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FDA Commissioner Moves to Remove Flavored Vapor Products From C-stores
FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb
SILVER SPRING, Md. — After much speculation, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is moving closer to removing flavored vapor products from convenience stores.
In addition, menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars are targets of the agency's policy framework.
In a statement released Thursday morning, FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said he is directing the FDA's Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) to revisit the compliance policy as it applies to deemed electronic nicotine devices (ENDs) that are flavored, including all flavors other than tobacco, mint and menthol.
"The changes I seek would protect kids by having all flavored ENDs products — other than tobacco, mint and menthol flavors or non-flavored products — sold in age-restricted, in-person locations and, if sold online, under heightened practices for age verification," Gottlieb said.
The changes will not include mint- and menthol-flavored ENDs because data suggests they are more popular with adults than with underage users.
"Moreover, I recognize that combustible cigarettes are still sold in menthol flavor, including in convenience stores. I don't want to create a situation where the combustible products have features that make them more attractive than the non-combustible products, or a situation where those who currently use menthol-flavored cigarettes might find it less attractive to switch completely to an e-cigarette," he noted. "This is a difficult compromise that I'm trying to strike, recognizing the public health risk posed by cigarettes still being available in menthol flavor."
As for internet sales, Gottlieb directed the CTP to publish additional information regarding best practices for online sales. "My aim is to have these best practices available soon, so sites can quickly adopt them to help prevent youth access to these flavored products," Gottlieb said.
"If youth trends don't move in the right direction, we will revisit all of these issues," he added.
Is Menthol Next?
While the latest FDA announcement does not take action against menthol, the commissioner said he is "deeply concerned about the availability of menthol-flavored cigarettes."
Menthol cigarettes can spur youth initiation to smoking and "disproportionately and adversely affect underserved communities," according to Gottlieb.
"Although I'm not proposing revisions to the compliance policy for the mint and menthol flavors in e-cigarettes at this time, we need to address the impact that menthol in cigarettes has on the public health," he said, adding that unlike menthol-flavored ENDs, there's no evidence to suggest that menthol-flavored cigarettes may play a role in harm reduction for adult smokers.
To that end, the agency will advance a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would seek to ban menthol in combustible tobacco products, including cigarettes and cigars, informed by the comments on its initial Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM), which was issued in late March.
Flavored Cigar Ban on the Table
Cigarettes are not the only combustible target of the agency's policy framework. With all the attention on flavors, Gottlieb said the FDA must evaluate its regulatory approach to flavored cigars as well.
"Flavors are added to cigars and other tobacco products for various reasons, such as reducing the harshness, bitterness and astringency of tobacco products during inhalation and to soothe irritation during use. Research shows that, compared to adults (25 or older) who smoke cigars, a higher proportion of youth who smoke cigars use flavored cigars," he explained.
"Accordingly, I am also outlining policy goals to address the presence of flavors in cigars — including those that were subject to the compliance policy for newly deemed products and those that were 'grandfathered,'" Gottlieb added.
Specifically, he proposes a policy through appropriate means to ban flavors in cigars.
"This policy framework is an important step toward reversing the epidemic that is underway and that is confirmed by the data from the National Youth Tobacco Study. I could take more aggressive steps. I could propose eliminating any application enforcement discretion to any currently marketed ENDs product, which would result in the removal of all such products from the marketplace. At this time, I am not proposing this route, as I don't want to foreclose opportunities for currently addicted adult smokers," Gottlieb said.
"But make no mistake. If the policy changes that we have outlined don't reverse this epidemic, and if the manufacturers don't do their part to help advance this cause, I'll explore additional actions," he cautioned.
2016 Deeming Rule
The commissioner's announcement comes more than two years after the FDA released its final deeming rule extending its regulatory authority to all tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes, cigars, hookah tobacco and pipe tobacco. The rule went into effect Aug. 8, 2016.
Fast forward two years and e-cigarette and vapor products have become a key focus of the FDA's youth prevention effort, the Youth Tobacco Prevention Plan.
Those efforts included a summer-long nationwide retail blitz — both in-store and online — that culminated in more than 1,300 warning letters and fines to retailers who illegally sold e-cigarette and vapor products to minors, as Convenience Store News previously reported.
Industry insiders expected the 2016 rule to place restrictions on flavored tobacco products. The expectation was based on the FDA's move to ban flavored cigarettes in 2009 — one of the first tobacco regulations handed down after Congress passed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009. However, the regulations established in the deeming rule did not address flavors.
Aside from the youth prevention standpoint, the FDA signaled flavored tobacco was on its radar when it issued the ANPRM on March 20 of this year seeking comments, data, research results or other information related to the role that flavors, including menthol, play in tobacco product use.
The ANPRM also covered potential regulatory options the agency could take, such as tobacco product standards and measures related to the sale and distribution of flavored tobacco products.


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Victory Lap Games has made the Bomberman inspired Blast Zone! Tournament, which is set to release on PS4 and Xbox One from February 28th. However, if you want to get into the action now then the game is available for free on Steam as an early access title. The multiplayer supports up to 32 players, has various modes including team deathmatch, free for all, and zombie mode.
Players will have plenty of customisable options with more than 10 billion items touted, and various rule tweaks that can lead to how matches can be played. A story mode is available as well which features 240 challenges to conquer.
Source: Press Release

domain: news


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Our friends over at 1Addicts will go to great lengths to provide the latest scoop on anything and everything regarding the BMW 1-Series.
This time, they managed to get a new video of a camouflaged BMW and what looks to be a modified 1-Series - or is it the new M1 - that was seen making a few test rounds around the Nurburgring?
There’s not a lot of information to be had regarding this particular model, although rumors are circulating that this particular 1-Series will have a twin-turbocharged straight six engine that produces around 350 horsepower. That output should then give us an indication that this particular 1-Series could be slotted between the 135i, which produces 306 horsepower, and the M3, which comes with 420 horsepower.
So, if you’re looking at this car and thinking that this may be the new M1, we’re not going to dispute that, although we’d sure as heck would like to have some kind of confirmation on it.


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BRANDS FAIL TO SCORE AS ENGLAND’S WORLD CUP DREAMS COME TO AN END
Posted By Peppermint Soda
England’s miserable World Cup campaign will end with a whimper today against Costa Rica.
However, before the lads have even set foot on the pitch, brands and media alike are prepping for an equally bad finale.
ITV is braced for its worst viewer ratings for a match featuring the national team at the finals – fewer than 10 million are now expected to tune in for the 5pm final group game kick-off in Belo Horizonte.
Echoing this, retailers are already slashing the prices of Brazil memorabilia, while pubs will only be half as full as predicted.
The British Beer and Pub Association estimates the boost for pubs will be down by up to 60 per cent. This could give landlords additional revenue of £15 million, as opposed to the £40 million which had been expected.
At Peppermint, we know the potential pulling power the World Cup has when it comes to consumer spend.
50,000 units were sold in just nine days as a result of the exposure, leading to the pillows being stocked in store at Tesco and Argos.
Sadly, it doesn’t look like many brands are going to be able to maximise on the quadrennial opportunity like we did four years ago.
Supermarkets have already cut prices on merchandise, with Sainsbury’s taking up to 70 per cent off souvenir mugs, flags, tumblers and teddies.
I guess the motto of this story is you need to be on the ball if you want your client to score during the World Cup. Before you know it it could be all over. It is now!


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- Quinnipiac men’s basketball falls short in 65-63 loss to Canisius
- Dean of School of Communications Mark Contreras resigns
- Quinnipiac student robbed at gunpoint in Washington D.C.
- Quinnipiac men’s basketball splits opening MAAC weekend after loss to Rider
- Runnin’ the Point: New Year’s resolutions for Quinnipiac men’s basketball
- Murphy’s Law: Milestone mania
- Pecknold gets 500th win as Quinnipiac men’s ice hockey cruise past Colgate
- Quinnipiac women’s ice hockey captain Melissa Samoskevich drafted No. 2 in NWHL Draft
- The gift of education
- Quinnipiac men’s basketball falls to Drexel in final game of Holiday Showcase
All posts tagged "smoking"
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However, the action will only be available to their Amazon Prime UK subscribers, which is the online seller's premium service available for a fee.
The social media giant has apparently beaten BeIN Sports and Fox Sports Asia to a three-year contract.
Amazon Offers Free Echo Dot Ahead Of Prime Day
Amazon Prime Day is almost upon us, marking your best chance to nab a bargain in the long summer months before Black Friday . Beyond these large warehouses, Amazon is creating last-mile connectivity to reach customers from Leh to Kohima.
Former Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs striker Pollen Ndlanya has urged South Africa's Premier League fans to get behind England and back them to go all the way at this year's World Cup. Facebook has been serious about bringing sports streams to its platform and it has even hired Eurosport CEO Peter Hutton for the objective.
Facebook is trying to enhance its sports portfolio and bid unsuccessfully against Star India for the rights to the Indian Premier League cricket competition past year.
UK Brexit negotiator David Davis quits
George Freeman, May's former policy chief, said on Twitter that a " no deal " Brexit "just got a lot more likely". The Tory leader's hard-won proposal was agreed to at her Chequers country retreat after marathon talks on Friday.
Harvey Weinstein pleads not guilty, released on bail
Attorney Gloria Allred , who is representing the third woman, talks to reporters after Weinstein left court Monday. A handcuffed Weinstein entered the court room on Monday wearing a dark suit, a white shirt, and a navy blue tie.


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All News Ross Stores Disappoints With Weak 1Q EPS Outlook; Stock Drops
Shares of Ross Stores were down 3.1% in Wednesday’s pre-market trading session after the off-price retailer delivered lower-than-expected 4Q FY20 (ending Jan. 30, 2021) results due to the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, Ross Stores provided 1Q earnings guidance that fell short of analysts’ expectations.
Ross Stores (ROST) reported 4Q earnings of $0.67, which declined 47.7% year-over-year and fell short of analysts’ estimates of $1.00 per share due to lower sales and operating margins.
Revenues declined 3.7% to $4.25 billion in 4Q, which lagged the consensus estimate of $4.27 billion. Comparable store sales declined 6% as pandemic-led restrictions negatively affected the holiday selling season.
The company’s CEO, Barbara Rentler, said, “the upsurge of the virus resulted in lower traffic, especially in California, our largest state, where we were subject to more stringent occupancy and operating hour restrictions.”
Operating margins declined from the last-year period, “as an increase in merchandise margin was more than offset by the deleveraging effect on expenses from lower sales, and higher supply chain and COVID-related operating costs,” said Rentler. (See Ross Stores stock analysis on TipRanks)
Following the earnings, Guggenheim analyst Robert Drbul raised the stock’s price target to $130 (10.5% upside potential) from $125 and maintained a Buy rating. In a note to investors, the analyst said, “We believe ROST’s exposure to the off-price channel and its domestic growth opportunity warrant a premium multiple.” He added, “ROST will emerge in a stronger competitive position following the COVID-19 disruption.”
Overall, the Street has a Strong Buy consensus rating on the stock based on 4 Buys and 1 Hold. The average analyst price target of $128.80 implies upside potential of over 9% to current levels. Shares are up around 11% over the past year.


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Today’s smart homes can be automated from the broom closet to the mailbox
Thirty years ago, a porch light timer might have been considered smart home technology. Today, thermostats learn your desired temperature throughout the day and refrigerators can tell you when you need milk.
Central Oregon homes are becoming increasingly automated, and the emergence of smartphones paired with home automation systems has made turning on the porch light from the airport a reality. With perks formerly reserved for the Jetsons, homeowners can now control their thermostat from the office, preheat the oven while they’re still at the grocery store, and access thousands of recipes from a touchscreen display on the front of the fridge.
The term “smart home” refers to a residence that has appliances, HVAC, lighting, entertainment systems, security, and many more devices that communicate with one another. Such devices can be controlled remotely, and proponents of smart home technology say features can help people save money on utilities and conserve natural resources, all while providing peace of mind to homeowners.
Much to this writer’s amazement, there are smart kitchen suites that can scan a box of frozen pizza, display the cooking instructions on a touchscreen on the top of the range, preheat the oven, and set its timer. This same Whirlpool range also includes an “assist to cook” feature that not only gives you detailed recipes but adjusts temperature and cooking times automatically. For instance, if you have a meat dish that requires a high temperature at the start of cooking and a reduced temperature for the remainder, the oven can do that automatically. (Astro! Fetch my slippers! My work here is done.)
“A lot of manufacturers are realizing we’re not all gourmet chefs,” said Dave Johnson, general manager of Johnson Brothers Appliance in Bend. “They can give intelligence to the machines to help you do things better.”
And it gets even more cutting-edge. This month, as an addition to its smart appliance collection, Whirlpool launched a new feature that lets users scan food items around their kitchen with their phone (no barcode needed) and will then gather recipes based on those ingredients through its app, Yummly.
“You can scan a T-bone steak, a bag of potatoes, and a few carrots and it recognizes the food items and comes up with recipes,” said Johnson.
Say you’re at the store and you can’t remember if you need butter. Samsung has designed the Family Hub, a refrigerator that, in addition to a touchscreen display on the front, also has an interior camera that allows the user to “look” inside the fridge through their phone while wandering the aisles of the grocery store.
For multitaskers, using voice command technology can be a huge help. Need to preheat the oven but you’re busy in the laundry room? Pairing central hub voice command speakers like Amazon Echo or Apple Home Connect with a smart oven, you can give the voice command, “Turn on the oven to 350 degrees,” and abracadabra . . . It’s like having your own personal Rosie the Robot.
Smart home technology reaches way past the kitchen. From porch lights and window blinds to security systems and home entertainment, houses today can be automated from the broom closet to the mailbox.
Multiple smart home devices can run more smoothly if they all operate through one central computer brain. Achieving this sort of harmony sometimes requires a hub to consolidate the myriad of gadgets in your house. But not everyone needs a dedicated smart hub to make their setup run smoothly. Smart speakers can serve a similar purpose, with their respective apps acting as central command.
Advances in the industry have also made home entertainment just as good as going to a movie theater.
“Whole house audio is very popular right now,” said Jon Houston, sales manager for Stereo Planet in Bend.
“It’s made a resurgence with the introduction of streaming services like Pandora and players like Sonos and Bluesound. With streaming players, it’s really easy to pull out your phone or iPad and access pretty much any music you want and pump it through your entire house,” Houston said.
Since 1980, Stereo Planet has specialized in high-end custom sound systems and home theaters.
“Outdoor systems have become really popular. We do some really cool landscape systems using small aperture speakers with buried subwoofers in the backyard. It gives it a nice even sound all across the yard without having to turn it up really loud and blast your neighbors,” added Houston.
Surprisingly, the outdoor speakers can withstand High Desert winter weather and are designed to blend in with the landscaping (see photo, bottom right).
Houston explained that most people think everything in a smart home is wireless, but that is not the case with audio and video systems.
“We still wire a lot of houses,” said Houston. “It really is the best way to get the best quality sound.”
A smart home offers much more than just wireless control. It is a home with a system in place to integrate all the major components into an easy-to-use, reliable system, Houston explained.
“The smart home in the not-so-distant future will take this one step further and will automatically adjust the systems within it based on the optimal current environmental health needs of the homeowner,” he said. “Now that’s a truly smart home. Also very cool, if I might add.”
Houston went on to demonstrate technological advances in surround-sound systems in the store’s home theater room. As a video of firefly fairies played on the 135” screen, the room filled with the hum of thousands of fluttering wings. The sound, created by a Dolby Atmos system, was almost tangible.
“Audio used to be recorded to go from front to back and left to right. With Dolby Atmos, the sound has become very three-dimensional, using reflections and echoes and crisscrossing through the entire room,” he said.
Although there’s interest in smart home technology, the industry is still in the early stages and consumers are trying to figure out which devices are simply fun and which provide practical benefits.
“Smart appliances are still fairly new,” said Johnson. “They account for a small percentage of overall sales. There are still a lot of people who don’t feel they need these features, and to some, it falls into the gimmick category. Still, there are a lot of people who have built a smart home who are very interested in smart appliances. They want that ability to have the interface,” he said.
As technology marches onward, it will be exciting to see the possibilities that await us. But for now, we still have to take the frozen pizza out of the box ourselves.


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In an exciting development for the gaming industry, the collaborative venture of Inspired Entertainment and Luckia has marked a significant expansion in Spain. This partnership brings together two giants in the gaming world, setting new milestones for entertainment and gaming experiences across the region.
The Strategic Alliance Between Inspired and Luckia
The alliance between Inspired Entertainment and Luckia is a strategic move aimed at enhancing the gaming landscape in Spain. Inspired, known for its innovative gaming and entertainment solutions, joins forces with Luckia, a major player in the Spanish gaming market. This collaboration is set to bring an array of advanced gaming products and services to Spanish customers, promising an upgraded gaming experience.
What This Expansion Means for Spain
The expansion of Inspired’s footprint in Spain, in collaboration with Luckia, signifies a substantial advancement in the country’s gaming sector. It introduces cutting-edge technology and diverse gaming options to the market, aligning with the evolving demands of gamers in Spain. Here’s what this development entails for the Spanish gaming community:
- Enhanced Gaming Experience: The partnership promises to deliver an elevated level of gaming through state-of-the-art technology and immersive games.
- Diverse Portfolio of Games: A broader selection of games ranging from digital slot machines to virtual sports and more, catering to varied interests.
- Increased Accessibility: Improved distribution channels to ensure that more players across Spain can enjoy these games conveniently.
The Anticipated Impact on the Market
The synergistic partnership between Inspired and Luckia is anticipated to have a positive impact on the Spanish gaming market. It aims to redefine gaming standards, bringing innovation and quality to the forefront of the industry. Moreover, this collaboration is expected to stimulate market growth, providing a boost to the local economy and setting new benchmarks for competition.
One of the primary goals of this alliance is to capture a larger share of the gaming market in Spain. By combining their strengths, Inspired and Luckia aim to reach untapped segments of the market, inviting more players to experience their sophisticated gaming solutions.
Strengthening Brand Presence
Both companies are set to enhance their brand presence throughout Spain. This collaboration not only expands their operational footprint but also strengthens their position as leaders in the gaming and entertainment industry.
|Introduction of innovative gaming technologies and platforms.
|Diverse Gaming Portfolio
|Expansion of game offerings to include a wider variety of options.
|Contribution to the growth and dynamism of the Spanish gaming market.
This expansive move by Inspired, in partnership with Luckia, marks a monumental step forward in enhancing the gaming experience for players in Spain. With a focus on innovation, diversity, and reach, this alliance is poised to introduce a new era of gaming in the region. Both companies, leveraging their strengths and expertise, envision a future where gaming in Spain is synonymous with unparalleled excitement and quality.


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Protecting Companies' Intellectual Property From Cyber Crime
On Oct. 11, 2012, the government warned that the United States will be confronted with the possibility of a "cyber-Pearl Harbor" attack by foreign computer hackers who could unleash havoc on the nation's power grid, transportation system, financial networks and government.1
Such harrowing warnings should sound the bell for American businesses to follow the example of the federal government and immediately take precautions from a potentially crippling cyber attack, as well protect themselves from government investigation and prosecution for insufficient protection and disclosure of such attacks. Indeed, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has recently responded to cyber dangers by providing funding to stop the importing of counterfeit goods, technology thefts and computer hacking attacks against American businesses, while at the same time, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has indicated increased review of public company reporting on cyber risks.2 Accordingly, this article addresses the current state of significant cyber dangers, regulatory efforts to protect intellectual property and cyber systems, and the consideration and implementation of policies and procedures for businesses designed to prevent intrusion and theft as well as create effective responses to cyber attacks and proper disclosure of such risks.
IP protection and cyber attack avoidance deserve significant resources.3 The government has determined that cyber crime is a matter of national security, and may overtake terrorism as the primary national concern.4 In fact, a PWC survey of financial services firms found cyber crime is the second most common economic crime after asset misappropriation, with reputational damage being the biggest concern. 5 Further, a majority of those businesses surveyed did not review social media sites or have cyber crisis or response plans, while others had no cyber security training, regular or formal review of such occurrences by senior management or boards of directors.
The DOJ has responded by publishing prosecutor guidelines to investigate and commence actions against those who steal computer data through computer hacking, IP theft and product and service counterfeiting in, among other industries, pharmaceutical, financial services and defense contracting.6
Cyber Crime, IP Theft Statutes
Prosecutors and businesses have used several statutes to address stealing computer data and intellectual property. 7
In particular, the Federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1984 (CFAA),8 a statute originally enacted to criminally prosecute people who hack into computer systems of the federal government and financial institutions, has been used by prosecutors and businesses against employees. However, federal appellate courts have disagreed over its use, potentially raising the specter of U.S. Supreme Court review.9
The Economic Espionage Act is also used by prosecutors to prevent "theft, unauthorized copying, or intentional receipt of a trade secret,"10 by criminalizing trade secret theft benefiting foreign governments, instrumentalities or its agents; or when a non-owner obtains an economic benefit. Similarly, prosecutors (and private litigants) use the Digital Millennium Copyright Act to prosecute IP theft,11 as well as the Federal Wiretap Act, Electronic Communications Privacy Act, Stored Communications Act and other federal and state statutes.12
Federal, state and foreign regulators have also instituted reporting regulations for companies that suffer a cyber attack or data breach.13
The SEC published guidelines for public corporations that suffer cyber attacks or data breaches to disclose certain information if such events will materially affect the company's operations, liquidity, financial condition, viability, product or customer lines, losses and ongoing litigation, among other things. The SEC requires these disclosures to have specific content and be in "plain English."14 Although there has been government pressure, cyber crime disclosures remain alarmingly infrequent, perhaps due to the advertisement to would-be criminals of entry points in IP security infrastructure.15
Additionally, the overwhelming majority of states have instituted data breach laws, but many conflict with one other.16 Self regulatory organizations, such as the Financial Regulatory Authority Inc. (FINRA), are also actively involved in establishing "firewalls" to protect confidential customer information,17 such as protecting customers' funds from potential phony e-mail requests.18
Cyber Danger Points
As such, companies must recognize unauthorized IP and computer system access sources and develop protocols to protect their IP and critical systems. These sources are numerous.
Initially, recognizing one's employees as a crucial link in this process is paramount as is the company's email system.19 Emails are the gateway to a company's computer system, and a likely weak point.20
Hackers are also, most likely, thieves. A sweep conducted by the DOJ and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) earlier this year found more than 105 hackers in 23 states, resulting in more than 939 criminal charges relating to identity theft and other crimes.21 The SEC has also brought securities fraud actions in computer hacking matters.22
Surprisingly, government agencies, both foreign and domestic, have also been sources for data breaches.23 The SEC, in fact, was criticized for failing to develop a cyber security plan to protect its confidential information.24


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The CEO and co-founder of the Richmond-based roastery has been camping in his 1989 Volkswagen Westfalia for 15 years.
Mickey McLeod cared about nature long before “sustainability” became a buzzword. As a kid, McLeod camped with his family and his Cub Scout troop, but a move from New Westminster to rural Texada Island in 1966 turned the pastime into a lifelong hobby. “I just got to be outdoors, at the beach, in the woods, fishing in creeks,” says the co-founder and CEO of Salt Spring Coffee. “It was a really exciting opportunity as a 10-year-old to have that at my disposal.”
If you’re wondering what his campsite looked like back then, picture a bivouac, a can of beans and trout cooked over a fire.
McLeod may be a car camper now, but he hasn’t lost that boyhood spirit. “It’s not rolling up in a big RV and flicking on a switch and everything powers on,” he says. “There are much easier ways to do it, but I like that kind of challenge—I’m incredibly practical and can figure things out.”
For the coffee connoisseur, such resourcefulness extends to his trusty vehicle, a 1989 Volkswagen Westfalia that he’s driven through B.C. and beyond for 15 years. Along the way, McLeod has decked out the van with a bigger engine and equipped it for convenience; it now has two dens, a pop-up top, an awning for shade, solar panels and an outdoor shower. “I did a tremendous amount of work on getting it to be a good off-road vehicle,” he says. “I wouldn’t say it can go anywhere , but it can go a lot of places with the work I’ve done.”
There’s also plenty of room for some frequent fellow travellers: his wife, Salt Spring co-founder Robbyn Scott, and their three grandchildren. “We call it glamping,” McLeod says with a laugh. “We like to eat well—we don’t take freeze-dried food—and we have a comfortable place to sleep. If it rains, we can be in the van, so it’s sort of rustic elegance camping.” Their morning routine always includes fresh coffee made from scratch with a hand grinder.
The North Okanagan, Vancouver Island and Texada Island remain some of McLeod’s favourite local spots to camp. He took his grandson back to Texada just last summer: “Getting the grandkids to experience that—that’s the next level for me, having them be outside and see the beauty of camping. A little rustic, connecting with nature, roughing it a bit.”
One of McLeod’s longest journeys was a drive with Scott from B.C. to California that saw the van break down halfway through. “We had to rent a vehicle to drive part of the way,” he remembers. “That was a beautiful trip; a couple of weeks driving through the coastal mountains, through Washington and Oregon and California. It ended up being an adventure.”
His most notable adventure, however, took place one moonlit spring night in Alaska. Hearing a “whoosh” at his window, McLeod looked out to see a spectacular herd of caribou pass by.
In hindsight, Texada gave him more than a deep love of the outdoors. “There were a lot of people not wanting to go to Vietnam, hiding in corners of B.C. or throughout Canada,” McLeod says. “Our family had a general store in Gillies Bay, so I got to meet a lot of counterculture people at a very early age.”
The early 1970s revived appetites for what was then called “natural food,” an outlook that heavily influenced him and Scott. “It was about eating food that was not manufactured,” McLeod recalls. “So when we started Salt Spring Coffee in ’96, we were supporting organic agriculture for those reasons. We’ve been doing this for 26 years now, and we’re advocates for doing life, food and coffee in a better, cleaner, healthier way. That’s been our focus forever.”
Mickey McLeod and Robbyn Scott launched Salt Spring Coffee in 1996 to promote sustainable and fair-trade coffee. With 42 employees at last count, the Richmond-based roastery sells its products online and at stores across the country. The company is celebrating its 26th anniversary this year with a line of limited-edition coffees grown using organic regenerative agriculture, which has a relatively low environmental impact. “Both of us certainly have that passion and concern for environmental and social issues,” McLeod says of himself and Scott. “We haven’t swayed in our values at all.”


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Esports Engine has been formally revealed as the new Global Management Partner for the official esports competitions for the Halo Infinite video game.
Earlier this week, Plex announced that its Live TV feature would be unlocked for free for all users until June 30th to assist those that are staying home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gwent: The Witcher Card Game has finally launched on Android. This digital card game is based on the popular The Witcher video games which themselves were inspire by the novels, both of which inspired the hit Netflix series starring Henry Cavill.
The recently released Ori and the Will of the Wisps video game is set to get a patch in the near future that will add new options for a Dynamic HUD mode, the ability to remove the HUD entirely, and new support for resolution scaling. This future update is also set to fix a variety […]
The Resident Evil 3 remake isn’t due out until April 3rd but gamers can have an early taste today by downloading the free Resident Evil 3: Raccoon City Demo on Xbox One consoles. This demo takes place during the opening of the game, and like the full version, will display in 4K HDR when played […]
Microsoft’s SwiftKey Keyboard app for Android devices updated today with support for six new languages in addition to the usual bug fixes and improvements. The six languages are Mapudungun, Arawak, Chatino, Eastern Maroon Creole, Sranan,
The fourth video game in the One Piece: Pirate Warriors series, One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4, is now playable on Microsoft’s family of Xbox One consoles from the OG Xbox One up to the Xbox One X. Based on the incredibly-popular anime and manga series of the same name, One Piece:
Welcome back to our Windows 10 news recap, where we go over the top stories of the past week in the world of Microsoft’s flagship operating system. Microsoft “rushing to release” Windows 10 patch to address VPN internet connectivity errors with Office 365,
The popular MMORPG video game, Black Desert, is set to get console crossplay between Xbox One and PlayStation 4 consoles starting on March 4th. The announcement was made in a very brief video on the official Black Desert YouTube channel which you can watch below.
Microsoft is continuing its efforts to promote social good (and to promote the use of Microsoft technologies in those efforts), announcing today a new program aimed at startups focused on social projects like a smartphone-based cholera detection system, devices to skim trash from our oceans,
Microsoft has just announced the release of Windows 10 Insider build 19569 for Insiders in the Fast Ring. As it has been the case in recent weeks, this is another minor update with just a couple of minor fixes, and there are still no new features in sight. However,
TUV南德上海防爆实验室顺利通过ZLS认证上海2014年4月11日电 /美通社/ -- 近期，TUV 南德意志集团（以下简称“TUV SUD”）位于上海测试中心的防爆实验室收到ZLS颁发的认可证书，这意味着此实验室成为国内第一家通过欧盟认可的 ATEX 本土实验室，可为连接头和电源等产品提供欧洲防爆认证 ATEX 检测。
I recently renewed my AT&T contract, and it was a big mistake. Sure, the company gave me a little discount on a new iPhone that I very much enjoy. However,
月尾先到聖誕，但今個星期多個地區已經開始舉辦聖誕市集， 而當中有 4個只係呢個星期先有添咋！ 想預早感受聖誕氣氛就要去行下啦！The post 4個只限今個週末的聖誕市集 • unwire 週末好去處 appeared first on UNWIRE.
本文由霸气的菠萝原创，转载请注明出处：http://www.cnblogs.com/xsln/p/ptrace.html 全部关于gdb的文章索引请点这里 引子： gdb基本上大家都在用，你有没有想过它的实现原理是什么？为什么它可以控制程序执行、中断、访问内存甚至直接使程序流程改变？ 在使用gdb调
北京2016年4月26日电 /美通社/ -- 2016年3月31日，北京市高级人民法院作出“（2016）京行终1630号”《行政判决书》，终审驳回了苹果公司的上诉，终结了苹果公司与新通天地科技（北京）有限公司关于“IPHONE”商标权纠纷。 新通天地IPHONE品牌皮具系列产品 在北京市北斗鼎铭律师事务所熊智律师、李鸿鹏律师及其团队的参与下，新通天地在此次诉讼中获得了胜利。
A young daredevil known as 8booth has proved yet again that he is not afraid of heights.The unnamed jumper has been tearing up southern California recently, jumping into the ocean from high cliffs and pools from balconies and roofs.In one of his latest clips,


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Miami’s iconic competition, Miami Swim Week, will debut its first vogue swimwear metaverse alongside real-life swimwear and resort put on collections. It’s protected to say that, by way of this initiative, Miami Swim Week is diving head-first into the metaverse.
About Miami Swim Week 2022
This yr’s Miami Swim Week will happen from July 13 to July 18 at Miami’s SLS South Seashore Resort. Along with runway reveals, the style week will introduce a swimwear metaverse and swimwear vogue NFTs. The metaverse vogue runway is absolutely interactive and accessible. Consequently, it goals to interrupt down the standard boundaries related to the standard vogue business.
In response to Moh Ducis, Founder & CEO of Miami Swim Week: “Digital swimwear fashion in a decentralized Metaverse provides a leveled playing field as well as equal opportunity and empowerment to designers and artists around the world. No one has ever seen this kind of digital fashion world we have created.”
Along with the metaverse component, choose occasions and reveals will use unique NFTs as tickets; out there to influencers, VIP visitors and business professionals. The style week can also be partnering with the modern vogue commerce app RUNWAY BUY. By way of this collaboration, garments showcased on the runway will be bought in real-time by way of the cloud-based interactive video market.
A step ahead for vogue
Miami Swim Week joins the opposite Style Weeks which have launched a metaverse component to their program. Lately, manufacturers comparable to Tommy Hilfiger, Dundas, Dolce & Gabbana, and Elie Saab made waves after becoming a member of the lineup for Decentraland’s first-ever Metaverse Style Week.


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Add S&P downgrade to a struggling economy, what do you get? Stocks in shock. [VIDEO]
Stocks plummeted Monday, in response to the S&P's decision Friday evening to downgrade the US debt rating from AAA to AA+.
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After noon, the widely watched Dow Jones Industrial Average had plunged 318 points to 11,125, as investors ran for cover. Other, broader market indices, including the Standard & Poor’s and the NASDAQ, were sharply lower as well. As its lowest point so far on Monday, the Dow average was off as much as 350 points.
“Investors have a fragile psyche right now,” says Fred Dickson, chief investment strategist at D.A. Davidson & Co. in Lake Oswego, Ore. “Sentiment is extreme on the negative side. Each piece of bad news is causing traders to dump stocks.”
The selling is a continuation from last week, when the stock market lost about 7 percent of its value. The major averages are now down close to 13 percent from their recent highs. If the selling continues, the market will enter “a bear market” phase, which is loosely defined as a loss of about 20 percent.
Although the stock market has dipped sharply in the past without an adverse effect on the economy, falling stock prices adversely impact business and consumer sentiment. This can eventually spill over onto Main Street, as consumers postpone large purchases like automobiles, and businesses decide to hold off large investments.
“Drops in the stock market do not necessarily translate into a loss of confidence,” says Lynn Franco, director of consumer surveys at the Conference Board, a business research group in New York. “But you have to look at the political scenario, the downgrading of the US debt, and the longer-term repercussions. This will not instill confidence.”
The key factor will be how long the stock market falls. The longer the drop, the worse the impact on consumers’ psyche, says Ms. Franco.
The stock market plunge isn't the only disappointing economic news. On Friday, the Department of Labor reported the US economy added 117,000 jobs in July. Although this was higher than many economists had anticipated, it was still considered a “weak” reading, says Franco.


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Facebook is having an event tomorrow which many believe is a Skype tie in, which could lead to a Skype iPad app or a Facebook iPad app, or both! in one?! That’s well and good, but TechCrunch takes a look at some of the upcoming features of a bigger project that might also receive a mention tomorrow: Project Spartan.
It seems a bit sensationalized, but it comes off like this: Sometime in late July (soon!), Facebook will reveal a HTML5 platform with automatic Facebook logins using a new set of APIs which make a great iOS/Android social gaming platform. Facebook has a few developers signed up already, Zynga is probably one of them.
Notes one developer:
Facebook wants a cut of the Apple’s mobile app market, that’s been clear this entire time. Perhaps it’s not war against Apple — maybe Apple is just going to ‘gift’ Facebook the share of their market (the HTML5 share) in exchange an alliance being formed whereby Apple get’s some exclusive access to Facebook’s 600 million-plus users and thereby cutting out Google (exclusive to some degree, Facebook is too open for it to be fully exclusive). In this theory, it’s not Facebook Spartans vs. Apple, it’s Facebook/Apple Spartans Vs Google.
The Spartans have been told to code specifically for the iOS flavors of Safari — both iPhone and iPad.
So, it sounds like Facebook is going to build a nice HTML5 platform (like Chrome) for social gaming. Hopefully one of the games is 300.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.


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Want to learn how to contour like Kim Kardashian? It'll cost you €700
If you want to learn how to recreate Kim Kardashian's makeup, it'll cost you.
The reality star and her long-time makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic have teamed up to host a series of beauty tutorials, but are reportedly charging $800 (approx €715) per person for the pleasure.
The exorbitant fee gives attendees a four hour masterclass, goodie bag worth over $1000, a certificate of completion and a group photo with the beauty stars.
Kim announced the start of the series, which will launch in Los Angeles on July 25, earlier this year and promised fans they would also share tricks of the trade in You Tube tutorials.
It's not yet confirmed how many guests will be attending, but the website says that a projector will be on display for close ups.


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LEACOCK TOWNSHIP, Pa -- The State Attorney General's office says more than 190 complaints have been filed against Rainbow`s Comedy Playhouse.
Dozens of people have told us they`ve lost anywhere from $100 to more than $1,000 since the theatre in Paradise Township closed back in August.
Now FOX43 Finds Out why a lot of those customers are stuck in the middle, as a legal battle between owners plays out in the court system.
"I just want my money back."
It`s the same thing Mary Jo Light has been saying since the beginning of August when Rainbow`s Comedy Playhouse in Lancaster County closed unexpectedly.
"We've been ripped off."
She bought two season passes for about 200 bucks and was never able to use them.
Light is one of the more than 190 people who filed a complaint with the state Attorney General`s Office over the playhouse`s closure.
Since August, people who bought tickets were only hearing rumors about why the place seemed to suddenly shutdown.
"They called us and told us they weren't going to be open, they told me that they had an electrical problem. From the very beginning, they were lying and now we get nothing."
A Legal Battle Begins
Now, we`re getting some insight into what may have happened because of a legal battle between the most recent owners and the former owners of Rainbow Productions, Inc - which operated shows at the location.
The most recent owners, who took over in January of last year, say the former owners weren`t truthful about the financial health of the business.
Now that is becoming a bit of a he said/she said, and lawyers say the issue will likely end up in a court hearing at some point.
Meanwhile, people like Light have tickets they`ll likely never use.
"We're the victims because we entrusted our money and we got nothing for our money, except excuses."
As of now, a husband and wife duo plan to open "Worlds of Wonder" at the playhouse location in April.
While Light says that`s a nice gesture, it`s not what she paid for.
"If I wanted free tickets to the magic show, which is nice, I would have bought tickets to the magic show."
There is a state police investigation related to the rainbow`s comedy playhouse closure.
Though at this point, Light says she feels like she'll never get her money back.
"It's not the biggest amount of money in the world, but you have no idea what happened to your money. Who got that? Whose hands in went into. Right. And all I hear is excuses, unfortunately. It makes me sad."
Using Credit over Debit
A small piece of advice: if you do plan on buying tickets for something, whether it`s a play or a concert, use a credit card.
That gives you a little more protection if a company were to shut down or a show was canceled.
You would at least be able to dispute that with your credit card company.
This doesn`t work for all credit cards, some have limits ranging from 90 days to 6 months from the date of purchase.


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Social commerce firm keeps losing money
In 2010, a Korean company began a social commerce business here – a big first for the country. The segment looked so promising that a slew of funds invested in the venture.
Over the past nine years, the company’s overall sales have amounted to more than $1.5 billion, however, its operating losses have totaled around $700 million. Worse, annual losses have topped $100 million for four straight years through 2018.
Is this business sustainable? Many are casting concerned eyes on the future of the money-losing outfit, the Seoul-based Ticket Monster, also known as T-Mon.
Worsening bottom line
According to the Financial Supervisory Services on April 14, Ticket Monster managed to increase its turnover by around 40 percent to 497.2 billion won ($438 million) in 2018.
But its operating loss also rose 7 percent to 125.4 billion won ($110 million) year-on-year.
The company’s losses topped 150 billion won in 2016, but it trimmed these to less than 120 billion won in 2017. However, the figure went up again last year.
Ticket Monster recently attracted additional funding of $50 million from its major foreign shareholders, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR) and Anchor Equity Partners, which own a combined 80 percent stake in the retailer through previous investments.
However, the capitalization is less than a half of Ticket Monster’s 2018 operating loss.
Competition with market leader
Coupang, the country’s biggest player in the e-commerce market, has also failed to become profitable. In fact, the business bellwether has chalked up much bigger losses over the past few years.
Despite this, last November Coupang drew fresh funding of $2 billion from Japan’s SoftBank Group, its major shareholder. The firm is expected to take advantage of the new funds to boost its competitiveness.
Against this backdrop, it remains to be seen whether Ticket Monster will be able to compete with Coupang while reducing its operating losses. Ticket Monster’s top executives have vowed to improve its operations to make it profitable this year.


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Pak can consider importing vegetables, and other edible items from India: Finance Minister Ismail
Pakistan’s Finance Minister Mifta Ismail said on Monday that three years after Islamabad downgraded trade ties with New Delhi over the Kashmir issue, the government was forced to buy vegetables and other food items from India following the destruction of standing crops due to heavy floods.
Pakistan is witnessing a huge jump in the prices of various vegetables and fruits due to the devastating floods as the supply of vegetables from Balochistan, Sindh, and South Punjab has been severely affected due to the disaster.
Addressing a press conference here, Finance Minister Ismail said that the government may “consider importing vegetables and other food items from India” to avoid the recent floods across the country, government Radio Pakistan reported. After that, the crops can be destroyed.
He made this comment in response to a question.
Pakistan downgraded its trade ties with India in August 2019 following India’s decision to abrogate Article 370 which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
Quoting a source, Dawn newspaper reported that former security adviser Moeed Yusuf was working on some proposals regarding trade with India.
The newspaper said that on record, former commerce adviser Razak Dawood also spoke on several occasions for the resumption of trade with India.
In March 2021, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) announced that it would allow the private sector to import white sugar and cotton from India through the Wagah border. However, the decision was reversed within days after strong criticism from the main opposition parties – Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Pakistan Peoples Party – which are now in the coalition government.
The newspaper said that with the change in the federal government this year, the commerce ministry ruled out the possibility of resuming bilateral trade that had stalled in May.
The commerce ministry’s reaction to widespread speculation on social media that Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif-led government is considering a proposal to resume trade with India.
An official announcement from the commerce ministry said, “There is no change in Pakistan’s policy on trade with India.”
However, in June, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari advocated for trade and engagement with other countries, especially India.
According to Shahzad Cheema, secretary of the Lahore Market Committee, one hundred containers of tomatoes and about 30 onions are being received daily at the Torkham border (with Afghanistan), out of which two containers of tomatoes and one onion are being brought to the city of Lahore. The provincial capital of Punjab has little daily and no number of containers to meet the demand.
Cheema said the government would eventually import onions and tomatoes from India. He said that the import of vegetables from Iran through the Taftan border (Balochistan) was not viable as the Iranian government had increased tax on its import and export.
He said that the prices of dates and bananas will also increase in the coming days as most of the orchards in Sindh have been destroyed by the floods. The supply of apples from Balochistan or other areas was also cut off due to the floods.
Lahore market wholesaler Jawad Rizvi told PTI that on Sunday, tomatoes and onions were available at around Rs 500 and Rs 400 per kg in Lahore markets, respectively.
He said the prices of the commodities would increase further in the coming days as the supply of vegetables from Balochistan, Sindh, and South Punjab has been severely affected due to the floods.
According to officials, the floods have claimed over 1,100 lives so far.


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"Urban SUV." Translation: subcompact crossover.
Over the past six months Toyota has unveiled not one, not two, but three “urban crossover” concepts at various auto shows. This was all very much done on purpose because the automaker realizes it’ll be needing yet another subcompact urban crossover SUV in the next few years. It’s what younger, city dwelling buyers want. Motor Authority has confirmed Toyota will launch something similar to its latest concept, the FT-AC, in the next few years. The previous two concepts were the FT-4X and TJ Cruiser.
Toyota Motor North America General Manager Jack Hollis told the publication that “It’s like the 90s again, we can have more than one vehicle in each segment if they are different enough.” Toyota’s newest crossover, the also subcompact C-HR, has proven to be a success so far. But how will Toyota differentiate this second subcompact urban SUV from the C-HR? For starters, it’ll be built on the automaker’s new TNGA platform, meaning it’ll be able to accommodate all-wheel drive. The C-HR is front-wheel-drive only. But make no mistake, it will not be a true SUV. Think lifestyle SUV.
For example, one of the features we liked on the FT-4X concept was its large tailgate opening featuring a pair of split doors whose hinges were located on the C-pillars. This design is perfectly suited for bicycles, suitcases and literally everything from the Ikea catalog (assuming it’s boxed). The purpose of the three concept designs was to “test the waters in the market and get feedback from consumers.” It sounds as if the FT-AC has received the most positive feedback, but we expect to see elements of all three appear in the final design.


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West Cork business people who closed their doors during the March shutdown have issued a heartfelt appeal for local support if they are to survive.
In a sentiment echoed in every premises in the region, Sandra Gallagher, chairperson of Skibbereen and District Chamber of Commerce, told The Southern Star: ‘Now more than ever we need local people to shop locally.’
Already, there has been a scattering of Covid-19 related closures locally with cafés and restaurants being the worst hit. Dillon’s in Timoleague, along with Bantry cafés, Organico and DeBarra’s, have closed with many other eateries changing their business models in a bid to survive.
However, one of the most encouraging features of the lockdown has been the willingness of consumers to shop local.
Diarmaid Murphy, chairman of Bantry Business Association, described this new spending trend as being ‘hugely significant.’ They believe it demonstrates consumers’ understanding of how desperate the situation has become for local shops and businesses.
Both Sandra and Diarmaid claim that without the ongoing support of the community, local businesses – and the livelihoods they sustain – would be at risk.
‘Of course, the hardest hit are the hairdressers, beauticians and publicans, all of whom will be the last to open up … but they have not been forgotten. They too will be able to draw on the support of the Chamber as well as their loyal customers when everything is fully reopened.’
In support of the economic challenges ahead, The Southern Star launched its own ‘Support West Cork - Shop Local’ campaign recently including newspaper and digital advertising, billboards in key towns across West Cork and soon the launch of a brand new online directory for local businesses and tourism.
Sean Casey, the owner of Bantry Tyres, which employs 28 people between its Bantry and Skibbereen branches, said: ‘Local people have within their power the potential to protect local jobs, and their local economy. That might sound simplistic to some, but it’s the reality of the situation.’
Eddie Tolocka of E-PC Computers in Skibbereen said: ‘It is up to local people to keep local businesses alive. It’s important that we all support each other – not just the shops and the businesses but the community itself.’
Hal McElroy, general manager of the Trident Hotel in Kinsale, said: ‘We are delighted that the opening of hotels has been brought forward. We are ready to welcome our returning guests, and are thrilled to be able to open our doors to the people of Kinsale.’
Sorcha Sheehy of Tom Sheehy’s in Clonakilty said: ‘Everyone knows we have a fantastic town and a fantastic community and I have no doubt that everyone will be nothing but supportive of the new shop local campaign.’
Eileen Walsh, Illusions Boutique in Dunmanway said that people had been absolutely fantastic: ‘It gives me hope for the future.’
Tim McCarthy of Jake’s Cakes, Restaurant and Bakery, in Bandon added: ‘The vast majority of people can’t wait to come back to the restaurant. They are our loyal customers, and we will be delighted to see them back.’


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Reporting US$2.62 billion in 2018 revenue, China’s sprawling Phoenix Publishing & Media already has deals in 30 countries and wants to get only bigger.
The UK’s International Literature Showcase presents its second curated listing of British authors, in a program devised to promote export and rights sales of UK writing.
Featuring a parallel children’s division for a second year, the Beijing International Book Fair again expects some 2,500 exhibitors and 300,000 visitors.
The entertainment and character sector, in which book publishing operates, held the largest position in global licensing, according to a new survey from Licensing International.
Reading in Russia, says publisher Boris Kuznetsov, is ‘a fashionable and intellectual trend’ for a new generation of consumers—who may be watching Netflix.
On April 9-10 in Frankfurt, the new RightsTech Europe conference will explore rights management and monetization in book publishing and media industries.
The massive audiences and lucrative development of the streaming platforms can mean some tough choices for publishers trying to map out screen success.
The content development company once associated with Rovio and its ‘Angry Birds’ is operating under a new name and has a deal with ‘Deer Little Forest.’
The newest addition to IPR License’s growing roster of offerings in online trading and licensing is S. Fischer Verlage, based in Frankfurt.
Intellectual property licensing has plenty of room to grow in Southeast Asia, conference attendees heard in Singapore, but protecting the integrity of a narrative is critical for success.


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The media outlets, of course, are screaming.
The tax would be a disaster for the ad industry and the local economy, they cry. Brandishing a study prepared in 1990 to fight a proposed (and ultimately defeated) state ad tax, such taxation wouldn't raise as much money "as would have been raised by the tax on retail sales that would have been collected had the ad tax money been used, instead, for retail advertising." And of course, they insist, retail advertising will decline if retailers have to pay an extra 2 percent for every ad.
This is a negligible sum for a mom 'n' pop store buying a cheap radio spot, but it does represent a huge added expense for, say, a car dealer who sinks a half-million dollars a year into newspaper display ads. And it's the retailers who would pay the tax; local media moguls certainly aren't going to absorb it.
Advertising will decline; jobs will be lost; and, unlike the many other American cities that have survived the establishment of an ad tax, Tucson will cease to be a beacon of laissez-faire civilization in the Western world.
To mobilize against the forces of darkness, the Tucson Advertising Federation invited the mayor and the entire City Council to hear its members' concerns at its luncheon on Tuesday, May 18. But when four council members gather in the same place, that's a quorum with certain legal implications, so only three council members showed up--the three who are most adamantly opposed to the ad tax.
"It's important that when the government tries to solve its problems, it doesn't create problems for other people," declared Ward 5 Democrat Steve Leal, in pledging a "no" vote on the tax.
"I believe we can support the budget we have now" without new taxes on advertising, garbage and domestic rentals, said Ward 1 Democrat Jose Ibarra. "It's a question of making cuts, and where the cuts are coming from."
Ward 3 Republican Kathleen Dunbar, still smarting from criticism by Ibarra and others for her vote to raise fees for the city's heavily subsidized KidCo after-school program, complained, "We have a mayor and council who are not willing to make the tough cuts. Republicans were accused of balancing the budget on the backs of children by instituting a 52 cent-per-day fee for KidCo. But when we tried to make the tough cuts, we couldn't get the four votes to make them."
Said Ibarra, "KidCo shouldn't be on the same table as these taxes. It isn't kids vs. the advertising tax, or cops and firefighters vs. the advertising tax. Trading a tax for kids' programs is a violation of the fundamental aspects of what we're trying to build as a community."
According to Leal, "We have some options that aren't draconian and mean-spirited." He mentioned cutting the money for City Council junkets and subscriptions, but that would barely begin to cover the proposed budget shortfall.
Another question, they seemed to agree, was whether the city actually needs a budget as big as the one Keene has proposed, and all three council members happily sniped at Keene and his staff for various shortcomings. They obviously sensed they were among friends.
Except maybe Dunbar, who joked that she favored a newspaper tax because the Star and Citizen editorial boards had been so mean to her. At least it seemed to be a joke, though she did raise the issue more than once, apparently forgetting that there's a high, thick wall between a newspaper's editorial board and its sales staff.
At any rate, Dunbar said she was confident that the ad tax would fail when it comes to a vote, scheduled for June 30. Ibarra wasn't so sure that a fourth "no" vote was forthcoming, and worried that if the council votes down the garbage tax on June 7, it will create pressure to pass the other tax measures.
Would it really be so awful if the 2 percent ad tax went into effect? The amount of advertising might well decline a bit, especially for mid-sized businesses that have to choose between paying an extra 2 percent on ads and giving to charity. Yet newspapers and broadcasters lose advertisers every month, even in good times; some retailers simply don't benefit from advertising with them.
Perhaps the ad tax would force local media sales staffs to become more competitive. The consolidation of the Star and Citizen sales force more than 30 years ago put an end to rate wars in the local print media; if anything, small weekly papers (like the one you're reading now) feel free to raise their ad rates to approach parity with the big dailies. At least there's still competition among local broadcasters, even though they're fighting cable, home video and the Internet for an audience, and despite the growing hegemony of corporate ownership.
In a free market, competition is supposed to be a good thing, isn't it?


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The Redmi 13C is scheduled for its India debut on December 6. This budget-friendly smartphone made its initial launch a few months back in certain markets outside China. However, there are rumours swirling that the India-bound version might undergo some hardware modifications.
If reports are to be believed, the Redmi 13C might pack a beefed-up Helio G99 processor instead of the MediaTek Helio G85 found in its previous versions released elsewhere. Xiaomi's dedicated listing page for the Redmi 13C has revealed the smartphone will be available in Stardust Black and Star Shine Green colour variants.
Additionally, the listing confirms the presence of dual rear cameras, spearheaded by a 50MP primary sensor, akin to the global variant. Complementing this main sensor, the phone is expected to include a 2MP secondary sensor for depth, and an 8MP front camera housed in a water drop-style notch completes the photography setup.
Furthermore, the smartphone features a 6.74-inch IPS LCD display with 720p resolution, a 90Hz refresh rate, and up to 450 nits of peak brightness. It will operate on Android 13-based MIUI. Keeping the device running is a 5,000mAh battery, supported by 18W fast charging capabilities. With an estimated price tag of around ₹15,000, the Redmi 13C is making waves in the budget smartphone segment.


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Last week there is website who claiming Litecoin (LTC) is launching its Fork with name Litecoin cash in which every litecoin user will receive 10 Litecoin Cash, but today there is news trending that founder of Litecoin is claim that LCC is scam and stay away from such fake news, as per litecoinca.sh website who claimed to be official of LCC is posted schedule for future plans in which they mentioned in December 2017 Litecoin cash was founded in after one month In January 2018 Dev & testing has been finished and on 3 February 2018 they makes official announcement of launching and now in upcoming days Wallet, Fork Block will be launching, as right now Litecoin cash is just in news but in future people can claim, mine this cryptocurrency, as we know Litecoin is one of top cryptocurrency and because of limited maximum supply currently price fluctuation percentage is lower than previous year so launching Hard-Fork with new technology is most wanted situation.
Read Also: UCASH Price Prediction
There are 840 Million of Maximum Supply will be available for user, which can be claimed or mine with Mining algorithm SHA256 which will also provide Proof of Work hashes, Network Resilience, Optimised for Real world, slow start control, pre-release bootstrap, Small Premine, so with this feature as we compare other fork of cryptocurrency then promise feature comes in reality then LLC will be best Fork till date and no doubt huge supply will keep engaging and continuously creating interest for mining and claiming, as right now many newly cryptocurrency giving away ICO to user by giving them specific task, similar like u.cash coin who enter into top 50 cryptocurrency in just 4 days of launched which is really amazing and it happen just because they offering coins for sign up and other specific task.
Litecoin Cash Price
Charlie Lee already tweeted about Litecoin Cash which is not a fork of litecoin which result prices will announced once this coin listed on coinmarketcap and published white and as on 18th February 2018 there will big announcement is coming which will be displayed on litecoinca.sh so check on mentioned date and but I will suggest stay way from this coin because they must launched fake wallet to store your litecoin which can be stole by them and expected become second biggest scam on cryptocurrency world.
Litecoin Cash Wallet
As per website they mentioned Wallet for iOS, Windows, Android will be launching on 18 to 19 Februray 2018 and on March SPV Wallets will be launched for user.
How to Buy/Exchange Litecoin Cash (LCC)
LCC will not available for trading or Exchange to get Litecoin cash user has to mine this coin using mentioned mining tool or as per source evert litecoin user will rewarded by 10 Litecoin cash and there are some task be available to claim LCC.
Litecoin Cash Price Prediction
After announcement of Litecoin cash there is improvement in Litecoin price as since end of December 2017 Litecoin is continuously dropping in ranking and as also after reaches to all time highest it showing consistent drop in price, so after getting good response in investment Litecoin cash launched is must needed which help to reached 2000 USD till end of April 2018 and also maintain average price growth till it reaches to maximum supply.


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IOTA (MIOTA) has been one of the cryptocurrencies that have been attracting a lot of attention lately. Earlier this month IOTA had a massive rally, which saw its price rising more than 100% in about a week. And while the rally has cooled off in more recent days, the IOTA price has remained relatively stable, hovering around $0.90. The token currently ranks as the sixth-largest digital currency on the market, with a total market capitalisation of around $2.4 billion.
Despite its recent market success, IOTA remains largely unfamiliar to the general public and that’s hardly surprising. It got its first listing on a Bitcoin exchange, Bitfinex, only a couple of months ago and prior to that trading took place over-the-counter between users. It is one of the new kids on the block, and a somewhat weird one at that.
IOTA is very different from a typical cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin (BTC), Litecoin (LTC) and Ethereum. Its creators describe it as a “next generation blockchain”, which seems like a very bold claim, but in this case it might actually be justified. In fact, the technology underpinning IOTA is not even a blockchain.
The most interesting aspect of IOTA is its distributed ledger protocol dubbed Tangle, which is a directed acyclic graph (DAG), rather than a traditional blockchain. From mathematics we know that a graph is a collection of points (known as vertices) and lines (commonly referred to as arcs or edges) that connect these points. In a directed graph the edges also have a direction associated with them.
IOTA uses this concept to build its peer-to-peer network. So in Tangle each vertex represents a transaction and the edges represent how it links to other transactions on the network. And here is the interesting part – in order to issue a transaction, a user must validate (link to) two previous transactions. This ensures that the consensus (colloquially known as the miners) is no longer separated from the transaction process.
In blockchain-based networks such as Bitcoin, transactions are validated by miners, who use special software and expensive computer hardware to solve complex mathematical equations. But since miners are separated from the transaction process, they need to be incentivised to perform these services. These incentives come in the form of transaction fees.
IOTA’s approach ensures that no external incentives are needed. Because a user needs to validate two other transactions in order to issue one of their own, the validation process occurs much more organically on the IOTA network. As a result, users can transfer value without any fees.
Another big advantage of this approach is that, since transactions are only validated by their neighbours, they can be much faster compared to traditional blockchain-based cryptocurrencies.
The vision of IOTA team is for the token to become the backbone of the Internet-of-Things and a future autonomous ‘Machine Economy’. Essentially, the IOTA network could enable machines to make micropayments to each other, as well as store data from sensors securely and verified on the ledger. So for example, your smart fridge at home notices that it has run out of milk and connects to a delivery drone at a nearby supermarket to order more. The drone picks up the order, completes the delivery and gets paid for the service.
Now this sounds exciting (and a little scary), but for now it only hints at a future potential. The IOTA network is pretty young and is still developing. It seems that a potential IOTA-fuelled Machine Economy could make good use of the smart contract system supported by Ethereum, but such a system has not been implemented in Tangle. However, the IOTA team is reportedly already working on its own version of smart contracts, so this may not be an issue much longer.
The technology is young, but it certainly shows great potential. With a unique distributed ledger technology, allowing for fast validation and feeless microtransactions, IOTA could one day become the next generation blockchain it aims to be. It’s the new kid on the block, but it certainly hopes to stay for a long time.
In today’s trading, the IOTA price stood at $0.877, as of 12:20 BST. The token has gained just over 5% over the past 24 hours, according to data from industry tracker Coinmarketcap.


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(Ping! Zine Web Tech Magazine) – Final Fantasy 13: Lightning Returns developer Square Enix on Friday confirmed the cast for the highly anticipated game – revealing that characters such as Caius would mark a return to the beloved franchise.
In addition to the character reveal, the company also unleashed new screenshots.
“The new screenshots also give a closer look at the buildings in the Wildlands and Luxerion areas, along with the perilous battles of Lightning and her former allies, Snow and Noel,” stated Square Enix through a press release.
You can find full details here (Square Enix).
Final Fantasy 13: Lightning Returns has a set release date of February 11th of next year. Availability is expected for consoles including the Xbox 360 and PS3.


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Food is a daily concern not only for us but also to grow up whatever we need to eat as well! How much do we know about food production, in particular animal and meat production? How much water and energy are needed for such production, also what are the impacts of such production on our environment and health? An interesting issue is the production of chicken and eggs, by being by far most popular food items in the market. Here is a good example of high-quality production and preparation of eggs for the market and consumers (https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10203243637959486&id=1465162541).
The ever-increasing world population is requiring more and more chicken and eggs but how can humans cope with the increasing pressures on chicken? Yet the world has not yet reached peak chicken (http://m.motherjones.com/environment/2013/08/peak-chicken). What about “organic or eco” production; what are the diverse culture and ethics in chicken production and processing? With increasing pressures on water-energy resources how would we sustain farming and production in terms of feeding? Could insects feed animals of tomorrow’s meat industry? If so, what are the challenges posed from convoluted legislation and possible health risks? Indeed, The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization released a report (pdf) last year promoting the introduction of insects into both our diets and animal feed. Scientists and researchers, also claim that “other protein sources for livestock and aquaculture are urgently needed” which in real life terms can be understandable. However, some scientists and researchers even suggest that insects are ideal in this context as they can be “sustainably reared” on vegetable and domestic waste as well as byproducts from slaughterhouses. But startups recognize that for consumers, the thought of directly eating insects is often hard to stomach.


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Eureka Forbes has been felicitated with the prestigious ‘Golden Peacock Award for Corporate Social Responsibility - 2012’ under Consumer Appliances category and Private Sector. The company’s remarkable innovations in corporate social responsibility particularly ‘EuroAble’ Call Centre and ‘Community Fulfillment’ initiative along with other social and environmental initiatives carried by Eureka Forbes Institute of Environment - Pollution Watch, rainwater harvesting, Aqua Ambassadors etc. have been recognised for the award.
Commenting on recieving the award, Suresh Goklaney, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Eureka Forbes Limited, said, “This is a tremendous accomplishment for our company and we feel honored to receive this award. The efforts and support of our Eurochamps have been critical in ensuring the success of our EuroAble and Community Fulfillment initiatives. Both of these initiatives reiterate our commitment towards creating a better world that goes beyond our products and our customers to fulfill the needs of our society and environment.”
In September 2011, as reported by Indianretailer.com, Eureka Forbes had entered the prestigious Limca Book of Records under the title of 'The Biggest Corporate Flag Personalised'. The company had created a gigantic 40x10 foot personalised and India’s largest corporate flag named ‘The Flag of Happiness and Friendship’.


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Nissan not Partnering with Apple for Autonomous Car Project
Nissan’s shares took a 3.7% slip this morning following news that the company is not in talks with Apple, which shattered the report that Apple approached the Japanese company in recent months about an autonomous car project.
Reuters reported in December that Apple was moving forward with autonomous car technology and looked to produce a vehicle that could include its own breakthrough battery technology as early as 2024, causing speculation as to who the big tech giant’s partner could be.
The Financial Times reported that Apple and Nissan had brief discussions that failed over Nissan's reluctance to become an assembler for Apple-branded cars. Early stage talks between Apple and Hyundai over autonomous electric cars have also fallen through recently on concerns of the South Korean automaker about becoming just a contract manufacturer.
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SAN FRANCISCO, April 9, 2020 — The Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) released its first quarterly report, highlighting achievements, growth, and performance in Q1 of 2020.
In the first quarter, the Stellar Development Foundation focused on laying the foundation for its growth roadmap, making inroads on all three of its strategic growth pillars. Aligned to the first pillar, ensuring the robustness and usability of Stellar, SDF announced the first major release of Horizon, Stellar’s HTTP API server. Horizon 1.0 packaged together previous improvements with a new ingestion system that makes Horizon nimbler, more developer-friendly, more efficient, and less dependent on Stellar-Core.
In pursuit of the second growth pillar, being the blockchain people know and trust, SDF joined global conversations to establish Stellar’s voice on the world stage. In the context of an evolving regulatory and policy debate, SDF joined the Blockchain Association and the Chamber of Digital Commerce to increase our voice in the discussion about the risks and rewards of blockchain to inform laws and policies based on facts. SDF attended Global Blockchain Business Council’s Blockchain Central at the World Economic Forum and participated in a session on global digital asset trends. SDF also concentrated marketing efforts on releasing an updated website with key new features, like a project directory and a live-tracking mandate page, launching a new community podcast series, and hosting a webinar with network partner, Cowrie Integrated Systems, on the cross-border payment services they are providing in and out of Nigeria.
To foster sustainable Stellar use-cases, the third pillar of growth, SDF announced its first investment from the enterprise fund in DSTOQ, a Liechtenstein-based FinTech company, who is helping make investing accessible and affordable for people in emerging markets, through a borderless digital interface for security tokens. SDF also helped onboard five anchors in Latin America in preparation for the upcoming launch of a non-custodial wallet. SDF also hosted its first collegiate Hackathon, which awarded three winning student-developed projects.
For further information, please contact [email protected].
Stellar is a decentralized, fast, scalable, and uniquely sustainable network for financial products and services. It is both a cross-currency transaction system and a platform for digital asset issuance, designed to connect the world’s financial infrastructure. Dozens of financial institutions worldwide issue assets and settle payments on the Stellar network, which has grown to over 4 million accounts.
About the Stellar Development Foundation
The Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) is a non-profit organization that supports the development and growth of Stellar, an open-source network that connects the world’s financial infrastructure. Founded in 2014, the Foundation helps maintain Stellar’s codebase, supports the technical and business communities building on the network, and serves as a voice to regulators and institutions. The Foundation seeks to create equitable access to the global financial system, using the Stellar network to unlock the world’s economic potential through blockchain technology.


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Will Arizona eventually become the #1 cannabis market?
California has the biggest cannabis market in the United States currently.
They are selling over $3.8 billion in medical and recreational cannabis products, followed by Colorado, and other regions. And Arizona is coming up quick.
By 2025 it is still estimated that Cali will control a large portion of the market. However, things are difficult for some cannabis businesses in Cali who have been struggling.
Cannabis businesses in Cali have been pushing for cannabis tax reform.
They say that the unfair and excessive taxation in the industry is harming their businesses severely, and even the governor has said he might be in favor of overhauling the system.
With prices so high it leaves people accessing the black market and this is one thing authorities are looking to address, by continually squeezing out that market and its business. But excessive charges on products in the legal market aren't making it easy.
Is the reform going to be enough to fix problems in Cali? For now many businesses are still thriving in the region.
And others around the U.S. are also getting their start, like Arizona who is looking to become one of the biggest markets.
Arizona has already sold more than $1.3 billion in their legal market from cannabis. This has also added thousands of new jobs in one state alone that welcomes cannabis legalization. This means tens of thousands of jobs are being created around the country, possibly hundreds of thousands of we see federal reform too.
Whether it be money motivations or a change of mind on the war on drugs policy, it is obvious that the green wave of legalization is still spreading and this isn't a left or right issue, individuals all over the country can benefit from this market in one way or another.
Recreational sales of cannabis haven't been authorized for that long in the area and already they are breaking cannabis sales records in Arizona. You can also find dozens of dispensaries scattered around the state looking to meet the need of cannabis consumers.


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I wrote last week about Sony CEO Howard Stringer's comments suggesting Sony could have beaten Apple in digital music if only the had embraced open technology. While technology certainly could play a role in Sony's success, it's clear that the company needs a whole new way of thinking.
At a breakfast Thursday cohosted by the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and The New Yorker, Sony Pictures Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton told the audience his not-so-inner thoughts about the Internet.
"I'm a guy who doesn't see anything good having come from the Internet...(The Internet) created this notion that anyone can have whatever they want at any given time. It's as if the stores on Madison Avenue were open 24 hours a day. They feel entitled. They say, 'Give it to me now,' and if you don't give it to them for free, they'll steal it."
According to WWD.com Lynton tried out another simile. Referring to the Obama administration's goal to spread broadband access without, he said, regulating piracy, Lynton made a comparison with building highway systems without speed limits or driver's licenses. "We do need rules of the road," he said.
Rules of the road are one thing, but these type of short-sighted, borderline absurd comments suggest a more systemic problem. Instead of embracing new technologies and delivery methods, Sony chooses to stick to the old, now failing ways, as evidenced by the company's recent $1 billion loss.
With leadership like this, Sony only has itself to blame.


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Got A Business Idea? Win Ubi Franklin's 5 Million Naira
Ubi franklin is giving away money to finance what he called "the right kind of business idea".
The Triple MG boss has launched a start-up fund which will present 10 entrepreneurs with 500,000 Naira each. Ubi made the announcement via a post on Instagram on Thursday with the criteria for selection.
He shared a video and wrote;
My name Is Ubi Franklin,
I present to you “The UbiFranklin Start-Up Fund Company”
This is a platform to fund existing business ideas/plans.
I have made available 5 million Naira, with an estimated 500,000 Naira each to 10 Nigerians.
Our top picks will be invited by members of the board to A Boot-Camp For reviewing.
If you make this list, please be advised to come with a suitable business idea/plan.
ALL THE BEST!!!
The email address to send your business plan/idea to is: firstname.lastname@example.org.


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What's leaving Xbox Game Pass in December 2023? Well, Microsoft hasn't confirmed anything just yet, but based on some games that were added to the service this time last year, we can at least make a few predictions ahead of time.
We know that a lot of Xbox users want more advance notice of games leaving Xbox Game Pass, but Microsoft understandably gives us around two weeks right now - and don't forget, publishers sometimes secure late deals with Microsoft to keep their games on Game Pass, even after they've been announced to be leaving!
So, before we take a look at the following list of potential games leaving Xbox Game Pass in December 2023, we want to stress that nothing has been confirmed yet, and this will not be a 100% accurate list by any means. Some of these games might leave, some of these games might stay, and many others might be added to the list.
The most common (but definitely not the only) trend with Xbox Game Pass seems to be that games stick around for one year, so we've gone back to December 2022 to look at the games that were added to Game Pass at the time. That said, we've also added a few games from the December 2021 list as well. Based on those original announcements, here's what we think could potentially leave Xbox Game Pass in December 2023:
|Date It Joined Xbox Game Pass||Game||Platform|
|December 2, 2021||Console, PC|
|December 2, 2021||Console, PC, Cloud|
|December 2, 2021||Stardew Valley||Console, PC, Cloud|
|December 16, 2021||The Gunk||Console, PC, Cloud|
|December 1, 2022||Console, PC, Cloud|
|December 1, 2022||The Walking Dead: The Final Season (Seems unlikely?)||Console, PC, Cloud|
|December 6, 2022||Hello Neighbor 2||Console, PC, Cloud|
|December 6, 2022||LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga||Console, PC, Cloud|
|December 8, 2022||Console, PC, Cloud|
|December 13, 2022||High On Life||Console, PC, Cloud|
|December 13, 2022||Console, PC, Cloud|
|December 15, 2022||Rainbow Billy: The Curse Of The Leviathan||Console, PC, Cloud|
As mentioned previously, there could be plenty of additions to this list, and many of these games might stick around on Xbox Game Pass for even longer, but it seems likely that we'll lose at least some of these in December 2023. Our predictions usually turn out to be anywhere from 30%-80% correct.
Obviously we've still got November to come, so there's a lot more happening with Game Pass this month as well. Plenty of great games are on the way to the service including Like a Dragon Gaiden and Persona 5 Tactica!


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A video game controller that smells like food is usually considered disgusting, but Microsoft has created an Xbox controller that it says smells like fresh pizza.
The "first ever" pizza-scented controllers are a tie-in for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem movie, which hits theaters on Aug. 2.
"Designed to deliver the smell of the Turtles’ beloved meal to your game time, these exclusive Xbox Wireless Controllers come with a built-in scent diffuser shaped like a slice of delicious New York ‘za,” Microsoft said in its announcement.
The controllers promise to immerse you into the TMNT world when playing one of their games, such as the critically acclaimed Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge. But we’re not sure if we want that much immersion.
The good news is that if you’re tired of the smell, you can remove the pizza-shaped scent diffuser, which sits behind the hardware. The device then becomes a traditional Xbox controller decked out in a unique TMNT-inspired design.
"The controller comes in four variations, each representing the signature colors, weapons, and personality of a Turtle brother: Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo,” Microsoft says.
However, you won’t be able to buy the limited-edition product. Instead, the company plans on giving away the controllers as part of contest that starts today and runs until Aug. 13. To enter, Microsoft says users should follow the official Xbox Game Pass on Twitter account, and then retweet the Xbox Game Pass sweepstakes tweet once it’s up.
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One week after Apple stock crashed when the company cut its revenue guidance for the first time in 16 years, today it's the retailers fault to pull the rug from under investors when first Kohl's then Macy's slashed guidance following weak holiday spending, crushing the narrative of the "strong consumer."
After this website repeatedly warned that the massive inventory buildup that helped boost Q3 GDP was unsustainable and would result in major liquidations and matched earnings drops not to mention a sharply weaker Q1 GDP...
... today Macy’s confirmed just that when the giant retailer cut its 2018 guidance, saying the company will continue to take necessary steps in January to "ensure a clean inventory position". As a result, Macy’s now sees adjsuted year EPS $3.95 to $4.00, down from $4.10 to $4.30 previously.
Macy's also reported that November and December owned comp sales were up 0.7%, also missing expectations.
As a result of the sales miss and guidance cut, Macy's shares imploded in early trading, dropping as much as 17% premarket. This is what 16 years of buy and hold... and make no profits looks like.
Macy's wasn't alone. Because shortly after Target reported ok number, Kohl’s defecated all over the bed and its shares plunged 8% after the company reported Nov. and Dec. holiday-period comp sales rose 1.2% on a shifted basis, much lower than its prior year holiday sales growth of 6.9% and falling short of Wall Street est. of +1.5%, cut from +~2% on Jan. 4.
The abysmal numbers from M, L Brands and KSS dragged down the entire department sector space with J.C. Penney and Nordstrom also falling in pre-market trading, and even Target was down after earlier reported holiday comps. up 5.7%, stronger than expected, as suddenly the narrative of the strong US consumer is once again on the rocks.
In light of these disappointing spending numbers, it is almost as if the market not only leads the economy, but a sliding market crushes US consumer spending intentions.


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Economic development creates opportunities to grow state, local and metro areas, which are essential for economic growth, improved quality of life and community development. Oswego County articles below.
In locations throughout the nation, advanced manufacturing facilities and resources are being enlisted in the fight against COVID-19.
Educators from SUNY Oswego are meeting a critical need during the COVID-19 pandemic by producing protective face shields for healthcare workers and first responders in Oswego County, NY.
Smart sensors and digital process controls are poised to exponentially improve the efficiency of U.S. advanced manufacturing.
The Empire State is busy building a high-tech future that includes a $5-billion advanced materials sector, more than 100,000 advanced manufacturing jobs and the top hub for research in semiconductors and nanotechnology.
Compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act, controlling costs and workforce training are among top industry priorities.
In the food processing competition, the accommodating early bird gets the worm. This means adjusting processing, ingredients and labeling to meet shifting consumer tastes and priorities.
Advanced manufacturing has come a long way, revolutionizing the processes used to build new products and introducing a bevy of innovative technologies, with a heavy emphasis on automation.
So far, 2014 has been a banner year for freight haulers, but this success has a down side: a capacity crisis may be looming.
In this day and age, food processing plays an essential role in enhancing our way of life by ensuring that the food produced meets consistent quality standards.
From quality meats to sugary treats, consumers are offered an almost endless supply of options when it comes to food. From the May/June 2013 issue.


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Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) is working on its pair of first smart-glasses to house its virtual assistant Alexa, a home security camera that could be connected to a smartphone. The wearable device is designed to look exactly as the regular pair of spectacles that can be worn comfortably and discreetly. Reports show that the device could be launched before the year ends but an Amazon spokesperson rejected the rumors, saying that the company policy does not allow them to comment on speculation.
The smart glasses are not the only product that Amazon is planning to launch. Reports indicate that the company is growing its smart home with an addition of home security camera system with an internet-connected camera tied to its echo products. The devices would allow Amazon customers to monitor their orders on the site and have them delivered to them. While Amazon has experienced failures in the past including the Fire phone, which flopped costing the company huge amounts of cash.
Amazon has already sold numerous Alexa-enabled devices across the globe and its plans to enhance Alexa shows that the company is keen on taking risks with new technologies. Today, an internet-connected security camera is the basis of smart home and has become a popular accessory among the Americans. Amazon selected a secretive product development team to study the smart-home market to compare other devices that the company can build, but the move to settle on the smart glasses is unexpected and risky, considering that the product is yet to be tested on the market.
Smart glasses which would be Amazon’s first wearable would enable Alexas from anywhere compared to the current devices where customers use the static in-home speakers. However, Google and Apple have a strategic advantage over Amazon which has no mobile phone platform of its own. Amazon may not create its voice AI into smartphone hardware where customers may access easily hence the product is likely to face challenges in the long run. Amazon has grappled with connected device portfolio since it launched its first Echo smart speaker in 2014 and the journey seems to have just started.


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From the Timesunion January 4, 2012
EAST GREENBUSH — Police on Tuesday added to charges faced by a 51-year-old auto shop owner after police said he charged customers for unnecessary work he never performed.
Douglas Faulkner of Luther Road, the owner of Auto Care Service Center at 103 Columbia Turnpike in Rensselaer, was charged with telling a customer on Dec. 16 that his vehicle needed to have the transmission replaced even though it did not. Police said Faulkner charged the customer $2,800 up front for a used transmission to replace the properly working one, but never did the work. Police said Faulkner requested the up-front payment to “speed” the process.
The new set of allegations charge Faulkner with fourth-degree grand larceny and first-degree scheme to defraud.
Two weeks ago, police arrested Faulkner after charges that he replaced a working transmission on a vehicle and sold another vehicle twice.
Police said he charged a customer $2,100 for a new transmission when the vehicle did not require the repair. Before being taken to the shop, the vehicle was inspected by a fully licensed mechanic, police said, who documented the transmission was working properly.
Faulkner also sold a vehicle for $3,500 and failed to deliver it, police said. Two days later, he sold the same vehicle to another buyer and profited from both sales.
He was arrested at his business and charged with third-degree grand larceny and fourth-degree grand larceny. He was released after posting $5,000 bail.
Police urged any customers of Auto Care Service Center who feel they may have been a victim to call either East Greenbush police at 479-2525 or the New York State Police Auto Theft Unit at 786-2459.