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The FDA, along with CDC, state and local agencies, are investigating a multi-state outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses likely linked to romaine lettuce. The Public Health Agency of Canada is investigating a similar outbreak in Canada.
Genetic analysis of the E. coli O157:H7 strains tested to date from patients in this current outbreak are similar to strains of E. coli O157:H7 associated with a previous outbreak from the Fall of 2017 that also affected consumers in both Canada and the U.S. The 2017 outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 was associated with leafy greens in the U.S. and romaine in Canada. This year, romaine lettuce is the suspected vehicle for both the U.S. and Canadian outbreaks. There is no genetic link between the current outbreak and the E.coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to romaine that occurred in the Spring of 2018.
The FDA is conducting a traceback investigation to determine the source of the romaine lettuce eaten by people who became sick. Additionally, FDA and states are conducting laboratory analysis of romaine lettuce samples potentially linked to the current outbreak.
The most recent illness onset in the U.S. in the current outbreak was October 31, 2018. For this outbreak investigation, the average interval between when a person becomes ill and when the illness is reported to CDC is 20 days.
People should not eat romaine lettuce until more is known about the source of the contaminated lettuce and the status of the outbrea
- Consumers who have any type of romaine lettuce in their home should not eat it and should throw it away, even if some of it was eaten and no one has gotten sick.
o This advice includes all types or uses of romaine lettuce, such as whole heads of romaine, hearts of romaine, and bags and boxes of precut lettuce and salad mixes that contain romaine, including baby romaine, spring mix, and Caesar salad.
o If you do not know if the lettuce is romaine or whether a salad mix contains romaine, do not eat it and throw it away.
o Wash and sanitize drawers or shelves in refrigerators where romaine was stored. Follow these five steps to clean your refrigerator.
- Restaurants and retailers should not serve or sell any romaine lettuce, including salads and salad mixes containing romaine.
- Take actionif you have symptoms of an E. coli infection:
o Talk to your healthcare provider.
o Write down what you ate in the week before you started to get sick.
o Report your illness to the health department.
o Assist public health investigators by answering questions about your illness.


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Huawei has announced on March 7 that it is suing the government of the United States of America (USA) owing to the ban of its products the country put in place. The company has claimed that it has filed a lawsuit in the US district court in Plano, Texas. A senior executive of the company claims that the company was left with no choice other than to take legal actions against the government. It also called the ban on its devices ‘unlawful’ in a bid to justify its actions.Huawei’s Lawsuit On The US Government
In a press conference on Thursday, March 7, Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei announced its decision to file the aforementioned lawsuit. [...]
India is a largely online buyer’s market and many phone manufacturers have switched to selling online instead of investing in brick and mortar stores. Samsung has been in the number one position in terms of smartphone sales worldwide for quite some time now. But Xiaomi had taken the lead in the first quarter of 2018 in terms of India smartphone shipments market share. But now, it seems like Samsung will get a leg up in this battle with a new law that has been introduced by the government banning exclusive deals of phone manufacturers with online marketplaces.What Exactly Happened?
Most manufacturers these days such as Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo and even OnePlus use these [...]
In a move that can be construed as a move against the idea of the free internet, the Indian Government has banned the Wayback Machine. Wayback Machine is a California-based non-profit that has been archiving the World Wide Web for over 20 years now. It has archived over 300 billion web pages, and stores nearly 15TB of data. It is one of the most utilitarian sites on the web and allows users to archive pages, access archived pages for free, and also get hold of several terabytes of music, movies, books, and software that are free from copyright.
Users who tried to access the website on last Tuesday night saw a message from their ISP that read – “Your requested URL has [...]
If you still own a Samsung Galaxy Note 7, you may be deemed a risk to lives of everyone else on board. Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia and Tiger Airways, among many other have banned the use and carry of Galaxy Note 7 onboard their flights till the phone can be fixed by the South Korean manufacturer, Samsung.
Samsung has already issued a global recall of the handset, however, many hardcore Samsung Galaxy Note 7 users have retained the handset assuming no real threat exists.
Following Samsung’s product recall announcement, Samsung Galaxy Note 7 devices may not be used or charged on board Virgin Australia flights, Said a Virgin spokesperson.
Samsung PR [...]
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has spelled doom for Facebook’s Free Basics campaign by banning it from India. So much for all the voiced opinions in the last couple of weeks.
Though this is big setback for Internet.org, Mark Zuckerberg refuses to let it douse his spirits. In a post he put up earlier today, he says,
“Our work with Internet.org around the world has already improved many people’s lives. More than 19 million people in 38 countries have been connected through our different programs. Connecting India is an important goal we won’t give up on, because more than a billion people in India don’t have access to the [...]
Say hello to yet another courtroom drama between Samsung and Apple. As always, the bone of contention was patent infringement where Apple accused Samsung of having stolen features like word recommendations and unlock gestures.
Judge Lucy Koh of the Northern California District San Jose court agreed with Apple leading to banning of Samsung’s flagship devices from 2012. The list of devices now banned from sale in the US includes Samsung Admire, Galaxy Nexus, Galaxy Note, Galaxy Note II, Galaxy S II, Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch, Galaxy S II Skyrocket, Galaxy S III and Samsung Stratosphere.
The lawsuit had been stretched over a period of three years before the final [...]
Update: Within 12 hours of issuing it, the ban has been revoked. WhatsApp is working again in Brazil, for now.
Looks like it’s time to shove that smartphone aside for two days and look up from the phone screen if you’re in Brazil. The country has closed WhatsApp for 48 hours. Reasons for this have not been disclosed.
In the past, there has been much ado by Brazil’s telecommunication companies to curb interaction on WhatsApp. They claim that the free calling feature of the app is illegal and requires stricter regulations.In an attempt to distinguish itself from countries like the US, especially post the entire NSA spying scandal, Brazil had passed net [...]
New reports have suggested, that Chinese smartphone manufacturer, Xiaomi Corp is under investigation for allegedly violating China’s new advertisement law. This new law, that became effective from the 1st of September, 2015, states that the use of superlative adjectives in promoting products would be banned.
Investigation of the matter is being made on suspicion of the usage of phrases such as “the best” to describe their product. Zhu Dalin, an analyst at the Beijing based Internet Consultancy Analyses told the Economic Times :
“The new law will have a [...]
So, we have covered the whole ‘Indian government bans porn’ story and we’ve also covered the ‘Indian govt removes ban on porn’ story; but guess who else has a take on it? John Oliver!
He begins the headlines with a British-India joke and goes on to comment about how ironic it is that India – the land that created the Kama Sutra (because that’s all we’ve ever done), can actually ban porn and then revoke it.
Even though, his comments might be predictable and made from a generic knowledge of the idea of Incredible India; the video overall is quite hilarious, even as he goes on to throw in a little suggestion at the end [...]
A directive had been passed, late Friday evening, blocking around 800 porn websites. Although, the effect of this legislation may not have taken place all over the country, it is said to become active in a couple of days.
So now when one tries to access a particular porn website, an error message will show, suggesting that the Indian government had asked the Internet Service Provider (ISP) to block the site. This is the result of a PIL that is being held in the Supreme Court asking the government to block citizens from accessing pornography on the internet. In November, the government asked the Internet And Mobile Association of India to curate a list of pornography websites [...]
The Indian Government has enforced a ban on the import of mobile handsets in India which don’t carry a unique identity number. This measure is taken citing security concerns as such handsets can be untraceable.
GSM phones carry an IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number while CDMA handsets carry a ESN (Electronic Serial Number)/MEID (Mobile Equipment Identifier) which gives them a unique identity. This unique identity helps to keep a track of the device and can be used to retrieve the device following a theft.
Mobile handsets with duplicate or fake IMEI numbers can be [...]
Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi has been reportedly granted some reprieve after announcing the ban on the sale of their handsets in India last week. As per a tweet by Press Trust of India (PTI) the Delhi High Court today permitted the sale of their smartphones powered by Qualcomm chipsets till January 8 in India.
Prior to the ban, the company was selling two smartphones in the country: Redmi 1S and Redmi Note. Redmi 1s runs on a Qualcomm chipset, while Redmi Note is powered by a MediaTek processor. This release would imply that Xiaomi can sell the Redmi 1s for nearly a month. Additionally, Xiaomi had earlier planned to [...]

domain: news


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BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — Barbados is to mount a trade mission to Cuba next month as the island seeks to take advantage of the new opportunities being afforded in the Caribbean communist country, Industry Minister Donville Inniss has said.
Inniss, who met with Cuba’s Ambassador to Barbados Francisco Fernandez PeÃ±a on Tuesday, said that the mission will comprise government and private officials.
He gave no date for the visit, but added that from the month of May, Bank Breweries Limited will be seeking to export approximately one million cases of beer to Cuba.
Inniss said that apart from forging deeper economic relations with Cuba, the Freundel Stuart Administration was also eager to engage robustly in trade, and there were a number of companies ready to do business with the Spanish-speaking country.
The Cuban diplomat said that since establishing diplomatic relations in December 1972, the two countries have maintained a cordial relationship characterized by cooperation and mutual respect.


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Apple Reconfigures Supplier Factories & Acquires VR Start-Up
Apple is moving quickly to adjust to the new reality of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Bloomberg, Apple is helping its suppliers all over the globe reconfigure their factories in order to limit the spread of COVID-19.
“Our teams have also partnered with suppliers to redesign and reconfigure factory floorplans where needed and to implement flexible working hours – including staggered work shifts – to maximise interpersonal space,” Sabih Khan, Senior Vice-President of Operation at Apple, wrote in a report.
In addition, Apple confirmed to Bloomberg that it has acquired the start-up NextVR, which specialises in virtual reality (VR) broadcasting.
Also headquartered in California, NextVR is the industry leader for live streaming professional sports and music events, among other events. The company works with Major League Baseball, the NFL and the NBA.
This is a timely purchase, given that many sports events are likely be held to empty stadiums and broadcasted online.
This may also integrate with coming augmented reality (AR) Apple devices. According to The Information, Apple plans on releasing its first AR headset in 2022 and its first pair of AR glasses in 2023. These pipeline products may well offer some VR capabilities.


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Metallica "Orion" Performance From California "Big Four" Event Posted Online
Band Photo: Metallica (?)
Video footage has been posted online featuring Metallica performing "Orion" at its recent Californian "Big Four" concert. You can view the footage in the player below.
Please share this article if you found it interesting.
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It could be any hotspot in San Francisco after work -- but the patrons of one South of Market coffee shop are part of a bigger movement.
They call it a carrot mob.
Consumers mob the place and in exchange the business promises to be more socially responsible.
Carrot Mob is the creation of San Francisco-based Virgance founders Steve Newcomb and Brent Schulkin.
The idea -- dangle a financial "carrot" in front of businesses to reward them doing more.
"We are a network of consumers that want to use our collective buying power that actually creates financial incentives that changes businesses and makes businesses more socially responsible," Schulkin said.
Their first Carrot Mob in was in San Francisco last spring.
"What we saw after that first event was that it worked, and the video of this event when far and wide and it became really popular," Schulkin said.
Last month, San Francisco's Epicenter Cafe hosted a Carrot Mob. For several hours they opened their doors; people lined up and the cash registers kept ringing.
Owners Chris Quaintance and Mark Harris promised to use the money made from the Carrot Mob to take steps to make their cafe more environmentally friendly. They are considering upgrading the heating and air system, reducing waste and using bio-degradable utensils.
"I think Carrot Mob will hopefully give us the type of exposure and revenue stream that will allow us to do those projects, that are hard to do for a small businesses, but you know, with some help we can easily do it," Harris said.
"When we start to make some more responsible choices, the word spreads, and I think that's the whole point of the Carrot Mob is, 'Hey, these guys are doing the right thing, let's patronize them,'" Quaintance said.
Organizers say it is activism for the social media age.
"People are accustomed to thinking of activism as a very negative way, they are used to seeing rallies and people on the streets, and we have such big challenges facing us globally right now that we need to come up with some new methods and carrot mob is one of those methods," Schulkin said.
"I think it's great a concept because you are really doing the anti-boycott; instead of boycotting a business you are really supporting it, showing the businesses around here that we want this kind of sustainable renewable growth," participant Ali Ross said.
Carrot Mobs have popped up around the Bay Area, the U.S. and Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland.
"Our dream is to one day, one day Carrot Mob entire national companies against each other; imagine Coke versus Pepsi -- who can change the most, imagine Walmart versus Target -- who can change the most," Newcomb said.
There is another Carrot Mob planned in San Francisco this month.
LINK: Find out how to participate in the next Carrot Mob
Follow Carrot Mob on Twitter
Written and produced by Ken Miguel
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Apple iPad Air
Apple has a new iPad Air that gets the iPad Pro makeover
Apple has updated their iPad lineup with a new regular 8th gen iPad and also a refresh of the iPad Air. The new iPad Air has gone through ......
Apple unveils the new iPads: Here's what you need to know about iPad Air and iPad mini
To start off the week Apple revamped their iPad lineup with two new models. Neither the iPad Air (pictured below) or the iPad (pictured above) ......
Samsung unveils Galaxy Tab S devices as light as Air
Samsung has revealed their ninth and tenth tablets of the year so far, the Galaxy Tab S available as an 8.4-inch model and a 10.5-inch model.
Apple releases iPad Air, Mini with TD-LTE for China
Apple has released models of their iPad Air and iPad Mini with Retina Display with TD-LTE support for the Chinese market.
IHS: iPad Air base model costs $274 to build
According to a teardown by research firm IHS, Apple has managed to build its new iPad Air with even less cost than previous models.
Apple rebrands full sized iPad as iPad Air, now much thinner and lighter
Apple unveiled their latest full-sized iPad today, the newly branded iPad Air.


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India has become the 13th country in the world to issue an internationally accepted OIML certificate. It is an intergovernmental organization which was established in 1955. Domestic manufacturers will now be able to get their weighing & measuring instruments tested and sell their items in international markets.
It has 63 Member States and 64 corresponding members. India has now become an authority for issuing OIML certificates for selling weights & measures anywhere in the world. To sell a weight or measure in the international market, a pattern approval certificate is mandatory, which the Department of Consumer Affairs can issue now.
Moreover, secretary (Consumer Affairs), Rohit Kumar Singh, shared this significant achievement with the press during a conference, where a presentation and video were presented to illustrate the importance of this accomplishment.
Paul Dixon, Executive Secretary, OIML-CS, also joined from the OIML’s Paris headquarters for the briefing. He also reaffirmed India’s role as an OIML Certificates Issuing Authority and assured continued cooperation.
Moreover, India follows recommendations and procedures of testing and calibration of weights and measures. The reports prepared by the Legal Metrology’s Regional Reference Standards Laboratories are now acceptable to the authorities. Now, India is an authority for issuing OIML pattern approval certificates and can act as a support system for indigenous manufacturers.
Benefits of OIML Certificate
Indian manufacturers can now export their weighing and measuring instruments worldwide without incurring additional testing fees, resulting in significant cost savings.
Furthermore, India can also support foreign manufacturers by issuing pattern approval certificates from the certified RRSLs. By issuing the OIML certificates of weighing & measuring instruments to foreign manufacturers, India will also generate forex in terms of fees, etc.
As a result, India may now influence the policies and provide input to the strategy. This system allows certificates issued by issuing authorities in the member states to be accepted by other participants as the basis for issuing national or regional-type approvals for measuring instruments.
Also, the other OIML Members can thus issue national-type approval certificates without the need for expensive test facilities by relying on these certificates.
India now joins an exclusive group of nations. The group includes Australia, Switzerland, China, the Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, France, the United Kingdom, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Slovakia. India joined as the 13th country worldwide, authorized to issue OIML approval certificates.
Bharat becomes 13th country to issue Internationally Accepted OIML (International Organization of Legal Metrology) Certificates Domestic manufacturers can now get their weighing & measuring instrument tested in Bharat and sell globally.— LAKSHMIBHEEMESH (@lakshmibheemesh) September 14, 2023
Read here: https://t.co/Awf1trYK43
Read more Government stories here


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The new trend in smartphone design is: Screw it! We’ve run out of ideas so, let’s just make it big. Everyone will see that our phone is clearly different because it is so damn big! It will have to hang off people’s backs so other people will see our phone, our brand, and it will be really big. Right there, in their faces.
We will not be ignored. End of missive from smartphone marketing department head, Dickie Little.
Let’s be honest, Nokia is obviously suffering from some sort of penile shame because first, they went and made their Nokia Lumia phone into the most humongous camera phone out there, and now, they’re taking Lumia up to 6-inch screen sizes, or so it seems according to these images from ICT and picked up by The Verge (the original Chinese image of the has disappeared from the Interwebs):
Nokia is planning a big-screen Windows Phone for release later this year. Sources familiar with Nokia’s plans have revealed to The Verge that the company is currently testing a 6-inch device with the latest version of Windows Phone. Codenamed “Bandit,” the handset includes a 1080p display and a Qualcomm Snapdragon quad-core processor. We understand that Bandit will be the first of many planned 1080p Windows Phone devices.
We’re told that the Bandit will ship with a rear camera that is at least 20-megapixels, and a slight hump at the rear of the device (similar to the Lumia 925) to accommodate the camera. We understand the Bandit is thin and lightweight, and includes a polycarbonate body. Microsoft is currently improving Windows Phone to support devices like the Bandit, with extra changes for 1080p displays, and an additional column of Live Tiles on the Start screen. The latest Windows Phone update, GDR3, also includes rotation lock, a Driving Mode option, and some minor UI changes.
No word on whether the Nokia Bandit will come in champagne or gold, or whether you can customize it online before you buy, or whether it will actually make a Windows phone more palatable to anyone other than your grandma.


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A middle school in Rockford, Mich., has...
British consumers seem like they cannot get enough of designer bottled water. Mineral water has become the fastest growth sector of the UK’s soft drinks market, with annual consumption rising to more than 1.6 billion litres a year, taking sales close to the £1 billion barrier for the first time. Industry experts predict that sales will rise to five billion litres by 2020.
Liz Breckenridge, the marketing manager for Highland Spring, said: "There has been a real change in lifestyle, with more people going to the gym, where they need water, and people looking for an alternative to alcohol or extremely sweet canned drinks. There has also been a significant growth in the awareness of consumers of the amount of water they should be drinking. They know that it is important to be drinking at least eight glasses a day."
Highland Spring, based in Auchterarder, Perthshire, is second only to the massive French company, Perrier, in the market for sparkling water in the UK, with 9 percent of the market, and third behind Evian and Volvic in the still sector with 7 percent.
A survey for the trade magazine, the Grocer, found that almost £900 million was spent on bottled water in 2001, with the sector growing in value by more than 16 percent as more households added it to their shopping list.
A spokesman for the Grocer said: "With people prepared to pay handsomely for it, bottled water continues to be the rising star in the soft drinks arena, with predictions it will storm past £1 billion sales in 2002."
According to a survey from Highland Spring, conducted in 2000, British consumers voted Scotland as the source of the purest natural mineral water, with France in second place, followed by Wales, England and Ireland.
Big sellers include Strathclyde, Caledonian Clear, Gleneagles, Findlays and Highland Spring, that all have refreshed their packaging, including tartan designs, to promote their Scottish heritage.
Several years ago, the idea of paying for water would have seemed laughable, but the remarkable success of bottled water is now a fact of life. Worries about health and the purity of food and drink are among the factors pushing up sales of bottled water, according to Zenith International, a market research company which focuses on the soft drink market.
Gary Roethenbaugh, the company’s research director, said: "People are much more aware of the health messages connected to hydration, and as water is increasingly packaged in a more user-friendly way - for example, the use of sports caps - those who buy water will buy more."
The increased availability of water has also helped sales to soar. Shops, garages, health clubs, leisure centres and, crucially, work places all stock a variety of brands and products.
However, just a third of all adults consume bottled water, with consumers in the 15 to 24 age group the most likely to drink it.
Despite the fact that consumers can buy tap water for less than 1p a litre, the bottled water phenomenon has continued to grow, with women less likely than men to be satisfied with the quality of tap water.
Those in the south of England and in Scotland are most likely to be happy with the taste of their tap water, with Londoners and those living in the East Anglia/Midlands area reporting the least satisfaction.
The latter two regions have a slightly higher percentage of consumers (London with 12 percent and East Anglia/Midlands with 16 percent) who buy bottled water because they regard the quality of tap water in their area to be poor.


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120 staff affected in closure of Sheffield’s Go Outdoors head office
The Sheffield-based head office of a firm that sells outdoor clothing and camping equipment is to close, it has been confirmed.
The Go Outdoors HQ – at Cuthbert House on Arley Street on the edge of the city centre – will shut at the end of February.
More than 100 affected staff are being given the option to transfer to Bury in Greater Manchester, where head office services will be based alongside the rest of the JD Sports Group, which bought Go Outdoors in 2016 and also owns Blacks, a retailer with a very similar offering.
A spokesman for JD said: “The group recently carried out a comprehensive consultation process to explore potential synergies between Blacks Outdoor Retail Limited and Go Outdoors Limited.
“After careful consideration of all available options, we can confirm that the Go Outdoors Head Office functions will be migrating to the Group’s Head Office site in Bury at the end of February 2020.
“The office will remain open throughout this period and affected colleagues have until the end of February to decide if they would like to transfer their roles to the Bury office. A number of colleagues have already stated their intention to do so.
“The recently refurbished Go Outdoors store and customer services team in Sheffield are not affected by these changes.”
There are around 120 staff in the Sheffield head office.
Go Outdoors has 65 stores nationally, and in April it launched a 353,000 sq ft distribution centre in Middlewich, Cheshire.
The chain is rolling out a new format for its high street shops, and has also begun refitting its bigger outlets, starting with those in Wigan and Stockport.
JD Sports purchased Go Outdoors for £112.3 million from its former private equity owners YFM Equity Partners and 3i Group. The Competition and Markets Authority cleared the deal in 2017.
Go Outdoors started as Sheffield's Camping and Caravanning Centre in 1969.
John Graham and Paul Caplan bought CCC in 1998. YFM backed the management buyout, and 3i invested £28 million in the company in 2011.


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Best Buy names company veteran CEO
Consumer electronic retailer Best Buy has named Brian Dunn, the company's president and COO, as CEO effective June 24.
Dunn, 48, will succeed Bradbury Anderson, 59, vice chairman and CEO, who will retire as CEO in June. Dunn, who began with the company in 1985, also will be appointed to the company's board of directors.
In his current position, Dunn is credited with driving the company's domestic business to new highs in terms of market share, employee retention, vendor relationships and customer satisfaction scores, as well as with launching the company's northeast territory.
He was named president and COO in 2006.
“Brian has demonstrated a rare ability to connect with people and inspire them to work together to accomplish extraordinary things,” said Richard Schulze, chairman of Best Buy, in a statement. He is “a product of — and a steward of — a unique culture at Best Buy that continues to drive the company's performance.”


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Here's your chance to get some great tacos and help out those still suffering from the effects of Hurricane Laura in Lake Charles. Torchy's Tacos, 3658 Nicholson Drive, is hosting "Spirit Night" fundraisers Sept. 28-29 and Oct. 5-6.
On those days, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., 15% of the restaurant's sales will be donated to the American Red Cross for Hurricane Laura Relief in the Lake Charles community. Mention that you're there to support Lake Charles.
For more information, call (504) 376-7569 or email Emily.firstname.lastname@example.org.
Ezell selected for Beard program
Michele Ezell, managing partner of Tsunami Sushi, has been selected to join the 2020 class of the James Beard Foundation Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Program. Ezell was chosen from 120 applicants to be one of 25 chefs, owners, experts and funders focused on increasing the number of women-owned businesses. She will participate in a yearlong program of training and an educational program developed in partnership with Babson College.
Locally crafted beer at Walmart
Walmart recently expanded its craft beer assortment, supporting local breweries across the country, including Parish Brewing Co. in Broussard.
Shoppers in Baton Rouge can now find the brewery's Canebrake Wheat Ale, Strawberry Canebrake, Envie Pale Ale, Ghost in the Machine, Parish Pilsner, Pure Tropics IPA, South Coast Amber Ale and Reve Coffee Stout on shelves in Walmart stores. For more information, visit parishbeer.com.
Halloween wine dinner
Register now for The Trademark on Third's (326 Third St.) Halloween Wine Dinner from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 29, featuring a dinner by Blend Wine Bar and wines by Prisoner Wine Co. Costumes are encouraged but not required.
Tickets are $95 at pwcwinedinner.eventbrite.com.
Helping out LASM
Mention the Louisiana Art & Science Museum while dining at one of the Group Hospitality Restaurants between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Sept. 25, and they will donate 10% of the sales to the museum. The restaurants are City Pork Brasserie & Bar, 7327 Jefferson Highway; Rouj Creole, 7601 Bluebonnet Blvd.; and City Slice Pints & Pizza, 124 W. Chimes St.
Sept. 25 is the date of the museum's 35th annual gala, H20, which will be celebrated online this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. The 10% donation will be made on both dine-in and take-out orders.
For more information, visit lasm.org.
Wine dinner at Alexander's Market
Registration is open for a Prisoner Wine Dinner at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at Alexander's Highland Market, 18111 Highland Market Drive.
The dinner will consist of a six-course meal featuring Snitch chardonnay, Eternally Silenced pinot noir, Prisoner Red, Cuttings cabernet sauvignon, Thorn merlot and Saldo zinfandel.
Tickets are $75 at alexandersmkt.com/shop/special_events/wine_dinner/p/1564405684702629721.


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Samsung Electronics confirmed Thursday that it’s releasing another foldable smartphone this year with a different design from its previous model, despite the rocky start the company had with this new style of handset.
“Currently we are focusing on launching the new foldable model of a new form factor and also focusing on further enhancing the level of completeness of the product in terms of the display, the design and the UX (user experience),” an executive said on the company’s fourth-quarter earnings call on Thursday.
The South Korean technology giant unveiled the Galaxy Fold, its first foldable phone last year. It was initially supposed to launch in April but kept breaking for some users. Samsung fixed the problems with the device and ended up launching it later in the year with a hefty price tag of $1,980.
Despite the problems with the Galaxy Fold, Samsung still feels that foldables are an important product.
“The foldable phone has actually opened a new category of a super premium product that’s differentiated from the existing smartphone offerings and we believe that going forward the foldable phone will become a main category in the overall mobile market,” the executive said.
Samsung did not elaborate on the price or the design of the new phone. But in October, at its developers conference, it released a video showing a couple of different concepts. One is a phone that opens outwards like its existing Galaxy Fold. The second is a sort-of “clamshell” design that opens upwards. It is similar to the way a user opens the Motorola Razr foldable device which was revived last year.
When contacted by CNBC, a Samsung spokesperson said it could not comment further beyond the earnings report.
A number of leaks over the past few months have suggested that Samsung is going forward with this design. A recent report from technology website WinFuture suggested the device could be called the Galaxy Z Flip and feature the clamshell-like design. None of these leaks have been verified by CNBC.
Samsung’s mobile division posted an 8% year-on-year rise in sales for the fourth quarter but it is facing tougher competition. Apple overtook Samsung in terms of smartphone shipment volumes in the fourth quarter. The South Korean firm is looking at foldables as a way to boost growth and is increasing production capacity for such devices.
Samsung Galaxy Unpacked, the company’s big unveiling event, is scheduled for February 11. At this event, Samsung usually unveils the next device in its flagship S Series. It’s unclear if it will also take the wraps off the new foldable handset.
“It’s difficult at this point of the year to share with you more specific sales volume exceptions, but we are also at the same time as preparing the new product … increasing our capacity for production of foldable products and we hope to supply foldable products to more customers this year,” a Samsung executive said.
‘Elden Ring’ Reveals Free PvP Colosseum Update, Hopefully Ahead Of DLC Announcement – Forbes
FromSoftware has just released a new trailer for an upcoming free update to Elden Ring that drops tomorrow, Wednesday December 7.
It’s a PvP-focused update to the game which will herd players into battles into the many colosseums doting the map, hence why it’s called the “Colosseum Update.” They just released a new trailer for it, which you can see below:
According to the official press release about the addition, we have some confirmation on what exactly the modes are that will be added:
“The Colosseums of Limgrave, Leyndell and Caelid will open their gates, allowing players to engage in battles such as duels, free-for-alls and team fights.”
In the trailer, we see a traditional 1v1 battle at the start, but it progresses to players fighting each other’s summons, and then finally a 3v3 team fight battle which is well beyond anything the game is currently capable of now.
Elden Ring has spent many months balancing all of its magic and weapon skills in an effort to try to create more parity in PvP, which has turned out to be a significant part of the game, and the core of the game’s endgame once you’ve done everything in PvE.
There is a theory that I personally subscribe to, that FromSoft is revealing this PvP update now and launching it tomorrow so it will not get drowned out by a potential announcement this Thursday at The Game Awards. There are rumblings, and fervent prayers, that this would be the stage in which they would finally announce sizable, PvE DLC for Elden Ring. We are well, well behind the pacing of past DLC announcements from FromSoft games, given that Elden Ring came out almost ten months ago now, but it’s obviously a bigger game than past ones. Elden Ring DLC repeatedly is brought up as the “World Premiere” at The Game Awards that everyone is hoping to see, and these days, with the demise of E3, it’s pretty much the biggest place in the industry to debut things, outside of first party PlayStation and Xbox showcases.
That’s the hope anyway, but the concrete facts right now are just that this PvP update will come tomorrow, so get your builds ready and find some teammates in order to take on the toughest PvP challenges in the game yet. Should be a lot of fun.
After Backlash, Overwatch 2's New Tank Will Be Easier To Unlock For Free – Kotaku
On Twitter, Overwatch 2 game director Aaron Keller tweeted that Blizzard had reviewed data from Season 1 and decided to move Ramattra from tier 55 to tier 45 in the battle pass. And some challenges will be made “easier” to complete.
“Hey, all! Quick update on some changes coming to Season 2,” said Keller. “After reviewing data for Season 1, we’re moving Ramattra into Tier 45 of the Battle Pass and making a few more weekly challenges easier to complete. Excited for you all to see everything new in Season 2 starting tomorrow!”
This is part of Blizzard’s ongoing efforts to make progression in the shooter “more rewarding.” Of course on Twitter, players were mixed. While many seemed happy about the change, others were still upset that the hero was locked behind such a high tier of the pass, suggesting a lower tier would be better.
Now, it should be noted that unlike in the original Overwatch—which added all characters for free for all players with no restrictions—Ramattra will still be locked behind a paywall unless you grind. But at least now the grind will be less terrible and once you hit 45 you can stop focusing on challenges and the battle pass and just enjoy your new character. Well, unless Blizzard removes him like Mei or Bastion for a few weeks.
Witcher 3’s Free DLC Update Doesn’t Have A Switch Release Date Yet
Next week sees the arrival of The Witcher 3‘s “next-gen” update across multiple platforms, but new information suggests it won’t be coming to the Nintendo Switch on the same date.
Our friends at Eurogamer caught up with CD Projekt Red ahead of the free update’s release, and apparently, there’s “no specific release date yet” for the Nintendo Switch version of the game. All that’s known is it will arrive “later than 14th December”.
Witcher 3 next-gen update producer Ryu Underhill mentioned how the team was “working hard to bring it to [Switch] players” as soon as possible, and more information will be shared in the near future.
When the Switch version of this update does arrive, players can expect the “same fixes and additional content” as other platforms like Xbox One and PlayStation 4. The Switch will also receive cloud-save and cross-progression features, as well as the new Netflix DLC. This new quest will last for about “half-an-hour”, according to Eurogamer:
“…it’s about half-an-hour’s worth, plus a bit more for a follow-up step. It was flagged as level 15…”
Obviously, the Switch update will not include “next-gen features such as visuals/technical/gameplay improvements, modes” or “other additions” exclusive to next-generation platforms.
Via Eurogamer: “The Witcher Netflix DLC is a new scavenger hunt-style quest that takes place inside The Devil’s Pit in Velen. The Devil’s Pit is the place you find yourself immediately after leaving the starter zone of White Orchard. It’s that big, circular, wooden-fence-ringed place where nothing seems to actually happen. Currently, there are only some humanoid enemies in there, and the big door to the mine is closed. This DLC opens those doors.”
You can see more of this next-generation update in our previous Witcher 3 coverage:
Are you looking forward to trying out this update? Comment below.
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Intu Milton Keynes mall expansion gets green light
Shopping centre owner Intu is moving forward with the next phase of the proposed Intu Milton Keynes extension after receiving approval by the secretary of state this week.
The scheme will be one of the most significant retail and leisure development projects in Central Milton Keynes in over a decade.
Intu plans to add 100,000 sq ft to the prime 430,000 sq ft shopping centre to create a new dining quarter over two levels and a five-screen boutique cinema. This includes the space in and around Oak Court and Midsummer Boulevard, which will be remodelled to provide “a welcoming environment and enhanced ambience.”
“We’re delighted that our proposals have been supported by the Secretary of State. This will allow us to move forward with our plans to provide an outstanding city centre public space for Milton Keynes,” said development director Martin Breeden.
The centre boasts top retail brands such as Victoria’s Secret, Apple, H&M, Hugo Boss, Superdry and Zara, and attracts 16 million visitors each year.
The redevelopment will make sure the mall “punches its weight in terms of attracting the best brands and maximising its potential for people to spend their free time,” said Breeden.
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According to several sources, including figures from MKG Consulting data base, a significant number of domestic and international tourists flocked to London to join Platinum Jubilee’s celebrations. The Queen celebrates 70 years on the throne on 2022, and this beloved character was a real touristic attraction during this special weekend.
To celebrate this unprecedented anniversary, many events and initiatives took place throughout this year, culminating in a four-day UK bank holiday weekend from Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th June. Indeed, Queen Elisabeth II became the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee on 6th February this year. This extended weekend allows thousands of British people to travel within their own country, specially to London where all main events were, but also attract thousands of foreign travelers wanting to join the festivities. On the agenda, we can mention the Trooping the Colour, Platinum Party at the Palace, and the Platinum Jubilee Pageant that will bring locals and tourists together.
The weight of domestic tourism
VisitEngland launched a survey, “Platinum Jubilee Weekend Trip Tracker”, to collect data and find out what British people were planning for this special occasion. The striking figure is the number of people who planned a domestic break for Platinum Jubilee weekend. 14% of adults in Britain “definitely” plan to take an overnight trip over the extended Platinum Jubilee weekend at home or abroad, with a further 18% undecided.
Among those who “definitely” or “might” take a trip over the bank holiday weekend, 51% state that this will be for a holiday or short break, while for 47% this will be to visit friends or relatives. 26% plan to go to London for the UK overnight trip, 20% to South West and 14% to South East. About 5.3 million Brits are definitely planning an overnight holiday break in the UK during this time, bringing an estimated £1.2 billion boost to the economy.
Among all respondents, 36% have plans to take part in Jubilee celebrations, 11% plan to attend a street party or “Big Lunch” event and 11% plan to go for a lunch with friends or relatives and 7% plan to attend another local event. These figures show the importance of this anniversary because compared to Diamond Jubilee weekend, the rate of people planning to attend a street party or “Big Lunch” event has increased by 4%. In addition, 23% of respondents were still to decide. Looking at those intending to take an overnight domestic break for the extended Bank Holiday weekend, the top destination type is “city or large town”, including London obviously, followed by “coastal town”.
The upcoming Bank Holiday is a fantastic opportunity for an extra special short-break at home or a day-out, enjoying the once-in-a-lifetime celebrations and show-stopping events for the historic Platinum Jubilee. From afternoon teas and street parties to beacon lighting ceremonies, pageants and parades, people are set to celebrate with friends and neighbours in royal style. […] The long weekend is also set to bring a much-needed boost to the industry and destinations as the summer season gets underway and our outstanding tourism businesses will be very pleased to welcome you back.
Patricia Yates, CEO of VisitEngland
The come back of international travelers
According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) visitors from overseas are pouring into the United Kingdom to join these celebrations. The number of arriving tourists from key overseas markets and leading Commonwealth countries, such as Singapore, Australia and Canada are all up this week compared to last week by 19%, 6% and 2% respectively. While visitors spend had fallen to £3.9 billion in 2021 due to the impact of the pandemic, they are expected to be in line with those recorded before the crisis.
UKinbound, the inbound tourism body, pointed out that the country is expected to welcome 21.2 million international visitors in 2022, who are projected to spend £16.9 billion. These figures are 52% and 59% of 2019 respectively. International bookings and visitors to the United Kingdom between April and June 2022 are expected to be the same or higher than pre-pandemic for one in three businesses, an activity’s revival notably driven by this exceptional weekend.
The four-day break is expected to draw in 2.6 million domestic and international visitors to the center of the capital. Keys show also that arrivals from the United States, Britain’s most valuable inbound tourism market, have soared to 88% of pre-pandemic levels for this week, sharply up from 79% in early May. According to Lana Bennett, chief of inbound operator Tours International, “the Platinum Jubilee has come at exactly the right time for UK tourism”. Indeed, this big event “rejuvenated the industry”.
Forecasters have predicted an 8% increase in retail sales this week, adding about £80 million to the £1 billion of spending usually seen in London in a typical week. On top of that, bars, restaurants, and pubs are expected to take in close to £20 million. However, 55% of businesses predict that revenue during this same period will be lower than pre-pandemic, by an average of 49%. Even if revenues do not reach pre-pandemic level, they nevertheless indicate a permanent recovery of the tourist activity.
This joyous event will provide a vital and welcoming boost to the UK’s tourism industry and businesses up and down the country. Many of my members are preparing to welcome international visitors from across the world, who are making a special visit to the UK during the Jubilee period. […] Promoting Britain abroad and emphasizing the amazing heritage, culture, and experiences available across all four nations, and ensuring we provide visitors with a warm welcome, has never been more important. We need to work hard to convince the international community that the UK is a fantastic place to visit in 2022 and beyond.
Joss Croft, chief executive at UKinbound
An opportunity to put the country back on the tourist map
The pandemic has deeply affected the British tourism economy as VisitBritain underlines it. It has estimated the loss to the economy in domestic tourism spending in Britain, in 2020 and 2021 combined, to be £97.1 billion, and the loss from inbound tourism to the United Kingdom to be £50 billion. The special event that represents the Platinum Jubilee is therefore the perfect occasion to relaunch the tourism activity by putting the destination in the spotlight.
Visit London seized this opportunity with the launch of its biggest ever international tourism campaign in May 2022. The “Let’s Do London” campaign invites people from around the world to choose London as their bucket list destination in 2022 by welcoming them to these celebrations and beyond. In addition, the tourism organization helped visitors to create their perfect “perfect Jubilee itinerary” by picking of the best activities to do during this extended weekend. Visitors could choose between a large selection of activities and events, such as Brigit's Bakery’s Platinum Jubilee Tour, the Tower of London’s Superbloom, Platinum Picnic in the Park, or the Platinum Jubilee Street Party in Chinatown.
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is a once in a lifetime moment and will certainly provide a major boost for London’s tourism industry this year. We know that one of the main reasons international visitors come to London is to experience our unique Royal offer. From our historic Royal Palaces and parks to the numerous Jubilee themed exhibitions this year, no city does Royal pomp and ceremony like London. […] We are very excited to launch our Let’s Do London international campaign in the run up to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. There has never been a better time to visit London as our festivals and events return to the city this summer, with lots of special events planned for the Jubilee. From ABBA Voyage and new theatre shows, to the Women’s EUROs and food festivals, there is something for everyone in London this summer.
Laura Citron, CEO of Visit London
Visitors were in attendance, as evidenced by London’s hotels occupancy rates shared by MKG Consulting. These rates rocketed during this extended weekend, reaching almost 80% for the night of June 14th. Days before the Platinum Jubilee display a rate around 60%, testifying to the role that this particular weekend played in the destination's hotel operator performance. Over the three days of the celebrations, occupancy rate was about 75%. This figure confirms the recovery of the tourism sector in United Kingdom in 2022 and suggests that the coming summer season should mark the destination's return to the forefront of the international tourism scene.
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PR Newswire Asia, 6/21/11
Chinese online real estate service provider China Real Estate Information Corporation (Nasdaq: CRIC) and Chinese online search giant Baidu (Nasdaq: BIDU) have entered into a new strategic partnership.
Under the agreement, CRIC will become Baidu's premier strategic online real estate partner and will have the exclusive right to sell Baidu's Brand Link keyword advertising product to real estate industry advertising clients for the next three years. In addition, the two companies will continue their previous cooperation in several other Baidu products, including Baidu Website Promotion, Baidupedia, Baidu Knows and Baidu Maps, to further expand the search-based online advertising market for the real estate industry.
The new agreement expands the agreements previously entered in 2010. In February of 2010, the two companies signed cooperation agreements for a series of Baidu web products. Further, in May of 2010, CRIC obtained the exclusive right to build and operate Baidu's online real estate channels for the following four years. Starting in August of 2010, CRIC successfully built and launched Baidu's Leju online real estate channels for new homes, secondhand properties, and rentals. CRIC will continue launching additional online real estate related channels on Baidu.com, including the Baidu Leju home furnishing channel, under the 2010 agreements.
The expanded strategic agreement will take effect in August 2011. Under the terms of the agreement, CRIC will pay Baidu a total of RMB 180 mln over the three-year term (RMB 40 mln in the first year, RMB 60 mln in the second year and RMB 80 mln in the third year), in addition to RMB 200 mln over four years under the 2010 agreements. These agreements will give CRIC the exclusive right to sell Baidu's real estate Brand Link product to all real estate developers in China during the contract period. CRIC will continue building and operating the Baidu real estate and home furnishing related channels. CRIC will retain all associated revenues from these agreements.


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MANILA— Filipinos who are in the creative industry will soon have their own hub inside the walled city of Intramuros as the Philippine government moves to establish the country’s first “creative economy hub.”
“The creative economy hub, we will start it this year so as to further attract the youth to come to visit Intramuros,” Tourism chief Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said in a recent interview.
“In this hub, we will host artists, all those into the arts and creatives. We will build them quarters in Intramuros, all Filipinos,” she added.
Romulo-Puyat said the Maestranza Complex, which will serve as the first creative hub in the Philippines, would be akin to the TechnoHub in Quezon City except the target is the country’s creative sector.
“This will be a hub where they can stay, we will have a coffee shop, we’re thinking bed and breakfast also, like the TechnoHub. It will be all over the country, there will be a creative economy hub, the first will be in Manila,” she said.
The Maestranza Complex has chambers that used to be a storehouse and barracks for soldiers in the 1500s before these were destroyed during World War II.
The idea to turn it into a creatives quarters was initiated by the Intramuros Administration, an attached agency of the DOT, and the Creative Economy Council of the Philippines.
The creative economy spans several disciplines, which include music, performing arts including dance and theater, handicrafts, architecture, visual arts, graphic arts, cartoon animation, literature, fashion, furniture, and interior design, film, digital inventions including computer games, television production, publishing, and advertising.
Earlier, the National Economic and Development Authority said establishing more creative hubs in the country will not only boost the creative industries but also spur the country’s economic growth. – Joyce Ann L. Rocamora | PNA


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Profitability hit a four year high figure for Apollo Tyres in the quarter
posted a better-than-expected performance in the September quarter (Q2) led by strong volume growth across segments and margin gains. In addition to double-digit growth in the replacement market, recovery in demand from auto makers (OEMs) and market share gains helped the company post an eight per cent year-on-year (YoY) growth in revenues. Revenue growth in Q1 was down 34 per cent YoY.
In the India market (68 per cent of consolidated revenues), its replacement volumes in truck, bus and passenger vehicles were its highest ever for September. Tyre volumes for heavy vehicles were subdued earlier due to the change in axle load regulations, transition to Bharat Stage-VI emission norms, and Covid-19 pandemic, but have picked up given the increase in movement of goods, mining activity and rising freight rates. Truck and bus tyres account for 60 per cent of India revenues.
In the passenger vehicle segment, the company has said it gained 500 basis points market share in the first five months of the financial year given import restrictions, demand improvement as consumers have shifted to personal mode of transport (instead of public transport) and network expansion, especially rural touch points. The company expects to sustain volume growth in December and March quarters.
In addition to demand recovery, what stood out were margin gains. Profitability hit a four-year high of 16.2 per cent and was up 540 bps over the year-ago quarter. In addition to top line growth, margin gains were led by lower raw material costs, better product mix and cost containment measures. On the cost reduction front, the company was able to reduce fixed costs by 15 per cent in the first half of FY21 with gains from rentals, revision in supplier contracts, travel costs and digital launches. However, its ability to maintain margins will depend on its ability to pass on higher costs due to raw material inflation and rise in other costs post unlock.
While the company indicated that return ratios should move up on the back of lower capex intensity, lower debt, volume and market share gains across segments and markets, a second wave of Covid-19 infections could derail recovery. Investors could look at an investment if the volume growth trend sustains.


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Budgets inform decision-making (keep awake, dear reader, it gets better.)
The budget adage applies just as much to the public sector as the private. Public interest erodes whenever consumer protection gets reined in (even a slight bit) to avoid putting Washington taxpayers on the hook.
Since the inception of Washington’s Consumer Protection Act in 1961, the state Attorney General’s Office has been liable for attorneys’ fees when a judgment in a government enforcement action doesn’t swing its way. The policy makes public-interest sense in suits deemed frivolous or involving small businesses. But what about enforcement with the big dogs?
That’s the conundrum — Washington’s institutional disincentive to tackle certain complaints against deep-pocketed defendants who’ve racked up exorbitant legal fees.
Washington is one of only two states in the country that shove the burden on taxpayers. It makes for an unacceptable liability, influencing the nature of what consumer cases to pursue.
The AG’s office still goes after the big dogs that engage in deceptive or unfair practices, but it sometimes tip-toes from large suits when there’s a slight risk of losing.
Push the envelope with a big corporation that might be defrauding Washington consumers? The answer should be yes, but the reality is an ambiguous, “on-the-the-other-hand” maybe.
One of the more galling illustrations is the 2006 case of State v. Pacific Health Center, Inc.
The case appeared to be a slam dunk: A physician was practicing medicine without a license. Not surprisingly, the state won in trial. Then the Appeals Court determined that practicing medicine without a license didn’t meet the technical definition of consumer fraud. As the Attorney General’s Office notes, is was a technical victory on a sole claim by a defendant.
As a result, the state (read: Washington taxpayers) got stuck with the bogus doctor’s attorneys’ fees to the tune of $420,000.
Then-Attorney General Rob McKenna had had enough and resolved to curtail the state’s liability. McKenna’s 2011 agency-request legislation would have aligned Washington law with 48 other states. Not surprisingly, big business interests hold sway in Olympia, and the bill was deep-sixed. It was a major disappointment for the AG’s talented consumer protection division.
In 2014, AG Bob Ferguson is revisiting the question with his own request legislation.
“Unlike virtually every other state, Washington’s current law puts tax dollars at risk,” Ferguson said. “My proposed legislation will level the playing field for consumers by removing the requirement that the state pay attorneys’ fees.”
The litmus test of any law is whether it’s in the public interest. This couldn’t be clearer.
In 2014, legislators need to put consumers first.


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Alice Wong on Facebook
Information on Birth Tourism petition (e-397)
Make a statement in the House of Commons!
Richmond Centre Electoral District
On March 20, 2017, Alice Wong asked a question during Question Period. The topic was on Small Business.
The following is a transcript:
Hon. Alice Wong (Richmond Centre, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has said that small businesses are just there to help rich people avoid taxes. Clearly, he has never met the hard-working entrepreneurs who actually own small businesses across our nation. It seems he will continue the attack on these middle-class families in the upcoming budget.
When will the Prime Minister end his attack on small businesses?
Hon. Bardish Chagger (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism, Lib.):
Mr. Speaker, this government recognizes the important work that small business owners do and the contributions they make to our economy. Our endeavour will always be to help them be more productive, more innovative, and export oriented.
This government will continue to take a whole-of-government approach to ensure that we open up markets for 99% of businesses, which are small businesses. We will continue to work very hard for them.


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Learn how to market with the modern consumer’s wants and needs in mind at Commerceweek, July 11–12, with brand leaders from Visa, Uber, TikTok and more. Sign up now to save 35%.
Buy now, pay later (BNPL) companies that offer interest-free payments on big-ticket purchases have seen an increase in popularity since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic as millennial and Gen Z consumers use them as an alternative to credit cards when shopping online.
New data from BNPL platform Klarna shows growth has only spiked during the key holiday shopping occasions of Cyber Monday and Black Friday.
The Swedish financial services company saw a 129% increase in U.S.


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Ford ‘relaunches classic Capri’: iconic 1970s ‘working Porsche’ still loved by celebrities for an eco makeover with its return after 40 years costs £40,000 and performs 0-60 in 6.4 seconds
- The new 300-horsepower version will still have the classic four headlights
- It will also have a digital touch screen, wireless charging point, and massage seats
The classic Ford Capri is set to be relaunched with an eco-friendly makeover for the first time in 40 years.
The iconic car of the 1970s – often referred to as the ‘working man’s Porsche’ because of its affordability – is expected to cost around £40,000.
It will be remarketed as a crossover electric sports car capable of going from 0 to 62 mph in about 6.4 seconds, according to automotive expert at sun.
The new 300-horsepower version will boast rear-wheel drive and the classic four-stroke headlights like the original.
Unlike the gas-guzzling Capri of the 1970s, it will be equipped with a digital touch screen, a wireless phone charging point and massage seats.
A Ford spokesperson revealed that while they don’t want to speculate about future cars, Ford is “on a mission to make electric vehicles iconic.”
Ford sold approximately 1.9 million units of the Capri in total during its 17 years of production
The new model is expected to be an electric crossover and have a digital touch screen, a wireless phone charging point and massage seats
How does the old Ford Capri stack up against the new?
Ford Capri 1300 (1969-1973)
Horse power: 57
0-60 mph: 11+ seconds
rear wheel drive
The new electric crossover sport utility vehicle Ford Capri
Power: 300 HP
0-62 mph: 6.4 seconds
rear wheel drive
First unveiled to the public in January 1969 at the Brussels Motor Show, the Ford Capri was marketed as an inexpensive, fast and fun coupe.
Production of the car had already started two months earlier at the Halewood factory in Liverpool to ensure every British dealer would have at least one Capri in their forecourt by the time sales started.
Capri prices started at £890 in 1969, which is about £14,000 today.
Overall, it was a very successful model for Ford selling a staggering 400,000 units in its first two years.
It also remained in production into the 1980s, and in its 17 years, Ford has sold nearly 1.9 million units in total.
Designed by a team led by American automotive designer Philip T. Clark, the Ford Capri was originally intended to be named Ford ‘Colt’ – a reference to the famous Ford Mustang.
Ford hoped the Capri would mirror the American success of the Mustang, and it largely did.
The Capri has gained popularity across Europe as one of the most popular and affordable sports cars around.
Jamie Oliver Mk1 Ford Capri
Jamie Oliver’s Mk1 Capri has appeared on TV shows with him and Jamie Doherty
Capri has also appeared on Minder
It goes in more than one direction — and fast: Harry Styles is among the famous Capri fans
Capri madness: The 1978 Capri 3.0 S that appeared in cult TV show The Professionals was sold at auction for a world record fee of £55,000 on Wednesday.
Lewis Collins (pictured) drove the car in the second series of The Professionals. The former owner said the money raised by the auction will be donated to cancer research in memory of the actor, who lost his battle with the disease in 2013.
The 1977 Ford Capri featured in the Minder series was also up for auction
The life and times of the classic Ford Capri
Ford’s famous advertising slogan for the Capri – “The car you always promised yourself” – perfectly expressed its appeal to those who couldn’t afford the likes of a Porsche or an Alfa Romeo.
In 1970 nearly 250,000 Caprices were sold, meaning that one out of every four Fords sold in Europe was a Capri, and it soon made its way onto the silver screen.
Capri appeared in the 1970s TV series The Professional, which recently sold at auction for £48,000.
In the 1975 Brannigan John Wayne famously jumped the Ford Capri across Tower Bridge in a spectacular car chase.
The car’s allure then slowly began to evaporate over time, appearing as a favorite wheelset of Derek Trotter in Only Fools and Horses in the 1980s.
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(WDEF) From EPB---
EPB Fiber Optics is notifying its customers of the first Fi TV price adjustment since launching the products in 2009. The adjustments for Fi TV bundles will take effect July 1 and will range from an additional $1 to $6 on monthly residential bills.
During the last four years nearly all of the television networks supplying programming for Fi TV have increased their prices. Additionally, Fi TV has added 75 offerings with the product set now totaling 280 standard-definition and 118 high-definition channels. Together these changes reflect an overall video cost increase to EPB Fiber Optics of more than 34%.
“I wish we could hold the line on Fi TV prices, because the last thing we want is an increase for our customers,” EPB president and CEO Harold DePriest said. “Unfortunately, we are asking for an increase in pricing to help offset the rising cost of programming.”
Prices remain unchanged for high-definition service, premium channels, the sports package, additional equipment and repair services. Customers will continue getting their remote and first set top box for Fi TV Gold at no charge. Fi-Speed Internet and Fi-Phone prices will remain at current levels.
New Fi TV prices remain lower than similar cable offerings at their regular price.


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After being acquired by SEGA from that whole THQ thing, Company of Heroes 2 has kept moving forward and today they have announced the release date for the sequel to the hit strategy game. Finally being released June 23rd, 2013 some fans may note that this is a little bit past the “early 2013” previously given for the game, but Relic Entertainment has apparently been using the time to ensure Company of Heroes 2 lives up to the original.
Now including ColdTech weather system, the new TrueSight for a dynamic line of sight system, and realistic destructibility, Company of Heroes 2 will be adding a lot more depth and strategy to the gameplay. With luck the extra time spent with this delayed release date will mean a much more polished product for fans to enjoy.
Company of Heroes 2 will be releasing in North America and Europe on June 23rd, 2013 for PC.


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Media planners said while all three telcos - Airtel, Jio and Vi - will have tactical campaigns in the festive quarter, Airtel is slated to lead the media spending in the category.
The Centre for Development of Electronics System Design and Manufacturing, a think tank under the Ministry of Electronics and IT, is garnering opinion from phonemakers about a combined bid for 170 Surface Mount Technology (SMT) lines. If demand for SMTs is aggregated, handset manufacturers can cut a better price deal with the suppliers. A draft of the Request for Price proposal from the Centre, seen by ET, invites quotations from manufacturers; the target is to expedite the process to see some progress as early as end of 2017.
For the Nokia factory, which had till now been talked about for its SMT strength lying in wait, the development is seen to be diminishing its appeal among manufacturers looking for takeover.
The SMT lines are expensive but the Nokia plant, set up over a decade ago, had 16 of them churning out feature phones in lakhs each day. Despite a plethora of phone factories mushrooming across the country in the wake of a comprehensive incentive programme 104 phone and component factories have been set up to touch 180 million handsets in 2016-17 most manufacturers still import the “populated printed circuit boards“ (PCBs). PCBs are electronic devices that go into a phone and are directly mounted on the circuit board using these $3-million-a-piece SMT lines.
The Fast Track Task Force, set up among other purposes to get the Nokia factory back to production, considers the move toward SMT aggregation a stumbling block for the factory, and a wakeup call for Tamil Nadu.Meanwhile, the owner of the defunct plant-Nokia -is still looking for a buyer.
Accordingly, we are hopeful that the Indian government will approve and fully support, without delay, the legal transfer of the facility should an agreement to be reached between Nokia and a suitable buyer.“
After a brief excitement around the Essar group's interest in the plant, a lull for many months followed. Taiwanese company Foxconn had expressed interest in the factory and their interest was brought up by then chief minister J Jayalalithaa with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a memorandum sent in June last year.


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For the first time ever, a manufacturing plant in Pune, India, is being run by only women.
Adi Godrej-led Godrej group has 45 women running its 100% green air conditioner (AC) manufacturing plant. The company set up the plant to take advantage of the talent pool of women professionals.
George Menezes, COO of Godrej Appliances, says the company intends to strengthen female employees to 20% of the total workforce over the next few years.
"We want to give equal opportunity to both the sexes, hence, we have not restricted this initiative just to Pune-Satara factory but also in our Mohali factory with a workforce of around 50 women," Menezes said. "Moreover, the response from the employed female workforce has been very encouraging with a high-retention percentage."
Godrej has installed low-cost automation which helps reduce manual handling of materials at its manufacturing plant to aid in fatigue that females are often challenged by.
"Even though women tend to be frailer for certain functions in the plant, we ensure this doesn't hold back their spirits and installed special automation at the plant for tasks which require manual handling of materials," Menezes said. "These automations aid the female workforce by reducing the physical force required at certain stages of material handling."
Godrej works with campus recruiters at Satara colleges as part of its initiative to employ more women. The company also interacts with parents of the female students to instill confidence about their future in the workforce. "Women are well-suited for some of these intricate factory jobs," said K. Sudarshan, managing partner (India) of EMA Partners. "This is a good step towards empowering them."
Godrej says the all-female manufacturing plant outputs 300 split air conditioners per day and has now begun to work on the company's refrigerator (output of 2,000 per day) and washing machine (output of 300 per day) manufacturing line too.
"This is a novel effort in terms of creating new and interesting opportunities for women," said Saloni Nangia, president of Technopak.


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By Paul Sandle
LONDON Cut-throat competition in India and an onslaught from rivals in its home market prompted Britain's Vodafone to nudge its full-year earnings guidance down on Thursday sending its share price lower.Competition in India has been ramped up by free offers from new entrant Reliance Jio Infocomm, but Vodafone plans to fight back by merging its Indian subsidiary with smaller rival Idea Cellular."This is about creating an amazing asset and a very strong company, not about retrenching," Vodafone Chief Executive Vittorio Colao said.Vodafone, the world's second-biggest mobile phone group, has built its name through rapid global expansion in a series of bold deals in the 1990s and 2000s and is the second-largest player in India.Overall, service revenue in Europe grew by 0.7 percent in its third quarter, down from 1 percent in the second quarter. In its emerging markets -- including India, Africa and Turkey -- growth slowed to 3.9 percent from 7.1 percent.
Shares in the company fell as much as 3 percent on Thursday morning. By 0934 GMT they were down 1.3 percent at 190 pence Britain remained tough, with service revenue declining by 3.2 percent, which it said reflected increased competition in the business sector, an area of strength for the operator.Finance Director Nick Read said the company was seeing competition in corporate business from EE, now owned by BT, and from O2, owned by Telefonica.
"Everyone is chasing growth and customers," he said.Vodafone reported a 1.7 percent rise in overall organic service revenue for the quarter, broadly in line with analyst expectations.
The company reiterated its target to generate at least 4 billion euros of free cash flow in the year to March 31, but it said it now expects core earnings to come in at the lower end of a range of 3-6 percent growth. "These results are not surprising given the evidence of the deterioration in India but have few specific positives either," Citi analysts said. "The effective cut to EBITDA guidance looks realistic but will raise questions about full-year 2018 trajectory." (Editing by Kate Holton and David Goodman)
This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Updated Date: Feb 02, 2017 21:52 PM


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Yahoo switches music service to Rhapsody
Updated 10:00 pm, Sunday, February 3, 2008
LOS ANGELES -- Yahoo Inc. will cease operating its online music subscription service and switch its customers to Rhapsody music service as part of a new deal with Seattle's RealNetworks that calls for Yahoo to promote Rhapsody on its site.
Terms of the deal, to be formally announced Monday, were not disclosed.
"People want to have music and consume it in lots of different forms and across different devices and platforms, and we want to have a play in as many of those as we can," said Scott Moore, Yahoo's head of media.
Moore said the partnership would allow Yahoo to focus its energies more on free, ad-supported music and other media offerings.
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Yahoo Music Unlimited lets users download an unlimited number of tracks playable as long as their plan is active.
Under the Yahoo-RealNetworks partnership, subscribers to Yahoo Music Unlimited will be shifted to the Rhapsody service sometime in the first half of this year. Yahoo subscribers' music library and payment plans will remain the same for a limited time after the switch, but those wishing to remain on Rhapsody eventually will be required to sign up at Rhapsody's rates.
Yahoo's subscription rates range from $5.99 a month, if users pay for a full year in advance, or $8.99 a month. Rhapsody memberships start at $12.99 a month.
The Internet pioneer also planned to announce Monday that it had acquired FoxyTunes, a browser plug-in that offers -- among other features -- online searches for music, lyrics and other content tied to media playing on a computer. It also launched a Web-based media player.


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Bet Sharif Sakr, inventor of the “ply-pad”, is starting to feel a bit silly now 🙂 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8558296.stmAmplify’d from www.bbc.co.uk
Microsoft announces Windows tablet PC plans
13 July 2010
By Zoe Kleinman
Technology reporter, BBC News
Tablet devices which run the Windows 7 operating system will launch in the coming months, according to Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer.
Steve Ballmer showed off a slate device by HP in January 2010
Asus, Dell, Samsung, Toshiba, and Sony are among the manufacturers working on Windows slate PCs, he told delegates at a company conference.
Mr Ballmer said the area was “terribly important” to Microsoft, but did not mention any specific release dates.
Apple’s iPad touch-screen device sold 3 million units within 80 days of launch.
“This year, one of the most important things that we will do in the smart device category is really push forward with Windows 7-based slates,” Mr Ballmer said at the firm’s annual World Partner Conference.
The devices will come in various forms, some dockable and some with keyboards, he added.
In April 2010, Microsoft shelved development of the Courier, a dual-screen tablet device, and rumours have swirled about the future of HP’s slate, which was revealed by Steve Ballmer at technology fair CES in January 2010.
The device has not been brought to market, but Mr Ballmer did name HP as one of the manufacturers working with Microsoft on Windows tablet devices.
Tim Danton, editor on PC Pro magazine, said that the challenge for Microsoft in the tablet market was that the Windows operating systems were not designed for a touch screen format.
“They are fundamentally built for a mouse and keyboard – trying to develop everything for touch is very different,” he said.
“Windows 7 has some touch functionality, but it is still not a core part of the operating system. Microsoft would be better looking at its Windows 7 phone operating system and using that.”
Mr Ballmer also said that cloud computing, in which devices use internet-based programmes and storage rather than hardware, is a priority for Microsoft.
“We are at an inflection point in technology history,” he said.
“For customers, cloud computing creates tremendous value, which translates to massive opportunity for Microsoft and its partners.”
Robert Wahbe, Microsoft’s Vice President, Servers and Tools, wrote in a blog post that the firm was “investing deeply” in cloud computers with products such as Windows Azure, a cloud-based platform.
However, while some market analysts are predicting that the area will continue to grow in terms of popularity and investment, others are more cautious.
“The amount of cloud computing is quite small at the moment, so even if it does double that is not such a big deal”, said analyst Laurent Lachal at rival research firm Ovum.Read more at www.bbc.co.uk


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Conor McGregor once famously declared that he wasn’t around “just to take part” and ahead of its launch this weekend in nearly 400 Asda locations across the UK, his latest venture Forged Irish Stout is set to “take over.”
After conquering the Irish whiskey market with his Proper No. Twelve Irish as well as its cousin, Proper Irish Apple, McGregor’s empire expands once again on Saturday, August 5 when Forged Irish Stout — which up until recently was only available in his Black Forge Inn in Dublin — makes its official debut on UK shelves..
Forged Irish Stout had its ceremonial first UK pour ahead of Wrexham football match in April, with a similar introduction held in New York City just last month, but fans of stout will finally have a chance to sample it for themselves at Asda locations across the United Kingdom, priced at £10 for two four-can packs or £5.75 for one.
To celebrate the occasion, some of the UK’s most recognisable landmarks featured a Forged Irish Stout takeover of their own — with McGregor’s likeness beamed onto the famous ‘Angel of the North’ in Gateshead. At around the same time, and some 350 miles away in Dover, the world famous White Cliffs also paid homage to McGregor and Forged Irish Stout.
Scotland, too, got in on the Forged Irish Stout takeover with similar scenes in Edinburgh and Glasgow, while some of London’s most well-known sightseeing spots were also involved.
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. We’re not here to take part, we’re here to take over,” said McGregor ahead of the UK launch of Forged Irish Stout. “This launch comes as a culmination of two years of hard graft from myself and The Forged Irish Stout team and I’m immensely proud to finally be able to get it into the hands of the British public. We’ve huge plans for Forged in the UK, Ireland, the US and beyond and I can’t wait for you all to join us on the journey.”
Doug Leddin, Forged Irish Stout’s chief marketing officer, added: “Created by one of the most famous and successful Irishmen in the world and brewed in our very own Dublin brewery, Forged is a 100% Irish stout. With this exclusive launch in Asda, we’re only just getting started.”
Further launch dates for Forged Irish Stout — as well as a major international launch event — are in the works. But ahead of that, get yourself down to Asda to sample for yourself the smoothest, creamiest and freshest stout on the market today.
>>> Read full article>>>
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source : TheMacLife – https://themaclife.com/sports/mma/forged-irish-stout-takes-over-the-uk-ahead-of-launch/


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Listen to Borla’s Perfect Exhaust System for Non-Dual Mode C7s
Borla has gone to great lengths to come up with a specially-tuned system for non-dual-mode exhaust equipped C7 Corvettes.
BH-Factory isn’t revealing everything about the hardcore specs for their upcoming SEMA car, but they’re giving us just enough to stoke our anticipation.
Yes, you read that headline correctly. We’re talking about a C7 with a whopping, earth-shattering 4,000 horsepower!
Today’s Facebook Friday winner has been sanctioned and approved by Corvette’s official Facebook page.
This particular video features the Hennessey HPE800 testing from 0-175 mph at Houston’s Ellington Airport with some pretty cool camera work.


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by John R. Fischer
, Senior Reporter | March 02, 2021
Walmart is reportedly scaling back plans to expand its operations and open new clinics
Walmart, which announced in September its intention to open up more clinics, may now be downsizing that number along with plans to expand into imaging and other healthcare services.
Initially planning to build 125 clinics this year as part of its goal to open 4,000 by 2029, the retail giant now plans to open only 22 this year, according to Insider
"There is less commitment to the strategy," one Walmart employee close to the healthcare operation, told Insider on the condition of anonymity. "What you have today is an organization that's playing the waiting game — waiting for a core strategic choice to be made."
The slowdown was chalked up to leadership changes, competing business priorities during the COVID-19 pandemic and the complexity involved with building up a large healthcare operation. While two current employees said Walmart did not plan to build a set number of clinics this year, several say that healthcare is still a priority for the company.
Walmart’s plans to build 4,000 clinics was approved in 2018 by the company board at a cost of $11 billion, with the first one-stop shop set up in 2019. The company expected to offer transparent prices for services such as primary care, dental exams, vision tests, counseling, X-rays, and diagnostics, and aimed to become "America's neighborhood health destination,” according to Insider.
While Walmart would not confirm to Insider that it was scaling back healthcare plans, it said it continues to “experiment” with Walmart Health Centers and says the pandemic has reaffirmed its commitment to healthcare, with the launch of pharmacy curbside delivery, COVID-19 testing sites and vaccine administration as proof.
"Walmart customers want high-quality, preventive, affordable and accessible healthcare, and they trust Walmart to provide it," Marilee McInnis, a Walmart spokesperson, told Insider in an email. "Even during this difficult year, we launched Walmart Insurance Services, acquired CareZone technology to accelerate our digital offerings, elevated our top Health and Wellness leadership position, and increased our focus on racial equity in healthcare."


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Article by Edward Chow, Vice President of Asia-Pacific Sales and Services, Stratus Technologies.
If you’ve ever fancied a Tiger beer or a tub of Ben & Jerry’s chocolate chip ice cream in Singapore, a tap of the phone sends those groceries in about 30 minutes, even during odd hours. of the day.
Through a network of cloud stores, grocery and food delivery providers like Foodpanda can arrange the packing and shipping of these frequently requested items in no time. Meanwhile, major e-commerce stores like Amazon are offering two-hour nationwide deliveries for much longer lists of items, from headphones to fresh fish. Competitors such as Lazada and Shopee also offer same-day delivery as they compete for the same discerning consumers in the city-state.
Across Asia-Pacific, such battles between e-commerce players are fiercely fought as online retail becomes the channel of choice for consumers accustomed to using their laptops and phones to buy what they need. need during the pandemic.
In Australia, the 11th largest e-commerce market in the world, e-commerce revenue is expected to reach $32.3 billion by 2021, a 15.5% year-over-year increase from to 2020.
A common denominator in the different markets is the criticality of logistics. With price differences often becoming marginal, what is increasingly important today is the fast and secure fulfillment of customer orders.
How fast can products get to the customer? Is there a guarantee that they will be delivered on time, without damage? To what extent do logistics and warehouse systems that take orders from the front-end, pick items off the shelves, pack and ship them, while providing customers with constant updates on the delivery status?
To answer these questions, some of the most competitive online retailers have advanced logistics centers that are highly automated to take much of the load off of human workers.
In South Korea, for example, retail giant Shinsegae turned to automated sorters in 2021 to pick items customers ordered online and pack them in the right packaging to be ready for delivery. in a few minutes.
This meant it could increase its same-day delivery service to each pick-and-pack center six-fold, from 500 to 3,000 deliveries a day.
It was a direct challenge to compete with Coupang, which also plans to build capacity at its center, though it still relies on human labor, Aju Business Daily reported.
With warehouse management automation, not only are manual errors minimized, but worker safety and well-being can also be improved. Today, robots or automated carts can perform heavy tasks tirelessly, such as searching a logistics center for ordered items and then gathering them for packing later. They could contribute to the improvement of working conditions.
These issues are increasingly important to consumers, who not only demand faster same-day deliveries, but also prefer to patronize more sustainable and responsible businesses.
In 2021, a firefighter was sadly killed after a fire broke out in one of the biggest logistics centers near Seoul. The horrific loss of life has prompted a consumer backlash against the company, with many calling on it to be more responsible for workplace safety.
This means that e-commerce companies must ensure that the well-being and safety of workers is not compromised by the speed with which goods are packaged and delivered in a competitive market.
To achieve this, warehouse automation will be the name of the game. From picking and packing to determining the best delivery routes, artificial intelligence (AI) and year-round continuous operation will be essential to the successful e-commerce players of tomorrow.
A network of intelligent sensors, already important today, will be responsible for making the execution process more transparent and more robust. This Internet of Things (IoT) will depend on the low latency connection at the edge of a network, for example, directly on the racks of a warehouse, to allow employees and customers to instantly discover the status of a article. Moreover, this IoT network must be equipped with intelligence to make real-time decisions when a particular element is missing or damaged.
All of this digital magic also means that the computer systems that power these new features must be robust and fault-tolerant in order to support the operation of e-commerce businesses year-round.
When online sales operate 24/7 and deliveries happen in hours, not days, any digital infrastructure downtime is costly in many ways, especially negative impact on customer satisfaction. It’s not something a serious e-commerce business can afford to lose.
It is also important to consider the quality of operation of its digital systems. Buying and installing a complex setup only makes costs high, upgrades difficult, and any future changes time consuming. This way you lose the agility so important given the dynamic nature of e-commerce.
What is needed instead are systems that are simple to install, run and manage. They must be protected against cyber threats and unexpected failures caused by potential hardware failure. They must also be self-contained, robust, and reliable without the need for costly monitoring, repair, and maintenance by IT professionals.
The less one has to manipulate the critical systems involved in the operation of automated robots that traverse a warehouse or other important parts of the logistics system, the more time there is to devote to increasing sales and improving the customer loyalty.
Let’s not forget that an e-commerce business lives and dies by its customer service, commonly measured these days in terms of how quickly and securely an order is fulfilled.
So, as competition intensifies across Asia-Pacific, it’s no surprise that more e-commerce players are looking to bolster their digital warehouse management systems to increase efficiency. automation and logistical security in their warehouses. A reliable yet agile logistics system could help e-commerce businesses meet ever-increasing customer expectations and improve delivery efficiency to reduce the cost of business operations.


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NRF Releases Shopping Statistics, Hikvision Cyber Tips to Avoid Security Concerns While Shopping In-Store and Online
The National Retail Federation (NRF) released Thanksgiving weekend shopping statistics that anticipate more than 165 million people will be shopping throughout the holiday weekend, including Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday. Below, Hikvision outlines common cyber concerns with links to blog tips to avoid security issues this holiday season, so you can stay safe and enjoy shopping.
“The tradition of Thanksgiving weekend holiday shopping has become a five-day event with consumers spending money in stores, supporting local small businesses, and online with their mobile devices and computers. Even as people are starting to purchase gifts earlier in the season, consumers still enjoy finding good Thanksgiving deals and passing time shopping with family and friends over the long holiday weekend,” said NRF president and CEO, Matthew Shay, in the article.
Below, Hikvision outlines common cyber threats and links to articles that offer tips to avoid security concerns this holiday shopping season:
- Juice-Jacking: Avoid juice-jacking while in malls or airports by avoiding the use of public USB charging stations. Juice-jacking happens when someone connects their mobile device to a USB charging station that charges the device, but has also been modified to copy data from the mobile device, like photos and text messages, or infect the device with malware. Read more about what it is and how to prevent it at this link.
- Phishing: Phishing attacks have long been an effective way for attackers to trick people into divulging sensitive information or infecting a system with malware. Malware can give an attacker remote access to protected systems and networks, encrypt a user’s data and charge a ransom to decrypt the data, or use that system as part of an attack against other systems. Learn to identify common phishing attacks in this blog.
- Spear Phishing: Spear phishing is a special kind of phishing attack that targets a specific person or organization. Spear phishing emails typically have information about the victim in the email that makes the email seem credible. Click here to read more from our cybersecurity director about this type of phishing, and how to avoid it.
- Protect Yourself Online: Using complex passwords and not reusing passwords across multiple sites or logins will help you stay safe online. The most important aspect of a passphrase is that they should be long—at least 12 characters. Read this blog that outlines more insights to stay safe with good passwords, web browser security and firewall security.
Our cybersecurity director, Chuck Davis, also recommends that consumers only purchase goods online from reputable retailers with secure URLs.