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Shares of Twitter (TWTR 1.89%) rose sharply on Wednesday following the release of the popular messaging platform's fourth-quarter results.
As of 3 p.m. EST, Twitter's stock price was up more than 12%.
Twitter's revenue surged 28% year over year to $1.29 billion, fueled by strong user growth in international markets. The social media company's monetizable daily active usage (mDAU) -- essentially, the number of people who logged in and accessed Twitter's apps -- climbed 27% to 192 million.
Advertising dollars follow eyeballs, and Twitter's ad revenue rose 31% to $1.15 billion. "Advertisers are benefiting from new ad formats, stronger attribution, and improved targeting," Twitter Chief Financial Officer Ned Segal said in a press release.
Better still, Twitter is becoming more profitable as it scales its revenue base. Its operating income soared 65% to $252 million, as its operating margin expanded to 20%, up from 15% in the year-ago quarter.
Looking ahead, Twitter expects to generate revenue of $940 million to $1.04 billion in the first quarter of 2021. Meanwhile, management anticipates an operating loss of as much as $50 million, as Twitter ramps up hiring and increases its investments in technology to support its growth initiatives.
"Our product changes to date are promoting healthier conversations for those who use our service, including advertisers and partners, and we are excited about our plans to continue innovating in 2021," CEO Jack Dorsey said.


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Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
As you know, Steve Jobs passed away in 2011 after a long battle with cancer. Those who like to believe alternative realities are now hammering home the fact that one photo, showing a man lounging in Egypt, proves that Jobs is actually not gone. As reported by The Sun and numerous other sources, a barefoot man enjoying a caffeinated beverage and wandering barefoot has convinced people that Steve Jobs is still alive. Superfans of the tech giant are well aware that, during brainstorm sessions, Jobs liked to walk around barefoot. One thing that has even the most stubborn theorists confused though is the man’s choice of wristwear. The Jobs lookalike is not wearing an Apple Watch, which surely gives this theory away, right?
Check out the photo below and chime in in the comments.

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In this new generation,All are game lovers, specially in pandemic people are taking so much interest in game.gaming is become most entertaining and most used business also.
There are so many outdoors games which is playing digitally,so here we are bringing news for a game lovers that ,digital event india gaming conclave will held on june 24 2021(tomorrow).
Read below article for more information:
About gaming Conclave:
The gaming industry in India is undergoing a massive transformation due to the mobile revolution – There has been over 20% growth in casual gaming because of Smartphone’s.In India about 5.6 billion mobile game applications were downloaded in 2019 which is globally the highest. Transaction-based games grew 50% in 2019, and fantasy sports games grew by 118%. According to latest reports by Ernst & Young online gaming in India grew at a rapid 40% growth rate in 2020 and the total revenues generated by the sector in 2019 was INR 6500 Crores.
By 2022 the industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 43% to touch Rs 18,700 crore. With an additional incentive to win money in transaction-based games coupled with a more pervasive mobile payments ecosystem, the industry is seeing a steady upswing as the number of online gamers grew nearly 100% from 183 million in 2017 to 365 million in 2019.
Digital Event India Gaming Conclave 2021 :
India’s largest comprehensive gaming event and a brainchild of Konnect Worldwide Business Media, is being held on June 24 as a Digital Event. Backed by reputed industry players – Zupee, JAB Cloud India, MediaTek, POCO & Hunter Games the forum will congregate sharpest minds from the gaming, brand & technology industries along with investors and VCs sharing their unparalleled industry knowledge and real-life experiences on spearheading the gaming revolution in India.
Online Gaming Industry is expected to touch USD 2.8 billion by 2022 in India – Largely driven by smartphones, affordable data and increasing disposable income. India is one of the top five mobile gaming markets in the world, with a 13 per cent share of global game sessions, and is expected to add 40 million online gamers during 2020-22.
How gaming become most demanding and it’s feature:
“Gaming has emerged as an engaging entertainment and social interaction medium today. With the rapidly changing consumer requirements MediaTek Helio G Series and MediaTek Dimensity 5G Series are designed for an incredible and fluid mobile gaming experience coupled with MediaTek HyperEngine Game technology that delivers the best gaming experience by tuning every aspect of the smartphone, be it intelligent networking, superb graphics, fast FPS, and premium image quality,” says Anuj Sidharth, Deputy Director, Marketing & Corporate Communications, MediaTek India.
What Experts said about gaming?:
Dr. Subi Chaturvedi, Chief Corporate & Public Affairs Officer, Zupee, says, “This is a wonderful platform, and an important one, considering the potential of the industry and the current period of growth and transformation. Online gaming has emerged as the sunrise sector in India, holding the same potential that IT and software sector did in the late 90s and early 2000s. The next logical step, definitely, is cutting across other sectors through gamification of everything. And that will be a game changer.”
We want our customers to stay ahead of their business needs, cut short time to market, leave the IT security challenges on deploying CDN & HSM-as-a-Service to our professional consultants” We look forward to connecting with all participants at India Gaming Conclave.
Don’t miss out an opportunity to interact with some of the sharpest minds from the gaming, brand and marketing industries. The conclave will be attended by leading brands, gamers and game developers from India & abroad.


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Millennial pink is *still* the color of the season, as proven by both Melania and Ivanka Trump this weekend.
Steve Mnuchin, Secretary of the Treasury, got married in D.C. this weekend in a lavish affair that was of course attended by some of the biggest names in Washington. Nearly 300 guests attended the nuptials of Mnuchin and Scottish-born actress Louise Linton, including President Trump, Melania and Ivanka.
The ceremony also included a slew of political faces such as Ben Carson, Sean Spicer and Vice President Mike Pence, who officiated the wedding.
See more of Melania at the Mnuchin wedding:
Melania wore a gorgeous pale pink silk gown designed by J. Mendel, which featured a high-low ruffled bodice. According to Vogue, she paired the silhouette with sky-high Manolo Blahnik stilettos and pale clutch. She finished off the look with her signature blowout and dramatic eyes.
First daughter Ivanka also chose light pink for the nuptials. She sported a stunning fitted halter gown with a structured bodice, complemented by a sophisticated updo and chandelier earrings. Meanwhile, Jared Kusher and Trump looked polished in crisp tuxedos.
Linton wore a custom white princess gown, custom designed by Canadian designer Ines Di Santo, along with a beaded tiara. According to Vanity Fair, the bride also showed off her extravagant jewelry and diamond collection. Groom Mnuchin sported a white tuxedo, perfectly matching the lavish details of the wedding.
Inside Steve Mnuchin's wedding:
The extravagant celebration took place at the historic Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C., where guests were shuttled to and from the Trump International Hotel. And true to Linton's Scottish roots, the wedding guests were treated to a performance by Scottish bagpipers.
According to Business Insider, Mnuchin is worth nearly $300 million. The two met in 2013 and got engaged in 2015.
Related: Melania Trump's style transformation:


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Male’ Maldives, 11th December 2023 – Today, at the Manhattan Business Hotel in Male’, IMTM Pvt. Ltd. commenced the fourth edition of the Sustainable Tourism Forum (STF) 2023, bringing together stakeholders from various sectors of the tourism industry to engage in a dynamic dialogue addressing the complex challenges of social, economic, and environmental sustainability in the Maldives.
The Opening Ceremony welcomed esteemed guests, including government officials, official partners of STF 2023, NGOs, associations, resorts, guesthouses, travel agencies, dive centers, students, and attendees. Among the notable figures present were Mr. Ibrahim Faisal, the Honorable Minister of Tourism, as the Guest of Honor, and Mr. Enrico Gaveglia, the UNDP Resident Representative in the Maldives, who delivered an insightful keynote address.
Under the theme ‘Green Investments and Innovation for Responsible Tourism: Paving the Path for a Greener Future,’ STF 2023 explores targeted investments in upskilling, renewable energy, and climate adaptation to contribute to global sustainability.
Ms. Aishath Fara, the Events Manager, initiated the forum by celebrating the milestone achievement of submitting the policy brief from 2022 to relevant authorities, emphasizing IMTM’s dedication to advocating for sustainable tourism practices. Stressing the essence of Sustainable Tourism Forum 2023, Ms. Fara expressed, “Our primary objective for Sustainable Tourism Forum 2023 is to pinpoint strategies to refine the tourism sector and establish customized sustainability benchmarks tailored specifically for the Maldives’ tourism industry.”
Highlighting the importance of ‘Green Investments’ such as sustainable infrastructure, renewable energy, and innovative practices, Ms. Fara articulated, “These investments align with the fundamental principles of responsible tourism, aiming to minimize environmental impact, support local economies, and preserve cultural authenticity, thereby anchoring a sustainable and conscientious tourism industry crucial for its continuous advancement.”
During the ceremony, Mr. Enrico Gaveglia commended the Ministry’s initiatives in promoting sustainable practices. The Honorable Minister of Tourism, Mr. Faisal Ibrahim, inaugurated STF 2023, recognizing the role of tourism in global economic growth and the pursuit of Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
Mr. Ali Shinan, Deputy Director General of Ministry Tourism, provided an overview of the 5th Tourism Masterplan, stating, “This Masterplan is centered around sustainability and focuses on establishing true sustainability within the industry in a holistic manner. We believe that true sustainability can only be achieved when the 4 key pillars are aligned, which are the Visitors, Businesses, Workers, and Communities.”
He continued, “The vision for the 5th Tourism Masterplan is to lead the Maldives in the world in sustainable tourism. Our main goal is to provide the world’s best tourism services and memorable experiences to visitors while ensuring that the industry can make substantial and lasting contributions.”
Lastly, He emphasized, “It is imperative that we, in the Maldives, with our fragile eco-systems, continue to further uphold and enhance our sustainable practices in line with guiding documents such as the 5th Tourism Masterplan, so that we may maintain our success as the World’s Leading Destination.”
Focused on fostering inclusive discussions, STF 2023 aims to establish clear standards for sustainable tourism establishments. The outcomes and recommendations will be consolidated into a policy paper set for release early next year. This initiative seeks to offer comprehensive industry insights, facilitating potential government policy changes and the introduction of a Sustainable Tourism Policy.


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According to Mike Nash, vice president of Windows product management of Microsoft:
- Beta testers got SP1 last Friday.
- The English version of SP1 will be made available to enterprise customers who get their software via Microsoft's Volume Licensing program (soon followed by other languages).
- MSDN and TechNet Plus subscribers will get SP1 later this month. The general public will get SP1 in mid-March.
Vista customers will have to wait for SP1 while Microsoft fixes some problems with software drivers for hardware devices. Some hardware devices "may not function properly after the Windows Vista-based PC they are installed on is updated to SP1," writes Nash. "This is an issue with the way the device drivers were re-installed during the SP1 update process, not with the drivers themselves."
Over the past two weeks, the blogosphere has been in an uproar over what some users see as an inexcusable delay. For example, a typical reaction to SP1's not-yet-availability to TechNet and MSDN subscribers is reflected by this reader's comment: "IT personnel and developers already have a hard enough time testing compatibility with new versions of Windows and new service packs without you artificially delaying things. You are making us look bad and making yourselves look bad."
Don Leatham, direction of solutions strategy with Lumension Security, whose company's patch management software was made Vista-compatible last summer, has a different take. With the massive number of customers to support, he says, Microsoft must make sure that support is in place for its software. If Microsoft released SP1 without that support, people would be "screaming for support," he says, adding that when it comes to releasing software sooner or not, the vendor is "darned if they do and darned if they don't."
Nash responded to the outcry from many users protesting the delayed public release by reassuring that "Windows Vista SP1 is final" and there are no plans to change code. Any perceived delay comes from the fact that Microsoft needs time to work with manufacturers of device drivers to get the drivers and install programs updated.
Martin Resnick, director of operations technology at Norman's Nursery, completed a Vista implementation last year. He's looking forward to SP1 but says, "I'd rather it get delayed and done properly than have to deal with bugs."


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Did the Nexus 6 already visit the FCC?
A new posting on reddit linked to an FCC filing that many people think is the new Nexus 6. Opinions are not unanimous though as there appear to be some discrepancies between the information in the FCC filing and information that Motorola and Google have published about the Nexus 6.
In favor of the device being the Nexus 6 are the dimensions shown in an antenna diagram that are very close to what has been advertised. The FCC filing lists the device as 83 x 159.4 mm in size while the Nexus 6 product page lists the Nexus 6 as 82.98 x 159.26 mm.
On the other hand, there are quite a few differences in wireless bands listed on the FCC report compared to the published bands that Google is advertising. Google lists LTE bands 3 and 29, while neither of these show in the FCC filing. However, LTE band 3 is not used in the U.S. and band 29 is a downlink only band that the FCC may not be concerned with. The FCC filing also fails to list GSM bands 900 and 1800 that Googles lists the device as having, nor do WCDMA bands 1 and 8. Finally, Google and Motorola indicate the Nexus 6 has Bluetooth 4.1 while the FCC listing indicates the device has Bluetooth 4.0.
Whatever the device is in the FCC reports, it has been approved and should be showing up soon. The Nexus 6 is scheduled to go on pre-order in the U.S. starting on October 29th, so the timing does seem to be consistent.
On a slightly related note, UK tech writer Paul O’Brien tweeted earlier this week that U.K. buyers interested in the Nexus 6 will have to wait until at least December to get the device.
Come comment on this article: Did the Nexus 6 already visit the FCC?


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Hotlines has taken on UK distribution for Club Ride clothing, with stock arriving in August.
Founded by VP Mike Herlinger in 2008 “for the ride and everything after”, the brand has aimed to create technical cycling apparel that doesn’t result in the “stuffed sausage with logos” look.
The Club Ride range is designed to not only function well on the bike but also to look equally at home in the bar, the office or in the Café post ride, with the garments featuring technical fabrics for wicking away sweat to stretching with your movement, etc.
Hotlines said: "In a market place awash with brands operating within distinct acceptable boundaries it is refreshing to find a brand that is willing to do things differently."
Club Ride CEO Scott Montgomery said: “We are excited to enter the UK market for the coming season. We are excited to see how cycling has grown in the UK and we believe our casual-performance apparel will enable more people to look and feel better on and off the bike. Our goal is to improve the cycling experience for all with comfortable apparel.”
A complete spring/summer ’15 range will be on display at the Hotlines UK bike launch event at Whittlebury Hall on August 6th-8th. Call Hotlines on 0131 319 1444 or e-mail email@example.com to make an appointment to see the range.


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Thailand will add rail service for durian exports to China this month
The first direct shipment of Thai durians to China by train will occur on April 19, Chanthaburi Governor Monsit Paisarnthanawat said on Saturday.
Durians will be transported in refrigerated containers along with mangosteens and frozen seafood, from Map Ta Phut in Rayong province to Kunming, Chongqing, and Guangzhou in southern China.
Between 700 and 1,000 containers are expected to be shipped to China this year, according to the governor. It will take three to four days for a freight train to travel from Map Ta Phut to Kunming, four to five days to Chongqing, and five to six days to Guangzhou, he said.
The shipments on April 19 will pave the way for expansion of Thai exports via train to other areas in China as well as European countries with rail links with China, Monsit said.
Pan-Asia Silk Road Co Ltd will provide a “door to door” service linking Thai durian dealers to fruit markets in China, and it will take care of Customs paperwork, and other import-export procedures, he said.
The governor said that the plan calls for 30 refrigerated containers of durians and other food shipments to be transported by train every day from Thailand to China and the number may rise.
This year’s goal is to transport as many as 120 refrigerated containers per day, Monsit said at an event to promote exports of durians grown in eastern seaboard provinces, including Chanthaburi, which is a major producer of Thai durians.


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Those #!*! Jet Skis Roar Up The Potomac
On Aug. 25, the Beltway buzz turned into the mosquito-like whine of engines on the Potomac River. Congressional staffers and agency officials happily carved turns astride a fleet of so-called personal watercraft, better known by their Kawasaki trade name--jet skis. "I'd never ridden one before. It was a lot of fun," enthused one legislative aide.
Free ride? Not exactly. The jet-ski manufacturers that hosted the outing want something from these aides' bosses: protection from a federal agency. This month, the National Park Service will seek comment on a proposed regulation to ban the use of jet skis in some national parks and potentially limit the noisy craft in others. The manufacturers hope to persuade Congress to press the Park Service to water down the restrictions. And that's not the only trouble the watercraft manufacturers are in. The Park Service will join a range of bodies--from the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to the North Carolina Assembly--calling for the banning or reining in of what opponents consider waterway terrors that are noisy, polluting, and dangerous.
LIFE-THREATENING? Take Lawrence A. Geiger of Merritt Island, Fla. He says that his Boy Scout troop was "threatened with our very lives" by aggressive jet skiers during a recent canoe trip on the Oklawaha River. State statistics show that these water scooters account for 30% to 55% of boating accidents, even though they represent only 4% to 13% of powercraft in use. In part because of this criticism, the industry has seen its sales slump by 25% since 1995.
But it's not just a fight between business and granola-chewing lily-pad lovers and Boy Scouts. Irwin L. Jacobs, chairman of Genmar Holdings Inc., the world's biggest private boatmaker, yanked his company out of the National Marine Manufacturers Assn. in 1997 over what he called the group's promotion of jet skiing while neglecting the interests of fishermen and boaters. "I'm not going to help them build a business that abuses our customers and defies everything we stand for," he fumes.
Unfair, jet-ski makers retort. True, they say, there are some irresponsible riders who have taken to heart the attitude proclaimed in one industry ad that "Scenery is for saps." But penalizing all users because of the bad apples is "like forcing all Buicks to drive at 45 mph because you caught one speeding," argues Kawasaki spokesman Roger Hagie. Besides, companies such as market leader Bombardier Inc. are trying to jump-start sales by developing quieter, less-polluting machines. They also are pushing for legislation setting rider age minimums and requiring better boating education. And their congressional wooing has not been in vain: Senator Slade Gorton (R.-Wash.), for instance, recently took their side against suggested restrictions in Olympic National Park.
Still, the industry believes that the best argument for jet skis may be the experience itself. "Once you get people on it, they understand a little better what it's all about," says John Donaldson, head of the Personal Watercraft Industry Assn. But then, some of us may never really comprehend the special delight of riding a motorcycle on water.


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The private sector in Hong Kong moved back into expansion territory in January, the latest survey from S&P Global showed on Friday with a PMI score of 51.2.
That’s up from 49.6 in December, and it moves above the boom-or-bust line of 50 that separates expansion from contraction.
The relaxation of COVID-19 measures across Mainland China and Hong Kong SAR underpinned renewed growth of demand in January. New orders rose at the quickest pace since last July.
Likewise for new export orders, including new business from Mainland China, a return to expansion was recorded in January. As a result of the rise in demand, business activity expanded in January and at a solid pace overall.
The material has been provided by InstaForex Company – www.instaforex.com
- *Brazil Dec Retail Sales Up 0.4% Y/Y Vs. 1.4% In November - February 9, 2023
- *Mexico Jan CPI Rises 0.68% M/M Vs. 0.38% In December - February 9, 2023
- *Brazil Dec Retail Sales Down 2.6% M/M Vs. -0.9% In November - February 9, 2023


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Nintendo Found a Way to Patch an Unpatchable Coldboot Exploit in Nintendo Switch
Friday, 13 July 2018 If you plan on buying a Nintendo Switch gaming console to run Linux on it using the "unpatchable" exploit publicly disclosed a few months ago, think again because Nintendo reportedly fixed the security hole. Not long ago, a team of hackers calling themselves ReSwitched publicly disclosed a security vulnerability in the Nvidia Tegra X1 chip, which they called Fusée Gelée and could allow anyone to hack a Nintendo Switch gaming console to install a Linux-based operating system and run homebrew code and apps using a simple trick. Similar hacking methods were already available, and new ones emerged after ReSwitched's disclosure of Fusée Gelée, but it would appear that Nintendo worked hard to patch the exploit, which the hackers called "unpatchable," and the company is now shipping revised Nintendo Switch units that are rep...
Digital Trends reports that Nintendo has decided to stop making NES Classic plug-and-play consoles. It has also halted production of the SNES Classic system. Nintendo says it was never planning to make..
Road Redemption Brings Motorcycle Mayhem to Nintendo Switch! Available to purchase now on the Nintendo eShop for $19.99 USD, Road Redemption finds players leading a biker gang on an epic journey across..
The best part of Nintendo’s Switch Online subscription service is the included classic games. Since launch, Nintendo has steadily added more NES titles,... The Verge - TechnologyAlso reported by •9to5Toys
When Nintendo announced "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate" earlier this year, producer Masahiro Sakurai confirmed that every character from the prior four games in the... Business Insider - TechnologyAlso reported by •The Verge


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Akon defends Kanye over Gap 'bin bags'
| Last updated
Featured Image Credit: REUTERS/Alamy Stock Photo/Twitter/@owen__lang
Akon has spoken out and defended Kanye West over his 'bin bags' clothing display at Gap.
Ye came under fire earlier this week after the reveal of his new clothing line for the Gap, which looked a lot like, well, garbage.
We're not exaggerating – the rapper purposely displayed the collection in what appeared to be giant trash bags.
Many people accused the rapper's idea as being insensitive to homeless people, as shoppers have to route through the bags to find the item they're looking for.
This is how they are selling Yeezy GAP. The sales associate said Ye got mad when he saw they had it on hangers and this is how he wanted it. They won’t help you find ur size too, you just have to just dig through everything pic.twitter.com/GNd08Zv1zC— little miss (@owen__lang) August 15, 2022
However, Akon has now jumped to the defence of West, saying that he 'doesn't think anybody should have to apologise for anything creative' and that people are 'overthinking it'.
In an interview with TMZ, the 'Smack That' singer said: "That's an idea that can make him more money that he possibly could use to create more opportunities for other people.
"I think sometimes people will stop the opportunity before he even gets there because of what they personally think."
He later added: "I would just tell those same people to take the clothes they're not wearing and go give them to the homeless... you do something. Don't wait for Kanye to do it."
Akon also suggested that those criticising Ye for his collection are 'just as bad' as the person they're dragging if they're 'not doing anything' themselves.
"He says he's doing it to put more light on the homeless, to actually create more opportunities for the homeless," he continued. "But you've got to let him materialise that goal first."
West also defended his idea, telling FOX News on Thursday, 18 August: "I'm an innovator, and I'm not here to sit up and apologise for my ideas.
"That's exactly what the media tries to do – make us apologise for any idea that doesn't fall under exactly the way they want us to think."
According to Ye, there's a method behind the madness because the display is actually so customers can more easily access what they want.
He also added that the carriers are actually giant construction bags rather than bin liners.
"This is not a joke, this is not a game, this is not just a celebrity collaboration – this is my life," he added. "I’m fighting for a position to be able to change clothing and bring the best design to the people."
If you have a story you want to tell, send it to UNILAD via [email protected]
Topics: News, Kanye West, Music, Fashion, Celebrity


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Spotify unveiled plans Tuesday for podcast subscriptions, countering an analogous initiative from Apple however providing a greater deal than its US rival by permitting creators to maintain all income for a restricted time.
The up to date podcast platform for the USA, set to increase internationally within the coming months, lets podcasters make episodes obtainable solely to subscribers.
Making the most of the device will value podcasters nothing for the following two years, which means they get all subscription income, Spotify stated in a publish.
Spotify deliberate to start out charging a 5 per cent charge for subscriptions beginning in 2023.
“Our aim is to help podcasters maximize their subscription audiences and grow them from their existing listener bases,” Swedish-based Spotify stated.
Apple goes to battle with Spotify in premium podcast push
The announcement comes as Apple is poised so as to add a subscription choice to its pioneering podcasting service because it ramps up competitors with Spotify.
Starting in Might, podcast followers all over the world will probably be in a position to join subscriptions for perks resembling ad-free listening or unique content material from creators, in line with Apple.
Podcasters will obtain 70 per cent of subscription income within the first yr, with Apple conserving the remaining as a fee.
As soon as a subscriber has been subscribed for a yr, the share for creators will rise to 85 per cent, they added.
Fb to launch audio chatrooms, podcasts
The subscription characteristic comes with an overhaul of the Apple Podcast platform that lays credit score to kicking off the pattern with its launch 15 years in the past.
Business tracker eMarketer final month stated that Spotify has been rising shortly and that its podcasting service is on monitor to have extra listeners in the USA than Apple Podcasts this yr.
Spotify stated that its subscription platform is kicking off with a dozen creators together with a collaboration with non-profit media group Nationwide Public Radio.


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Inglenook adds 20-strong pub package to growing estate
Lancashire-based Inglenook Inns & Taverns has announced the purchase of an unnamed north-west based pub operator comprising 20 freehold pubs in the Greater Manchester area.
The firm behind a 50-strong estate of both managed and tenanted pubs adds to a portfolio already spanning Greater Manchester, the Midlands and Yorkshire.
“Our business is based on family values – hard work, integrity, flexibility and fun, with an eye to the future,” James Waddington, CEO of the Inglenook Group said.
“This acquisition is complementary to our core business and will enable us to realise the true value of the neighbourhood pub.
“We look forward to working with our new publicans, helping them both to grow their businesses and create successful pubs which are pivotal to the heart of the community.
“Inglenook is also delighted to confirm a further multi-million-pound investment from a London based strategic investor to continue our business plan of acquiring quality wet-led community public houses in the North of England,” he added. “We are currently engaged with ongoing discussions and are actively seeking further acquisition opportunities.”
Inglenook was advised on the investment and acquisition by Corporate Finance firm Princelet Partners.
Whitbread announces pair of summer openings for Cookhouse + Pub
The firm behind Premier Inn, Costa and restaurant brands Beefeater, Brewers Fayre, Table Table and Bar + Block, has announced the opening of two new Cookhouse + Pub sites this month.
The opening of Sandown Cliffs on the Isle of Wight and the Three Piers in Blackpool, Lancashire, brings the Whitbread-owned brand’s portfolio to 21 sites across the UK.
Both sites boast enviable seafront locations and are situated within Premier Inn hotels, but with separate entrances.
The 164-cover Sandown and 215-cover Blackpool sites have been designed by York-based designers JMDA, and include a bar area, with a range of flexible seating and solo-dining booths, feature tables and semi-private dining areas.
“These sites represent fantastic opportunities for us and with 2021 being the year of the staycation we are looking forward to a busy summer for these seafront pubs,” Rebecca Donaldson, commercial marketing director at Whitbread Restaurants commented.
Igniting Hospitality launches first pub
A new hospitality group led by former Gordon Ramsay Restaurants and JKS operations director Simon King has launched its first pub location in Oxshott, Surrey, according to reports by BigHospitality.
The firm was formed by King in 2020, with Matt Larcombe, former head chef and general manager at Heston Blumenthal's the Crown at Bray in Berkshire, brought on board as chef director.
The pair have now opened the Victoria in Oxshott, taking over a site previously operated by The White Brasserie Company.
King has more than 25 years' experience spanning all levels in the hospitality industry and has previously worked with Blumenthal's Fat Duck Group, and Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group in New York City.
18th century hotel sells off £575,000 asking price
The freehold of the Lodgehill Hotel, a detached former farmhouse set in around two acres with views over the Exe Valley near Tiverton in Devon, has sold off an asking price in excess of half a million pounds.
Dating back to 1785, Lodgehill Hotel trades as a licensed country hotel boasting a 22-cover restaurant and tea gardens and offering 10 individual en suite letting bedrooms, a lounge area with 16-cover bar, a kitchen with ancillary areas and two bedroom owners’ accommodation.
The venue’s grounds include a walled formal garden, lawned areas, a vegetable garden, a greenhouse and car parking space for around 16 vehicles.
“The sale of Lodgehill Hotel to private buyers underlines the strong appetite across the south west for a wide range of hospitality and leisure opportunities,” Mike Phillips, director of selling agents Stonesmith commented.
£500k Punch investment transforms historic pub
Merseyside pub the Pied Bull in Newton-le-Willows £500,000 has been transformed by a £500,000 investment by Punch Pubs & Co.
The revamped Pied Bull launched at the end of May under local management partners Nia Jones and Jade Carter who said: "We are so incredibly proud to be here at the Pied Bull.
“This pub means so much to both of us and our community. It looks exceptional, and to see some of its beautiful historic features being bought back to life means that this pub truly stands out from the crowd.
"So many memories have been made here, with lots of locals having a really strong connection to the pub. We can't wait to hear more of its stories and make many more memories. The feedback we've had so far has been incredible.
“We are really enjoying welcoming guests back to safely reconnect and enjoy the pub and all we have to offer."
Hush members bar to launch in Leeds
New members-only club Hush is to open in Leeds’ Hirsts Yard, above Mook cocktail bar, in early June.
The 70-capacity venue aims to provide an intimate modern backdrop with hints of opulence and glamour thanks to a £100,000.
Hush offers its members exclusive private booths, table service and a private dancefloor as well as implementing a no social media policy to ensure what happens in Hush, stays in Hush.
The team behind the bar have gifted 100 exclusive gold membership cards to a handpicked selection of Leeds glitterati, including sportspeople, TV personalities and influencers so far.
The concept is the brainchild of Stephen Clark from Mook, who commented: ''The VIP bar concept is certainly nothing new in Leeds, however, Hush offers so much more than your average members-only bar and has already caught the attention of the Leeds elite.
“In a world where social media rules, privacy is more precious than ever and that's exactly what our members will receive – bespoke nights out, tailored to their every desire, in a space where they can let their hair down.
‘’Whether our members are looking to celebrate a birthday, a big business deal or simply let their hair down, our dedicated team will design the perfect night for them via our concierge service. We can’t wait to welcome our members this opening weekend.”
Somerset pub reopens following Admiral-backed revamp
The Old Kings Head in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, has reopened following a major transformation by Admiral Taverns.
While the pub has been run by current licensees Glynn and Linzi Smith for the past three years, it has been in the family for more than 35 years having been passed down from Linzi’s parents.
During the various pandemic lockdowns, the pair adapted and developed the pub’s garden to include a children’s play area, a fire pit, festival style lighting, two gazebos, seating pods and a spectacular outside bar.
“We are delighted to be back open and welcome customers into the pub with all of the new improvements,” Glynn commented. “As soon as lockdown forced us to close, we were looking at what else we could offer the local community. It’s been amazing to see the reception from the locals who have loved what we have done, and we can’t wait to welcome more people back.”
The interior of the pub has also been transformed, including new smart flooring, a sparkling new bar and repainted walls.
“Glynn and Linzi have done a terrific job, and tackled the past year with an amazing attitude,” Phil Warne, business development manager at Admiral Taverns, added. “Both the inside and outside of the pub are looking fantastic and are worthy winners of the regional garden competition.
“It’s also no surprise how connected the pub is with the community, they are always looking for new ways to support each other, whether that includes donating food to the local foodbank or most recently, raising money for the NHS.”
Northwest-based operators take on second Star Pubs & Bars site
Pub operators Chis and Jon Nevin have taken on their second pub with Star Pubs & Bars in 16 months after taking the helm at the Bay Horse in Worsthorne, Lancashire.
The pair are undertaking a joint £500,000 refurbishment with Star Pubs & Bars to transform the pub, which has been closed for over 18 months, into a village venue with new private dining space and a heated and covered courtyard.
It’s estimated that 30 new jobs are being created as part of the project.
The brothers re-opened the Golden Lion in Rainford, Merseyside, in 2020 following another major refurbishment.
“Our plan is to build an estate of 10 pubs in the medium term, taking on a new site every six months,” Chris said. “We are located in the north west but are interested in sites in locations across the north, from Cheshire and the Lake District to West Yorkshire and the North York Moors.
“Our business model is based on selecting sites with the optimal demographic guest base and transforming underperforming sites in suburban or village locations into businesses offering fresh food, premium drinks and excellent service. It’s all about putting the right team in place and doing simple things well.
“The pandemic delayed our plans by six months but hasn’t deterred our passion for growth. Our first venture at The Golden Lion has proved our business model is on the right track and ready to roll out through the correct site choices and major investment - all driven by great people, quality and service.”
The Arch, Brighton, to reopen after refurbishment
After fifteen months of closure, the Arch in Brighton, East Sussex, returns on Saturday 26 June following a full refurb, including a new sound system, two new arches and a packed summer events schedule.
“Rather than resting on our laurels we decided to give this historic Brighton venue a new lease of life and committed to a big refurbishment, even though we did not receive the Arts Council funding,” Damien Fell, head of music at the Arch said.
“The last year has been extremely challenging; to keep the business alive we built a take away bar from the venue's fire exit and dug in to get the job done.
“The Arch is looking the best it ever has and I can only sit here in awe of the work that has been done by the team as we set to reopen on Saturday 26 June."
The Arch first opened in 1984 with the goal of being "a club for artists, run by artists who understand performers and their needs."
Devon publicans open farmshop and café
Devon-based pub operators Selena and Steve Porter have opened a new farm shop and café at the Shipwright Arms in Shaldon near Teignmouth to help residents stay local for shopping as lockdown eases.
The couple took on the pub in December 2019 just months before the first lockdown, and with many elderly local residents and a lack of services in the immediate vicinity, they soon realised there was a need for a farm shop and café in the area.
They were able to renovate and transform a side room within the pub to create the shop with the help and a community services fund grant from Pub is The Hub.
“When we took on the pub we had only been open two months when we went into lockdown,” Selena said. “We got to know a lot of the people in the local area by offering our takeaway service and many local residents asked us to open a farm shop and café.”
“The farm shop and coffee area will be really important in providing not just food but company to many of our customers who have been isolated in lockdown and are desperate to meet and connect with others.”
Pub is The Hub regional advisor Reg Clarke added: “Selena and Steve have come to the aid of local residents with the opening of the farm shop which sells local produce and items suggested by the community.
“The café will also offer those living locally the chance to meet and socialise at a time when many of them have been isolated due to lockdown.”
- To find out more about pubs for sale, lease and tenancy visit our property site


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All-electric Fit Offered at $259 per Month, $0 Down
It looks like a full-fledged pricing war has broken out in the electric-vehicle segment, where the 2013 Honda Fit EV is now competing with a new low-cost lease: Effective June 1, 2013, Honda will begin offering the car for $259 per month, with both unlimited mileage and no down payment.
Doing the math here, customers will save $130 each month as compared to the original lease terms of the 2013 Honda Fit EV, and current drivers can rest assured that their payments will be lowered accordingly. As a reminder, Honda isn’t selling the Fit EV outright, only leasing it, but for those who prefer going that route, the new cost schedule will make things a whole lot easier—and more in line with the pricing of the rest of the segment.
Looking solely at current lease deals as of May 30, 2013, the 2013 Honda Fit EV now slots in among its rivals as follows:
2013 Honda Fit EV—$0 down, unlimited mileage, $259 per month
2014 Chevy Spark EV—$999 down, 12,000 miles, $199 per month
2013 Nissan LEAF—$1,999 down, 12,000 miles, $199 per month
2013 Fiat 500e—$999 down, 12,000 miles, $199 per month
2013 Smart Electric Drive—$2,494 down, 30,000 miles, $199 per month
Then, the automaker also throws in a complimentary 240-volt home charging unit from Leviton (although installation is not included).
"The Fit EV already is a benchmark electric vehicle with a leading-range rating, fun-to-drive dynamics and excellent packaging," said Steve Center, vice president of Environmental Business Development at American Honda Motor. "Now it's the only EV on the market with no down payment, unlimited mileage, collision coverage and a free home charging station, giving customers an unprecedented value that only Honda can provide and a compelling reason to get off the barrel and onto the grid."


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Separate names with a comma.
Discussion in 'Electric Vehicles' started by doug, May 24, 2008.
NICE shows off prototype electric car; Liberty plans an electric Range Rover - Engadget
$200-250K for a CONVERSION? yeah right...
"Range Rovers to electric vehicles using a "state-of-the-art" drivetrain good for 200 miles on a single charge"
So much for that extra luggage space!
I think it's pretty funny looking.
NICE Super Light Electric Sport Car showcased at SMMT test day - AutoblogGreen
NICE shows cars at BMS
Nice unveils new electric cars at Motor ShowÂ -Â British Motor Show 2008 | MSN Cars
British Motor Show 2008: NICE - MSN Video
Nice at the London motor show 2008 | Automotive & Motoring News | Car Magazine Online
Fiat e500 to electrify the British International Motor Show - AutoblogGreen
Ya know, there was another thread here somewhere that discussed this car. Particularly how funny looking it is. But of course it's near impossible to find by searching for "NICE".
Edit: Finally managed to find it by searching for "NICE" and "funny". Threads merged.
Electric car sales fall - Telegraph
Makes that new location seem a a desparate last ditch effort.
Perhaps someone will buy up their assets and go with some of their models. The MyCars on order were supposed to be delivered this month.
It may have been, but the fall of the Pound against the Euro and Dollar has caught a lot of people out. It could well have been they ended up paying more for their imports than they were selling them for here.
I was on their waiting list for a drive of the electric Fiat 500. That was supposed to be in August but I didn't hear anything by the end of that month, so I emailed them then and was told it would be arriving very soon. That was the last I heard from them, unfortunately.
NICE/Fiat Micro-Vett e500 - electric cars Green cars: latest news
Sales of electrics slump and NICE in trouble Green cars: latest news
Check the comments.
Which comment in particular? Could it be the "Get with the times old man..."?
Check the first link. I think he meant: "Comment by kent beuchert — August 4, 2008"
Yeah, keep reading. The funny comment was in response to him.
Yes that was what I meant. But this Tony seems a bit anti-green to be reading a green car website too. Another pseudonim?
Aixam Mega takes over NICE Car Company - AutoblogGreen
I saw one of these in London for the first time last week. I felt pretty sorry for its owner - so this is good news. The car looks a lot better than that picture when you see it "inn person". Much better than the G-Wizz, it looks like a proper little town car.
Its a shame you never got to try the NICE 500, I see it almost every day, parked behind a scrap metal dumpster! Luckily she was just the first of many...


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Dubai: Officials from Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC), and Palletco, a leading manufacturer and supplier of plastic packaging products, have signed a 50 year Musataha Agreement. The total investment that Palletco will inject into their manufacturing facility in Kizad will be AED90.7m ($25m).
The investment guarantees Palletco, which plans to start production in early 2014, a 247,580 sq ft plot of land in Kizad’s mixed use cluster.
Specialized in the field of industrial packaging and storing, Palletco is also a pioneer in the manufacturing of plastic pallets in the UAE. [24/11/13]


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Reserve your free place at Britain's most important group travel exhibition this October Thursday 3rd…
Grand UK Holidays, the Norwich based escorted holiday specialist, has discovered that 90% of its customer base don’t feel that it is currently safe to travel abroad in 2021. What’s more 53% said they still wouldn’t feel safe travelling abroad in 2022.
Sales and Marketing Manager, Sally Hubble-Button, says ‘In a recent survey we conducted, the majority of our customers told us that they would feel more confident holidaying in the UK than going further afield, given the current global climate. Grand UK Holidays specialises in escorted coach holidays for the mature traveller, and whilst our customers have expressed their desire to finally be able to take a holiday, the majority want to keep within the British Isles.
Recently we have seen an increase in bookings, with 52% of those surveyed already having booked at least one holiday with us departing in 2021. It’s been a difficult year for everyone, and I think we are craving some normality and to be allowed to do the things we love again, such as go on holiday. The demand is clearly there as our bookings demonstrate, and our customers are looking forward to getting away as soon as they can, as long as they can do so within the UK.
We’ve been working tirelessly behind the scenes creating an amazing collection of UK escorted coach holidays and we can’t wait for our brand new brochure to land in a couple of weeks, packed to the brim with exciting new holidays! It’s been really positive these last few weeks, seeing familiar faces slowly coming back into the office to make sure we are ready to go as of May 17th! ’
Travel and hospitality sectors have been the worst hit during this pandemic, with the majority of these businesses relying on the Government Furlough scheme in order to survive. Now that the road-map is in place to open the country up again as of the 21st of June, and with UK holidays being allowed as soon as 17th May, the sector is poised for a bounce-back. Grand UK Holidays is fully ABTA bonded and is one of the country’s largest privately owned travel businesses having carried over one million people on holiday since it was founded in 1983.
If you would like more information on Grand UK Holidays you can contact them on 01603 61 99 33, or visit grandukholidays.com


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Since the introduction of the proposed rule by FinCEN, many entities in the crypto-space have issued statements staunchly opposing it. The latest crypto company to release a statement is Bitcoin CoinFlip. The company is speaking out against the rule proposed by the US Treasury.
CoinFlip says the agency’s self-imposed rush results in a flawed proposal. This will impose new and unnecessary burdens in key respects, heavier than the traditional money transfer regime. He adds that the proposed rule assumes that financial institutions are able to determine whether a wallet is hosted or not. It is up to financial institutions to be able to make this distinction.
However, this is difficult for a financial institution. This is because cryptocurrency blockchains have limited information about cryptocurrency transactions, often only a wallet address.
Regulation would have a negative impact
CoinFlip argued that the proposed rules also impose a compliance framework for virtual currency transactions. Which is more expensive than the existing regulations for traditional currency transactions.
This lack of clarity is sure to create several compliance issues. This will likely lead ESMs and financial institutions to refrain from executing virtual currency transactions. Which would undoubtedly have a negative impact on the industry.
He also said that if this regulation would have a negative impact on the entire crypto industry. The place where it would have the most negative impact would be in the area of DeFi and decentralized exchanges.
According to Weiss, the government has not thought about the unintended consequences of such regulations. He claims this will affect people with self-hosted wallets. It could also affect entirely new technologies ”.
To congratulate you, we will offer you our free method of investing in cryptocurrencies simply and automatically with the objective of generating regular income while protecting your capital as much as possible.


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Gwent, the collectible card game originally seen in The Witcher 3, is finally hitting android devices after its counterpart was released in October on iOS, according to Pocket Gamer. CD Projekt Red confirmed the release date of March 24 after a Google Play listing was mistakenly discovered ahead of launch. It has since been removed, but players will still be able to pre-register to earn the Imperial Golem avatar once the game launches.
The collectable card game originally released on PS4 as a beta in 2018, following the success of The Witcher 3. It has since seen expansions such as The Merchants of Ofir which launched in December of last year and brought 70 new cards to the base game.
Before the listing was discovered by Reddit, user ‘betraying_chino’ found a Polish announcement trailer that announced the game’s release date in March. A developer stream on February 4th also confirmed the release date, and added that they were working on optimizing the finished product.
Unfortunately, the title will be dropping for Android after the current World Masters tournament which will take place 10 days before, from March 14th to March 15th. On the other hand, it’s unlikely that new Android players would be ready to take part in the upcoming Tourney regardless without grinding out a lot of good cards.
Gwent is available to play now on the app store for available devices. It’s a free to play game that allows in-app purchases to try to improve your existing decks, but cards can also be earned in-game. For a nice, single player alternative, Thronebreaker is very good, and offers a gripping story available on most platforms.
Gwent has an 80% Metacritic score and a 6.9 user score. GameSpot wrote that Gwent requires some investment and hard decisions depending on the Faction you want to join, but that it also respects your time and is a “refreshingly new take on card games”. Game Informer says it favors “keen decision making over chance,” and Edge Magazine writes that it’s “remarkably grown up.”
Source: Read Full Article


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Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup and Hershey’s Whipped Toppings Shake Up Dessert
Spray whipped topping is fun to squirt, and tasty to eat. But it’s just become a lot sweeter thanks to two new varieties from Kraft Heinz. The company now makes Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup and Hershey’s milk chocolate dairy whipped toppings.
“Consumers are seeking sweets not just as after-dinner desserts, but also as daytime snacks,” the company said in a statement. “These new whipped toppings add a delicious dimension to any sweet treat, from morning to night.”
The new flavors are made with 100 percent real cream from cows not treated with rBST growth hormone, and without high-fructose corn syrup, oil ingredients, and artificial sweeteners or flavors. The milk-chocolate topping is made with Hershey’s cocoa. Both flavors will be available in 7-ounce cans in the supermarket refrigerated dairy aisle, selling for $3-$4 per can.
What you spray them on is, of course, up to you. The company suggests using the new varieties to top hot chocolate, coffee, ice cream or cake, and says they also make fun additions to waffles, pancakes and fruit. That’s great and all, but we suspect about half of all cans sold will be dispensed directly into mouths.
Some U.S. stores may already have the new whipped toppings, but expect national distribution in October.
The new flavors aren’t the only recent newcomer in the spray topping category. In May, Reddi-wip began selling non-dairy almond and coconut varieties.
Looking for a dish deserving of the new tasty toppings? You might want to recreate one of America’s 12 biggest, over-the-top ice cream sundaes.


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UDON Entertainment, the Ontario-based publisher of manga, artbooks and comics like Street Fighter and Darkstalkers, has entered into a distribution agreement with digital-comics platform comiXology.
The announcement, made Friday at Comic-Con International in San Diego, was accompanied by the digital release of seven licensed and original comics and graphic novels from UNDON's back catalog: Street Fighter #0-4, by Ken Siu-Chong, Arnold Tsang, Alvin Lee, Alan Tam and others; Makeshift Miracle #1, by Jim Zub and Shun Hong Chan; and Super Street Fighter, Vol. 1: New Generations, by Ken Siu-Chong, Jim Zub, Chris Sims, Jeffrey Chamba Cruz, Sean Galloway, Joe Ng, Gonzalo Ordonez Arias, Long Vo, Omar Dogan and Edwin Huang.
Those initial seven titles will be followed by more from UDON's back catalog, with new comics receiving same-day digital release.
“We’re very excited to have many of UDON’s original and licensed works available through comiXology,” UDON Publisher Erik Ko said in a press release. “We’ve been working hard to secure digital rights for many of our licenses for the past several years, and we’ve prepared a slate of licensed comics and graphic novels from our Street Fighter and Darkstalkers line, as well as selections from our manga, art book, and original graphic novel series’ that fans are really going to love."
ComiXology announced a similar distribution agreement on Thursday with manga publisher Seven Seas Entertainment.


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VISAKHAPATNAM: Vizag deep-sea Port will commence handling Nepal’s USD 2-3 million third Country import cargo from March onwards.
Deputy Chairman PL Haranadh said that Container shipping liner Maersk is expected to deliver the first batch of containers at Vizag Port in the first week of March.
Maersk is the first liner to offer the aggregation services as part of market making for Vizag. Haranad is hopeful that commercial success of the initiative will bring in other liners.
Kolkata Port has been enjoying monopoly over Nepalese cargo. However, it is a right step for India to offer Nepalese importers wider and better options and, counter Beijing’s effort to promote rail-road trade options through the Nepal-China land border.
Container Corporation of India (Concor) has already offered lucrative terms for transferring the cargo by rail from Vizag to Nepal. Concor runs a joint venture handling facility inside Nepalese territory at Raxaul (Bihar)-Birgunj (Nepal) border.
To attract Nepalese traders to try the new option, Concor has decided to run rakes (a cargo train) with a minimum 60% capacity, thereby agreeing to underwrite the losses, if any.
Ganesh Lath, a Nepalese importer and Former President of the Chamber of Commerce at Birgunj, the commercial capital of Nepal, felt that Concor services would encourage Nepalese traders to shift cargo from Kolkata to Vizag.
Lath said that “The Nepalese Government has already agreed to use Vizag as the second port. Nepal’s Kolkata consulate extended services to Vizag.
A meeting with shipping liners and Concor was held in Kathmandu during the end of last year to smoothen out things.”


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Given the geopolitical food wars, Vladimir Putin’s attack on French champagne could well be described as extra brut.
The Russian President signed a law on Friday banning foreign sparkling wine producers from using the term “champagne” – even those made in France’s famous wine-growing region, from which the name comes. Made in Russia only shampanskoe Wines can use the term.
The move was viewed as a major affront in France, which has strict rules protecting the name and reputation of its beloved sparkling wine, and on Monday the country’s main champagne industry called on all producers to suspend exports to Russia “until further notice”.
“The people of Champagne are calling on French and European diplomacy to try to change this unacceptable law,” said the statement by the Co-Presidents of the Champagne Committee, Maxime Toubart and Jean-Marie Barillère.
“Preventing the people of Champagne from using the name Champagne (in Cyrillic) is scandalous; it is our common heritage and the apple of our eye. ”
Moët Hennessy of LVMH, which includes brands such as Veuve Clicquot and Dom Pérignon, told POLITICO that the company will temporarily suspend shipments to Russia “to give us time to assess the impact of this new regulation”.
French media have suggested that Moscow’s move could be part of its efforts that shampanskoe Sparkling wine industry in its Soviet home of Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014, in line with similar measures that benefited domestic producers: Moscow banned the import of European cheese and other products in response to the Western sanctions imposed on the Ukraine. Conflict that ultimately gave Russian cheese producers a big boost.
On Monday, the share value of the Russian sparkling wine maker Abrau-Durso rose 7.7 percent.
Moscow’s move to meet one of Europe’s most coveted sectors also comes at a tense time for EU-Russia relations, shortly after the European Council rejected a proposal by France and Germany for a summit with Putin and instead set tough terms for warming the country had imposed diplomatic relations.
Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters on Monday that the sparkling wine industry was “a difficult industry, there is no easy money here,” suggesting Russia’s desire to protect its domestic wine producers. “The law has been passed, it must be implemented.”
Barillère said he was “very surprised that Russia can make such a decision” and the committee asked French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian to intervene.
The French embassy in Moscow declined to comment, but the country’s subordinate trade minister, Franck Riester, tweeted that Paris is “closely watching” the effects of Russian law.
“There is no doubt: we will definitely support our producers and French excellence. Long live French champagne! ”Riester wrote.
French champagne also falls under the EU’s lucrative geographical indication system, which aims to protect the names of gourmet foods traded abroad. Alexander Stavstev, editor-in-chief of Russian industry news service Wine Retail Information Center, estimated that the law could include changing the labels of around 20,000 wine brands.
A European Commission spokesman told reporters on Monday that the EU executive would “do whatever it takes to express our disagreements and concerns” about Russian legislation.
“We will do whatever is necessary to protect our rights and take the necessary steps,” added the spokesman, not taking any concrete steps that Brussels could take.
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Brooks Brothers files for bankruptcy, plans to close dozens of stores
The coronavirus recession has done in one of the nation's oldest and best known retailers: Brooks Brothers.
The 202-year brand that claims to have dressed all but four U.S. presidents and legions of business executives in its sharp Oxfords, classic suits and polos for casual Friday, filed for bankruptcy on Wednesday in Delaware as it continues its search for a buyer, according to a company spokesperson.
The company is set to close 51 of its 250 North American stores and will halt production at its factories in Massachusetts, North Carolina and New York in mid-August, which produce less than 7% of its finished goods. Remaining stores will reopen in compliance with local public health orders tied to pandemic-related closures.
(Brooks Brothers Factory Outlets are located at Tanger Outlet at Foxwoods and Clinton Crossing.)
Brooks Brothers, owned by its chief executive Claudio Del Vecchio, has long sought a buyer and has not struggled to field bids. But the pandemic, along with changing workplace fashion trends, disrupted the sale process. The company secured $75 million in debtor-in-possession financing to continue its operations during the sale process.
It's the latest large American apparel retailer to struggle under the weight of the pandemic, following J.C. Penney, J. Crew and Neiman Marcus into bankruptcy court. Ascena Retail, which operates Ann Taylor and Lane Bryant could be next; Bloomberg reports a filing could come as soon as this week.
Brooks Brothers — founded in 1818 and known for its "formal, old school approach" — has been slow to keep up with changing consumers tastes and styles, said Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData Retail. It has also lost relevancy as Corporate America goes casual, replacing business suits and ties with jeans and puffy vests.
"Brooks Brothers has long suffered from a failure to decisively adapt to changing trends," Saunders wrote in a note to clients. "It has become increasingly out of step with a new generation of consumers who are looking for a more edgy approach to smart casual."
Younger shoppers in particular have flocked to more accessible competitors like SuitSupply, Tie Bar, Bonobos, even J. Crew, that specialize in more modern styles, analysts said.
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All of our stories about the coronavirus are being provided free of charge as a service to the public. You can find all of our stories here.


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Sustainability remains at the top of mind for British consumers when they are shopping, despite the current economic climate, a recent report has shown, which also two out of five shoppers prefer to buy things locally.
According to a survey of 2,000 UK consumers on behalf of American Express published in “How We Buy: The Trends Shaping Shopping”, two thirds (65 per cent) think about the environmental impact of the goods they buy when shopping. Four in 10 (41 per cent) say they prefer to shop locally rather than online, reducing the carbon footprint associated with deliveries driven by e-commerce.
The research found that a third (32 per cent) would spend more on an item that had better environmental credentials, jumping to almost half (45 per cent) amongst 18-34 year-olds. A similar proportion (30 per cent) of shoppers said that if the cost-of-living crisis wasn’t impacting their day-to-day spend, they’d be more inclined to shop sustainably, stated the report.
Commenting on the survey’s findings, Daniel Edelman, vice president & UK general manager, Merchant Services at American Express commented that the research shows that despite the current challenges, sustainability remains important to shoppers.
“However, as consumers become increasingly selective about where to spend and what they buy, merchants need to scrutinise their own sustainability strategy and how best to communicate that effectively to customers.”


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With the release of Tom Clancy's The Division 2 just a few weeks away, Ubisoft has announced a cracking deal if you pre-order the game on the PC.
Putting down your money ahead of the release date for the PC version of Clancy's latest title, before March 14th, will get you a free PC copy of one of Ubisoft's acclaimed titles.
Today's top videos
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
You can choose the standard edition from one of Watch Dogs 2, Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Wildlands or Far Cry Primal.
This offer is available to anyone who pre-orders any edition of The Division 2 on PC from the Ubisoft store or any Ubisoft distribution partner. Don't worry if you've already pre-ordered the game before this deal was announced as you can also take advantage of this offer.
The Open Beta for The Division 2 runs from March 1st to the 4th, so if gamers who want to experience the game before pre-ordering have an opportunity to sample before they part with their hard earned cash.
This latest offering from the Tom Clancy series is set in Washington DC, seven months after a deadly virus was released in New York City. With the world on the brink of collapse, it's up to you, and other Division agents, stop society from falling asunder as enemy factions vie for control of Washington D.C.
Tom Clancy's The Division 2 releases on PS4, Xbox One and PC on March 15th.


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Ask Me Anything with Arjan Eikelenboom
On the 29th of May, Arjan Eikelenboom, Partnership Director at Credits, will take part in Ask Me Anything session.
The AMA is organized by the Founder of NomadFury.com - Jeff Caceres and will take place on the NomadFury Facebook page. The authors of the 5 best questions will receive a reward. The prize pool is 5000 CS.
Credits.com is a company starting operation worldwide as a network-based payment system supporting online money transfers and alternative electronic payment solutions built with the use of blockchain technologies and traditional payment methods.


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Thursday, November 27, 2008
Sales of Corporate Debt Recovered a little in Oct 2008
Sales of corporate debt, meanwhile, are increasing. U.S.corporations sold $36.6 billion of debt this month, compared with $29 billion in October. Still, sales are down from a year ago. Corporations sold $109.5 billion of debt in October 2007.


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14 years ago, on June 29, 2007, sales of the original iPhone started. The smartphone was deprived of many functions inherent in competitors of that time, such as video shooting, the ability to install third-party applications, support for MMS and 3G cellular networks. However, this did not stop it from winning the hearts of users from all over the world, completely changing the rules of the game in the smartphone market and becoming the main invention of 2007 according to Time magazine.
The original iPhone was unveiled in January 2007. According to numerous legends, at the time of the presentation, there were only a few semi-working prototypes that could perform tasks only in a certain order, and a deviation from this order caused the device to malfunction.
The start of sales of the smartphone took place only six months after its presentation. By this time, Apple experts had managed to fix the critical problems of the first iPhone. The appearance of the device on the shelves caused a stir, which had not been caused before by the launch of a single smartphone or mobile phone. People took queues in front of Apple stores for several days, just to be able to be the first to buy the new product. They were not deterred by the sky-high cost of the device at that time – $ 499 for the basic version, which could boast of only a 4 GB drive. In the first 30 hours, Apple sold 270 thousand iPhones; and the company sold the first million copies in 74 days. Then Steve Jobs noted that it took the company almost two years to sell so many iPods.
Gizchina News of the week
The smartphone that changed the world
So, the original iPhone was housed in an aluminum case with a chrome bezel surrounding the bezel. Also, below the screen was the only Home button; that has survived to this day in the iPhone SE and affordable iPads. The processor used was the Samsung S3C6400 chipset, the clock frequency of which was limited to 416 MHz. The amount of RAM in the EDRAM standard was 128 MB. The storage capacity was 4, 8 or completely unimaginable for a smartphone of that time 16 GB. The 3.5-inch TFT display with a resolution of 320 × 480 pixels had no air gap; which made a lasting impression on those who took an iPhone in their hands for the first time. Of course, one of the key features is the multi-touch capacitive sensor. The smartphone’s camera had a resolution of 2 megapixels and could not even shoot video.
In addition, in 2008, the original iPhone was replaced by the iPhone 3G; which received support for third-generation cellular networks, a simplified plastic case and a less beautiful screen with an air gap. It was it who became the first Apple smartphone officially presented on several markets. Apple has sold over a billion iPhones to date, which is the best example of the brand’s success.


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Slugs, Tomatoes And New Frontiers In Farm Research
By Russell E. Eshleman Jr.
Inquirer Staff Writer
Wednesday, Aug 15 1999 The Philadelphia Inquirer
PINE GROVE MILLS, Pa. — Got slugs on your broccoli or troubles with your tomatoes?
If you’re looking for a culprit, it might be society’s renewed emphasis on health and the environment. A key area of work by scientists here at Penn State University’s 1,500-acre Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center, where 50,000 people will come this week as part of Ag Progress Days, is how to solve problems created by this new emphasis.
The three-day agricultural exposition that opened yesterday in Centre County, a sort of outdoors version of the Pennsylvania Farm Show held in Harrisburg each year, highlights the development of new equipment, farming practices and research.
And the research involves everything from finding new uses for discarded mushroom soil (a combination of horse manure, corn cobs and hay) to whether prairie grass from New Zealand might someday make a useful forage for Pennsylvania.
Enter the slug. Consider the tomato. Both are objects of current research projects.
Steve Jacobs, a university entomologist, said efforts in recent years to deter soil erosion has increased farmers’ problems with slugs, those ugly little creatures that resemble snails without shells.
"Slugs produce a slime they actually glide on," said Jacobs. "You can see the tracks on your sidewalks or plants." It’s not slug slime that bothers farmers. It’s the slugs’ appetite.
Slugs enjoy munching on stuff like corn, cabbage, peppers and broccoli, and recent tillage practices designed to preserve topsoil have made slugs thrive.
"In one sense, we solved one problem and created another," said. Jacobs.
In addition to the new soil-saving methods, another reason for the abundance of slugs is the scarcity of effective slug pesticides.
Scientists here are hoping to find a new slug combatant for farmers that, in many ways, works as well as remedies that have proven to help home-owners.
The most popular anti-slug control method used by amateurs is a pie pan full of stale beer.
Jacobs said slugs are attracted by either the malt or yeast in beer, and when they belly up to the pans, whose rims are flush with the soil, they fall in and drown.
Apparently any brand will do, said Jacobs, jokingly declining to mention his favorite.
"I don’t think I’d want my beer associated with slug control," he said.
And as researchers here note, beer might work for the backyard gardener, but it would take quite a few kegs to control slugs on a hundred acres of corn.
Agriculture remains Pennsylvania’s largest industry. The state Agriculture Department said the food and agriculture industry accounts for more than $3.3 billion a year in farm income and leads to $32 billion annually in related business activity.
Pennsylvania ranks first nationally in the production of mushrooms (142,391 tons) and potato chips (450 million tons). It also ranks first in the number of pretzel plants (43), commercial slaughter plants (276) and bakeries (7,300).
The state also ranks in the top 10 nationally in products ranging from eggs (5.3 billion) to cream cottage cheese (19,799 tons)’ to turkeys (7.9 million).
The theme of this year’s Ag Progress Days is "Food and Environmental Quality: Preparing for the 21st Century."


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BAKU, Azerbaijan, Dec.9
By Tamilla Mammadova – Trend:
According to the President of the National Bank of Georgia, Koba Gvenetadze, the National Bank will continue intervening in the foreign exchange market for the rest of 2020 and in 2021, Trend reports via Georgian media.
Gvenetadze says that the interventions will continue depending on the situation. At the same time, he stresses that NBG doesn’t sell dollars for maintaining the rate.
"Since the beginning of 2020, the National Bank has sold $886 million. For the rest of the current year, we will continue to supply currency to the market given the current situation. We think that in 2021 currency will continue to be sold at least in the first half of the year. Once again, during the global recession, it is difficult to predict. I would like to clarify that the purpose of the National Bank’s interventions is not to maintain the rate or to interfere with the market dynamics of the exchange rate. The purpose of the interventions is to provide foreign currency to the market when it lacks it. This is done to avoid the so-called behavioral market failure," he says.
To stabilize the Georgian lari amid its depreciation, NBG sold $20 million at a foreign exchange auction on March 13, $40 million on March 19, and 40 million laris ($13.09 million) on March 25.
On April 27, the National Bank of Georgia sold another $20 million to stabilize the Georgian lari after further depreciation.
The National Bank of Georgia put up $40 million at a foreign exchange auction on June 10; however, only $29.65 million was sold.
On May 21, the bank sold $40 million to stabilize the Georgian lari, on June 18 - $20 million, on July 2- $20 million, on July 22 - $40 million, on August 13 - $20 million, on August 27 - $40 million, on September 16 - $40 million, on September 22 - $40 million, on October 2- $20 million, on October 9 - $30 million, on October 19 - $30 million, on October 22 - $40 million, on October 27 - $40 million, on October 29 - $40 million, on November 2 - $60 million, on November 11 - $37.2 million, on November 18 - $30 million, on November 25 - $46.55 million, on December 3 - $19.82 million.


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The decision to issue a voluntary consumer recall of its Dr Andrew Weil for Origins Mega Mushroom Soothing Face Cream batch code #A43 in North America was made by Estée Lauder following the discovery, which it says only affects a small number of products in the U.S.
The presence of mold in the product could present a heightened risk of infection for some consumers, such as individuals with compromised skin, weakened immune systems, or users of permanent or extended wear contact lenses (if the product gets into the eyes).
Estée Lauder stresses that no other Origins or Dr Andrew Weil for Origins products were affected.
Origins says it has already removed unsold products from distribution and urged to consumers to see if purchased products are identified as batch "#A43" on the bottom of the ja.
“The code is visible on the bottom of the jar. Consumers who have the Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Mega Mushroom Soothing Face Cream batch code #A43 should not use or share the product. Products should be disposed of or returned to an Origins retail outlet for exchange or full refund,” says a company statement.
The product was available to consumers as a freestanding 50ml jar, and was included in the Dr Andrew Weil for Origins Mega Relief gift set in the 30ml size jar.
It is not the first time in recent months that a company has been forced to recall a product in the U.S. voluntarily due to contamination.
W.S. Badger recalled around 30,000 Baby and Kids sunscreen lotion products due to a microbial contamination last month.
A batch of its 4-ounce SPF Baby Suncreen Lotion and one lot of its 4-ounce SPF 30 Kids sunscreen lotion were tested and found to be contaminated with three different microbial strains.


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According to a report by Canalys, smartphone shipments in India fell by 20 per cent year-on-year (YoY) in the first quarter (Q1) of 2023.
As per the report, Samsung contributed to 21 per cent of the market share with 6.3 million units in shipment. Oppo shot to second position after Samsung with 18 per cent market share and 5.5 million shipments. Vivo became the third largest seller in the Indian smartphone market with 5.4 million units and 18 per cent market share as Xiaomi accounted to 16 per cent market share and 5 million shipments.
The demand was predicted to be sluggish in the short term after witnessing it in Q1 2023. Brands have started focusing on optimising retail, manufacturing, local sourcing and research and development (R&D) to secure their position in the long-term. Shipments of all brands fell in Q1, with the exception of Oppo. Realme’s shipment declined the fastest with 51 per cent year-over-year in Q1, followed by Xiaomi and Samsung at 38 per cent and 11 per cent respectively. The report suggested that the brands must balance channel contributions to keep business operations stable and maintain share.
Commenting on the report, Sanyam Chaurasia, analyst, Canalys, “The Indian market faces early-year struggles but vendors keep fueling the market as they remain bullish on long-term prospects. Just as the economic indicators toward the end of Q4 2022 clearly suggested that demand would remain sluggish in the short term, it was witnessed so in Q1 2023. Despite this challenge, investments from major brands are pouring in as they align with the government’s vision and changing consumer behavior. They are focusing on optimsing retail, manufacturing, local sourcing, and R&D to secure their long-term position in the market. Q1 2023 showcased that brands must balance channel contributions to keep business operations stable and maintain share. Vendors with efficient channel management have proven to be more resilient to market volatility. Post-pandemic, vendors who have nurtured mainline retail channels, have demonstrated stability even during market downturns. Increasing contributions from high-price-band models have encouraged vendors to focus on strengthening their offline channels. Samsung has been efficient with its fast-moving model placement in the offline space. For this quarter, it was the new 5G-capable A-series. Apple’s new offline stores staffed by expert employees will further enhance its brand experience and position. While online heavy brands have driven units primarily through e-commerce sales, leading to periodic volume surges.”
Chaurasia added, “2023 will be challenging as the mass-market segment is still moving slowly. Nonetheless, the premium segment is poised for growth, boosting the average selling price (ASP) growth of the overall market. As disposable income gradually rises, consumers are willing to spend more on premium devices. To succeed in this segment, brands must prioritise availability, affordability and aspirational value. Going forward, brands should also emphasise export strategy to align with the government’s initiatives. At present, India’s smartphone export growth is primarily driven by Apple and Samsung, helping achieve a record-breaking export value of almost $4 billion in Q1. Canalys expects modest growth this year, driven by organic growth drivers. However, to stimulate the upgrade cycle, 5G devices and other market drivers must offer compelling utility for consumers.”


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The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) recently arrested several manufacturers of counterfeit drugs,food and other products,even as it has warned Nigerian consumers to be wary of pass-off food and drinks sold in the markets across the country.
The acting Director General of NAFDAC Mrs Yetunde Oluremi Oni who sent out this message Thursday said that the dangers inherent in the consumption of these fake food products should be apparent to all and sundry as it is the cause of a lot of medical ailments in Nigeria etc.
Mrs Oni who was represented at the press briefing by the trio of Barrister Kingsley Ejiofor,Director Investigation and Enforcement,Dr.Abubakar Jimoh,Director Special Duties and Deputy Director(FSAN)Mrs Onabanjo Simidele etc stressed NAFDAC’s support of SME’s and federal government’s policy on ease of doing business but said that does not mean it supports the flagrant counterfeiting of products of established brands.
She therefore urge SME’s in the country to clean up their acts in their own interest,saying that the agency will continually work to arrest the activities of dubious business operators who use fake NAFDAC registration numbers and others who are involved in the production of pass-off products to the detriment of the health of fellow Nigerians.
According to her the agency is currently investigating unauthorised production of LAMHJIB herbal medicine and forgery by Nura Ayuba,Yahaya Tanimu,Abubakar Ibrahim a.ka. Lamido and Idris Adamu(prime suspect) with fake NAFDAC number,saying that the culprits involved in the crime are based not only in Lagos but involved individuals domiciled in sokoto ,kaduna and Lagos state.
Investigations,as she posited ,are on-going in the case of illegal distribution and sales of suspected counterfeit “read-a-dream insecticides and hair relaxers at Edo and Delta states.She said her operators have nabbed some of the culprits and raided stores and home where the fake products were being sold and manufactured.
For her the worst case was the on-going investigation of illegal production ,distribution and sales of counterfeit Tasty Time Glucozeaid Energy drink,a pass-off of Lucozade Energy drink with fake NEN :01-2474L by Mr Kole Isaac O.,the Managing Director of Tasty Time Nigerian Limited,located at No.1,Kole Street,Olude B/stop,Ipaja,Lagos.
As she said NAFDAC enforcement team raided the company and on arrival “the offending product with seventeen(17)other unregistered products were see in the company’s warehouse and factory.The Managing Director could not produce evidence of registration of any of the products with NAFDAC”The MD has been arrested.


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Lima Peru, October 17th, 2016
Maxam Tire Latam, LLC. showcased the company’s OTR, Industrial, Construction and Agricultural tire lines at the 2016 EXPOMINA show in Lima, Peru September 14 to 16 at the Centro de Exposiciones Jockey.
Panama, August 3rd, 2016
Maxam was recently showcased at the Latin American & Caribbean Tyre Expo July 13-15, 2016 at the ATLAPA Convention Center, Panama, with great success, interest from tyre dealers and sales of our products.
Belgium, August 2nd, 2016
The Libramont farm show is a yearly outdoor show held in Libramont, Belgium, and over 4 days attracts over 200.000 visitors and 800 exhibitors who showcase their latest products related to the farming industry.


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NVIDIA has released its TegraZone app for Windows RT users to easily find Tegra-optimized games.
NVIDIA's long touted the graphical benefits of its Tegra ARM systems, and now it's bringing a way for owners of Windows RT devices with those systems to easily take advantage of their hardware.
Today the company recently announced it's bringing TegraZone to the Windows Store with a new app. TegraZone, which is also available for Android devices, provides a place where users can find Tegra-optimized games and read news and reviews about those games.
According to NVIDIA, there are already several Tegra-optimized apps available for Windows RT devices: Judge Dredd vs Zombies, Pinball FX 2, Reckless Racing Ultimate, Riptide GP, Soulcraft, Space Ark, Sprinkle and Vendetta Online. While these titles are also available on other Windows RT devices, they include special features for Tegra device owners, such as high-resolution textures and enhanced particle effects.
In its blog post announcing the TegraZone app for Windows RT, NVIDIA claims it's sold 6 million Tegra-powered Android devices, although it gives no numbers for Windows RT devices that are powered by its ARM platform. Currently the only Tegra-powered Windows RT devices are Microsoft's own Surface tablet and ASUS' VivoTab RT.
TegraZone is currently available in the Windows Store free of charge.


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LEGO Pulls Advertising for Police, White House Related Toys [VIDEO]
The company has pledged to donate some $4 million dollars to racial related causes, and has taken a firm stand on the death of George Floyd and related issues.
They also have temporarily, according to Fox News Business with Neal Cavuto, suspended advertising for any of their police or White House related toy sets.
Cavuto said Thursday, that an email was sent Wednesday from LEGO to it's affiliate markets, removing the products from their site, and asking that any marketing materials for these lines of toys be removed.
LEGO then issued a statement saying that it only pertained to "promotional" materials and not necessarily the materials themselves. And it is only temporary.
According to The Toy Book (online website) and other sources, The LEGO Group issued this statement on the matter, reading as follows:
“We requested that our affiliate partners refrain from posting promotional LEGO content as part of our decision to respect #BlackOutTuesday and pause posting content on our social media channels in response to the tragic events in the US. We regret any misunderstanding and will ensure that we are clearer about our intentions in the future.”
To see the Fox News Neal Cavuto Business report on this story, click on the button below.


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To see a complete list of Small Business Saturday special sales, please go HERE.
Downtown Franklin Merchants Offer Special Incentives, Light Main Street
The downtown Franklin community is joining together to support Small Business Saturday on Nov. 26, a national effort to help independently owned merchants gain more exposure during one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year. The 150 shops and restaurants in downtown Franklin are offering special sales and other promotions the day after “Black Friday,” an additional encouragement for patrons to shop local.
In its third year, the event gained traction in 2011 when it turned out more than 100 million patrons across the country.
“Small Business Saturday is one way the community shows appreciation for our small businesses,” said Nancy Williams, Downtown Franklin Association Director. “We hope that we can help create a new tradition for families, a Christmas kick-off day in downtown Franklin that promotes relationships in a fun, not chaotic, environment.”
Many of the businesses, like Honey’s Vintage Sweets on S. Margin Street, are offering promotions to guests who supply a Nov. 24 receipt from a fellow downtown Franklin merchant. Gwen Perkins owns Chapman’s Pie Wagon II, a gourmet mobile eatery that sets up in the Landmark Booksellers parking lot on East Main Street. She will offer a hot drink and made-from-scratch dessert for customers who present a receipt, and said the event supports both business-to-business relations and the spirit of the season.
“[Husband] Dan and I are excited to be part of Small Business Saturday again. It was such a happy experience to see our community working together to support local merchants last year,” said Perkins. “Christmas shopping for loved ones should be a joyous experience and I know that people will receive a warm memory when they come to downtown Franklin.”
This year, merchants and downtown Franklin building owners have banded together to add another layer of festivity to Main Street: Saturday night will unveil storefront stories lined with Christmas lights, candles and wreathes. This is the first unified effort to decorate the strip.
“The Heritage Foundation and our merchants have done a fabulous job implementing this initiative, to give the public an extra dose of holiday cheer,” said Bob Roethemeyer, Downtown Franklin Association President and owner of Avec Moi. “This will add even more magic to downtown Franklin during the season, and we couldn’t be more excited to see the effect.”


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EE Announces UK’s First 4G PAYG Deal
UK’s first pay as you go 4G plan
EE was the first carrier to offer 4G deals in the UK, but has since been joined by some pretty fierce competition. The shared goal is to deliver a superfast network to the most far-flung areas of Britain, but it also needs to be affordable and applicable to everyone.
Olaf Swantee, EE CEO said: “This month we are launching new plans for light users, super users, regular users, data sharers and Britain’s mobile workforce up and down the country.”
On that launch we’re set to see the UK’s first 4G pay as you go payment plan, which will of course mean a larger initial pay out for 4G-ready handsets. We will also see new entry level plans for LTE customers and massive data plans for those that have wedge to burn.
But how much will this cost?
EE have said that customers will be able to pick up PAYG 4G deals on all fifteen handsets available on the pay monthly tariffs, although be aware that some of the high end models will come with a hefty price tag attached.
We’re still unsure of prices on all handsets, but EE has confirmed that the upcoming Alcatel One Touch Idol S will be £129.99. Data starts from £3 for 100MB for 30 days, while 10GB will set you back £30 and consumers who buy bundles of 2GB or greater will get access to faster speeds. And, for the chatty 100 minutes will be £3 or £10 for 500 minutes.
Monthly payment plans start from £26.99 for unlimited calls, texts and 4GB of data. For the super users out there, the most expensive plan is £74.99 per month, for 50GB of data, plus unlimited calls and texts.
Check out our 4G deals by clicking here.


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Credit reporting company Equifax, known for suffering from one of the largest customer data breaches to date, has partnered with blockchain company Oasis Labs to build a Know Your Customer (KYC) solution.
Equifax and Oasis said on Oct. 26 that the latter would be building a decentralized identity management and KYC solution for the industry on Oasis’ platform, which will leverage application programming interfaces (APIs) from Equifax to help with checks and user identification.
The announcement made no mention of the exact technology which will underpin this offering and Cointelegraph’s request for comment was not immediately responded to by either company.
Both firms believe there hasn’t been a KYC solution tailored to Web3 with “strong privacy protection” and their proposed offering is set to address this gap by issuing anonymized KYC credentials to individuals’ wallets.
This credential will be continuously updated according to the announcement and Oasis pledges its “privacy-preserving capabilities” will ensure data is processed in confidence while maintaining a trail on the company’s blockchain.
Web3 firms offering similar solutions based around decentralized identity are Dock and Quadrata with each offering a product built around decentralized identity.
The partnership could have some Web3 natives concerned, considering the significant data breach Equifax suffered in 2017. Around 163 million worldwide private records were compromised, with 148 million being U.S. citizens making it the 13th largest data breach in United States history, according to cybersecurity company UpGuard.
Attackers targeted a third-party web portal with a known vulnerability that was patched, but Equifax had failed to update to the latest version. The hackers gained access to the firms’ servers for around two and a half months, all the while siphoning millions of records containing sensitive information.
It was reported that Equifax spent $1.4 billion on legal fees and strengthening its security posture following the incident. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a $700 million fine in July 2019, which the firm settled.


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Hotel guests may think twice before helping themselves to hotel room items, with the invention of a washable microchip to track frequently stolen goods such as robes, towels and bed linens.
The radio-frequency identification chips, designed by US company Linen Technology Tracking, are already being used by three hotels in New York, Miami and Honolulu.
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The Honolulu hotel has already reduced pool towel theft from 4,000 a month to just 750, saving $15,200.
William Serbin, executive vice president of Linen Technology Tracking, says the inspiration for the device came from toll road technology.
The device can last for more than 300 wash cycles, and also helps hotels manage stock rooms and supplies more effectively.
According to the Australian Hotels Association, millions of dollars a year are lost in the hotel industry due to theft, and a survey by Accor Hotels reveals women are more likely to steal than men.
One Australian hotel has come up with solution to this problem, offering guests the chance to buy items in their room, including the bed.
What other ways can you capitalise on consumers’ love of hotel-branded goodies? Perhaps a partnership with a hotel, used to showcase your particular product range, might be the way to go.


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Fashion expert reveal the menswear trends you'll see everywhere this winter
As we step into a new season, it can be difficult to know what to wear. James Pryer, menswear expert and head buyer at BoohooMAN, has revealed the must-follow menswear trends for winter 2022.
Analysing the biggest menswear trends from AW22 Fashion Weeks, James and the buying team used their insider knowledge and Google Search data to reveal which staple items are starting to surge right now, as the cold weather starts to set in.
As the weather gets colder, you'll no doubt be on the hunt for a new coat, and shearling reigns supreme this season. Google Trends data shows an incredible 614 per cent rise in searches in the last 12 months, with the term 'men's shearling coat' currently soaring. Earlier this year, Top Gun also brought shearling collard flight jackets back to our screens, suggesting fans have been taking note of the style.


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Singapore bans some short-chain CPs
Feb 08, 2018
Beginning in June 2018, Singapore will prohibit the use of short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) in metalworking fluids and other products. SCCPs are chlorinated alkanes that are typically used in metalworking fluids as extreme pressure agents. Designated as hazardous substances under new rules, their production, import, export and use will be phased out. Most products containing SCCPs will be part of the ban in compliance with the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).
SCCPs will still be permitted in formulations of lubricant additives for automobile engines, electric generators, wind power facilities, oil and gas exploration drilling equipment, and refining equipment used in the production of diesel oils.
Why should you care? Depending on your application, this could affect your sales in certain regions. Plus, it’s important stay up to date with global trends moving toward minimizing these pollutants in an effort to protect our health and the environment.
Read more about Singapore’s new SCCP regulation here.