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At the tech megacorporation's fall festival of product announcements, Google focused on new devices and services based around its Android 6 (Marshmallow) operating system.
The San Francisco conference may well be the world's largest gathering of game developers, the place to keep an ear to the ground and to get business done.
Apple's iPads and Macs are going to stay separate products even with all the new similarities between them.
The Worldwide Developers Conference is all about software, software and more software. You'll have to wait for more devices -- including Apple TV.
The Oculus Connect Conference offered our first glimpse at new hardware, but there were quite a few games to try, too.
Technically Incorrect: Apple took inspiration from Microsoft in several areas for its new tablet. But why couldn't Redmond make its own ideas sing?
Alex Stamos joins the social-networking giant after a little more than a year on the job at the Web company.
With iOS 9, Apple's connected platform looks primed to take a much-needed step forward.
Former technician files suit claiming she was passed over for jobs by less-qualified men during her seven years at Microsoft.
A prototype wheelchair with a cellular radio illustrates the benefits of connected devices.
For years, most Israeli startup founders defined success as a quick sale to a bigger company. Now, they see a chance to build a lasting business.


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Lebron James’ BFF’s Rich Paul and Maverick Carter continue to carve out their own niche in the sports and entertainment worlds. Rapper Wale has reportedly left Jay Z’s Roc Nation to join 77 North Management. The entity is headed by Mav and Rich along with Leonard Brooks.
Not sure how this firm relates to Paul’s sports agency, Klutch sports. Or Mavericks marketing company, LRMR, which signed Johny Manziel earlier this year. The company released a statement regarding the signing.
“Wale’s growth and maturity is clear, as he continues work on his best project to date. Its rollout has a lot to do with his new management, who have only been associated with the biggest and best brands in the world… #LeBron #Beats #JohnnyFootball.”
Things are getting tricky.

domain: news


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Christian Brothers Automotive announced today an extended warranty program that will upgrade the duration of coverage for customers on car repairs and services completed at all Christian Brothers Automotive locations nationwide.
Christian Brothers Automotive Corporation continues to set the standard for a superior customer experience with the results of a recent study by J.D. Power that put the car care franchise as number one in customer satisfaction.
Christian Brothers Automotive, the company with the mission to “Love your neighbor as yourself,” is pledging to give back to communities across the country through a coordinated service event this month.
Christian Brothers Automotive, the faith-based automotive repair franchise, announced today that it has been ranked second in Forbes magazine’s “Best Franchises to Buy” list in the category of high-investment franchises.
Christian Brothers Automotive opened more locations in 2018 than any previous year in the brand’s history, opening 21 new franchise locations and signing 26 new agreements, positioning the brand for robust growth in 2019.
Residents of Fort Worth, Texas, now have another great option for quality car repair right in their neighborhood with the Monday, Nov. 5, opening of the North Fort Worth Christian Brothers Automotive (CBA).
Christian Brothers Automotive, one of the nation’s largest automotive repair franchise groups, announced that they will exclusively use Direct-Hit, from Identifix, Inc., a Solera Holdings, Inc. (Solera) company.
Christian Brothers Automotive is putting more consumers across the country in the driver’s seat when it comes to making decisions on auto services and repair as the brand announced today the launch of a strategic franchise growth phase.
Christian Brothers Automotive, one of the nation’s leading automotive repair franchises, announced its eagerly anticipated list of highest performing franchise owners during the brand’s annual convention, held this year in Scottsdale,...
Christian Brothers Automotive, an auto repair franchise that has won numerous awards for franchisee satisfaction, saw average franchisee sales climb 10.8% in 2015, reaching $1,363,412 for 122 locations that had been open a full two years.
Christian Brothers Automotive franchise has launched a management training program that aims to help the top managers employed by the franchisees become General Managers and potentially owners of their own auto repair franchises.
For the sixth straight year, Christian Brothers Automotive, one of the nation’s leading automotive repair franchises, has partnered with organizations in the communities it serves to help lift up families in need of a helping hand.
Franchise Grade, an online company engaged in comparing and grading franchise systems for their investment value, recently ranked Christian Brothers auto repair franchise as the No. 5 franchise in the nation.
Christian Brothers Automotive Repair, a national, faith-based franchise system, posted an increase in average franchisee earnings in its 2015 Franchise Disclosure Document, which documents earnings from the previous year.


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The United Kingdom is prolific in emphasising its “soft power” on the world stage, with varying levels of accuracy and varying levels of success. One area where it is a legitimate heavyweight, however, is within its bustling financial services industry, which contributed £164.8 billion to the UK economy in 2020 (GOV.UK)—a whopping 8.6% of total economic output.
At this year’s Innovate Finance Global Summit, exhibitors, speakers and punters alike witnessed a modern, high-growth and disruptive sector assume centre stage within the dizzying corridors of the historic City of London’s Guildhall.
It was Innovate Finance’s CEO, Janine Hirt, that set the tone for two days of high tech, fireside chats and frenetic networking. Focusing on three core macro issues—climate change, the Russia-Ukraine war, and rises to the cost of living felt throughout Europe, but acutely within the UK—Hirt presented fintech as the differential across each thematic vertical.
Technology’s potential as an enabler of financial health, wealth and inclusivity initially felt vaunty, but the sector acknowledges now that improprieties of old won’t cut it in the modern world. Tech Nation, a UK network for ambitious tech entrepreneurs, were keen to note that “mindfulness at the corporate level is the highest it’s ever been”.
For Sarah Levy, CEO at Betterment, an American financial advisory company, socially responsible investment is the key, with the firm holding $30 billion worth of ethical assets under management. Businesses are being pushed to change from the ground up, with venture capital rendering lethargic government legislation secondary in realising progressive outcomes. Indeed, Anne Boden, CEO at Starling Bank, argued that, within 5-10 years, a new group of fintechs will raise standards even higher than the current circle of challengers. Within the fintech world, innovation is seen as the core driver of positive transformation for all stakeholders, from consumer to incumbent banks and governments.
It is within this context that the UK government made its address, as John Glen MP, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, strode to the stage in place of an absent Chancellor.
The government initially pushed many of the same thematics that had been laced throughout Day 1 at the Innovate Finance Global Summit—that of technology and government’s parallel roles in sanctions enforcement, tax transparency and addressing climate change. Much like the UK’s recent Online Safety Bill, the government aims to appear nimble and capable of “moving with the times”.
The news that so-called “stablecoins”—or cryptocurrencies that peg their market value to “real life stuff”—would be brought into the financial system caught headlines, however it was its promotion alongside the potential of Web 3.0, and blockchain technology more broadly, that caught the eye. Could this be indicative of the UK government’s aim to legitimise the infrastructure for its own central bank digital currency (CBDC), and with it opening the potential for targeted aid delivered to NGOs and war-torn regions the world over?
Perhaps this is too high concept a consideration for an announcement that also included the Royal Mint’s own NFT “as a sign of support” for the crypto industry. This seems to have been a blunder, as coverage in media and on social media of the government’s NFT Easter egg overshadowed the policy within Glen’s address.
Nevertheless, the announcement had created a buzz, and conversations thereafter looked at how these nascent financial instruments and technologies might be applied to address contemporary issues.
These were not without caution, as experts on Day 2 raised the government’s potential to overregulate the decentralised finance industry to protect the public from the promotion of “cowboy coins”—a concern shared within the buy-now-pay-later industry, with representatives from Klarna and Affirm urging that consumer protection must not become a hinderance to consumer choice.
This dichotomy was illuminated further by the Financial Conduct Authority itself, who announced that they would increase protections for consumers, while simultaneously urging solutions to conduct financial exclusion. In response, it was notable that Google Cloud highlighted their efforts to use their expertise to help the 1.3 million adults in the UK who remain unbanked.
Once again, we returned to theme of technology as a key driver of social equity. This was the overarching theme of the final fireside chat of the conference, in which Sophia Bantanidis, Head of Strategy & Policy within Citi’s Innovation Lab, looked at the prospect of the metaverse as the next frontier in addressing inequalities within the real world, within which finance would be integral.
Notwithstanding the myriad legal issues raised – ranging from online safety, data privacy and cybersecurity—Sophia’s arguments that extended reality could act as an experiential enabler for the disabled and communities, and realiser of several further practical applications, were compelling. What tied this session to the rest of 2-day forum was the profound potential of the metaverse’s infrastructure—including digital currencies, accountable blockchain technology and incumbent fintechs operating as “off-ramps” for real-life monetisation—to help service real world consumers, businesses and economies.
Reducing small business overheads while enhancing consumer choice; addressing supply chain sustainability and fast fashion “return culture”; helping architects and engineers build and rebuild urban centres that are fit for the future. All of these possibilities were in focus as 2022’s Innovate Finance Global Summit came to its close.
Dramatically reducing the climate impact of these technologies must be the clear next step, but the verbal narrative amongst the UK financial community was one of ambition and embracement of change. The onus is now on governing bodies and regulators to build an ecosystem that helps the next generation of disruptive companies realise their potential to address societal harms for the long-term, rather than for the short-term.


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How Suncorp and Helloworld are driving into digital with data
- 26 February, 2015 17:00
From left: David Hassan, Helloworld; Mark Reinke, Suncorp; James McQuivey, Forrester; and panel moderator, Jodie Sangster, ADMA
Suncorp and Helloworld see their digital strategies as critical to survival in an increasingly data-driven world, according to executives from each company.
The IT and marketing leaders from each company described their progress towards gaining insights from data on a panel at the ‘Developing Your Digital Intelligence’ event, produced by CMO, CIO and ADMA under the Executive Connections banner.
Helloworld CIO, David Hassan, explained how his company, an online travel site partly owned by Qantas, has been working toward achieving a single customer view of its data. In the last year, “the power of data has become more obvious to the organisation”, and Helloworld realized it had to change to keep competitive, he said.
“A lot more people were booking travel online, so we needed to get our retail network ready for that,” Hassan said. Not embracing change could have meant being swamped by the likes of BestFlights, Expedia and Qantas.com, he said.
However, a challenge is that the company has a large amount of data in different places.
Rather than write a three-year strategy, Helloworld has tackled the problem with “short sprints”, collecting basic customer data, finding insights from it and then building on the learnings, Hassan said. The company is six months into that program, and so far has about three of eight data sources feeding into a single customer view.
“We chose to start with our most structured, easiest accessible data,” Hassan said. “We also took it in bite-sized chunks.”
The CIO went to Helloworld’s retail and marketing teams and asked for a couple of use cases to address as proof of concepts, he said. “We know we’re not going to solve it all now, but we took an iterative approach to it.”
Hassan is also not afraid to make mistakes. “This is a learning,” he added.
Suncorp is further along in its digital strategy and has established a chief data office to spearhead data-driven initiatives. The insurance company has brought data together across 15 brands into a single customer view and is “pretty close” to achieving truly real-time capability, according to Mark Reinke, Suncorp group executive of customer data and marketing.
“For us, [the driver was] the realisation that we simply can’t predict the future, but we have to prepare our business for change. And we understand the themes of change, but not the nature of that change,” he said.
Suncorp sees data as an enabler, said Reinke. “It’s not the end. It’s the means to the end.”
Data helps Suncorp grow while keeping costs down, he said. “The role of data in our business is to open up the jaws … between growth and cost. It’s bigger than marketing.”
Forrester VP and principal analyst, James McQuivey, admitted most companies are still well behind Suncorp. The majority of organisations he advises at Forrester are about halfway through step one, which is about bringing together existing data sets.
“You have existing sources of data you have to figure out how to bring together and make them accessible and make them able to generate insights,” he said. “That in itself is a huge effort.”
The next step is to multiply the existing data “by the amount of data you’re actually going to have access to five years from now,” he said. Step three is to figure out what the data says about what your customers want next.
To drive a digital strategy in an organisation, Hassan said it’s critical marketing and IT work collaboratively. “We’ve got a good culture where anybody can throw ideas either way,” he said of Helloworld.
Reinke said it is also important to develop an agile business. “You have to build a culture to make decisions fast.”
Suncorp has benefitted from bringing everyone in the analytical value chain together into a chief data office, he said. This has helped create career paths, rotational opportunities and a learning campus within the organisation, he said.
McQuivey said that kind of structural decision can help significantly. “I’m not sure everybody’s prepared to do that or able to do that, but if you’re in a position that you can, it will do tremendous things,” he claimed.
Suncorp has also sought partners to drive its data initiative, Reinke said. “We just recently went through a process to select partners at the top and partners at the bottom of the value chain.”
At the bottom, partners can automate processes so Suncorp’s analysts aren’t tied up doing reporting. “At the top of the value chain, go and find the world’s best [companies] … because that’s where you’re going to learn,”Reinke said.
Finding resource and scale
Recruitment is key to bringing data skills into an organisation, panellists agreed. Reinke said Suncorp has been seeking university graduates with data and social science skills.
“We have gone deep into Australian universities and US universities to set up ongoing pipelines,” he told attendees.
Cost constraints have been a barrier for Helloworld to bring data skills into the organisation, and represent a continuing challenge, said Hassan.
Alongside the right skills, embracing the cloud is critical to allowing organisations to be able to scale up to manage all the data, said McQuivey. “It just becomes an accelerator of your strategy.”
Reinke said scale, cost and flexibility are the top benefits of cloud, with flexibility the most valuable attribute.
Cloud lowered costs and reduced resource requirements at Helloworld, said Hassan. “For us it had to be cloud.”
Follow CMO on Twitter: @CMOAustralia, take part in the CMO Australia conversation on LinkedIn: CMO Australia, join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CMOAustralia, or check us out on Google+: google.com/+CmoAu


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Fiona Apple has announced the release date of her first album in eight years. Fetch the Bolt Cutters is getting a digital release on April 17. She announced the release date in the video below, which was shared via the Fiona Apple Rocks Tumblr page. That account often posts personal video messages from Apple (including a recent one where she hinted that she was thinking about releasing the album “really soon”). (Apple’s representative confirmed the release date.)
The album marks her first full-length release since 2012’s The Idler Wheel..., which itself was her first album in seven years. She recently revealed a bunch of titles from the new album in an interview where she discussed its creation.
Apple has been teasing new music for the past year. Her 1996 debut album Tidal was released on vinyl for the first time in 2017. That same year Apple performed at Trans-Pecos Festival, where she dueted with St. Vincent on two songs.
Recently, Apple has shared a lullaby, donated two years of royalties from her hit single “Criminal” to refugees (including the royalties she got from Hustlers), contributed a song to Bob’s Burgers, and more.
Read Pitchfork’s “The Radical Self-Respect of Fiona Apple’s “Sleep to Dream,” 20 Years On.”


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Instant karma: a thief’s car was stolen during a robberyAugust 29, 2019
The funniest thing in this story is that the hijacker was never found …
At six in the morning, a man called the Kennevik police (USA, Washington) and reported the theft of his 1992 1992 red Chevrolet pickup truck. The owner of the car, William Kelly, said that he had forgotten the keys to the car in the back seat, and the hijacker took advantage of this. The police began to understand, and it turned out that this story is not so simple. When they began to look at the recordings from the CCTV camera, it turned out that Kelly hadn’t closed his pickup truck for a reason – while the hijacker was operating in his car, he was robbing a store located across the road. And, apparently, in order not to mess around with the keys and quickly jump into the car, he did not begin to close it.
As a result, the injured Kelly himself was arrested; he was charged with illegal entry into the store. But there is still no information about the stolen truck. The police are asking probable witnesses to call the Kennevik Police Department, keprtv.com reports.
- Bis Industries will launch the Rexx dump truck
- Nissan has begun restructuring its business
- Fiat is preparing to release a new version of the electric car 500 EV
- Audi’s new technologies will make roads safer
- Toyota Camry 2021 will receive a complete set of XSE Hybrid


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Subsidy approved for Li-ion battery plant
Ljubljana, 6 December - The government has approved a EUR 9.8 million subsidy for a Li-ion battery plant that TAB, the Slovenian maker of starter and industrial batteries, plans to set up with its Chinese partner Haidi Energy Technology.
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Of course, this isn’t the first time the multi-hyphenate has dabbled in the world of beauty. Back in 2016, she launched a collection with powerhouse Estee Lauder, comprising of 14 limited-edition products infused with a dose of VB’s signature style. The creamy kohl eyeliner and matte warm-toned bronzer sold out immediately, cementing the former Spice Girl as a power player in the industry and prompting Estee to begin working with Beckham on a second offering.
Since then, save for a few glimpses into her daily anti-ageing regimen, we haven't heard much from Victoria in the way of beauty. Earlier this year, she unveiled her own Youtube channel primed for tutorials: “I’m going to be asking women to tell me which products they want me to develop for them in the beauty and wellness arenas. It’s important for me to know what they want,” she told WWD.
The mother-of-four revealed more of her plans via her Youtube channel, telling fans: “It’s going to be everything from fashion to beauty. I am going to have cameras following me around whilst I am on the road, there will be styling, but also some humor, as it’s important to also have some fun with it.”
Victoria Beckham Beauty will launch exclusively via victoriabeckham.com in 2019.


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Tag Archives: Prague Gaming Summit
- BtoBet announced as Digital Sponsor at Prague Gaming Summit 3
March 8, 2019
The Prague Gaming Summit 3 already confirmed a total of 10 sponsors, +40 speakers and +90 attending companies from all European jurisdictions.
- #PragueGamingSummit3 – Speaker profiles – Michał Sałajczyk (Associate, Bird & Bird Poland)
March 7, 2019
At Prague Gaming Summit 2019, Michał Sałajczyk will join the “Focus on the Slovakian market regulation and decrypting Poland’s licensing procedures” panel.
- Malta’s gaming regulator, Heathcliff Farrugia to speak at Tal Ron’s opening panel in Prague Gaming Summit 3
March 4, 2019
Do not miss this opportunity to attend the leading conference in the region which offers the option for both new companies and veterans, to learn about industry insights and compliance updates.
- Iforium joins the sponsors list at Prague Gaming Summit 2019
March 1, 2019
The organizers of Prague Gaming Summit are honored to announce their latest sponsor in the record-breaking sponsors’ list the event has ever seen.
- Gambling in Czechia – Note on the 3 years of activity at Prague Gaming Summit 3
February 26, 2019
Leading experts of the industry from Czechia will present their view upon the developments of the gambling industry during the past 3 years.
- Zendesk announced as Networking Break and Lunch Sponsor at Prague Gaming Summit 2019
February 25, 2019
The organizers of Prague Gaming Summit are honored to announce the support of Zendesk as Networking Break and Lunch Sponsor at the conference.
Recent updates from the upcoming Prague Gaming Summit 2017
April 28, 2017


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'Crocodile skin' farms exist and not only do they keep the reptiles in inhumane conditions, they also brutally slaughter them just to make wallets, belts, and bags.
In an undercover investigation, the famous animal welfare organization PETA has exposed the HORRORS which happen behind closed doors of multinational companies and luxury brands. According to the sting operation, over 10,000 crocodiles are captured and kept in extremely tiny places in so-called 'skin farms' where the poor reptiles struggle to move and are forced to live in miserable conditions until it is time for them to be slaughtered.
Thousands of healthy crocodiles are being taken away from their natural habitat only to be killed so that humans can buy accessories made of their skin and flaunt their 'luxurious' lifestyle.
A shocking, heart wrenching and graphic footage shared by PETA shows how crocodiles are electrocuted at first in order to catch them. From their homes, they are moved to these 'farms' which are nothing but enclosed concrete walls and dirty water.
So small, that crocodiles are forced to climb over each other in order to move. They live there for about 15 months and wait for their turn to be slaughtered.
And, when that day comes, the crocodiles are put on a table with their mouths tied shut while a person holds their tail and the other cuts their necks open and rams an iron rod inside them, while they are still alive. In fact, the reptiles are skinned alive and can be seen moving even after the process is done in the video.
They suffer, suffer, and suffer until they die so some rich kids can flaunt their wealth. When did taking the life of a living being became a style statement?
The footage was recorded in Vietnam but there are similar farms spread across the world, especially in the areas of the US and Africa. The farm owner has revealed that they supply crocodile skin to multiple renowned luxury brands and the farm is a prime supplier to Louis Vuitton and its parent company LVMH. The skin is processed and made into watch bands, belts, shoes, bags, and wallets.
After the insertion of rods, the reptiles are forced to bleed out and die. A reptile expert who watched the clip has revealed that “the neck incisions would have been very painful and inhumane. There is no probability that these animals ‘died instantly.'”
Workers on the farm have also admitted that the animals are indeed skinned alive. The skinning process takes about 25-20 minutes per crocodile but the reptile stays alive for another hour after their necks are ripped open.
PETA has urged people to stop buying leather products and opt for brands who believe in zero cruelty to animals. Only if we boycott them and stop purchases will these multinational giants stop their production.
The sickening video has now gone viral on the internet and sparked a major backlash from people who just can't believe what they saw. Save those poor forgotten animals and sign a petition urging LVMH to stop THIS. Take action.
There's another campaign people have started which aims to stop the crocodile hunting and skinning them alive in Vietnam farms. "Exotic animals such as crocodiles and alligators are maintained to be skinned alive for skin and meat. Although crocodiles can live up to 60 years, farmed crocodiles are usually slaughtered before the age of 2 years, as soon as they reach a length of 4 to 6 feet. Crocodiles on the farm can be beaten to death with hammers and axes, sometimes staying conscious and in pain for hours after they are skinned...We hope that with small movement by signing this petition, we can reduce and even stop animal abuse, especially crocodiles and alligators skinned alive for branded bags," reads the petition. Sign it here. Boycott leather. Watch the horrifying video. (Warning: Graphic content)


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War declared on fake drugs15th November 2006
A team of global institutions has launched a campaign to guard against counterfeit medicines, which are proliferating around the world, often via the Internet.
More than 30% of medicines in some areas of Latin America, Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa are counterfeit, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and its partners.
According to recent estimates from the WHO, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the Pharmaceutical Security Institute, around 10% of medicines sold in developed countries are fake, while that figure rises in many of the former Soviet republics to 20%.
In developed economies with strong regulatory mechanisms, counterfeits account for less than 1% of the market value, but 50% of illegal Internet sales are counterfeit, according to the group of institutions, which is launching an International Medical Products Anti-Counterfeiting Taskforce (IMPACT) to combat the problem.
IMPACT has come up with a programme of legislation, law enforcement, regulatory, technological and communications measures, warning governments that existing legislation is inadequate to deter counterfeiters.
It is warning against buying medicines from rogue websites, which operate internationally, have no registered business address and sell products that have an unknown or unclear origin.
However, it says some Internet pharmacies are completely legal operations, set up to offer clients convenience and savings. They require patient prescriptions and deliver medications from government licensed facilities.
Counterfeit medicines range from products containing no active ingredients to those containing highly toxic substances. They can harm patients by failing to treat serious conditions, can provoke drug resistance and, in some cases, kill.
According to IMPACT, the legal systems of most countries do not consider the counterfeiting of medicines a more serious crime than counterfeiting luxury items like handbags and watches, and their laws are aimed at protecting intellectual property rights rather than public health.
High-tech solutions are also being considered.
WHO is currently looking at proposals from three mobile telephone companies to apply their technologies to check the authenticity of medical products. DNA-based technologies, nanotechnology and other approaches will be assessed by IMPACT in the first quarter of 2007.
To improve communication, a small group has been created to continuously update global data on medical counterfeiting and share the information with IMPACT partners.
The group will also encourage member countries to run educational campaigns using public service announcements, short descriptive films and other awareness raising materials.
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Title: War declared on fake drugs
Author: Martine Hamilton
Article Id: 1079
Date Added: 15th Nov 2006


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On The News!
Need a Nissan part? Get it online
MANILA, Philippines – Nissan Philippines president Antonio Zara said that rediscovering Nissan was not solely about getting to know its new vehicle lineup but also being able to provide better and innovative customer service.
“Last month we celebrated our second anniversary as part of the global company and at that event we launched our ‘Rediscover Nissan’ campaign,” said Antonio Zara, president and managing director of Nissan Philippines Inc. at the launch of the Nissan Parts Online service recently.
“In rediscovering Nissan,” he added, “we want people to become familiar with the product line, which we have revamped. We also want people to get to know the driving force behind Nissan, which is more about innovation.”
Nissan owners can now get their car serviced in 30 minutes
A car’s periodic maintenance service (PMS) is usually a half-day ordeal. You book your time with a dealership’s service center, then kill time for a few hours before it’s done. By the time you leave, you’re usually left wondering where all that time went.
To make the service experience more pleasant for its customers, Nissan Philippines (NPI) recently launched the Nissan Express Service, which is designed to provide quicker and more convenient service to Nissan owners. Under this scheme, customers can expect their PMS done and dusted within 30 minutes, otherwise the labor fee for the job is waived. The official launch took place at the Japanese carmaker’s new dealership in Sucat.


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Speaking of prices going up, Trulia’s price monitor for June — which looks at asking prices for homes — was up 1.7 percent over June 2011 (but only 0.3 percent if you include foreclosures). It’s also up month to month and quarter to quarter, and has risen four of the past five months.
Of course these are asking prices, so they’re as much a guide of consumer sentiment about the market as they are an indicator of actual sales prices. But if sellers are willing to ask for more, there’s a good chance buyers are seeing the same news and are willing to pay more.
Meanwhile, rents were up 5.4 percent nationwide (except for Las Vegas) from June 2011, which continues to make ownership look like a better option for a lot of folks.


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It is well known that India has major problems with floods. Now NOAQ has the opportunity to contribute with a solution, as we have appointed a distributor in the country. It is the company Frontier Flood Barriers India located in New Delhi that will add the NOAQ Flood Fighting System to its existing portfolio of flood protection products.
“We are excited to partner with NOAQ to bring the Boxwall flood barriers to the Indian market where the risk of damage due to floods has rapidly increased in the past few years. With changing climate and weather conditions, we see an urgency to offer quick and easy solutions to the customer. The fact that Boxwall can be setup during rising waters and can be stored away easily is a big advantage” – says Mr. Yuvraj Singh Ahuja, Managing Director at Frontier.
Frontier Flood Barriers India is a division of Frontier Polymers Pvt Ltd, one of India’s leading rotational moulding design and manufacturing companies, which also operates Frontier Traffic Safety India, a portal dedicated to road safety products.
For more information about Frontier Flood Barriers India, visit their company website here.


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Record Month for Retail Trade in Saskatchewan
Stats Canada reports that retailers in Saskatchewan were very busy ahead of the Christmas shopping season.
The latest retail trade numbers show sales in Saskatchewan totalling a record $1.48 billion in November, up 4.3% from the same month in 2011. It’s the third highest percentage increase in Canada, and almost three times the national average increase of 1.4% year-over-year.
Month-to-month, sales were up 0.3% from October 2012, also the third-highest increase in Canada and ahead of the national average of 0.2%.
Provincial Economy Minister Bill Boyd says a strong and diverse economy, increased employment and higher weekly earnings played a role in the increases. He adds the numbers point to increased consumer optimism in Saskatchewan, saying that people in the province are confident that the economy can support growth today and into the future.
via Local News http://www.swiftcurrentonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=21081:record-month-for-retail-trade-in-saskatchewan&catid=13:local-news&Itemid=355


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Entrepreneurial Spark to launch three new UK business accelerators
Natwest-backed "hatcheries" will aim to generate positive social change in Bristol, Leeds and Brighton
Business accelerator Entrepreneurial Spark has teamed up with NatWest to open three new free business accelerators in Bristol, Leeds and Brighton, after launching its first in Birmingham last month.
The programme is now open for applications to join the ‘Hatcheries’, which will open this August and aims to help fledgling firms and start-ups generate positive social change through entrepreneurship.
Each Hatchery will support 80 entrepreneurs in a six-month enablement programme,where they will have free access to superfast broadband, office space and telephones.
Entrepreneurial Spark is hoping to nurture a ‘golden age’ for entrepreneurs, by backing hundreds of innovative and creative start-ups across every sector. Founded in 2012, the accelerator now has seven hubs across the UK, and has announced plans for a further four, after securing financial support from NatWest and RBS.
Entrepreneurial Spark CEO, Jim Duffy, said: “Just as we tell our start-ups, we are not stopping here or resting on our laurels. We will continue our national expansion to allow new businesses the length and breadth of Britain to benefit from the unique benefits Entrepreneurial Spark offers.
“We focus on the person, not just the business, and ensure their behaviours are complementary to achieving success, and we do this all for free. That is our secret sauce which has seen us support over 350 businesses with a turnover of £41m in 2014. Blending that secret sauce and the imagination, creativity and determination shown by start-ups across Britain is an irresistible combination.”
Gordon Merrylees, head of entrepreneurship at NatWest, added: “Our commitment to start-up businesses is highlighted in our multi-million pound investment and continued support of Entrepreneurial Spark. Jim and his team are inspirational and the highly successful work they carry out in Scotland will be replicated across the UK.”


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Microsoft is holding an event in New York City on October 2, where it's expected to announced refreshed models of the Surface Laptop and the Surface Pro with Intel's eighth-generation processors. It would seem that the firm is starting to sell off its remaining stock of devices, as today, it stopped offering the Core m3 model of the Surface Laptop.
When configuring the Laptop on Microsoft's U.S. store website, the option for a Core m3 is grayed out. Typically, these would be marked as out of stock, but that's not the case here. In fact, there are many different configurations in different colors that are marked as out of stock, but the Core m3 CPU, which was only ever available in Platinum, can't even be selected.
|256GB||$1,099 ($200 off)||Yes|
As you can see, a lot of models are sold out, and many off these have been for some time.
The Platinum color has always been the standard color for a Surface Laptop. In the beginning the other colors were only offered with 8GB RAM and 256GB of storage, and those were U.S.-only. While availability of those has expanded and there are more models with more colors, newer models only come in Platinum, like the base model with the Core m3 and the highest end with 1TB of storage, neither of which were available when the device first launched.
We've reached out to Microsoft for an official statement on why the Core m3 model was pulled and if it's coming back, but it's very much doubtful since we're expecting a refresh in a few weeks.


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A £10m Advertising campaign targeting older drinkers is to be launched tomorrow. It will warn wine lovers who consume two or three glasses a night that they may be failing to recognise the risks they face.
In one advertisement, three martini glasses will be shown, each containing an olive, with each olive larger than the last, to illustrate how heavy alcohol consumption over time can cause liver cirrhosis. In another, a pair of large glasses full of red wine, which resemble breasts, are used to remind women of the link between excess alcohol intake and breast cancer.
Other adverts will try to encourage more moderate drinking by emphasising that those who drink more than official advice are also at greater risk of obesity and heart trouble.
The targets of the campaign are the over-35s. While many of that age are aware of the safe drinking limits - 21 units of alcohol a week for men and 14 for women - a sizable number of them do not know how many units are in some of the most popular drinks.
In an interview with The Observer, Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo said: 'It's primarily aimed at over-35s because it's clear from research that that age range is less well-informed, at times clueless [about units].' However, such ignorance was 'understandable', she said, because of the trend towards larger-sized drinks and the growing strength of some wines and beers.
The campaign will tell drinkers the exact unit content of their favourite tipples, but without being preachy or judgmental. However, it will also leave them in no doubt that regularly drinking more than recommended increases their risk of suffering a range of health problems.
'We hope that the campaign will bring about a shift in attitude to alcohol, gently steering, guiding and educating people, but without wagging a finger at them,' said Primarolo. 'It will remove the excuse that says: "I didn't know how many units I was drinking."'
A UK unit is 10ml or eight grams of pure alcohol. A standard 750ml bottle of wine that is 11.5 per cent alcohol by volume contains 8.625 units, but one at 12.5 per cent strength has 9.375 units and one at 13.5 per cent has 10.125 units. The drinks industry has voiced private concern that the government has 'rounded up' some figures in the campaign to make them easier for people to remember. For example, one drink featured involves 2.8 units but is billed as containing three.
Research for the campaign conducted for the Department of Health by YouGov found that the majority of 35- to 54-year-olds did not know that a large glass of wine contained three units of alcohol, and that most people aged 35 and over were unaware that a double gin and tonic had two units.
It also found that half of 35- to 44-year-olds and 44 per cent of 45- to 54-year-olds rely on alcohol to unwind after a stressful day. However, Primarolo said there was no point in trying to persuade people to stop using alcohol in that way, and instead they should simply be encouraged to use it less.
The Home Office will launch a separate, harder-edged campaign aimed at 18- to 25-year-old binge drinkers next month. It will use more aggressive tactics to shame younger people who drink to excess by pointing out, for example, how embarrassing it is for a man to be seen urinating in public by women.
Alcohol campaigners welcomed the initiative last night. 'The new campaign is a big step forward, not least in that it widens the focus of who drinks harmfully beyond the usual stereotype,' said Frank Soodeen of Alcohol Concern.


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Animal rendering News
News published on January 3, 2019:
Rendering is not a new process, as animal proteins and fats have been rendered for centuries. However, new innovations are shaping the future of the rendering industry. These innovations and other topics will b...
News published on December 22, 2017:
Will AAFCO definition changes affect your products? Does the current pet food customer understand or care about rendered ingredients? These and other hot topics will be featured at the International Rendering S...
News published on January 12, 2017:
The 2017 International Rendering Symposium will showcase the sustainability of the U.S. and Canadian rendering industry. Held during the 2017 International Production & Processing Expo in Atlanta, Ga., nota...
News published on November 4, 2015:
The meeting will focus on the opportunities and challenges of the rendering industry today
The U.S. rendering industry collects and safely processes well over 50 billion pounds of animal byproducts each ye...


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The Restaurant Group, which operates Frankie and Benny's, Chiquito and Coast to Coast, has reported a 3% drop in like-for-like sales with total revenues down 4.4% to £679m.
The group, which is believed to be looking to sell its flagship Chiquito site, said that adjusted profit before tax was down 26.4% to £57m for the 52 weeks ended 31 December 2017.
Chairman Debbie Hewitt said that it had been a transitional year for the group, which operates 598 sites, in which it "took a low-key approach to marketing our key brands while the changes to the proposition were at an early stage".
During 2017 the Restaurant Group revised prices at its 259 Frankie & Benny's sites with the introduction of a £9.95 fixed-price menu and a more value-driven core menu.
Menus have also changed at Chiquito with main course entry prices reduced by 10% and a reduction in like-for-like dish prices by an average of 6%.
Chief executive Andy McCue said: "As expected, 2017 was a transitional year for the group, with significant investments made in price and proposition within our leisure business, which is driving improving volume momentum.
"We start 2018 with a significantly more competitive offering in our leisure business, a strengthened pipeline of growth opportunities in both our pubs and concessions businesses, and a leaner, faster and more focused organisation. I'd like to thank our colleagues for embracing the change agenda and for their contribution to stabilising the business."
Videos from The Caterer archives


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Elsword Luciel Second Job Class Trailer
Meet the Noblesse and Dreadlord, Luciel’s new second job classes revealed!
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Park Hill Company Growing
Great Northern has signed an exclusive agreement with P&G to manufacture and distribute DuraFlash vinyl flashing
Central Bank provided the financing and Metro Government has praised the deal
Two Businesses Receive METCO Loans
New East Market Restaurant, Retail Mall Awarded Small-Business Loans
KY and IN Leaders Discuss Regionalism
Leaders from Kentucky and Southern Indiana will come together this Friday to discuss regionalism and its importance in the global economic environment at a regional summit titled Beyond Boundaries – Building our 21st Century Community.
Two Loans Approved by METCO
Two local businesses, including a steel fabrication company, have been awarded small-business loans from Louisville Metro Government.
IEDC Award Goes to COOL
Louisville Metro Economic Development Department Recognized for Innovative Neighborhood Development Program
Citizens Weigh in on Park Hill Revitalization
Citizens met with city planners to provide input to help make choices from a number of potential approaches to attract business and create jobs in the 1,400-acre Park Hill Industrial Corridor.
West Main Street Named Great Main Street
West Main Street has been named one of America’s Top 10 Great Streets by the American Planning Association.
Mayor Announces $18 Million Whiskey Row Lofts
One was built by the L&N Railroad as its headquarters and the other once housed Louisville’s famous bourbons – and now two historic buildings on Main Street are being converted into a mixed-use project that includes apartments, condominiums, restaurants and offices.
METCO Loan Awarded to East Broadway Owner
East Broadway Property Owner Awarded Small-Business Loan
UPS Opens New $67 Million Hub
Mayor Jerry Abramson joined state and local officials today as UPS officially opened the Louisville Centennial Hub – its $67 million ground-package sorting operation near Louisville International Airport.
City Shows Developers Acres of Opportunity in Park Hill
National and local developers tour Park Hill Industrial Corridor
New METCO Loans Awarded
Five local businesses, including a new restaurant in Valley Station, have been awarded small-business loans from Louisville Metro Government.
Louisville Intl Airport Ranked 3rd Busiest Cargo Airport
Louisville International Airport ranked 3rd busiest cargo airport in North America, and 9th busiest in the world, during 2007 by Airports Council International.
Mayor Releases Cash Economy Study
Retailers Missing $1.1 Billion in Potential Sales in Louisville; Mayor Abramson says report shows neighborhoods’ economic clout
New Youth One-Stop Center Opens
Youth One-Stop Career center expands to assist more youth to get “back to school” and obtain jobs
Panera Bread To Open Downtown
Panera Bread, one of the nation’s fastest-growing restaurant chains, will open a store in downtown Louisville this fall.
Park Hill Business Open House
Businesses in the Park Hill Industrial Corridor will meet with Louisville Metro Economic Development officials tomorrow to discuss potential physical changes to a 1,400 acre area that the city envisions as a new-generation job hub for Louisville.
Study Calls For Expansion of Locally Grown Foods
The Louisville region can reduce its reliance on imported food by increasing the number of neighborhood farmers’ markets and creating a network that connects Kentucky farmers with Louisville buyers, according to a report released today by Mayor Jerry Abramson.
Kentucky Trailer Announces Louisville Expansion
Kentucky Trailer announced today that it will expand its Louisville operations, creating 182 new manufacturing jobs while relocating to a new headquarters at Riverport.
New Job Hub Envisioned for Park Hill
City launches effort to guide implementation of
improvements, redevelopment of 1,400 acres near city center
Small Business Loans Awarded
Beechmont Coffee Shop, Park DuValle Hair Salon Awarded Small Business Loans
Mayor Attends ICSC Convention
Abramson attends national Retail Convention, hoping to recruit new stores to Louisville
Three Businesses Awarded Low Interest Loans
Three local businesses, from the Highlands to downtown to south end, are award low-interest loans
Gallery Square Lofts Opens in East Market Arts District
Mayor Celebrates Grand Opening of Gallery Square Lofts - offers condos, retail space in East Market Arts District
New Downtown Restaurant Gets METCO Loan
Three local businesses, including a new downtown restaurant, have been awarded low-interest loans to help with expansion and property renovations.
Gourmet Market To Open Downtown
A new gourmet grocery will soon open downtown, thanks in part to a loan from Louisville Metro Government. The market was one of five Louisville businesses and individuals receiving METCO loans in late January. The loans are used to encourage new stores and business expansion.
U of L Moving Business Graduate Programs to Museum Plaza
The University of Louisville College of Business announces the location of its graduate programs to Museum Plaza in the city’s central business district in 2010.


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3D printing is making its debut as a mainstream product, and it’s coming with a number of problems that could hamper its long-term viability.
But the biggest problems are its downsides and its costs, which could prove to be a boon for some businesses.
Read MoreThe news article A new report released Monday by the Financial Services Forum found that 3D printer makers were facing some of the biggest challenges facing the industry.
The report, based on research by the FSB and other financial services groups, says that, while the industry is still expanding at a fast pace, the biggest drivers of demand for 3D prints are rising costs and a lack of supply.
It cites as a major concern the continued lack of high-quality supply of parts for new 3D-printable products, which has slowed down the pace of manufacturing in recent years.
“While demand for new models of printers has increased in recent months, the demand for existing models has not,” the report states.
“At the same time, supply is not expanding at the same pace as demand.”
Read MoreHere’s the breakdown of the report:While the demand and supply for 3Ds and parts has increased since the first batch of printers was launched, that’s largely because the demand is coming from the most lucrative areas of the business, such as electronics, manufacturing, consumer electronics and healthcare, according to the report.
The report also notes that the rapid expansion of the industry will likely cause the prices of some of its most popular products to continue to rise.
“The most significant increase in the price of 3D printed parts will likely occur in the consumer electronics, consumer products, healthcare and retail sectors, where prices will continue to climb,” the FSRF report states, noting that consumer electronics are the most valuable areas of 3d printing.
The other major driver of the demand was the fact that there were not enough people willing to buy them, according the report, noting the fact many of those who did buy could not be bothered to purchase them, leaving them with nothing.
“This could cause manufacturers to stop offering 3D printable products for their customers, and will lead to a reduction in demand for the products, potentially leading to a decrease in supply, and possibly a sharp decline in prices,” the study says.
It also cites the growing cost of 3DS printers as a significant challenge to the industry, as the price has gone up in recent weeks, from $499 to $1,200.
That’s a $200 increase for each new 3DS printer, according of the FSF report.
For more business news and insight from the financial services industry, follow me on Twitter and Facebook.
The FSF has been conducting an annual survey of the printing industry since the mid-1990s, looking at what 3D machines are used for and the types of jobs they’re being used for.
The study is conducted every three years, with an average of 10,000 3D scanners and printers, according in the report and an analysis of data from FSB data.
It also tracks the demand of each printer.
The FSF says it plans to release a report in 2019 on the number of printers in the U.S. and its global market.


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Walmart Slips After Strong Results
Walmart (NYSE: WMT) has been one of the biggest winners from the pandemic and it looks like those tailwinds continue to blow. The company reported its Q3 results blowing past consensus estimates and offering improved guidance but the shares are falling anyway. The market may have been expecting more, it’s hard to say, but what we can say is that the fundamental story in Walmart is still sound. While price action may be showing weakness now, we don’t think it will last for long because the company is still growing and the long-term technical indications are so bullish. In our view, the price action in Walmart is winding up for the next move and we think it will be a move higher.
Walmart Has Strong Quarter Despite Divestiture
Walmart had a strong quarter on a YOY and two-year basis even with the divestiture of an International business segment. The company reported $140.5 billion in net revenue which is up 4.3% over last year and 18% versus calendar 2019. The revenue beat the consensus estimate by 480 basis points as well and gives evidence of the strength of the consumer. Comps in the U.S. were up 9.9% for the quarter with notable strength in eCommerce. eCommerce sales rose a smaller 8% in the U.S. but are up 87% versus two years ago. Digging deeper, the U.S.comps are up on the combination of higher ticket traffic and ticket averages. Ticket count rise 5.7% while ticket average rose by 3.3%.
Sams Club also showed some strong growth. The Sams Club unit grew by 13.9% and 25% versus two years ago and it looks like growth will stay in the double-digits for at least another quarter. The company reports membership rose by over 11% marking the 5th quarter of double-digit membership growth. The International segment was the only area of weakness and that due to divestiture. The company reported a 20% decline in net sales that is more than made up by the sale of the business. That impacted net revenue by 670 basis points or more than $9 billion.
Walmart’s margin is another area of strength despite a minor contraction in gross margin. The company reported a 42 basis point contraction in gross margin that we find remarkable given the fact Walmart is one of few companies not raising prices. Walmart also says labor conditions are easing which should reduce pressure on margin as well. Moving down to the bottom line, Walmart was able to squeak out a 4 basis point improvement in the operating margin that helped drive bottom-line strength. The GAAP earnings fell short by $0.29 but the adjusted $1.45 is up a dime from last year and beat the consensus by a nickel.
Walmart Guides A Bullish Market Higher
Walmart adjusted its guidance to assume a slightly higher comp in the U.S. and for earnings to come in a range above both the previous guidance and the analyst’s consensus. In this light, we are expecting to see some bullish analyst activity and for the consensus estimate to move higher. The Marketbeat.com consensus estimate is already well above the current all-time high and assumes about 20% of the upside from the $143 level.
The Technical Outlook: Walmart Is In A Bullish Triangle
Walmart is in a bullish triangle and it is a large, long-term triangle at that. This pattern began forming in the wake of the peak pandemic buying spree and could easily lead the stock up by double digits. The triangle alone is worth about $30 or 20% of upside from the all-time high and we think Walmart could go even higher.
Walmart is a part of the Entrepreneur Index, which tracks some of the largest publicly traded companies founded and run by entrepreneurs.
Before you consider Walmart, you'll want to hear this.
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Armagh’s land, which is famous for its PGI protected Armagh Bramley Apple, will feature firmly on the food map as the Richhill Apple Harvest Fayre returns on 26th October for its sixth year.
Supported by Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and the Ulster Farmers’ Union, the popular harvest fayre takes place during the Taste The Island 12 week long collaboration with Tourism Northern Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland.
Organisers say the fayre will pay homage to those producers who use the Armagh Bramley Apple, those who produce food and drink products from the land and those who contribute to Northern Ireland’s overall food and drink story.
Thousands are expected to descend in the village of Richhill to celebrate the end of the harvest and to support Armagh’s thriving producers such as Ballylisk of Armagh, Symphonia Gin, Armagh Cider Co, Long Meadow Cider, McCrackens Real Ale, Wilsons Country, Apple Blossom Bakery and many more.
Speaking at the launch of the Richhill Apple Harvest Fayre, Hamilton Loney said: “We believe our apples are the best apples in the world and the Richhill Apple Harvest Fayre started in 2014 as a celebration of the Armagh Bramley. Year on year, Armagh’s food and drink storygets even better as more and more craft producers create amazing products.
“We are proud to give our local food and drink producers a fantastic platform to raise awareness of their products among local people. The fayre celebrates the end of the harvest so it’s great to bring everyone together to taste what our county has to offer.
“The Richhill Apple Harvest Fayre is a free event to attend. There are a host of other events which will run from Wednesday, 23rd October in the village.
Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Councillor Mealla Campbell, who attended the launch of this year’s fayre, said: “This popular event really compliments the recent Armagh Food and Cider Festival by extending the celebrations to the end of harvest of our famous Armagh Bramley Apple.
“The Richhill Apple Harvest Fayre is a fantastic event led by our local community showcasing
the best food and drink from artisan producers, farmers and growers. This year’s fayre will host over 30 food and drink stalls, fun and games for children, live cookery demonstrations with chefs Mervyn Steenson from Groucho’s and John Whyte from the Armagh City Hotel alongside our WI.”


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hunting cloud network news on September 24,
in the media Open Day activities held in this afternoon, alibaba group chief Ming zeng told hunting cloud network, the company will be in a new way into video field, in order to achieve the goal of subversion existing markets.
in his view, the current mainstream video website leading business model has been locked. However, he believed that this value is not to maximize value, business model is relatively simple. Such as large repeatedly watched way behavior is relatively simple, and the means of advertisements for long, also affect the user experience.
but Ming zeng is not at the meeting said ali specific preparation condition. He said alibaba is in no hurry to do the two fields at a draught, but the team will develop, and actively seek the breakthrough point.
in previous ali structure adjustment, has set up a digital entertainment group, including online music, online video, online reading and digital publishing, and other business. And news, former general manager of tencent video chun-ning liu has joined ali and start to in charge of the digital entertainment group, have also reports that talks to buy PPTV, however, the deal is likely to have stalled.


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Some of the Best-Selling Cars In America Are Also the Most Stolen
It’s no secret that Americans need a variety of vehicles that fit their daily driving needs. As such, some of the best-selling vehicles for 2023 include a smattering of cars, trucks, and SUVs. Unsurprisingly, the top 10 favorites list includes the almighty Ford F-150 and perennial favorites like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.
However, these vehicles’ popularity is not only observed by the people who buy them but also by those who don’t want to pay for them. Recent data from Insurify shows that many of the best-selling vehicles in America are also the most stolen cars.
What are the top 10 best-selling cars in America?
It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that Americans love their trucks and SUVs. The recent list of the top 10 best-selling vehicles mostly consists of trucks and SUVs, but there are some sedans on the list as well:
One key point that Insurify – a car insurance shopping resource – identified is the insurance rates for these particular cars. According to the folks at Insurify, “Car insurance prices have spiked 17% in 2023, and drivers of the best-selling models pay 44% more than the rising national average of $172 for full-coverage insurance.”
For example, the best-selling vehicle of 2023 thus far is the Ford F-150. Ford has sold 451,429 units so far, and those who own one of these trucks could pay an average of $253 a month. That’s in addition to a possible hefty monthly car payment, considering the truck has a base price of $34,585, which can be nearly $100,000 depending on the trim level chosen.
The real stick in the spokes of these popular cars, though, is the current theft rate of most of them. As we all know, having your car stolen can also increase your insurance premium.
The most stolen cars in America command high insurance rates
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a car is stolen every 32 seconds in the U.S. Some of those cars include the ones on the previous list, namely the Honda Accord, the Toyota Camry, and different Ford pickups.
The Kia Optima also ranked high on the list, possibly due to the string of thefts in recent years. In 2022, a TikTok challenge showed how easy it is to steal Hyundai and Kia models with a mechanical key. The most stolen model year for the Optima is 2015.
As for the Ford trucks, the most stolen model and year is the 2006 F-Series truck due to their ignition switches being located at the bottom of the dashboard. However, the most stolen vehicle on the list is also the most surprising.
Insurify listed a full-size Chevy Silverado as the most stolen vehicle in America, with over 49,900 stolen in 2022 alone.
What does all this data mean?
Ultimately, considering America’s car-buying trends shown from the list of the best-selling cars relative to the cars on the stolen list, it’s safe to say that drivers should be wary of the make and model they are buying.
This doesn’t mean that buying a new Honda Accord means it will be stolen. It mainly means there is a higher possibility than others on the list – statistically speaking. That said, the driver’s insurance rates can increase as well.


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Researchers just who vie your international yields gap was important that have esteem to home-based rising prices keeps up coming attempted to determine if the fresh fuel from the determine has expanded near to expands in exchange transparency. In the event that international yields pit has an effect on home-based rising prices, yet not, the strength of it impact is apparently not related to help you alter as a swap transparency. 29 Centered on this facts, it appears to be unrealistic you to definitely alterations in exchange visibility more than present decades and less productivity pit overseas lead to new all of a sudden more compact market meltdown.
Solution explanations into insufficient deflation pursuing the 2007-2009 credit crunch cite the global financial crisis and diminished usage of external financing to own enterprises. Generally speaking, while in the a recession, because need for goods and services minimizes, the price of people products or services and additionally will drop-off. However, some economists keeps contended your economic crisis diminished the production out-of exterior financial support (we.elizabeth., equity things, loans) available for enterprises, hence enhanced borrowing from the bank costs. In the face of improved credit will cost you, specific organizations, specifically exchangeability constrained businesses with the-entitled gooey consumer basics, escort services in Des Moines 31 might have signed up to increase prices to stay solvent up until the costs of borrowing decreased since monetary field retrieved. Limited empirical performs has actually located evidence of which choices of the companies inside the 2007-2009 recession, which can help to give an explanation for unexpectedly more compact reduction of rising cost of living adopting the recession. 29
Increased Inflation Anchoring
Adopting the large inflation of your later 70s and you will mid-eighties, the fresh new Government Set-aside became more worried about maintaining a stable rates away from rising prices facing economic unexpected situations. 32 Previously, the fresh new Government Set aside accommodated alterations in rising cost of living you to lead away from economic surprises. Sigue leyendo


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A study finds molded fiber bowls touted as the “ecological savior” in take-out restaurant chains and salad bars contain potentially hazardous chemicals that do not biodegrade naturally and, thus, make compost more toxic.
“Testing by The New Food Economy reveals an industry secret,” writes Joe Fassler, features editor. “All fiber bowls contain PFAS [per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances], a troubling class of chemicals with no known half-life, even when they’re certified compostable.”
As the report observes, the fiber bowls are popular at chains such as Chipotle, Sweetgreen, and are “the biggest culinary star of the past five years,” though they bear a dark secret of the environmental responsibility movement that suggests closer investigation of that movement is warranted.
Sweetgreen, in particular, the author notes, has advertised its take-out containers are “100% compostable”:
all our takeout bowls, utensils, straws, and napkins are 100% compostable!
— sweetgreen (@sweetgreen) June 7, 2017
“While this messaging suggests that Sweetgreen’s bowls dissipate quickly and harmlessly into the environment, the very opposite is true,” Fassler states. “PFAS are colloquially called “forever chemicals” for a reason. You might only handle your salad bowl for five minutes, but the chemicals inside it, as far as we know, will stick around for countless generations.”
Fassler explains items tagged as environment-friendly may be overlooked when it comes to the long-range health of humans:
If molded fiber bowls have become a kind of status symbol in the restaurant world, conferring a fuzzy sense of corporate, social, and environmental responsibility onto the companies that use them, it’s probably because they’ve been positioned as an antidote to the industry’s alarming take-out waste problem. Many varieties are explicitly pitched to food-service buyers as compostable, certified by third-party assessors like the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI). Unlike styrofoam clamshells or wax-lined soup cups, fiber products feel like they’d turn into mush on a leaf pile. They seem to offer convenience without the karmic debt, a way to eat that leaves no trace.
But these products, for reasons that have slipped under the radar until recently, are instead contributing to a growing environmental crisis.
Experts say all molded fiber bowls contain the potentially hazardous PFAS that are not biodegradable, thus making compost possibly even more toxic than with the materials that are unpopular with the environmentally responsible crowd. The PFAS, they say, “never break down. Not in five years, and not in 500.”
In its study, the New Food Economy tested fiber bowls from 14 locations of 8 different New York City restaurants. Researchers found all the samples tested contained high levels of fluorine, which chemical experts say is indicative of treatment with PFAS compounds, the substances that allow the fiber bowls to hold hot and greasy foods.
According to Fassler, the worst PFAS chemicals have been linked to “a range of serious health outcomes, from colitis and thyroid disorders to kidney and testicular cancers.” While these are mostly being removed from production in the United States, newer fiber bowls likely contain other varieties of toxic substances that could be linked to serious health issues, but simply have not been studied.
He observes the take-out industry began to look for substitutes for styrofoam clamshells in 2013, when New York City banned single-use foam products and dozens of other cities followed in its path.
According to the study, Whole Foods, which regularly boasts about its certified compostable packaging, was “the worst offender,” with PFAS detected in five of 17 items tested.
Whole Foods has since pledged to remove PFAS from its packaging, the report notes.
Molded fiber is “a feel-good product that works for the operator – less waste, halo branding, a product that makes the guest feel virtuous,” Arlene Spiegel, a food service consultant in New York City, told Fassler, who specifically points out the primary appeal of “halo branding” – advertising a “completely compostable” container which, actually, is not, to people eager to feel “virtuous” and environmentally conscious.
“The suggestion that these products biodegrade turns out to be deeply misleading,” Fassler writes.


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inconso Journal 01/18
In the context of the growing interconnectedness of logistics processes, the mega-trend of digitalization has far-reaching consequences. Current studies show that the European Commission’s digital economy and society index (aka DESI) has increased across Europe compared to the previous year. The European economy has identified enormous potential in regard to digitalization, whether it is the necessary modification of existing infrastructures, the implementation of innovative mobility and IT concepts or new business models with revolutionary, even disruptive properties.
Compared internationally, however, the European economic area only receives moderate attention. Leading worldwide hotbeds of innovation are located elsewhere, such as in Silicon Valley, even though the digitalization hype in Central Europe already affects products and services as well as work, production and communication processes. Germany is a trailblazer in 4.0 technologies and is among the top countries using robots in the industry. 74 percent of total revenue of industrial robots is spent in the five main markets China, South Korea, Japan, the United States and Germany, according to a current IFR study.
Now the mega-trend in digitalization is also affecting mindsets: The eagerness to innovate and experiment is increasing and automation in many industries is growing. According to an international study conducted by the ZEW and Fraunhofer institute, the innovation indicators of four European countries are among the top 5, with Germany in fourth place. Whereas the opportunities in the production and manufacture industry are especially used in intelligent components, the progress in the area of „smart logistics“ is already a few steps ahead of other areas. This includes highly automated distribution processes, self-controlling processes in intralogistics or intelligent containers. There is still much to do here, but Europe, especially Germany, fares better internationally than some “experts” would like us to believe. In logistics, excitement about innovation is second to nine.
With this as the theme, the feature story of the latest issue of the inconso Journal is dedicated to technological trends that currently influence logistics. Furthermore, the fashion retailer MANGO relies on inconsoWMS and inconsoSCE at its new distribution center in Lliçà d’Amunt near Barcelona, while BSH Hausgeräte GmbH optimizes the processes of its European transport network with SAP TM.
Enjoy the new inconso Journal!


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Cupertino (CA) – Yes, we apologize for putting up yet another iPhone story, so we’ll make this one brief. Steve Jobs, Apple’s chief executive, is giving away a $599 iPhone to every one of Apple’s 20,000 employees. At retail value, this would put the total giveaway at approximately $12 million dollars.
It’s unclear whether the donated iPhones were given on the company’s behalf or as a personal gift from Jobs – not that he couldn’t afford it. While $12 million sounds like a lot of money, Jobs recently was fully vested in about $646 million dollars in Apple stock options.


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USA TODAY hosts a roundtable discussion on the best and worst Super Bowl commercials with industry experts. Joining Bruce Horovitz are Steve Hayden, Chief Creative Officer at Ogilvy, Bonin...
USA Today's Super Bowl Ad Meter
Watch! USA Today's Super Bowl Ad Meter
USA Today's 2011 Super Bowl Ad Meter
BRIDGESTONE ad USA TODAY Ad Meter 2011
Super Bowl 2014: 'Puppy Love' is Top TV Ad
Motorola USA TODAY Ad Meter 2011
Bud Light ad USA TODAY Ad Meter 2011
The “geek mind” is concerned with more than just the latest iPhone rumors, or which company will win the gaming console wars. I4U is concerned with more than just the latest photo shoot or other celebrity gossip.
The “geek mind” is concerned with life, in all its different forms and facets. The geek mind wants to know about societal and financial issues, both abroad and at home. If a Fortune 500 decides to raise their minimum wage, or any high priority news, the geek mind wants to know. The geek mind wants to know the top teams in the National Football League, or who’s likely to win the NBA Finals this coming year. The geek mind wants to know who the hottest new models are, or whether the newest blockbuster movie is worth seeing. The geek mind wants to know. The geek mind wants—needs—knowledge.
Read more about The Geek Mind.


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June 28, 2019
VSP Global entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Visionworks, the San Antonio-headquartered national retail optical chain, for an undisclosed amount. The transaction will provide the Rancho Cordova, CA-based VSP Global with more than 700 retail stores in nearly 40 states. There are no plans to move Visionworks’ employees or headquarters from its current location at 175 E. Houston St., according to a report in the San Antonio Business Journal.
The transaction will close as soon as the necessary regulatory approvals are obtained. “We are aligned with VSP’s values and our shared commitment to help people see,” said Visionworks CEO, Pete Bridgman. “Grounded in our passion to deliver affordable quality eye care in a simple way, and strengthened by our new partnership with VSP, we will focus on advancing patient care and accessibility.”
Pictured: Visionworks Headquarters, San Antonio
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Android has most of the worldwide consumer smartphone market, but hasn’t made a much of a dent in enterprise mobility. That might be about to change.
Android climbed to own 79% of the global smartphone market by the end of 2013, but meanwhile, Apple controls a full 73% of enterprise markets. This disparity highlights Android’s great enterprise weakness.
There are several reasons many corporations choose Apple iOS devices over Android, chief of which is security. Android’s open-source model is much of what makes it popular with some consumers, but it is also a cause for concern with many a CIO. Although many people would consider Apple’s control of iOS too strict, that is something that is largely attractive to a company that values privacy and security.
Android is also more popular with the developers of applications that contain malware due to the cheap, one time, $25 charge to get a developers license. Apple’s multi tiered developers program starts out at $99 per year and scares away much of the less desirables in the developers community.
Aside from security, it is a lot harder to create business policies and procedures surrounding Android devices, since there is so much software and hardware diversity for Android. It’s a lot easier to create policies and procedures around one software and form factor, to test a new system on only one type of device, and write only one set of directions for mobile users.
Enterprise app development is also easier with an iOS only environment. One corporate app can work for any iPhone or iPad, whereas it takes a little more work to enable an app to work on the spread of Android devices out there. Not to mention the fact that iOS generally has better app support for consumers as well. It only makes sense that businesses would lean that direction when making mobile decisions.
Fortunately, Google isn’t content with letting Apple own enterprise and a new report suggests they will be correcting many of their enterprise wrongs by making the next version of Android more business friendly.
Samsung has already led the charge on this with Samsung SAFE and Samsung KNOX, improving Android security enough to even lure a few government contracts. The Samsung features are an exclusive to them, though, and although they are the biggest name in Android, the platform would benefit from natively improved security and enterprise management features direct from Google.
Google recently encrypted Gmail traffic, the service has begun using HTTPS connections for sending and receiving mail. More integration of security features such as that will go a long way towards making Android more acceptable in the enterprise.
Storage management is also not very secure with Android, which is part of the reason Google is leading the charge away from SD cards. Hopefully we will see steps to encrypt local storage. Although Google’s Nexus line doesn’t support SD cards, they may need a solution to protect/encrypt the card for devices that do, although that would be a concession on their part.
Google could also improve functionality with corporate Mobile Device Management solutions such as Mobile Iron, Tangoe, or VMware. The launch of Android Device Manager last year was a good foot in the door for these services, but it will need to be expanded drastically to be considered by CIO looking to use Android in business.
With BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) programs becoming more and more popular in business, the call for Google to enable businesses to allow employees to use their personal Android devices for work is getting louder. There’s a lot that Google is expected to do at the next Google I/O, but any improvements for those that want to use Android in business will be well met.


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If there were ever a time for fashion to reinvent itself, it is now. The industry has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Billions of dollars of clothing orders placed with manufacturers around the world have been cancelled, major physical retailers have shuttered. Online sales are down by as much as 20-40% in the US. A majority of fashion businesses are likely to suffer financial distress over the coming months, and it’s a fact that many will not survive.
As the world sits on pause during this COVID-19 crisis, there exists a rare opportunity for the fashion world to rethink how it does things, financially and environmentally. This is certainly true of the major incumbents, fashion houses that control a large portion of the industry value chain. But it also applies to new entrants: innovators and disruptors that might find it the perfect time to shake things up and improve upon the status quo. (see fashion accessories for men online stores)
This is a wake-up call for both the consumers and the industry as a whole. The threat that this pandemic holds over our heads is a call to action for the fashion industry to slow down, move away from mass production and change direction, before an even larger problem is at hand.
The crisis that we are now finding ourselves in will undoubtedly initiate a shift in how we interpret fashion. Like the effect of past world wars and pandemics, we too will have to focus on quality over quantity, practicality over vanity. (see us-reviews.com)
It takes a crisis to form a tactic and fashion is no exception. Some of the best designs were born from hardship. Let’s take for instance, Coco Chanel created women’s couture pieces from foraged fabrics when materials were scarce around the period of the First World War, such as jersey men’s underwear. This led to a huge shift in womenswear from restrained corsets to comfortable attire, making Chanel the innovative brand to beat.
When the lock-down started, face masks became the most ubiquitous and essential accessory, they were passed out at the runway shows everywhere in America, factories closed in parts of Asia bringing production to a halt, but the permanent shifts the industry would experience had yet to be fully realized. From the very beginning, Coronavirus disrupted and changed the fashion industry, but its larger impact is still only starting to be understood.
As businesses everywhere learned to adapt and hit the breaks during this time, fashion faced a unique call to action. It came quite literally in a joint letter from the Council of Fashion Designers of America and the British Fashion Council. In addition to emphasizing sustainable practices and a more thoughtful approach to events and in-person presentations, the letter asked designers to focus on two main collections per year.
With over 36 million people currently unemployed, leisure fashion has taken a backseat in favor of necessities. Buying the latest designer shoe or handbag isn’t exactly top of mind in a pandemic, and experts predict this “recession economy mindset” will have major ripple effects on shopping patterns, spending, and the success of major brands.
Consumers are likely to cut back on fashion-related spending, particularly of the high-end variety. In a recession, people have less money to spend, in a world of ‘social distancing’ they have fewer flashy events to go to, and in a post-pandemic world the mood is likely to be more reflective and subdued.


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Members' News |
French Tech Taiwan is launching a new activity in its new base at Taiwan Tech Arena: FTT Startup Lounge. It will offer you the opportunity to meet French startupers who just landed in Taiwan, whether it is for a few days or to settle here, or who have been around for a while.
The idea is to create a professional although cozy atmosphere to promote dialogue and exchange between newcomers and the local actors.
No pitches, no ceremonies, just warm talks, demo, discovery and a few drinks.
For this first event we are proud to team up with Schoolab and IAPS who will bring 3 entrepreneurs involved in Robotics, VR (& blockchain) and Cleantech :
- Gonzague Gridel, founder of MIP robotics
- Franck de Visme, founder of VRsquad
- Flavien Hello, co founder of R-pur
When? Tuesday 30th of October, from 5.00pm to 7.00pm
Where? TTA, French Tech office, 4F 台北市松山區南京東路四段2號


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The Class of 2013 will soon be sitting in their caps and gowns, listening to commencement speakers attempting to advise and inspire them. But one of the most viral commencement addresses this year was given to the Class of 2005. David Foster Wallace delivered his "This is Water" speech to Kenyon College graduates eight years ago. Transcripts of it have circulated around the Web ever since, gaining popularity after the author committed suicide in 2008.
The Glossary, a video production company, revived Wallace's speech this week. They turned it into a 9-minute short film using an abridged version of the speech set to music. "We felt like this message actually changed the way we thought about life in a way that went beyond the typical cliched advice," the filmmakers told AdWeek.
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text: Latest News Google to Offer Glass to All U.S. Residents for a Limited Time By Staff Friday, April 11, 2014 12:30 AM MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.—Google is about to expand the availability of Google Glass, its proprietary Internet-connected eyewear. In an announcement on the Google+ website yesterday, the company said that on Tuesday, April 15 at 9:00 am EDT, it will allow any adult U.S. resident to join its Glass Explorer program. So far, the company has limited enrollment in the program to a select number of applicants. Those wishing to become Explorers must pay $1,500 plus tax for Glass, the same price Google has previously been charging for the device. Google noted that the number of spots in the Explorer program is limited, but did not specify how many spots are available or how long it will continue to accept new applicants to the program. Google made a special presentation about Glass at Vision Monday’s Global Leadership Summit on March 26, and Summit attendees had an opportunity to try the device.


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‘Teen Mom 2’ alum Chelsea Houska is mixing things up! The reality star dyed her hair brown and got rid of her signature red hair. See her before and after makeover.
Summertime is almost here, and Sophie Turner has a new hairstyle to go with it. She dyed her hair back to red and showed it off on Instagram.
Ella Emhoff admitted that she’s ‘really drawn to that almost ugly-chic look’ while getting her mullet cut for the model and fashion designer’s first-ever ‘Vogue’ photo shoot.
Mandy Moore took fans all the way back to the late ’90s with her new blonde ‘do! Check out before and after pics of actress and singer’s new hairstyle that’s perfect for summer fun!
Phoebe Dynevor just boosted her red hair color to a fiery new hue, she revealed on Instagram! See the before and after pics, here.
Rihanna stepped out for a night on the town in Santa Monica, where she showed off her brand new short hairdo! Check out the singer and fashion mogul’s bold new look!
Kim Kardashian was a blonde bombshell — for a brief moment! The ‘KUWTK’ star looked nearly unrecognizable after bleaching her eyebrows and rocking a blonde wig for a photoshoot.
After years of rocking shorter hair on ‘DWTS,’ Mark Ballas pleasantly surprised fans with his long curly hair makeover. The dancer and musician even revealed his go-to product for maintaining those curls!
Justin Bieber took to Instagram and gave his millions of followers a look at his latest hairstyle, featuring the singer’s new dreadlocks in a man bun. Check out his post!
See photos of Harry Styles, Orlando Bloom and more stars who have sported the man bun hairstyle in the past!
Talk about a dramatic hair makeover! Salma Hayek traded in her gorgeous brunette locks for fiery red tresses for her role in Lady Gaga’s new film ‘House of Gucci.’
Kelly Osbourne revealed that she was totally feeling her ‘new hair’ and ‘new outlook’ after opening up to fans about her ‘relapse’ following nearly four years of sobriety.
Cardi B just revealed that she’s now rocking blue ombré hair, and it may be one of her best looks yet. See before and after pics from her wild hair makeover.
Lily James looked like she was getting into character, as she preps to play Pamela Anderson in the upcoming series ‘Pam & Tommy.’ Check out the pics!
John Travolta’s 21-year-old daughter, Ella, got bangs for the first time in years, and showed off the makeover on Instagram.
Singing Star Lizzo Recommends Coconut Oil & We Found This Oil on Amazon for $0.14 Per Fluid Ounce!
Gear Up for Winter With This Luxury Blanket On Sale Now for Under $90 on Amazon
Amazon Has The Tik Tok Viral Tinted Serum from L’Oreal Paris on Sale Right Now!


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Arild Links the company behind the world’s first commercially available product manufactured from metal extracted from guns (Humanium Metal). Proud to participate in the celebration of the 80:th birthday of Individuell Människohjälp (IM) by announcing not only the release of the Arild Links HU Bangle. A product produced from Humanium Metal. But also the partnership Arild Links Non-Violence foundation.
”In every country, in every city, on every street – across our globe every day.
People are carrying guns, a lethal shape of metal, with the purpose to slay.
This madness we oppose strongly!
Metal for arms should be...


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FinTechs are Important to Reducing Cash in Circulation – FG
“Negative social vices such as theft, corruption, illegal transactions, money laundering, financial crime, and the like are reduced as the availability of cash in circulation reduces".
Nigerian-born Fintech Founders Convicted in US for Laundering $160M
Texas-based fintech firm sends customers’ remittances to Nigeria, Kenya, and other African nations.
KIFC launches $50,000,000 Africa Fund targeted at fintech companies
Focused on Africa fintech companies, the fund’s objective is to grow the capital to $120,000,000


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Three of these venerable vehicles are former limousine/ livery industry stalwarts.
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — The luxury chauffeured vehicle horse race hits the track hard next week as Cadillac and Chrysler introduce longer versions of their sedan models while Lincoln adds the MKS sedan to its line-up.
And limousine operators have sent a resounding message to manufacturers: It’s all about the legroom.
The extended versions of the Cadillac XTS and Chrysler 300 sedans will be ready for operators to view and to order next week at the 2013 International LCT Show at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Feb. 5-7.
A production-ready Cadillac XTS-L sedan, expanded seven inches, will be on display at the exhibit area of Acton Fleet Sales and SoCal Penske on the Show floor, along with a six-inch extended version of the Chrysler 300 sedan. The XTS-L is being manufactured by Specialty Vehicle Group of Amelia, Ohio, which makes vehicles under the Federal Coach and Eagle Coach brands. The Chrysler 300-L will be manufactured by Livernois Vehicle Development of Inkster, Mich. The 300 model at the Show is a pre-production prototype and will be engineered to meet or exceed all federal safety standards and certifications. The XTS-L is certified by Cadillac Master Coachbuilders. Both vehicles will contain original OEM rear doors.
Final pricing is still being determined, but the manufacturers and their exclusive dealer, Acton Fleet Sales/SoCal Penske, are aiming for prices about $10,000 more than the standard livery versions of the XTS and 300, said Bill Cunningham, general sales manager of Acton.
Both vehicles will be officially introduced at the Acton/Penske booth to much fanfare at a national press conference on the International LCT Show floor of the MGM Grand Marquee Ballroom at 3:45 p.m. PT on Tuesday, Feb. 5. Cunningham, Phillip Hartz, Co-CEO of SoCal Penske Professional Vehicles, Acton/Penske sales managers Greg Maddock and Bob Moody, and Acton dealership franchise owner Coleman Hoyt will join Edward J. Peper, GM U.S. vice president of fleet and commercial sales and Chrysler executive Brad Davis for the unveilings, now scheduled about 90 minutes apart with the XTS-L debuting first. The launch will feature slide show presentations, information on vehicle specs, and a celebratory reception at the exhibit for all ILCT Show attendees.
The XTS and 300 extended versions are in response to an intense and consistent desire among limousine operators for sedans and livery vehicles with legroom similar to that of the retired Lincoln Town Car Executive L, which was a six-inch extended version of the standard Lincoln Town Car. [Lincoln engineered the interior of the MKT Town Car to maximize rear seat legroom without extending the chassis].
“Everyone is looking for a sedan that gives them back that interior room,” Cunningham told LCT. “Everyone is saying we need something big, and we need something with legroom.”
The extended models along with the many choices also underscore a vehicle market limited by stricter federal vehicle standards, with manufacturers no longer able to produce sedans as wide as the former Town Car and having to make do with mid-size being the new full-size, Hartz said. The only OEM-ready long wheelbase luxury vehicles now available to limousine operators are made by Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Lexus, and because of their costs, are suited mostly to the high-end chauffeured market.
“Since the demise of the Town Car, the industry has been searching for alternatives,” Hartz said. “Operators continue to ask for longer extended versions of the new style sedans out there. They are smaller and narrower than the Town Car, and operators feel lost because they don’t have one particular product. The Town Car L was reliable. Change is tough on everybody.”
The XTS-L made by SVG is ready for immediate orders while the 300-L needs further testing and development before being road ready and available for sale by later summer. The XTS-Ls could be in limousine fleets as early as March, Cunningham said. Acton and Penske have fielded an avalanche of calls and inquiries from operators interested in either or both extended models.
Additionally, Lehmann-Peterson will be launching its extended version of the XTS-L at the Show next week, while Lincoln Limousine & Livery Vehicles just announced the addition of the Lincoln MKS to its official livery fleet selections. The MKS will be on display with the MKT Town Car at the Lincoln Limousine & Livery Vehicles exhibit area.
The bottom line for operators attending the 2013 International LCT Show is that not only is the chauffeured vehicle market offering more choices than ever before, the Detroit Big 3 automakers are intensely competing in a widening luxury vehicle market that has evolved since the retirements of the Town Car and Cadillac DTS sedans in 2011.
Cunningham estimates that the vast majority of operators nationwide have not yet decided on a new fleet vehicle mix nor made many bulk fleet purchases, as they run their Town Cars longer and evaluate all the options on the market. Some have bought a few sample vehicles to try them out. 2013 and 2014 are likely to see an explosion in fleet orders from chauffeured transportation operators of all fleet sizes as the Town Cars and DTS sedans finally wear out or are sold to the used vehicle market.
“Sales demand has not broken loose yet,” Cunningham said. “We have not touched the tip of the iceberg. I’m getting many calls from people with Town Cars with 200,000, 300,000, 400,000 miles on them.” He also predicted a spike in stretch limousine sales: “We’re going to see the resurgence of the limousine industry. People are coming back because they need to have a new limo.”
With so many choices and options, the Acton/Penske sales team will use a no-pressure-no-hassle advisory approach to its presentations and interactions with limo operators. It is more important for operators to take their time and try out the various vehicles, Cunningham said, so they can accurately determine which are best for their operations and for their customers while preserving price integrity and profit margins.
“We’ve got to go slow, listen to them, and try to put them in the car(s) that suit their needs,” Cunningham said. “We want to try to earn the customer’s business for life.”
Acton/Penske, which announced a partnership last September creating a national livery vehicle sales network, can provide a one-stop shopping, shipping and service experience for operators nationwide, regardless of whether they choose Lincolns, Cadillacs or Chryslers, Hartz said. Many operators and chauffeurs are seeing how customers like the new models. “There is definitely a need to help the industry sort through these issues of what the customers are really asking for.”
Below is a list of the vehicles and available pricing (applicable rebates included) from Acton/Penske for the many models being sold in the post-Town Car livery vehicle market:
[While informed industry sources have speculated about the possibility of an extended Lincoln MKS-L version, there are no definitive plans at this time].
-- Martin Romjue, LCT editor
Three of these venerable vehicles are former limousine/ livery industry stalwarts.
Vehicle Review: Strong engine performance vaults the green SUV into the luxury vehicle space category.
Vehicle Review: Cutting-edge infotainment and driver assist tech are just a few reasons this lux sedan rises to the top.
A new ABA Foundation Report says bus buying decreased over the prior year’s second quarter to 766 units.
Vehicle Review: The luxury sedan has gone under the scalpel big time.
Vehicle Review: The latest version of the luxury sedan brings a new engine, sheetmetal, and technology.
Vehicle Pick of the Week: While SUVs are gaining popularity, there's nothing wrong with adding smaller vehicles to your fleet.
Vehicle Review: Spaciousness, amenities, and smooth-operating advanced driver-assistance systems make for a relaxing ride.
Vehicle Review: The luxury sedan has re-established itself.
The luxury motorcoach maker celebrated its 95th anniversary with a company hosted event in June.
The military fleet staple is road legal in the U.K., but only allowed up to 20 miles per hour with rubber-padded tracks.
Here's what you can expect from the German automaker's next-generation luxury limo.
Vehicle Pick of the Week: This motorcoach provides enough chauffeured luxury flair to impress a variety of client groups.
It also appears all the seats, even those in the rear passenger compartment, are facing forward.
AUG. LCT Cover: Three leading auction bidders on a Lincoln Navigator L see it as an emblem of how their operations thrive in dynamic luxury service markets.
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