paying customers. Companies not yet at this stage should focus on gaining traction before applying.
3. Diversity is a plus. Christine says diversity is something 500 Startups is passionate about, in at least two senses of the word. First, "we like to invest in things that aren't sexy or trendy, but solve real problems" and that no one else is looking at, says Christine. So having a unique or unorthodox product idea is likely to be a big help in getting you in. And second "we're passionate about diversity" when it comes to founders who don't fit the typical demographic mold of startup entrepreneurs.
It's clear given some of 500 Startups' successful portfolio companies, including startups like Ipsy, Sprig, and Homejoy, that Christine and her team are doing something right. With their expanding global network and ballooning investments, their future prospects look even more exciting than their past successes.


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Today Bandai Namco Entertainment released a brand new trailer of its upcoming fighting game Dragon Ball FighterZ.
The trailer showcases the series’ most iconic villain Frieza, and his remarkable destructive abilities that have put Goku and friends in trouble more than a few times.
Dragon Ball FighterZ is published by Bandai Namco, but development is done by the 2D and 2.5D fighting games gurus at Arc System Works, which definitely adds value to the release.
It’ll be interesting to see if this game will stand on par with the 2D fighters of the SNES era, which according to me are still the best the franchise ever had.
Dragon Ball FighterZ will launch in early 2018 for PS4, Xbox One and PC.
Related Forum: Gaming Discussion


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Punxsutawney Phil predicted an early spring on February 2nd, but as we head nearer to the end of the month, it looks like the new vehicle market could be headed for a more extended winter.
So far 2019 hasn’t been kind to many. First, there was a month-long government shutdown, then a polar vortex that left the center of the country frozen solid. Now, the online car shoppers’ guide Edmunds has released an analysis of current buying trends and the picture isn’t any rosier. Analysts at Edmunds project roughly 1,271,000 new car and truck sales for the United States in February, with a seasonal adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of about 16.7 million. This marks an increase in sales from January of this year, but a decrease of 2.2% from sales last February.
Said Jeremy Acevedo, Edmunds’ manager of industry analysis, “Although the drop-off in sales is rather subtle year over year, February is shaping up to be a good barometer of the gradual sales decline we expect through 2019.” He added, “We’re really starting to see a slump in retail demand that stems from the growing cost of new car purchases.”
Getting specific, Edmunds released a chart forecasting sales volume by the manufacturer. While all companies showed increases from January 2019, all but Hyundai/Kia showed decreased sales from last February. Hyundai/Kia actually increased sales by 0.6% from last year, even as mainstays like General Motors and Ford showed dips 5.8% and 08% respectively. Nissan’s drop was the steepest, with the brand showing a 12.9% drop from a year ago. When it comes to market share, though the downturns from February 2018 aren’t quite as dramatic, there aren’t any dramatic increases either, with Hyundai/Kia and Ford both making the most substantial difference at 0.2% and GM showing the largest deficit, being down 0.6%.
One of the factors noted in the analysis was that there wasn’t any noteworthy uptick in sales on President’s Day, the year’s first major car sales event. There are many factors that one could attribute to slow sales in February. The aforementioned government shutdown and weather patterns are two popular factors that could have affected buying decisions as some tighten their belts or prefer to stay home rather than trudge to snowy lots. As Acevedo puts it, “It’s easy to point fingers at anomalous factors like the polar vortex as the reason for a sales slowdown, but the numbers don’t show that’s the case.”
What is behind the slip then? “Record-high interest rates and rising average transaction prices are what’s really putting pressure on the market and keeping car shoppers at bay so far in 2019,” said Acevedo. Going forward, these are the factors that will make the greatest difference.


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The fourth annual MIT Bitcoin Expo this week saw much discussion of the need for more bitcoin nodes to avoid centralization of the tech.
CoinDesk looks at notable MIT Digital Currency Initiative projects, from reshaping the web, to making blockchains more confidential and auditable.
Tadge Dryja, one of the developers behind a popular bitcoin scaling proposal, has joined MIT's blockchain and cryptocurrency group.
MIT Media Lab's first director of digital currency is transitioning out of his role to focus on academic work and a new book.
A new study by MIT researchers has provided details on a free bitcoin giveaway conducted at the US university in 2014.
An effort is underway to encourage more researchers and academics to investigate and test bitcoin and other blockchain tech.
IDEO coLAB member Dan Elitzer explores a framework for digital identity using blockchain and other technologies.
A blockchain project being developed by MIT researchers gained new attention this week following criticism of its alleged design elements.
MIT has moved its blockchain research from the theoretical to the real world with a project announced earlier this week with Ripple.
MIT has raised $900,000 to continue funding the work of developers on the open-source bitcoin network.


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Starbucks to ditch single-use plastic straws by 2020
The coffee giant announced Monday that it would eliminate single-use plastic straws from all of its cafes globally within the next two years. Instead, Starbucks will offer recyclable strawless lids and alternative-material straws, like paper or compostable plastic. The company already uses plastic lids nationally for some of its drinks like nitro cold brew and any beverages topped with cold foam.
Mon, Jul 9 20189:52 AM EDT


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Lisa Rinna dresses in leather mini skirt to share that her Rinna Beauty line available onm Amazon
Lisa Rinna, 59, dresses in a tank top and tiny leather miniskirt to reveal her Rinna Beauty line is now available on Amazon
Lisa Rinna announced on her Instagram on Tuesday that her Rinna Beauty line will now be available on Amazon.
The 59-year-old Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star poses stunningly as she promotes her latest venture.
In a series of photos, Rinna wears a black crop top, a shimmering black skirt with a gold-tone belt, paired with black boots. Accessorize her outfit with gold earrings, bracelets and a necklace.
Thanks Bezos! Lisa Rinna announced on her Instagram on Tuesday that her Rinna Beauty line will now be available on Amazon
Launching her beauty in 2020, Rinna takes pride in ensuring that her beauty products are simple, accessible, and help people feel more confident and beautiful, not only on the outside, but also on the inside.
Describing its products as ‘Chic. Sexy. In bold. No tricks.’
Looks stunning Rinna’s makeup is on full display in her Instagram announcement post. Wearing black eyeliner and mascara that makes her eyes pop. Together with a good foundation and glossy lipstick.
Haute stuff: 59-year-old Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star poses stunningly as she promotes her latest venture
Rinna’s hair was down as she posed, sitting on a chair, standing and taking a portrait shot that lit up her face.
Rinna has always been passionate about beauty and makeup. Her lips are her greatest attribute and she created a lip line kit first.
She told DailyMail.com in 2020 that getting lip injections at age 24 paved the way for her brand.
A 10: In a series of photos, Rinna wears a black crop top, a shimmering black skirt with a gold belt, paired with black boots. Accessorize her outfit with gold earrings, bracelets and a necklace
“I always jokingly say that my lips have a career of their own,” said the brunette bombshell.
‘The reactions to that were not always positive. There was a time when people were negative. But I think they were accepted when I said, “These are my lips! That’s how they are.”‘
Rinna had a permanent silicone filler injected into her upper lip when she was in her 20s, but after about 10 years, the silicone started seeping through her lip and creating scar tissue that was bumpy.
She still looks like a supermodel: the siren has kept her figure in tip-top shape; seen last week
Fans look forward to purchasing her products on Amazon.
One fan said, “I want that lipstick.” While other fans posted ‘Congrats and Gorgeous’.
Partnering with Amazon allows Rinna’s beauty line to reach a wider customer market.
“I’m excited to have a store on Amazon as the next step in the growth of this company,” said brand founder Lisa Rinna. “I just want everyone to look and feel their best, and now Amazon is helping us do that by bringing beauty into their homes.


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Tennis icon Billie Jean King launched a campaign Tuesday with Pearle Vision in honor of World Sight Day.
CMO Doug Zarkin joined WCL to talk about the campaign and encouraged viewers to take a picture of themselves in their favorite eyeglasses and post them with #RaiseYourGlasses.
For every 10 photos posted, Pearle Vision will make sure a child who needs glasses get them.
This segment was produced with and sponsored by Pearle Vision.
For more information, visit: pearlevision.com