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Volkswagen is to use commercetools’ cloud-based software to launch a new group-wide e-commerce platform. The partnership will help the car manufacturer deliver new commerce functionality and online channels.
Concerns have been raised by several watchdogs about Amazon’s “manipulative” design techniques that make it unreasonably difficult to unsubscribe from its Prime service. A study by The Norwegian Consumer Council (NCC) said that the process of cancelling an Amazon Prime subscription is “riddled with a combination of manipulative design techniques, known as ‘dark patterns.’”
A UK-based COVID-19 digital passport, developed by tech companies Mvine and iProov, is moving into a live testing phase. The passport, backed by Innovate UK, enables a person’s test result or vaccination status to be registered and proved without disclosing their identity, and without the need for extensive new infrastructure.
DNS (domain name system) services are the most attacked part of telcos’ networks during the pandemic, but cloud protection is the hardest to deliver, according to the Telecoms.com Annual Industry Survey. Of 500 telecoms professionals questioned for the survey, 16 per cent said DNS services suffered the most attacks, followed by attacks on network infrastructure elements like network bandwidth and network protocols (15 per cent).
Parler, the self-proclaimed alternative to Twitter, could be cut off permanently, its chief executive John Matze told Reuters on Wednesday. Parler is currently in the process of suing Amazon Web Services (AWS) over its decision to suspend the social media platform.
Chinese drone manufacturer DJI is reportedly forming an engineering team that will focus on self-driving technologies. According to Reuters, job posts have revealed that the business is hiring engineers for auto electronics, autonomous driving, and in-car software.
Environmental researchers are set to benefit from a powerful supercomputer that will slash their data workload processing times. Plymouth Marine Laboratory is offering out its first HPC (high performance computing) service for applying artificial intelligence to earth observation data.
The majority of European businesses say COVID has accelerated their use of data in operations, but many are still struggling to win the confidence of customers when it comes to safely handling that data. Over 800 senior managers responsible for data in companies of 100-plus employees and 4,100 consumers across the UK, Germany, France and the Netherlands were questioned about the effect of the pandemic on data analytics and management as part of research commissioned by data analytics company Splunk.
General Motors (GM) has announced plans to develop a flying Cadillac that will transport passengers across cities. The self-driving vehicle, which is a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drone, will be able to carry a single passenger, and will travel from city rooftops at speeds of up to 55 miles per hour.
A new ruling from the European Court of Justice (ECJ) could have major implications for how data is transferred around the world. On 16 July, the Data Protection Commissioner vs Facebook Ireland case was ruled upon, following up on the ECJ’s 2015 ruling in Maximillian Schrems vs Data Protection Commissioner, in which it invalidated the adequacy decision underlying the EU-US Safe Harbour arrangement.
Many were prepared for a cyber onslaught, while ill-equipped businesses fell victim when the COVID-19 hit. Alexandra Leonards explores how the pandemic drove cyber-crime and looks at the UK response to the rise in online attacks. The disruption of an atmosphere of crisis and an influx of workers into home offices has created an online haven for cyber criminals.
With many more people using apps and websites on a daily basis since the pandemic took hold, it has never been more crucial to make sure consumers are safe when logging in to use products and services. With that in mind, National Technology News editor Peter Walker had a chat to Andrew Shikiar, the executive director and chief marketing officer of FIDO Alliance about the work that’s being done to unite companies and industries around one common standard for cyber security.
The recent wave of protest sparked by the killing by police of George Floyd in Minneapolis has raised the issue of racism for corporations across sectors and geographies – and none more so than the tech industry. As young and cool as many big technology companies portray themselves, the majority are still overwhelmingly white, particularly in leadership and technical positions.


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TikTok is set to be removed from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store as soon as Sunday (September 20) for those in the US after the US government issued a blanket ban on the Chinese app.
The new ban, issued by the US Department of Commerce, also covers Chinese social network WeChat, and it orders both Apple and Google to remove each service from their app stores so that users in the country can no longer download them.
WeChat will be removed by Sunday (September 20), with TikTok allowed to stay online until November 12 at the latest. It’s currently unclear if TikTok will also be removed this coming weekend.
In a press statement, U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, said, “Today’s actions prove once again that President Trump will do everything in his power to guarantee our national security and protect Americans from the threats of the Chinese Communist Party.
“At the President’s direction, we have taken significant action to combat China’s malicious collection of American citizens’ personal data, while promoting our national values, democratic rules-based norms, and aggressive enforcement of U.S. laws and regulations.”
ByteDance – the company behind TikTok – is talking with the Trump administration on how the service could continue to operate in the US. This even includes a proposal that would see TikTok’s global business become a US based company.
TikTok is known to have millions of users throughout the US who may be impacted by this choice.
It’s currently unclear how Apple or Google will respond to this, but expect WeChat to be removed from your current application store of choice by the end of the weekend if you live in the US.
Whether this means the app will be unable to work on your existing Android or iPhone is currently unclear.
The Department of Commerce statement declares that after November 12, it will be ‘prohibited’ for anyone to provide web hosting services to support the running of TikTok, suggesting it may no longer work for users in the US after this date.
However using a VPN to make your connection appear like it is originating from another country may allow you to access TikTok – but we’ll have to wait until November 12 to see.

domain: news


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Canadian cannabis company Canopy Growth Corp stunned the market Wednesday with the news that its co-Chief Executive Bruce Linton is stepping down from his role and will leave the board.
which is the biggest cannabis company by market capitalization thanks to a $4 billion investment from Corona beer distributor Constellation Brands Inc.
said Mark Zekulin has agreed to be sole CEO and will work with the board to find a new leader, a task that will include internal and external candidates.
“Creating Canopy Growth began with an abandoned chocolate factory and a vision,” said Linton in a statement. “The board decided today, and I agreed, my turn is over.”
In an interview with CNBC, Linton acknowledged that he was ousted. “I was terminated,” he said in a telephone interview.
Asked what he will do next, Linton quipped that he had gone to Costco to fill his car with gas, “and I’ve got a long list of important stuff like that to do. I would hope by the end of day I’ve figure out what’s up next. And it won’t be in cannabis in Canada but there is a pretty big world out there,” he said.
Linton has been a very public face for Canopy and has given multiple interviews to publications across the globe telling the company’s story. Canopy was founded in 2013 and commands a market cap of almost $14 billion. Earlier this month, it won shareholder approval to acquire Acreage Holdings Inc.
a multi-state operator that will give it a foothold in the lucrative U.S. market as soon as federal laws are eased.
“Bruce has been a pioneer in the industry and it will be tough to see him go,” said Korey Bauer, portfolio manager of the Cannabis Growth mutual fund
launched by Foothill Capital Management.
Matt Hawkins, managing partner with private-equity firm Cresco Capital Partners, agreed.
Linton “was instrumental in developing the innovative, forward-thinking deal he crafted with Acreage, one of Cresco Capital’s early portfolio companies,” said Hawkins, whose firm is focused on the cannabis market. “We applaud Bruce for leading Canopy to become the largest publicly traded cannabis company by market value, and look forward to both his and Canopy’s future and the positive impact the company will continue to have on the sector.”
The news comes just weeks after Canopy’s fiscal fourth-quarter earnings disappointed investors as the company’s losses mounted and it sold less cannabis sequentially, in the second quarter of recreational cannabis legalization in Canada.
Constellation Brands, which has made a huge bet on Canopy, was not happy with Chief Executive William Newlands saying on the company’s earnings call last week that he was not pleased with Canopy’s numbers.
“While we remain happy with our investment in the cannabis space and its long-term potential, we were not pleased with Canopy’s recent reported year-end results,” Newlands said in the call. “However, we continue to aggressively support Canopy on a more focused long-term strategy to win markets and form factors that matter, while paving a clear path to profitability.”
For more on Mark Zekulin: Canopy Growth’s quiet co-CEO on the pot company’s ambitions in the U.S. and more
Constellation’s share of Canopy’s losses came to $106 million, or $78.2 million including tax benefits.
Constellation made its initial investment last year with the option to take a majority interest in the future. The two companies are working together on developing drinkable cannabis products, which are set to launch in Canada Dec. 16. To that end, Canopy has told MarketWatch in the past that the Corona maker is helping it design a bottling factory across the street from its Smiths Falls, Ontario headquarters and helps with due diligence when asked during acquisitions.
Bauer from the Cannabis Growth mutual fund said he expects Canopy will search for a big consumer packaged goods replacement.
“The success of Canopy and all cannabis companies will come down to brands,” he said. “Short-term this may be a negative but we already have seen the largest CBD company in the U.S. (Charlotte’s Web) name Adrienne Elsner as CEO.”
Elsner is the former president of the U.S. snacks division at Kellogg Co.
Shares fell 4% in early trade before recouping most of those losses. It was last down just 1.9%. The stock has gained 43% in 2019, while the ETFMG Alternative Harvest ETF
has gained 27%.
Constellation Brands stock was down 0.4% but has gained 24% in 2019.
The S&P 500
has gained about 19% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average
has gained 15%.
Additional reporting by Greg Robb in Washington, D.C.


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Ferrari 250 Europa Prototype discovered at Bonhams Zoute sale
The car, one of two examples produced, was identified by Bonhams experts after being mistaken for decades as an earlier model.
Bonhams are preparing for the inaugural classic cars auction in the Belgian seaside town of Knokke-Le-Zoute, held in conjunction with the Zoute Grand Prix Rally and Concours d’Elegance.
Headlining the sale will be a remarkable Ferrari, only recently identified as a highly rare 1954 Tipo 250 Europa Prototype – one of just two examples ever built.
The car was previously believed to be a Ferrari 212/250 with coachwork by Pininfarina but research by specialists at Bonhams, working alongside Ferrari experts Marcel Massini, Antoine Prunet and the factory Classiche department, made the exciting discovery.
The model, chassis 0297EU, is a very special short chassis prototype built with a 3,000cc Colombo engine. It is described by Bonhams as “an important part of Ferrari history, unique in its own right and very recently newly discovered as a missing link in the Ferrari production car story.”
Misidentified for decades as the last model produced in the 212 series, researchers used the highly guarded top-secret ledger belonging to Amerigo Manicardi, director of Ferrari International Sales during the 1960s, to make their case.
The hand-written ledger lists all the Ferrari serial numbers starting with the first cars and their first owners. It proved that chassis 0297EU was one of two 250 Europa series prototypes produced, and listed the client as American Motorsport Promoter Tom Marchese.
Marchese was racing driver and motorsport events promoter, voted Automotive Promoter of the Year by Speed Age Magazine in 1950 and 1951. The 250 Europa model had been designed with the American market in mind, and Ferrari believed Marchese was the ideal high profile client to promote the new car across the Atlantic.
Elligible for the world’s most prestigious historic motor events such as the Tour Auto, Le Mans Classic, Mille Miglia and Tour de France, the 1954 Tipo 250 Europa Prototype will be offered with an estimated price of €750,000 - 950,000 (US$ 1 million - 1.3 million).
“Following the success of our inaugural sale at the Spa Classic in May, we are delighted to be heading to Knokke-Le-Zoute for the second of our two new auctions in Belgium this year,” said Philip Kantor, Head of the Mainland European Motoring department. “Having this very special Mille Miglia eligible Ferrari that participated in 2010 will doubtless add to the excitement of the sale.”
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The most obvious answer would be to go out and buy Bitcoin with this gift card to convert its balance.
Prepaid Bitcoin Sells 35 BTC Worth of Prepaid BitcoinWe are the creator of Prepaid Bitcoin Branded as Cool Geeks from The Philippines we.Bitcoin enthusiasts may have a new way to get access to their favorite digital currency.Because some people are getting charged the cash advance fee with credit cards, and some are not.
Pre-Paid Bitcoin Cards | Elite TraderPrepaid Bitcoin last week announced the official launch of a prepaid Bitcoin card.
The Bitcoin Card is a prepaid credit card that can be funded via bitcoin.Use a debit card to withdraw bitcoin from ATM or use it for shopping.You MUST verify the integrity of this software before running it.
People now use Prepaid Bitcoin cards to gift bitcoin to friends and family and as a tool to introduce cryptocurrencies to new users.The London-based Bitcoin exchange Bitstamp launched a new pre-paid debit card program.Prepaid debit cards will be subjected to tightened regulations by October 2017, users can top up their cards using Bitcoin.If you have the right connection to Visa and MasterCard (which we do) it allows us to post a credit (card load) to ANY Visa or MasterCard logo Prepaid.We have been suffering from a DoS type of attack for the last couple of dayss.
You can easily buy bitcoin and cash out bitcoin using a prepaid credit card. 1. Get a.Do not post your Bitcoin address unless someone explicitly asks you to.Btcexpress offers Bitcoin debit card to convert Bitcoin to cash, which you can withdraw privately from ATMs and spend anywhere VISA debit cards are accepted.These credit cards have either a low on-going interest rate, low introductory interest rate, or low on-going fees.Recently, BitInstant CEO Charlie Shrem announced that his company would be releasing a new product: a Bitcoin prepaid debit card.Buy bitcoin with Prepaid Debit Card safely, easily and instantly at Paxful.The European Commission proposed an expansion of anti-money-laundering rules to cover virtual currencies and prepaid cards in an effort to fight terror financing and.
To learn more about bitcoins and how to purchase online gift cards with them, click here.The real bitcoin debit card. CoinsBank Named cards issuer is Wave Crest Holdings Limited.Swift, Sepa, Bitcoin Debit Card, Ethereum Debit Card, Ripple Debit Card, Litecoin Debit Card, Dash Debit Card, Nem Xem Debit Card, Monero Debit Card.They are empowering businesses and consumers around the world by offering their cards internationally.Instant delivery. No fees. Choose from hundreds of retailers like Amazon, Target, Whole Foods and more.
EU proposes stricter rules on Bitcoin, prepaid cards in
Almost all Bitcoin wallets rely on Bitcoin Core in one way or another.
Buy and Sell Bitcoin to Paypal, Credit Card, Bank Wire
Pay for your VPN anonymously with Prepaid Debit CardsFor the first time ever, anyone can send or receive any amount of money with anyone else.This week a company called Prepaid Bitcoin announced the official launch of — a prepaid Bitcoin card.
Bitcoin and Prepaid Cards Face Tighter Controls Under EUWe support over 140 countries for international mobile recharge.So from a privacy standpoint I can see how a prepaid card would pretty much eliminate all anonymity.Prepaid Bitcoin Sells 35 BTC Worth of Prepaid Bitcoin Cards in First Month, Signalling Thriving Demand for Easier Access to Bitcoin - on PR.com.
Bitstamp launches pre-paid Bitcoin debit card for EuropeanAuthors Note: A few users are claiming that the information given by Circle regarding their ability to accept prepaid VISA gift cards may not be valid for all VISA.
Buy bitcoin with prepaid vouchers - 247 exchangePrepaidbitco.in and Bitcoinrewards.co are providing physical bitcoin cards to customers around the world, and will be launching Virtual Prepaid Bitcoin cards for.
BitInstant’s Debit Card – The Final Push to Critical Mass
Bitcoin News: 131 Countries: BitPay Goes International With Bitcoin Prepaid Visa Card.Every bitcoin buyer tries their best to buy their BTC at the best exchange rate that they can find, states the release.Contact us today for bitcoin prepaid card and prepaid card solutions.
Now you can buy Prepaid Virtual Master Credit Card With Bitcoin, Litecoin.
A Full List Of Bitcoin Debit Cards For 2017 — SteemitBitcoin is one of the most important inventions in all of human history.BitPay said the cards stands as the first prepaid Visa-branded debit card for bitcoin users in such major.
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Nov 16, 2012
This latest package means that consumers can get their hands on devices like the iPhone 5 easier than ever before.
Nov 10, 2012
When the Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini was first introduced there were strong rumours that a Galaxy Camera would arrive at around the same time and this has proven correct.
Nov 09, 2012
Despite being on the market for sixth months the S3 remains the most popular phone around thanks to some superb specification combined with eye catching design.
Sep 14, 2012
The new iOS6 software will be unleashed on September 19th, two days prior to the worldwide launch of the new iPhone 5.
Sep 09, 2012
The new iPhone 5 is shaping up to be the best handset that Apple have ever released. The phone will be officially unveiled on September the 12th and we expect all of the features we have discussed to be incorporated on the new model.
Sep 08, 2012
On the 12th of September we expect to see confirmation of the official specification of the new iPhone 5 from Apple and LTE is a feature we expect to see highlighted when the company unveil the new model.
Sep 07, 2012
The Samsung Galaxy S3 boasts some superb specification and this is just one factor behind the incredible success that the model has enjoyed in the one hundred days since its launch.
Sep 06, 2012
The Samsung Galaxy S3 is the best selling phone in the US, at least for the time being. This great new model continues Samsung's excellent tradition for producing stylish and feature packed devices.
Sep 02, 2012
The native calendar application of the Samsung Galaxy Note is great but can be made even better with the addition of one of the above applications. All of the applications are available from the Google Play Store.
Sep 01, 2012
The Samsung Galaxy S3 had a superb large screen and great connectivity which makes this device perfect for keeping up to date on the news. All of the applications we have mentioned above are available for the Google Play Store.


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The Nvidia RTX 4070 Ti could be announced as early as next month at CES, and pricing could come in at $799.
Nvidia is coming in strong at CES 2023, starting its event on January 3, a couple of days prior to the official start of the conference. The company hasn’t left any clues on its website about what might be announced, but sources are now reporting that the company could debut its long awaited RTX 4070 Ti graphics card.
If you aren’t familiar with the RTX 4070 Ti, the card originally debuted back in September as the RTX 4080 12GB. The card offered 7,680 CUDA cores and had 12GB GDDR6X memory. While there’s nothing wrong with its specifications as a standalone product, it didn’t sit right with people at the time, when pricing and performance were compared to the higher tier RTX 4080 16GB model. Furthermore, people felt that the card didn’t really deserve the RTX 4080 moniker.
Luckily, Nvidia seemed to hear the public outcry and eventually made the right move and decided to “unlaunch” the card. While it didn’t give details about what would happen to the RTX 4080 12GB at the time, reports began to swirl that it could be reborn as the RTX 4070 Ti at a later date. It looks like the time has finally arrived, as new reports state that Nvidia will finally announce the RTX 4070 Ti during CES and that pricing might even come in lower than expected, launching at $799 upon its release.
What makes this news even more exciting is that the specifications for the card popped up momentarily on the Nvidia website, with Twitter user 188号 grabbing a screenshot before it was pulled. As we head into 2023, there are now plenty of graphics card options available, with newly released offerings from both Nvidia and AMD. For the most part, pricing seems to be relatively stable this generation, but getting your hands on the top-end cards from Nvidia and AMD is still a bit of struggle. Nvidia has yet to officially announce a release date or acknowledge the RTX 4070 Ti, so things could always change.


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After months of delays and postponements, edtech giant BYJU’S finally announced its financials for FY21 with nearly 20X higher losses in comparison to FY20. While much of this is due to changes in revenue recognition by BYJU’S, the biggest individual contribution to the loss has come from WhiteHat Jr.
The edtech company, which offers live coding, maths and music lessons, was acquired in August 2020 for $300 Mn, but since then it has been in a thick of controversies — whether it be for misleading advertising, layoffs or the exit of its founder Karan Bajaj. Bajaj left WhiteHat Jr in August 2021, a year after the acquisition and Ananya Tripathi was named as his replacement to lead WhiteHat.
Over 800 full-time employees of WhiteHat Jr had resigned in May 2022 as the company rejigged operations and decided to bring the workforce back to its Gurugram, Mumbai and Bengaluru offices, as reported exclusively by Inc42.
Even as WhiteHat Jr ventured into international markets and added music and maths classes in the past two years, it has not been able to fix its high customer acquisition costs.
WhiteHat Jr Drags BYJU’S Down
Calling WhiteHat Jr the “under-performer” among the bevy of companies, BYJU’S cofounder and CEO Byju Raveendran told Inc42 that the focus will be on slower organic growth. He added that future growth for WhiteHat Jr is likely to involve high cash burn, even as other acquired companies continue to march towards positive unit economics.
“It’s still a little too early for us to say (about profitability), but we are reducing the burn significantly by cutting down on marketing costs. Most of our acquisitions have also seen a a one-time optimisation on people across the verticals,” Raveendran said in a brief conversation about the financial state of BYJU’S and its subsidiaries.
In absence of audited standalone financials for WhiteHat Jr for FY21 — as per BYJU’S new revenue recognition standards — there is no clarity on exactly how much revenue WhiteHat Jr has contributed to the INR 2,280 Cr that has been reported by BYJU’S as income for the year.
The change in revenue recognition pertains to how BYJU’S was accounting for revenue from users that was collected for subscriptions that extended beyond the fiscal year when they were sold.
With a total loss of INR 1,118.25 Cr in FY21, WhiteHat Jr contributed 26.73% to the total loss of INR INR 4,588 Cr. This is the second largest contributor to the overall loss after the parent company.
The reason for the high CAC is because of the startup’s primary focus on scaling up internationally, particularly in the US. “We are focusing on scaling that in the US and other markets. In India, one-on-one teaching is expensive and WhiteHat Jr has a limited TAM in India,” Raveendran explained.
The total loss stated by BYJU’S in its financials is lower than WhiteHat Jr’s own filings for FY21 which were released last year. The startup had posted a total loss of INR 1,690 Cr in FY21 as per its filings, on a revenue base of INR 483.9 Cr and expenses of INR 2,175.2 Cr.
It’s not yet clear why these numbers have changed because standalone financials have not been released for either of the subsidiaries under BYJU’S parent company Think & Learn Private Limited.
However, in terms of the net assets, the startup makes up 6.54% of BYJU’S net assets in FY21. This belies the outsized impact from its losses on the overall financial performance, showing just how much of a drag WhiteHat is on the company.
The fact that BYJU’S is attributing the higher overall losses in FY21 to the changes in revenue recognition in its primary business, means that WhiteHat Jr is actually the most significant loss-making subsidiary within its umbrella. Among the acquired companies, the next highest contributor to loss is US-based Osmo, which contributed just over 5% to the overall loss.
Can Organic Growth Fix WhiteHat?
Besides the high CAC, WhiteHat Jr’s primary focus on international markets means that it needs a separate push from a marketing perspective and its user funnel is also not linked to the larger BYJU’S machinery, the founder and CEO told us.
“We don’t have the kind of funnel (in the US) which we have in India (for BYJU’S). I understand if the market was big for WhiteHat Jr in India, we could use our own funnel, but we don’t see that market to be very big in India.”
Raveendran added that WhiteHat Jr will continue to remain a loss-making business for the next few fiscal years given these challenges. But he is confident that the growth within its core edtech business and other verticals such as Great Learning and Aakash will be able to fuel the cash burn that WhiteHat Jr would require.
“Actually from an impact point of view, if you ask me, it is still very high because WhiteHat has created so many teaching jobs for thousands of women graduates. And the same impact has been seen in students too,” the CEO said.
To solve the customer acquisition challenge, Raveendran said WhiteHat Jr will plug in to BYJU’S international acquisitions US-based Epic, Tinker, Austrian company GeoGebra and others. Tinker is a self-learning platform for coding and the goal is to convert users from these platforms by introducing micro-courses, and then converting them into the full course on WhiteHat Jr.
“This is an organic way of acquiring users rather than spending money on Facebook and Google. We are looking at a similar thing for maths with GeoGebra as an organic top of the funnel. It will be slow but it will be long term and sustainable.”
The post ‘Under-Performer’ WhiteHat Jr Is The Weakest Link In BYJU’S Acquisition-Heavy Ship appeared first on Inc42 Media.
Even as WhiteHat Jr ventured into international markets and added music and maths classes in the past two years, it has not been able to fix its high customer acquisition costs and challenges in scaling up News, B2C, Follow UpInc42 Media


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yanntortParticipantCookies: 20.00Level 1yanntort @ October 10, 2019 at 9:43 pm#19077 |
The latest cumulative updates for Windows 10 are said to provide an almost flawless experience on the majority of devices, and truth be told, I’m only seeing isolated reports of failed installs and post-installation issues so far. Microsoft’s new cumulative updates were published on the October 8 Patch Tuesday for all Windows 10 versions. cod points
For consumer versions of Windows 10 (Home and Pro SKUs), the available cumulative updates are the following: Windows 10 version 1903: KB4517389 (OS Build 18362.418) Windows 10 version 1809: KB4519338 (OS Build 17763.805) Windows 10 version 1803: KB4520008 (OS Build 17134.1069) And judging from Microsoft’s official changelogs, there’s not much to be worried about when installing these cumulative updates. free rubies
“No new known issues in these updates”
First and foremost, Windows 10 version 1903 users should know that KB4517389 comes without any known issues. This update resolves the printing bugs that were introduced by previous patches, and also includes the typical security fixes delivered every Patch Tuesday. I’m hearing that some users still experience Start menu issues after installing KB4517389, but this is a bug that’s been experienced for several cumulative updates, so it’s unlikely it’s caused by this latest release. In the case of Windows 10 version 1809, cumulative update KB4519338 comes with four known issues, but none of them is specific to this update, as they’ve all been there in the previous releases too. In other words, if your device hasn’t been hit by a bug after installing the previous cumulative updates, there’s a chance things go smoothly when installing KB4519338 as well. unlimited money gold
The same for Windows 10 version 1803 cumulative update KB4520008 as well, as this one comes without any new known issues, but only with already acknowledged bugs. At the time of writing this article, I see only few reports of problems caused by the latest round of cumulative updates, so presumably Microsoft has managed to fine-tune the experience users get after updating their devices and reduce the likelihood of errors. The only issue that needs to be resolved, and which Microsoft is yet to acknowledge, breaks down the Start menu for some.
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There has been a lot of talk recently about an Apple iPhone SE 4, a phone that will replace the iPhone SE 3. Numerous top tipsters have said that the iPhone SE 4 will have a new design that is inspired by the iPhone XR.
It has been speculated that the upcoming iPhone SE 4 will feature a design inspired by the XR, a larger screen, an upgraded processor, and a larger battery than the current iPhone SE. There have also been rumblings that the phone will include a USB-C port and offer faster charging.
The iPhone SE 4 seems like it will be Apple’s best cheap phone because of all these rumors.
However, this super-slick new video trailer, created by the incredibly talented concept designer 4RMD (opens in new tab), gives us the most up-to-date look at the iPhone SE 4. Additionally, the concept video, which is based on the most recent rumors and leaks, portrays the iPhone SE 4 as a very appealing low-cost phone.
An iPhone SE 4 with a distinctive iPhone XR-like overall design is shown in the concept video. It has a screen that is Liquid Retina, is larger than the previous SE, has a 12MP single-lens rear camera with depth control, a notch with an integrated Face ID sensor, a powerful A16 Bionic processor, a larger 2,942mAh battery, 20W wireless charging, eSIM compatibility, and a USB Type-C port.
The phone’s 4GB of RAM, 64/128/256GB of storage space, and the fact that it would run iOS16 out of the box are just a few of the additional specifications that are mentioned in the video’s description.
“Lots to love, less to spend” is the tagline for this iPhone SE 4, which is shown available in red, yellow, white, and black.
Lastly, the price of this iPhone SE 4 is shown to be $399.
THE T3 OPTION: VERY ACCURATE TO THE LATEST STORIES, BUT PRICE AND RELEASE DATE WILL BE KEY. Despite the fact that we do not yet have any concrete information regarding the iPhone SE 4 from Apple (if a phone is indeed coming at all), this concept video demonstrates a phone that is very accurate to what appears to be in line with the multiple leaks that we have heard this year from renowned iPhone tipters such as Jon Prosser (opens in a new tab)
The phone has the appearance of an iPhone XR, but it has been upgraded with newer hardware.
Our opinion is that the A16 Bionic processor might be too much for this phone, but given Apple’s recent success with its silicon, it could happen.
Since Apple has been delaying moving to USB Type-C for a long time, the iPhone SE 4 now has a Type-C port. However, the actual phone may still use Lightning.
The price of $399 is also accurate. However, despite recent rumors pointing to a 2023 release date, this concept phone’s release date is 2024.
And it will almost certainly be the price and when it comes out that will make or break an iPhone SE 4 equipped like this one. If it comes out next year, it will be a very appealing cheap phone, but if it doesn’t come out until 2024, its power will be reduced, especially given the fierce competition from the market for the best cheap Android phones.


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LPGA star Lexi Thompson launches new skincare line for athletic lifestyles
While Lexi Thompson is across the world competing for the gold medal in the 2020 Olympic Games, at home she’s launching her brand new skin care line, Lexi Skin. The goal is to help restore healthy, youthful-looking skin at an accessible price point.
As we know, golfers spend a lot of time in the sun, so having a quality, affordable product that merges with the lifestyle of athletic, on-the-go women is imperative. All of the products are dermatologist tested and 100% cruelty free, and the company vows to make annual donations to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.


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The Felicity Ace vessel with almost 4,000 vehicles on board is completely burned out and there is no point in extinguishing it. The fire could have been caused by a lithium-ion battery.
This is reported by RBC-Ukraine Auto with reference to Reuters.
In the near future, the ship will be hooked up by tugboats and delivered to one of the nearest Spanish ports. We previously reported that the Felicity Ace car carrier was abandoned by the crew and the ship was drifting east in the Atlantic. More than 1,000 Porsches and almost 200 Bentleys remained on board, as well as more than 2,500 Volkswagens and Audis. Several electric vehicles on board made it difficult for emergency responders to put out the flames.
João Méndez Cabecas, captain of the nearby port on the Azores island of Faial, said that lithium-ion batteries were supporting the fire and could well have started the fire.
Cabecas noted that currently rescue teams can only fight the fire from the outside, cooling the ship’s structure. At present, it is still too dangerous to board. It is necessary to extinguish the vessel very carefully, as large volumes of water on the car transporter can change its alignment, which will lead to flooding. While the fire is at a safe distance from the fuel tanks, it is spreading.
Tugs will arrive at the ship no earlier than Wednesday. The 200-meter ship will have to be towed to Spain or the Bahamas. As soon as rescue efforts begin, we will know the true extent of the damage caused by this accident.
But already now it can be stated that such a precedent with a large batch of cars catching fire from one overheated lithium-ion battery will increase the cost of insurance when transporting electric vehicles. This, in turn, may lead to a slight increase in prices for electric cars for end consumers.


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Ever since the introduction of the Steam Deck, many different companies have created alternative portable PCs to compete with the handheld. With this much competition, it’d be natural to think that Valve would introduce a new Deck version to the market. However, it doesn’t seem like it’s in the cards for the company, as recent statements show.
In a talk with CNBC, Valve coder Pierre-Loup Griffais recently talked about how the Steam Deck isn’t going to receive a new iteration just yet. He explained that “changing the performance level” of Steam Deck isn’t something Valve is taking lightly. Added to this is the fact that Valve is currently “working with developers on future releases, and we’re monitoring the feedback there, but so far, I think it has been pretty good on the horsepower front.”
This sentiment was expanded upon in a later talk with The Verge. In it, it was heavily hinted that the sequel to the gaming PC might be a long time away from now because Valve is waiting for a more significant leap in terms of performance. “[We] don’t want more performance to come at a significant cost to power efficiency and battery life. I don’t anticipate such a leap to be possible in the next couple of years, but we’re still closely monitoring innovations in architectures and fabrication processes to see where things are going there.”
With recent changes in the landscape of mobile technology, it certainly isn’t strange to see Valve waiting to have a beefier mobile processor for the next iteration of the Steam Deck. After all, the gaming industry was hit with the shock reveal of an iPhone capable of playing Resident Evil 4 Remake. So, seeing a Steam Deck sequel capable of running some of the latest and high-demanding games in 2026 or beyond would be a dream for many players.


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Plug-in electric cars still only account for less than 0.30% of all vehicles sold in Canada.
German car-maker really doesn’t want buyers waiting around for the affordable Model 3.
Electric car maker still expects to make 500,000 vehicles by 2018, not 2020 as originally planned.
Borden Ladner Gervais suggests driving in semi-autonomous mode isn’t much different than operating a vehicle with cruise control.
The electric car-maker has acquired the solar panel installer for $2.6 billion, pending regulatory approvals.
Facility could nearly double the world’s production of lithium-ion batteries.
Musk envisions small autonomous buses, and a shared fleet of Teslas be summoned by a smart phone.
Magazine said the semi-autonomous driving system’s name is giving drivers too much trust in the car’s ability to drive itself.
Provincial government says the network of public stations will help address “range anxiety.”
Tesla says sensors connected to the Model S’s autopilot system failed to detect the white truck as it turned into the path of the car.
Will fall short of up to 90,000 sales expected for this year.
Survey says two-thirds of drivers are moderately or very concerned about riding in a self-driving vehicle.
Tesla chief Musk has a 22% stake in the solar panel installation company.
The electric car maker wants to produce 500,000 vehicles per year by 2018, two years earlier than initially planned.
They point to significant issues with bringing vehicles to market.


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Update, August 15, 2023: Activision Blizzard has withdrawn its lawsuit.
Original story, July 28, 2023: Activision has sought a declaratory judgement against a TikTok creator who threatened to sue the publisher for using an audio clip without their consent.
In a complaint issued to the Los Angeles Federal Court on July 24, Activision accused music critic Anthony 'The Needle Drop' Fantano of "embarking on a scheme whereby he selectively threatens to sue certain users unless they pay him extortionate amounts of money for their alleged use" of the viral soundbite uploaded in April 2021.
In June 2023, Activision used the audio clip — in which Fantano reacts to a pizza being cut too many times before shouting "It's enough slices!" — in promotional material for the Crash Bandicoot franchise.
Fantano subsequently issued a cease-and-desist letter in which it is alleged the video "falsely implied that he endorsed Activision" and that Activision used the audio clip without permission.
Activision argued that because Fantano opted for the clip to be in TikTok's commercial sounds library, brands can legally use it for promotional content without consent.
In response to Fantano's threat of legal action, Activision took the video down earlier this month.
Activision claimed that the removal of the video was "insufficient" for Fantano, and that he believed he was "entitled to substantial damages from the use" and would agree to "settle the claims for a six-figure sum."
The publisher argued that the ongoing dispute was a "textbook example of how intellectual property law can be misused by individuals to leverage unfair cash payments from users of social media networks such as TikTok."
GamesIndustry.biz reached out for comment.


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Category: Beer News
Shares in brewers InBev SA and Anheuser-Busch rose Thursday on a Brazilian newspaper report about talks to unite the world's largest beermakers.
Belgium-based InBev declined to comment on the report in Sao Paulo business daily Valor Economico that InBev had held preliminary merger talks with its U.S.-based rival. The newspaper cited an unidentified source which it said was close to leading Brazilian investors.
"We do not comment on market speculation," said Gwendoline Ornigg, InBev's director of corporate external communications.
Anheuser-Busch echoed that, saying it was the company's policy "to not confirm, deny or speculate on reports of potential investments, acquisitions, mergers, new business partnerships or other transactions."
Just what the world needs: an even-bigger industrial beer conglomerate. Read the entire article here.


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Google Glass came on the market last May. It’s essentially a hands-free smartphone in the form of a pair of eyeglasses (prescription lenses cost extra) that’s controlled by voice commands and a small touchpad on the stem.
The current show model is the Glass Explorer Edition, which comes in several colors and frame options and goes for $1,500 plus tax from Google’s online store, Google Play.
The frames can set you back $150 or more, and you’re limited to a plain, chunky nerd style, or one that looks like construction safety glasses.
Google boasts over 40 apps specifically for Glass, including an interactive map, text and video chat, as well as a search engine enabling you to compare something real to a worldwide database of images.
The company’s product video on YouTube, “How It Feels [through Google Glass],” purports to give you a taste of the experience, though “Elders React to Google Glass,” by The Fine Brothers, may be closer to the truth.
One of the most controversial features is its camera. With five megapixels for photos and 720p (pixels of vertical resolution) for video, it is about as good as your average smartphone, though way behind modern digital cameras.
The problem is that no one around you can tell whether the device is on or off—it can be turned on by tilting the head and a photo snapped by winking—potentially allowing users to record and broadcast private interactions or private locations.
Facial recognition apps are currently unavailable for Google Glass, but hackers have already circumvented the block. A light flashes when the device is recording, but an app to disable that feature probably isn’t very far away.
Movie theaters across the country are up in arms about the additional capacity for piracy. Moviegoers who show up wearing Glass or decide to use it during a show will be asked to remove it or leave—the same restrictions they already have on recording devices, including smartphones.
Not that movie theaters are uniquely unwelcoming of Glass. Government organizations, banks, bars and restaurants started banning it before it even hit the market, citing privacy and security concerns. Security researchers in Massachusetts discovered a way to enable Glass to discern passwords and PIN numbers from up to 10 feet away.
So, while it looks fun to stroll around like some kind of crossbred modern hipster/’90s amateur Xtreme sports enthusiast, you are going to find yourself switching off your Glass far more often than you would like. But if you are the type who rarely goes anywhere in public other than the local playground...see? That’s just creepy.
The news about Glass is not all bad. Those with Autism Spectrum Disorders are using Sension software that alerts them to facial cues, which helps in social interactions. This function has not been medically tested and Glass is not so friendly to other disabilities. It does not accommodate hearing aids, doesn’t offer captioning, and provides no alternative way to operate it for those with speech disorders.
The OpenGlass Project has developed an app called “Memento” that can pre-record notes to play back for visually impaired users when they’re facing a recognizable scene. Apps are in the works to identify obstacles in one’s path and to convert written language to spoken word.
Even if you pony up for prescription lenses, Glass is impractical as your primary corrective eyewear. It’s bulky and interferes with peripheral vision—because you’re wearing a computer on your face!—and the medical effects of frequently reading text at such close range have not been tested.
Not to mention the risks involved in receiving email in your eyeglasses while you’re driving. A handful of states are attempted to ban Glass while driving, but they’ve run up against a problem: Banning a driver’s corrective lenses is a bad idea, and there’s no way to tell whether a driver who’s wearing Glass has the computer function turned on.
Not to worry. Google is working on contacts next.
Adrian Miller is a Field Service Technician with extensive electro-mechanical training and experience. He is the Zenith’s web and graphic designer.


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Senators Wyden and Cantwell to Host Portland Forum for Mobile Applications developers
WHO: Senator Ron Wyden;
Senator Maria Cantwell;
More than 30 executives and developers of local mobile application software companies
WHAT: Forum on the importance of the mobile application industry to the Pacific Northwest economy and job creation.
WHEN: 11:45 a.m., Friday, June 1, 2012
WHERE: iSite Design, 2030 NW Pettygrove, Portland
(Editors: Senators Wyden and Cantwell will have a press availability at 11:45 a.m. prior to the forum. Also, developers will be available to demonstrate their applications.)
Portland, OR – Applications used on smart phones, Facebook and other mobile devices are an important part of the 21st Century and, as a result, the Pacific Northwest economy. Application development companies in Oregon and Washington are pushing the boundaries of technology and propelling economic growth in the region.
Senators Ron Wyden of Oregon and Maria Cantwell of Washington will host a forum on Friday, June 1, 2012, of local developers to discuss the state of the industry and what can be done to help it grow and create jobs. Attending the forum will be more than 30 of the region’s top app developers from Portland and Southwest Washington. Wyden and Cantwell will focus on seizing the economic opportunity for Pacific Northwest job growth around the growing app economy.
The “app economy” has grown from virtually zero jobs in 2007 to support more than 400,000 jobs nationwide, according to a February 2012 study. Both the Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton metro area and the Seattle metro area are among the top 15 app economy hubs in the country.


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Science fiction from the 1950s envisioned a future populated by flying cars that drove themselves, unaided by their human occupants. While reality has fallen short of that lofty goal, modern automotive technology does offer some pretty cool features related to mobile satellite-wireless technology, and industry experts say still more advancements are just around the corner.
Several factors bode well for the future of the mobile satellite TV market, according to experts. Among them, the technology for finding and locking in satellite signals has improved remarkably in recent years, even as the cost of those systems has gone down. Perhaps even more notably, customers have become much more knowledgeable about the products and comfortable using them, says Aaron Engberg, manager of the mobile products division for Winegard, based in Burlington, Iowa.
Even though satellite domes are increasingly becoming a standard feature on new units, Engberg says he believes demand for aftermarket mobile satellite systems will continue to grow at a healthy clip in the coming years, fed in part by retrofitting older RVs and also consumers who choose to upgrade the basic units that come with their new RV.
Data for the number of mobile satellite systems sold each year is difficult to come by, given that most of the major players are private companies that don’t release their numbers. Forecasts for future sales aren’t readily available, although industry experts do expect the number of units shipped and sold to increase.
Engberg anticipates there will be challenges and opportunities for mobile satellite makers like his company in coming years in terms of being able to track an ever-growing number of new satellites and also the need to upgrade technology to handle the growth of high definition (HD) programming on satellite.
Of particular interest to today’s more tech-savvy RVers is mobile two-way Internet. Engberg says Winegard and others are working hard to make the technology more widely available to customers at a lower price point, and he anticipates that in the near future they’ll be able to make that happen.
The Future of GPS Navigation
A number of other technological breakthroughs related to satellite-wireless also are in the works. Experts who spoke with RV PRO say they believe GPS-enabled navigation systems that are able to provide “real-time” traffic updates are likely to be the next big thing.
“This market (for real-time traffic) is definitely headed for growth,” says Rahul Ganju, an analyst with research and consulting firm Frost & Sullivan in San Antonio. Navigation systems offering real-time traffic first came onto the market in late 2005, and Ganju notes that by 2006 an estimated 100,000 people were signed up with subscription services to receive traffic updates in real time. The number of subscribers is only expected to grow in the years ahead, he adds.
Still, there are some hurdles to overcome. The ability of real-time traffic services to provide useful, timely information needs to improve, Ganju says, noting his own research places the accuracy of major services somewhere between 60 and 70 percent. Also, growth prospects for the short term may be limited until it becomes clear what type of cost structure the industry will adopt, Ganju says. Specifically, will users be charged a monthly fee, one lifetime fee, or some other option?
For the near future, Ganju anticipates most of the growth in navigation systems featuring real-time traffic will occur in the aftermarket, as OEMs are taking a more cautious, wait-and-see approach.
Steve Koenig, a senior analyst with the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) in Arlington, Va., shares Ganju’s assessment that real-time traffic is likely to become increasingly popular with motorists and RVers in the next few years, particularly as the cost of GPS systems equipped to provide it decline in price. Koenig also foresees more growth for GPS-enabled navigation systems offering location-based services, such as systems that can tell users how to find the nearest Wal-Mart, gas station or other points of interest.
While forecasting the future is always a tricky business, one thing that seems very clear is that, when it comes to the aftermarket, portable navigation devices are going to continue to be much more popular than in-dash models for the foreseeable future, according to Koenig. Data from the CEA shows that 3.4 million portable navigation devices were shipped in 2006, compared to 200,000 in-dash systems. The ratio of portable systems to in-dash ones is currently about 20-to-1, up from 7-to-1 in 1995, Koenig notes.
The CEA forecasts good growth for portable navigation systems, with an estimated 9 million units to ship in 2010.
While the near-term outlook for automotive navigation systems is bright, longer-term the picture is murkier, according to Koenig. The potentially inhibiting factor is cell phones, interestingly enough. Koenig says it’s possible that cell phones in the future will be equipped with technology allowing them to act as fully functional GPS navigation devices, including the ability to receive real-time traffic updates.
For RV dealers that might be considering retailing GPS systems, Koenig has a bit of advice. “I think the RV dealers are well positioned because they understand the RV industry — they’re better able to connect with RVers, to offer them a solution selling approach more than a Best Buy. The challenge for the RV dealer is to stay current with the technology. If they (dealers) can’t understand it, customers may go to Best Buy or Circuit City.”
Koenig suggests GPS systems equipped with large screens may be a good choice for dealers to retail because they are easier for RVers to read and because most RVs have the space on their dashboard to accommodate them.
While the market for GPS-enabled navigation systems is strong for the near term, Koenig and Ganju agree that the market for aftermarket satellite radio systems is fairly flat, primarily because the devices are increasingly becoming a standard feature on new cars and to a lesser extent motorhomes. The CEA forecasts 4.5 million aftermarket satellite radio systems will ship in 2010, up modestly from 4.3 million in 2007.


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A new app has been launched to support newbie vegans, after research found that half of Brits would consider switching to a plant-based diet.
The free VeGuide app assists aspiring vegans in their quest to successfully adapt to the rapidly growing movement.
It was launched today (November 1) by the Vegan Society to mark its 74th birthday on World Vegan Day.
VeGuide will assist with shopping, nutrition, recipes, inspirational quotes and handy videos across a 30-day schedule. The app features advice from celebrities, dietitians and vegan experts.
Half of Brits consider veganism
The first of its kind app was launched after research showed half of Brits would consider becoming vegan, according to the Vegan Society.
Danielle Saunders, digital content officer at The Vegan Society, said: “We are so excited to launch an app we developed specifically with the vegan-curious in mind.
“VeGuide was designed to provide a platform that’s more suited to the younger audience, which our research showed are the most likely age group to have an interest in veganism.
“We feel the development of VeGuide marks a new phase for The Vegan Society and a new way of embracing veganism for the general public.”
Videos on VeGuide are presented by prominent vegan YouTubers RaeLikesFroot and Jay Brave, who explore common stumbling blocks to veganism.
Budding vegans are encouraged to stay on track with facts and motivational quotes – individually tailored to reasons users took the plunge.
The app, which has UK and US versions, also includes quizzes and a rewards programme for products registered with the Vegan Trademark.
The Vegan Society’s research found a growing awareness of veganism. Twenty-two percent of respondents stated they know more about it now than when growing up.
Another survey this year found the number of vegans in Great Britain had quadrupled in the past four years from 150,000 to 600,000.
World Vegan Day and Month commemorate the founding of The Vegan Society and celebrate how far the vegan movement has come.
VeGuide is available now on Android and iOS, tailored for a UK market. The app is available to download for free on Google Play and the App Store now.
What do you think of VeGuide? Tell us in the comments section below!


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- THE MAGAZINE
- CATEGORY FOCUS
- BEVERAGE R&D
Items Tagged with 'Omega-3'
Oceans Omega LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mycell Technologies LLC, introduced Omega Infusion dietary supplement shots.
Oceans Omega LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mycell Technologies LLC, launched Omega Infusion Enhanced Water fortified with omega-3s EPA and DHA.
Heart disease continues to be a major health concern in the United States. According to the Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women.
The American Heart Association recommends consuming omega-3 fatty acids to benefit the hearts of healthy people as well as those at risk or who have cardiovascular disease. Although the association recommends eating two servings of fish a week for fatty acids, ingredient companies offer a lineup of products that help beverage-makers continue to offer another avenue for consuming polyunsaturated fats.


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- 2 min read
RCI redesigning services to ensure rebookings
The vacation exchange company has issued a new cancellation policy, designated a dedicated call centre and plans to explore virtual tours through RCI TV. Jonathan Mills, Managing Director, RCI APAC & DAE Global is confident that there will soon be signs of pent-up demand in Q4 2020 and Q1 2021.
To deal with advance booking and confirmations, RCI, the vacation exchange company has designated a call centre which is helping member’s base resort closure and filing their reports and future confirmations. Speaking to ET Hospitality, Jonathan Mills, Managing Director, RCI APAC & DAE Global stated that the team at RCI is putting their energies into focusing on the day to day services by helping members to rebook their vacation travel dates.
Additionally, RCI has issued a Natural Disaster Cancellation policy with coupon credit for future bookings. “We are making sure that we keep providing the best services and connectivity, so our members don’t face any issues while rescheduling or cancelling, because they will eventually come back depending on the service they were provided,” Mills said.
The timeshare exchange company with over 4,300 affiliated resorts in 110 countries started feeling the heat around the end of February when countries started suspending visas, putting restrictions on travel, and fresh cases emerging in Europe, US and India hitting leisure and business travel. Even though the company has faced challenges in the first quarter, most of the RCI members have postponed their travel plans to Q4. Mills is confident that there will soon be signs of pent-up demand in Q4 2020 and Q1 2021.
The whole industry is thinking out ways of redesigning post-pandemic. RCI currently is monitoring social media and their call centre calls to identify new patterns and ideas that can be incorporated. Apart from introducing virtual tours, the company plans to focus on domestic tourism once the lockdown and travel restrictions will be lifted.
According to Mills, offbeat travel experiences will gain momentum. “We aim to target local destinations for local members and boost domestic travel first, as that will be the first thing that will pick up once things are better. We will be focusing on remote domestic locations, offbeat destinations and conveying the same to our members through our social media channels,” he said.
“We do see an uptick in domestic leisure business as soon as the cloud begins to clear, given the fact that international travel may take a while to get back,” Mills added.


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Dead dolphin bleeding from its eye and jaw that washed up on New Jersey beach sparks investigation - as locals claim sonar blasting from offshore wind farm companies is to blame
A dead dolphin found on a beach in Avalon has sparked an investigation into its cause of death. Locals claim the dolphin died from sonar blasting,...
How NASA's new mission to drill for water on the moon will help astronauts BREATHE in space, create fuel for spaceships and give America a permanent lunar base - catapulting us into a new era of space exploration
NASA 's Polar Resources Ice-Mining Experiment-1 is strapped the the craft's exterior, which will soon dig into the surface, collect regolith and...
Rare PINK elephant is captured playing in a South African waterhole
Rare inherited condition, albinism, stops the production of the skin pigment melanin. Witness: elephant herd was 'very protective and patient' with...
The Huawei and Porsche Design Partnership Comes to an End as Honor Starts Working with the German Firm
Earlier this year, Honor and Porsche Design entered a partnership, and that meant that we were going to get some really gorgeous-looking...
Samsung Ruled the Foldable Market as the Shipments Are Up By 25% Year-on-Year, Whopping 15.9 Million Foldable Phones Shipped
A new report from TrendForce suggests that foldable smartphone shipments are up by 25% year on year. In numbers, smartphone companies have...
Gemini Nano Is Helping With On-Device AI Features On Mid-Range Devices
2024 is all about generative AI coming to smartphones, and we started seeing this trend with companies like Samsung introducing on-device AI...
Apple Divides OLED Display Production Between LG And Samsung For 13-Inch And 11-Inch iPad Pro Models, Respectively
Apple is expected to launch the new iPad Pro models by the end of next month, with a boatload of front-facing changes. The company is...
'Big brother' satellite capable of zooming in on ANYONE, anywhere from space is set to launch in 2025 - and privacy experts say 'we should definitely be worried'
A new satellite with thermal and infrared imaging could remove people's existing privacy. The satellite is expected to launch in 2025 and will be...
Scottish scientists discover 'very strange' fossilized 'Chinese dragon' that is 240 million years old
Scottish scientists announced that they had identified the 240-million-year-old remains of an aquatic reptile that they nicknamed a 'Chinese...
AT&T blames major network outage that downed 70,000 phones on a software update glitch while it 'expanded its network' - but the FBI and Homeland Security are STILL investigating
The company said last night that the glitch was caused by the 'application and execution of an incorrect process' as it 'expanded its network'.
Google and Reddit Enter a Content Licensing Deal Worth $60 Million
Reddit has become a go-to place for a lot of people who are looking for answers to something they find confusing. Sure, people can just go to...
Google is Shutting Down the Google Pay App Later This Year
In the U.S., Google's main app to manage finances and pay contactless is Google Pay and not Google Wallet. It always struck me as an odd...


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1. Google AdWords
Google has tweaked its search results again, this time to clearly identify AdWords-targeted ads. The pink shading's gone and now a small yellow box labeled “ad” precedes them. The changes appeared in November, but now most of Google's users can see them--which means, now's the time to see how your AdWords campaigns are performing.--Mashable
2. Happy Birthday, World Wide Web!
Today, the World Wide Web, created by Sir Tim Berners-Lee, turns 25 years old. Just in time for the anniversary, Pew Research issued a new report examining the future of the Web. Among the predictions: "Everything--every thing--will be available online with price tags attached." You've been warned: come up with a privacy strategy--now.--PewResearch
3. From Shoes to Coffee
Blake Mycoskie, CEO of TOMS, has announced that the shoe company, which pioneered the one-for-one model, will expand into the coffee business, donating a week's worth of clean water to someone in the developing world for every bag of coffee sold. Watch the progress of TOMS Roasting Company for lessons on the dos and don'ts of diversifying your business model.--Fortune
4. Tesla Hits a Road Block
Electric-car startup Tesla reported on its blog Tuesday that New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has decided to pursue a proposal that would prevent Tesla from selling directly to consumers in the Garden State. It would have to sell through dealerships--the middlemen Tesla has always cut out.--Tesla blog
5. Got a Mantra?
Dong Nguyen revealed the influence that helped him envision the highly addictive mobile game Flappy Bird that he created and then subsequently shut down, citing its overwhelming popularity. Nguyen followed Atari founder Nolan Bushnell's mantra behind game design: "easy to learn and difficult to master." It just goes to show, there's something to learning from the entrepreneurs who came before you.--Rolling Stone
6. First Kiss
A “social experiment in the awkwardness of intimacy,” the Tatia Pilieva-directed video of 20 strangers kissing (in pairs) went super-viral yesterday--a boon for startup clothing company Wren Studio, which funded the creative-marketing project and dressed its subjects in their 2014 fall collection.--Fast Company
7. How About a Napping Policy?
One startup is throwing its weight behind a fitting problem. Boston-based Napwell, which used Kickstarter to fund its "napping mask," has begun a petition in hopes of convincing HR departments to change their workplace napping policies. Even if they don't succeed in changing perceptions of napping everywhere, the campaign provides an example in advocacy-based marketing.--BetaBoston


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Here’s looking at you, California
State’s plastic bag ban sets good example for entire nation
California is known for its general sense of environmental awareness, and it made a major move this week by announcing it is officially banning the manufacture and distribution of plastic bags. There have been local bans on plastic bags for a while, so most of the population is already well adjusted to the change. But by signing the bill into law, the bags will be banned for good in grocery and convenience stores across the entire state. Considering the fact that more than 13 million bags are used and thrown away every year in California alone and plastic products in general account for 60 to 80 percent of all ocean pollution, the positive environmental impact is sure to be significant.
While plastic bags are a very specific product and banning them completely might seem like too narrow of an action to take, this is actually one of the smartest and most effective bans because of the fact that pretty much every single person in the state will be affected by it. Everyone needs bags to go grocery shopping, and the fact that plastic bags readily available is a product of a culture obsessed with convenience. It might take some getting used to, but the benefits by far outweigh the costs. And we’re not just talking about the long-term benefits to the environment — in the short-term, completely cutting the use of plastic bags can save taxpayers a lot of money on litter and cleanup, and it saves stores millions of dollars otherwise wasted on purchasing plastic bags.
The state is providing businesses with $2 million in loans to help with the transition to paper, canvas and other reusable bags. All stores will be required to offer customers paper bags for 10 cents each, so the option to use disposable bags is still around for now. This is a win-win situation for pretty much everyone.
This is a great move for California, and we’re definitely hoping that more states follow suit. But adopting such a ban in a state like New York or New Jersey will probably present many more challenges. The culture and mentality in California is generally one of much more awareness and concern for the environment. More people are likely to resist the ban in New York than in California, so it might take a lot longer to become an official ban.
At Rutgers, all dining halls on campus except for Brower Commons have retired food trays in an effort to conserve the energy and water that is used to wash them. Going trayless also helps to cut down on food waste because instead of piling three plates full of food (that often doesn’t get finished) onto a tray, we now have to think about how much food we can take on one plate at a time. It’s the same kind of concept as banning plastic bags. It’s pretty annoying to get used to, and a lot of us kind of wish we still had the trays — but now that trays are not an option at all anymore, we’re just going to have to get used to it. Plastic bags are useful, but they’re definitely not a necessity, and we should start to seriously think about what we need and what’s just wasteful.


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Understanding the options and proper implementation are the key to blocking attacks.
Hoboken, New Jersey (PRWEB) June 13, 2017
A NYC area digital security provider, IT consultant and MSP presents several new and current Microsoft data security features and services to protect business data from threats such as the recent WannaCry ransomware attack.
A patch that blocks WannaCry, expanded security features in Windows 10 Creators Update, and Azure Security Center are discussed—in a new Microsoft security article on the eMazzanti Technologies website.
In the informative article, the company urges business leaders to keep software up-to-date, take advantage of key Microsoft security features in Windows 10 and harness the power of the Microsoft Cloud to backup and protect critical business assets. The power and extent of Microsoft security features are suitably extolled.
“Microsoft is the undisputed leader in securing business data,” stated Jennifer Mazzanti, CEO, eMazzanti Technologies. “Understanding the options and proper implementation are the key to blocking attacks.”
Below are a few excerpts from the article, “Protect Business Data with Powerful Microsoft Security.”
“Experts estimate that last month’s WannaCry attack cost hundreds of millions of dollars in lost productivity, investigation and data restoration. With the certainty of more cyber-attacks on the horizon, businesses are building their defenses.”
“Long before the latest ransomware events, Microsoft began building a multi-faceted defense against emerging threats. A commitment to ongoing security enhancements ensures that your business has the tools necessary to safeguard intellectual assets.”
Patch Blocked WannaCry
“Up-to-date software provides the best defense against attack. One month before the WannaCry ransomware appeared, Microsoft pro-actively released a critical security patch. Computers with Windows 10 or with the security patch were immune to the attack. Organizations that delayed updates left themselves exposed.”
Microsoft Cloud Defenses
“Most organizations employ a hybrid approach that combines on-site servers and cloud computing. The Microsoft Cloud, also known as Microsoft Azure, protects business data in the cloud from threats. It also offers enterprise-level backup as a service to preserve data wherever you store it.”
Harness the Power of Microsoft Security
Tailored to each organization’s specific environment and needs, Microsoft security features offer powerful protection for business data. From efficient software updates to advanced threat detection and response to highly secure cloud computing, Microsoft has business covered.
The experts at eMazzanti Technologies help business leaders navigate the options available, minimizing costs and maximizing protection. Recognized as one of the top 200 U.S. Microsoft Partners, eMazzanti pairs unequaled Microsoft expertise with deep retail and legal industry experience.
Related resource information:
About eMazzanti Technologies
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Consumer fraud protection is a law designed to shield consumers against goods and services that didn’t perform as advertised. Consumers are also protected against unfair trade (overcharging) and fraudulent credit practices.
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These are some dark times for the automotive industry as the coronavirus pandemic has taken its toll on car production and sales, consequently forcing automakers to send workers home.
Welcome to the Motoring Museums' Lighthouse
- The most comprehensive guide of automobile and motorcycle museums worldwide
- Currently there are 1538 museums listed in the directory.
- News on museums openings/closing, new exhibitions
- Museum reports
In Vinnytsia there is a museum of classic cars, motorcycles and radios.
In April 2013, as part of the Serbian Automobile Historians’ Conference in Beograd, we visited the local automobile museum. Luckily my friends from the Technical Museum in Zagreb were there before, so we did not get lost. The Museum lies in a quiet street, in a residential area.
INVERCARGILL, New Zealand -- A rare 1954 barn-door Kombi is among a collection of vehicles on display in Invercargill
BAD HOMBURG, Germany -- 18 May: The "Central Garage" in Bad Homburg is open again, and features a new exhibition on Alvis. You can see unique models.
STUTTGART, 16 May -- For the 43rd International Museum Day, the Porsche Museum is throwing open its doors to one and all on 17 May 2020, free of charge.


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Awards & Recognition
Board of Directors
Dignity Health Hospital Executives
Mission, Vision & Values
Serving the Community
For Physicians & Residents
This award is given annually by the National Research Corporation to the hospital that consumers rank as best in overall quality and image. This prestigious award indicates that the Siena campus has reached a level of service that is highly valued by consumers in its market. It also provides consumers with useful information when selecting a hospital as a place to receive care.
“We applaud the efforts of our medical staff and employees,” said Rod Davis, senior vice president of operations, Dignity Health Nevada. “They work, in partnership with our patients, visitors, and community, to consistently and constantly improve the safety and quality of the care we provide.”
Winners are determined by consumer perceptions on multiple quality and image ratings collected in the company’s Market Insights survey, the largest online consumer health care survey in the country. National Research surveys more than 290,000 households in the contiguous 48 states and the District of Columbia. Hospitals named by consumers are analyzed and ranked based on Core Based Statistical Areas defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, with winning facilities being ranked the highest. This is the 19th anniversary of the Consumer Choice Award and its popularity continues to rise.


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Comparison test of the new 750 with the Benz S550.
Very positive review. Coupled with the absolutely glowing Edmunds.com Inside Line article from a few weeks ago (http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=143826, "the BMW flagship is once again one of the finest, most likable automobiles in the world... It rates with the Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG at a price tag less than a Mercedes S550.") it looks like BMW has a real winner here.


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Wal-Mart is making an e-commerce move that only a company with its power and influence could pull off: It has mandated that all of its suppliers begin to move all their electronic data interchange (EDI) transactions over the Internet.
EDI is the lifeblood of a retailerâs business, the way in which it exchanges purchase orders and other key information with its supply base. Wal-Mart built its empire by being able to cut prices more steeply than competitors, in large part due to its early, aggressive use of technologies such as EDI.
Traditionally, EDI transactions have moved over private "value-added networks," or VANs. Those networks route and manage EDI messages for customers, an important middleman role that relieves trading partners from having to handle those complex tasks.
Testing and explaining
Wal-Mart has already begun testing its program with a few big suppliers, and recently sent a missive to its supply base explaining the new direction.
"Itâs a good deal for Wal-Mart," said Ken Vollmer, analyst with Giga Information Group, noting that the retailer stands to save millions of dollars in VAN fees by moving traffic to the Internet.
Vollmer cautions that while Internet-based EDI is by nature less expensive than VAN-delivered transactions, the cost of supporting and managing those transactions in-house can eat away at the savings. But Wal-Mart may be big and powerful enough to overcome such concerns, he said.
"They are big enough to tell people what to do if they want to do business with them," Vollmer said. "They can also afford the staff and the technical people to monitor the thousands of connections that will now be coming in."
Wal-Mart said the move is designed to cut costs and improve customer service. "Any savings get driven right to the bottom line," a company spokesman said. "We look to take out any cost we can." (Wal-Mart executives would not comment for this story.)
Wal-Mart has more than 14,000 suppliers who process more than $217 billion worth of transactions via EDI annually. Those suppliers can choose to link up with Wal-Mart via the Internet by any approach, and through any vendor, they like. However, they must comply with a new standard, dubbed AS2, that brings the security and reliability of private networking to public Internet EDI.
According to analysts, Wal-Mart is the first company to mandate that its suppliers make use of the standard, and itâs one of the first large companies to commit so heavily and broadly to Internet-based EDI.
Wal-Mart has cut a deal with vendor iSoft, which is providing back-end Internet EDI services to the retailer, to act as the preferred vendor for helping suppliers move to Internet-based EDI. As part of the agreement, iSoft is offering to get companies linked up for just a $300 annual support fee.
"I think itâs going to have a fairly dramatic effect on the industry," said iSoft CEO Christian Putnam.
For suppliers, tough choices lie ahead. In many cases, it may not make economic sense to support a new communications infrastructure just for Wal-Mart. Many smaller suppliers almost certainly wonât have the technical capacity to manage a move to a new EDI platform.Yet, especially in this tough economy, few businesses would be willing to lose Wal-Mart as a customer.
One solution: Go back to those long-standing EDI value-added network providers and make use of emerging services that deliver EDI messages coded to the new AS2 standards via a private network, rather than the Internet.
For suppliers, Vollmer said, that eliminates any cost-savings that might come with Internet EDI. But they get to keep Wal-Mart as a customer.
And Wal-Mart? Since their end of the network link is now Internet-based, theyâll save money whether the supplier does or not, he said.


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Let’s say you’re looking for a nice filet of red snapper at the store. You find the sign that says red snapper, go home, cook the fish, and are generally happy with what you ate. What you might not have known, however, was that the red snapper you bought was actually tilapia. Fish dealers and merchants, it seems are becoming increasingly misleading with how they label fish, which for them, increases profits, by labeling cheaper fish as more expensive species. One of the latest studies found that species in the skate family were being passed off as “sting ray wings.” Now DNA testing of these fish may be able to help slow down, or altogether prevent, something like this from happening.
DNA Barcoding and Finding Mislabeled Fish
Although DNA testing is not new, its application to fish is, and it’s proving vital to any efforts at preventing seafood fraud. To test for DNA, scientists use a slice of fish and isolate the DNA by breaking up the cells. They can either grind them, shake them in a test tube filled with tiny beads, or use enzymes to destroy the cell membrane. Afterward, they remove proteins and RNA molecules in the specimen with various chemicals. The sample is then put into a centrifuge where it spins rapidly, pulling the DNA toward the end of the tube, according to the Smithsonian.Using a system called DNA barcoding, scientists have been able to categorize the DNA of 9,769 species of fish by determining the sequence of their DNA’s base pairs and designating one specific location in the fish’s genome to recognize each individual fish.
Researchers of last week’s study used this technique and found that out of 98 wing samples from skate fish were being passed off as sting ray wings. They were all actually from six different species of skate fish, which are similar to stingrays.In February, another study found that among 120 samples labeled red snapper, there was actually 28 different species, with 17 of them not even from the snapper family, according to The New York Times. Overall, the study examined 1,215 fish, and found that almost one-third of them were mislabeled. What’s more, out of the restaurants, markets, and sushi bars that sample were taken from, sushi bars were the worst offenders. You can see a map of the mislabeled fish here.
The Health Implications of Mislabeled Fish
The Boston Globe conducted its own study in 2011, and found that a number of restaurants and markets had been mislabeling fish. At Minado Japanese Seafood Buffet, for example, The Globe found that tilapia was substituted for red snapper and escolar was taking the place of white tuna. When asked, a manager said that escolar was the American name for white tuna.
Escolar, however, is a fish that cannot metabolize wax esters normally found in its diet. This causes its flesh to become oily. When ingested by humans, the oils can cause gastrointestinal problems, including severe diarrhea. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) specifically advises against selling the fish, and even advises fish sellers to inform buyers about the dangers of eating the fish. In the February study, the tile fish, known for its high mercury content, was sold as red snapper. It was called “one of the most egregious swaps,” because pregnant women who eat tilefish can make their baby susceptible to brain and nervous system problems.
There’s not much someone can do about these issues. Oceana, the group responsible for February’s study, says that questioning sellers about their fish, especially if it’s below market value is one way to prevent eating mislabeled fish. The group also suggests buying whole fish if possible.


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In an effort to maintain non-stop police presence on the west side of the community, the Rolling Meadows City Council on Tuesday approved the lease of retail space at 2114 Plum Grove Rd. in the Plum Grove Shopping Center.
The Police Department has operated a rent-free Police Neighborhood Resource Center in the shopping center since February 1998. Under the original agreement with Plum Grove Properties of Glenview, the Police Department said it would relocate or pay rent if a paying tenant wanted the space.
When another potential tenant recently sought the retail space, Police Chief Steven Williams asked the council to approve paying $900 a month for 23 months to stay in the storefront without interruption.
The lease runs from Feb. 1 through the end of next year.


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October 15, 2012
Michael Beard, executive chef at 715 restaurant, 715 Mass. in Lawrence, prepares an appetizer of fegalo, an Italian-style liver sausage wrapped in caul fat.
Stories this photo appears in:
Animal brains, glands, tails, intestines, feet and other organs are nothing new at many ethnic eateries. But the oft-spurned meat parts known as offal have made their way into some of the area’s hippest mainstream restaurants, where chefs say foodies and more timid diners alike seem to be nibbling.


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Bomberman Live: Battlefest
Hudson has finally released Bomberman Live: Battlefest on Xbox Live Arcade.
Bomberman Live: Battlefest headlines
Hudson has put out a teaser for Bomberman Live: Battlefest, which is a Bomberman party game, and the music reminds you a bit of a funky Isaac Hayes groove for a Shaft-centric 70’s TV show.Also, the video is explosive, and why would you expect anything else from a Bomberman game.When released this winter, it will […]
Hudson has announced that Bonk and a new Bomberman are heading to PSN, WiiWare and Xbox Live in 2010.Bomberman Live: Battlefest has Capture the Flag, VIP and Teams modes as well as new power-ups and Xbox Avatar support.Bonk is a new adventure with co-op and online play. CVG has screen for both through here.Full details […]


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New Study Says Teens Have Easy Access to E-Cigarette Ads Online
Teens may have easy access to e-cigarette marketing online even though U.S. regulations require tobacco websites to verify users are old enough to legally smoke, a new study suggests.
Under a 1998 legal settlement tobacco companies reached with the U.S. government, cigarette websites are supposed to include what’s known as age-verification gates. These gates require users to verify they are 21 years old by supplying their name, address, birth date, driver license number and the last four digits of their social security number.
But when researchers reviewed websites for the 19 brands sold by the 12 leading e-cigarette companies by market share, they found just one required detailed registration, according the report today in JAMA Pediatrics.
“Strong age-verification gates on e-cigarette websites would make it harder for the young teenager who has yet to vape to impulsively view e-cigarette websites,” said lead study author Samir Soneji of the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Evaluation and Geisel School of Medicine.
Besides limiting exposure to e-cigarettes among curious teens who haven’t yet “vaped,” or smoked using the devices, strong gates may also limit teens’ ability to see the thousands of flavors designed to entice users to sample a wide variety of e-cigarettes, Soneji added by email.
Big tobacco companies, including Altria Group (MO), Lorillard Tobacco (LO) and Reynolds American (RAI), are all developing e-cigarettes. The battery-powered devices feature a glowing tip and a heating element that turns liquid nicotine and other flavorings into a cloud of vapor that users inhale.
About 2 million middle and high-school students tried e-cigarettes in 2014, triple the number of teen users in 2013, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported last April.
Previous research has also found that teens who try electronic cigarettes may be more than twice as likely to progress to traditional cigarettes as their peers who haven’t used the devices.
For the current study, researchers found the stringency of age-verification gates varied across brands: two had no gate, five stated warnings, 10 required clicks/checks for users to indicate they were old enough to use the site, one required birth date entry, and one required a detailed registration.
Sometimes gates varied across brands.
For example, Electronic Cigarettes International Group (ECIG) had no gate on the website for its El Rey brand, but required clicks or checks for entry to websites for its Vapestick, Fin and VIP brands, the study found.
Three of four tobacco companies that sell both traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes had less stringent gates on websites for the devices than they did for other products, even though they also had corporate responsibility policies against marketing to minors.
Altria, Imperial Tobacco and Japan Tobacco required registration and proof users were at least 21 years old for access to cigarette websites, but not e-cigarette sites.
Reynolds, however, consistently applied age-verification gates on all its cigarette and e-cigarette websites.
The study doesn’t prove viewing websites causes teens to vape or examine how adolescents may respond to different types of tobacco marketing.
As a prevention strategy, it’s also possible that it would be more effective to concentrate on blocking teen purchases than on limiting what they view online, noted Dr. Riccardo Polosa, a tobacco researcher at the University of Catania, Italy who wasn’t involved in the study.
Requiring payment with a credit card, for example, might stop young people from buying e-cigarettes because they aren’t yet old enough to quality for credit, Polosa said by email.
“There is a danger of trying too hard to hide adult society from adolescents – they may be attracted by ‘forbidden fruit,'” Polosa added. “Telling a teenager they are too young to have something may simply increase its appeal or make it look more cool.”


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On January 7, 2016, the US Government released the long awaited finalized 2015 Dietary Guidelines. While the new guidelines offer a great deal of important recommendations for nutrition, they fall short of acknowledging sustainability as an inherent component of a healthy diet.
Happy New Year! Do you plan to cook up a pot of 'greens' to usher in fortune for 2016? Or maybe one of your resolutions is to eat more vegetables? There's still plenty of time to observe a time-honored culinary tradition to get the year off to an auspicious, and healthy, start.
Maybe you've heard that meat is cancer - not true. The nuance of all of this might be lost amidst the news and social media buzz ever since a WHO study announced that processed and red meat might increase your chance of cancer. Hold on - and no need to worry - we'll help sort it out.
The production of milk - overwhelmingly milk from cows - is a massive industry that employs thousands of people. And, with wide differences between how milk is produced in Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations versus the methods of smaller sustainable farmers, knowing what milk to buy is important.
Consumer Reports tested 458 pounds of ground beef and discovered alarming rates of bacterial contamination. They also compared conventionally produced beef to more sustainably produced beef, revealing significant differences.
During the 1980s there were two kinds of rain that were hard to miss: purple and acid. Back then, Prince ruled the radio just as acid rain dominated the headlines. But is it still a problem? Find out in this post.
You've probably heard the statistic that nearly 15 percent of households experience food insecurity in the US - a percentage that may make you wonder what you can do to help. Read on for our top picks on how you (and our government, too!) can make a difference.
Millions of Americans struggle to access healthful foods on a daily basis. In our last post on the topic, we discussed the reasons so many people experience food insecurity and how lack of access to good food impacts everyone in the United States - making it impossible for us to achieve true sustainability. The good news is that many organizations and programs are working to help solve this problem. Read on to learn more.
We've all heard it many times from our mothers, doctors and even Michelle Obama: eat more fruits and vegetables. But for millions of Americans, finding fresh food can be difficult. Local and organic food has become popular in mainstream culture, but a truly sustainable food system is impossible unless everyone can afford, and has access to, fresh, healthful food.
Like parents reviewing their kids' report cards, politicians pay attention to grades. The Long Island Sound report card "makes it clear that while progress has been made to improve the water quality of the Sound, more must be done to preserve this economic engine and local treasure's waters and coastline," says New York Congressman Steve Israel.
There's nothing better on a hot summer day than a trip to the beach. It's even good for your brain. But our love affair with that magic place where surf meets land has not always been good for the ocean itself, and most of us would do well to treat it a little more carefully. Here, step-by-step, our tips for your lightest impact trip to the beach.
The days of notoriously "bleh" hospital food could be at an end. Thanks to these nifty tricks that hospitals are using to go local and sustainable, these centers for healthcare are starting to walk the talk by sourcing - and growing - fresh ingredients for their patients, staff and surrounding communities. It's good for everybody.
Right now, the federal government is working on several major pieces of legislation that will have a significant impact on the food we eat. Want to learn more? We've developed the cheat sheet below with summaries of the bills, reasons why they are important for consumers and ways to get involved.
American agricultural products are used in food, fuel and other goods marketed to consumers around the world. Too often, however, policy makers and businesses overlook the implications of this interconnectivity when making decisions about food consumption here in the US. That's why a systemic approach to policymaking matters!
Sassafras is kind of a big deal. Without it the whole history of the US might have played out differently. Also, we wouldn't have root beer or filé gumbo. Depending on whom you ask, sassafras is either a folk remedy or a dangerous carcinogen. We'll leave you to decide: bad seed or beneficial buddy?
While food directly impacts health, the US healthcare system fails to address the importance of food as a preventative tool in personal and public health. Dr. Robert Graham spoke with us about his work to bring a more sustainable approach to medicine, and explained why sustainable food can play a big role in keeping people healthy.


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Published: 12 January 2022
Dr Wan Rizal: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs in view of some $430,000 reportedly lost recently to scams involving hotel room bookings (a) whether any awareness campaign has been conducted to specifically target those planning for staycations; and (b) whether there are efforts to work with local influencers and content creators to join the campaign against such scams.
Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law:
1. The Police received multiple reports in December 2021 regarding two separate series of e-commerce scams involving non-fulfilment of hotel room bookings after payment was made. A 45-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman have been arrested for their suspected involvement in these scams. Investigations are ongoing.
2. Since 2020, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) has worked with Carousell to combat hotel room reservation scams, specifically by including a scam prevention advisory in Carousell’s in-platform chat function for users, for listings related to hotel room and staycation reservations. In addition, SPF, together with the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC), continue to post and share advisories on Facebook to alert the public to be vigilant of hotel room reservation scams, especially during the school holiday season.
3. Over the course of 2021, the SPF and NCPC have engaged various content creators such as SGAG, King Kong Media, Double Up, and Woke Salaryman to highlight scams of concern such as job scams and loan scams. Most recently, NCPC engaged local filmmaker Royston Tan to produce a television commercial on job scams.
4. The Police also conduct regular engagement and outreach efforts to share crime prevention tips with members of the public. Through our anti-scam campaign called ‘Spot the Signs. Stop the Crimes.’, SPF and NCPC issue regular crime alerts and advice on the latest scam trends.
5. Ultimately, however, the best defence against scams is a vigilant and discerning public. In the context of e-commerce transactions, we urge the public to practise healthy skepticism, and to verify the legitimacy of online sellers, such as by checking the seller’s track record, reliability and reviews, before making payment. If a deal appears too good to be true, it could be a scam.


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Trade Deficits: Made in America
Utley, Jon Basil, The American Conservative
Several writers in these pages have urged restrictions on trade with China and other protectionist measures, claiming these would produce large numbers of American jobs.
Although they make compelling arguments, they ignore key reasons for job losses that are mostly of America's own making.
Below are seven factors to consider. The consequences of protectionism would be far more damaging to America than critics of free trade assume. Most of our trade deficits are the result of our own policies. Protectionism is a two-way street and would injure many American companies without bringing back large numbers of factory jobs--indeed, half of the profits for U.S. firms listed on the S&P 500 index are earned overseas.
American labor has always in the past competed effectively against low-wage foreign competition. Germany today has higher manufacturing wages than those in the United States, yet it has a very favorable trade balance. Obviously there must be other factors responsible for American job losses beside China's lower wages.
1.) America's trade deficit is primarily due to oil, which accounts for some 50 percent of imports. This imbalance could be curtailed by billions of barrels if Washington allowed new domestic drilling in Alaska and offshore in parts of the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Such drilling would provide hundreds of thousands of solid, mostly blue-collar jobs--exactly the kind that have been lost in recent decades.
2.) Trade statistics are very misleading. Much manufacturing in China is done for American companies, which gain most of the profits. For example, the Apple iPhone adds $2 billion to the trade deficit with China, although it is entirely designed and owned by Americans and is made of parts imported from Europe and other Asian nations. China's actual input is $6.50 out of the $178 wholesale cost, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis, "Not Really Made in China." It explains that the actual trade deficit with China is about half of what the statistics show.
The same consideration applies to many other imports--sneakers, for example. A pair of Nike shoes may cost $3 to produce, which goes to China. The rest of the retail price is accounted for by advertising, shipping, design, raw materials, and profits, most of which revert to Americans.
China's imports of raw materials are bought from Latin America, but their value shows as part of our trade deficit with China. …