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Sandvik AB sued Kennametal Inc., claiming infringement of patents used for metal-cutting tools and a method for alumina coating.
Kennametal, an industrial goods supplier, intentionally used Sandvik’s technology, Sandvik claimed in a lawsuit filed April 27 in federal court in Asheville, North Carolina. The suit seeks an order stopping Kennametal’s allegedly infringing actions and asks for unspecified damages.
Kennametal, based in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, had “full knowledge of the infringement and total disregard for the rights of Sandvik,” according to Sweden’s Sandvik, the world’s largest maker of metal-cutting tools.
Kennametal representatives didn’t immediately return messages seeking comment on the lawsuit.
The case is Sandvik Intellectual Property AB v. Kennametal, 09cv163, U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina (Asheville).
MGA Fails to Cut Mattel’s $100 Million Bratz Verdict
MGA Entertainment Inc. lost its effort to reduce a $100 million jury verdict won by Mattel Inc., the world’s largest toymaker, over claims a former Mattel employee first created MGA’s Bratz dolls.
U.S. District Judge Stephen Larson, in an order issued April 27, rejected closely held MGA’s arguments that the damage award was duplicative. Larson also lifted a stay on his previous order barring MGA from marketing the multiethnic fashion dolls and appointed a temporary receiver to oversee the Bratz business.
“The jury’s verdict of $100 million is well within the range of possible awards based on the evidence of record, and therefore the court must leave it undisturbed,” Larson said in his decision.
The judge denied a Mattel request for a ruling that all Bratz dolls infringe its copyright as a matter of law. The judge threw out $31,500 the jury had awarded Mattel for drawings that were taken to MGA because the drawings were ordered to be returned.
“We are very disappointed with this order and we plan to immediately appeal this ruling,” Isaac Larian, chief executive officer and majority owner of Van Nuys, California-based MGA, said in an e-mailed statement April 27.
Larson on Dec. 3 ruled that MGA couldn’t make or sell the infringing dolls. He later modified the order, saying retailers would be allowed to buy the spring and fall lines from MGA through Dec. 31, or from either Mattel or a court-appointed receiver if he awards them the rights to the infringing Bratz products.
A federal jury in Riverside, California, found last year that some of the pouty and multiethnic Bratz dolls closely held MGA started selling in 2001 were substantially similar to the drawings of a former Barbie-doll designer for Mattel.
The jury also found that designer Carter Bryant made the sketches while he was at Mattel in 1999 and 2000.
Lisa Marie Bongiovanni, a spokeswoman for El Segundo, California-based Mattel, declined to comment.
The case is Bryant v. Mattel, 04-09049, U.S. District Court, Central District of California (Riverside).
American Apparel Loses Bid for New Evidence in Woody Allen Case
American Apparel Inc., the retailer sued by director Woody Allen for using his image on billboards without permission, can’t force him to turn over fan mail and other evidence of his public image, a judge ruled.
U.S. District Judge Thomas Griesa in Manhattan rejected as “overly broad” American Apparel’s request to make the 73-year-old Academy Award winner reveal documents related to past product endorsements, performances and interview transcripts. The retailer earlier argued Allen’s image was too tarnished from past scandals to justify his request for $10 million in damages.
“There is no reason to require Allen to produce documents regarding each of his personal appearances and performances during his lengthy career,” Griesa said in the April 24 ruling. “This information would not provide meaningful evidence of the value of defendant’s endorsement.”
Allen in March 2008 filed the trademark-infringement lawsuit against Los Angeles-based American Apparel, known for its racy advertising, for using an image of him dressed as an orthodox or Hasidic Jew from his 1977 movie “Annie Hall” online and on billboards in New York and Los Angeles for less than a week.
In the same ruling, Griesa denied American Apparel’s request to interview Allen’s sister, Letty Aronson, who is also his producer, saying “there is no indication that Aronson has any information relevant to this litigation.”
The actor is represented by Christian D. Carbone and Michael Philip Zweig of New York’s Loeb & Loeb LLP. American Apparel’s lawyers are Dominick Anthony Piccininni Jr., of Merrick, New York’s Curtis, Vasile, Devine & McElhenny, and Kristi Akins Davidson of Pittsburgh’s Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC.,
The case is Allen v. American Apparel Inc., 8-cv-3179, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York (New York).
Spaniards Plan to Use ‘Obama’ Trademark for Shoes and Clothing
Four Spaniards are seeking to register the name “Obama” with the European Union’s Trademark office, the Belfast Telegraph reported.
They submitted their request Jan. 21, one day after President Barack Obama’s inauguration, according to the Telegraph.
They seek to use the name as a trademark for a wide range of goods and services, including financial services, clothing and shoes and catering, the Telegraph reported.
Under recent trademark rule changes, registering the names of famous people “will no longer be considered as deceptive and contrary to public policy,” according to the Telegraph.
Trade Secrets/Industrial Espionage
Clorox Sues SC Johnson over Hiring of VP Product Supply
Clorox Co., maker of Liquid Plumr, Glad bags and Clorox bathroom cleaners, sued S.C. Johnson & Son Inc. of Racine, Wisconsin, for trade-secret misappropriation.
The suit, filed in federal court in Milwaukee on April 21, stemmed from Johnson’s hiring of Timothy Bailey, Clorox’s former vice president of product supply. Clorox claims that Bailey will inevitably disclose the company’s trade secrets to his new employer, which competes in the same product areas.
Clorox claims its global supply relationships are what enable the Oakland, California-based company to offer “high- quality products and competitive prices.” Bailey’s knowledge of Clorox’s network of global suppliers may give Johnson a competitive advantage, according to court papers.
Bailey participated in Clorox’s strategy team and business operations leadership teams, giving him access to “critical and confidential information,” the company said in its pleadings.
He was also involved in the development of a project identified in court papers only as “S********R,” which concerned “a significant redesign of a key component” used in products made both by Clorox and Johnson, according to court papers.
Clorox asked the court to order closely held Johnson not to use any of Clorox’s trade secrets and to bar it from employing Bailey until April 14, 2011. The company also requested money damages and attorney fees, and an order “prohibiting S.C. Johnson from interfering with the secrecy agreement between Clorox and Bailey.”
A hearing on Clorox’s request for a temporary order barring Bailey’s employment is set for May 1.
Clorox is represented by Kevin A. Banasik, Michael P. Roche and Shane W. Blackstone of Chicago’s Winston & Strawn LLP; and Paul F. Heaton and Ralph A. Weber of Milwaukee-based Gass Weber Mullis LLC.
S.C. Johnson’s lawyers are Bernard J. Bobber and Susan R. Maisa of Milwaukee’s Foley & Lardner LLP.
The case is Clorox Co. v. SC Johnson & Son Inc., 2:09-cv-00408-JPS, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin (Milwaukee).
University Technology Transfer
Penn Student Assembly Seeks IP Rights Policy Clarification
The University of Pennsylvania’s Undergraduate Assembly endorsed a resolution asking the school to “condense and clarify” its policy on students’ intellectual-property rights, the Daily Pennsylvanian reported.
The resolution came from student concerns that professors would take students’ ideas and pass them off as their own, according to the Daily Pennsylvanian.
The school’s IP policy could be clarified to make clear to students “up front what the situation is,” said Michael Cleare, the executive director of the university’s Center for Technology Transfer, the Daily Pennsylvanian reported.
Omnicom’s Siegel+Gale Hires Glass Lewis’s Jacqueline Rhoades.
Omnicom Group Inc.’s Siegel+Gale unit hired branding expert Jacqueline Rhoads as vice president of business development for its San Francisco office, the New York-based company said in a statement.
Rhoades joins from the shareholder-advisory firm of Glass, Lewis & Co., where she served as vice president of sales until its acquisition by Shanghai-based Xinhua Finance Ltd. in 2007. She also has worked for International Data Group, CMP Media and the Santa Fe Opera.
She has an undergraduate degree from Scripps College, and did graduate work at St. John’s College in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
The branding company will work with the Bay Area technology section, according to the statement. Siegel & Gale’s clients include Yahoo Inc., McAfee Inc. and Microsoft Corp.


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What a difference a year makes.
Launch of consulting giant McKinsey & Co. the results of a consumer survey last fall that carried this bubbly headline: “Shoppers Feeling Worn Out and Outgoing.” McKinsey said that half of those who reported annual earnings of at least $100,000 were “excited or anxious about the holidays.” It turned out to be a good decision. Despite the pandemic and its many complications, the final count from the US Census Bureau showed that annual retail sales grew 18 percent in 2021 over 2020.
This year’s headline? How about, “Shoppers are exhausted, exhausted and gloomy?” I’m also not sure that statement is accurate.
The main villain is inflation, but the problem is much deeper than the price of gasoline or groceries. Interest rates are skyrocketing. That means the cost of credit card debt is rising, and as the Federal Reserve recently promised, it is expected to continue rising as the central bank acts to prevent inflation from getting worse.
A year ago, consumers had a good reason to feel “expensive.” Among other factors, many had used part of the flood of government stimulus funds released during the year to reduce debt. At the same time, real estate prices were beginning to spiral out of control. The median sales price of homes sold in the US increased by more than a third in just 12 months. Consumers had cash, credit, and home equity available.
A year later, credit card debt skyrocketed, posting the biggest year-over-year percentage increase in more than two decades. Revolving credit increased in July only at an annual rate of 11.6 percent.
So consumers have been spending money they don’t have and now it’s costing them much more. A year ago, the average adjustable-rate credit card charged about 15%. Today, the average adjustable rate for all new card offers has topped 21%, with some bank cards hovering at 25%. Those rates are guaranteed to keep rising as the Federal Reserve raises the prime rate that credit card rates are based on.
Meanwhile, rising mortgage rates are stifling the housing boom. Home prices are falling, home values are shrinking, and those who have moved, invested in real estate, or bought a second home are discovering what it means to be land poor.
Perhaps the most revealing statistic on the state of the consumer is from the Fed. Personal Savings Rate tracker that calculates personal savings as a percentage of personal disposable income. That measure peaked in May 2020 when federal stimulus payments flooded the economy with cash.
A year ago, the savings rate was 10.5%, the highest in three decades. A year later, in the most recent report in July, it had plummeted to 5%, the lowest rate since the Great Meltdown/mortgage crisis of 2008.
What does all this data mean for the state of the consumer and future spending?
First, cars and houses are becoming unaffordable for many, and therefore that segment of the economy will continue to slow as the Fed’s interest rate adjustments intend. If the Fed can control inflation, specifically food and gas prices, then there could be a light at the end of the tunnel. If not, and consumers have less cash to spend, they are likely to cut back or borrow.
Which brings us to the final consumer debt factor that needs to be considered. If employment numbers remain strong and people can continue to pay off their credit cards AND maintain a reasonable percentage of debt, we may all have a decent landing.
The concern is that there are too many “ifs” in those statements.
It is better for both businesses and consumers to keep a close eye on all the metrics of what is currently happening and what has happened in the economy, but it is just as important to try to anticipate what may happen next.

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Chechapeake Public Library & Wine Library to share wine and beer on site
The Chesapeake Public Libraries, a nonprofit public-service corporation that serves the state of Virginia, announced Tuesday that it will be partnering with a local wine and brewpub on a public wine and food truck.
The Chesapeake public libraries is planning to partner with Chechauk Wine & Beer, a Richmond-based wine-and-beer pub, to share its food trucks and wines with residents and visitors to the Chesapeake and its surrounding area, according to a press release.
The restaurants will be located at the Chesan-Hogan Park, the Chesnan-Tysons Corner, and the Chechauntee Creek Park.
The restaurants will also be offering beer and wine on-site.
Chesapeake Public’s food truck program will be run by Chechas Public Works.
“Chechauns public works is committed to providing clean, healthy, and delicious meals to all Georgians and our visitors and residents,” the press release said.
“This partnership with the Chesian Public Libraries will allow us to provide food for all Georgian residents and guests.”
The Chesan and Tysons Parks and Recreation departments are also working with the restaurants to ensure the food is prepared and served in a sanitary and environmentally responsible manner.
The Chesan Parks and Rec and the Tyson Parks and Recreations are also coordinating with the Chechen-Tynson Park Parks and Wildlife Service to assist with the cleanup efforts.
The locations for the restaurants are still being finalized.
The menus will be announced as the dates are finalized.


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THE British high street has taken a battering this decade.
It feels like every few weeks a new household-name brand is going into administration – so here’s the top ten who ceased to exist this decade.
From BHS to Blockbuster, it feels like our high street is disappearing in front of our eyes.
The rise of online shopping has signalled the death of the high street – and it’s not pretty.
Even though internet bargain-hunting is much worse for the environment, you can’t try anything on and you don’t get that instant gratification of taking your new purchase home with you, the allure of not having to lug a load of shopping bags onto the bus is winning us over.
Here we take a look back at the top ten brands we lost this decade.
1. Toys R Us
The toy colossus had been going for 34 years when it closed its doors in April 2018.
At the time, retail expert Kate Hardcastle said: “It was heartbreaking, because consumers absolutely want to buy the best brand toys for their children.
“Toys R Us had huge unnecessary warehouses and they could have repurposed that for experiences, but they just missed the mark completely.”
She added that UK High Street suffers because retailers don’t bother to refresh stores.
It could be because big retailers don’t feel the need to compete. hence what Kate dubs a “second-rate retail experience”.
Borders – a book shop – folded on 2009, with its US branches folding two years later.
The store was a real book worm’s paradise, it offered a coffee shop where you could sit back and enjoy your new read.
The company blamed the closure on a declining book market, with more people choosing to purchase books from supermarkets and with the kindle busting onto the market in 2007.
Poor old British Home Stores closed its doors for good in 2016, despite months-long efforts to secure a rescue deal and a guerilla campaign to save it.
The high street Goliath had been running for a whopping 88 years by the time they sold their last frock.
The 163 store-strong chain had been overcome with £1.3 billion worth of debt, including £571 million in pension defect.
Before its closure, BHS had been many Brits’ go-to for clothes and home ware – but they lost out on consumers for catering more to an elderly market, critics said.
Stationary giant, Staples disappeared from the high street three years ago.
Bosses had planned to overcome millions of pounds worth of debt by merging with their American cousin, office depot but the scheme fell through.
It’s thought the retailer lost out to competitors with friendlier environments.
Anyone who lived through the nineties of early 2000s will have fond memories of Blockbuster.
The brand surprisingly went bust in 2013 after a long struggle with easily accessible digital movie streaming sites like Netflix.
Across the UK today, the off Blockbuster store still stands as a staunch reminder of a time when you couldn’t view any movie with the click of a button.
Only store remains open today in Oregon, America.
Maplin was one of Britain’s biggest electrical shops, established in 1976.
The gadget store boasted 217 locations across the UK and sold everything, from games consoles to secuirty cameras.
But it went under in 2018, having been hit by the slump in the British Pound following the 2016 Brexit referendum.
However, the shop still exists online.
7. Tie Rack
The shop dedicated to neck-accessories went under in 2013.
It was praised for its convenience and thought to exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit of the 1980s.
The shop’s locations in airports and train stations were presumably so high-flying business-types could pop in at any given occasion and don a fancy new tie.
But the brand’s closure was put down to the rise of the online market and a decline younger generation’s enthusiasm for ties.
Poundworld closed down in June 2018, following competition from similar retailers.
Over 5,000 employees lost their jobs.
The close-knit locations of similar stores – offering similar things at exactly the same price – is what led to the brand’s demise.
Barratts, a shoe retailer was founded in Northampton way back in 1903.
The shop was popular with mums and dads, as it offered school shoes at a cheaper price than rival, Clarkes.
But the chain went into administration in 2013, after three previous scares.
However, they still exist online.
Phones4U collapsed in 2014 with over £200million in debts.
Critics say the closure was down to a failure to secure coverage deals with brand providers as EE and Vodafone pulled out of negotiations to agree fresh contracts.
Despite the memorable ads, critics say they “scared off” customers with their direct selling methods.


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Business intelligence from Akerna (NASDAQ: KERN) revealed that US cannabis shoppers spent a total of $255.5 million on adult-use and medical cannabis products during the Fourth of July weekend.
April 26, 1:26 PM
Akerna (NASDAQ: KERN) announced that this year's 4/20 holiday broke all previous cannabis retail records, bringing in a total of $154.4 million in adult-use and medicinal sales.
March 3, 11:52 AM
Akerna (NASDAQ: KERN) released a data report on women's cannabis shopping habits as the demographic group continues to gain market share, up 3.3% since 2019.
Akerna Report: Cannabis Concentrate Sales Jumped 50% On ‘710 Day’ With Live Resin At Top Of The Charts
July 16, 11:17 AM
Cannabis software firm Akerna Corp (NASDAQ: KERN) revealed on Friday that concentrates sales jumped 50% during this year's “710 Day,” the unofficial holiday that focuses on the consumption o
July 4th: More Than Just Fireworks Lighting Up, Akerna Tells Pot Shops To Stock Up As Sales Could Hit $206M
June 30, 1:40 PM
Cannabis software firm Akerna Corp (NASDAQ: KERN) says weed sales this week could generate more than $206 million across the country as we prepar


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TechnoServe – Coming to a McCafé Near You
May 20, 2015
McDonald’s highlights partners in producing responsibly sourced coffee.
McDonald’s customers buying their morning cup of coffee are gaining fresh awareness about the company’s sustainability efforts. New posters highlighting the partnership between TechnoServe and McDonald’s to increase the agricultural yields and incomes for smallholder farmers in Guatemala will be featured in McCafé locations around the country. The posters also feature other organizations McDonald’s is partnering with to promote a strong and ethical coffee industry, including COSA, the Rainforest Alliance and SCAN.
More than 1 million farming families in Latin America depend on coffee for their livelihoods, and are being faced with a number of challenges such as stagnant production, higher costs and lower coffee prices. TechnoServe and McDonald’s program to develop coffee agronomy in Guatemala started in 2012 with the goal of training 12,000 farmers over a four-year period, increasing agricultural output and boosting income. Training modules include lessons on pruning and rejuvenation, composting, mulching, coffee nutrition, integrated pest management, erosion control and environmental protection. To date, the program has exceeded its goal, having trained over 14,600 Guatemalan coffee farmers and increasing coffee yields by 21 percent on average.
Learn more about McDonald’s investment in farmer training and their commitment to responsible coffee sourcing.
Related Blog Posts
As more young people in rural East Africa turn to agriculture for their livelihood, visionaries like Samson Makenda are modernizing their farming operations for a more prosperous future.
In sub-Saharan Africa, TechnoServe is working to create new industries and incomes from products typically discarded as waste during cashew and coffee processing.
In Ethiopia, TechnoServe is working with Nespresso’s AAA Sustainable Quality Program to build a coffee sector that is sustainable and prosperous for local farmers and ecosystems.


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One source claims the 18-year-old was actually bullied for being there -- apparently not everyone thought she earned the right to walk the shows!
The insider spilled:
Let the drama begin!
Despite receiving threats from Conde Nast, Italian designers have voted to keep their original dates of September 19-25 for Milan Fashion Week next year.
Mario Boselli, head of the Italian Chamber of Fashion, was elated with the decision. He told WWD:
"Let the best one win. Italian designers unanimously agreed on the schedule, from the smallest brand to the biggest. They showed great solidarity and Italian pride."
Do U think it will???
[Image via Andrea Raffin/WENN.]


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From November until March, Bandai Visual will re-release in DVD format several titles under their EMOTION the Best label and the TV anime series of CLAMP Gakuen Tanteidan was chosen as one of them.
The BOX will compile all 26 episodes of the series and will be released on December 22 for 15.750 yens.
CLAMP FESTIVAL 2011 TOKYO:
The staff of CLAMP FESTIVAL 2011 TOKYO announced today that the event will have its own original character(s)! A preview pic has been posted but all we can see so far are the Mokonas’ ears.
Maybe it’s a musician character? Or maybe an entire band? =D
CLAMP x Blythe:
CLAMP designed a new doll in collaboration with Blythe that will be released later this year. A first look of that doll can be seen at the “Blythe 10 Happy Memories” exhibit.
The doll is called B2・HOLiC and was designed after Yuuko, from XXXHOLiC.
It will be displayed at the “Blythe 10 Happy Memories” exhibit from July 23 until 25. The exposition is currently being held at the PARCO FACTORY gallery in Shibuya, Tokyo.
The doll shown at the exhibition is told to be slightly different from the final version that will be put on sale later this year.
This picture… I think I recognize it. It’s from Horitsuba Gakuen.
For the new Clamp Gakuen Tanteidan DVD Box… I already have one, I won’t bother with this new release and will keep my money for something less déjà-vu.
It’s the two Mokona so far, maybe there will be a third red Mokona in the front row of this picture which will be the new original character. XD
Glad for Clamp to see the Blythe project goes on, but this has no more interest to me.


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Bitcoin is the currency of the Internet: a distributed, worldwide, decentralized digital money.JP Buntinx is a FinTech and Bitcoin enthusiast living in Belgium.BitFury reveals breakthrough analysis on tackling Bitcoin mixing, which it says is used by ransomware developers and hackers.Best Bitcoin mining site full review, hashing24 full review, hashing24 working promo code, bitfury bitcoin mining review.Georgia is home to BitFury, one of the largest producers of Bitcoin mining hardware and chips.BitFury plans to install one Bitcoin ATM at Tbilisi airport, and the second in the city center.
Bitcoin Mining Hardware - ASIC Bitcoin Miner - Butterfly LabsDespite the initial success, the software solution saw a stagnation in support as of late.
BitFury Group, the leading bitcoin infrastructure provider and bitcoin transaction processing company today announced that it is donating 100 bitcoins—an equivalent.The leader in blockchain news, CoinDesk is an independent media outlet that strives for the highest journalistic standards and abides by a strict set of editorial policies.
Bitcoin miner BitFury snags $20 mln - PE HubCalled Exonum, the software aims to distinguish itself from DLT solutions by enabling users to secure data using the bitcoin blockchain.
Bitfury, which started out as a Bitcoin miner, has grown to become one of the largest private infrastructure providers in the Blockchain ecosystem.With the latest release of the Bitcoin Core client a few days ago, mining pools are switching over to this new version one by one.
RED FURY Bitfury USB ASIC 2.6 Gh/s - Bitcoin Forum
Bitcoin Gets Liquid: BitFury Buys Immersion CoolingBitfury is a company that deal with development blockchain software and hardware.It is the second largest producer of bitcoin mining hardware after.
BitFury | Bitcoin LinksOne of the major objectives of our annual Blockchain Summit is to brainstorm how we can use bitcoin and blockchain technology for social and.As explained by Valery Vavilov, the CEO of Bitfury Group, despite uncertainty surrounding.Bitcoin price drops following report that China is going to shut down local exchanges.
BitFury CEO and co-founder Valery Vavilov opined that there is the only blockchain that matters, with its immutability, the bitcoin blockchain.The Company has recently opened data a data centre for Bitcoin mining in Georgia.Block 458793 and a couple of other blocks recorded by the blockchain included the UASF mandatory deployment of the Segwit tag.Transaction processing company BitFury has announced their support for 2 megabyte block size increase with Bitcoin Classic.
Among the first mining, pools to upgrade their software to the latest Bitcoin Core version are Bitfury and BitClub.
BitFury 12 Peta HashDrop - OWLBTC(pty)Ltd. | Bitcoin
Ukraine, Bitfury Start Blockchain eGovernance Program
It is good to see the company will stick with Bitcoin software solutions for the foreseeable future, though.
MinerGate has partnered with a BitFury associate Hasing24.com to provide Bitcoin cloud mining service to its clients.


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Rising inflation, rising prices of various commodities, and high gas costs have severely impacted the livelihoods and lifestyles of consumers and business owners across the country, and Franklin is no exception.
Small business owners on Franklin Main Street are struggling with the challenges of the recent economy.
Graeme Ash, owner of Franklin Mercantile Deli and Cantrell Concrete, has had to raise the prices of groceries at his restaurant. The cost of high-quality equipment and materials increases.
“I think the only way for businesses to survive is if we just raise prices and hope we don’t turn customers away,” he said. “Fifty cents more for a sandwich and sides doesn’t sound like much, but it could be a bit more going elsewhere to keep people out of your business.” I think we have another bang for your buck. In terms of price we are still one of the cheapest restaurants in town and we have great food. I daresay I would never sacrifice the quality of my food or bring cheap stuff. I’ll stop first.”
Some owners are experiencing downturns, with retailers selling less or no premium products than in previous years; Others also receive freight surcharge by land and sea.
“It’s really difficult,” said Marianne Demiers, owner of Tin Cottage gift shop. “Sometimes the fees are as high as 10%, and sometimes a business owner can make 10% profit from their businesses. If you get an extra charge, he takes it.”
She went on to say that rising living costs and gas prices have impacted staff and family travel, which has also impacted her business.
“In Franklin in particular, we’re seeing a little less travel,” she said. “People are holding on to their money a little bit more, but it’s not having as big of an impact as the travelers that are still coming. We are lucky to have healthy tourism; they just spend a little less. Staff It’s also harder to get. We only get paid more, which is fine. What we’ve done to turn this around is we have great staff that have been with us for years and to have more staff. Instead, we give our current employees more responsibility and pay them more.”
“Fuel is really driving a lot of the market,” Ash said. “When the demand is high and the supply is low” [it will increase the prices], … fuel powers the trucks that transport food, between the farmer and the consumer. ,
Asch and DeMeyers both said they are grateful for the support of the Franklin community for their companies during these trying times.
“The economy isn’t expected to go negative, but I will say I’ve worked in a lot of places, my husband and I have moved a lot and we’re very fortunate to be in a community like Franklin where Allen small businesses are doing well. The owners support each other,” DeMeiers said. “People in the community support us.”


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Lately, the tech world has been abuzz on all things IFA, the European version of CES, happening at the end of the month in Berlin. Today on Facebook, Samsung has teased its followers with an image of a new tablet that is has said it will be launching at the aforementioned show.
The image shows a tablet looking device, with the Microsoft Windows 8 operating system on it, hovering over what looks like a keyboard, subtly placed in the background. This implies that Samsung will launch a tablet with a bolt on keyboard similar to the Asus Transformer and Microsoft’s own Microsoft Surface at the trade show. Samsung already has a Windows 8 tablet, though still in developer-only distribution.
Samsung is just one of many manufacturers expected to announce Windows 8 tablets in the run up to the Windows 8 launch.
Stay tuned for more
- BlackBerry Live 2013: Hands-on with the Otterbox “Commuter” case for the BlackBerry Q10
- Review: Logitech Harmony Touch Remote Control
- Things that are cool: The world’s first “braille” concept smartphone
- Review: The 2013 Honda CrossTour
- Review: Logitech UE 900 Noise-Isolating Earphones


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Cryptocurrency is just one aspect of the Crypto Market. Although Bitcoin and other currencies made Crypto a concept popular, there is more depth to it. The main technology which enables cryptocurrencies to function is Blockchain. show more
New York-based Blockchain Analytics Firm Adapts to Changing Industry Conditions and starts staff layoff to make workforce adjustments.
Lamina1 blockchain initiative, inspired by Neal Stephenson's metaverse concept, presses forward, hosting a discovery month to fuel metaverse development.
Moncler and Adidas Original have teamed up for a special project called “The Art of Explorers” to discover the exciting fusion of AI avatars, special digital collectables, and modern fashion
London is taking big steps in becoming a leader in new tech like crypto and blockchain. Let's see how they want to make clear rules and help everyone use this tech.
Brazil is taking a big step into the future with its new digital ID program. Using blockchain technology will make sure everyone's information is safe and secure.
Honda, the big car company from Japan, has some exciting news. Now, when you want to buy their products, use Ripple (XRP) and Shiba Inu (SHIB).
Kusama's Promise Sparks Excitement in Shiba Inu Community as something big is going to happen soon.
The conflict between JPMorgan Chase and Coinbase serves as a clear example of the urgent need for appropriate regulation of cryptocurrencies.
Pablo Renato Rodriguez, the mastermind behind AirBit Club, a fraudulent crypto scheme, has been handed a 12-year prison sentence.
Mark Zuckerberg showcases groundbreaking advancements in avatar technology, bringing us one step closer to a seamless and immersive metaverse experience.
Birth and marriage certificates, as well as proof of income and academic verification, are among the first documents to be made available on-chain in Buenos Aires.
PayPal, the well-known online payment platform, has recently taken a big step into the world of blockchain.
IYK, a company specializing in adding special technology to clothes, has recently received a significant investment of $16.8 million.
In a strategic move, Binance, the world's leading cryptocurrency exchange, has announced its departure from the Russian market.
A Closer Look at the Reality Behind NFT Investments
The implementation of restrictions on crypto transactions by Chase UK underscores its dedication to customer security.
NASA, in collaboration with Lonestar and the Isle of Man, is embarking on a groundbreaking project that integrates blockchain technology into upcoming lunar missions.
Pudgy Penguins are leading the way in blending physical toys with digital experiences, creating an engaging playtime for children.
Mixin stated that the database of its network's cloud service provider was "hacked, resulting in the loss of some assets" and that "the funds involved are approximately US$200 million."
According to dappGambl, the NFT mania of 2021 has cooled in the last two years, and most collections now have a market cap closer to zero.
Coinbase (COIN) announced Monday that it has registered with the Spanish central bank to provide exchange and custody services in the country.
As the metaverse continues to gain traction, it presents both exciting opportunities and genuine concerns.
Akowe's pioneering use of blockchain technology to streamline certificate verification in Africa is a beacon of innovation.
Shiba Inu's advanced technology, Shibarium, is making big strides as MathWallet has joined forces with it.
Google Cloud's strategic expansion of the BigQuery program signifies a paradigm shift in how we interact with blockchain data.
Walmart is Bringing the Virtual World to Your Shopping Cart
NFT market has shown us that it's important to be cautious and these digital assets, once hailed as the future of ownership and authenticity, now face a sobering truth.
Circle's USDC integration into the Polkadot ecosystem will result in speedier transactions and improved interoperability.
The protocol paused contracts that enable token minting, burning, or exchanging following the attack.


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Trago Mills is set to open a new ?40m retail, garden centre and leisure facility in South Wales.
The development in Merthyr Tydfil will be the independent retailer’s first site outside Cornwall and Devon.
The company recently started work on a new ?3 million DIY Centre at their flagship store in Newton Abbot.??The new store, next to the Cyfarthfa Retail Park, is due to open in spring 2018 and will comprise a 30,250 square metre building, with warehousing, support services and administrative offices, together with internal roads and car parking.
It will incorporate many of the retailer’s signature styles, including 17 ‘Trago Towers’, and is?expected to create around 400 jobs in the retail, leisure and warehousing sectors.?Trago have appointed Kier Construction to build the new store, which will also include a caf?, garden centre, bandstand and adventure dome.?There are plans to develop the site further, by adding a petrol station and leisure facilities.
Trago, which has been a popular discount retailer in the South West for over 50 years, was founded in the mid 1960s in Cornwall by Mike Robertson, father of the current owner and chairman Bruce Robertson.?It currently has three stores including in Newton Abbot.
Anthony Irving, managing director of Kier Construction, Western & Wales, said: “We are delighted to be working with Trago Mills.?The project will bring significant benefits to the local supply chain, with employment and training opportunities for the local community throughout the construction phase of this locally significant scheme.”


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How Tesla is changing the world with technology
Tesla is a company that takes data and technology seriously. Its highly sophisticated cars, often praised as iPads with wheels, are equipped to allow for two-way connections between the car and the manufacturer.
Tesla instruments its cars to collect all kinds of data in the form of log files that are sent to their offices. This data is used to check and maintain the cars, improve services, analyze the performance of Tesla cars, and diagnose and resolve issues remotely, among other things.
For example, it can alert customers when parts are going to wear out, measure the mileage people are getting from a single charge and decide where exactly to build the next charging station.
It is also able to push software updates over-the-air, giving it the ability to adjust safety parameters, update technology features or just improve the driving experience without causing any inconvenience to the drivers.
Acknowledging that innovation is an ongoing process, Tesla opened up all of its patents in an unprecedented move for the automobile industry. Genuine altruism or not, this can be a huge boost for the electric vehicle segment and is a testament to Tesla’s progressive vision.
A word of caution
The most famous use of the data collected, unfortunately, has been in the controversial New York Times vs Tesla episode. It all started when Tesla approached the Times to do a story on its east coast supercharger network.
John Broder, a reporter for the Times, test drove the car and wrote a scathing article. In response, Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, argued that the story was faked and questioned Broder’s journalistic integrity, making assumptions based on the logs from the car. Broder responded back and gave his explanation for the allegations by Musk based on this data.
This soon turned into a heated debate, with one man’s word over the other, before the public editor of the Times chose to seek an end to the matter.
The point here is not to question who was right or wrong, but to assert that data can sometimes be ambiguous and different conclusions can be derived from the same information. As many acknowledged, Musk went too far in questioning the integrity of Broder and saw the data the way he wanted to see it. Tesla needs to be sensitive in this regard and not alienate people by its use of data.
A loyal fan following
With all its efforts, Tesla has been able to differentiate itself not just on design and technology but also by providing its buyers an unparalleled customer experience. This has resulted in Tesla building a loyal fan base who would go to any lengths in defending the car.
As an example, a group of Tesla owners recreated the Times’ test drive in support of Tesla. They were able to complete the drive without any issues, much to Tesla’s delight.
Tesla still has a long way to go before it can justify its market evaluation and sustain profitability, and one of the most critical factors will be how effectively it can produce affordable cars for the common man, which in turn is contingent on reducing battery costs.
Nevertheless, Tesla has shown the world – and more specifically the automobile industry – the way forward and the importance of innovation. Its use of analytics has helped it connect better with its customers and give it opportunities to engage with its customers more often. This bodes well for Tesla in the long run.


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Fonepay in Nepal and LankaPay in Sri Lanka are developing an interoperable digital payment system that enables users to transact seamlessly across the two countries.
With the integration of these payment networks expected to complete in the next three months, Sri Lankan and Nepali citizens can expect to make merchant payments in each other’s country through mobile-based QR code payment method easily, seamlessly, and securely.
Fonepay and LankaPay are pioneers and leading digital payment networks in their domestic markets serving millions of citizens, businesses, banks, fintechs, and government with payment technology infrastructure and payment programs like mobile app-based electronic fund transfers, mobile-based QR payments, online bill payments, etc.
The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding for the purpose of this collaboration.
”This collaboration signifies our commitment to leveraging technology to unlock new opportunities, enhance financial inclusion, and create a thriving digital economy,” said Diwas Kumar Sapkota, CEO of Fonepay.
Channa de Silva, CEO of LankaPay, said the partnership marks a significant milestone in their mission to revolutionise digital payments in Sri Lanka.
“It reflects our shared vision of creating a seamless and inclusive payment ecosystem for our customers,” said de Silva.
FonePay parent firm F1Soft Group has already started making concerted efforts towards offering products and service lines of F1Soft and its subsidiaries, in the areas such as omnichannel banking through its products, digital lending through Foneloan, and other digital payment solutions to emerging markets outside Nepal.
Fonepay chair and F1Soft president Biswas Dhakal said the interoperability between Fonepay and LankaPay is not just about convenience but also a catalyst for economic growth.
“We also urge the two governments to work on intensifying efforts to increase cross-country tourism, trade, and commerce now that we will have a foundation of interoperable payment systems between the two countries,” he said.


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Tim Cook Responds To Apple's Tanking Stock
Published 1:13 pm, Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Apple's 2-hour shareholder meeting is today in Cupertino, California.
The meeting recently adjourned and during the Q&A, Tim Cook was asked about Apple's tanking stock price.
"I don't like it either. Neither does the board or management — where the stock trades now versus a few months ago — but we're focused on the long term."
He added that Apple has some exciting things in its pipeline.
"We are in markets that are fast growing ... Obviously we're looking at new categories — we don't talk about them, but we're looking at them," Cook said.
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"It's been an incredible year of innovation at Apple," he said, noting that the company grew about $48 billion during the last fiscal year. That's more than Google, Dell, Microsoft, HP, RIM, and Nokia combined.


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In Profile: Andy Mielczarek of Chetwood Financial and Ammar Akhtar of Yobota
Chetwood CEO Andy Mielczarek and Yobota CEO Ammar Akhtar sit down together to discuss the opportunities of Banking as a Service in the light of their recent partnership announcement.
The article sets out to explain how Banking as a Service (BaaS) opens up opportunities for other businesses, in multiple fields, to launch their own financial products that are personalised to their customers' needs, without needing a banking licence.
Andy says 'We’re really proud to be opening our banking systems to third parties who want to create better end-to-end journeys for their customers. Together with experienced partners like Yobota, we’re able to handle both the regulatory and technological complexities involved in helping brands embed financial services directly into their propositions.'
Visit The Fintech Times to get a full insight into Chetwood's BaaS offerings and partnership with Yobota.
This digital copy is being made available under a CLA Licence for online viewing only.


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eBay (NASDAQ:EBAY) had its target price dropped by equities research analysts at DA Davidson to $40.00 in a note issued to investors on Thursday, The Fly reports. The firm presently has a “buy” rating on the e-commerce company’s stock. DA Davidson’s price target points to a potential upside of 34.36% from the stock’s current price. The analysts noted that the move was a valuation call.
EBAY has been the topic of a number of other reports. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price objective on eBay from $44.00 to $43.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, July 19th. BidaskClub cut eBay from a “sell” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 25th. Benchmark reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $50.00 price objective on shares of eBay in a research note on Tuesday, October 16th. SunTrust Banks reaffirmed a “hold” rating and set a $38.00 price objective on shares of eBay in a research note on Friday, October 19th. Finally, Credit Suisse Group dropped their target price on shares of eBay from $58.00 to $52.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Monday. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eighteen have assigned a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. The company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $40.97.
Shares of NASDAQ:EBAY traded up $0.74 on Thursday, reaching $29.77. 627,361 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 14,506,054. eBay has a 52 week low of $26.36 and a 52 week high of $46.99. The stock has a market capitalization of $27.13 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.28, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.68 and a beta of 1.19. The company has a current ratio of 2.37, a quick ratio of 2.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.29.
In other eBay news, SVP Kristin A. Yetto sold 23,648 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $33.54, for a total transaction of $793,153.92. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 109,116 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,659,750.64. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, VP Brian J. Doerger sold 4,811 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $34.05, for a total transaction of $163,814.55. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 34,644 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,179,628.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 127,642 shares of company stock valued at $4,364,399 over the last 90 days. 6.78% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.
Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. CSat Investment Advisory L.P. bought a new position in shares of eBay during the second quarter valued at approximately $106,000. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of eBay during the second quarter valued at approximately $107,000. Nelson Van Denburg & Campbell Wealth Management Group LLC increased its position in shares of eBay by 15,439.1% during the second quarter. Nelson Van Denburg & Campbell Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 3,574 shares of the e-commerce company’s stock valued at $328,000 after acquiring an additional 3,551 shares in the last quarter. NEXT Financial Group Inc bought a new stake in shares of eBay during the third quarter valued at approximately $130,000. Finally, Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. increased its position in shares of eBay by 223.0% during the second quarter. Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. now owns 4,128 shares of the e-commerce company’s stock valued at $150,000 after acquiring an additional 2,850 shares in the last quarter. 84.50% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
eBay Company Profile
eBay Inc operates commerce platforms that connect various buyers and sellers worldwide. Its platforms enable sellers to organize and offer their inventory for sale; and buyers to find and purchase it virtually. The company's Marketplace platforms include its online marketplace at ebay.com and the eBay mobile apps; and StubHub platforms comprise its online ticket platform at stubhub.com, and the StubHub mobile apps and online ticket platform that connect fans with their favorite sporting events, shows, and artists, as well as enables them to buy and sell tickets.
Featured Story: How Do I Invest in Dividend Stocks
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Password Sharing Cuts Streaming Video Revenue
Streaming video companies are missing out on millions of dollars in revenue due to the prevalence of ‘password sharing’ according to a recent report.
21% of people aged 18-24 have used at least one video streaming account of someone they don’t live with according to a poll conducted by Reuters/Ipsos, allowing these individuals to access services like Netflix and Stan without the monthly subscription cost.
Other age groups also admitted to using someone else’s account, including 12% of those aged 25-34, while password sharing is less popular in older age groups.
Analysts and investors suggest Netflix and other streaming video companies may need to find a solution to password sharing if their growth slows in the future.
Netflix’s CFO David Wells has previously said that cracking down on password sharing “wouldn’t suddenly turn all those folks to paid users”.
All the major video streaming services currently limit the number of simultaneous streams allowed on a single account. The premium plans of both Netflix and Stan allow up to four devices to stream at the same time, while Foxtel Now allows 2 simultaneous streams.
In the future, companies could use technology that is able to detect when an account has unusual activity indicative of password sharing.
Research firm Parks Associates suggests streaming video companies will lose US$550 million from password sharing in 2019.


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Congress looks at $4 trillion options, Yellen says there's no issue with inflation, and the real challenge to Bitcoin.
President Joe Biden plans to seek some Republican support for his ambitious $4 trillion plan, which would recast the government's role in the economy. While Biden's $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief package passed with no GOP votes, there are parts of the infrastructure package that could be embraced by the party. Congressional leaders from both sides of the aisle have been called to a meeting at the White House on May 12.
The plan to increase taxes and fund new spending programs is part of a wider effort from the Biden administration to take action on U.S. wealth inequality. While the bigger tax bill will worry the rich, there are also questions about the inflationary implications of so much new money. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen tried to allay those fears yesterday saying that she doesn't believe inflation will be an issue, and even if it were to arise, there are tools to address it.
Crypto beauty contest
While Bitcoin is seeing its price push back above $58,000 this morning, its dominance of the digital asset sector is fading. It now accounts for less than 50% of the total crypto market value of $2.3 trillion, according to tracker CoinGecko. Digital token Ether is taking the spotlight as it adds to recent gains to trade as high as $3,200 this morning, a 15-fold increase from a year ago.
Holidays dominate today's session so far, with China, Japan and the U.K. all closed for trading. Overnight, the MSCI Asia-Pacific ex-Japan Index slipped 0.7% amid mixed economic news in the region. In Europe, the Stoxx 600 Index was broadly unchanged at 5:50 a.m. Eastern Time with energy stocks among the worst performers as oil demand fears rose again. S&P 500 futures pointed to a move higher at the open, the Treasury cash market was closed and gold gained.
U.S. manufacturing PMI for April is at 9:45 a.m., with ISM manufacturing for the month at 10:00 a.m. Construction spending for March is also at 10:00 a.m. Automakers release April sales numbers today. Fed Chair Jerome Powell speaks at an event at 2:20 p.m. Loews Corp., Avis Budget Group Inc. and Estee Lauder Cos. are among the companies reporting earnings later. Epic Games Inc's lawsuit over Apple Inc.'s App Store fees will be tried today.
What we've been reading
Here's what caught our eye over the weekend.
And finally, here’s what Joe's interested in this morning
Bull markets are nice, because if you buy something now, it might be worth more at a point near in the future. But what's really good is if you have something to sell.
Do you have an old used car to sell? Good for you, because prices are absolutely soaring. Some old Pokémon cards for sale? There's such high demand for them now, reports VICE, that the company which grades the condition of old cards and comic books can't get enough workers, and is offering signing bonuses.
Do you have a company to sell? Well perhaps you've heard of the IPO and SPAC boom and the re-equitization of the stock market.
If you do a search on Twitter for "old dogecoin wallet" you'll find a bunch of people trying to remember passwords to old hard drives to recover their doge stash. The data bears this out. Back in mid-April when the price of went nuts, there was a huge surge in the number of doge that got moved for the first time in 5 years. This chart comes courtesy of Coinmetrics and Nic Carter, who explains: "Revived supply: total units of supply active on a given day that hadn’t previously moved on chain in x period (i.e. supply revived 5 years looks for all coins that had been dormant for 5 years and just awoke on that particular day)."
Something I think about pretty often is Matt Levine's take on WeWork's Adam Neumann, which is that you can think of him as something of a short seller. Someone who identified that the value of tech unicorn stuff was inflated, and so found a way to sell that to investors before the value collapsed. Right now if you have a used car or some old doge or a vacation house you don't go to, it's a sellers market. And if you don't have any of those things, you can just do what Adam Neumann did and create something new. Although no need to start a whole company. Just mint an NFT or a memecoin on PancakeSwap and get selling.
Joe Weisenthal is an editor at Bloomberg
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New Development Coming to Bethesda: 7700 Norfolk Avenue
Demolition is taking place on a new residential and retail development in Bethesda.
Workers are beginning to clear a section of single story retail at Fairmont and Norfolk avenues to make way for new apartments and retail shops. The development is a joint venture of The JBG Companies, ROSS Development & Investment and the CIM Group. Construction of 7770 Norfolk Avenue will begin in earnest in September with occupancy expected in mid-2015.
“We ask for the neighborhood’s patience during the demolition and construction phases as we work to deliver this new neighbor to downtown Bethesda,” said Kai Reynolds, a partner at The JBG Companies. “We have an excellent team with strong experience in this market and cutting edge architecture that has a modern aesthetic. Together, we are committed to creating a first-class property that will add to the lively residential and retail atmosphere in Bethesda’s Woodmont Triangle.”
“It is exciting to team with such good partners as JBG and CIM on 7770 Norfolk Avenue,” said Scott Ross, President of ROSS Development & Investment. “This is a prime corner that will offer new residential and retail experiences, further enlivening downtown Bethesda.”
This newest development in the Woodmont Triangle section of Bethesda reflects a push by Montgomery County to encourage more concentrated residential growth and street activity in the area proximate to the Bethesda Metro station. JBG is leading the new 17-story development, which will bring 244 apartments and approximately 6,000 square feet of retail to Norfolk Avenue, a prime location directly across the street from Veteran’s Park.
For additional information on the mixed-use project, please visit Live7770.com.


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The department of electronics and information technology (DeitY) will set up a National Cyber Coordination Center (NCCC) by March this year in order to counter cyber threats to the rapidly increasing users of IT and telecom devices and to ensure their financial and personal details are not misused.
“The mobile phones and smartphones are hacked for transfer of money illegally…countering this will be among the top projects of NCCC,” a DeitY source told HT.
The NCCC will work closely with the Economic Offences Wing (EoW) in Central Bureau of Investigation to tap cases of illegal online money transfer. This is done by hacking different accounts using cloned SIMs. It will also work with the legal departments in security agencies to ensure genuine consumers are protected.
“It is important since current legislation and law for e-commerce using mobile or computer devices are not consumer friendly. In case of misuse, the onus to prove not guilty is on the user of the phone or a computer device,” said Pavan Duggal, a Cyberlaw expert.
The NCCC will coordinate with the National Disaster Management Authority and the Indian Metrological Department to execute the five-year project worth Rs. 1,305 crore.


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Louth’s Local Enterprise Office (LEO) has released its year-end results for 2022, which saw it supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs.
he local Louth Business Office, part of Louth County Council, offers a wide range of training, mentoring, management development and support for businesses as they start up and grow.
Acting Business Leader Riona McCoy said: “We supported 26 high-potential local businesses with grants or financial supports in 2022, while LEO Louth supported county businesses by creating 61 new local jobs. during this period.”
“Our services have delivered results for local businesses in a variety of ways over the past year,” she said. “1,637 customers have participated in our training programs. We’ve helped 44 businesses get started online through our online voucher program. Sixteen companies have developed bespoke sustainability plans as part of our Green for Micro program. 504 of our clients have benefited from mentoring supports, helping them develop strong business strategies to innovate and grow. »
“The future is also bright for Louth with 157 people participating in our Start Your Own Business program last year.”
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney TD praised the work of the Local Enterprise Offices. “These results show the important role that local corporate offices play in not only creating new businesses and jobs, but also in sustaining them. After some of the toughest years for small businesses, it’s encouraging that we’re still seeing growth across the country. »
“Our role is to support start-up and established businesses in Louth and we have a range of support for every stage of the business,” Riona said. She urged local business owners to find out how they can get help by visiting www.localenterprise.ie/louth


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There are roughly three weeks until Hanukkah, four weeks until Christmas and Kwanzaa, and five weeks until New Year’s Day. As the amount of days until the start of each winter holiday gets smaller and smaller, the lines at local post offices seem to get longer and longer. Yes, as the holidays approach, more and more people head to the US post office to send their holiday cards to friends and family across the globe.
But, you can’t put just any stamp on your holiday cards, right?
Envelopes are like the gift wrap for the holiday sentiments shared on greeting cards. And, it’s only fitting to affix a holiday-themed stamp of our choice to its exterior. But, the stamp you choose may be based on the holiday you celebrate – or the ones celebrated by the recipient.
Just today, I looked online and saw more than 14 choices of winter holiday-themed stamps.
The Hanukkah stamps feature a menorah and a dreidel. The Christmas stamps feature ornaments, a poinsettia, Santa Claus and more. And, the Kwanzaa stamp features people gathered around a lighted kinara.
This year, you also can select a new Global Holiday Forever stamp – the Global Silver Bells Wreath. The stamp, issued on October 23, 2014, features a wreath of silver bells tied with a bright red bow and displayed against a green circular background. According to the US Postal Service, “wreaths express the festive spirit of the holidays,” and the Global Silver Bells Wreath stamp can “add a touch of holiday joy to your cards and letters.”
Global Silver Bells Wreath is the second issuance in the US Postal Service’s Global Holiday Forever stamp series. The first stamp, Evergreen Wreath, was issued on October 23, 2013.
But, its first issuance of a winter holiday stamp wasn’t until 1962.
The history behind the release of US Postal Service holiday stamps
Three winter holiday celebrations are currently featured on US postal stamps – Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.
The US Postal Service also includes its Eid stamp with the other winter holiday stamps although the two Islamic festivals of Eid al-Fitr and Ed al-Adha were celebrated this year on July 29 and October 4, respectively. Both holidays take place at different times each year, and soon will fall again during the winter months.
The US Postal Service issued its first holiday Christmas stamp in 1962. According to the US Postal Service, the decision to print a Christmas stamp generated some controversy, especially from groups concerned about maintaining the separation of church and state, and legal actions to bar the stamps at the time proved to be unsuccessful.
It was another 34 years until the US Postal Service released its first Hanukkah stamp.
In 1996, the US Postal Service “paid tribute” to Hanukkah with a stamp featuring a “stylized illustration” of a menorah.
The following year, the US Postal Service issued its first Kwanzaa stamp. The stamp featured a “colorful portrait of an African-American family – a ‘symbol of family and togetherness.'”
The first stamp for Eid was issued in 2001. The holiday stamp featured the phrase “Eid Mubarak,” which means “blessed festival.” It commemorates the two festivals of Eid al-Fitr and Ed al-Adha.
The US Postal Service says it is proud of a stamp program that celebrates the rich diversity of American culture and it recognizes that some individuals may disagree with its selections on occasion. For that reason, it offers a wide variety of stamps so its customers always have options.
I appreciate the diversity of the holiday stamps. But, have you ever wondered how US postal stamps are selected to help ensure we have a variety of options to choose from? I did. That’s why I had to find out more.
Careful selection of US Postal Service stamps
The US Postal Service expressly states that it welcomes written suggestions for stamp subjects that help portray the diversity of the American experience for a worldwide audience. Each year, the US Postal Service receives thousands of suggestions for new postage stamps.
In 1957, five years before the issuance of its first Christmas stamp, the US Postal Service established its Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee.
The Committee reviews the suggestions and recommends new stamp designs to the Postmaster General. The ultimate goal is to create an annual stamp program that reflects America — from the events and people that bind the nation together, to the diversity of cultures that forms its foundation.
The Citizens’ Stamp Advistory Committee is currently made up of 14 members. The members, appointed by the Postmaster General, hail from academic and cultural institutions and are artists, writers, athletes, media personalities, government officials, among other professions.
When considering a new stamp design, the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee evaluates it against 11 stated criteria. One of the criteria requests that the design feature American or American-related subjects, or that the subject has had a significant impact on American history or culture. Another criteria states that the stamp subjects need to reflect the nation’s diverse population.
The Committee recommends approximately 25 to 30 stamp subjects to the Postmaster General each year. Fifty stamps were issued (or reissued) this year alone.
For me, it’s helpful to have a better understanding of the concerted efforts of the US Postal Service to take the diverse representation of the American people into account when issuing (or reissuing) stamps. That’s why, I plan to take more pleasure in perusing the holiday stamps available for purchase and selecting a diverse selection to affix to my holiday cards this year.
Do you enjoy selecting the perfect stamp to affix to your holiday card envelopes? Do you personally go to the post office or its website to select your favorite ones? Which winter holidays are you particularly glad to see on US postal stamps? Are there any other winter holidays you think should be represented with a stamp? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
There is a lot more multicultural fun to be had together. Be sure to “like” Raising World Citizens on Facebook to join in on the conversation. And, join me on a visual journey of my efforts to raise two world citizens on Instagram.
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On May 26, the Chicago, Illinois City Council voted to give Wal-Mart a green light to open its first store inside Chicago city limits on the west side of the city. But it was not a breeze to get in. The retailer’s proposal kicked up a gust of controversy in the windy city. On May 5th, the Council had voted to postpone a vote on zoning changes that Wal-Mart needed to open its first two stores in the area. Opponents of Wal-Mart’s expansion plans said that the company harms competition, especially small business, and lowers labor standards by paying low wages, providing minimal benefits and blocking any efforts to unionize. City Alderwoman Emma Mitts, who supported Wal-Mart in her district, said that once Wal-Mart opens stores in Chicago, the community can work to make it a “better company.” Dow Jones reported that after three-hours of debate, the city council voted 32 to 15 to allow Wal-Mart to build a store in a predominately black neighborhood located on Chicago’s west side. “We are dealing with a huge company with a long history of predatory practices,” said council member Helen Shiller. The Council went on to vote on a second Wal-Mart development on the south side of town. That vote went down to defeat on a 25 to 21 vote in favor, which was not enough for the majority needed from the 50 council members. Wal-Mart called the west side vote a “great victory” for the company. The retailer called the delay on the south side of the city a “minor setback,” adding, “We got a pretty raw deal on the floor from city council members. I’m befuddled…we’ve been seriously maligned today.” Getting the approval to build in Chicago cost Wal-Mart a fair amount of money. To pave their way into Chicago, Wal-Mart hired a team of local legal experts and public-relations professionals to help fight the city’s labor unions and promote an image of the retailer as “a very good corporate citizen.” Wal-Mart also had to run a full-page ad in some area newspapers on the day of the vote saying that Chicago residents spend more than $500 million at Wal-Mart stores located outside of the city. The ad also said that the company would hire some 600 associates, with 70 percent of those being full-time positions, as well as generating 300 to 400 construction jobs while the store is built. Such claims, of course, are totally misleading, since Wal-Mart’s “new” jobs are often just “old” jobs at other retailers. Wal-Mart reportedly also hired telemarketers to connect supporters of urban stores to aldermen’s ward offices. Hired pollsters reportedly called hundreds of Chicagoans on the Monday and Tuesday before the city council vote.
It’s truly remarkable to watch a retail store have to lobby its way into a city. It is unprecedented in retailing history that any company has suffered so much resistance to their stores, and had to spend some much money to secure political support. As one Wal-Mart official said years ago, “Why all the fuss? We’re only a store, not a nuclear waste dump?” But as the Chicago vote shows, many communities consider Wal-Mart the retail equivalent of a nuclear waste dump, and will pull out the stops to keep Wal-Mart out of town. In a very visceral way, Wal-Mart is losing big time in places like Chicago. Because people in other communities all across the country are watching the extraordinary lengths to which the company must travel to get approval from city councils. Wal-Mart sees a “great victory” in their struggle to break into Chicago, when in fact they are losing credibility with each of these battles.


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Cape Town, South Africa, March 10, 2015 --(PR.com
)-- The ITL Group, an international retail apparel label solutions company owned by SA Bias Industries, has acquired a majority shareholding in Overheer Systems, a Canadian based RFID software company.
The ITL Group, has been a global supplier of brand labels and variable data printing solutions for over 30 years and has grown to become one of the most respected suppliers in the apparel label sectors.
The group has a well-established network of variable data print service bureaus, positioned in all of the world’s major garment manufacturing locations. In recent years, ITL has focused on developing an RFID capability such that these service bureaus now offer RFID enabled labels in addition to the traditional variable data printed tickets.
Fred Christopher, the ITL Group CEO, explains that “ITL is now turning its attention towards offering a complete end to end RFID solution for retailers. This solution includes retail data integration services, the supply of RFID encoded labels as well as the RFID software used by retailers to derive the business benefits of deploying RFID in the retail supply chain.”
Overheer Systems is a technology company founded and previously owned by Philip Lassner. The company has spent several years developing its Reflect RFID software. Philip will continue to lead Overheer, promoting and developing the Reflect application in conjunction with ITL.
“The acquisition of a majority shareholding in Overheer represents an important component of ITL’s RFID solution,” comments Jeremy Park, CIO of SA Bias Industries. “The Reflect application will be integrated into ITL’s existing LabelVantage IT platform to complete our end to end RFID solution.”
Reflect RFID is a cloud based, item level RFID application which provides retailers with accurate inventory visibility enabling them to effectively monitor and replenish stock. “From the Overheer perspective, we see this deal as unlocking the potential of the Reflect Solution,” says Lassner. “Combining the international service bureau capabilities of ITL, with Overheer’s expertise in retail technology, is an ideal fit for the rapidly expanding RFID market.” He further notes that “Overheer also looks forward to leveraging off ITL’s international sales and marketing presence.”
ITL has sales and marketing offices located in North America, United Kingdom and South Africa.


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Best reads of the month (plus a bonus) – April 2020
Here is a subjective list of this month’s top news and articles on vegan fashion and lifestyle. Enjoy your reading!
The lockdown hasn’t prevented the Fashion Revolution Week to take place: it has already been 7 years since the Rana Plaza disaster.
Wtvox raises the question: is vegan fashion sustainable?
PETA buys shares in luxury businesses in order “to push fashion brands to stop using wool, mohair, and cashmere”.
A Ted post and Ted Talk about adaptability, a must-have trait according to Natalie Fratto.
Bonus: Until the 21st May, you can join the Plant-Based Business Summit (for free), an online event featuring interviews from plant-bases business experts.
Did you notice any other relevant article this past month? Let me know in the comments :-)


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Uzbekistan Economic Outlook
March 5, 2019The economy seems to have kicked off this year on a solid footing, following a healthy industrial sector-led expansion last year. Upbeat industrial production growth carried over into January, on the back of robust output growth in the manufacturing, and mining and quarrying sectors. In addition, retail trade continued to grow in January, pointing to sustained consumer demand at the beginning of the year. On the external front, strong export growth also carried over from 2018, amid soaring demand from China and Russia. Meanwhile, on 13 February, Moody’s assigned Uzbekistan a B1 sovereign credit rating with a stable outlook. On the same day, and for the first time in its history, Uzbekistan sold USD 1.0 billion of Eurobonds.
Uzbekistan Economic GrowthGrowth should remain strong this year, on the back of upbeat public spending and robust investment growth against the backdrop of ongoing reforms and improving business conditions. The reform process remains both a key upside and downside risk to the outlook as the government’s policy agenda is put to the test. Our panelists expect GDP to grow 5.0% in 2019, unchanged from last month’s forecast, and 5.5% in 2020.
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How quickly can the Covid-19 vaccine make travel possible?
Will travel ever look the same again? Professor Colin Michael Hall and colleagues from University of Oulu and Wakayama University provide expert insight in article on The Conversation.
The recently-announced trans-Tasman bubble between Australia and New Zealand is one of the few options for international travel in the pipeline. DEAN LEWINS/AAP
Before COVID-19, there was much concern about whether tourism had grown too big for our planet. There were calls to scale back tourism, make it more environmentally sustainable and help over-touristed locations become more resilient to crises.
However, with almost no international travel in 2020, we now have the opposite problem. The pandemic caused a 70% drop in international tourist arrivals globally from January to August, compared to the same period last year.
Destinations reliant on international tourists have been the hardest hit. Many are in developing countries, where tourism is a major export earner. For example, according to the World Bank, tourism makes up nearly 15% of Thailand’s GDP, which is why it recently started allowing select foreign tourists to return for extended stays.
But attempts to reboot international travel on a wider scale have so far failed due to successive waves of COVID-19.


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Amazon Web Services (AWS) has opened its first office in Budapest, as part of the company’s ongoing expansion in Central and Eastern Europe to serve a growing number of regional customers and partners, the company told MTI on Monday.
The new Hungarian headquarters will enable staff to provide even more support for migrating to AWS cloud services for organizations of all sizes in Hungary, including startups, enterprises, and public sector organizations.
The current expansion follows the establishment of AWS’s Budapest server base in January 2020. Customers in Hungary use AWS systems to run everything from mobile, web and social applications, to development and test environments for artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), Big Data analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT), as well as enterprise business applications and mission-critical computing.
For years, AWS has supported the Hungarian startup and technology community, as well as students and teachers, through programs such as AWS Academy and AWS Activate.
In addition to these, Amazon Web Services is now introducing its new AWS Skill Builder program in Hungary. AWS Skill Builder is AWS Training and Certification’s digital learning hub with more than 600 free courses.
Amazon.com Inc. is the world’s leading online retailer, and AWS is the cloud services industry. Amazon’s first-quarter revenue this year rose 9 percent to $127.4 billion from $116.4 billion a year earlier. Its after-tax profit was $3.17 billion at 31 cents per share, compared with a loss of $3.84 billion at 38 cents per share a year earlier. In the first quarter, revenue rose the most in the advertising segment, up 21 percent to $9.5 billion, and 16 percent to $21.4 billion in the cloud services sector.


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On Wednesday, Aug. 15, a wallet and a Lincoln MKZ were stolen from separate houses in the same Paso Robles neighborhood. And according to the man who lost his wallet, Walmart slowed down the investigation.
“How can you call yourself a good corporate community partner if you can’t help solve this crime?” Mark Kennedy said in response to Walmart refusing to provide the police with information for the investigation.
Kennedy reported to the Paso Robles Police Department that his wallet was stolen from his unlocked car parked in his driveway on Aug. 15. His wallet was later found in the nearby bushes, but all of Kennedy’s credit cards had been stolen.
The following day, one of the stolen cards was used to make an online purchase at Walmart, Kennedy said.
Police believed whoever stole the credit card was also responsible for stealing Kennedy’s neighbor’s car.
When Kennedy told the police his card had been used to make a fraudulent purchase, they asked Walmart for the address where the goods were to be shipped — but Walmart declined to share the information.
Kennedy said he then gave it a go and called Walmart to explain the situation.
Although the retailer acknowledged that the purchase was fraudulent, Kennedy said, the store said it could not provide him with an address unless he gave them the user name and password on the online account, which Kennedy said he, of course, did not know.
Walmart did not return request for comment for this story.
This is not the first time a corporate store such as Walmart has denied police information, Paso Robles Police Commander Steve Lampe said.
“It’s a challenge. They often won’t provide us information without a warrant, but that’s not always the case,” Lampe said.
“It’s not just Walmart, bigger stores and banks, too,” Lampe said. “The decision is made much higher up than the employees we are dealing with.”
Lampe said in some instances, the company would rather work directly with the victim than the police.
In this case, police were eventually able to identify a suspect, and a man believed to have stolen the car and the credit cards was apprehended.
On Aug. 24, Ricardo Angel Ramirez, 18, of Paso Robles was arrested on suspicion of multiple charges, including three counts of felony auto theft and three counts of felony burglary. He was booked into San Luis Obispo County Jail and remains in custody on $100,000 bail.
Before the arrest, detectives served a search warrant at Ramirez’s residence and located “items of evidence” that linked the man to two additional auto thefts and multiple burglary/theft cases in Paso Robles, police said.
Kennedy said had Walmart been willing to cooperate, the suspect may have been found sooner.
Tribune staff writer Lucas Clark contributed to this report.


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When the PS4 launched back in Nov. 2013, it sold 4.2 million units by the end of the year, Sony just beat that with the PS5 launch, which over the same period sold 4.5 million units.
As The Verge reports(Opens in a new window), Sony shared the sales figure as part of its latest earnings report, which also confirmed an expected drop in PS4 console sales (77 percent down on the year before). The PS5 sales figure is more impressive than it looks when you consider we are in a pandemic, manufacturing and shipping is difficult, and demand is so high many potential owners simply can't get the console.
As Reuters reports(Opens in a new window), Sony admits it's struggling to keep up with demand due mainly to a shortage of components. "It is difficult for us to increase production of the PS5 amid the shortage of semiconductors and other components," explained Sony's Chief Financial Officer Hiroki Totoki in a press briefing.
Even so, Sony believes it will sell over 7.6 million PS5 consoles by the end of March. Unfortunately, we won't be able to compare these results to Xbox Series X|S sales because Microsoft decided during the last hardware generation to no longer share that information publicly.
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PURCHASE. N.Y. (5/21/15)--MasterCard has joined Facebook, Visa and PayPal in the competitive person-to-person payments space.
The credit card giant launched MasterCard Send, a service that allows people to link their debit card accounts online or on a phone and transfer money to anyone in the United States using their MasterCard send account. Electronic peer-to-peer payments aim to replace paying people with cash or check.
MasterCard Send is not a direct-to-consumer service, but a way for businesses to reimburse their customers, or offer rebates without having to send a check in the mail.
Rather than market Send as a way to send money between friends, MasterCard is pitching the service to businesses as a way to reimburse customers or disburse funds from insurance claims, rebates, e-marketplace payouts, social benefits and tax refunds, USA Today reported (May 19).
Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection and FreeShipping.com are among two of the first businesses to sign up for the service.
In other payments news, several new merchants have signed up for Visa Checkout, an online checkout service that Visa introduced last year. Those merchants include Dunkin’ Donuts, Fandango, Sundance Catalog and Williams-Sonoma in the United States, among others (PYMNTS.com May 20).
Visa Checkout provides consumers with a secure tool to store their shipping and payment information, meaning they do not need to re-enter information with each e-commerce transaction.


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Strides also announced that Jordan-based GMS Holdings is picking up a 25.1% stake in its biotech arm Stelis Biopharma for $ 21.90 million.
The two deals saw Stride's shares rise over 9% to Rs 701.95 a piece on Monday in an otherwise flat Mumbai trade. Shares of Shasun were down 0.38% at Rs 176.92.The board of directors of both the pharmaceutical companies approved a scheme of amalgamation whereby each equity shareholder of Shasun will get five equity shares of Strides in lieu of 16 equity shares held in Shasun.
Based on the exchange ratio Shasun shareholders will own 26% of the combined entity, read a joint press statement issued by both companies.
The amalgamation of Shasun into Strides comes 19-months after Bangalore-based Strides sold its injectable unit Agila Specialties to US-based Mylan for over Rs 8,000 crore ($1.6 billion).
The merger also reflects the consolidation drive that's happening in the Indian pharmaceutical sector. In April this year Sun Pharmaceutical agreed to buy Ranbaxy Laboratories for $3.2 billion.
Strides, a major manufacturer of soft-gel and hard-gel capsules, and tablets, now gets access to Shasun's strong portfolio of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API), the core substance of any drug. Both companies have a wide range of products that cater to an array of therapeutic areas.
The statement by the two listed Indian firms said that the merged entity would leverage on Shasun's API manufacturing capacities, and shift focus towards niche API's that are aligned with finished dosages and drugs in the pipeline.
Arun Kumar, founder and group CEO of Strides said, "The company has refocused on its oral finished formulation business. The combination with Shasun accelerates our strategy and growth prospects by creating a larger scale, fully integrated, pharma company with multiple growth drivers."
The combined entity now has a product pipeline of over 100 drugs. Together they will also have a combined portfolio of 12 manufacturing facilities, including three US-FDA approved finished dosage manufacturing facilities, two US-FDA approved API manufacturing facilities, one US-FDA approved crams facility and six manufacturing facilities catering to emerging markets.
"Strides and Shasun bring complementary strengths and shared values of developing products and market opportunities across geographies and the combination accelerates both scale and scope," said Abhaya Kumar, CEO and MD of Shasun Pharmaceuticals.


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MOSCOW (MRC) -- SASOL subsidiary Sasol Chemical Industries (SCI) has been fined an administrative penalty of R534m by the Competition Tribunal for excessive pricing, said Bdlive.
The fine, for the pricing of purified propylene and polypropylene over a period of four years beginning in January 2004, could mark the end of the long-running matter. This is the first case of excessive pricing brought by the Competition Commission itself.
The first excessive pricing case was brought in 2009, when a Competition Tribunal decision over excessive pricing by steel maker ArcelorMittal was reversed by the Competition Appeal Court. In the ArcelorMittal matter, the miner settled with Harmony and Durban Roodepoort Deep, which had lodged the complaint, and the case never went back to the tribunal. The settlement — coming after the initial fine of R691.8m — was never disclosed.
In addition to penalising SCI, the tribunal also determined a method how the company should price these products in future. In its ruling, the tribunal said the prices SCI charged Safripol - its only external customer for purified propylene - was to Safripol’s detriment and inhibited its ability to effectively compete with SCI.
The Competition Commission had argued that SCI's position as a low-cost producer should have been reflected in its prices and that because of its local dominance, SCI was enjoying higher profit margins on both these products than on any of its other products, and rivals were not able to constrain SCI’s pricing.
The tribunal concluded that SCI’s exercise of market power and its excessive prices had resulted in a missed opportunity for innovation and development for the domestic manufacture of downstream plastic goods.
As MRC wrote before, Sasol Chemicals North America and INEOS Olefins & Polymers announced Monday that they have reached final investment decision to form a joint venture to build a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plant in La Porte.
Sasol Limited is an integrated energy and chemical company based in Johannesburg, South Africa. It develops and commercialises technologies, including synthetic fuels technologies, and produces different liquid fuels, chemicals and electricity.


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You deserve a break today, but the question is how much?
CHICAGO (AP) _ You deserve a break today, but the question facing McDonald’s customers nowadays is how much?
McDonald’s Corp. says franchisee approval is likely soon for a plan to make the steepest cuts ever in prices for its large sandwiches, but some now question whether consumers will save money under the promotion since it requires the purchase of fries and a drink.
McDonald’s executives have been meeting with franchisees for several weeks promoting ``Campaign 55,″ a price-cutting effort aimed at stopping the flow of customers from McDonald’s to its competitors.
The price of Big Macs would fall to 55 cents from $1.90, followed by other sandwiches such as the Quarter Pounder in a yearlong rotation.
Some analysts say the best thing McDonald’s could do for its bottom line is to serve better-tasting food. The company is hoping price promotions do the job, but in some cases, adding fries and drinks could result in scant savings depending on the size of those items _ and that could bother consumers.
The confusion over prices may have consumers asking ``What the heck am I paying for?″ said analyst Henry Kaczmarek at American Express Financial Corp. in Minneapolis. Others who normally refuse to buy the relatively high-priced drinks also may be turned off by the promotion, he said.
That could send customers to competitors such as Burger King, which offers a 99-cent Whopper that can be bought separately, Kaczmarek said.
McDonald’s franchisees complain the length of the promotion will cut profits sharply.
``It’s going to put a lot of people already in trouble in the red,″ said Gerardo Perez, who has owned a McDonald’s franchise for 10 years. ``We don’t know whether this will even bring new customers in; the ones we already have could just trade off higher-priced sandwiches for the sale sandwich.″
Despite reports that franchise owners in New York and other big cities are balking at the plan, the Oak Brook, Ill.-based company expects approval within days. Franchisees in large cities would lose more under the plan than others because of the relatively high prices they must charge to cover costs.
Spokeswoman Anna Rozenich said there was no formal voting process Thursday following a lengthy video presentation of the plan to the company’s 2,700 U.S. franchisees.
Franchisees reported Friday the company hoped to begin the promotion on April 5 by lowering the price of four breakfast sandwiches, followed by lower Big Mac prices on April 25.
There also was confusion about whether the company would include a 55 second rule in which a customer must get their food or a coupon for a free sandwich on the next visit. A McDonald’s spokesman earlier this week denied such a promotion was in the works, but some franchisees said the rule was mentioned Thursday.
``Hopefully they’ll back off that, because you’d basically be shooting yourself in the foot,″ said one franchisee, who requested anonymity for fear of retribution.
Rozenich called the promotion ``a normal process,″ but the importance McDonald’s is placing on the effort is clear. Vice Chairman Jack Greenberg has shuttled across the country cajoling reluctant franchisees into accepting the plan.
McDonald’s has seen sales at stores open at least a year flat or lower for more than a year, while competitors Burger King and Wendy’s have enjoyed healthy increases.
That comes even in the face of McDonald’s $100 million introduction of a Deluxe line of sandwiches last year, which was aimed at answering criticism its sandwiches do not taste as good as competitors.
Some analysts say McDonald’s could be having an identity crisis as it tries to balance the changing tastes of American adults with its success in attracting children.
``In McDonald’s case, they haven’t been able to adjust to the aging of America,″ said analyst G. Michael Kennedy at American Express Financial Corp. ``Their menu has remained static and bland while many consumers are looking for spicier food and value.″
McDonald’s stock has lost more than $2.5 billion of its market value since the plan was revealed Wednesday amid expectations the price cuts could lead to a fast-food war.


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After months of waiting, AMD has finally announced its second-generation A-Series APU "Trinity" into the wild. AMD says the chip's CPU offers 29 percent better performance and higher processing speeds thank its predecessor. Those improvements, the chip maker says, are the result of its AMD 'Piledrive" CPU core and third-generation AMD Turbo Core technology.
Adding to the APU's power is AMD's Radeon HD 7000-series GPU, which the company says improves graphics performance by as much as 56 percent over previous generation chips. Battery life also sees a boost with the new APU, lasting an estimated 12 hours.
Like Intel's Ivy Bridge Core-series processors, the Trinity chips feature faster wake from sleep times thanks to AMD's Start Now technology. The feature is designed to wake the computer from sleep in roughly two seconds and boot to desktop in 10 seconds, though PCs have been able to do this for a long time and we're not sure how much the CPU is involved.
Six versions of the A-Series Trinity APU are available including the top of the line quad-core A10-4600M. That chip, which is available for mainstream notebooks offers a base processor clock speed of 2.3-GHz and maxes out at 3.2-GHz. The chip also runs on a Radeon HD 7660G GPU, which features a base clock speed of 497-MHz and tops out at 686-MHz.
Of course, specs mean nothing if the Trinity chip can't compete with Intel's vaunted Core-series chips. Through several chip product cycles, Intel's processors have been the best around and according to early reviews from sites like AnandTech.com and HotHardware.com, Intel is still on top when it comes to sheer processing power.
But AMD, as expected, did manage to score some points with its gaming capabilities. According to AnandTech, A Trinity chip equipped with a Radeon 7660G GPU was able to outperform an Intel Ivy Bridge chip running Intel's HD 4000 graphics accelerator. AMD has always been known for it gaming prowess, so those results aren't too surprising. It remains to be seen how the two processors would perform when running with similar discrete graphics chips.
We'll update you with our own testing numbers in the coming weeks as more AMD-equipped notebooks hit the market.


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Congratulations to gaz5021!
Over the weekend, we held a free tournament on Pinball FX3 to celebrate the launch of the game’s new performance patch, and plenty of you showed up to the digital arcade for a shot at the coveted top spot. Now that the tournament has closed, we've got the top five scores listed, and they pack quite a punch. Just for a...
Wizards, come hither
A few days ago, Zen Studios put out a massive new patch for Pinball FX3 on Nintendo Switch that boosted handheld performance to a whopping 60fps, bumped docked resolution up to 1080p and made a slew of other additions and enhancements to make the game that much more enjoyable to play. In light of this patch, and just for a spot...
"The community has spoken... we are listening"
Shortly after its launch last year, it was hinted that Pinball FX3 on Switch would be getting a patch to improve its visuals, which some felt were slightly lacking. Developer Zen Studios backtracked on this recently, stating that the patch was no long
The definitive pinball title
The free-to-download series Pinball FX has gone from strength to strength over the years, acquiring many famous licenses at an increased rate while slowly refining the overall quality of the experience as each new entry is released. As old-fashioned as pinball now is in the 21st century, the effort Zen Studios...


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Rising scope kindles silicones hopes
The hidden potential of silicones for the Indian market has still not been fully explored. Though the market is a bit slow, the leading producers are upbeat and are hard at cracking it. An exclusive ITJ report
'Our innovation portfolio is driven by customer needs'
For more than 30 years, Dow Corning´s proven silicone solutions have enabled its customers in India to manufacture world-class products. The company set up its Indian operations in 2000 to better serve its customers - and since then, it has developed new products, supplied technical and business support, and offered innovative solutions to customers in dozens of industries and markets across India and South Asia.
Dow Corning fortifies presence in India
Dow Corning, a successful pioneer in promoting the use of silicones for various applications, is upbeat about the Indian market, and with the intention of staying closer to the market needs of the Indian sectors, has launched its third largest application development centre globally at Powai in Mumbai.
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