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Bus fares will rise for passengers across Nuneaton and Warwickshire. Stagecoach has said it is making the changes to battle the rising cost of running bus services.
The changes will be implemented from Sunday, December 4, onwards. The cost of monthly bus passes will increase as much as £15.
Stagecoach said the rise reflects the cost of running services, which have risen by around 40 per cent, mainly driven by increase in maintenance costs, price of raw materials and energy bills.
The money from the fares will also go towards paying for the day-to-day running of services as well as investing in new buses and other customer improvements. It also covers additional costs including paying government taxes which support public services.
Stagecoach recently announced that over £50m is being invested in 200 new vehicles across England.
Mark Whitelocks, managing director for Stagecoach Midlands, said: “Stagecoach has consistently delivered some of the lowest ticket prices in the country and we are committed to continuing to keep fares as low as possible for our passengers. Businesses such as Stagecoach have been facing significantly increased costs which continue to put pressure on fares.
"We have worked hard to absorb as many of these costs as possible. The money from fares goes towards paying for the day-to-day running of services, as well as being re-invested into improvements for our customers, including in new buses, and improved technology to help make travel easier.
“We remain focused on offering a wide range of value tickets.”
The Nuneaton Megarider will be rising from £118.10 to £132.90 - an increase of £14.80. The new cost of singles, returns, dayriders and travel zones have yet to be confirmed.


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– August 25th, 2022 –
PLUS: Celebrate Metal Blade Records’ 40th Anniversary all Saturday & Sunday on The Metal 2 Channel – 48 hours of Metal Blade!
Los Angeles, California – Metal Blade Records, the fiercely independent label that launched Metallica, Slayer, Armored Saint, Cannibal Corpse, Amon Amarth, and dozens more iconic heavy metal bands, continues its 40th Anniversary Celebration in 2022 with the release of a new playlist featuring a selection of songs from the label’s 00′s catalog spanning 2000-2010.
In conjunction with the release of the label’s 00′s playlist, a brand-new merch design created by renowned heavy metal artist Travis Smith has also been released. Smith is known for creating iconic cover art for bands like King Diamond, Opeth, Devin Townsend, Nevermore, Soilwork, Anathema, and Bloodbath just to name a few.
Check out the new playlist, available on Spotify and Apple Music, and the new shirt design at: metalblade.com/40thanniversary
In other news, Gimme Radio salutes with 48 hours of programming on their Metal 2 channel this Saturday and Sunday with a slew of some of their best Slagel and guest artist shows! And grab titles from select Metal Blade artists HERE. FREE shipping on anything in the collection with the code ‘blade‘.
Two final anniversary celebration shows are taking place in Las Vegas, NV this September and October: SACRED REICH, an integral part of the thrash movement still churning out classics on Metal Blade, tops the bill on September 17 at The Space in Las Vegas while headliners KILLSWITCH ENGAGE are taking over the Las Vegas House Of Blues on October 5. Supporting KsE at the 3rd and final concert commemorating Metal Blade Records’ momentous anniversary is Fit for an Autopsy and labelmates VISIGOTH.
Sacred Reich tickets here: thespacelv.com/event/sacred-reich
Killswitch Engage tickets here: ticketmaster.com/event/17005CEF960D2267
About Metal Blade Records:
Founded upon owner Brian Slagel‘s enduring drive to find great bands and get their music out to as many people as possible, since 1982 Metal Blade has brought wave after wave of powerful, innovative, and often genre-defining music to the ever-hungry metal masses. It is this ethos that has seen Metal Blade build up a stunning and diverse catalog, weather the various storms facing any independent label, and in an age of declining record sales boast the most successful years of its existence as it celebrates its fourth decade.
Metal Blade Records launched Metallica, Slayer, Armored Saint, Fates Warning, GWAR, Cannibal Corpse, Amon Amarth, Whitechapel, The Black Dahlia Murder, Cattle Decapitation, and dozens more genre giants, shaping four decades and counting of hard rock, metal, and extreme music culture. Brian Slagel worked as a record store clerk when he founded Metal Blade in 1982, reserving a spot for a young Lars Ulrich on his Metal Massacre compilation series. Metal Blade grew from humble beginnings in Los Angeles to become an international powerhouse, selling millions of albums while remaining fiercely independent. In 2017, Slayer‘s Kerry King inducted the label into the Hall of Heavy Metal History. Slagel’s For the Sake of Heaviness: The History of Metal Blade Records arrived the same year.

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Hyper-volatile cruise stocks are in limbo right now, as investors struggle to see how the industry can cope with mounting regulatory hurdles, a frightened customer base and a pandemic that is still threatening most of the globe.
After losing much of their value throughout the beginning months of the COVID-19 lockdowns, the three major cruise stocks did see a resurgence in mid to late summer, only to lose steam by early fall.
Carnival Cruises (CCL) plummeted from $51.90 a share in January to $7.97 in April, only to shoot back up to $24.91 in June, before closing at $15.34 on September 18th. Carnival’s chief competitors, Royal Caribbean Group (RCL) and Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCLH) went through similarly violent ebbs and flows.
This is in contrast to the S&P 500, which has gained 2.09 percent this year despite a nearly 30 percent drop in the spring.
Buoyed by a fed-induced stock market rally and declining COVID-19 fatality rates, bargain hunters gobbled up battered leisure and hospitality stocks, including shares in cruise companies. In the last six months, Fidelity’s Select Leisure Portfolio (FDLSX), a mutual fund tracking these stocks, has nearly doubled in value.
Initially, cruise stocks were some of the rally’s biggest winners, out pacing many major hotel and resort stocks. But, as the broader stock market began to sputter and COVID-19 progress remained vague, investors took note of the unique challenges facing cruise companies and slowed their buying.
Cruise’s face steeper virus related obstacles to resuming operations than most other leisure and hospitality companies. In addition, it is hard to predict what the true customer demand will be for cruising once those obstacles are overcome.
Most importantly, the virus’s path is still too unpredictable to inspire investor confidence.
“We continue to observe that leisure and hotel stocks trade on progress/speculations of a vaccine as progress or setbacks are trumping everything else when it comes to daily/weekly stock performance,” said analysts C. Patrick Scholes and Gregory J. Miller in a cruise line sector report for Trust Securities.
Health and regulatory burdens are especially worrying for investors. The CDC extended its no sail order through September, and analysts expect another extension after that. While cruising has resumed in parts of Europe, ships have been forced to greatly reduce capacity, test passengers and constantly monitor social distancing and hygiene. And since cruises dock all over the world, just one outbreak could spread throughout any host country.
Once the regulatory issues are overcome, it is still extremely difficult to gauge how willing passengers may be to go aboard a cruise again. Even if a vaccine is developed and proven effective in the next few months, as is hoped, it may not immediately translate into pre-pandemic consumer confidence.
Daphne Gerson, a retired social worker from New York City, is eager to resume traveling after six months of lockdowns. And while she would love to take a cruise, as a senior with high blood pressure she is especially wary of being confined in tight quarters with thousands of strangers in the middle of the ocean.
“It’s constrained, a lot of people are on top of each other, I’d be worried about the virus,” says Gerson.
The fact that most cruise goers need to take a plane to their ship adds a whole other layer of consumer stress and uncertainty. For many, the idea of air travel plus a long voyage at sea may be too daunting for the foreseeable future. This is one of the reasons some analysts prefer leisure and hospitality stocks that rely on private transportation rather than planes.
“We cover regional (amusement) parks and we have a more positive outlook on these stocks. They predominantly are drive-up activities that you can do on a relatively ad-hoc basis,” says Paul Golding, Senior Research Analyst at Macquarie Capital.
Despite these unprecedented challenges, cruise stocks could be a long term value. Customer reservations for 2021 have been surprisingly strong, indicating there is stored up demand. And if any of the three major cruise stocks can reach their 2020 highs, an investor buying now would more than double their money.
But, most experts don’t expect cruising to resume pre-pandemic level operations until 2022 at the earliest. Both Golding and Scholes have downgraded the three major cruise stocks from Buy to Neutral, and few analysts are more confident than that.
Barring a sudden change of fortune, any investor looking to make a big return on cruise stocks will have to be aboard for the long haul.


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The IOD says the Government's flagship energy project is “a bit of a mess” and should be halted
The government initiative, that was set to save consumers money on their energy and heating bills, has been criticised by the Institute of Directors amidst accusations that it is behind schedule, out-of-date with the latest technology, and has privacy and security issues.
When the project was announced in October 2015, consumers were told that “most homes should have one by 2020” in Great Britain. However, only 2.3 million energy smart meters have been installed across the UK and the project is so far behind schedule that many are calling for it to be scrapped.
The smart meters were supposedly meant to “send an electronic meter reading to your energy supplier, meaning they won’t need to take a manual meter reading, you won’t get estimated bills [and] it’ll be easier to switch energy suppliers.”
The Institute of Directors released a statement saying that the “Government must halt [the] flawed smart meter programme” and believe the only solution is to take a step back and re-evaluate saying: “Other, cheaper alternatives exist to enable accurate and automated metering, including simple bits of kit consumers can clip on to their existing meters. Carrying on full-steam ahead with the current programme, ignoring falling energy prices, in order to avoid embarrassment is simply not justifiable.”
The Institute of Directors added: “The truth is that most of the meters going in at the moment will only give each household a paltry energy saving of 2 per cent a year, while actually making it harder for them to switch energy provider as the kit is not compatible with multiple suppliers.”


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Dragons soon to be released on an unsuspecting population
Scientists doubtful and confused
A spokes Beebee from Sutton Studios was contacted in regards to this strange story (which came from an anonymous source) and had this clarification: “No, no we are not releasing actual dragons."
Author Scott E. Sutton’s new book ‘Troubles With Dragons’ is currently at the printer and is scheduled for release this summer at the Laguna Art-A-Fair. The book will also be available for sale on Mr. Sutton’s web site as soon as it becomes available. Mr. Sutton will be at the Laguna Art-A-Fair for most of the summer signing books and prints.
Author Scott E. Sutton will be signing books near “Whiskey Row” in wild and woolly Prescott Arizona.
Mr. Sutton will be selling his books and prints this Mother’s Day weekend Saturday and Sunday May 12th and 13th from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the historic Court House Square in Prescott, Arizona where Wyatt Erp used to drink and “raise Cain and cause some ruckuses.”
“Stop in, buy some‘thin and leave yer six shooter at home,” said a cow Beebee.


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Editors' pick: Originally published Jan. 12.
Back by popular demand at Arby's: deer meat.
The fast-food chain, known for hawking indulgent roast beef sandwiches at 3,300 restaurants worldwide, will now bring its wildly popular venison to two restaurants in Nebraska. One of the locations is in Omaha, so attention Warren Buffett -- you can now get some deer meat for lunch after placing a few morning trades.
Arby's debuted venison in about 17 restaurants in Tennessee and Atlanta last year. It quickly sold out.
For Arby's, selling deer meat is part of broader reinvention of the brand under CEO Paul Brown. Last year, the privately held company launched a dizzying number of limited-time products to drive sales such as chicken sliders and meatball sandwiches. The efforts have paid off handsomely for Arby's as same-store sales have increased for over 23 straight quarters.
Here is TheStreet's recent interview with Brown.


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A recent report by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) notes that one of the most successful cybercriminal practices is known as the “romantic scam,” which in 2020 accounted for more than $300 million in illicit profits, increasing the figures reported in 2019 by 50%.
This practice involves tricking a user through their social media profiles by pretending to be an attractive woman to establish a relationship and, over time, asking for money, sending items through parcels, gift cards, among other elements: “Sooner or later these cybercriminals will ask their victims for money using any excuse, whether it’s an economic emergency, a birthday and even in recent times exploiting the problem of coronavirus,” the FTC says.
On the coronavirus, the Commission mentions that the health emergency certainly contributed to the increase in activity of these groups, as social distancing led millions of people to look for new ways to interact, mainly social networks and dating apps: “Criminals create very attractive profiles on these platforms to attract users, using stolen images of real profiles and invented names, although some raise the bet using stolen identities,” the report says.
The FTC also mentions that victims can be tricked into participating in money laundering schemes: “Sometimes scammers send victims considerable sums of money and subsequently request that they be sent back to accounts controlled by threat actors. People think they’re helping their love online, when they’re actually helping to launder stolen money.”
Specialists point out that, on average, victims of these attacks may lose about $2,500, 10 times more than losses generated on average by other variants of fraud. Moreover, the FTC mentions that this is one of the fastest growing practices over the most recent five years, increasing losses by more than 4 times since 2016. Losses vary depending on the age of the victims. The report mentions that while the group most vulnerable to this scam is males between the age of 20 and 29, people between the age of 40 and 60 suffer economic losses of up to $10,000 USD.
Valentine’s Day happened just a few hours ago, so the cybersecurity community is waiting to see if trends in this will increase this year, which is highly possible considering the number of scams related to this holiday that have been reported so far.
To learn more about computer security risks, malware, vulnerabilities and information technologies, feel free to access the International Cyber Security Institute (IICS) website.
The post Romantic scams generate losses of over $300 million USD appeared first on Cyber Security News | Exploit One | Hacking News.
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Author Of this post: Daniel Tai


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July 22: The value of Australian wine exports has continued to grow in the 12 months to June 2019, increasing by 4 per cent in value to $2.86 billion. China continued to drive growth and the United States of America (USA) also made a welcome return to growth, though there has been a drop in the UK Market, according to a Media Release by Wine Australia today. Subhash Arora reflects
When one thinks about Australian wines in India, three things come to mind instantly. The success of Barossa Valley Shiraz in the 1990’s in the US and other markets, resulted in heavy increase in plantings, resulting in over production of Shiraz, resulting in fall in prices and eventual decrease in plantings. The value of red wine crushed this year increased by 2% but there was a decrease of 2% in the planting of Shiraz.
When there was a global melt down 10 years ago, there was a concerted push to increase exports to China. It was almost as if the whole country focused in that direction and the rise in exports to China was meteoric. It may not be wrong to say that China saved a crash in the Australian wine industry. Today, Australia is behind France and Chile in volume and with the FTA signed by them last year, waiving import duty, it continues to increase its export value.
Wine Australia Chief Executive Officer Andreas Clark says Australian wine exports to China (including Hong Kong and Macau) achieved a financial year record, increasing 7 % in value to $1.2 billion. Volume, however, decreased 16 % to the equivalent of 17 million cases as exports of low-end wines below A$2.50 per litre FOB, had declined.
The third important aspect of the Aussie industry has been the perception in the heavily exported market USA where people started believing that Australia was good for making only cheap and happy wines (with the ubiquitous Yellow Tail alone crossing 9 million case sales at its peak). This was the time when wine bottles in skins (without labels) had plummeted to as low as A$2 in Aussie supermarkets. There was a Clarion Call from Wine Australia to change the image of Australian wines and focus more on higher quality wines rather than cheap, low-ended bulk wines.
Thanks to these efforts , Australia is well-placed even in China where it is second in value to France though behind France and Chile in volume. Further, thanks to the FTA between Australia and China, Australia has already overtaken France to become the number one imported wine category in mainland China by value during the current calendar year. Australia’s imported market share has jumped 13 % from 2015 to 24 % based on volume currently.
Overall export volumes decreased by 6 % to 89 million case equivalent; this volume decline was driven by a decrease of 7 % in shipments of wine below an average value of $2.50 per litre FOB. This resulted in a 10% increase in the overall average value of exported wine to $3.58 per litre, the highest level since 2009.
Wine Australia’s National Vintage Report 2019 released last week shows that the average grape price has gone up for the fifth year in a row, reaching $664 per tonne (Rs. 33 a kg.), the highest level since 2008’, according to Clark.
Increase in Export Value to USA
‘The turnaround in exports to the USA, which grew by 2 % in value to $432 million, is pleasing. Average value increasing 6 % to $2.83 per litre, the first time growth in 2 years, rewards the efforts of the many exporters who are working actively in that market to change perceptions about Australian wines and communicate about the diversity and excellence of Australia’s offering,’ says Clark, adding ‘There were increases across most major price segments in the USA with the stand out segment for growth being $7.50 to $9.99 per litre FOB.’
UK Market declines
UK market suffered a slight decline with value decreasing 3 % to $373 million and volume declining 4 % to the equivalent of 26 million cases. Average value increased 1 % to $1.58 per litre. The volume decline reflects some of the larger brands changing their strategy of getting additional product into market pre-Brexit to mitigate any disruption to exports.
‘Australia was still ranked number 1 in still wine retail sales in the 12 months ended March 2019, with a market share of 24% in volume and 23% in value’, Clark said. Off-trade sales in the UK for Australian wine grew 1% the year ended March 2019.
Clark also warned that Australian wine supplies would remain tight in the medium term with the 2019 vintage at 1.73 million tonnes, being 1% below the 10-year average. Supplies, particularly of reds that dominate Australian exports, are expected to remain stable.
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2012 Can-am Spyder Rt-s on mail.2040motos
Can-Am SPYDER RT-S description
UP FOR BID IS A USED 2012 CAN AM SPYDER RT-S 990cc SE-5, RED IN COLOR ONLY 23,351 MILES
READY TO RIDE
GREAT MACHINE FOR A GREAT PRICE!
WE DO NOT SHIP AND CAN NOT SELL TO OUT OF THE UNITED STATES
FOR SALE LOCALLY WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO END THE AUCTION EARLY!!!
Can-Am SPYDER RT-S for Sale
Moto blogThu, 20 Dec 2012 00:00:00 -0800
A pair of recalls for fuel vapor leaks on Can-Am Spyder roadsters has expanded to the U.S. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, one recall affects 9,600 units from model years 2008-2010 while the second, larger recall affects 33,700 from model years 2008-2012. An earlier recalls from Transport Canada affects 9400 units for the a fuel cap issue and 2,431 units for a fuel vapor canister vent hose issue.Fri, 01 Nov 2013 00:00:00 -0700
Motorcycle and scooter sales in the U.S. in 2013 remain consistent with last year’s figures, according to data released by the Motorcycle Industry Council. Several manufacturers blamed poor weather for the poor start this year, and the rebounding sales in the third quarter helped to negate the slow sales from earlier in the year.Mon, 16 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0700
Bombardier Recreational Products is issuing a recall campaign on 2010 Can-Am Spyder RT roadsters because of a risk of brake failure. According to documents released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a pin used to secure the brake pedal connecting rod may disengage and fall off, resulting in a total loss of brake function. BRP received three reports of a loss of braking ability.
Can-Am SPYDER RT-S by State
Can-Am SPYDER RT-S by City
Can-Am SPYDER RT-S by Color


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To celebrate Conrad Dublin been recognised as Ireland’s Leading Luxury Hotel and naming Conrad’s Presidential Suite as Ireland’s Leading Hotel Suite at the 27th annual World Travel Awards, it is offering a very special December stay rate (if current restrictions lifted) from €259 for two people sharing to include dinner, breakfast and onsite car parking.
Celebrating a remarkable 27 years, the annual Travel Awards are the leading independent awards for the European hospitality industry and aim to recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of the very best of the region’s travel and tourism sector to the world. Despite the incredible challenges faced by our industry over the course of 2020, this year’s Word Travel Awards nomination programme reported record visitor traffic and engagement from the public voter (the all-important tourism consumer). This shows that as the global recovery begins, the appetite for tourism has never been as keen and offers hope and much needed encouragement to us all.
With the rising demand for future travel comes a notable trend from the consumer to seek out and book the very best tourism products from across the world. As we look to the future, this trend is why winning a World Travel Award this year, has never been more valuable.
Martin Mangan, General Manager, Conrad Dublin said, “This has been a very challenging year for the Irish hospitality and tourism sectors. To receive two major awards during this current climate is testament to the genuine passion and dedication our hotel puts into going the extra mile for our guests. We look forward to welcoming all guests back to our hotel this December for the festive season”.
Conrad Dubln has has kept busy since March developing the Terrace Kitchen & Social House & Pantry and Café a concept born when the hotel seized an opportunity to place a converted horsebox, creatively named the ‘Horsebox’, on the Piazza taking full advantage of the vista and sun trap. Serving gourmet coffee and snacks to a few locals and passers-by at a time when the city was effectively empty, the team at Conrad Dublin decided to expand on this offering following the success of the Horsebox. The team at The Terrace are working on a few other concepts, which are yet to be unveiled.


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A lot has been said about the coming future of wearables, but, it turned out, not a heck of a lot took off. It seemed most of us were happy with ‘wearing’ a smartwatch and leaving it at that. In fact, Apple’s recent announcements around the iWatch show that ‘wearables’ are not really about just wearing something with electronics embedded, but really about health.
Now, we know that the home fitness market and wellness market is not going anywhere. And yet we still have an obesity issue in the world. What if what we wore could help us with that, while we exercise?
That’s the idea behind Wearable X, the New York-based startup which launched last year with the “Nadi X”. This is a collection of smart yoga apparel with woven-in technology. They claim this can identify the various yoga poses and provide users with real-time feedback via gentle vibrations. Nadi X comes with a companion iPhone app and device, called The Pulse. The Pulse is where the battery and Bluetooth module clips behind the upper left knee so as not to interfere with your yoga practice.
The company is now launching a Kickstarter campaign for four new designs, including a menswear line and redesigned user-friendly app with enhanced features.
Founder & CEO Billie Whitehouse says: “With Nadi X you not only have convenience but haptics increase reaction time and make you feel more accountable not only through the instant reaction but also through the progress tracking. Our data is more sophisticated than most because we have 5 data points. Most only have one. Single data is what I call ‘dirty data’. It’s just not a thorough look at the true movements that are taking place.”
The new features include progress tracking, customizable playlist “yoga flows” whereby the user can create a truly personalized practice and yoga practice incentives. It’s notable that last year yoga pants outsold denim worldwide.


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A CITY chip shop has launched a bid to attract a gourmet clientele – with a £7.95 monkfish and chips supper.
Award-winning takeaway Youngers was told by its suppliers it is the only chip shop in the region to stock the fine dining favourite.
Manager Paul Clough said he decided to bring in the option of monkfish because his budget choice of pollock and chips was failing to reel in the customers.
He said: “I took over the shop in the summer from my brother-in-law. We have never really done any marketing before and I started marketing in a few ways.
“We did cheap fish and chips with pollock and chips. But it hasn’t really taken off.”
Youngers, on Caerphilly Road, has won several awards, including being named the best fish and chip shop in South Wales by industry body Seafish in 2004, and picking up the Echo’s fish and chip award in 2009.
Paul charges £5.75 for a standard cod and chips or £4.75 for a small portion. He also stocks plaice and haddock at £5.95.
Paul said he became determined to take his chippy upmarket after eating a portion of monkfish when he was eating out at the Caesar’s Arms pub in Creigiau, Cardiff.
“I thought ‘what is the best fish and chips’ – it is monkfish, there is no doubt about it,” he said.
“I went to the Caesar’s Arms at Creigiau and had some monkfish there. It was absolutely amazing. It cost a fortune, but it was brilliant.”
Paul started selling monkfish and chips accompanied by lemon and a tartare sauce for £7.95 earlier this week. He says the fish has sparked a lot of interest and hopes people will be prepared to pay extra when they get a taste.
“The monkfish is the king of all the fish,” he said.
“It really is incredible and is something if you have once you will have again.
“When I asked my supplier if we would be the only shop in Cardiff selling monkfish, he said, ‘No mate, you will be the only fish and chip shop in South Wales doing monkfish.’
“But we have got the skills and customer base, so why not?”
And Paul says it is an added bonus that monkfish is ethically sourced and not over-fished like cod.
He said: “There is not a massive demand for it like cod, which in some parts of the world is struggling.
“The only demand for this in the UK is from the very highest class restaurants.”


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Google starts Android 11 rollout - a taste of what's new
FYI, this story is more than a year old
Android 11 is now live – but if you don’t have one of the ‘selected’ OnePlus, OPPO, Pixel, Realme, or Xiaomi phones, you might be in for a bit of a wait.
While Android users play the waiting game (or at least, Android users with devices from manufacturers who still bother with OS upgrades), here’s what you can expect from Android 11.
Google is calling Android 11 “The OS that gets to what’s important”, which basically translates to putting the most valuable apps – like messaging, privacy, and accessibility – first.
Messaging apps will have their own dedicated place within your notifications, where users can view, answer, and control messages. This will be in a ‘conversations’ section when you swipe down to access notifications on your screen. Users will also be able to pin priority conversations for easy access from notifications.
A feature called Bubbles allows users to pin conversations so they’re always on top of other apps. This means you can keep track of your chats and keep using other apps on your phone without switching back and forth between the two.
Next is more capabilities to control connected smart devices. A long press of the power button takes users to device control so you can turn control your smart home devices without opening separate apps. Google hasn’t said which devices this will work with, but we hope third party smart device providers will be included.
The music control system has been redesigned to allow quick switching between devices (for example, a phone and a Bluetooth speaker), and Android Auto on devices that run Android 11 will operate wirelessly on compatible vehicles.
Another big feature is privacy, which Google has been refining and making more prominent on recent versions of Android. Android 11 is no exception.
Google Play system update modules will start delivering security and privacy fixes, similar to how Google Play updates apps, without having to go through operating system updates.
One-time permissions will allow for single-use access to things such as device location, camera, and microphone. This means apps don’t have ongoing permission to use these functions. They must ask for permission every time they want to access these device features.
Android 11 will also ‘auto-reset’ permissions for unused apps so that they don’t always have access to user data. Of course, users can grant permissions again the next time they use the app.
Android Enterprise users will also provide privacy protections that enable IT departments to manage devices without tracking personal profile data or activity on the device. Users will also get a notification if IT administrators have enabled location services on their work device.
Accessibility and usability
Accessibility updates include voice access with offline support, which enables people to control and use their phone through speech. Android 11 will also include a talkback braille keyboard, and new Lookout modes (Scan Document and Food Label) to help blind or low vision to get things done. Lookout also turns on the device’s torch.
Other usability enhancements include a built-in screen recorder (no need for third-party apps anymore!), smart folders, better call screening, picture-in-picture adjustment, ethernet tethering, and much more.
Google says more partners will launch and upgrade their devices over the coming months.


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CEO of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Doug McMillon, said the retailer is looking at using 3-D printers to produce supplies and is also considering buying into the market.
He finds 3-D printing interesting and said that it could be used as a method to replace parts over time, Bloomberg says.
The growing 3-D printer industry has been an opportunity as well as a threat to retailers such as Wal-Mart. It is possible to create small components and products with the device which would reduce the need for consumers to visit the store. However, retailers could make use of the technology themselves to maintain their inventory levels, which would cut costs.
McMillon was questioned on the purchase of 3-D printing companies by Wal-Mart and said that it would make sense in certain situations. He said that the company is planning to boost partnerships and acquisitions.
McMillon stated that they have been acquiring much lately, particularly talent and he believes that their level of acquisitions will accelerate in future.
2 JUNE 2014, USA
More about shopping malls in the USA


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The ads are enticing, no doubt about it.
Forty-count mega rolls of Charmin Ultra Soft. Twelve double rolls of Quilted Northern Ultra Plush. Face masks, Clorox wipes and paper towels.
“Hot sale! In stock now!” they say. “3-7 Days Express Delivery.”
Don’t delay, the toilet paper ads warn. “17461 sold in last 24 hours. WE HAVE VERY LIMITED QUANTITIES AT THIS PRICE!!”
The operative word is “limited.” And for many consumers, it’s more like “zero.”
As the coronavirus winds its destructive path through the country, products like toilet paper, disinfectants and protective masks remain in high demand. And as frenzied buyers go online in search of those scarcities, scammers are out in full force, playing on COVID-19 fears in an effort to defraud them.
“No shipment of toilet paper but they took my money quick enough,” wrote one angry customer in a complaint to PayPal last week. “I can’t believe paypal would continue doing business with this scammer from China…This scammer has toilet paper on 3-4 different websites all of which were opened in Feb of this year. They present themselves as a company in U.S. but buyers beware! DO NOT ORDER FROM THESE SCAMMERS!!”
Said another: “Yup, same here. Thought it was from legit company and it switched. Sent email with no response.”
The company, pattops.com, did not respond to a request for comment. On its website, it promises to “Ship within 24 hours after payment” and offers a money-back guarantee on its products. “99.3% of Reviewers Recommends This Product,” it says. In the photo of the toilet paper it is selling, the word “Northern” is spelled “Northen.”
Documents show the company only recently registered its site on Jan. 21. The registration was updated on March 24.
Another buyer said in a March 30 complaint to PayPal that after placing an order with pattops.com an email arrived with a link to view the order. But the link was invalid, the buyer said. The buyer’s bank statement showed that the PayPal payment did not go to pattops.com but to the Weihongda Trading Co. Ltd. in China.
Twenty-nine other people reported having the same problem. Weihongda Trading Co. did not respond to a request for comment.
Facebook has been brimming in recent weeks with such ads, and many customers have paid for their orders through PayPal. Neither Facebook nor PayPal responded to a request for comment.
All list China as the registrant country for their websites, and all have registered within recent months.
Cellmert.com is advertising Charmin Ultra Soft Cushiony Touch, 10 rolls for $22.99. Its website says the company has a rating of five out of five stars.
But the online site itisreviewed.com notes that the company has no valid contact information, no customer reviews on its products and “no social media presence in this age where all legit online stores have accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.”
Its conclusion: “Cellmert.com is a scam online store and therefore not recommended for use.”
When The Star repeatedly called the number listed on Cellmert’s website, it rang and rang but no one ever answered. The phone number — which has a San Francisco area code — is shared by several other online shopping companies.
The Missouri Attorney General’s office has not received any complaints about the companies The Star inquired about, said Chris Nuelle, spokesman for Attorney General Eric Schmitt.
“But if there are consumers out there who have lost money or have been duped by this, we want to hear from them,” Nuelle said. “With a lot of these scams, especially online, it makes it really hard for us. They just divert through all these shell people or companies so nobody can really get on their trail.”
And if the companies are based outside the United States, he said, it makes them even harder to trace.
“But we still want to hear from people,” Nuelle said. “If there’s a chance we can do something, we will.”
The hotline number for making a complaint is 800-392-8222. Consumers also can fill out these forms: https://ago.mo.gov/app/consumercomplaint and https://ago.mo.gov/civil-division/consumer/price-gouging.
Buyers need to be extremely cautious when shopping online, Nuelle said.
“Especially now, these scammers are trying to take advantage of the coronavirus situation,” he said. “If the website name looks fishy or the product looks fishy, it probably is.”
The Kansas Attorney General’s Office said consumers should take several steps when shopping online to ensure they don’t fall victim to scammers.
Make sure the website you’re buying from is a trusted, reputable seller. Today’s technology has made it easy for scammers to set up fake online stores and products that may not even exist.
“If you’re considering buying from a website you’ve never used before, do a search for that website’s name and check their reviews on other trusted sites,” the attorney general’s office said. “Do not rely on the reviews on the seller’s site, as these could be just as fake as the product they are selling.”
If consumers believe they’ve been scammed, they should file a complaint with the Kansas Attorney General’s Office on a form specifically designed for COVID-19-related issues or call 800-432-2310 to request that a paper complaint form be sent by mail.
Consumers can also report concerns to the Better Business Bureau’s “scam tracker” at www.bbb.org/scamtracker.
One online site that has recently generated multiple complaints to the Better Business Bureau is woo-kids.com.
On March 24, a customer in Idaho wrote: “I went to the Target website to order toilet paper. This product came up from ‘Woo-Kids’. I ordered $60 worth of toilet paper and it appears to be a scam.”
Try calling up the site now, however, and you’ll be redirected to one called courieres.com. That website was registered on Jan. 7, documents show, and the registrant’s address is in Beijing. At the top of the home page are the words, “the toilet paper will be delivered to you, don’t worry.”
It’s not just sales of paper products and cleaning supplies that are rousing shoppers’ ire.
“Beware! COVID-19 Scam!!” a consumer told the Better Business Bureau on April 1. “Bought and paid for an N95 mask over a month ago. The customer service email sent me a tracking number after a month but the tracking number doesn’t match. The website no longer works. I believe this is a scam to steal money from people during a mass pandemic.”
The company, heavezt.com, describes itself as “your new portal for online shopping in a simple and easy way.” It gives an address of Austin, Texas, on its website. Records show the site was created on Jan. 1, and the registrant’s country is Morocco.
When The Star called the number on the company’s website, the person who answered said to contact the founder, David, then provided a phone number that didn’t work. The email on the website that was to be used for contacting the company misspelled the company’s name.
The Better Business Bureau has given Heavezt LLC an F and warns consumers not to do business with the company.
The BBB received a new complaint about the company on Tuesday, this one from a consumer in Oregon.
“I ordered masks and filters from this company totaling 125$,” the buyer wrote on the BBB’s “scam tracker” site. “End of February ordered and never heard from them. So I tried emailing to inquire. Email came back undeliverable, phone number did not work, they had a 24/7 chat option which took you to a different website…basically could not get a hold of the company.”
The buyer tried posting reviews to warn others but said they were deleted — as were other bad reviews that popped up. Then reviews were disabled altogether.
“It’s a scam. Never received items. Disgusting company taking advantage of people during this pandemic. They need to be stopped!”
(c)2020 The Kansas City Star (Kansas City, Mo.)
Visit The Kansas City Star (Kansas City, Mo.) at www.kansascity.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


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JONESVILLE — What began with a company’s search for space to accommodate its growing Internet business ended with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the Jonesville area formally opening what one company official described as its “second home.”
The Belk eCommerce distribution and fulfillment center had its formal opening Friday morning with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by company executives and representatives of local and state governments and economic development agencies. Belk will invest $4.5 million in its new eCommerce distribution and fulfillment center, generating 124 jobs over the next five years.
Friday’s ceremony opened with remarks by Belk President and COO Johnny Belk who discussed how the company was in desperate need of a facility to accommodate the growth of its eCommerce business and how that need was met here in Union County.
“We’re excited about being here in Union County,” Belk said. “We had a serious challenge to be able to handle our exploding eCommerce business. We had very short fuse of six to seven months to locate a facility, to build it out, develop the systems, and hire the workforce.
“We’ve been successful on all counts because of a lot of different people coming together in a short time to make it happen,” he said. “We’ve really been fortunate to find a building already built out to a large degree. Also, a large majority of those who did work here at the Disney facility have come back.”
The Belk eCommerce distribution and fulfillment center is located in the old Disney Direct Marketing building on US 176 in the Jonesville area. The facility is an expansion of Belk’s eCommerce fulfillment center in Pineville, NC, which Belk Vice President of Supply Chain Debbie Fortnum said was unable to accommodate the growth of the company’s Internet business despite recently undergoing an expansion.
“In May 2011, we completed an expansion of our fulfillment center in Pineville, NC, effectively doubling its size,” Fortnum said. “This expansion to 250,000 feet was to provide enough space to support our sales forecasts for the next two years. Our sales continued to outpace our plans and by October we had concluded we would need more space within six months. Thus began our quest for space.”
Fortnum pointed out that, due to the growth of its eCommerce business, Belk’s quest for space was also a race against the clock.
“Now for those of you familiar with projects of this type you will know that just finding a facility to meet your requirements usually takes six months to a year,” Fortnum said. “We had to be operational in a new facility in six months. We soon learned that almost serendipitously there was a former Disney direct to marketing facility in our own backyard. In early November we made our first visit to this facility. By the end of December we had signed a letter of intent.”
Once it had the building, which Fortnum described as “nicely outfitted,” Belk set out to make it functional in accordance with it needs. After this was accomplished, the next step was to hire the associates who would staff the facility, a process that Fortnum said was made easier for the company due to the cooperation it received from local and state officials.
“We had a building, we had processes, systems and conveyors, now we needed to bring it to life,” Fortnum said. “The Union County Development Board and the State of South Carolina’s ReadySC program rushed in to help us find the human resources that would bring the operation to life. Their assistance with job fairs, recruiting, and training has been invaluable and has delivered us a workforce of bright, hard-working and motivated individuals.”
That workforce already numbers 33 full-time associates and Fortnum said Belk plans to hire an additional 30 by August. Many of those who have already been hired by Belk previously worked at the facility when it was operated by Disney, among them Production Supervisor Ken Egidi who spoke of the impact of the facility being closed by Disney and its reopening by Belk.
“Many of us in Union and surrounding counties started working in this building in 1998 when it first opened,” Egidi said. “We had a good group of people and through the years we were constantly improving our processes in fulfillment. So we were disheartened when we heard the news that our former employer was closing the facility. The time that the building was closed was hard for all of us, not just the former employees, but for our friends and families. The whole community felt the loss; the loss of income, security and stability.
“We knew there were people working hard in both the public and private sector to find a company to utilize this great space,” he said. “When it was announced that Belk would be opening the facility I was excited and hopeful that I would become a part of the Belk team. Belk is a name that we all know as a trusted, local, family-run business. It means a lot to us to be able to work here in our commuity, close to our homes and our families. So I want to thank everyone that made this possible and I’m confident that all of us will do a great job here for Belk.”
Also welcoming Belk to Union County was Maceo Nance, director of the Small Business and Rural Development Division for the South Carolina Department of Commerce, who read the following statement from Gov. Nikki Haley:
“It’s a great day in South Carolina as we celebrate Belks decision to invest $4.5 million and create 124 new jobs in Union County. We work hard every day to bring new jobs to every part of our state. This new Belk eCommerce distribution center in Jonesville shows we are on the right track in our economic development efforts that there is no better plan than South Carolina for companies trying to get products to markets throughout the southeast.
“Although I am not her with you all today, I celebrate with you, Belk’s decision to join the ranks of many companies nationally and globally that are calling the Palmetto State the new home to their business ventures. Thank you.”
Nance pointed out that in the past year, there has been $194 million in capital investment and more than 3,000 jobs created by distribution and logistics companies in South Carolina. He said the state is making great efforts to provide the infrastructure necessary to meet the needs of the distribution and logistics industry and enhance the state’s ability to attract more companies like Belk.
“From roads to rail, South Carolina’s infrastructure to support logistics and distribution is important to our state’s competitiveness,” Nance said. “As you travel our interstate highways today, whether it be I-26, I-85, I-77, I-20 or I-95, you will note that major improvements are taking place. These improvements are essential to long-term economic success.
“For those representing Belk eCommerce who are with us today, welcome to our South Carolina family,” he said. “As of today, you are officially South Carolinians.”
A similar sentiment was expressed by Fortnum about Belk becoming part of the community.
“We started out looking for space, but what we found was a second home in a great community with amazing people,” Fortnum said. “We would like to say to the Town of Jonesville, Union County, and the State of South Carolina, thanks for having us.”
Fortnum also announced that beginning July 9, the center will “fulfill shoes and home goods to that ever growing population of Belk.com customers with Modern, Southern, Style.”
One of those customers will likely be Egidi’s wife who Egidi said was as enthusiastic, if not more so, about his coming to work for Belk.
“My wife was excited at the prospect of an associate discount,” Egidi said. “She told me that we get 90 percent of our clothes from Belk, and my response was ‘Well, what about housewares?’ We’ve always been a one credit card family, but now we’ve added a Belk Rewards card.”


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Q1 2020 (Feb. 4, 2020)
The Walt Disney Company today announced its Q1 2020 results — its first since the streaming service launched in November 2019. Here's what you need to know:
- Disney+ "has exceeded even our greatest expectations," CEO Robert Iger said in the quarterly report.
- Disney+ has 26.5 million subscribers as of Dec. 29, 2019.
- And, Iger said during the conference call, it's at 28.6 million as of Feb. 3, 2020.
- ESPN+ has 6.6 million subscribers, up from about 1.4 million at the end of the previous fiscal year.
- And ESPN+ is at 7.6 million paid subscribers as of Feb. 3.
- Hulu has 3.2 million live TV subscribers, up 88 percent from Dec. 29, 2018. It has and 27.2 million who subscribe only to the streaming video on demand (SVOD) service. (Up 29 percent from Dec. 29, 2018.
- Hulu is at 30.7 million paid subscribers as of Feb. 3.
- By comparison, Netflix has 167 million subscribers worldwide, and about 61 million in the United States.
- Disney+ is available, so far, in the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand.
The streaming home of Disney — and so much more
Disney+ is the streaming home of Disney. And Star Wars. And Marvel. And The Simpson and so much more, with old content you can't live without, and new shows you won't want to miss.
There's a new official trailer for Apple TV+'s 'Visible: Out on Television'
Apple has shared an official trailer for "Visible: Out on Television" on YouTube.
Apple signs multi-year Apple TV+ deal with Seinfeld's Julia Louis-Dreyfous
Apple has signed a multi-year deal with Julia Louise-Dreyfus, formerly of Saturday Night Live and Seinfeld.
The first three episodes of 'Truth Be Told' are now live on Apple TV+
A month after Apple TV+ went live, "Truth Be Told" is now available to stream. The first three episodes are online now, with a new episode arriving every week.
The best Hulu original series and exclusives right now
Hulu has a long list of original and exclusive series that you should give a try. We put together a list of the best to get you started.


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Names to look out for at London Fashion Week
London Fashion Week showcases the best in British and international design. Here are some of the names to look out for during the event.
Burberry is always a highlight on the London Fashion Week schedule but this season’s show is one of the most hotly-anticipated yet because it is the debut from new chief creative officer Riccardo Tisci.
The Italian former creative director of Givenchy was announced as Christopher Bailey’s replacement in March, and speculation is rife as to how he will revamp the British heritage brand.
Victoria Beckham’s fashion label is turning 10 and the Spice Girl turned designer is putting on her first show at London Fashion Week to celebrate.
Fashionistas have been unable to resist the thought of a fellow Spice Girl or two gracing the frow.
Jenny Packham has become one of the UK’s most successful fashion brands since launching in 1988.
She is a longstanding favourite of the Duchess of Cambridge but red carpets the world over are graced with her gowns worn by stars including Taylor Swift, Uma Thurman, Angelina Jolie, Emily Blunt and Kate Winslet.
The former model and television presenter launched her eponymous label last May after years of gracing London Fashion Week’s front row.
She will present her own first show at the event on the second day, expected to reflect her anti-trend approach to her collections, which have previously channelled ’90s Britpop and Virginia Woolf and the Bloomsbury Group.
Julien Macdonald launched his own label in 1997 and has gone on to produce glamorous designs coveted by stars such as Beyonce, Kim Kardashian, Rihanna and Naomi Campbell.
In 2001 he was appointed as successor to Alexander McQueen as creative director of the French fashion house Givenchy and was awarded an OBE in 2004 for services to the fashion industry.
His eagerly anticipated shows always feature a high celebrity count.


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The giant search engine Google has come up with a core algorithm update last week. However, SEO constantly feels that Google targets low-quality sites. It did not aim to target low-quality websites, said Danny Sullivan. He further opined that to fix sites that do not get good ranks isn’t a bad idea. This opinion is further significant because it crushes the usual Phantom Update speculation. Google does not target low-quality signals.
What is a Broad Core Algorithm Update? Google’s algorithm updates take place almost every day and thus it does not speak much about such updates. However, Google has announced that this update is significant as it is one of those which happen several times a year. It desires to focus on issues on a broader scale than specific improvement related issues. Thus it is called Broad Core Algorithm Update. The aim is to provide better search results.
Google’s opinion: Google commented that the plan is to focus on the content and it is not related to the quality issue in any way. It further opines that sites that lose ranks do not need to be worried as there is nothing wrong to lose in the race of ranks.
Google’s aim to provide an answer to the search query: Google says that there is the difference when one targets low-quality websites and when one provides an answer to search queries. Google says it does the second, unlike the SEO’s opinion.
Google says it has launched 665 updates in 2012 alone. To understand user internet and to understand content is a part of Google’s Broad Core Algorithm Update. The giant search engine is of the opinion that there is no way to fix low-quality sites. However, it advises the sites to focus on better quality contents and to answer people’s problem to gain better rankings.
For more details regarding the same, visit the proficient SEO consulting firm krish marketing


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During its “Time Flies” event, Apple announced a range of new products including a new Watch Series 6, SE and iPad range. Of course, the new iPhone did not make its debut during the stream. This comes after an expected delay due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The company is set to host a special iPhone event later this year. While the event was iPhone free, the stream played host to some great new things.
Apple Watch Series 6
The new Apple Watch Series 6 comes in a range of new colours. This includes a Product Red, Blue, Stainless Steel Gold, and Graphite shade. The biggest feature in the new the device is its new ability to read your blood oxygen. The new device reads this using advanced algorithms in hand with the new infrared sensors. The new watch packs the new S6 SoC which includes improved speed and battery life.
The always-on display on the new version is 2.5 times brighter than the current model. In addition, it includes a new elevation mode that detects how high you have climbed up a set of stairs. The Series 6 starts at $399.
The company shared a range of new watch faces too including a new MeMoji one that lets your custom-made Emoji character be the face of your watch. In addition, the company showcased a range of new Solo Loop Watch bands which are new link-free straps for all current watch models. These don’t contain any clasps or holes. They extend over your hand and fit onto your wrist. Apple claims they come in multiple sizes made for everyone. They are also made in two versions including silicone and woven band.
Apple Watch SE
Apple announced a new cheaper watch called the Apple Watch SE that includes the new blood oxygen feature along with an S5 chip. It comes with all the bells and whistles you would expect from the range including fall detection, the large display, all the band support and more. It starts at $279.
There’s a new fitness subscription coming your way called Apple Fitness+. The service goes hand-in-hand with the Apple Watch and is powered by the device. Users can choose a workout on their iPhone, iPad or Apple TV and it automatically starts the workout on your watch. The watch captures all your data while you workout and feeds it to your TV or iPhone while you watch the video. This includes yoga, cycling, and even some “at home” ones to keep users engaged. Apple claims new workouts are added on a daily basis along with new music and playlists. The subscription starts at $9,99 per month or $79,99 per year. Each subscription offers a free family package at no extra cost.
The company announced a new packaged subscription service called Apple One. The service comes in three tiers and packs iCloud storage, Arcade, Music and TV+ into one monthly payment. In addition, the service includes News and Fitness+ in certain regions too. This costs $14,95 for an individual package, $19,95 for a family and $29,95 for the premier package that includes News and Fitness+
Find out more about these products on the official site. Local pricing and availability to be announced soon.


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SEOUL, Korea, Nov 06 (Korea Bizwire) - National football team’s ace Lee Chung Yong (Bolton Wanderers FC), Korean Basketball League MVP for the 2012-2013 season Kim Sun-Hyung (SK Knights), and jack-of-all-trades singer Jay Park have together appeared on a Nike commercial. The three celebrities showed off their own fashion styles with Nike winter outerwear on. The scenes of Lee Chung Yong spending leisure time in Britain, Kim Sun-Hyung playing drums after exercise, and Jay Park riding a bike and enjoying clubbing are shown in paparazzi-style videos.
Just before the release of the video, Nike had on October 15 published a photo book “Winter Style in Motion” featuring the pictures of the three stars. In this photo book, Nike Sportswear presented the upcoming winter’s major outerwear fashion items including the “Destroyer” and “Defender,” as well as the “Tech Pack” that has set the new standard for outerwear since its debut this fall. Let’s meet the three good-looking young men with athletic fashion sense.


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The manufacturer of food service and material handling equipment said it acquired the firm and its 60,000-square-foot facility, which will become part of Win-Holt’s custom stainless steel fabrication operation.
The companies didn’t disclose the terms of the deal, which is only the latest move by Win-Holt to expand nationwide.
Commercial Stainless Fabricators’ operations will join Win-Holt’s other stainless steel manufacturing facilities in Pennsylvania, Texas and California.
Win-Holt supplies equipment to restaurants, food service dealers, supermarkets and retailers worldwide.
“The acquisition will allow us to expand our capabilities and services, expand our product offering and expand into new markets,” Win-Holt President Dominick Scarfogliero said. “It allows us to offer a total stainless fabrication package.”
Commercial Stainless Fabricators President Jason Womack joined Win-Holt as vice president of business development of custom stainless fabrication.
In addition to U.S. operations, Win-Holt has additional locations in Mexico, China and India.


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We can expect to hear something official, and soon, about the game Bungie is building for Activision, rumoured to be a sci-fi epic titled Destiny. GameSpot reported today that the studio is scheduled to give a talk about its new game at Game Developers Conference in late March, which would indicate a more formal reveal by the publisher is coming before then.
An Activision representative said the publisher had no comment about the appearance.
The GDC panel will be led by the game’s art and design directors and will deal with the studio’s world-building techniques, GameSpot reported. The panel’s title is “Brave New World: New Bungie IP”. The event description indicates that Bungie’s next 10 years’ worth of games will be set in the universe it’s creating for Destiny.
A leak of a marketing document back in November established this world as a future Earth where humans have retreated to a single city in the face of an alien invasion. Humanity is protected by a large spacecraft, an alien ally. Destiny is suggested to be “a highly social experience” somewhat like an MMO.
Bungie discussing Destiny at GDC [GameSpot]


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Kal Tire facilitates end-of-life OTR tire recycling in Canada and Chile
Dedicated to the Waste Reduction Week in Canada this October, Kal Tire – the renown global mining and OTR tire manufacturer – told how the company facilitates recyclability of its products. According to Kal Tire, its Canadian mining customers can recycle their end-of-life tires through the company’s partnership with Liberty Tire Recycling, LLC.
Kal Tire highlights that giant mining tires can weigh over 5 metric tons and contain high quality steel and rubber which can be recycled and repurposed. After being shredded, the rubber crumb, mulch and recycled steel can be converted into landscaping mulch and molded rubber products such as gym floors, fencing products, rubberized bricks and more.
Recently, Western Rubber Products Inc, a division of Liberty Tire Recycling, LLC, celebrated the recycling of their 100 millionth tire. Thanks to the partnership with Liberty Tire Recycling, Kal Tire is proud to offer its Canadian mining customers a simple, viable and environmentally friendly alternative for end-of-life tires.
Also, Kal Tire announced its new thermal conversion tire recycling facility in northern Chile converts OTR tires into their original components. Now that the facility is nearing full production, Kal Tire is excited about what this solution means for mines in Chile and across the mining industry.
Weibold is an international consulting company specializing exclusively in end-of-life tire recycling and pyrolysis. Since 1999, we have helped companies grow and build profitable businesses.


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The New Norm
July 27 - August 2, 2020
Car business still boomin’
By Cait Smith
The last thing I would have thought about doing during a pandemic was buy a car. But since car dealerships were deemed an essential business, that motivated people even more to drive off lots in a new set of wheels. Just in the last two months I have seen several friends post celebratory pictures of themselves posing next to their sweet new ride on Facebook. After liking and commenting on their photos, I wondered how difficult the buying process was seeing as close contact is out of the question.
So, I inquired about it from a good friend of mine in the car business, Aaron Vanetten, who is the used car/sales manager at Steve Landers Kia in Little Rock. “Many of the customers do not feel comfortable coming into the store still, so they will opt for delivery options. After the deal is finalized, one of our team members will deliver the customer’s car and paperwork to their homes,” he explained. Since this switch over at Steve Landers, things have returned to normal as customers have safer ways to purchase a car. “Business was slow in the beginning but now it has picked back up thanks to the delivery option,” Vanetten said.
But just because things are high up now, Vanetten expressed how it was difficult at the beginning of the quarantine. “The biggest difference was in our scheduling … they separated us into two teams. Each team worked every other week that way we could practice social distancing.” However, just because the Steve Landers crew was still working did not mean the customers were coming. And as result, a few salesmen took a blow. “Most of us work on commission. If you cannot sell cars, you cannot get paid,” Vanetten said.
Meanwhile some car dealerships did not even have the privilege to remain open. “I think [Steve Landers Kia] did a good job to ensure that we were taken care of during this situation,” Vanetten said. “I am appreciative that us employees we were allowed to proceed with work and be able to get paid.” Like other local businesses, smaller dealerships are still closed as the virus continues to linger in the state.
Also, car salesman lost a vital component when transacting a deal, in-person interactions. “When you land a deal, you shake the person’s hand but now that is not the case. Most of the customers are choosing delivery options, so we are losing that face-to-face engagem909ent,” said Vanetten.
But at last, the world has settled into a new routine of safety protocols and so has the team at Steve Landers. “We are keeping business flowing as usual but remaining safe while doing it. Whether you prefer car services in the store or through delivery, we are here to take care of you the best way we can,” he said.
With such efforts these car dealerships are putting place, maybe I will cruise the car market here soon.


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Footprint's Chief Technology Officer, Yoke Chung, was featured on ABC15 to discuss how Footprint is transforming the food industry by replacing plastic food containers with trays, bowls, plates, and straws made of wood fibers. They're recyclable and biodegradable, and everything is made at a 135,000 square-foot facility in Gilbert, AZ.
"I think the main focus was on Arizona, as the company employs 200 people at this facility and another 900 at locations in South Carolina and Mexico," says Chung. "To me, Arizona is the #2 Silicon Valley, it's got a lot of engineers here, we got a lot of technology here, so the brain trust - I can actually get that in Arizona."
At Footprint, there are orders to fill for a who's who of corporate giants (ConAgra, Target, Bose, among others) and expansion to Europe and Asia are in the works. And maybe soon, here in Arizona. Chung adds, "We can expand further into this park or a different park, but again since our core management's here, I think it's easier to put larger facilities in Arizona."
Learn more about how Footprint's creating change via biodegradable solutions.


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← Back to: "US Car Sales Expected to Top 15 Million in 2013"
"The economic crisis that hit hard in 2008 is like the definition of a back swan moment. Nobody know that there was a thing called ‘credit swaps’ that people were leveraging 100 to 1, pushing big American banks into bankruptcy, forcing people into foreclosures on their houses and crippling auto sales. But while Europe is still struggling in terms of car sales, with figures dropping to levels from decades ago, the US is doing quite well. In fact, automotive industry analysts from..." Continue Reading →
Photo credits: GM
Showing picture: #1/1


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British-based brewing company SABMiller has been avidly pursuing Foster’s, including a bold move to snatch up Australian beer maker in August with a hostile takeover offer of $9.51 billion Australian ($9.68 billion US), but the Aussies didn’t go for it.
Foster’s and its many beer brands can now be served up by company execs alongside SABMiller’s Grolsch, Pilsner Urquell, and Miller Genuine Draft.[more]
As the Sydney Morning Herald notes, “Foster’s Australian beer brands include VB, Cascade, Crown Lager and Carlton Draught, and it holds the Australian rights to foreign brands Asahi, Corona and Stella Artois.”
“We are pleased that we have reached agreement on a recommended transaction to be put to Foster’s shareholders,” SABMiller chief executive Graham Mackay said in a statement.
“Foster’s has a long-standing and proud reputation as one of the leading companies in Australia. We look forward to working with Foster’s employees and other stakeholders to ensure the success of Foster’s in the future as the largest brewer in Australia with an outstanding portfolio of brands.”[more]
Foster’s currently employs 2,300 people, whose fate will hang in the air until the takeover is finalized, as expected by year-end.
The Anglo-South African giant that is SABMiller has been determined to expand globally. Its beers can be found in 75 countries now and it remains a major bottler of Coca-Cola, according to AFP.
Now, its’ biggest ever purchase will “give it access to about half of the Australian beer market,” as Bloomberg reports.


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BYD received approval from China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology to sell an electric sedan model called D1 last month, according to government documents. A person close to Didi and BYD's joint venture told Reuters D1 is the purpose-built vehicle for ride hailing services developed by the two firms.
The person, who declined to be named as the information is not public, said the companies were trying to deliver the vehicles to Didi's fleet partner companies within this year.
Shenzhen-based BYD, which is backed by U.S. investor Warren Buffett, was not immediately available for comment.
Didi, which is China's biggest ride hailing service provider, is developing a swathe of auto-related technologies. It has launched several joint ventures with established automakers including Volkswagen, BAIC, and BYD to develop intelligent vehicles and fleet management.
In 2018, Didi formed an alliance with automakers to develop purpose-built cars for ride-hailing, with the company offering its customer and operational skills to automakers wanting to develop their own ride-hailing services in return for design expertise. D1 is the first known model since the announcement.
The move underscores how tech firms, from software makers for self-driving vehicles to car-sharing platforms, are disrupting traditional automakers amid major shifts towards electric vehicles and pay-per-use models.
Didi is also in the midst of expanding its operations in China with its CEO Cheng Wei setting a goal of completing 100 million orders a day and reaching 800 million monthly active users globally by 2022.
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A group of lenders, who claim to collectively own more than 85% of a $1.2 billion term loan taken by Byju’s, has termed the suit filed by the edtech company against their demand for an “accelerated” repayment “meritless”.PM Meets Altman, says ‘We Welcome all Collaborations’
India welcomes all collaborations that can accelerate its digital transformation and empower its citizens, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said after his Thursday meeting in New Delhi with OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman, who is currently on a tour meeting world leaders across Europe and Asia.Adani’s Proposed Air Works Deal has Passed Long Stop Date: Crisil
Adani Group’s proposed acquisition of Air Works has passed its long stop date and the two companies are not in discussions to extend deal timelines, ratings agency Crisil said in a recent note, potentially adding to the list of purchase plans that have been halted.
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Many of our older readers in the UK will give a nostalgic sigh as they see a BC news item that the printed edition of that venerable comic, The Dandy, will end with a special edition released on the comic’s 75th anniversary on 4 December.
One of the most celebrated characters was Desperate Dan, seen above as a statue in Dundee where the publisher, DC Thomson, is located. .
The Dandy, which launched in 1937, has featured characters such as Bananaman, Korky the Cat, Cuddles and Dimples, and Beryl the Peril, along with Desperate Dan.
Apparently the final print edition will not mark the end of characters like Desperate Dan. The publisher has “exciting” online plans given that print sales have slumped to 8,000 a week from a high of two million in the 50s.
“Dan has certainly not eaten his last cow pie. All of The Dandy’s characters are just 110 days away from a new lease of life.”
A book celebrating the 75th anniversary of The Dandy was launched at the Edinburgh International Book Festival this week and the comic will also feature in exhibitions at the National Library of Scotland and the Cartoon Museum.
Meanwhile, The Beano, sister publication to The Dandy, is in better shape, with circulation above 38,000 last year. Unlike The Dandy, it hasn’t been withdrawn from the industry body, Audit Bureau of Circulation, but the figures are now going annual, so we have to wait six months to find out how it’s getting on.
Eagle was a seminal British children’s comic, first published from 1950 to 1969, and then in a relaunched format from 1982 to 1994. It was founded by Marcus Morris, an Anglican vicar from Lancashire. Morris with artist Frank Hampson created a dummy comic based on Christian values. Morris hawked the idea to several Fleet Street publishers, with little success, until Hulton Press decided to take it on.
With the challenge that all print publications are facing as more and more reading is done via the Internet, perhaps it is not surprising to see these iconic publications disappear. Nevertheless there will be many who grieve their departures.
Desperate Dan statue in Dundee courtesy of leo_leibovici via photo pin cc
Beano comics courtesy of Matt From London via photo pin cc
Eagle comic courtesy of Robin Hutton via photo pin cc


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Chicken fans are getting excited as Chicken George's new Bedford sports bar, Chicken George Jnr, is set to open in Bedford on Friday (August 26). The award winning chicken shop has locations in Luton and Hitchin in Hertfordshire and is hugely popular, named "Undisputed Wing Champs of the UK 2021".
With the new Bedford branch set to open, the restaurant has said the first person through the door at its grand opening will have their food on the house, whilst the next 25 will get 50 per cent off. The Bedford store is decorated with sports memorabilia, including Paul Gascoigne's commissioned Euro '96 England shirt.
Chicken George has been showing off its new venue on Instagram and it definitely looks worth a visit. Bedford residents may be getting delivery too, replying to a question on Instagram, the chicken shop said: "We plan to deliver in the near future".
A post on Instagram revealing the opening date has received huge praise already by hundreds of people. So far over 600 people have liked the post while hundreds more have commented.
One person in response to the news said: "Place is next level! Wicked vid bro." Another said: "Looks class."
A third person added: "Ah man this place looks epid." While a final person exclaimed: "Yaassssss," with a clapping hand emoji and two fire emojis.
Chicken George Jnr opens on Friday (August 26), be sure to get there early to be in with a chance of getting food on the house. Chicken George has been approached for opening times.


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Apple released a press release recently regarding their new app called Fixed for the iPhone, which will help people fight parking tickets. Releasing a press release is one of the best marketing moves you can make for a business. Centel Media is the top online reputation management company and even they offer their clients press release services to help them further their success.
Apple has found a way to exceed their competition yet again as the iPhone releases an innovative application to their users. What’s the one thing that most people have in common no matter what gender, ethnicity, or background? They all hate getting parking tickets, especially a ticket that was wrongfully distributed. Unfortunately many people just surrender their hard earned money to pay these tickets because they don’t have the time to fight them. If that’s the case, this new app called Fixed is just for you.
The new app claims to do exactly what you don’t have the time or energy to do which is fight those parking tickets. If the Fixed app is successful in beating the ticket you will only have to pay 25% of what the actual citation would’ve cost. However if the app is unsuccessful with helping users to contest their tickets then the labor is free. The app is similar to walking around with a lawyer in your pocket. Not only will the app collect supporting evidence and submit paperwork for appeals but it will also help you find a cab, order food, and find a hotel.
David Hegarty is the co-founder of the new app and claims to have come up with the idea after he had a bad day, which involved him getting six parking tickets. Hegarty further explained his inspiration for creating the app by saying “When you mention parking tickets to people it engenders such an emotional reaction ... because so many people think they've received an unfair parking ticket.” The app will be available to iPhone users next week but Apple sent out pressreleases promoting the app already. Press releases are usually written and used to inform the public about upcoming products and services. Apple definitely made the right choice with sending out press releases for their new app because besides promotions they are also good for suppressing any negative articles.
Pressreleases are usually one of the first things that Internet users click on when browsing search engines about your company. Top online reputation management company Centel Media™ allows their clients to fully gain these benefits by offering them press release services. Their team of professionals will design press releases that are tailored specifically to your marketing plan and reputation needs. When using press release services the experts at Centel Media™ also use the latest technology and best ORM practices to get the results that their client wants. The more press releases that are released from Centel Media™ about your company the further any negative search results will get pushed down. Press releases are essential to any business and having a professional firm like Centel Media™ behind them is even better at guaranteeing maximum effectiveness when the need arises to advertise your products and services..


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New Delhi: The Delhi
Weekend Book Bazaar, a literary carnival designed to give book
lovers, particularly students, an opportunity to browse and buy
their favourite books at cheap rates, will take place at Delhi
University's North Campus March 25-27.
To be held at Faculty of Fine Arts lawns, the mart is being
organised by the country's largest government publishing
institution, the National Book Trust (NBT).
It is part of NBT's year-long programme to celebrate the centenary
of the capital in 2011, a statement said.
The book mart initiative was inaugurated in January this year by
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit at an NBT event. Friday's bazaar
will be inaugurated by emeritus president of the Federation of
Indian Publishers Dina Nath Malhotra at 11 a.m.
With nearly 100 publishers and nearly 150 specially designed
pagoda-style vends, the bazaar is an attempt to connect promote
books in popular culture, an NBT spokesperson said.
A wide variety of books on art, culture, medicine and other topics
will be displayed and sold in the three-day extravaganza from 10
a.m. to 9 p.m.
Publishers will offer maximum discount and also sell their old
stock, rare and antiquarian books, the spokesperson said.
The day-long trade will be capped by an evening of music, Sham-E-Ghazal,
to be presented by the Delhi Academy Friday and recitation of Hindi
satire poetry, organised by Hindi Academy, Saturday.
The capital has an old tradition of open book bazaars. The nearly
50-year-old Sunday book market at Daryaganj in the old city was once
one of the largest book markets in the capital, selling old and new
books at throwaway prices.
The market has shrunk in size in the last two years because of
police crackdown on squatters. The Weekend Book Bazaar was an
attempt to recreate the magic of the Daryaganj book market.


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Expo `Made In Pakistan` starts in Chandigarh
Chandigarh: More than 48 exhibitors from Pakistan are showcasing their products in an exhibition `Made in Pakistan` which started here on Friday.
After inaugurating the fair, Pawan Kumar Bansal, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Science and Technology and Earth Sciences said, "There is potential for bilateral
trade to go up to an estimated USD 6.5 billion from the current USD 2 billion. Cross-border trade requires the movement of people and investments and both the countries are working towards increasing potential trade dynamics and economic activities."
The fair presents an exclusive range of products from almost all regions of Pakistan, including garments and embroidered fabric from Multan, Karachi and Lahore, ethnic footwear from Lahore and Multan, exclusive handicrafts from Swat Peshawar, decor products from Karachi, carved rosewood furniture from Peshawar, and designer melamine from Gujranwala.
Pakistan World Trade and Promotions CEO Khurshid Balras said, "Astonishingly, but true, major part of Pakistan`s current export goes to the European Union and US. Presently, only 5.5 percent of the Pakistan trade is done with SAARC counties, which stand a potential to improve it by 10 percent due to commonalities in cultures."
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By BRYAN T. McMAHON
Ponchatoula Farmers’ Market joins growing farm-to-table movement
A new era in healthy tourism is waiting in the wings, with promises of a Ponchatoula Farmers’ Market to sprout in mid-September downtown, behind the Ponchatoula Country Market, The Times can now confirm.
This farmers’ market will be in addition to the ones operating in Hammond, Independence and, until recently, in Amite.
Surrounding parishes have been swept up in the farm-to-table craze that seems ideal for our area, where family farms are not a rarity.
Preliminary plans in Ponchatoula call for a Sunday afternoon public market offering all manner of local, fresh veggies, related foodstuffs, later crafts, to complement the many already offered inside the Ponchatoula Country Market, the iconic former Ponchatoula rail depot with its storied history.
Local farmers the likes of Dudley Clark and J.R. Bardwell will be asked to lend their knowledge and expertise to assist Country Market officials Margie Marcombe and Rebecca Deibel in establishing the new market.
The Times is and will remain an enthusiastic supporter of the newest farmers’ market in Tangipahoa Parish.
Look to this newspaper for news and updates on local participation in what has become a nationwide enthusiastic drive for healthier living, based on locally-grown food for the dinner table.
One Loranger farm in particular, Berry Hill, boasts a subscription membership that enjoys home delivery of fresh farm produce, in-season.
In the Ponchatoula area, Rouses Markets advertises its close link to local farms as a definite selling point.


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Plant-based doesn't mean healthier
By Lilian Schaer for Livestock Research Innovation Corporation
New research from the University of Guelph shows that how the body digests food is as important as what it’s made of. A piece of plant-based chicken might look and taste like chicken, but that doesn’t mean it has the same impact on the human body as the real thing.
This has consequences for overall human health, says Prof. Michael Rogers, a Tier Two Canada Research Chair in food nanotechnology and associate professor in the University of Guelph’s food science department who led the research.
“We’re seeing an entirely new epidemic of metabolic syndrome and we see the prevalence of this syndrome, which includes obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes, increase whenever a population introduces new ultra-processed foods,” says Rogers.
He believes what he calls the disturbing trend of displacing minimally processed foods – like meat – with products that are ultra-processed – such as plant-based alternatives – to be a significant contributor to the problem. Ultra-processed foods are ones made from ingredients extracted from whole foods, formulated to be tasty, low cost, convenient and have a long shelf life.
Rogers and Ph.D. candidate Zhitong (Zoe) Zhou compared how the body digests a plant-based meat product and an actual meat product. The project used a Beyond Beef burger and a burger made of real ground beef, but the findings are equally applicable to plant-based chicken alternatives and chicken meat, he notes.
They found that it is quicker and easier to digest a plant-based burger than a meat burger. This leads to rapid fat digestion and ultimately a higher lipemic index (equivalent to the glycemic index for carbohydrates), an important biomarker for cardiovascular health.
In addition to lipids, the plant-based burger contains significant amounts of starch, which is capable of increasing blood sugar levels, whereas a meat patty contains no carbohydrates, so it doesn’t impact blood sugar levels.
“Meat is a complex protein network that entraps fat, so it takes the body longer to access and digest or break down that fat. This releases nutrients more slowly into the body, potentially altering feelings of fullness for a longer period of time after eating,” explains Rogers. “When you formulate a plant-based burger, the fat can’t be bound the same way as it is in meat, so it breaks down more quickly. That’s a major limitation to current ultra-processed food technologies.”
Although the food industry has done a remarkable job of creating many processes to turn perishable whole food commodities into self-stable ingredients such as oils, starches and protein isolates, Rogers believes more needs to be done to formulate them into ultra-processed foods that also resemble whole foods while they’re being digested.
“People need to change their thinking around ultra-processed foods. Just because something is plant-based, doesn’t make it healthier,” Rogers says.
Part of the challenge is that only about two percent of Canadians are involved in farming leaving most people with little understanding of food and how it is produced. This spills over into environment and climate change issues: there is little appreciation for the key role that livestock play in carbon sequestration and being able to use land for food production that isn’t suitable for growing crops.
“A two-class food ecosystem is emerging in Canada, where only a subset of Canadians can afford the time and cost to follow Canada’s Food Guide recommendations to prepare meals from scratch and to avoid ultra-processed foods; this will become a problem for Canada moving forward,” Rogers says.
Rogers’ research was supported by Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Discovery and Canada Research Chair Programs. A webinar where Rogers presents his research in more depth is available on the Livestock Research Innovation Corporation website.
This article is provided by Livestock Research Innovation Corporation as part of its ongoing efforts to report on research developments and outcomes, and issues affecting the Canadian livestock industry. It was published in the July/August edition of Canadian Poultry.


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Wall Street brokerages expect that Thor Industries, Inc. (NYSE:THO) will announce sales of $1.87 billion for the current quarter, Zacks Investment Research reports. Three analysts have provided estimates for Thor Industries’ earnings. The lowest sales estimate is $1.85 billion and the highest is $1.89 billion. Thor Industries posted sales of $1.93 billion during the same quarter last year, which suggests a negative year over year growth rate of 3.1%. The company is scheduled to announce its next quarterly earnings report on Wednesday, September 26th.
On average, analysts expect that Thor Industries will report full year sales of $8.32 billion for the current financial year, with estimates ranging from $8.29 billion to $8.34 billion. For the next year, analysts forecast that the business will post sales of $8.46 billion per share, with estimates ranging from $8.13 billion to $8.79 billion. Zacks’ sales calculations are a mean average based on a survey of research analysts that follow Thor Industries.
Several equities analysts recently issued reports on THO shares. Zacks Investment Research lowered Thor Industries from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 9th. Stifel Nicolaus restated a “hold” rating and set a $142.00 price target (up from $132.00) on shares of Thor Industries in a research note on Thursday, March 8th. Argus upgraded Thor Industries from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, March 16th. They noted that the move was a valuation call. Aegis upgraded Thor Industries from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $113.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Thursday, March 8th. They noted that the move was a valuation call. Finally, Citigroup lowered their price target on Thor Industries from $150.00 to $130.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, June 21st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. The company presently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $127.13.
Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Assetmark Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Thor Industries in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $134,000. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of Thor Industries in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $146,000. Good Life Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Thor Industries in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $201,000. Point72 Asia Hong Kong Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Thor Industries in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $170,000. Finally, Granite Springs Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Thor Industries in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $258,000. Institutional investors own 88.68% of the company’s stock.
Shares of Thor Industries stock traded up $0.70 during trading on Monday, reaching $97.39. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 822,078 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,511,482. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a current ratio of 1.67. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.11 billion, a PE ratio of 13.74 and a beta of 1.30. Thor Industries has a one year low of $89.89 and a one year high of $161.48.
Thor Industries announced that its board has authorized a stock repurchase plan on Wednesday, June 20th that authorizes the company to repurchase $250.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the construction company to purchase up to 4.8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are generally an indication that the company’s management believes its stock is undervalued.
The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 16th. Investors of record on Monday, July 2nd will be paid a dividend of $0.37 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 29th. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.52%. Thor Industries’s dividend payout ratio is 20.87%.
Thor Industries Company Profile
Thor Industries, Inc, through its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and sells recreational vehicles, and related parts and accessories primarily in the United States and Canada. It operates through Towable Recreational Vehicles and Motorized Recreational Vehicles segments. The company offers travel trailers under the Airstream Classic, International, Tommy Bahama, Flying Cloud, Sport, and Basecamp trade names, as well as Interstate series of Class B motorhomes; gasoline and diesel Class A and Class C motorhomes under the Four Winds, Hurricane, Chateau, Windsport, Axis, Vegas, Tuscany, Palazzo, Aria, Quantum, Compass, Gemini, A.C.E., Alante, Precept, Greyhawk, and Redhawk trade names; and luxury Class A motorhomes under Insignia, Aspire, Anthem, and Cornerstone trade names.
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Heading into the weekend, Gigabyte announced the launch of its latest gaming motherboard, the G1.Sniper Z87. Gigabyte made the announcement at Blizzcon 2013, one of the biggest U.S. gaming events of the year. It's a fitting place to unveil the G1.Sniper Z87, which combines aggressive looks with high-end hardware like an AMP-UP audio feature and Killer E2200 networking.
Looking to build a bad ass system around Intel's Ivy Bridge-E architecture? You may want to consider the Rampage IV Black Edition motherboard from Asus. The Rampage IV Black Edition is based on Intel's X79 Express chipset and comes loaded with features aimed at gamers and overclockers alike, and from the pictures we've seen, it looks pretty sweet to boot. It's also a pricey piece of silicon at $500, though Asus softens the blow somewhat by including a free copy of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag.
The doctor tackles Proprietary Connectors, Gremlins, PCIe Lanes, and more
Hey Doc, I currently have an Asus M5A99X Evo R2.0 running dual XFX Radeon 7970 Black Editions in CrossFireX. That's dual–PCIe 2.0 x8 mode. Would the new Asus Sabertooth 990FX/Gen3 R2.0 give me any advantage in gaming? I mostly play first-person shooters like Far Cry 3, Tomb Raider, Assassin's Creed 3, and the like. I searched the web and it’s a toss-up for little to no gain. Also, will the Sabertooth actually run dual-x16 in the PCIe 3.0 slots? I've read conflicting reports on the net. AMD fanboys want to know the truth!
Note: This feature was originally featured in the July 2013 issue of the magazine.
Combined mobo shipments from Asus and Gigabyte likely to top 43 million units in 2013
Two top tier motherboard makers, Asus and Gigabyte, are fighting for the shipment crown, and while it looks like Asus will emerge the winner, it's become a fairly narrow race at the top. Gigabyte helped close the gap by shipping six million motherboards in the third quarter of this year and is expected to ship at least five million more mobos in the fourth quarter, bringing its total to 21 million units in 2013 (or more).
Flagship board also features dual Thunderbolt ports
At times an unsung hero in the motherboard market, ASRock has picked up its game in the past year or so and has begun kicking out some high-end silicon at tempting price points. Clearly ASRock is interested in the enthusiast sector these days, and if you need proof of that, just spy a glance at its new Z87 Extreme 11 /TB20 motherboard that it's showing off at IDF 2013 in San Francisco.
The Republic of Gamers (ROG) line of products from Asus rarely disappoints, and though we'll reserve judgement until we have to time to play with the company's new Rampage IV Black Edition motherboard, this thing looks like another winner, both on paper and in pictures. As the model name suggests, Asus blacked out the motherboard, save for a spattering of red and silver throughout.
Slumping PC sales or not, Gigabyte is gunning for a personal record
You can hardly go a week without reading about how the traditional PC market is in a slump, that computer sales are down, and how mobile devices like tablets and smartphones represent the next frontier. We say hogwash to that latter part -- try editing a batch of RAW camera files on your iPad in a timely manner, for example -- but lest there be any doubt that PCs are still very much relevant, Gigabyte is on pace to ship more motherboards in Q3 than it ever has before in the same quarter.
Asus claims its new Z87-Deluxe Quad motherboard is the world's first slice of silicon certified by Intel with Thunderbolt 2 technology. Not only does it feature certification for the latest Thunderbolt spec, but it has two Thunderbolt 2 ports, which together allow for up to 12 simultaneously connected devices. Each port is capable of up to a 20Gbit/s transfer rate, and both are backwards compatible with first generation Thunderbolt devices.
In anticipation of AMD's upcoming Kaveri launch, Gigabyte announced a line of new FM2+ motherboards, including a new addition to its G1-Killer range of gaming motherboards, the G1.Sniper A88X. According to Gigabyte, the A88X is the the company's first bona fide gaming motherboard for AMD users, though that's not the only unique thing about this board. It also sports some special audio characteristics.
When vendors previewed the first X79 motherboards in 2011, we were floored by the boatload of SATA ports. Rather than the wimpy six SATA ports (only two of which were SATA 6Gb/s) Intel chipsets usually gave us, the X79 was a he-man’s chipset with a heaping serving of 12 ports.
Note: This review was originally featured in the May 2013 issue of the magazine.