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At this point in the art market, it’s hard not to get inured to the superlatives: the most valuable private collection sold at auction (the Rockefeller sale last week at Christie’s); the highest price ever paid for a painting ($450 million for Leonardo da Vinci’s “Salvator Mundi” in November at Christie’s) and what Sotheby’s had confirmed was the highest estimate ever placed on a work at auction: $150 million for Amedeo Modigliani’s 1917 painting, “Nu Couché (Sur Le Côté Gauche).”
The Modigliani barely made it past that figure Monday evening at Sotheby’s, selling for $157.2 million with fees at a sale that otherwise featured what many agreed were B+ offerings.
“You cannot find any more masterpieces,” said the dealer David Nahmad, adding of Sotheby’s, “Considering what they had, they did well.”
Although it was the highest auction price ever for a work sold at Sotheby’s, equally noteworthy is that the painting also carried the highest guarantee ever given by the company. This meant that the auction house was willing to assure a minimum price to the owner, potentially risking millions. Sotheby’s was able to offload that risk to a third party, who became the buyer at the auction.
The scale of the guarantee confirms that buyers can be secured in advance for trophy works. The results on Monday, the first night of the spring auctions, seemed to bear that out — although the Modigliani sold on one bid to the third party without any other buyer interest (despite valiant efforts by the auctioneer, Helena Newman, to bring in Patti Wong, the chairwoman of Sotheby’s Asia, who was working the phones).
“It cleared the mark painfully,” said Christian Ogier, a Paris dealer in Impressionist and modern art. “It’s difficult to get money out of China at the moment,” he added, referring to the absence of bidding on the Modigliani from Ms. Wong. “Everyone knew what was expected. The high guarantees break the dynamics of an auction, somehow.”
The overall atmosphere in the salesroom on Monday evening was muted, with few lots selling above their high estimates at a pace that, at times, felt glacial; 13 lots failed to sell. The only applause of the night was when the hammer came down on Jean Arp’s curvilinear sculpture “Ptolémée II” for $2.2 million with fees, selling to the dealer Eykyn Maclean in the room.
And the price of the Modigliani fell short of the last auction high for a work by the Italian modernist: $170.4 million for the more overtly sensual 1917-18 canvas, “Nu Couché,” which in 2015 sold at Christie’s to Liu Yiqian, a former taxi driver turned billionaire art collector.
Still, the $100 million club keeps adding more members, including Jean-Michel Basquiat, whose untitled painting sold for $110.5 million last year; Pablo Picasso, whose “Women of Algiers” sold for $179.4 million in 2015; and Andy Warhol, whose car crash painting sold for $105.4 million in 2013.
The Modigliani for sale on Monday was one of a celebrated series of nudes commissioned from by his Paris dealer Léopold Zborowski (for a stipend of 15 francs per day). The painting was consigned to Sotheby’s by the billionaire Irish horse breeder and art collector John Magnier, who had bought the work at auction in 2003 for $26.9 million, which at the time was a high for the artist.
The seller sought to capitalize on the painting’s recent inclusion in the Modigliani retrospective that closed last month at Tate Modern in London, where it was featured on posters and on the cover of the catalog.
If a lot sells for the guarantee, the winning bidder becomes the owner. But if it exceeds the guarantee price, the guarantor earns a percentage of the surplus amount, a quick way to earn potentially millions of dollars. (The identity of the buyer of the Modigliani was not revealed.)
“In order to win the painting, they had to come up with a strong guarantee and a strong deal structure,” said Brett Gorvy, a former Christie’s executive who is now a private dealer, referring to Sotheby’s. “When you look at rest of their sale, it’s very O.K., but nothing exciting.”
“They needed that Modigliani, specifically going up against Rockefeller,” he added, recalling last week’s $833 million auction at Christie’s.
There are many art world professionals who bemoan the increasing trend toward guarantees, arguing that it takes the democratizating suspense out of the auction — only those who can commit large sums in advance can compete (sometimes that is the auction house itself). The result is that the biggest lots have essentially been presold, without publicly available information about the financial terms of each deal.
“What drives some of these huge presale estimates is actually the negotiation that takes place with the prospective third-party guarantor, the sale before the sale,” said David Norman, an art adviser based in New York, who until 2016 was Sotheby’s vice chairman of Sotheby’s Americas and its co-chairman of Impressionist and modern art worldwide. “Basically $100 million is where one has to begin to price a truly great work by any of the major artists.”
Valuation increases of between four- and fivefold also characterized significant works by Claude Monet and Pablo Picasso that had been acquired by their sellers back in the early 2000s.
Monet’s 1896 canvas, “Matinée sur la Seine,” had been bought by an unidentified American collector at auction for $5.7 million in 2000. At Sotheby’s, it was given a low estimate of $18 million and sold for $20.5 million to a telephone bid.
The sale of Picasso’s small 1932 head study of a dreaming Marie-Thérèse Walter, “Le Repos,” was timed to coincide with Tate Modern’s current blockbuster show, “Picasso 1932: Love, Fame, Tragedy.” The owner had acquired the painting at auction in 2000 for $7.9 million. The painting sold for $36.9 million.
Sotheby’s total of $318.3 million from 45 lots exceeded the $173.8 million total for its Impressionist and modern sale last year, in which no work was valued at more than $30 million.
Before the auction, a cluster of protesters gathered outside the auction house’s York Avenue headquarters, objecting to the inclusion in the sale of works from the Berkshire Museum, in Pittsfield, Mass. In April, a Massachusetts judge ruled that the cash-strapped museum could proceed with its controversial plans to sell a much loved painting by Norman Rockwell and other artworks to fund its redevelopment.
Sotheby’s sale of Impressionist and modern works included works on paper by Francis Picabia and Henry Moore, the first works to be auctioned from the Berkshire Museum’s collection. Picabia’s 1914 abstract “Force comique” brought $1.1 million with fees, and Moore’s 1942 “Three Seated Women,” $300,000. Both works had formerly been owned by Massachusetts collectors.
That the Modigliani failed to generate the excitement Sotheby’s had hoped cast something of a pall over the evening. “There was only one winner — the seller,” said Alan Hobart, the director of the London-based Pyms Gallery, who thought Sotheby’s priced the painting too ambitiously. “They’re testing the market too hard. They have to be careful.”


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Game Day commercials have taken sexier heights with the new SodaStream TV commercial featuring a very sultry Scarlett Johansson.
The dark horse soda brand was recently banned from using the names of its competitors in its commercial. However, this doesn't stop the underdog soda team from a great TV commercial that will still air on one of the biggest game days of the year. SodaStream is a healthier soda alternative that allows consumers to construct their favorite soft drinks in the comfort of their own homes. Along with revolutionizing the beverage industry, it is going forth with the SodaStream TV commercial featuring the talented and beautiful Scarlett Johansson who walks viewers through the steps of the product.
SodaStream may not be able to mention its competition but that doesn't stop the brand from setting the bubbles free.

domain: news


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Copyright 2015 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Toyota Recalls More Than 300K Vehicles
By Joe Gullo
Toyota has issued two recalls affecting more than 380,000 vehicles.
The first involves Sienna minivans from model years year 2004-2011. The company says salt water can corrode parts under the vehicle, causing the spare tire to fall off.
Toyota is also recalling more than 10,000 2013 model Lexus GS 350 sedans. The automaker says the brake system could suddenly activate, without driver input, and not illuminate the rear brake lights to warn other drivers.
Toyota says it is unaware of any accidents or injuries related to either issue.


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The Andhra Pradesh Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited (APEPDCL) has opened help desks at all its bill collection centres to facilitate online payments. The help desks have been opened across the five districts of Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, East and West Godavari.
Consumers have been facing a problem with paying their bills post the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes. With the withdraw limits set at banks and ATMs and the wait to exchange event the limit amount in long queues, people have been struggling to pay their dues on time. The silver lining stands that pharmacies and hospitals in the city have been accepting the old higher denomination notes whenever they can.
The Chairman and Managing Director of Discom MM Nayak confirmed the same that consumers have been facing a problem while paying their bills. The help desks have been set up at their bill collection centres keeping in mind the convenience of the consumers. The aim is to urge consumers to utilise the online payment systems.
Electricity can be paid online through the APEPDCL website or the ‘easternpower’ mobile app. The bills can be paid in the ‘Pay Bill Online’ tab with debit or credit cards. They can also be paid through net banking.
Discussion about this post


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DiscountVouchers.co.uk New Deals Deliver Big Bargains on Branded Camera Gear and Holiday Styles
April 14, 2011 (PRLEAP.COM) Lifestyle NewsApril 14, 2011 – DiscountVouchers.co.uk, the website which helps consumers save money at over 500 top name stores, has introduced new deals designed to help shoppers get big bargains on camera kit and holiday fashions. New deals redeemable at Jessops, White Stuff and Boden have been introduced to help people save.
Money off the latest styles for a summer holiday this year can be had through the new DiscountVouchers.co.uk deals introduced this week. Shoppers can log on to the popular website right now and enjoy money-saving deals on the latest styles - including a deal for up to 50% off at White Stuff.
Essential camera kit can be had on a budget too right now - also a big boon for people heading away on holiday this spring or summer. The latest DiscountVouchers.co.uk deals announced online by the leading voucher codes site this week include deals such as 5% off most items at camera store Jessops plus also more money off in the shape of deals like 10% off all bags, cases, batteries, memory cards and tripods.
Other top clothing names feature in the new deals on Discountvouchers.co.uk this week, including money off at top fashion store Boden. Consumers are able to enjoy getting 10% off everything they buy online and also enjoy free delivery. The website is also home to a code for getting free returns on any goods they may decide to send back for not being quite right.
Simon Terry, spokesperson for DiscountVouchers.co.uk, commented, "We regularly update our website to ensure that we always offer people the very latest and best deals around - and right now money off holiday fashions and essential camera kit from top retailers is the order of the day."
DiscountVouchers.co.uk offers consumers money saving deals at major high street brands and specialist retailers, including stores like Tesco, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury's, Travelodge, First Choice, lastminute.com and Boden.
For more information visit www.discountvouchers.co.uk
DiscountVouchers.co.uk features the latest money saving offers from a growing range of retailers, all updated in real time. Designed to help consumers save money with both leading high street brands and specialist retailers, DiscountVouchers.co.uk offers one of the widest choices of discounts available.
Part of ASAP Ventures Ltd, the company behind the award winning Carrentals.co.uk price comparison site, DiscountVouchers.co.uk is committed to offering a growing range of the best savings available online.


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Roux, the popular New Orleans-inspired restaurant from Datz Restaurant Group owners Suzanne and Roger Perry, closed earlier this week after more than five years in South Tampa.
Diners got one last taste of Roux’s elevated Southern kitchen on New Year’s Eve. According to Roger Perry, their lease at 4205 S MacDill Ave. had ended in April, and they decided that shifting their attention to core brands Datz and Dr. BBQ was the best move.
But Perry said the closure is also bittersweet. He and wife Suzanne spent a lot of time developing the restaurant, made countless trips to New Orleans. They also hosted a number of guest chefs from the Big Easy at Roux, where they sold thousands and thousands of their signature dish: chargrilled oysters.
He said they ate lunch there twice a week.
“We’re in this for the long haul,” Perry said. “Datz is our bell cow, and Dr. BBQ is doing very well. So it just made more sense to focus on our core brands.”
Roux brought its Creole-Cajun cuisine and classic craft cocktails to South Tampa in August 2014. The Perrys used decor elements like pressed-tin ceiling and wrought iron to transform an unassuming shopping center space into cozy, sophisticated digs reminiscent of the French Quarter.
More classic Southern dishes were added to the menu later on to appeal to a broader dining audience. But the restaurant, which had several chefs at the helm of its kitchen, won locals over with a charming ambience as much as those oysters and other iconic New Orleans fare.
“We just appreciate all the people who supported us over the years,” Perry said.


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WI-FI AND CARS: SHARING THE SPECTRUM HIGHWAY
Wi-Fi is so much a part of our connected society that most people say a week without Wi-Fi would leave them grumpier than a week without coffee. More than 85 million American households have Wi-Fi access points. And the number of Wi-Fi devices is even higher—more than a billion are expected to be in the marketplace by 2019. But this ever-growing demand for Wi-Fi has outpaced supply—as anyone who tries to get on the Internet in a busy Starbucks has probably discovered, Wi-Fi spectrum is quickly becoming congested.
Wi-Fi relies on unlicensed spectrum—spectrum that is open for use by anyone willing to follow the rules, rather than auctioned off to a single company. We need more unlicensed spectrum to meet growing demand and ease congestion so that American consumers can continue to enjoy successful unlicensed technologies like Wi-Fi.
So what’s the problem? Why hasn’t the FCC made this spectrum available? The companies that already have access to the band but have not yet launched commercial service—using Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) technologies—are reluctant to share. DSRC has two purposes: First, it could in the future allow vehicles to communicate with one another to generate warnings for drivers about impending crash situations and second, automakers plan to use DSRC to offer a whole host of non-safety services like drive-thru payments, entertainment, and wireless advertising to vehicles. DSRC interests prefer that the FCC reserve the whole band for their use. But if the FCC allows sharing, they ask the FCC to adopt a set of poison pill rules that would permit sharing in name only, but, in reality would block any commercially reasonable Wi-Fi use of the band. For example, DSRC interests ask the FCC to require every nearby Wi-Fi consumer to stop transmitting in the entire 5.9 GHz band—and even in part of the existing adjacent Wi-Fi band where Wi-Fi operates today—if Wi-Fi senses a transmission from a single DSRC device used to buy a burger at a drive thru. That’s not sharing. This approach would render the whole band totally unusable for Wi-Fi consumers.
NCTA, Qualcomm, and Broadcom see a better path that protects DSRC safety applications and permits Wi-Fi By rechannelizing the band, the FCC can provide three exclusive channels for safety services, while allowing non-safety DSRC to share fairly with Wi-Fi in the rest of the band using mechanisms already built into the standards for both technologies. NCTA and its members are fully committed to not causing harmful interference to safety systems. Rechannelization is the best way to do so and also allow Wi-Fi consumers access to the single most promising spectrum band for relieving congestion.
NCTA stands ready to continue applying our technical resources and expertise to ensure sharing succeeds. We strongly believe that rechannelization will improve the availability and quality of Wi-Fi while simultaneously ensuring that DSRC crash-avoidance technologies maintain the highest level of reliability. The need for more Wi-Fi increases every day – and vehicle safety is critical. By working together on a solution that lifts both of these important technologies up, we’re ensuring a future where innovation, safety, and connectivity are a shared and consistent priority.


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Its sales bookings stood at ₹1,424.7 crore in the year-ago period.
"The Q3 (third quarter) of this financial year has been the best-ever sales quarter for Sobha," the company said in a regulatory filing late on Thursday.
The average price realization improved to ₹11,732 per square foot during the third quarter of this fiscal year, from ₹9,653 per square foot in the year-ago period.
Sales bookings in volume terms also increased to 16.63 lakh square foot , from 14.76 lakh square foot during the period under review.
"Bengaluru has achieved its highest ever quarterly sales of 1.25 million square feet with a value of ₹14.99 billion, led by the successful launch of the Sobha Neopolis project in the beginning of the quarter," the company said.
"We launched two new projects in the third quarter with a total saleable area of 3.84 million square feet. Cash flows for the quarter remained strong and has resulted in further net debt reduction," Sobha said.


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As executive producer of hive.media, an independent television production company based in Dallas, Alexander Muse knows that while creating a television series is one thing, selling it to a network is quite another. After completing the pilot for Motorsport Ranch, a high-octane series about a country club for people who love to race cars, Muse received numerous offers from “third-party consultants” asking for hefty sums, plus a percentage, to introduce him to the right people at various broadcast and cable networks.
Instead, Muse tapped into his online database of trusted contacts at LinkedIn.com, a business-oriented networking site with more than 2 million registered users. “I searched [LinkedIn] for program directors and program managers for every television network I could think of and it netted conversations with several of them,” says Muse. Though he is awaiting finalization, Motorsport Ranch is as good as sold.
Proponents of online social networking say person-to-person networking cannot compare to having access to a massive digital database of business professionals. “I have 418 of my contacts on LinkedIn.com. These 418 connect me to 1.2 million professionals. It is wild to think you can reach that many people,” says Konstantin Guericke, co-founder and vice president of marketing at LinkedIn.
An initial network of 10 people, each adding 10 more, could quickly grow to a web of 10,000 professionals. Users can search their network for jobs, services, referrals, and more. “Most people prefer to hire people from a trusted contact,” says Guericke.
Lee Green, director of the National Black Business Trade Association (www.nbbta .org), has between 400 and 500 direct contacts on the association’s online network (www.nbbta-network.ryze.com), which he moderates on Ryze.com, another business-oriented networking site. He estimates that networking on the Internet gives him access to 20,000 to 30,000 contacts. Green, a big believer in the benefits of networking, emphasizes that online networking provides “the tools to extend ourselves out to the larger marketplace.”
Meanwhile, Darren Smith, co-owner of Global Ad Marketing, a commercial printing and advertising firm, moderates the Black Business Network on Ryze.com. He says online networks like Ryze and others are excellent sites to advertise business services because “they allow you to reach a massive audience at one time.
“Networking is a key element in building relationships that enable you to gain support from friends, relatives, associates, and acquaintances to help you reach a goal or objective.”


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- El-Erian is the chief financial adviser of Allianz and ex-CEO of PIMCO
- Regulation will assist crypto steer away from headwinds at present dealing with Massive Tech companies Fb, Google, and Amazon amongst others.
- Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao expounded on this similar matter in an interview
Mohamed El-Erian, one of many world’s most revered economists, has mentioned that the crypto business can’t afford to make errors seen throughout Massive Tech in its early years.
El-Erian, a chief financial adviser at Allianz, says the entry of institutional buyers and continued mainstream adoption means crypto ought to extra forthcoming with regards to discussions with regulators on issues associated to the burgeoning market.
“After I converse to individuals within the crypto business, I say you will have a accountability to not repeat the error of Massive Tech,” the economist mentioned.
Based on El-Erian, Massive Tech’s major mistake because the business boomed was an absence of engagement with regulators. He notes that the sector failed by not having “preemptive regulatory discussions,” at the same time as a number of companies within the business change into systematically vital.
The ex-PIMCO CEO says participating regulators as early as this is able to assist crypto corporations keep away from the identical regulatory challenges as these at present beleaguering tech giants Fb, Google, and Amazon
It’s a sentiment most lately espoused by Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao throughout an interview with CNBC.
On Monday, Changpeng informed CNBC’s “Squawk Field” that the alternate was pushing for correct crypto regulation, noting that this is able to be “good” for the broader cryptocurrency business.
Changpeng’s feedback got here similtaneously the crypto alternate’s announcement of “10 Basic Rights for Crypto Customers” Binance believes will information regulators of their engagements with the sector about how greatest to oversight the rising crypto market.
Whereas Binance’s push may very well be borne out of its latest brush with regulators proper throughout the globe, many observers and specialists have more and more famous that crypto might certainly profit from correct regulation.
El-Erian believes crypto shall be higher off if it takes significantly issues corresponding to illicit funds, fraud and platform stability.


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Microsoft is fiercely competitive, but the field is more challenging. Microsoft is competing with Google on search via its Bing effort and Apple in the mobile market. Meanwhile, the software giant is positioning its wares for cloud computing with software and services. The company's two cash cows - operating systems and the Office productivity suite - are performing well.
Articles about Microsoft
Once Microsoft officially owns Nokia's phone business, the Redmond company just might find more reasons to keep than 'Kin' Nokia's new line of Android phones.
Microsoft announced that Lync and Skype would soon be able to share video, as well as voice and IM. So how will it work?
Nokia X and Amazon's Fire OS are evidence of a strange new world where Android is being used to compete with itself, and with Google.
Through Nokia, Microsoft has just set its sights set on emerging markets and it's hoping to use Android to win new converts. Is this history repeating itself?
Several tech vendors in China including Tencent and Kingsoft will offer Windows XP users technical aid related to system upgrades and security features, after Microsoft cuts the cord April 8. One quarter of China's computers still run on the OS.
The G20 group of nations is set to adopt a common tax reporting standard to combat transfer pricing from companies such as Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Facebook.
Microsoft is poised to become a Windows Phone manufacturer in its own right, but is still managing to add new partners to its roster.
Microsoft execs have acknowledged publicly what's been rumored for months: An update to Windows 8.1 is coming to users this spring.
Microsoft is cutting the price it charges PC makers for each copy of Windows 8 they sell from $50 to $15, but only on low-end devices, according to a new report.
Microsoft is betting big on cloud computing, and its biggest stack of chips is on Office 365. One year after the biggest launch in its history, how's that gamble working out?
Non-critical patch addresses problems in the Windows Update system files which could cause errors in future updates.
Microsoft execs dropped a few clues and hints this week regarding the company's planned timing for the next versions of Office client and servers for Windows.
Windows XP support may be ending soon, but there are a whole lot of folks who refuse to abandon the soon-to-be sunk ship. These are their stories.
U.S.-based cellphone maker Hop-on is the latest company to sign an Android patent-licensing deal with Microsoft.
Microsoft has rebranded its Web-based versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote as 'Office Online.'


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It's rare for an automaker to run a TV ad that does not include a single shot of a new car. But that is what VW is doing with a hippie-filled spot touting its new six-year/72,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty.
Audi is striving to take the early lead in the race to offer self-driving technology with the Level 3-capable A8 sedan and also plans to debut one EV each year from 2018 until 2020. Development chief Peter Mertens told Automotive News Europe how the automaker plans to achieve its goals.
Audi has resolved a legal dispute with a former engineer who sued the carmaker for wrongful dismissal, the automaker said. Ulrich Weiss was fired amid investigations into the company's diesel-emissions cheating scandal.


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CLEVELAND, OH (WOIO) - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a statement regarding the safety of the popular fidget spinner devices.
According to the CPSC statement, Acting Chairman Ann Marie Buerkle said the agency is investigating several "reported incidents associated" with the phenomenon.
There have been reports of fires that have started involving battery-operated fidget spinners, according to the CPSC. Other hazards include choking in young children because of plastic or metal pieces that could break off. Some products could also contain lead content or paint.
The CPSC advises that fidget spinners are kept from small children and should not be placed in the mouths.
Click here for the full statement.


text: Princess Victoria wears her mum's '80s dress Starts at 60 Writers News 10 months ago Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria has stepped out in the same dress her mother wore more than 30 years ago.Remember as a little girl when you would try on your mum’s dresses and wear them around for fun?Well, it’s not just something you do as a little girl anymore.There’s a trend of mothers handing down their clothes to their daughters – and the timeless styles are catching on around the world.Even members of the royal family of Sweden are catching on with the trend.Crown Princess Victoria has been photographed on official business in Japan, wearing a dress her mother wore back in the ’80s.Ad. Article continues below. The dress Victoria wore yesterday is a dress which was worn of Silvia 35 years ago? It still looks incredibly nice and of course it's great that she wears such an old dress on her mission for sustainability? Thanks to @theroyalsandi for the ID!!A post shared by ?Swedish Royal Family? (@victoriadanielestelleoscar) on Apr 20, 2017 at 12:11am PDTThe vintage navy blue dress with red polka dots and striped sleeves was a favourite of Queen Silvia’s.In fact she was photographed wearing it back as early as 1978, when Princess Victoria was just a baby.Comparison photos of the mother and daughter wearing the dress, taken 30 years apart, show just how timeless the style really is.Ad. Article continues below. #Crown Princess Victoria Style! This dress was first worn by her mother, Queen Silvia, in 1980? Love her choise to recycle old dresses❤? #swedishroyalfamily #kungahuset #kungafamiljen #crownprincessvictoria #statevisit #royalvisitjapan #royalnews #instaroyals #queensilvia #samedress #motheranddaughter #olddress #oldpic #royalstyle #royaladdicted2fashionA post shared by Royal Addicted (@royaladdicted2) on Apr 19, 2017 at 4:26am PDTWhat do you think? Have you ever worn one of your mother’s dresses? Do you think the style is timeless?


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Star Sports has set the bar really high as the Indian Premier League host broadcaster has re.imagined all the presentation aspects for an all-new season. The IPL season 11, as the action starts on Saturday, April 7, will add many firsts to the league’s illustrious, decade-long history.
Star India, which outbid Sony Pictures India Network to bring home cricket world’s richest and biggest professional competition, has re.imagined the IPL to ensure the new season to be an inflection point in the league history – making the league “deeply local with technology at the heart of the experience”.
While sharing the re.imagine plans way back in January 2018, Star India managing director Sanjay Gupta had said: “Over its 10-year journey, the IPL has grown into the single biggest property by far on Indian television. And now that it is on the Star India network across both, television and digital, we are set to use the confluence of technology, consumer insight, and experience in cricket coverage, to broaden the outreach and experience even further.
“The VIVO IPL 2018 will be a 6-month-long fiesta with new-age technology putting fans at the heart of the experience. We are confident that the IPL 2018, as re-imagined by Star India, will empower viewers, advertisers and the media and entertainment ecosystem of India with greater convenience and viewing pleasure, audience deliveries and all-round growth.”
The year 2018 now is showing the potential to redefine the IPL not just commercially on the strength of its historic media rights and title sponsorship deals, but also in terms of the viewer experience the broadcaster has re.imagined.
The season 2018 is all set to roll out as the IPL of many firsts.
SIX LANGUAGES, 10 CHANNELS: 700 M VIEWERS
For the first time, Vivo IPL 2018 will be connected with a majority of the Indians in their native language – Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Bengali, across 10 Star Sports network channels and the OTT platform HotStar.
By leveraging the combined reach of digital and television the tournament will be broadcast, for the first time ever, on multiple TV channels and live streamed on Hotstar with an aim to reach out to 700 million fans across TV and digital in India.
This will also be for the first time in the history of the league, that live action will be streamed simultaneously on television and digital mediums – no more delayed action for the viewers on the move.
HotStar for millions of sports lovers in the country has also launched an annual subscription package of ₹299. The subscribers will have access to the live IPL action on Star India’s OTT platform. The non-subscribers can watch IPL on HotStar for up to 10 minutes, for staying tuned beyond they will be required to pay the subscription.
VIRTUAL REALTY & SUPER FAN FEED
IPL this season will become one of the first few leagues in the world to use virtual reality and to bring live action from the stadium to fan homes. This immersive VR experience would make it possible for fans to come closer to the high-octane matches from the comfort of their homes.
Star Network for the first time in IPL will have a Super Fan Feed with next-gen statistics and the best of global talent for expert analysis which will be available across cable, DTH and on Hotstar. This will be a curated feed for the intense fans who want more than just to watch the game. It may also include features like multiple camera angle options while viewing and data layers about the teams and players during the telecast.
This year Hotstar will go social, creating a world’s first sports viewing experience. Fans will be able to check in and watch games together with their friends. They will also be able to express their emotions through special emoticons specifically designed for the myriad emotions of the cricket fanatic.
COMBINE PACKAGES FOR ADVERTISERS
For the first time, the country’s leading advertisers will be able to use the power of this platform across both Digital and Television to build brands. No longer will they be forced to make the trade-offs and use Television for salience & impact, and Digital for performance, but instead look to seamlessly speak and interact with consumers across screens with the support of advanced consumer analytics.
WATCH N’ PLAY ON HOTSTAR
Hotstar has launched WatchN’Play online game for an engaging experiential facility, which will allow the cricket lovers to guess the result of the next ball while watching the match.
In an initiative to redefine and elevate the experience of watching cricket, Star Sport has launched the skill-based game wherein a user gets to test his or her cricket knowledge and expertise along with millions of other users tuned into the match. The game takes the Indian cricket enthusiasts’ innate behaviour of providing running commentary on player performance and strategy, into an actual game where they stand to win big.
WatchN’Play is conceptualised to take the country’s near-religious passion for cricket, and drive unprecedented engagement by bringing viewers even closer to their favourite game
100-STRONG COMMENTARY PANEL
Never before in the history of IPL, the host broadcaster has employed 100 experts and commentators for a single edition of the league. The 24 commentators for the world feed include the likes of former internationals like Sunil Gavaskar, Sanjay Manjrekar, Murali Kartik, L Sivaramakrishnan. Brett Lee, Matthew Hayden, Michael Clarke, Dean Jones, Simon Doull, Scott Styris, Danny Morrison, Ian Bishop and Pommie Mbangwa are among the international players on the panel.
The world feed commentators also include four former international women cricketers – Lisa Sthalekar, Melanie Jones, Anjum Chopra, Isa Guha. Harsha Bhogle will be the only non-cricketer in the 24-strong panel for the IPL world feed.
Star Sports has curated #SelectDugout for the core cricket fan with in-depth analysis, augmented reality, interesting statistics presented by a panel of select experts.
For the first time ever in sports broadcasting in India, Star Sports Select introduces the #SelectDugout, an experience that will extend beyond traditional commentary, providing fans with a richer analytical experience with a stimulating narrative throughout the season meant for the core fan who would like to stay ahead of the Game!
The Dugout is a hyper-personalised curated offering this IPL season for the cricket fan who wants more. The Select Experience, on Star Sports Select, will provide fans with richer analytical experience coupled with a stimulating narrative during and post matches for a fan who would like to stay ahead of the Game.
85 BROADCAST SPONSORS
Star Sports a week prior to the start of the league has confirmed 85 brands as the broadcast sponsors for the IPL 2018. IPL title sponsors Vivo, Coca-Cola and Jio will be the co-presenting sponsors.
Future Group, Polycab, Parle Products, AMFI, Make my Trip, Vimal Pan Masala, Asian Paints, Dream 11 & Haier are the 9 co-presenting sponsors. The list also includes the names like Vodafone, Amazon, Pepsi Co , Mondelez , Samsung, AMFI, Asian Paints, Berger Paints, Blue Star, Ceat Tyres, Crompton, Dollar, Domino’s, Ford, Haier, Luminous, Pidilite, Sleep Well, Vanessa, Vimal Pan Masala, Voltas, Vivo, Colgate, Amul, Coca-Cola, Dream 11, Elica, Kent, MakeMyTrip, Parle Agro, Parle Products, Polycab, Vu TV, PayTm, Airtel, Nokia, TVS Motors, Tata Motors, Byjus, Naukri.com, Nerolac, Phone Pe, UB, Nivea, MRF, Honda Motors and Scooters, Policybazaar.com, Swiggy, Shaadi.com, Hitachi, HP, Arvind Lifestyle, Titan, Burger King, 99acres, Cars24.com, Magicbricks.com, Mahindra, HMSI, Skoda, Renault, Jeep, Apollo Tyres, Bisleri, ITC, Reckitt, HUL, Pernod, USL, Relaxo and Madhura Garments among others, have taken the roster of brands on Vivo IPL 2018 on the Star Network to 85. Pre & Post match on Star Sports.


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Tesco has added yet more products to its Wicked Kitchen range, including ‘sausage’ rolls, lasagne, pizzas and grab-and-go-options.
Following on from the success of their debut range, Wicked Kitchen has more-than-doubled their vegan range to include 26 delicious new plant-based products.
Now Tesco has released even more new products into the range, but delicious new on-the-go options such as the the Curried Cauli Pasty (£1.50) with flaky puff pastry packed with roasted turmeric cauliflower, diced potato and chunky veg.
For those who miss sausage rolls the new range now includes All the Rage Rolls (£2) which are made with roasted kale, savoury white mushroom and cooked garlic and wrapped in flaky pastry.
For those looking for an easy meal this winter there’s a hearty new Wicked Pesto Lasagne (£4) and a Spicy Mushroom and Veg Sourdough Pizza joining the lineup of ready-made plant-based meals.
Other new options include:
- Pesto Lasagne (with basil-kale-mint pesto, white sauce, and pine nut topper)
- Filthy Fiery Fries (Texas-style roasted potato wedges with BBQ pulled mushrooms, jalapenos and cheeze)
- Big Bros Enchiladas (spiced beans and rice, roasted sweet potato, jalapeno cheeze, topped with spiced red sauce and roasted corn salsa)
- Spicy Mushroom and Veg Sourdough Pizza
- Packed Puff Pie (roasted cauliflower and oyster mushrooms in a brandy gravy and flaky pastry)
- All The Rage Rolls (roasted kale, mushrooms and garlic wrapped in flaky pastry with seed topper)
- Smoked Carrot Celebration Sandwich (Limited Holiday Edition)
- Bubble and Squeak Sandwich (Limited Holiday Edition)
- Cali Roll Cold Cuts Sub
- Mac Attack Salad Bowl
- Citrus Noodle Salad Bowl
- Tex-Mex Salad Bowl
- Turmeric Cauliflower and Coconut Bites wrap
- Curried Protein Pot
- Toasted Three Onion Dip
- Hella’ Cold Cracked Corn Dip
- Hipster Salad
- Street Market Rainbow Slaw
- Almighty Green
- Painted Potato Salad
- Stir Fried Black Pepper Tofu
- Chinese BBQ Shreds and Greens
- Margarita Sourdough Pizza
- Curried Cauli Pasty
“We know from our own data that flexitarianism is on the rise and many more customers are dabbling in cutting out meat for a day or so during their weekly diet,” Tesco Product Development Director Kate Ewart said in a statement.
“With the new range we’re now hoping to attract an even wider audience including customers looking for on-the-go delicious snacks such as a plant based sausage roll, pie or pasty as well as dessert lovers.”
Veganism is going mainstream
Discussing the new additions to the range, Derek Sarno, Tesco’s Director of Plant Based Innovation, said: “This is a dream come true for us. When we launched Wicked Kitchen back in January, the response was just phenomenal. We’re excited to be able to announce the expansion of the range today.”
He continued: “At the start of the year, I said that veganism was going mainstream, and – as plant-based options are taking over the supermarket shelves – that belief is fast becoming a reality.
“Thank you so much to everyone who has bought and loved Wicked Kitchen food. I can’t wait for you to try these new items too.”


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For the first time in two years, State Attorneys General and their key consumer protection staff have gathered in Washington D.C. to attend the National Association of Attorneys General Fall Consumer Protection conference. For State AG staff in particular, this meeting, and its Spring counterpart, may be the most important and well attended event of the year with over 400 attendees total. Priorities for the Attorneys General are often shaped at these meetings, and they present a unique opportunity for industry to get insight.
The public session included a panel of seven Attorneys General, each of whom spoke in some detail about their goals and frustrations for the upcoming year. Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller, the incoming president of the National Association of Attorneys General, laid out topics that he is considering for a consumer protection initiative for the upcoming year: Tech Threats and Tools. General Miller wants to see the Attorney General community and industry find better early warning systems for basic frauds – like the grandparent scam and IRS and social security fraud. In addition, he hopes to tackle what he described as the intractable frauds, like telemarketing, where he wants to see new solutions for blocking calls and fraud-induced payments. Finally, he flagged the intersection of big tech and consumer protection, and highlighted the misuse of algorithms as an area the Attorney General community has been, and will continue to be, focused on. Several Attorneys General echoed these concerns, particularly in the area of big tech.
Here are five key takeaways from the panel discussion which will impact State Attorney General enforcement efforts in 2022:


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High inflation notwithstanding, Austrians' penchant for online shopping continues to flourish, with an estimated 8.4% surge in package deliveries projected for the year, rounding off approximately 35.5 million parcels. Such enthusiasm is palpable, particularly during the Christmas season's zenith, putting delivery services under immense strain. The Austrian Post exemplifies this, with a record of ferrying around 1.3 million packages on its peak days in December.
The Duality of Online Shopping: Satisfaction and Discontent
Despite a 38% drop in dispute resolution and receipt complaints related to postal services in 2022 compared to the previous year, as reported by the Regulatory Authority for Broadcasting and Telecommunications (Regulierungsbehörde RTR), delivery issues persist, according to consumers. A study by the Austrian E-Commerce Trust Mark, which surveyed 1,000 individuals, revealed general contentment with online order deliveries. However, over two-thirds of the respondents narrated occasional grievances such as non-genuine delivery attempts, delayed deliveries, damaged or wrong items, and non-functional tracking.
The Complexity of Parcel Delivery Contracts
The complexity stems from the dual contractual relationships involved in parcel delivery: the purchase agreement between the consumer and the online retailer, and the transport contract between the retailer and the delivery service. This often leaves the recipient bereft of direct contractual rights to lodge a complaint against the courier service.
Consumer Rights and Parcel Delivery: A Labyrinth of Legalities
The Consumer Protection Association has underscored the lack of recipients' ability to directly address issues as a recurring theme in complaints. The Post Market Act and EU Consumer Rights Directive add further layers of intricacy regarding parcel delivery to replacement recipients and the transfer of risk for loss or damage. The Consumer Protection Association counsels that even if a parcel is left with a neighbor, the risk of loss or damage does not transfer to the consumer. In such scenarios, the online shop bears the responsibility for redelivery. The Association also warns against authorizing parcel drop-off without the recipient's signature, as the risk of loss then falls on the consumer. Lastly, they advise that in cases where delivery proof is challenging, the online shop can demand a delivery details investigation from the courier service.


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Adidas Continues Gaining North America Market Share, With Running, Outdoor Rising
Adidas reported another "strong quarter of growth in China and North America as it takes market share from rivals such as Nike, but its shares dipped as growth slowed in Europe and it stuck to its full-year outlook," according to Emma Thomasson of REUTERS. Some investors had "predicted that Adidas might lift its forecasts" for '17 after Puma last month "increased its targets for the year." Adidas and Puma have been "gaining market share in North America as customers snap up their retro styles and lifestyle shoes instead of basketball and sports performance gear, hurting Nike and Under Armour." Data from research firm NPD showed that Adidas' U.S. market share for running footwear "jumped more than three quarters" to 16% in August, while Nike's share "slipped" 14% to 56%. Sales of the Adidas and Reebok brands also rose 28% in greater China and 23% in North America. Adidas saw double-digit sales "increases in its running and outdoor categories as well as at its Originals and Neo fashion labels, but said revenues fell from soccer and basketball, mainly due to the termination of two major sponsorship deals" (REUTERS, 11/9). Thomasson also reports Adidas "hopes the launch of new team kit" ahead of the '18 FIFA World Cup in Russia "will restore sales growth." Adidas is "making shirts" for teams Germany and Spain (REUTERS, 11/9).
GOOD POSITION: Adidas CEO Kasper Rorsted said the company is "exceptionally happy" with the Q3 results. Rorsted said of sales leading up to the '18 World Cup, "(It) will be a stronger fourth quarter than normally because of the upcoming tournament." He added the company is "by no means where we want to be in the U.S., so we continue to overinvest, and that’s why we signed the biggest sponsorship deal in our history in the U.S. when we signed” a deal with MLS (CNBC, 11/9). Adidas said that revenue generated from e-commerce advanced 39% in Q3. BLOOMBERG NEWS' Weiss, Cranny & Edwards note Adidas in Q3 also "completed the divestment of its CCM ice hockey business to Birch Hill Equity Partners" and "completed selling its TaylorMade, Adams and Ashworth golf brands to KPS Capital Partners" (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 11/9).
CRISIS MANAGEMENT: Rorsted said of the college basketball scandal involving adidas Dir of Global Sports Marketing James Gatto, “I hope you understand I can't really comment on the details, but what we’ve done is we immediately -- within 24 hours -- had external counsels do an internal investigation to reveal everything that's going on and we're completely committed to getting all the facts on the table and make the right decisions to move on. We are a company that’s committed to compliant behavior and we are upset about what's happened. Overall, the basketball business is 1.7% of our total revenue, so we don't think it will impact our business” (CNBC, 11/9).


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The revenue of Multi Screen Media (MSM), which has telecast rights for the Indian Premier League (IPL), is set to take a hit in the sixth edition of the Cricket extravaganza, scheduled to begin on April 3.
With the maturing of the format and a slowdown in the ad market, MSM, which started its marketing campaign for the tournament yesterday, has not yet been able to lock in all the sponsors for the Twenty-20 league, despite a correction of almost 20 per cent in ad rates.
"We have brought down ad rates but will make up for it with volume gains," MSM President (network sales) Rohit Gupta said. Though he did not divulge the extent of rate cut, industry sources said the broadcaster was asking for Rs 4-4.5 lakh per 10 seconds, compared with Rs 5.5 lakh last year.
High rates had led to an unsold inventory for MSM last year. Gupta, however, is confident of selling the inventory for IPL-6 on time. "We have already locked seven advertisers. We are looking for two co-presenting and 8-10 associate sponsors in total. We will rope in all in 10-15 days."
He did not disclose names of sponsors, but it is learnt PepsiCo, also the title sponsor for IPL, and Vodafone have come on board as co-presenting sponsors.
Media buyers say the market is not buoyant at present. "There is pressure on ad spends and clients are in a wait-and-watch mode," VivaKi Exchange CEO Mona Jain said. According to media agencies, the channel is looking at over Rs 60 crore from presenting sponsors and Rs 38-42 crore from associate ones.
"IPL as a format has nothing innovative about it anymore. It remains the biggest launch vehicle for new brands, But in on Wednesday's market, we are not seeing brand launches," said a top executive of a media buying agency who did not want to be named.
IPL's viewership has gradually declined in last two years. It has also been marred by controversies, such as legal battles between franchisees and the Board of Control for Cricket in India.


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Mumbai :To celebrate 15 years of Lakme Fashion Week this year, its organisers have planned interesting things like presenting a line up of 100 designers, including those by 21 debutantes.
The organisers said they want to make the Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2015 memorable. The fashion week is scheduled to be held between August 26 to 30 here.
“We are excited about this season as we celebrate 15 years. There will be a mix of established as well as new designers. We want to redefine fashion with ace designers and encourage new talent as well,” Purnima Lamba, Head Innovations Lakme, told reporters here.
There will be 100 designers this season including 21 debut designers, Lamba said adding 11 new models will walk on the ramp at this year’s gala.
Ace designers Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla will open Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2015 and designer Gaurav Gupta will present the Grand Finale collection at an off-site location.
Established designers like Manish Malhotra, Ritu Kumar, Tarun Tahiliani, Neeta Lulla, Narendra Kumar and others will showcase their “best-ever” collection.
The “Reinvent Banaras” campaign will be launched to revive and celebrate the Banaras handlooms.
“We are looking to uplift Banaras handlooms with India’s leading designers. We put focus on Banras handlooms through exhibitions, fashion films. We are lending our support by providing platform to designers to showcase their collection with the help from Banaras weavers,” Saket Dhankar, Vice President and Head Fashion at IMG Reliance said.


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Tata Motors’ Jaguar Land Rover has opened a new facility to test development vehicles for electrical and radio interference.
The Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) laboratory at the carmaker’s Gaydon R&D campus in England’s West Midlands will ensure future vehicles comply with current and future legislation and quality standards for connectivity and electronics.
Launched last May, the redesigned Range Rover Sport was the first vehicle to undergo a bespoke testing program at the new facility.
The new vehicle lab has two anechoic chambers: an electrically ‘quiet’ rolling road that allows engineers to test vehicles for speed, as well as equipment to assess the performance of individual components, such as batteries or electric motors. Bluetooth, GPS, WiFi, 4G, 5G, adaptive cruise control, wireless charging and blind spot monitoring can all be tested for EMC.
Peter Phillips, JLR senior manager, electromagnetism and compliance, said: “The importance of testing our vehicles for electromagnetic compatibility cannot be underestimated. The opening of this new testing facility is an important step forward for the company and will play a critical role in delivering quality, legal matters and customer satisfaction.”
With advances in the industry to increase the number of electric powertrains and the offering of digital and cloud-based services for vehicles, from software over the air updates to autonomous technology, testing for EMC is critical to delivering quality, legal and customer satisfaction, JLR said in a statement.


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The number of LTE subscriptions will pass 1 billion before the end of the year, prompting operators to invest in technologies such as small cells to keep up.
Ericsson - News, Features, and Slideshows
Following up on lawsuits in the U.S., a dispute between Ericsson and Apple over royalty payments has now moved also to Europe.
Size is power in the mobile networks business, but it's only one of the reasons Nokia is acquiring Alcatel-Lucent.
Former agents charged with stealing Silk Road bitcoins... Intel wants to quadruple SSD space... smartwatches forecast to boom in 2015... and more tech news.
The U.S. International Trade Commission has decided to investigate Apple after two complaints from Ericsson that the iPhone maker violated its patents.
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg's plan to connect five billion people to the Internet is feasible, anlysts said today. But it it could take 20 years to complete.
Over the past year, patent battles have been fought by tech companies in courtrooms all over the world. The litigation is far from over though, however, and will continue throughout 2013. This is what's at stake on the patent battlefield in the near future.
Smartphone vendors will rely on upgrades such as full-HD screens and more powerful yet more frugal processors to entice customers to buy new phones in 2013.
Security researchers have shown that carefully crafted text messages sent to cell phones via short message service (SMS) can cause them to shutdown without the knowledge of the owner.
A number of different technologies are being developed or improved to offer higher speeds for fixed and mobile broadband networks, as operators are preparing to compete with each other and carry video traffic in 3D and at higher resolutions, which is expected to happen in the coming year.
- Check out the Log Rhythm's NEW Resource centre | New content, infographics, white papers and research
- Only Citrix securely delivers everything you need for a truly mobile workspace wherever you go
- Gartner Symposium/ITxpo – The World’s Most Important Gathering of CIOs and Senior IT Executives 26-29 October 2015 on the Gold Coast, Australia
- Toyota funds AI research to build autonomous cars
- Uber links to sensitive ride data now expire after 48 hours
- Connected homes, smartwatches and gaming PCs dominate IFA in Berlin
- Dropbox's head of enterprise says collaboration will set it apart
- Microsoft kills off some of Nokia's apps for Windows Phone
- AOL acquires Millennial Media to bolster in-app and mobile smarts
- The 7 common mistakes marketing leaders are still making
- How Greenstone is uniting IT/marketing in the name of audience management
- Rakuten Marketing chalks up rapid Aussie digital advertising growth
- Paid endorsements get Xbox One marketer in trouble with FTC


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Assam government has decided to leverage the strength of the state with the competency of the college students through startups. The state administration intends to provide a nurturing ground for young entrepreneurial mind-set
OYO forays into upper-end leisure resorts category
Startup India’s Academia Alliance Programme
IIT Hyderabad is aiming to impart a major boost to the Indian Chip Design Sector by launching an Incubator dedicated exclusively to aid startups in this sector
In addition to IT, another focus of the Karnataka government is promoting tourism in the state.
Michigan University create smallest computer of 0.3mm
a new ios beta 12 has been launched for software lovers


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Retail picks up in the West Valley
Scott Neff waited for years to open an As You Wish Pottery Painting Studio in the West Valley.
A combination of steady homebuilding and noticeable signs of economic recovery convinced the owner of the six-store chain that this fall is the right time. Workers this week are plastering walls and painting to prepare for a Sept. 20 opening in Glendale's Westgate Entertainment District.
"I always wanted to be farther out west, but I wanted it to be the right (shopping) center. I want to be where the action is," Neff said. "That area was hard-hit by the recession but they have seen a lot of homebuilding, with a lot of families and schoolchildren. Those are our clients."
The pottery studio is one of four new businesses to open in Westgate over the next few months. Three restaurants — Fresh Healthy Cafe, OPA Life Greek Cafe and Crave Gourmet Waffle Sandwiches — will open in the next few months.
West Valley residents have had their share of retail disappointments over the past decade. Two planned regional malls, Estrella Falls in Goodyear and Prasada in Surprise, are years behind schedule. But the region's power centers, those shopping centers that land big-box anchor tenants such as Target and Barnes & Noble, keep attracting new stores and restaurants.
"The growth that had started prerecession and stalled out has clearly picked back up," said David Sotolov, senior vice president of iStar Financial, which owns Westgate. "We've seen it both in retail activity, in sales increases from our (long-term) tenants, but also in our office leasing."
Cities west of Interstate 17 continue to see signs of retail life: Tanger Outlets Westgate is adding 60,000 more feet of retail space. Peoria residents will see a new upscale shopping center near the city's sports complex. Oregano's Pizza Bistro is breaking ground in Goodyear. American Furniture Warehouse will open in Glendale this month, Sprouts Farmers Market will open in Peoria in the spring and Fry's Food Storeswill open a Sun City West store on Friday.
Neff said retailers are watching the region because many of the families moving in tend to have annual incomes above $70,000. That means they should have some disposable income for extras like pottery lessons.
"Demographics is one of our key indicators," he said. "I'm not saying it's a Scottsdale or a Chandler, but it's a solid enough demographic where I feel like we can belong there and be successful."
W. Valley misconceptions
Residents of other metro Phoenix cities might have misconceptions of the West Valley as a poor country cousin in terms of retail, Sotolov said, but results prove otherwise.
High-end retailers Coach Inc., and Michael Kors are two of the most successful stores at Tanger Outlets Westgate, he said. Westgate's Yard House, which charges in the mid- to upper-price range, is one of the top producers in all of the national chain's restaurants, Sotolov noted.
Along with jobs, some of the region's once-stalled master-planned communities, such as Greer Ranch in Surprise and Vistancia in Peoria, are expanding.
"There's no doubt that jobs are coming and the rooftops are coming," Sotolov said. "It really is the recipe for retailers. They are starting to realize that this is the time. It's happening and it's positive."
Good news remains relative. The big malls might not be built for years, although retail experts attribute the delay in mall building as much to changing dynamics in online shopping as to the down economy.
Cities now look to shopping power centers that are smaller than traditional malls but still draw many customers. The trendy Oregano's, for instance, will open in the Market at Estrella Falls, the power center surrounding the mall site near Loop 303 and Interstate 10.
Peoria city development officials are working with developer Peoria Sports Park LLC to build an outdoor shopping mall similar in concept to the Scottsdale Quarter near the Peoria Sports Complex. Called Avenue Shoppes at P83, the pedestrian-oriented mall will include a hotel, stores, restaurants and an entertainment venue. City officials signed a development agreement with Peoria Sports Park in March.
"This is where we are putting our energies and our resources," said Paul Zampini, Peoria's economic development coordinator. "It is a real project."
The city's existing power centers also are doing well.
Sprouts, a popular market, will open in the spring at the Lake Pleasant Towne Center.
Zampini noted that the city has 50,000 new homes either built, in the permit stage or in the construction process, bringing more potential shoppers to the area.
"We're seeing a lot of activity in the retail area and all those shopping centers up north are thriving, in part because there has been a huge explosion in housing," he said.


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(AbsoluteNews.com) – In a day when many Americans don’t carry around cash, thieves have gotten more creative about how they steal from hardworking people. One of those ways is by using credit card skimmers that allow thieves to steal card numbers. That’s exactly what two men allegedly did in Colorado.
On March 16, the US Secret Service began tracking Mercea Barzecu and Janos Rigo when they arrived in Littleton. Federal agents accused the men of going into two Walmart stores and attempting to use the skimmers. The two men then reportedly traveled to other ATMs and stores to try to use the devices. Agents eventually arrested them in Lakewood.
Wild case I just found in federal court here in Colorado. Two men are accused of using card skimmers at Walmarts in multiple states to steal nearly 8,000 card numbers. They were arrested in Lakewood. The "overlays" mimic credit card machines at checkout. pic.twitter.com/Ddgsjpoqp4
— Jeremy Jojola (@jeremyjojola) March 22, 2022
According to authorities, the two men and another not yet identified had access to 7,873 debit and credit card numbers they stole while they ran the scheme in multiple states. It’s unknown how much money they stole.
If you believe your card was compromised, call the financial institution to have it canceled and a new card reissued. If you notice charges on your statement that don’t belong to you, be sure to call and dispute them immediately. The financial institution will generally refund the stolen money when its investigation is complete.
You Deserve the Absolute Truth!
Copyright 2022, AbsoluteNews.com


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- WHITE PAPERS
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Papa John's launch of its Perfect Pan Pizza helped push domestic comparable-store sales up 5.9 percent in October.
According to a news release, the No. 3 chain's comps rose 3.9 percent for the 12 weeks ended Sept. 25. Revenue for the period was $236.3 million versus $227.8 million posted in the same period in 2004. Net income for the third quarter was $10.8 million versus $7.9 million recorded in the same period last year.
"We are very pleased with our third-quarter results," said Papa John's president and chief executive Nigel Travis. "We are also very pleased with the early results of the performance of our new Papa's Perfect Pan Pizza during the initial product launch in October."
Travis said the company and its operators spent more than $1 million providing some 100,000 meals to evacuees and relief workers involved in Gulf Coast relief efforts. "A Franchise Team Member Relief Fund was also established to aid employees impacted by these storms and future calamities," he added.
For the first nine months of the year, ended Sept. 25, revenues were $730.8 million, up 5.2 percent over the same period in 2004. Net income was $31.6 million versus $13.8 million posted in the comparable period. The company credited comps increases at both corporate and franchise stores for the income gains.


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Toys R Us announced it will bring operation of its e-commerce platform in-house by the end of summer 2016. The retailer has outsourced its e-commerce to GSI since 2006.
The new platform will control all three of its retail sites: ToysRUs.com, BabiesRUS.com, and FAO.com, Internet Retailer reported.
The move is part of the company's recently announced TRU Transformation, a five-year strategic goal of strengthening the foundation of the company to increase revenue and profits. The retailer hopes to improve the customer experience online, which it believes is best done with the control coming from within. Although struggling a bit in 2013, the company has gone back to the basics by focusing on improving customer loyalty and the in-store experience.
"We expect this will provide us with the flexibility needed to grow and expand in an omnichannel world, while allowing us to rapidly respond to changing customer dynamics and an ever competitive marketplace," Fred Argir, senior VP and chief digital officer at Toys R Us, told Internet Retailer.
The retailer will use ATG e-commerce software from Oracle as the basis for its new online sales platform. Toys R Us will continue using the eBay Enterprise technology that allows the retailer to ship online orders from its store and for customers to buy online and pick up in-store.
Toys R Us joins the growing trend of retailers bringing e-commerce operations in-house, including Target and Dick's Sporting Goods, which is beginning to migrate off of the GSI Commerce technology as well.
GSI is owned by eBay (NASDAQ:EBAY), which acquired the company in 2011 for $2.4 billion, and is a part of eBay Enterprise. EBay, which is spinning off its PayPal unit, is also planning to sell off the eBay Enterprise unit that provides e-commerce platforms for many top grossing internet retailers such as L Brands and Ascena Retail Group.
-See this Internet Retailer article
Toys R Us adds visual search
Toys R Us commits to TRU Transformation
Toys R Us, Babies R Us announce new strategic partnerships
Toys R Us creates personalized Black Friday ads with video technology
Toys R Us fighting to return the old-fashioned way: It's actually fighting


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Egyptian women traditionally receive a gold jewellery set, or “shabka”, on their engagement. However, reports Reuters, as surging prices and a weakening currency have driven up demand for the precious metal, some are getting silver instead. According to one salesman in a Cairo store, “Silver is the new gold.”
The trend is a measure of an economic crisis in which inflation has been running at more than 30 per cent and the Central Bank has allowed the currency to weaken 50 per cent against the dollar, with more devaluation expected.
In the year to 30 January, the price of a gram of 21 carat gold rose more than 120 per cent, to 3,875 Egyptian pounds ($126), data from the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce showed. Demand for gold coins and bars surged nearly 58 per cent from 2022 to 2023, according to the World Gold Council’s annual report.
Eman Mahmoud, a 51-year-old mother of three, said she had to opt for silver when buying jewellery for a friend’s new baby. “A small 18-carat earring weighing less than a gram is more than 3,000 pounds. I can’t afford that as a gift any more, so I bought a silver necklace for around 1,900,” she explained. “It’s not the same, I know, but it still has value.”
Indeed, the price of one gram of silver more than doubled in a year, but at about 47 Egyptian pounds it remains far cheaper than gold. Ramy Zahran, an 18-year-old high school student who wants to work in the silver business like his uncle, bought silver bullion for 31 pounds per gram little over half a year ago. “My money would get me only 10 grams of gold,” he pointed out.
Those who can have sought safety in foreign currency or property, but the black market rate to buy dollars jumped as high as 71 Egyptian pounds last month, against an official rate of 30.85. It has dipped below 60 pounds in recent days amid hopes of more International Monetary Fund financing and UAE investment.
In a country where some 60 per cent of the 105 million population is estimated to be below or close to the poverty line, few can afford to invest in high-end property where sales have been booming.


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|Archives - June 2007|
|Friday, June 01, 2007|
So many questions, so little time June 30. That’s when the Legislature says it’s going home. And as the pressure mounts, it’s anybody’s guess how some of the year’s top issues will play out. One thing is for sure, two interconnected topics are going to dominate headlines this month: the budget and taxes.
THE WAITING GAME
Where do business-related issues stand in these final days? “Snake bit” and “floundering” is how Lynn Lundquist, president of the Oregon Business Association, respectively describes the corporate minimum tax and the extended bottle bill, which his group has been working to get passed.
GIVE AND TAKE
Of the $80 billion the nation spent on gift cards last year, $8 billion went unclaimed. No one can say for sure how much of that sits forgotten in the wallets and purses of Oregonians, but a new bill may shift some of that money out of businesses’ accounting spreadsheets into a $15 million to $35 million annual windfall for the Common School Fund.
The idea, introduced by Bend Democrat Sen. Ben Westlund (is there anything he’s not involved in this year?), would treat gift cards like other kinds of abandoned property, like forgotten bank accounts or unclaimed tax refunds. Three years after a card was last used (or if it was never used, three years after it was purchased), the value would end up as unclaimed property with the state. Today, it’s often counted as profit by the issuing company.
In an effort to make the bill more amenable to business interests, Westlund’s camp has added amendments so that SB 460 would exclude gift cards issued by banks, cards that encompass multiple stores, and cards that are used in promotions.
A MEASURE OF THEIR LEADERSHIP
There are two ways to look at the Legislature’s decision to hand an amended version of Measure 37 back to the voters: politically necessary, or totally chicken.
Tuesday, July 01, 2014
BY HANNAH WALLACE | OB BLOGGER
Demand for organic food continues to soar: Last year, sales of organic food rose to $32.3 billion — up 10% from 2012. In Oregon, organic produce wholesaler Organically Grown Co. has been championing organic growing methods for four decades.
Tuesday, July 08, 2014
BY LINDA BAKER | OB EDITOR
The New Yorker recently published a sharply worded critique of “disruptive innovation,” one of the most widely cited theories in the business world today. The article raises questions about the descriptive value of disruption and innovation — whether the terms are mere buzzwords or actually explain today's extraordinarily complex and fast changing business environment.
Update: We caught up with Portland's Thomas Thurston, who shared his data driven take on the disruption controversy.
Monday, June 16, 2014
The Oregon economy could get a boost from a new trade agreement being negotiated between the U.S. and the European Union.
Wednesday, July 09, 2014
BY LINDA BAKER | OB EDITOR
Scott Kveton, the CEO of Urban Airship is taking a leave of absence from the company. As the story continues to unfold, here’s our perspective on a few of the key players.
Monday, July 14, 2014
BY VIVIAN MCINERNY | OB BLOGGER
Some people think Amazon’s winking eye logo is starting to look like a hoodwink.
Wednesday, July 02, 2014
BY JESSICA RIDGWAY | OB WEB EDITOR
Dress for Success Oregon promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and career development tools.
Thursday, June 26, 2014
BY ERIC FRUTS | OB BLOGGER
Last year, the housing market in Oregon—and the U.S. as a whole—was blasting off. The Case-Shiller index of home prices ended the year 13% higher than at the beginning of the year. But, was last year a blip, or a trend?
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Vigilant enters a New Year with a new president.
How George Fox has become one of Oregon's largest private universities.
Forest Grove sees growth in the burgeoning food and beverage scene.
Lane Powell Shareholder Susan K. Eggum has been elected as vice chair of programs and projects for the International Association of Defense Counsel’s (IADC’s) Employment Law Committee.
Geffen Mesher is saddened to announce the passing of long-time shareholder, Tom “Mike” Anderson, who died on July 10, 2014, from liver disease diagnosed after recent heart surgery. He was 55 years old.
Fifteen Lane Powell attorneys have been named 2014 “Oregon Super Lawyers,” and another five attorneys have been named as “Oregon Rising Stars” by Super Lawyers magazine.


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BUENOS AIRES: The Coca-Cola Company has locked legal horns with French food manufacturer Danone in Argentina, alleging that its executives were behind a smear campaign to discredit the beverage giant's Dasani bottled water brand.
Coke claims the two executives spread a word-of mouth campaign via the web that Dasani caused cancer and consisted of simple bottled tap water.
It has now filed a criminal complaint in court in Buenos Aires under the country's unfair trade practices law. The suit names two executives of Aguas Danone Argentina and an executive of its marketing agency Euro RSCG.
The trio remain zip-lipped about the allegations.
Data sourced from Financial Times online; additional content by WARC staff


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Macy’s and Tishman Speyer announced today that the two companies will partner on an expansion of Macy’s Fulton Street store in Downtown Brooklyn, adding 10 floors of office space to enrich a key retail space in one of Brooklyn’s fastest-growing neighborhoods.
“As developer, owner and operator of such New York City icons as Rockefeller Center and the Chrysler Building, we are thrilled at the opportunity to partner with Macy’s for our first-ever project in Brooklyn,” said Tishman Speyer Co-CEOs Jerry Speyer and Rob Speyer said in a statement. “We believe this partnership will produce a transformative mixed-use development in one of the nation’s foremost destinations for today’s creative workers and new economy companies.”
Under the plan, the store’s interior will be completely revamped and supplemented office space featuring high 16-foot ceilings and a variety of outdoor spaces. In addition, Tishman Speyer will take over a Macy’s parking garage on Hoyt Street, with the potential for more development on the site.
The remodeled store at 422 Fulton Street will be the flagship of a new fashion hub, serving shoppers from Dumbo all the way to Manhattan Beach. The newly remodeled store will have higher windows to let in more natural light and better match the industrial spaces in the area’s immediate surroundings. Each floor, in turn, will be expanded to allow for new brands, enhancing the overall customer experience. Construction will begin in 2016 and is expected to be complete by the fall of 2018.


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Despite the critical response to Fallout 76, Bethesda continues supporting their take on a live-service shooter. The next update to Appalachia (Patch 9) is hitting the game on May 7th, introducing a new faction and an item to help increase carry weight.
Bethesda has titled the update ‘Ever Upwards’, which is the motto of the Pioneer Scouts. Unfortunately, the nukes dropping have led to a sharp decline in the number of new Pioneer Scout recruits so the club is taking anyone willing to join. Players who would like to join the faction should visit Train Stations.
After joining the Pioneer Scouts, players are able to earn a number of badges related to archery, cooking, swimming, and more. These badges are then taken to a Pioneer Scout vending machine for new C.A.M.P Items and a variety of other loot. Players who attain Possum Rank will get the opportunity to earn tougher badges and their first backpack.
Backpacks are a brand new item being introduced in the Ever Upwards patch. Bethesda has yet to specify exactly how much weight the backpack will add, but they did say it can be outfitted with a variety of mods including: carry capacity, damage resistance, a refrigeration unit, and more.
Bethesda recently released Patch 8.5 that added the controversial repair kits that can be obtained via micro transactions and a brand new way to take pictures of the environment. For more on Fallout 76 be sure to keep checking back with us here at GigamaxGames.com.
Original Donkey Kong Country Headed To Nintendo Switch
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Use code Gigamax at checkout to get 20% off EwinRacing gaming chairs


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Birds Eye launches Recipe Ready line for quick meal preparation
PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Birds Eye, part of the Pinnacle Foods brand portfolio, announced on Friday a line of new pre-made, blended vegetable varieties for quick meal-time preparation.
Birds Eye Recipe Ready vegetable blends are ideal for use in stir-fry dishes, fajitas and tacos and go well with chicken, pasta, hamburgers and more, the company stated.
Birds Eye vegetables are harvested at the peak of ripeness and delivered within four hours to be flash frozen, locking in color, nutrition and taste, the company stated. This allows at-home chefs to purchase ingredient-ready, fresh frozen vegetable assortments.
Recipe Ready comes in more than 20 varieties, including Broccoli Stir Fry, Stew Blend, Classic Marsala Blend, Primavera Blend and others. To see the full list, visit BirdsEye.com/recipe-ready.
Recipe Ready is available nationwide in 8- and 16-oz. packages for a suggested retail price of $1.59 to $2.59.
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Tenn. BCBS adds BioPlus to specialty pharmacy network
ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. — BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee has named BioPlus Specialty Pharmacy a participating provider in its network, BioPlus said.
The specialty pharmacy company said that it was added to the health insurer’s specialty pharmacy network.
"At BioPlus, our focus is always on delivering improved patient outcomes in a cost-effective way that benefits patients, payers and physicians," BioPlus CEO Stephen Vogt said. "BioPlus not only provides access to specialty medications, but also provides patient education and support, which results in improved drug adherence and a better quality of life for patients."
Reports: Projections of newly insured Medicaid patients cut amid GOP resistance to health-reform law
NEW YORK – Only half of the uninsured Americans expected to gain health coverage next year will do so due to a Supreme Court decision that allows states to decide individually whether to expand Medicaid coverage to the poor under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, according to published reports.
Reuters reported that the government had lowered its projections of people who would obtain coverage next year, from 22 million to 11 million, adding that Republican leaders in nearly half of the states have opposed the Medicaid expansion. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, 2.9 million uninsured people will gain private coverage through employers, individual insurance plans and health insurance exchanges.
The government also forecasted slower spending growth among newly insured people who obtain private coverage, including people who enter state health insurance exchanges. The marketplaces will start enrolling people at the beginning of October, and retail pharmacy chains like Rite Aid and CVS have stepped up efforts to educate incoming patients about them.


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Admirers of the illustrious Twitch streamer Ninja now have a fresh platform to enjoy his content, Kick.
A Noteworthy Transition
The famed streamer Ninja has made a significant move from Twitch to Kick. A number of distinguished streamers have been exploring this rising streaming platform recently, but Ninja’s participation is particularly significant due to his extensive fan base.
In the streaming world, few have achieved the level of fame that Richard Tyler “Ninja” Blevins has over the past ten years. His journey began as a professional Esports player, but his stardom skyrocketed when he started playing Fortnite, breaking multiple Twitch records.
Despite not being as popular as he once was, Ninja still commands a large following who eagerly consume his content. Recently, they were intrigued by the news of Ninja’s plans to stream on a different platform.
Announcement of the Move
On June 9, Ninja announced his move to Kick via a tweet. He stated, “Live on Kick and YouTube today.” Interestingly, this announcement came after he had been streaming on Twitch for nearly an hour that day.
Ninja has streamed on various platforms in the past, but this was his first Kick stream. Despite a minor interruption, the broadcast went smoothly as Ninja explored the new season of Fortnite.
Shortly after he went live, Kick’s official Twitter account responded with a tweet saying “Big Moves.”
Reasons Behind the Move
Ninja’s shift to Kick may not surprise some of his fans, as he has previously expressed his belief in the potential success of the platform.
Twitch’s recent attempt to implement new guidelines that would alter how ads function during streaming could have provided Ninja, already discontented with the Amazon-owned company, with additional reasons to seek an alternative broadcasting platform.
Although Twitch has since reversed these proposed guideline changes, it seems that the platform’s numerous controversial decisions in recent days were enough to drive some streamers, including Ninja, to seek other streaming platforms.
Following Ninja’s Twitter announcement about his move to Kick, a flurry of comments from fans quickly appeared.
The tweet has already garnered over 6,900 likes, with many fans expressing their support for the move to the rival platform.
Some fans welcomed Ninja to Kick, while others voiced their dissatisfaction with Twitch’s recent policy changes.
It will be fascinating to observe how Ninja’s decision to start streaming on Kick unfolds in the upcoming weeks. While it’s uncertain how frequently he will be present on the platform, his involvement could potentially enhance Kick’s growth as a competitor to Twitch. Kick has already reported a significant surge in viewership for the early part of 2023.
Only time will tell if Ninja’s decision to stream on the platform will encourage more content creators to explore this streaming platform in the future.


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Etienne Croteau is pictured in Cabin Radio's reception in November 2018. Ollie Williams/Cabin Radio
Etienne Croteau told Cabin Radio creating Flavour Trader at the Museum is “a fantasy for a chef” as he prepared for the new restaurant’s opening day.
At 10:30am on Monday, the former Museum Café reopens as Flavour Trader at the Museum for coffee and snacks.
Lunch is served from 11:30am, offering a range of six main courses and the possibility of a four-course meal if you indulge in the soup, salad, and dessert options – which include blueberry cardamom panna cotta and maple cake.
Croteau says one of the new restaurant’s finest main courses is a vegetarian signature dish by chef Calvin Rossouw.
“It’s a squash roasted with apple jam, with cinnamon from Sri Lanka, and we have pecan candy on the top of it,” said Croteau.
“It’s delicious. Honestly, I tried it and said I would like to be vegetarian.”
You can also try Flavour Trader’s own pie, which includes lamb, beef, scalloped potatoes, caramelized red onions, and maple.
“We use a lot of Canadian produce,” said Croteau. “We try to use northern ingredients. Sometimes it’s hard to get, but we’re getting there.”
‘We can explore’
Aside from nailing down an opening date, Croteau said – in keeping with many other Yellowknife establishments – finding servers has been the biggest challenge.
The original Flavour Trader premises in downtown Yellowknife will remain open alongside the new venture at the museum, though the downtown store will close temporarily on Monday and Tuesday while the museum operation gets up and running.
“This a fantasy for a chef. Everything is possible,” said Croteau just hours before Flavour Trader at the Museum opened its doors. “We have a full menu, we can explore so many things. This is the fun part.
“What makes me feel really confident is the team we have in the kitchen. They are super-hard workers, trained too, and they run the kitchen perfectly.”
But don’t expect many, if any, more Flavour Traders after this one. Croteau denied having any ambition to turn the brand into a chain.
“It’s a lot of work,” he said, with a smile. “I’m happy.”


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Check out the companies making headlines after the bell:
Shares of fitness clothing company Lululemon rose roughly 4% in extended trading following a strong first-quarter earnings report. The company reported earnings per share of 74 cents on $782 million in revenue, beating Refinitiv consensus estimates of 70 cents EPS and $755 million in revenue. The company also raised its full-year guidance for revenue. It expects revenue between $3.73 billion and $3.77 billion, and earnings per share between $4.51 and $4.58 in 2019."
Shares of RH, formerly known as Restoration Hardware, soared 22% after the company's first-quarter results beat expectations. The home furnishings company reported adjusted earnings of $1.85 per share on $598 million in revenue, surpassing consensus estimates of $1.55 per share on $584 million in revenue. RH also raised guidance the fiscal year and now expects adjusted revenue between $2.64 billion and $2.66 billion and adjusted earnings per share between $8.76 and $9.27.
Shares of cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike continued to rise after hours, following the stock's market debut Wednesday, when it rose by more than 70%. The stock gained as much as 1.5% after hours to trade around $58.89 per share after opening on the public markets at $63.50.


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OnePlus to launch OnePlus Nord 2 X PAC- MAN edition today in India. (Photo Credits: OnePlus/ Twitter)
OnePlus is all set to launch OnePlus Nord 2 X PAC- MAN edition at 12 PM today via Amazon. Amazon has already put out a dedicated microsite making customers guess regarding the features. OnePlus has only mentioned the price of the smartphone which will be Rs 37,999.
Every year OnePlus introduces a limited edition smartphone. OnePlus in 2017 launched the OnePlus 5T Star Wars, in 2018 the company launched the OnePlus 6 Avengers Edition. The company then inspired with Formula 1 McLaren uniform introduced the OnePlus 6T McLaren and then finally the OnePlus 7T Pro McLaren.
This year, 2021, OnePlus has decided to partner with Bandai Namco, the Japanese multinational video game publisher. OnePlus has decided to introduce the OnePlus Nord 2 X PAC-MAN Edition. The company confirmed this via its official Twitter handle:
OnePlus on its official website has mentioned some of the features and specifications the smartphone will come with. According to the website, the OnePlus Nord 2 X PAC- MAN Edition will come with a unique rear cover along with a dual film design with phosphorescent ink applied to the innermost film which according to the company will make the device glow in the dark.
According to the company, it has not only overhauled the Oxygen OS’s UI in fact it has also filled it with nods to PAC-MAN. The company also mentions that it has incorporated several games which are hidden.
As per OnePlus’s official website, the upcoming OnePlus Nord 2 X PAC-MAN Edition will be priced at Rs 37,999. The website has also revealed that the smartphone will be sold in a single variant, ie 12 GB RAM and 256 GB storage.
Other than this, no other information has been revealed by the company other than OnePlus has put out a dedicated page on Amazon for the upcoming OnePlus Nord 2 X PAC-MAN Edition.
Recently OnePlus had also shared another tweet hinting that the company is working towards something of this sort:


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Portrait of the 'Mom & Pop'
Photographer's project highlights c-stores, owners that sold winning lottery tickets
BOSTON -- Every time a winning lottery ticket is sold, it makes big headlines for the winner. But rarely reported is what happens to the people who sold the winning tickets. That's what Boston-based photographer Edie Bresler took as her subject in her ongoing project, "We Sold a Winner."
According to a report by Business Insider Australia, since 2009, Bresler has traveled to small convenience stores all over the Northeast, Michigan, Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania and photographed the owners and customers who frequent the stores.
Her work serves as a portrait of the "Mom & Pop" retailer.
"I photograph in small family-run convenience stores and marketplaces across the country where a jackpot ticket was sold and where the big money sometimes trickles down," Bresler, who teaches photography and digital imaging at Simmons College in Boston, said on the project's website. "I get to know the owners who represent a diverse cross-section of our country. Some are recent immigrants while others are third or fourth generation owners running the family business. If they sell a winning ticket, storeowners receive a 1% bonus commission. Their stores become known as lucky and the resulting happiness contagion creates brisk sales we all benefit from whether you play the lottery or not."


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For Harry Buenger, putting coffee and breakfast in the hands of Chicago-area commuters isn't just a job, it's a way of life.
"I'll probably be out here until I'm 90, with my little walker or something serving coffee," said Buenger, who has been selling a simple spread of coffee, soda and pastries from "Harry's Café" to commuters in Naperville, Ill., for 32 years.
Buenger prides himself on never missing a day – rain or shine, oppressive heat or bone-chilling cold – and customers never have to tell him twice how they take their morning java.
"For me, getting up early, it's not a problem," he said. "I've just never blown it off, never. If I'm going to be out here in the summertime, I got to be out here in the wintertime too. If I don't show up, I'll hear about it the next day big time."
On this Labor Day, FOX News celebrates the small business owner in our The American Worker series. Click here for more.
Buenger said he serves roughly 3,000 people daily yet he remembers the names of most of the familiar faces. Lately, however, he's noticed less people on riding the rails.
"This is so different than anything I've ever witnessed," he said. "I mean, there's a lot of people out of work all over the place … I don't charge an exorbitant amount for my product, so if people aren't buying, it's because they're keeping the money in their pockets."
Despite the tough times, Buenger lets everyday customers go if they're short a few cents here and there, and loves to spice things up a bit with pleasantries and weather forecasts.
"If all businesses could run like this, America would be thriving right now," he said.


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Today, Xiaomi founder, chairman, and CEO Lei Jun officially announced the rendering of the Xiaomi 12S Pro, showing part of the design of the new phone. The renderings show that the rear camera module part of the Xiaomi 12S Pro has the word LEICA.
Lei Jun said that the Xiaomi 12S is all Leica images, and the attached picture is the Xiaomi 12S Pro, which has the LEICA logo. According to previous information, the Mi 12S series includes Mi 12S, Mi 12S Pro, and Mi 12S Ultra. According to the news, the three models of the Xiaomi 12S series will be based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 flagship platform, and the Xiaomi 12S Pro will also provide the Dimensity 9000 version.
In addition, Xiaomi 12S Ultra is expected to use a 6.7-inch QHD+ resolution 120Hz refresh rate AMOLED screen, support LTPO technology, a built-in 4800mAh battery, and support 67W wired fast charging and 50W wireless flash charging.


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The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, yesterday said there was no truth in media reports that duty on used cars had been increased to 70 per cent with effect from July 1 based on the new National Automotive Policy.
He said contrary to the report, the duty of used cars remained 35 per cent.
Aganga said this in an interview with State House correspondents at the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting during which he said he briefed council members in order to correct the misrepresentation.
He explained that all those assembling cars in the country would be allowed to import at 35 per cent duty to bridge the gap that may arise between demand and supply.
He however said 70 per cent duty would be applicable to those who he said are not ready to assemble cars locally but prefer to engage in trading by bringing the commodities from abroad.
The decision, he explained, was aimed at protecting those assembling cars locally and make importation unprofitable, hence unattractive.
He said, “The article (media report) had claimed that the duty on used cars is now 70 per cent from July 1, that is incorrect. It is 35 per cent.
“It (the report) also claimed that all used cars now coming into the country would pay duty of 70 percent, that again is incorrect.
“For all those in the auto policy programme, all those assembling cars in the programme, the policy is that they would be able to import cars to meet the gap when you look at production and the demands in the country, they would be able to import those cars at 35 per cent, so it is not 70 per cent.
“It is only for those who are putting strain on our foreign reserves, those who have no intention to create jobs, those who want to continue to remain traders that the 70 per cent applies to and this is to discourage trading.
“It is to encourage local assembly and job creation and stop unnecessary pressure on our foreign reserves. So it is an economic issue and it is very deliberate.
“Why would you import cars at 70 per cent while others are importing at 35 per cent? So, we do not expect to see anyone importing cars at 70 per cent. It was just a measure to encourage people to go within the policy group.
“When you look at the blended rate of those in the auto programme for the CKDs, SKD 1 and SKD 2, they bring to the country, they only pay duty of zero per cent, five per cent and 10 per cent.
“So when you look at the blended rate of what they produce locally and what they import, it is just above 20 per cent. That is the policy and that is why all the manufacturers, assemblers of cars which include some of the major distributors of cars and importers of cars before, companies like Sterling, even Cocharis they have given an undertaking they will not increase their prices at all. Anyone who wants to buy cars from anyone of them, they will find out that none of them plans to or has increased prices at all.”
Aganga said the Federal Government would continue to monitor prices of cars every week because the new policy should not lead to any price increase if operators are being fair to Nigerian consumers.
The minister explained that in every country where there is auto policy, used cars are banned.
Copyright Ships & Ports Ltd. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit given to www.shipsandports.com.ng as the source.


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U.S. manufacturing turns in strongest month in a while
The U.S. manufacturing industry in January posted its strongest numbers in eight months.
The PMI, an index used to measure the strength of manufacturing, rose to 53.1 percent last month, an increase of 2.9 percentage points compared to December, says report by the Institute for Supply Management. A reading below 50 percent indicates the manufacturing economy is generally in a period of contraction.
Indexes for new orders, production and employment also increased in January.
Of the 18 manufacturing sectors, 13 reported growth nationally in January including printing and related support activities; electrical equipment, appliances and components; and fabricated metal products.
Manufacturing is critical to the local economy because it drives $5.6 billion in annual payroll, nearly 20 percent of the total payroll in a 14-county region surrounding Dayton, according to a newer report.
The recently released Wright State University study, commissioned by the Dayton Region Manufacturers Association, was based on 2,750 companies that employ more than 112,000 people. Combined, those companies post $36.6 billion in annual sales.
This year has seen a flurry of announcements from companies in the region — from small to large — that plan to expand.
Honda Motor Co. said it will invest $200 million in its local operations that will include hiring 200 new workers. That move that is sparking the region’s suppliers to Honda to grow as well. Plus, Abbott Laboratories is building a $270 million nutrition drink manufacturing plant in Tipp City.
Other manufacturers expanding locally include General Electric, which is building a $51 million research center at the University of Dayton to complement its GE Aviation manufacturing facilities in the region.
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Latest Technomic Stories
CHICAGO, July 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Repeat patronage is critical to most foodservice operators' success.
CHICAGO, June 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Technomic is pleased to present the 13(th) annual
CHICAGO, May 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Restaurant chains are in an extremely contested fight for share of stomach.
On-premise operator ratings of spirits, wine, beer, non-alcohol and mixer companies identify top suppliers CHICAGO, April 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Adult beverage suppliers rated as top performing
CHICAGO, Jan. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Today's consumers order takeout on a regular basis. In fact, more than half (51 percent) report doing so at least once a week.
- An uxorious, effeminate, or spiritless man.
- A timorous, cowardly fellow.