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Sky River RV is will be opening a new dealership in Dublin, Calif., by Aug. 1, according to a press release. Plans are being made for the grand opening and details of the event will be made public soon.
The new store will be located on six acres of land with over two acres of indoor showroom, located with freeway frontage at the intersection of Interstate 580 and Interstate 680 in the East Bay Area of Northern California.
Sky River, based in Paso Robles, Calif., said the new outlet will sell new, pre-owned and consigned RV’s. Additional services will include storage and rental, and RV service. A large parts and accessory department will also be available for the customer and the indoor showroom will have many interactive and virtual displays.
“The new store in Dublin is being built as a destination store,” says Scott Thorpe, managing partner of Sky River RV. “We are building something special that will attract the first time and seasoned RV enthusiast. Even if they are not in the market at the moment we want customers to come relax and enjoy what could be a part of their future.”
“With the addition of the new store in Dublin combined with our existing stores in Livermore, Paso Robles and Pismo Beach, we feel we are positioning ourselves in Northern California to better service our existing and future RV customers. The company has plans to expand into the Southern California market and will be representing some of our current manufacturers in October at the Annual RVIA Show in Pomona.”
Sky River RV handles a number of high-profile brands, including Newmar, Thor Motor Coach, Fleetwood, Monaco, Coachmen, Keystone, Airstream, Roadtrek, Forest River, Earthbound and Skyline.
“With indoor and outdoor product displays we feel we can better display the RV lifestyle to our customers while presenting our manufacturers products in atmosphere that is as if the customer was out enjoying the RV for the first time,” said Thorpe
For more information about the new store and its products you can visit the dealerships website at: www.SkyRiverRVs.com


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Chief executive officer visits an Apple Store in Palo Alto, then posts what Apple Inc. says is his first-ever tweet about it.
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Peeple: A Yelp-like app to rate humans?
Even before its November launch, people (probably in the measly two-star category) are calling it creepy and terrifying.
(Alan Silfen/Sony via AP)
Will Smith making music again
'Suicide Squad’ actor raps on Bomba Estereo’s “Fiesta” remix.

domain: news


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Marimekko will celebrate its 60th anniversary with its Unikko print, designed by Maija sola. They will be presenting their SS24 collection at the Copenhagen Fashion Week Design Museum on 9 August.
Marimekko also announced, in the spirit of celebrations, the opening of their new flagship store, located in Copenhagen, Denmark. Marimekko is extending the concept of “open-for-all” to Copenhagen for the very first time, following the 30 year tradition of public inclusive shows in their home city, Helsinki.
Rebekka Bay, creative director at Marimekko stated, “The year 2024 will mark the 60th anniversary of the Unikko print by Maija Isola. Unikko is not only Marimekko’s most celebrated print but one of the most recognised print designs in the world. Unikko is a symbol of joy and creativity and over the years it has become synonymous with Marimekko’s design language.”
She further added, “Organising the fashion show in an open-for-all format and having the collection presented by members of our community truly emphasizes our mission to bring joy to the everyday lives of people.”


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(Yicai Global) April 28 -- Mobile app downloads and revenue hit record highs in the first quarter, according to data from App Annie, a market research firm.
New downloads on the iOS and Android platforms grew 15 percent on the year to 25 billion worldwide, while in-app spending soared 45 percent to more than USD15 billion. The actual income received by developers would be even higher than that figure, which does not include revenue from in-app advertising or selling mobile e-commerce apps.
App Annie attributed most of the increase in app revenue to the Chinese market's big spending on the App Store. China was the top spender on Apple devices and was a key contributor to growth, with the report forecasting that the country will maintain the position until 2021.
Applications on iOS once again generated more revenue than on Android, with the gap widening further. In the first quarter, revenue at the iOS App Store doubled that of Google Play, moving up from the 90 percent difference during the same period last year.
However, just comparing App Store and Google Play does not reflect the entire market, the report added. In last month's report, it said Android is set to take over iOS in terms of app revenue this year, if third party app stores are included. China is host to a number of third party download platforms, with major players including Tencent Holdings Ltd. [HKG:0700], Baidu Inc. [NASDAQ:BIDU], Xiaomi Inc. and Huawei Technologies Co., who are expected to bring in USD20 billion in revenue this year.
Emerging markets, like India, are also boosting app downloads, especially on Google Play, but more mature markets are still the key growth driver, the report said. The US and South Korea witnessed substantial increases in their share of global user spending on Google Play during the first three months, while the US and Japan recorded the biggest gains in such spending.


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Traders from Mori Gate who are engaged in tractor parts’ business also participated in the protest and marched through the market. “Only 12% VAT is charged on auto parts and car accessories, which has been increased to 28%,” said Vishnu Bhargava, general secretary of Automotive Parts Merchants’ Associations.
The traders said they were not against GST but the rate should be less. “From 28% the rate of GST should be decreased to 18% for auto parts and car accessories and 12% for tractor parts,” said Brijesh Goyal, convener of AAP’s Delhi trade wing. The traders will put this up before deputy CM Manish Sisodia, who will raise this issue in the GST council meeting.


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Facebook Pay will be available as a checkout option for all Shopify sites in the US starting this August.
Until now, Facebook Pay has been a payment system for transactions conducted within Facebook’s own apps. It’s used to send money, shop, make donations, and more.
As of August, Facebook Pay can be used by US Shopify merchants offer a more seamless checkout experience for customers.
“Starting this August, businesses in the US who use participating platforms will have the ability to enable Facebook Pay as a payment option directly on their websites, giving their customers the ability to speed through checkout without having to re-enter their payment information.
We’re starting the rollout with Shopify merchants and expect to expand availability with more platforms and payment service providers over time.”
When customers choose Facebook Pay as a checkout option, they can log in with their Facebook credentials and payment forms will be pre-populated with information stored in their account.
This low-friction, mobile-friendly checkout experience can help businesses drive higher conversion rates.
Related: Google Grows Shopify Partnership
Details to Note About Facebook Pay
Facebook’s announcement adds a number of disclaimers that sound like they’re directed at users who may be apprehensive toward using a Facebook-branded payment system.
The company notes that payment details are encrypted and securely stored, which eliminates the need for businesses to manage that information on their end.
As it relates to the sharing of between Facebook and other companies, it’s stated that the payment details provided through Facebook Pay will not be used to serve personalized ads.
Payments and transactions conducted through Facebook Pay will not be shared to the user’s Facebook feed.
The rollout of Facebook Pay is starting with Shopify merchants in the US, but its availability is expected to expand to more platforms and payment service providers over time.
Source: Facebook For Business


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Evan Smith, president and CEO of Discover Newport, predicts a busy upcoming Labor Day weekend throughout the region. Three key factors, he said, have led him to the projection.
“First, occupancy rates have been at or near capacity throughout the summer. Specifically, Newport’s lodging tax was up 36.5% in July over the same time last year,” said Smith. “Second, gas prices are steadily declining and our destination is within driving distance of 10% of the U.S. population including key markets like New York, Philadelphia, Hartford, New Haven, Boston and points north. Lastly, we’re seeing a promising weather forecast which is critical for so many day trippers and weekend getaway travelers.”
Smith’s forecast is in sync with travel expectations recently stated by AAA Northeast which projects 35.5 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this Labor Day weekend (defined as Sept. 3 through 7). The travel agency noted that nearly 86 percent of those traveling will do so by car.
“We’re equally optimistic about the early fall travel outlook,” added Smith. “Autumn traditionally welcomes a significant amount of visitors including an increase in international travelers as well as thousands of motor coaches and cruise ship passengers. It is also the time of year we see a surge in meetings and conventions; a critical component of tourism business. We look forward to welcoming all of these visitors to our destination during what we believe is one of the most spectacular times of the year.”
ABOUT DISCOVER NEWORT
Discover Newport is the official destination management organization (DMO) dedicated to promoting the City of Newport and the eight surrounding coastal townships in Newport and Bristol Counties, Rhode Island. These include Barrington, Bristol, Jamestown, Little Compton, Middletown, Newport, Portsmouth, Tiverton and Warren. As a non-profit organization, Discover Newport partners with stakeholders throughout our tourism and hospitality industry to market the region as a premier destination for business and leisure travel.


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Hewlett-Packard surprised Wall Street on Tuesday by saying its earnings will slightly exceed analysts' expectations, going against the grain as other technology bellwethers have slashed forecasts and posted weak results in the sagging economy.
NEW YORK — Hewlett-Packard surprised Wall Street on Tuesday by saying its earnings will slightly exceed analysts’ expectations, going against the grain as other technology bellwethers have slashed forecasts and posted weak results in the sagging economy.
Its shares jumped $4.25, or 14.5 percent, to close at $33.59 Tuesday.
The Palo Alto, Calif.-based computer and printer maker expects earnings of 84 cents a share and adjusted earnings of $1.03 a share for the three months ended in October. This is slightly better than the $1 a share, excluding items, that analysts polled by Thomson Reuters are expecting.
HP forecast revenue of $33.6 million, just ahead of analysts’ expectations of $33.09 billion.
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The projections show that the cost cuts by HP Chief Executive Mark Hurd have helped squeeze more out of sales, even as they’re weighed down by the recession, said Toni Sacconaghi, an analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein in New York.
“It’s a validation of the fact that HP is generally extremely well-positioned in a tougher economic environment versus its peers,” said Sacconaghi, the top-ranked computer analyst by Institutional Investor magazine.
The company, which plans to release full quarterly results next Monday, said it was benefiting from “global reach, diverse customer base, broad portfolio and numerous cost initiatives.”
HP’s $13.9 billion acquisition of Electronic Data Systems (EDS), completed in August, boosted the quarter’s revenue, which grew 19 percent year-over-year — or 16 percent when adjusted for the effects of changing currency exchange rates.
Without counting EDS, revenue grew 5 percent, or 2 percent when adjusted for currency effects.
HP’s solid guidance comes as many other tech bellwethers are hunkering down because consumers and businesses are delaying spending on PCs and other equipment.
Research firm IDC recently cut its prediction for global growth in information-technology spending to 2.6 percent in 2009, down from its earlier forecast of a 5.9 percent increase.
Cisco Systems warned earlier this month that orders for its computer-networking gear fell abruptly in October and said it expects sales to fall in the current quarter.
Intel, the world’s No. 1 chip maker, cut its fourth-quarter profit and revenue forecast last week because of lower demand.
Goldman Sachs analyst David Bailey said HP’s results reflect the company’s diversity and cost-cutting abilities rather than broader factors that would lift other hardware makers.
In the current fiscal quarter, which ends in January, HP forecast earnings of 80 to 82 cents a share, with adjusted earnings of 93 to 95 cents a share, on sales of $32 billion to $32.5 billion.
Analysts predicted a profit of 93 cents a share on sales of $33.7 billion.
Material from Bloomberg News was used in this report.


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Holiday magic in the air with Rusk’s Hometown Christmas Experience
Magic is in the air for the young and the young at heart, as Rusk citizens gear up for the second annual Hometown Christmas Experience.
Events kick off Saturday, Nov. 27, with a variety of things planned, beginning with a 10 a.m. car and bike show – awards will be announced at 3 p.m.
Love cornhole? There’s an 11 a.m. tournament for enthusiasts, then at 11:45 a.m., SANTA ARRIVES!!!! The Jolly Old Elf will spend several hours in town, available for selfies with his fans.
A Toy Run commences at 3:30 p.m., and Fun Run Rides will be offered through 5 p.m. on the Trackless Train.
The day’s crowning event is the lighting of a 26-foot tall Christmas Tree at 5:25 p.m., signaling the beginning of the Christmas season. Be sure to keep your eyes open for Santa’s elves, along with holiday carolers and vendors and food trucks, too.
The event is sponsored by the Rusk Chamber of Commerce, www.RuskChamber.com
Please support the Cherokeean Herald by subscribing today!


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Paddy Power Betfair, the Irish sports betting and gaming operator, has announced an increase in its revenue and pre-tax profits in the first half of 2018.
The bookmaker’s revenue has gone up from £827 million to £867 million – a 7% increase compared to the same period last year. Their pre-tax profit has gone up to £106 million from £102 million, by 4%.
According to the earnings report for the six months ended 30 June 2018, Paddy Power Betfair has experienced a sustainable revenue growth across its four operating divisions: Online (up by 13%), Australia (up by 19%), Retail (up by 6%), and USA (up by 20%).
CEO, Peter Jackson, said: ‘It has been a busy and successful few months for Paddy Power Betfair. We have made substantial progress against our strategic priorities and trading in Q2 was good, with all brands and operating divisions contributing to the Group’s double-digit revenue growth.
The Fifa World Cup contributed approximately £8 million, after estimated cost of sales and marketing investment, for the total tournament period.


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As part of the agreement, Aston Martin will issue about 28.4 million new ordinary shares to Lucid, which will also get phased cash payments, totaling an aggregated value of approximately $232 million.
Access to Lucid's current and future powertrain and battery technology will be at the center of Aston Martin's all-new in-house EV platform, Aston Martin said in a statement on Monday.
"Combined with our internal development, this will allow us to create a single bespoke BEV platform suitable for all future Aston Martin products, all the way from hypercars to sports cars and SUVs," Aston Martin's Chief Technology Officer, Roberto Fedeli, said in the statement.
The shift to electric is phenomenally costly, with automakers globally committing around $1.2 trillion to the low-emission technology. Smaller automakers such as Aston Martin are more reliant on partnerships to make the transition.


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Xiaomi will be launching the successor to last year’s Redmi Y2 selfie-focused smartphone at an event in India on April 24. At the same event, Xiaomi may also release the Redmi 7 and Redmi 7A smartphones in the country. Ahead of the launch event next week, Redmi India has released a “drop test” video that shows off the durable build of the upcoming Redmi Y3.
Redmi Y3 Claimed to Offer “Ultimate Durability”
The Redmi Y3 video posted on Twitter by Mi India shows a Redmi Y3 being dropped down the stairs, although inside a dustbin. So even though Xiaomi is claiming that the upcoming smartphone offers ultimate durability, the video doesn’t actually prove the same. While the drop test itself isn’t very useful, the video does give us a clear look at the smartphone’s design.
— Redmi India (@RedmiIndia) April 20, 2019
Similar to the Redmi Note 7 (review) and Redmi Note 7 Pro, the upcoming Redmi Y3 will have a Dot Notch screen on the front. Thanks to the tiny notch, we can expect the Redmi Y3 to have a significantly improved screen-to-body ratio compared to last year’s Redmi Y2. As confirmed by the company already, a 32MP resolution super selfie camera will be housed inside the notch. On the back of the phone, we can see a dual-camera setup with the two sensors stacked vertically. Below the two camera sensors is an LED flash module. Unsurprisingly, the Redmi Y3 also includes a circular rear-mounted fingerprint sensor. Additionally, we can see that the smartphone has a gradient finish on the back. Unlike the Redmi Note 7, however, it looks like the Redmi Y3 will have a plastic build.
Redmi Y3 Expected Specifications, Price
The Redmi Y3 is expected to be powered by either a Qualcomm Snapdragon 632 or Snapdragon 636 octa-core processor. As for the display, we expect the smartphone to have a 6.2” or 6.3” sized display with Corning Gorilla Glass protection. Apart from the impressive 32MP selfie camera, the other major highlight of the Redmi Y3 will be impressive battery life. Just like the Redmi Note 7 and Redmi Note 7 Pro smartphones, the Redmi Y3 will pack a 4000mAh capacity battery. However, it remains to be seen if the Redmi Y3 will come with fast charging support. On the software front, we expect the selfie-focused smartphone to ship with Android Pie-based MIUI 10. As for pricing, the Redmi Y3 will likely be priced under INR 10,000 in India.


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To paraphrase the old Beatles’ song – Bitcoins Can’t Buy Me Love
Ali Spagnola, a comedienne from the USA sent me a link to the 2 minute mash-up of 33 famous songs about money she created to celebrate Bitcoin, the digital, virtual currency that is trending all over.
It is described on the Bitcoin website as ‘an innovative payment network and a new kind of money.’ It’s outside the normal currency regulatory frameworks that govern global money and it has been causing quite a bit of controversy lately. We thought we’d give you a few pointers, in case you wanted to invest in some.
There is a pdf available describing ‘a peer to peer electronic cash system’ which discusses the problems with banking systems, trust and the internet. There is a simple guide to the idea on YouTube.
Pots of History
We introduced the topic in two MBF Blogs in March 2013 – Local Ticketless Technology Means the World Is Our Oyster, 13 March 2013 and again in May 2013 when we said this:
‘It is an online, virtual currency, designed to facilitate trading. It has no government or central bank to underpin it, nor gold reserves to back it up. Some observers regard it a sort of international ‘online cooperative.
To prevent more Bitcoins being ‘created’ to cause devaluation (no quantitive easing here), there is an upper limit of just 21 million. No more Bitcoins can exist than that.
The rules were apparently set out by a figure called ‘Satoshi Nakamoto’ in 2009. Very little data is available on that person or group of people. But, nonetheless, the creation is taking off. Scarcity drives up the value and price, just like gold. Users refer to ‘mining’ Bitcoins to liken it to gold.
If a hacker found a way of making more, the world would still know exactly who owns and where are the 21 million. They are tracked online. However, for the individual owner or speculator, if they were stolen, there is no Government-backed safety net scheme, such as the £85,000 protection limit covering approved British banking institutions.’
Mt Cox Is No Fort Knox
When the story broke that Tokyo-based Mt Gox, the bitcoin exchange had collapsed into bankruptcy with around $460 million dollars apparently ‘stolen by hackers; and a further ‘$27 million missing from bank accounts’ alarm bells started ringing.
Was the future of digital currency actually being terminated abruptly or was it a mere blip in the evolution of a global currency which would soon become the only way forward?
Robert McMillan writing in Wired explained it this way: ‘From a distance, the world’s largest bitcoin exchange looked like a towering example of renegade entrepreneurism. But on the inside, according to some who were there, Mt. Gox was a messy combination of poor management, neglect, and raw inexperience.’
McMillan suggested that it is probably incompetence and inexperience behind the problems, rather than fundamental flaws in the concept. ‘Bitcoin promises to give a bank account to anyone with a mobile phone, no ID required. It’s clearly an amazing and potentially world-changing technology — the first viable, decentralized, reliable form of digital cash. It could democratize international finance. But it’s also a technology that was pushed forward by a community of people who were unprepared or unwilling to deal with even the basics of everyday business.’
It may be that ‘a new wave of entrepreneurs may bring digital currency to a new level of respectability’ driven by financial experts rather than computer geeks and coding boffs.
A hack in 2011 cost Mt Gox almost $9 million which they made good, thus building a reputation for honesty and integrity which encouraged millions of new investors to pile in as the price of Bitcoins started to reach stratospheric levels. At the outset of 2013 they cost $13 and before the year end they traded at $1200 apiece.
Still Hot News
The news media flurried about a story in early March: ‘Police in Singapore are probing what they call the “unnatural death” of an American woman who ran a firm dealing in bitcoins and other virtual currencies. Autumn Radtke, 28, was found dead in her apartment in what local media say was a suicide, reports the New York Post. Officials are waiting the results of toxicology tests….’
On 7th March Newsweek magazine claimed to have tracked down Satoshi Nakomoto, the 64-year old Japanese-American living in Los Angeles. He declined to answer any questions beyond claiming that he no longer ‘had any connection’ with Bitcoin.’
There are sites mushrooming about Bitcoins, rather like there are about Facebook or Tesco or Apple. One that is stuffed full of Bitcoin stories is Bitcoinagile. There is also The Bitcoin News devoted to the currency.
Last autumn the Daily Mail got excited at the launch of a vending machine in a Canadian coffee shop that changes Bitcoins to Canadian dollars and vice versa moving funds to and fro a virtual wallet on people’s smartphones.
They were convinced that by the end of 2014 these robocoin ATMs will roll-out globally. They may be right, seems a reasonable prediction if teething problems are resolved and bitcoins gain traction and credibility and governments find ways of living with/regulating/taxing them satisfactorily.
But so does the one that I think – surely there will be other encrypted currencies that people choose to use, just as Google is the only search engine in the world?


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Changes in the volume of water transported in the Gulf Stream were linked to changes in sea level rise, which some research suggests is occurring three to four times faster from Cape Hatteras off the North Carolina coast to Cape Cod, compared to global sea level rise.
Kentucky appears ready to join at least two dozen other states in deregulating its landline telephone services, the beginning of the end for the more than 100-year-old technology that is being pushed out by cellphones and high-speed Internet access.
High-end smartphones from Samsung and HTC have gotten much of the attention at this week's wireless show in Barcelona, Spain, but cheaper options are coming from Microsoft, Lenovo and others too. Meanwhile, Google and Facebook are working on giving people more ways to use those devices.
Concerns about increasing fraud by thieves using filing software and stolen identification information here and in at least one other state mean the Colorado Department of Revenue will this year issue some refunds by slower-but-surer check to taxpayers who had wanted electronic payments, the department's top tax official said Monday.
Sci-fi solutions or making friends one at a time? Google and Facebook want more people online, searching around and clicking on ads. And they are finding new ways to make it happen — from selling smartphone data plans, to using solar-powered drone aircraft as floating cell towers to partnering with telecom providers in the developing world to get people hooked on apps.
In a story Feb. 22 about a Davenport couple who own a Tesla S85 automobile, The Associated Press, based off a report by the Quad-City Times, reported erroneously the amount of a federal tax credit available to buyers of the electric cars. A credit of $7,500 is available, not $500.
Bill Gates, the founder of technology company Microsoft Corp., topped Forbes' 2015 list of the world's top billionaires for the second straight year. In 2013, Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim Helu was on top. He ranked second this time.
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It’s time to eat, Alabama.
The Alabama Tourism Department’s “The Year of Alabama Food” campaign in 2005 proved so popular that the state tourism agency is going back for seconds in 2012.
The $1 million marketing effort will launch later this month at the FoodBlogSouth bloggers conference in Birmingham, and the year-long blitz will include an Alabama BBQ Hall of Fame, an Alabama Restaurant Week and an updated list of the popular “100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama Before You Die.”
“People kept asking, ‘When are you going to do the year of food again?’” Lee Sentell, director of the Alabama Tourism Department, says. “We decided enough time and distance had happened.”
From Fairhope to Florence, fine-dining to fried chicken, the campaign will sing the praises of such state dining treasures as Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q in Decatur, City Cafe in Northport, Martin’s Restaurant in Montgomery and the original Wintzell’s Oyster House in Mobile, among dozens and dozens of others.
In recent years, the tourism department’s themed “year of” campaigns have promoted the state’s sports heroes, its small towns, its great outdoors and this past year, its music legends.
Much has happened to put the state on the culinary map since the last “Year of Alabama Food” seven years ago.
In Birmingham, chefs Frank Stitt of Highlands Bar and Grill and Chris Hastings of Hot and Hot Fish Club have become regulars at the prestigious James Beard Foundation Awards, which recognizes the country’s top chefs and restaurants.
In 2010, the Beard Foundation designated Bessemer’s 104-year-old Bright Star as an America’s Classic, an honor reserved for restaurants “with timeless appeal, beloved for quality food that reflects the character of their community.”
The growing farm-to-table movement has had a ripple effect that has boosted tourism throughout the state — from restaurants to farmers markets to food festivals, Sentell says.
The state tourism agency came up with the original “Year of Alabama Food” campaign in 2005 to promote Birmingham as a dining destination.
“The tourism people in Birmingham said, ‘We don’t have a beach, a battleship or a rocket, but we are the second largest destination in the state, and it’s time we got some attention,’” Sentell recalls.
“Frank Stitt and Chris Hastings were very much in the news, so fine dining was really our jumping-off spot,” he adds. “But we realized that we had to take it statewide, so we came up with a model that would highlight fine-dining, country cooking, barbecue and seafood.”
That initial campaign introduced the popular “100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama Before You Die,” which the tourism agency updates annually, distributing about 200,000 brochures through state welcome centers and local chambers of commerce each year.
Inclusion on the list is like an official seal of approval for many restaurant owners, who proudly display it in their businesses and boast of it in their advertising.
The black forest cake at Klingler’s European Bakery & Cafe — a family-owned German restaurant tucked away in a strip center on U.S. 31 in Vestavia Hills — was famous long before it made the “100 Dishes” list, but being included on it has brought in customers who otherwise might have driven right on by, owner Irmgard Klingler says.
“There are people who are going to try each place out,” she says.
The 2012 “Year of Alabama Food” campaign will feature an aggressive social media push that will include a Facebook page and a Twitter feed, marketing outlets that weren’t available seven years ago.
The website —
— goes live later this month, and its features will include directions and phone numbers to restaurants across the state, blog posts from many of Alabama’s top chefs, recipes of some of their favorite dishes and an interactive element where visitors to the site can take pictures of and post comments about the places they visited and the dishes they tried.
A 30-second television spot that features shots from Highlands, Dreamland Bar-B-Que and other restaurants will appear on more than 40 Raycom Media TV stations around the Southeast and in the Midwest, Sentell says. Raycom is funded by the Retirement Systems of Alabama.
Throughout the year, “The Year of Alabama Food” will highlight food festivals and events around the state, including the Grits Festival in Childersburg, the Alabama Butterbean Festival in Pinson and the National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores.
Memorial Day weekend, the tourism department plans to announce its first inductees in the Alabama BBQ Hall of Fame.
In August, restaurants and cafes throughout the state will offer fixed-price lunch and dinner specials during the inaugural Alabama Restaurant Week. The 10-day event, set for Aug. 17-26, is modeled after and will coincide with Birmingham Restaurant Week.
The idea is to get diners to try new places where they haven’t eaten before, or go back to old favorites they haven’t visited in a while.
That, too, is kind of what the whole “Year of Alabama Food” is all about.
“The food campaign is a way to get people talking about what we’re doing,” Sentell says. “Any time you can get people in a workplace or within a family to talk about the restaurants they visited when they were on their vacation in Alabama, that’s a measure of success.”
Join the conversation by clicking to comment or email Carlton at email@example.com.


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In a recent financial report, DeNA reported yet another drop in their annual operating profits. While many see Nintendo falling behind with their lack of mobile solutions, it is clear DeNA need some help as well.
For a fair few years in a row DeNA have seen their operating profits reduce. With this year’s drop clocking in at a sizable 52% compared to last year, as profits went from 9.7 billion yen (around $81 million) to 4.6 billion yen (around $38 million).
DeNA are also one of the biggest mobile gaming service providers around but it’s clear that the contraction of freemium, with the likes of Zynga similarly faltering, means that DeNA need to evolve their business model.


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MANCHESTER — A lot of 11-year-olds might run lemonade stands to make a few dollars in the summer.
Gloucester resident Mackenzie Plante, on the other hand, has spent her summer running her own business — selling mats made of lobstermen's rope, for $35 or more apiece. And she has sold more than 400 to date.
The business, christened Mac's Mats, offers what Mackenzie says stands as the original reclaimed fishing rope doormat, and draws in many ways off a Maine state mandate regarding lobstermen's gear.
The twine she uses in her mats comes from Maine, where regulations require lobstermen to use twine that sinks, rather than floats. The mandate is designed to help protect the Northern Right Whale, which can entangle itself in the floating line.
In compliance with the law, lobstermen turned in the old line, and David Carter — a former lobsterman from Waldoboro that Plate and her grandparents Mel and Diane Myler met at a lobster festival in Port Clyde, Maine — purchased the line for re-use.
That re-use turns out to be Mac's Mats. Carter constructs the actual mats, and Plante — who is already serving 14 clients in New England — sells the product. Her mats are sold at marinas and farm stands between the two states, with Utopia Farm Stand in Manchester the first store to sell the product.
"It started as a summer project," Mackenzie said, "I want to be a business woman, and it's a good start."
Her mother, Marcey, said the "summer project" turned quickly into a full-time job, and that the work has taught her daughter the basics of business as well as important life skills, such as eye contact, and phone etiquette.
She said that her daughter works with the stores herself, and that she and Mackenzie's grandparents help with transportation to and from stores and to and from Maine.
Mackenzie launched her endeavor with a yard sale to finance purchasing mats from Carter.
She handpicks each mat, rather than having them shipped down to the various stores.
She said this helps with variety. So far, she said, a combination of blue and orange rope has proven a favorite among customers.


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Mumbai, Mar 31 (PTI) BSE StAR MF distribution platform today said it has received nearly one million orders in a single month - March.
Total value of these orders is over Rs 15,000 crore.
The platform received over Rs 1 lakh order in a single day - on March 10, 15 and 27.
BSE StAR MF is a web-based transaction processing, fully automated online MF collection and settlement system.
It witnessed a growth over year-on-year basis in orders to Rs 65.5 lakh in fiscal 2017 from Rs 33 lakh a year ago.
In terms of value, it has grown to Rs 75,000 crore in fiscal 2017 from Rs 44,000 crore a year ago. Thus, BSE StAR MF became the largest distribution platform for mutual funds in the country in 2016-17.
At present, there are 3,400 registered members and around 1,350 of them have actively participated on the platform.
"The platform has seen tremendous growth since inception and has been progressing year-on-year," Ashishkumar Chauhan, managing director and chief executive, BSE, said in a statement.
"Due to its unique features, we see more and more members joining the platform. We are certain that BSE StAR MF will revolutionise the framework of Indian mutual fund industry," he added. PTI KD RSY


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"Today we are announcing that, after extensive discussions, the board and Gregg Steinhafel have decided that now is the right time for new leadership at Target," a company statement posted on its website Monday morning says.
John Mulligan, Target's chief financial officer, has been appointed as interim president and chief executive officer.
Steinhafel, a 35-year veteran of Target, will serve in an advisory capacity during the transition. Target said in December that hackers stole credit and debit card information of more than 40 milion customers—millions of customers who say they won't be back.
In a March consumer tracking survey conducted by Cowen & Co., Target’s scores dropped 3.3 percentage points to 71% with the score among upper-income shoppers falling a “dramatic” 9 percentage points to 70%, the survey of 2,500 shoppers showed. It also found that customer satisfaction with Target’s pricing, selection and product quality all declined from a year earlier.
Even worse, the December credit breach came just as Target's customer service was declining due to the company's "ongoing efforts" to control expenses amid declines in traffic and sales.


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Guildford-based developer Rodeo Games has licenced Epic’s Unreal Engine 4 for an unannounced mobile title.
The game is set to be a turn-based strategy title based on an IP owned by Games Workshop. It is currently slated for release in 2015.
Rodeo Games had previously been developing with its in-house Taurus engine before making the jump to Epic’s latest version of its popular development platform.
“We’ve made it our mission to raise the bar on what players can expect to see in mobile visuals and gameplay,” said Rodeo Games co-founder Laurent Maguire.
“In short, we want to set a new standard, and working with Unreal Engine 4 we can achieve that more efficiently and with greater impact.”
Epic European territory manager Mike Gamble added: “Rodeo Games is already a very impressive player within the dynamic mobile sector. We’re working closely with them to help them achieve their objectives in the months ahead. As Rodeo will demonstrate, UE4 has so much to offer indie developers, and we look forward to helping many more teams compete in the marketplace.”
Rodeo Games has previously worked on titles including Hunters Episode 1, Hunters 2 and Warhammer Quest.


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CBD use has taken off and there is no sign of slowing down. The relationship with marijuana can cause new users to be a bit weary of becoming dependent or even addicted to the new health craze. We resolve all misconceptions associated with CBD oil addiction in this article. After reading you will be convinced that CBD is safe with an array of potential benefits.
CBD is one of the over 100 known chemical compounds in cannabis called cannabinoids. The cannabinoid’s close relationship to THC causes concern for user’s that don’t want to experience the high or potential addiction associated with many drugs.
Rest assured, CBD is non-intoxicating, meaning it doesn’t get you high. Recently, CBD has gained attention from those seeking natural health benefits because of anecdotal testimonials and positive results from scientific studies and research. CBD and THC influences our bodies because we have an endocannabinoid system (EDS). All mammals possess an internal system of receptors throughout the body that directly and indirectly react with cannabinoids. When a cannabinoid is introduced into the body, it binds with the cannabinoid receptors regulating production of chemicals that affect mood, appetite, and sleep patterns.
Is CBD oil addictive? The short answer is no. CBD has proven to not only be non-addictive but shows promise in helping get users off drugs that are addictive. THC is the chemical in marijuana that produces the high. While it is thought that heavy marijuana users have a risk of becoming addicted to THC, there isn’t any hard evidence to prove this. CBD doesn’t possess any sedating or euphoric properties and users aren’t considered at risk of CBD dependence. According to the WHO (World Health Organization) ‘evidence from well-controlled human experimental research indicates that CBD is not associated with abuse potential.’
No matter the administration method, CBD will not produce a high. Lately companies have experimented with several ways to take CBD, cashing in on the ‘green wave.’
At online stores, you can find various types of products. CBD edibles in the form of all sorts of delicious foods and treats are being produced. Oils and edible gummies have proven to be one of the most popular administration methods. A new trend of CBD pills featuring immune boosting vitamins and minerals have recently hit the market. For those, who experience sore muscles and joints but don’t want to take pharmaceutical drugs, have found themselves turning to topical creams.
While there is abundant research suggesting that CBD influences the body, many skeptics still claim that CBD is just an opportunity for businesses to cash in on a trend. While there is concern steaming from the lack of regulation, especially associated to companies making ridiculous health claims without any evidence, to say CBD is a placebo is simply not true.
New CBD users can be confident that they will not get addicted to CBD, even if they find themselves using every day. In fact, regular use seems to create more benefits building up the body’s ECS.
There has been a lot of misconceptions related to the marijuana industry. Now that most developed nations are pulling back on their failed war on drugs, more research and benefits will be found relating to cannabis. Because of decades of industries supporting marijuana prohibition, the people have been lied to. Furthermore, research into the cannabis’ beneficial properties are only just becoming clear to the public.
Hopefully this article has cleared up some concerns. Remember, CBD is non-intoxicating and there has been no evidence of dependence or addiction.


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Asia Pacific companies are realigning their remuneration packages with those of more developed countries in a bid to attract and keep talent.
Executive pay packages in the region are starting to evolve, according to research from global expat benefits group Mercer’s 2012/2013 Asia Executive Remuneration Survey.
The study looked pay and packages for executives in more than 650 organisations across the region to compile some detailed conclusions.
The survey revealed that firms are putting together new mixed pay structures, incentive program and offering shares and long-term performance plans.
“This new turn towards non-financial remuneration shows that companies in Asia want to reward executives for hitting performance targets in the day-to-day business, but are also looking further ahead at giving extra to those who innovate and develop new business models,” said Hans Kothuis, Mercer’s Executive Rewards Practice Leader for Asia and Middle East.
Focus on profits
For example the report that companies are offering less in the way of stock options and have replaced them with a choice of two other rewards –performance cash and time-contingent restricted share programs.
Companies are also moving away from a focus on profits and want to create value in their businesses and better returns on investment for owners and shareholders.
“Managers should earn rewards for the value they create in a business, not just in the current operations shown by profit and increased efficiency,” said Mercer. “Innovation and diversification are just as important.
“Asia needs more reform of the labour market for executives and they need to have pay and remuneration that is equal to their colleagues in more developed economies. The market is improving. Young executives in the Asia Pacific are demanding change and companies and investors need to rely on these executives to deliver the growth they are seeking.”
Corporate gap narrowing
Many companies, say Mercer, have a challenge in attracting and retaining the talent they need to shift their businesses up in gear. So, they are looking at leadership development, succession planning and other ways to motivate executives to perform.
Mercer demonstrates this by comparing the study results of Asia Pacific based companies with companies from outside the region with a large presence in Asia.
By looking at six factors and measuring the results, it’s easy to see how the gap between business thinking in the East and West is narrowing:
Importance to Asian firms
Importance to Non-Asian firms


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JNU is back in the news and this time for the right reasons. The university under its start-up policy, has established Jawaharlal Nehru University Foundation for Innovation (JNUFI) to support the students and faculties who owned startups.
Today NITI Aayog sanctioned financial support of Rs 9.99 crore for five years to support the JNUFI as Atal Incubation Centre (AIC-JNUFI) under the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) scheme of Government of India, said a statement from JNU.
The main goal
It said the goal of AIC-JNUFI is to promote and support startups in specific subjects or sectors that have applications and impact in the core sectors of the economy.
One of its mandates is to promote and establish a world-class incubation facility for creating and incubating novel technologies, and business ideas into viable commercial products or services. Apart from helping the start-ups, the AIC-JNUFI will encourage innovation in the Indian ecosystem and in JNU through its activities such as workshops, training and capacity building, mentoring support, to early-stage start-ups.
So far, seven companies owned by faculties or students have already been approved by the due-diligence committee for incubation at AIC-JNUFI, and three such companies have started their residence in AIC-JNUFI.
The AIC-JNUFI has aimed to incubate more than 100 startup companies over a period of five years.


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In July, Juan Carlos Conde took over from Carlos Teixeira at the helm of the multinational Teva, one of the major producers of generics. The company prepares novelties in its factory in Zaragoza.
What news will be announced for the Zaragoza drug factory?
We have had a very good development in this plant in recent years. 15 years ago the factory produced seven times less than it does today. Now we are close to 7,000 million tablets. This has involved large investments, expansion of the workforce and new infrastructures in the Malpica industrial estate itself. Today it is one of the most important plants in Teva’s production network worldwide.
With the arrival of European funds, will it continue to expand?
This year we have invested 6.5 million euros in the Zaragoza factory. This amount will serve four aspects that we are developing. On the one hand, the expansion of storage, where we are going to double the current amount. On the other hand, we have brought a very important molecule, which is losartan, to manufacture in Zaragoza. In addition, we also have a new packaging conditioning line and we have expanded the quality laboratory. We plan to invest more in the coming years, at an average of 3 million per year and that is where European funds come in.
He was talking about new hires in recent years. What happened in 2021?
We have grown in production and more staff has been needed. In the last year there have been more than 30 hires.
Is the company considering an acquisition or is it planning to move towards a sales policy?
The history of Teva shows that we have been a company that has grown tremendously through acquisitions. There came a time when we had done a lot and the focus shifted to efficiencies and focus on organic growth. At the level of the Spanish market, the growth that we are going to have will come through organic. At a global level, this does not mean that there may be some small or medium-sized acquisition. From a business point of view, the size has already been achieved. Now it’s time to focus on how to add more value to the patient.
So what new releases does Teva envision this year?
We have had a very important launch in the last year in the area of severe migraine, which is a biological treatment that has been a leap forward in the treatment of this pathology. Looking ahead, before the end of the year, we have a launch in the respiratory area, with a certain degree of innovation. They will be improved inhalers. In the generic segment, where we have one of the largest vademecums in the world, there are constant releases. Depending on the year, there are between 10 and 20 new products annually.
What is the economic forecast for the results of 2021 in relation to 2020?
In 2020 there has been an economic impact in the pharmaceutical sector, although it has not been as serious as in the hospitality or tourism sector. It must be borne in mind that in the harshest months of the pandemic, access to health centers has been less and the ability to treat other diseases and to diagnose new patients has been reduced. This has also happened at the beginning of 2021, but this year the pharmaceutical market in Spain will end up in positive numbers, albeit small. We are in line with the market. We are going to have growth, although less than what it had been until now.
Let’s move on to talking about drug policy. It is expected that this fall the Plan for Generics and Biosimilars will arrive at the Interterritorial Council. There are some controversial measures, such as the price differential in favor of the generic. What is your vision?
The price differential, also called positive discrimination towards the generic, was in the regulations for years. We have always seen it well and not just for being part of it. The two main issues that need to be resolved now through legislation are to increase access, that is, to manufacture mature products at a better cost-efficiency and that this generates greater accessibility or the same but at a lower cost. And then innovation for unmet medical needs. It is impossible to have a modern health system with the efficiency necessary to finance innovation if there is not a great penetration of generics. Someone could say that if two drugs have the same price, why is there such positive discrimination. Well, because if there is no generic penetration,
Another controversial measure is that of the discounts that the industry offers to pharmacies and that the Ministry wants them to go to the public coffers …
There you have to act smart. Discounts are offered for prompt payment and volume and are part of the business relationship with pharmacies. These, in addition to a health point, are also a company that needs economic sustainability and if there is no equal we cannot have 22,000 pharmacies in Spain, which provide a very high service.
There is a study that says that their generic drugs have saved countries 43,000 million globally. Can you give me data at the Spanish level?
In terms of savings, the annualized value of Teva’s presence in national pharmaceutical spending has been estimated at just over 200 million euros. That is one of the parameters. The added value that we generate at the country level in our two operations (marketing and production) is 347 million euros in 2020. In terms of investment, 42 million correspond to labor income, because we have 900 employees. This at a direct level, because at an indirect level we would be talking about 6,000 jobs.
After the passage of the pandemic, one of the consequences in many productive sectors has been the shortage of some raw materials. Have you had a problem at Teva?
What happened to us, and it was more serious during the worst moment of the pandemic, was that China and India closed the outlet of many active ingredients for global supply chains. This produced a bottleneck and there were many problem medications. We are quite saved because we are number one in the production of active ingredients.
We have a value chain that starts from the active principle and ends with the commercialization of the product. A fact: 93% of the medicines we sell in Europe are produced here. I think it is important to bet on the industrialization of Europe in pharmaceutical matters because it generates value. If European health systems continue to put pressure on drug prices, that creates cost pressure and causes production to move outside of Europe.


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Bitcoin Price Consolidates As Miners Send Record Funds to Exchanges
Cryptoquant, an on-chain analytics firm reports a record amount of Bitcoin from miners are being sent to exchanges. This is an important indicator for traders to watch, because miners sending their newly minted Bitcoin to an exchange indicates a likely intent to cash out.
Miners are the group of people that secure the Bitcoin blockchain by supplying computing power to validate transactions. As a reward for securing the network, miners are rewarded with newly created Bitcoin each time they create a “block”. The current reward for each block is 6.25 Bitcoins, and a block is created every 10 minutes. This makes the total Bitcoin rewarded per day to miners approximately 900 Bitcoins – worth about 30 million USD at today’s current prices.
Cryptoquant uses blockchain analytics to monitor the flows of newly minted Bitcoin, and reported that as the price of Bitcoin rose to its all time high of 42k, more and more miners started sending their Bitcoin to the exchanges – likely to cash out.
Does this mean the price is going to drop? Not necessarily. There are two important factors to consider when analyzing this piece of data. First, Bitcoin has seen a huge surge in interest from both retail traders and institutional traders. Many of these investors are buying Bitcoin as a store of value, meaning they buy Bitcoin and hold onto it. Miners have spent the last 3 years running their equipment while Bitcoin hit prices as low as 3k. With Bitcoin prices currently near the all time high, it makes good sense to sell accumulated Bitcoin for these businesses.
The second factor to consider is the amount of Bitcoin held in reserves by exchanges. Data from Cryptoquant also shows that the amount of Bitcoin in reserves on exchanges is dropping, which is due to increased demand to buy Bitcoin. Max Keiser, the founder of the Keiser Report, warned this week of a possible supply crisis coming to Bitcoin. Keiser explained that in the near future, an institution will seek to buy a large amount of Bitcoin, and the amount available on the open market won’t be able to fulfill the order. This would result in the price of Bitcoin skyrocketing in a manner of just 10-minutes.
So far, increased demand for Bitcoin has resulted in investors buying up the influx of newly-minted coins from Bitcoin miners. Increased institutional and retail trading desire for Bitcoin doesn’t appear to be declining anytime soon. Overall, Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies have a very bright future.


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John Lennon, Freddie Mercury stamp collections going on display: Linn’s Buzz
By Colin Sallee
The latest Linn’s Buzz includes a story about the stamp collections of two legendary musicians being displayed, a profile of notable lots in a recent Hong Kong auction, and a tip to collectors of China.
Lennon, Mercury collections ready for display
A pair of iconic musicians, John Lennon of The Beatles and Freddie Mercury of Queen, will have their stamp collections put on display in September at the Stampex exhibition in London, NME is reporting.
Both collections are from the musicians' childhoods.
Lennon’s collection is notable for featuring many portraits, mostly those of Queen Victoria and King George VI, defaced with moustaches. It was on display a couple of months ago at World Stamp Show-NY 2016.
What is interesting about Mercury’s collection? Well, it features many stamps from his home country of Zanzibar.
Big pricetags in Hong Kong
A recent Kelleher and Rogers sale in Hong Kong saw some important items sell for significant figures.
“An unusual 1884 cover from Beijing to Tokyo, sent via the Imperial Chinese Customs office in Shanghai, was notable for several factors.”
Stamp market experts Henry Gitner and Rick Miller highlight what’s strong in the Chinese stamp market.
“Current markets for Chinese stamps are generally not as active as they have been in the recent and not-so-recent past. But as in previous years, there are still pockets of great strength, with strong demand for select issues.”
Connect with Linn’s Stamp News:
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MORE RELATED ARTICLES
World StampsNov 27, 2023, 12 PM
US StampsNov 24, 2023, 1 PM
World StampsNov 23, 2023, 6 PM
AuctionsNov 23, 2023, 2 PM


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Stanley Druckenmiller (Trades, Portfolio), billionaire investor and former chairman and president of Duquesne Capital, criticized Secretary of Treasury Janet Yellen for not securing long-term U.S. debt at low interest rates in 2021. Druckenmiller referred to this as “the biggest blunder in the history of the Treasury” and claimed that it has set the environment for the current U.S. debt crisis.
Shares of CRISPR Therapeutics (CRSP, Financial) will be on hold for trading as an FDA advisory committee is set to discuss the approvability of a gene editing candidate the company co-developed with Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX, Financial). If approved, exa-cel will become the first FDA-cleared gene editing therapy in the U.S.
A group representing U.S. automakers, including General Motors (GM, Financial), Toyota Motor (TM, Financial), Volkswagen (VWAGY, Financial), and Hyundai (HYMTF, Financial), expressed opposition to Cleveland-Cliff’s (CLF, Financial) proposed purchase of U.S. Steel (X, Financial). The group argued that the combination would increase auto industry costs and slow electric vehicle sales.
A Missouri jury verdict against the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and two real estate brokerages has caused shares of Redfin (RDFN, Financial) and Zillow (Z, Financial) to plummet. The case accused NAR, HomeServices of America, and Keller Williams of working together to inflate or maintain high commission rates.
Northland Capital Markets expressed confidence in Intel’s (INTC, Financial) execution and expects the company to gain share in x86 microprocessors next year. Shares of Intel (INTC) are up 1.8% on Tuesday.
ZoomInfo Technologies (ZI, Financial) fell more than 16% as several Wall Street firms cut their price targets even as the company posted third-quarter results that topped estimates. The company issued a fourth-quarter forecast, expecting sales for the coming quarter to be between $309M and $312M.
Smartphone chipmaker Qualcomm (QCOM, Financial) is set to report its fourth-quarter results on Wednesday, November 1. Analysts expect earnings per share of $1.91 for the quarter on revenues of $8.52 billion.
As the tech sector is on pace for the third consecutive month of losses, Barton Crockett, Rosenblatt Securities senior analyst, recommended investors buy Meta (META, Financial), Alphabet Class A (GOOGL, Financial), Pinterest (PINS, Financial), and Amazon (AMZN, Financial), but “hold” on Apple (AAPL, Financial).
CVS Health (CVS, Financial) is expected to report higher year-over-year revenue but slightly lower adjusted earnings early Wednesday as the company wrangles with a company-wide restructuring, rising costs and a pharmacist strike.
Also check out:


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This event outlook article is a preview to Retail Systems Expo.
Highlights of the annual Retail Systems Expo and VICS Collaborative Commerce Conference, taking place May 17-19 in Chicago, will include a keynote address from one of Wal-Mart's top executives, a "Strategic Integration Summit" and a series of best practice roundtable discussions.
Presenting the event's retailer keynote address is Michael Duke, executive vice president, president and CEO, Wal-Mart Stores USA. Duke's presentation, entitled "Build RFID into Your Game Plan," will explore Wal-Mart's decision to integrate electronic product code (EPC) and RFID network technology into its supply chain practices, including implications for its suppliers.
The Strategic Integration Summit, held on the final day of the event, will have a theme of "Look into the Board Room: How to Make Safe Investments in Innovation," and feature discussion by an executive panel, including from the apparel industry: Marty Abercrombie, vice president of replenishment, Saks Department Store Group; Peter Burrows, senior vice president, MIS, and CIO, Reebok; Tom Cole, vice chairman, Federated Department Stores; and Harry Kubetz, senior vice president of operations, Kenneth Cole Productions.
The event's best practice roundtable discussions, which attendees may sign up for on a first-come/first-served basis, will focus on five topics, including: RFID for retailers, RFID for suppliers; IT/finance and management; stores of the future; and data synchronization.
For more information, visit www.retailsystems.com.


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Shopping for kitchen and bath items?
Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top kitchen and bath spots around Mesa, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of where to venture next time you’re in the market for kitchen and bath.
April is one of the top months of the year for consumer spending at retail and wholesale businesses across the Mesa area, according to data on local business transactions from Womply, a software provider that helps small businesses manage customer reviews. Daily spending at Mesa-area retail and wholesale businesses grew to $447,368 for the metro area in April of last year, second only to March with an average of $455,283, and 9% higher than the average for the rest of the year.
Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in


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Just turned on my old phone from to find that i still have Flappy Bird installed. I remember a craze where it was worth a shit ton, is that. Despite numerous headlines flying around this week about smartphones with the now-grounded Flappy Bird app installed selling for as much. 'Flappy Bird phones' on sale on eBay from $ to $90, The app sensation Flappy Bird was been removed from the iPhone and Android app stores by its developer over the weekend, but it is still available for those prepared to buy a smartphone or tablet with the game already installed.
Many Flappy Bird-equipped iPhones are listed for $1, to $10, on eBay, with a few priced above $50, An iPhone 5S with the app sold for $10, One iPad Air listed at over $80, has received multiple bids. eBay nixed the auction of a Flappy Bird-equipped iPhone as it neared $,, the LA Times reports. A week ago i've bought a new phone, but my older one still have the original Flappy Bird downloaded from the PlayStore, is there still any worth. If you sell a phone with apps you downloaded still on it, you could be exposing personal information to complete strangers. It's like selling your computer without .
20 Feb - 2 min - Uploaded by The Fowler Show Join #FOWLERNATION!! After Flappy Bird developer Dong. According to latest eBay results, 11 Flappy Bird-installed devices have been sold, with one of the most expensive being an iPhone 5S for $10, Nobody plays Flappy Bird anymore and there are other ways to install flappy bird can I sell my iPad 4 in perfect condition for that has the original Flappy Bird?.
Are you angry that online auction giant eBay isn't allowing you to sell your smartphone with Flappy Birds installed for $ or more?.
Definetly no, because anyone who downloaded the game in the past could retrieve the data by going through download history. Regardless if it.
Other sellers are currently offering Flappy Bird-equipped phones and tablets on eBay for anywhere between $ to a few thousand dollars.
Phones and tablets sporting the blockbuster game Flappy Bird are for strategic thumb-taps, with devices which normally sell for well-below. The highest bid for a phone offering "Flappy Bird" most recently sat at $14, A Sprint (NYSE:S) iPhone 5 16GB reached that level after Now that Flappy Bird is no longer available to download on app stores, phones with the app installed on it already are selling higher at places.
After the developer of 'Flappy Bird' pulls it from app stores, bids for an couldn't sell phones with apps and it was a violation of Apple policy.
my top score is 79 on it and I have to tell you I get very aggressive while playing it ! My wife and oldest daughter like to bug and talk to me while. Gaming mega hit 'Flappy Bird' was successful partly because it was free Someone is even attempting to sell an iPhone 3GS - a phone which. Find flappy bird ads in our Phones category. Buy and sell almost anything on Gumtree classifieds.
OVER LAST WEEKEND, the creator of app game phenomenon Flappy Bird took the game down off the Google Play and App stores. He, like.
Miss out on the chance to download Flappy Bird? While some phones are being offered at only a slight increase to their usual selling price. People are apparently not ready for a world without Flappy Bird. garnered dozens of bids, pushing the selling price of the phone to $14, @sparbiero wrote: Hi guys,. I have a HTC ONE M7 with Flappy Bird installed I saw lots of ppl selling their phones with it for thousand!! Should I try to sell it in.
An eBay search for "Flappy Bird" now yields almost 4, results, nearly saying that all phones must be sold unlocked and at factory settings. In fact, right when there were some people sold their phones that were installed Flappy Bird on eBay, this site blocked all these selling news, removed all of them . iPhones with the deleted smash hit iOS game Flappy Bird still installed are Leading the way is eBay user pindrus who is selling his used 16GB iPhone 5s.
Several auctions have popped up on the online marketplace eBay featuring iPhones that included an installed copy of Flappy Bird.
Less than a day after the app was pulled from stores by its developer, phones installed with mobile game phenomenon Flappy Bird are.
Update 11 Feb Unsurprisingly, the two auctions we pointed out that were selling Flappy Bird phones at near $, seem to have. Normally I wouldn't create a ridiculous post like this but I just had to ask, is my area (DC, MD & VA) the only area trying to sell phones and iPads. Flappy Bird is a mobile game developed by Vietnamese video game artist and programmer The game's popularity and sudden removal caused phones with it . stating that smartphones must be restored to factory settings before being sold.
you guys are aware of the buzz on ebay selling phones with flappy bird for 2k, 10k even 60k? why the hell you make fun of this? Mar 9, Just one day after being pulled from online stores, phones featuring the app Flappy Bird are selling for exorbitant prices on eBay. An iPhone with the game Flappy Bird installed that was being sold on EBay has been removed by the auction site, the phone's seller says.
An iPhone 5S With Flappy Bird Installed Is Selling For $99, On eBay removed Flappy Bird from the App Store, any phone with the game. There are times when you regret something you have done in the past: it's okay with a little bit of help from “time”, but I'm sure you will remember that moment. SYDNEY - Phones and tablets sporting the blockbuster game Flappy Bird are selling online for thousands of dollars above their normal asking.
At the time of writing, a 16GB iPhone 5 with Flappy Bird pre-installed, which started at $, is now worth a mind-boggling $ True to his word, Flappy Bird developer Dong Nguyen pulled the hit mobile phones with the game installed that appear to have been sold. Even though Flappy Bird has been taken down from the App Store and Google Play Store, people are still after the viral hit and are paying crazy amounts of.
People are selling their phones with Flappy Bird pre-installed for insane prices on eBay, while creator Dong Nguyen gets bombarded with. By now, I'm sure most of you know about Flappy Bird; that it is selling his used 16GB iPhone 5s with Flappy Bird installed, and at the a few Android phones) with the Flappy Bird game installed going for well over $50, A phone with Flappy Bird installed will cost you HOW MUCH!?.
Flappy Bird flaps no more in the app stores () Mr Nelson posted an ad on Craigslist after trying to sell his iPhone in eBay US-based Jack Nelson initially posted his phone on eBay with a starting bid price of $1096 :: 1097 :: 1098 :: 1099 :: 1100 :: 1101 :: 1102 :: 1103 :: 1104 :: 1105 :: 1106 :: 1107 :: 1108 :: 1109 :: 1110 :: 1111 :: 1112 :: 1113 :: 1114 :: 1115 :: 1116 :: 1117 :: 1118 :: 1119 :: 1120 :: 1121 :: 1122 :: 1123 :: 1124 :: 1125 :: 1126 :: 1127 :: 1128 :: 1129 :: 1130 :: 1131 :: 1132 :: 1133 :: 1134 :: 1135


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Southern Tier Brewing Co. Plans Buffalo Expansion
During a ribbon-cutting ceremony in February 2003, the founder of the then-brand new Southern Tier Brewing Co. said it was a longtime dream of opening his own business.
Since that time, the Lakewood-based brewery has expanded considerably, with taprooms located in three major markets — Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Charlotte, N.C. — and a fourth on the way.
Phin DeMink, founder of Southern Tier Brewing Co., announced Tuesday that the brewery will be expanding operation to the HarborCenter complex in downtown Buffalo, currently the site of (716) Food and Sport — a two-story popular bar and restaurant and owned by Pegula Sports and Entertainment.
“Since we opened our doors in 2002, Buffalo has been one of our top markets,” DeMink said in a statement. “We’ve always viewed Buffalo as home and always wanted a physical presence in the Buffalo market. We were looking for the right spot to share our great brands with our many friends and fans who have been such loyal supporters of Southern Tier over the years. We believe we finally found the perfect location.”
(716) Food and Sport has been closed for nearly a year during the COVID-19 pandemic. Southern Tier’s latest taproom, next door to where the Buffalo Sabres play, will open by the late summer.
“Terry and I built LECOM Harborcenter to contribute to the rebirth of Canalside and our waterfront.” said Kim Pegula PSE president and CEO. “Part of our plan has always been to find local partners to run these businesses when the time was right. It makes sense now to have our longtime partners at Southern Tier take over ownership and rebrand (716) Food and Sport. We are confident that Phin, Sara and their team will enhance the great experience our fans have come to expect by doing what they do best, serving them their favorite locally brewed craft beers along with a new menu of hand-crafted, beer-inspired food items and appetizers.”
Renovations will be made to (716) to allow for on-site brewing, and will include a retail area for merchandise and “to go” sales of beer and spirits.
Paul Vukelic, president and CEO of Try-It Distributing, said the taproom will be a great addition to the downtown waterfront area.
“As a proud partner and local distributor for Southern Tier Brewing, Try-It Distributing Company, Inc. welcomes and supports their expansion into Buffalo,” he said.
Southern Tier is based at the Stoneman Industrial Park in the town of Busti.
DeMink noted in a August 2002 interview that the equipment used to get the brewery up and running had been sitting unused in the former Old Saddleback Brewery in Pittsfield, Mass. He started his career in the craft brewery business with the Ellicottville Brewing Co.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, DeMink said his aim was to produce the “freshest, cleanest beer possible, using all natural ingredients. We’re proud to offer a locally brewed product with the highest quality and great taste.”


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Everyone hates Lightning right? As it turns out, we get more evidence of the opposite, as Amazon Japan just posted its six months aggregated sales chart for console games and console hardware for the first half of
Yesterday Capcom showcased six of the twelve weapons of Monster Hunter 3G for the Nintendo 3DS, today they are at it again, and released new screenshots and art that introduce the remaining six weapons that Monster Hunters
Capcom released today a new batch of artwork and screenshots of Monster Hunter 3G showcasing six of the twelve weapon types that will be available in the game.
Japan is getting two different bundles for the upcoming 3DS action-RPG Monster Hunter 3G. The first bundle includes the game a white 3DS decorated with a stylized version of the cover monster Brakidos, and it looks really
Capcom published today a new batch of info and screenshots of Monster Hunter 3G, to be released in Japan for the Nintendo 3DS on December the 10th.
Capcom released today a batch of screenshots and artwork of the upcoming Nintendo 3DS action-jrpg Monster Hunter 3G, showcasing some of the monsters that will appear in the game.
TGS 2011: Tokyo Game Show Attendees Report that Monster Hunter 3G on 3DS Looks Worse than on Portable 3rd on PSP. Difficulty Lowered. Circle Pad Slippery
The open days of Tokyo Games Show have just ended, and the Japanese internet is already aflame with comments from attendees that aren't exactly happy about the performance of fan favorite Monster Hunter 3G on the 3DS.


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The Co-Creator of Friday the 13th: The Game recently shared information about post-launch DLC plans the studio had to abandoned, including an Among Us-style game mode. Friday the 13th: The Game’s final update went live several weeks ago on May 4, officially laying the digital Jason to rest once and for all.
Developer IllFonic and publisher Gun Media released the asymmetrical multiplayer title in May 2017. The teams had big plans for the project, much of which would’ve taken inspiration from Friday the 13th’s lengthy film history. However, post-launch support of any consequence came to an abrupt halt shortly after the title’s rollout due to a legal dispute between brand producer Sean S. Cunningham and Victor Miller, the first movie’s screenwriter. IllFonic, consequently, had no choice but to toss aside myriad DLC plans and it’s now clear that the studio’s ambitions knew no bounds.
Since “enough time has passed,” the game’s Co-Creator, Wes Keltner, unveiled details about DLC the developers at IllFonic were forced to abandon. He posted an outline via TwitLonger for the content types the team had in mind, with one in particular involving an Among Us-esque mode. This specific game mode, dubbed “Paranoia,” would’ve seen all players spawn as Counselors. With no Jason on the map, IllFonic wanted users to find the Part 5 mask and become Jason. A “Prom Pack” was once proposed as well, effectively turning Crystal Lake into a prom night with a dance floor modeled after the ship in Part 8. Though the pitch replaced the birdbath with a punch bowl, Keltner said the team still intended to make it a “kill spot” for Jason.
Keltner ended his post by acknowledging the disappointment fans feel at the unfortunate turn of events; he and the crew remain similarly upset. If anything, it’s clear that all involved in the project’s creation had nothing but love for the seminal horror franchise. Thus, though it only lasted a short time, Friday the 13th was in good hands.
IllFonic continues to explore the worlds of classic horror properties, though. Just last year the developer unleashed Predator: Hunting Grounds on PC and PlayStation 4. However, it, admittedly, hasn’t garnered as much early success as its Crystal Lake-set predecessor.
Friday the 13th: The Game is playable on Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, and Xbox One.


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Bank of America testing mobile payments
- Staff San Francisco Business Times
The system allows customers to pay for purchases by scanning an image with a smart phone.
The program is being tested in Charlotte, N.C., where the bank is based.
Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) is one of several financial and tech companies in the race for the mobile payments market.
It is going up against such competitors as Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) and eBay Inc.'s (NASDAQ: EBAY) PayPal in the fight.
In its program, Bank of America is working with Paydiant, a startup that has developed mobile-payments technology.
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A look at the day's business stories from media outlets around San Francisco


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San Francisco, California is considering a municipal broadband network. Support for a city-backed network has grown among local municipal leaders following the results of an internet access survey that the conducted earlier this month. The results of that survey shows that there are many local residents without affordable high-speed internet access.
According to a piece in the San Francisco Examiner, the survey revealed that existing low-cost internet service programs like Comcast Essentials which costs around $40 per month aren’t well utilized and may still be out of reach to large portions of the local population. In recent years, the city has moved to offer free wifi in city parks although that’s also not necessarily a solution that will solve access issues for a lot of people.
That brings us to yesterday, and a new report published by San Francisco Municipal Supervisor Mark Farrell, making the case for a citywide broadband network.
“The digital divide in San Francisco is marginalizing generations of San Franciscans,” said Farrell. “Every resident, business, and nonprofit deserves access to fast, affordable, and reliable broadband to compete in the 21st century.”
The report was written by Harvard Law professor and committee co-chair Susan Crawford, who has done significant work on broadband access. Data in the report shows that 14 percent of students in San Francisco, for example, lack internet service at home which impedes their ability to complete homework at home and engage in educational enrichment outside of school.
The panel’s report cites research and studies that build a strong case for why San Francisco should oversee the construction of a citywide open access municipal fiber network. Additionally, the report details why a basic citywide fiber broadband network, made available to competing retail providers will outcompete older, slower Internet access networks made up of copper or co-axial cable networks. And, why mobile, or wireless only Internet options are not sufficient means of fast and reliable Internet connection because they are more susceptible to interferences that slow, or disrupt Internet connection. Advanced wireless services will, in fact, require fiber to be in place to function.
Further, the panel’s report cites studies that show when cities construct or offer basic fiber infrastructure, they enhance competition and market choices, and don’t eliminate the market for directly serving customers. With the right “open access” policy in place, Internet Service Providers could use the city’s fiber network in competition with one another in order to deliver higher quality services at lower prices.
“The private sector has failed to provide fast and affordable Internet service on its own,” said Farrell. “It’s time for cities to get involved and close the digital divide.”
The report says that while private companies will understandably focus on their own economic interests, local governments are more likely to consider a broader range of issues, such as ensuring service to the underserved and other broader social and economic goals. The private market has little to no incentive to prioritize communities most affected by the digital divide. The big Internet access companies generally do not take action to improve pricing or upgrade networks until market competition spurs them to action.
The full report is available here.


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While these spy shots may look like someone was sneaking around in wait for the latest Land Rover, the truth is these pics were supplied by the company itself. Nonetheless, they give us a first look – albeit a very limited look – at the new Land Rover Defender under development, here going for a joyride near the company’s factory in Solihull, U.K.
Aficionados bemoaned the cancellation of one of the world’s most legendary off-roaders when Land Rover pulled the plug on the Defender in 2016. But fear not, world travellers, overlanders and, yes, those of you picking up the kids at school – it’s coming back, as is evident in these pics. And if you need further assurances, a comment from Land Rover Canada says that, “We can confirm that customers around the world will be taking delivery of and enjoying Defender again from 2020.” So, not far off.
This heavy camouflage makes it look like the last-generation LR4/Discovery, so it’s difficult to make any assumptions of what the new Defender will really look like. But you can see this is a four-door model with LED tail lights, some sort of electronics rack at the top of the windshield and independent suspension. If you squint you can see elements and shape of the DC100 Expedition concept that Land Rover debuted in 2011 at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
Expect to see more of the new Defender as it slowly and seductively drops its extra clothes in the months to come. And if it’s true that they’ll be on sale by 2020, chances are we will even see a full debut sometime next year. Stay tuned.


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Keeping up with the latest technology logistics trends in the digital era can be difficult, specifically when there seems to be something new at every turn.
Businesses need to be vigilant and aware of the newest developments that can assist them to become more competitive. The logistics trends industry is evolving to meet different challenges, and innovative organizations are investing in new technologies to address some of the most critical issues that affect transportation and logistics trends.
A set of logistics trends is expected to transform the logistics sector in the coming years. Take a look at these four trends in 2022, each of which presents opportunities for more productivity and efficiency.
Related article: Learn How to Ship Freight: Equipment Types, Services, and Sizes
Table of Contents
In 2021, businesses experienced supply chain challenges due to COVID-19. According to a study, 98% of retail executives believed that supply chain challenges would continue to affect the retail sector through 2022.
Imagine the current supply chain problem as a lake on which someone has thrown a stone. After the initial splash, the waves will continue for a long time after that. COVID-19 is rock – and the lake water takes a long time to settle. Uncertainty about COVID-19 and growing inflation is worsened by what Forbes refers to as the four P’s: product, prices, people, and politics.
Given this, it is not surprising that 80% of retailers plan to focus their supply chain costs in 2022 on meeting e-commerce demand.
While competition in this sector continues to heat up, it is lean and adaptable supply chains that distinguish conquerors from losers.
Related article: Different Types of Cross Docking Services in Canada
Decentralized fulfillment strategies will be necessary for 2022 to meet customer expectations as consumers want to receive their packages very quickly. Due to the increasing dependence of customers on e-commerce to purchase essential items during COVID-19, expectations for timely and rapid delivery are increasing.
Studies show that about a third of consumers expect same-day delivery options in logistics trends. With the advent of COVID-19, we have seen many workers return home from work and stay out of downtown – even if they do not return to the office at all.
For this reason, many retailers have already considered their fulfillment strategies to meet the expectations of customers who live in the suburbs and expect fast and timely delivery from their local stores.
So, we anticipate more retailers next year to track more consistent local fulfillment strategies in reaction to changing traffic levels in shopping malls and downtown zones.
Related article: What Are Trucking Services; Know How Do They Help You?
In 2022, complaints about shipping costs from brands, 3PLs, and consumers will increase. Recently, some of the highest GRIs (general rate increases ), with both FedEx and UPS targeting an average 5.9% increase in service level, have been announced by major couriers due to supply chain challenges and rising operating costs.
However, the average increase is somewhat misleading. By next year, more than 97 percent of shippers are expected to increase their rates by more than 5.9 percent due to additional costs for residential delivery and large boxes.
Online retailers feel this burden more than most, with rate shopping between couriers probably a necessity to avoid hitting the profit margin.
Increasing shipping prices become more complicated by the increasing convergence between GRIs and the additional cost of peak season.
Due to the growth of e-commerce during the epidemic, the peak season volume has become normal for package carriers. For carriers, seasonal additional costs are very helpful in managing constant network pressures.
So in 2022, in addition to raising the General Rate, businesses will have to anticipate temporary additional costs as couriers grapple with inflation and growing energy costs. To anticipate additional costs next year, traders should consider future GRIs with main carriers.
Related article: What Are The Benefits of Dedicated Trucking Service? Know 7 Reasons
Automation and artificial intelligence have been used in warehousing and supply chain management for the past decade. However, lower upfront expenses and significant technological advances have made it more available to businesses of all sizes.
By 2026, the global warehouse automation market is estimated at more than $ 30 billion. A survey found that 79% of respondents are more likely to invest in warehouse automation within 1-3 years.
Robotic automation will not only increase productivity and eliminate human mistakes but will also help retailers manage labor shortages and consumer demand fluctuations.
For retailers looking for more speed and efficiency, manual processes are becoming increasingly costly. In 2022, we will see an increase in customer demand for fast fulfillment, which will lead to a more sophisticated deployment of automation in the supply chain. As increasing shipping costs for fast delivery and customer satisfaction will hit local digital merchants the hardest, efforts to achieve rapid delivery will face a problem.
However, the cost-effectiveness of automation technologies compensates for the shortage of labor for businesses. This makes 3PL partnerships more beneficial for smaller brands that are unable to increase such valuable infrastructure investments.
DelGate is a Third-Party Logistics (3PL) that provides Warehousing, Order Fulfillment, Container Transloading, Trucking, Rail service, Intermodal Transportation, Final Mile and Home Delivery.
101-2388 Canoe Ave Coquitlam,BC
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The news we’ve all been waiting for has arrived - McDonald’s is officially reopening selected restaurants next week.
The fast food chain closed the doors to its UK restaurants in March to prevent the spread of coronavirus , but last week CEO Paul Pomroy revealed McDonald’s would “slowly, but safely, begin to resume serving McDonald’s customers again.”
This meant the opening of 15 selected restaurants for delivery only.
Since the announcement last week , fans have been anxiously waiting for the release of which stores would reopen.
But now for the bad news. No Merseyside restaurants made the list.
Here’s the full list of McDonald’s restaurants reopening for delivery:
- Chelmsford Riverside
- Chelmsford Westway
- Ipswich Cardinal Park
- Boreham Interchange
- Luton Leagrave
- Watford Herfordshire Arms
- Chaul End Lane, Luton
- Beechings Way, Gillinham
- Sittingbourne Retail Park
- Gillingham Bowaters
- Luton George Street
All above stores will reopen on May 13 from 11am.
When McDonald’s released the news on Facebook, the statement said: “Rest assured, we are working hard to reopen more restaurants and will keep you updated here as we add more.
“Slowly, but safely we will return to towns and cities across the UK and Ireland and thank you for your continued support as we work through this crisis.”


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Loss ratio indicates the underwriting performance of an insurer. If it is above 100 then premium collected is not adequate to pay claims. The industry is operating at a loss ratio of 80 in the motor segment. “We will have a 1-1.5 month period where accidents won’t happen, which will bring in a 10 per cent impact on the loss ratio,” said Sajja Praveen Chowdary, motor business head, PolicyBazaar.
Sanjay Saxena, head of retail claims at Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, echoed the statement, saying the losses would come down in the segment given lower incidence of claims.
On the other hand, few insurers feel although claims intimation is currently less, there might be a spurt in claims post the lockdown. “The real clear picture will emerge only after the lockdown period gets over, as there is a possibility that we can see a backlog in claims. There are chances that policyholders may not be able to file their claims considering workshops are currently not operating,” said Subrata Mondal, executive vice-president, IFFCO-Tokio General Insurance.
“Loss ratios are a function of accidents plus repair costs, labour charges, and spare part cost. Most of the manufacturers go for a hike in these things from April. The insurance industry
has not increased any rates in the past six months and nor has the third party rates gone up. So, loss ratios may go up as opposed to going down,” said the chief executive officer of private insurance company.
“Whether loss ratio in motor segment will come down significantly depends on how long the lockdown stays. In the motor segment, the third-party claims do not come to us immediately. So if the third party claims will go down or not is something we will see in the future,” said Sanjay Datta, chief underwriting & claims, ICICI Lombard.
Moreover, the motor insurance
segment has been going through a lean phase for the past one year as the economic slowdown resulted in low demand for new vehicles. A similar situation is expected post the lockdown period. Experts say the first two quarters of this fiscal year will see muted demand for the automobile sector and this in turn will bring in increased competition in the motor segment amongst the players.
will take advantage of this fall in loss ratio and become more competitive in nature resulting in the own damage prices going down over a period of time,” said Chowdary.
“As of now it seems there will be less claims. Lesser claims may impact the premium rates as well,” said Mondal.
In the motor insurance
segment, the motor third-party is mandated by law. The third party motor premiums are revised annually, however, this year’s hike has been put on hold given the ongoing situation. Experts feel this will hurt the insurers.
The premiums for own damage segment is not regulated. Due to competition, insurers generally resort to heavy discounting to gain customers. Due to regulated third-party premiums and discounting in own damage segment, the loss ratio remains high in the segment.


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Shop Local directory set for Vermonters
MONTPELIER — The Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing has launched a new online holiday shopping guide, BuyVermontMade.com. The new directory connects shoppers with Vermont retailers and Vermont-made gifts in six categories — wearables, craft beverages, specialty food, home goods, personal care and toys and books.
The Buy Vermont Made directory was developed in collaboration with the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets to encourage shoppers both in Vermont and regionally to buy Vermont-made products and support Vermont-based retailers this holiday shopping season.
Consumers can filter by in-person or online shopping to find almost 400 Vermont businesses that applied and were accepted to be part of the directory. Many businesses in the directory also offer curbside pick-up options as Vermonters and small businesses continue to adapt operational practices during the COVID-19 crisis.
“More than ever, now is the time to support our local retailers and producers. This directory will make it easier for shoppers to find their favorite exceptional Vermont products and discover new ones,” said VDTM Commissioner Heather Pelham.
The BuyVermontMade.com directory was created and marketed using federal CARES Act funding.
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MADISON – Good news for anyone looking to lock down their credit to protect their identities: starting today, a new federal law makes all credit freezes free and extends fraud alerts from 90 days to one year.
“A freeze on your credit account is one of the strongest tools we have to protect against financial identity theft,” said Michelle Reinen, Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). “We hope all Wisconsin consumers consider taking the time to lock down their accounts.”
To simplify the process of establishing these protections, each of the three major credit bureaus – TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian – were required to create a webpage for requesting fraud alerts and credit freezes. Those pages are available now:
• TransUnion: https://freeze.transunion.com
• Equifax: www.freeze.equifax.com
• Experian: www.experian.com/freeze
The law will provide a number of services including:
• Free account freezes: Placing a credit freeze with the major credit bureaus restricts most access to your credit file, locking out identity thieves who may try to open new accounts in your name. You will receive a PIN number when you place the freeze and it will remain in place until you lift it. Before this new law was signed, freezing an account with a credit bureau required fees that varied by state, plus an additional fee to unfreeze an account.
• Free account freezes for minors: The new law will also allow parents and legal guardians nationwide to freeze the credit file for a child under age 16. Prior to the new federal law, Wisconsin had a law to allow guardians to create and immediately freeze a credit report for minors.
• Extended fraud alerts: For consumers who want to protect their credit histories without completely locking down the account, a fraud alert is a special message on a credit file that states the consumer is or may be a potential identity theft victim. It requires businesses to take extra steps to verify the identity of an applicant before issuing lines of credit or service. Fraud alerts will be extended to a year (from 90 days) and remain free to place.
• Credit monitoring for military members: Within one year, the credit reporting agencies must offer free electronic credit monitoring to all active duty military members.
To learn more about fraud alerts and credit freezes, read DATCP’s Credit Report Security Freeze fact sheet.
For additional information, visit the Consumer Protection Bureau at https://datcp.wi.gov, call the Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-422-7128 or send an e-mail to firstname.lastname@example.org. Connect on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wiconsumer or Twitter: @wiconsumer.


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Samsung Infuse 4G Makes Appearance in Walmart Ad– Release Coming This Week?
We know a lot of you are very eager to learn more about AT&T’s third 4G phone, the Samsung Infuse 4G, and we’ve got some good news for you: it’s almost here. That pic you see above? That’s Walmart advertising the Infuse 4G for a very solid $178.88 on two-year contract with data plan alongside a nice little sticker saying it’s coming May 2011 (click on pic to enlarge). Clicking on the pic of the Infuse 4G on Walmart’s site (it’s on page 9 in the ad) brings up a pop-up– shown below– listing the already familiar specs of the Infuse 4G (8 megapixel camera, 4.5 inch Super AMOLED screen and 1.2 GHZ processor) and a note that it’s available in most stores. Well, we called up a couple of local Walmarts and while they told us they don’t currently have the Infuse 4G in stock, they said they should have them in by the end of this week.
And just to add a little more fuel to the fire here, AT&T and Samsung have sent out invites today for an event this Thursday, May 5th in New York City (though what exactly will be announced at this event is still unknown). Unfortunately we won’t be able to make it out to this event in person, but don’t worry, we’ll have whatever is announced covered for you right here.
So hang tight Infuse 4G fans, it’s almost here.