text:
The Australasian Processing + Packaging Expo (APPEX) in Melbourne, scheduled for March, is set to host a special Meat Industry Day.
Organised by the Australian Meat Processor Corporation (AMPC), this event is a part of the larger expo that will attract over 10,000 delegates from various sectors of the packaging and processing industry. The expo is a showcase of the latest advancements in robotics, automation, machinery, logistics, and handling technology.
Focus on the Meat Industry
Stuart Shaw, the AMPC Program Manager overseeing Meat Industry Day, emphasises the event’s significance for the red meat processing sector. The day is designed to provide industry updates, share insights, and highlight opportunities for collaboration and innovation within the sector. Shaw notes the importance of integrating innovations from other sectors into meat processing and encourages potential partners to explore opportunities in red meat.
Agenda and Highlights
The agenda for Meat Industry Day, which is still being finalised, promises to be informative and engaging. Key features include a leadership panel discussing the future of the red meat processing industry over the next five years, a panel on packaging sustainability, and updates on AMPC’s various research, development, and adoption projects.
Shaw highlights the event as an excellent opportunity for delegates to gain insights from leading researchers, businesses, and industry bodies, and to explore the innovative nature of the meat processing sector.
APPEX will take place at the Melbourne Convention Centre from 12th to 15th March. The Meat Industry Day is scheduled for Wednesday, 13th March, from 10 am to 3 pm. Interested parties are encouraged to sign up and participate in this pivotal industry event.


text:
North America’s most iconic resorts from east to west coasts will open for the 2017-2018 ski season Friday, Nov. 17. Canada’s Whistler Blackcomb, North America’s largest resort, will open for the season with three feet of base snow, while Vermont’s Stowe Mountain Resort will open summit-to-base skiing on the resort’s world-renowned Mt. Mansfield. The Lake Tahoe Region’s Heavenly Mountain Resort will also open Friday, Nov. 17.
This Friday’s opening day lineup follows the opening of Colorado’s Breckenridge and Keystone Resorts, which began their ski seasons Friday, Nov. 10. The two resorts have announced additional ski terrain will be available to guests for the coming weekend.
Vail Resorts’ additional mountain resorts will open by Thanksgiving. Colorado’s Beaver Creek Resort and Kirkwood Mountain Resort in the Lake Tahoe region are slated to open Wednesday, Nov. 22, followed by Colorado’s Vail Mountain, Utah’s Park City Mountain and Lake Tahoe’s Northstar California Resort’s on Thursday, Nov. 23.

domain: news


text:
Best Selling Apple Mobile Phone Deals
Apple Mobile Phones
Latest News for Apple
Invites sent – Apple to unveil new iPhones on Sept 9
We’ve known for quite some time now from previous rumours that Apple is planning to host a press event on the 9th of September. At the event, Apple is expected to introduce its new iPhones – the Apple iPhone 6S and the Apple iPhone 6S Plus. Now the event is official, as Apple has sent ... Read moreIs this the actual HTC A9?
Just the other day, a photo (see below) was posted online, claiming to be the rumoured HTC A9 (HTC Aero). It looked a lot like the Apple iPhone 6, and turned out to be nothing but a photoshopped image.
Although the photo above was nothing but a Photoshop job, it seems that person behind ... Read moreApple iPhone 6S to come with triple-core A9 chip coupled with 2 GB of RAM under the hood?
We’ve learned from previous reports that under the hood of the unannounced Apple iPhone 6S will be the new A9 chip, but what is unclear is whether the CPU will be of the dual-core or the quad-core type. Now, a benchmark result is saying that the new processor will neither be a dual-core or quad-core, ... Read moreApple iPhone 6S and 6S Plus Force Touch components enter mass production?
According to a report, Force Touch components for the Apple iPhone 6S and the Apple iPhone 6S Plus are now in mass production.
This is according to a report from DigiTimes. According to the site:
Touch panel supply chains of the iPhone 6 have stepped up shipments for the next generation iPhone, with ... Read moreFront panel of Apple iPhone 6S leaked – no changes with iPhone 6 seen
Design-wise, the yet to be announced Apple iPhone 6S and Apple iPhone 6S Plus are expected to look exactly the same as their predecessors, the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus. Now, alleged leaked photos of the iPhone 6S’ front panel confirm this.
The photos were leaked by French-speaking NWE, a site ... Read moreApple iPhone 6S to be thicker than iPhone 6, according to leaked schematics
We’ve learned from previous reports that the iPhone 6S will be released by Apple sometime in September, but the question is, how different will it be compared to the iPhone 6. If a leaked schematic (see below) is to believed, it will be thicker than the current iPhone.
The alleged iPhone 6S schematic was ... Read moreApple requests suppliers to get ready for a 85-90 million-unit production of the iPhone 6S before the end of the 2015?
We know that the iPhone 6S and the iPhone 6S Plus (iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus shown below) will sell well this year. But the question is, how well? According to a report, Apple is expecting to break sales records once again, as it is asking suppliers to get ready to produce 85 to ... Read morePhotos allegedly show iPhone 6S housing – changes inside but not outside
Apple is expected to lift the lid on the Apple iPhone 6S and the Apple iPhone 6S Plus in the fall, but we still don’t know for sure what the two will look like, until now.
The photos above allegedly show the iPhone 6S’s housing, which were sent to 9to5Mac by one of ... Read more


text:
For one Brevard County business, sharing the story of NASA's Artemis program means exciting times — and they are doing it, one hat or shirt at a time.
What You Need To Know
- Space Shirts on Merritt Island has been in business for nearly 40 years
- Every item in the shop is space-themed
- The store has added Artemis mission merchandise to the shelves, and owner Brenda Mulberry says it has been very popular
For nearly 40 years, Space Shirts on Merritt Island has stitched up space-themed merchandise.
The shop has been a longtime dream of Brenda Mulberry, who says she still can't believe she makes this kind of out-of-this-world living.
Much of what's up for sale at Space Shirts celebrates the history of America's space program, they don't sell anything that doesn't have a space theme.
"It's the Artemis Program hat, and they're pretty popular," Mulberry said, pointing out an item in the shop.
She was worried a decade ago when the shuttle program shut down that Space Shirts, too, would have to close up.
But with the success of commercial space missions, and now the dawn of a new NASA deep-space mission, Mulberry says the sky is the limit.
"We are looking forward to going back to the moon," she said.
The hats are popular, but the Artemis shirts are quickly rolling along the assembly line, she said.
After the logo is pressed on, each shirt is sent through a 300-degree heater to seal the deal.
"It's the Artemis logo in vintage print, people like nostalgic things and this is pretty much flying off the shelf," said Mulberry.
The Artemis shirts are front and center in the store itself.
"The public loves seeing what we have new, so go America," she said excitedly.
Mulberry expects even more Artemis-themed merchandise to be sold as the launch headed back to the moon draws closer.


text:
Mercedes-Benz is getting ready to reveal its flagship electric model, the EQS. The sedan EV, which is purpose-built, is expected to boast industry-leading specs. The reveal will take place on April 15th and Mercedes has chosen to tease us with some info ahead of the day.
The battery is the biggest news here. With a 108 kWh, it is expected to keep the EQS going for a whopping 435 miles on a single charge! Fast charging for as a little as 15 minutes will yield a range of 155 miles!
This is huge in an industry where top electric cars in the industry boasts around 400 miles of range. It shows Mercedes’ willingness to compete.
Mercedes is going to make the batteries itself at its Hedelfingen plant in Germany. The company plans to be involved in all the aspects of battery production, including research and development. It has started the process of establishing nine factories dedicated to batteries all over the world.
Apart from the battery, the EQS will also feature a massive 56 inches screen dubbed the Hyperscreen as the dashboard. It will be curved and run the full width of the car. It will feature a second screen for the co-driver, subject to local regulations.
More electric Mercedes vehicles are in the horizon as the German auto maker is going to produce 8 purely electric models next year, as part of its plan to fully embrace e-mobility. By 2030, the company wants half of its production to be hybrids and BEVs.
Markus Schaefer, the Chief Operating Officer, explained in a phone interview: “We boosted flexibility of all factories worldwide so that we can produce hybrids, fully electric cars and combustion vehicles everywhere, depending on customer demand and individual market developments.”
In preparation for more activities in the electric segment, Mercedes is carrying out a complete restructuring of its long-serving manufacturing plants to handle EV production. As a result, the parent company, Daimler AG, is going to spin off its truck operation.
Mercedes expects an increase in electric vehicle demand and is positioning itself to claim a share of the market by being flexible enough to quickly scale up the production of any part of its line-up. This will include sharing parts or platforms with models from competing brands, where it makes sense to do so.


text:
Superbreak sales through travel agents have been hit by faltering consumer confidence, parent company Holidaybreak reported today.
The short break operator has seen hotel break sales slump by 10% with overall group down by 4% compared with last year
Holidaybreak, which has agreed to a take over by Cox & Kings, reported sales declines across all its divisions for the period between March 31 and August 13.
But the hotel breaks division has suffered the steepest drop.
“Hotel breaks sales intake is 10% below last year with the ongoing difficult consumer environment affecting performance, particularly Superbreak’s sales through the retail travel trade,” the company said. “The loss at Superbreak of airport hotel contracts with large retail travel agents continues to affect performance adversely, although this is a low margin product.
“Excluding these airport hotel contracts, the underlying trend shows sales intake currently at 8% below last year.”
Adventure sales are 3% below last year with the geopolitical events in the Middle East and North Africa “negatively impacting” performance.
Sales in the camping division are 2% below last year based on a 3% cut in capacity although there has been strong demand for late bookings in the UK and Holland, the company said.
Sales for the group’s educational travel arm is 1% below last year. Holidaybreak said this has been “more than offset” by improvements in gross margin through effective yield management at PGL.
“Meininger, the German school accommodation business in which we acquired a 50% stake in December 2010, is 22% ahead of last year in sales intake. The excellent performance is driven by good like-for-like trading and successful site openings,” the group’s interim management statement said.
“With 98% of target group revenue booked, Holidaybreak is performing in line with management expectations for the year ending 30 September 2011.”
Group chief executive Martin Davies said: “We continue to deliver a satisfying performance despite the tough economic environment. Particularly pleasing is the late demand for bookings at our camping division.
“We therefore remain confident of performing in line with management’s expectations for the year ending 30 September 2011.
“Trading for 2011/12 is strong with our education businesses currently 61% booked with PGL UK outdoor education centres 84% booked. Overall, Education is showing revenue growth of 6% year on year.”
No financial details were disclosed.
This is a community-moderated forum.
All post are the individual views of the respective commenter and are not the expressed views of Travel Weekly.
By posting your comments you agree to accept our Terms & Conditions.


text:
Relaunching a couple of days ago was ReadBurner, acquired last month by Adam Ostrow of Mashable and a few others. ReadBurner combines the idea of community aggregation, as with sites like Digg, with the Attention data from Google Reader — that is, the number of “shares” a story has.
Since Google Reader added social sharing capibilities — the ability to “share” a story to your network and vice versa — not only has usage taken off, but a lot of that usage is being recorded and attention data being built up. ReadBurner turns this data into a useful, meme aggregator-like site where users can check out what’s popular, upcoming, and most recent on Google Reader. Additionally, stories are categorized into Web, Desktop, Mobile, and Apple.
While some may be quick to notice that only a tiny amount amount of people control what’s hot on ReadBurner, they’ve also used this to their advantage and built up value in a Google Reader “share.” For example, users can’t directly vote on the site — the action can only be taken on Google Reader itself — so you can ensure every single share has value and isn’t just a nod-to-the-head as with sites like Digg and Reddit. Also, if anything, this will boost up Google Reader’s activity of shared items — great for the community in general — and given Google’s tedious sign up procedure, keep spammers and spam out of it.
A useful feature in ReadBurner — however simple it is — is the “Google Reader” tab. Clicking on it brings up Google Reader in an iFrame and lets users use the service directly from ReadBurner’s site. This means folks simply have to visit readburner.com instead of reader.google.com, and they’ll get the best of both worlds — a way to read through their RSS feeds, and navigate through the community’s top content.
Until Google comes out with its own ReadBurner-like interface to navigating through its shared items, ReadBurner is safe in the game. The site poses a new alternative to tech news fanatics such as myself who are constantly pouncing between sites like Techmeme, Digg, Reddit, and Hacker News to get our bread and butter.


text:
Technology company Virdee has partnered with integrated payments and e-commerce solutions provider Shift4 Payment. Using an API-first approach and key partner integrations, Virdee’s virtual reception technology provides contactless check-in and additional customer engagement such as the ability to purchase upgrades and order roomservice.
This partnership makes Shift4 compatible with Virdee’s ongoing approach to elevating the check-in/check-out process with software for ID verification, payment collection, access control and remote support. By leveraging technology for 100 percent of guest arrivals, owners and management companies can reduce costs at any property that requires front-desk payment or access-control services.
Virdee’s Concierge provides a virtual reception for hotel guests. Customers that rely upon Shift4’s payment processing and secure payment gateway are assured that transactions handled through the Virdee Concierge will catch and virtually eliminate fraud and other charge backs.
To ensure hospitality customers can offer a complete contactless solution, the Virdee system is available through Virdee’s mobile application and/or in-lobby device. These options are sold separately or together and the cost of a subscription to Virdee’s system is priced affordably.
“The Virdee partnership fills a gap in the commercial real estate and hospitality industries by delivering contactless payment solutions for the check-in/check-out process,” said Michael Isaacman, chief commercial officer at Shift4.
“You can’t have a complete contactless solution without the ability to securely collect payments,” said Branigan Mulcahy, Virdee co-founder. “This is the next step in providing our customers on the Shift4 platform with a robust end-to-end contactless solution ... We see this as the next step in providing our customers with the technology they need to provide a virtual, touchless experience.”


text:
Dell, one of the world’s largest makers of personal computers, reported better-than-expected earnings on Thursday as the company’s cost-cutting efforts including the elimination of 8,300 jobs over the last year blunted the pain from falling revenues in the early stages of the world economic slowdown.
With most economists predicting that the deepening slump will hammer corporate technology spending over the next year, Dell said it intended to keep slicing costs and would be cautious with its $8.9 billion cash hoard even as it realigns its business model from a direct-sales model to one that relies more on retailers to sell its laptops and desktop PCs.
Dell, based in Round Rock, Tex., reported revenue of $15.16 billion in the third quarter, which ended Oct. 31. That was a 3 percent drop from the same quarter a year earlier and more than a billion dollars shy of the $16.22 billion that analysts had expected, according to Thomson Reuters.
But the company’s profits greatly exceeded Wall Street’s forecasts, largely because of the company’s strong emphasis on cost cutting and a gradual shift toward more profitable products.
Dell posted net income of $727 million for the third quarter, a 5 percent drop from the $766 million it earned a year ago. However, stock buybacks reduced the number of shares outstanding by 14 percent over the last year, so on a per-share basis, net income for the quarter rose 9 percent to 37 cents, compared with 34 cents a year ago. Wall Street analysts expected net income of 31 cents a share.
Dell’s shares, which have tumbled from $28.40 over the last year, closed at $9.81 in regular trading Thursday, down 54 cents. The stock recouped those losses in after-hours trading as investors digested the earnings report, which was released after the market closed.
Over the last two years, Dell’s earnings have often arrived well outside of Wall Street’s forecasts. The company has oscillated between increasing profits and reducing prices to chase market share.
For about the last year and a half, Dell has been revamping to increase its retail presence and shift a greater percentage of its sales to higher-profit products like laptops, computer servers and services. Dell embarked on this strategy after rivals, especially Hewlett-Packard, proved more competitive on cost and wooed away consumers who wanted to see products in stores before buying them.
But Dell is seeing far more immediate effects from layoffs and changes in its production model. After years of making all of its products at company-owned plant, Dell said on Thursday that it now builds one-quarter of its products through contract manufacturers, mimicking its rivals.
Dell now finds itself trying to navigate difficult product and structural transitions while consumers and businesses have curtailed their spending on all technology products. Companies ranging from technology giants like Intel and Cisco Systems to retailers like Best Buy have warned of a sudden, drastic drop in sales.
Dell, however, has tried to turn the poor economy into a positive by claiming that its sophisticated supply and order systems let it react more quickly to fluctuations in demand. “We are ahead in seeing the decline in the market given our model, versus being buffered by a distribution channel,” said Brian T. Gladden, Dell’s chief financial officer.
The company had plenty of declining markets to contend with. Sales of PCs fell 14 percent, and sales of servers and networking gear dropped 5 percent. In the Americas, where Dell gets 48 percent of its revenue, sales fell 8 percent.
Still, some analysts focused on Dell’s bright spots during the quarter, which included rising sales to consumers, higher services revenue and significant cost reductions.
“In any kind of turnaround situation, results can be choppy,” said Louis Miscioscia, an analyst with Cowen & Company. “But Dell’s performance here was well above our expectations, especially given that the environment was very difficult.”
H.P., one of Dell’s major rivals, issued preliminary fourth-quarter results on Tuesday, reporting a modest increase in sales after excluding revenue from its recent acquisition of Electronic Data Systems. More important, H.P. felt comfortable enough to present Wall Street with relatively upbeat guidance for its next fiscal year, sending its shares soaring.
H.P. benefits from a vast amount of revenue from software, services and printer ink. Sales in these areas tend to repeat like clockwork and are often tied to long-term deals. Dell, by contrast, is more dependent on consumer and corporate spending fluctuations on hardware.
Because of the state of the economy, Dell declined to provide any projections of how results might look in the next quarter or the next year.
The rise of wireless technology and slicker, lighter, cheaper products have driven customers toward laptops. Many consumers prefer to ogle and handle laptops in retail stores rather than buy them online or by phone. Dell was late in getting into such stores, where H.P. and its sister brand, Compaq, hold a leading position. As of the most recent count, Dell is in 20,000 stores worldwide.
Dell also once outflanked competitors by putting the latest and greatest components into new computers and quickly passing on lower component costs to customers. Over the last few years, rivals have largely caught up. Customers also seem less driven to chase the latest chips since software makers have failed to produce applications that can tap into all that current chips have to offer.
Ultimately, however, Dell appears capable of weathering these challenges and the wobbly economy about as well as its peers. The question is how Dell’s cost cutting and its decision to turn down low-margin deals will fare in a protracted slump, which might encourage rivals to start a price war.
“It’s difficult to continue to show profits when the top-line revenue is going down,” said David Bailey, an analyst with Goldman Sachs.


text:
Mexican Inventors Create Eco-Friendly Leather Alternative Based on Nopal Cactus
(TMU) — A pair of young inventors from Mexico will unveil the very first organic leather made entirely from the nopal—or prickly-pear cactus this week—offering a sustainable, stylish, and eco-friendly alternative to leather.
The two innovators, Adrian Lopez and Marte Cazarez, will be travelling from the city of Guadalajara to the Lineapelle international leather trade exhibition in Milan, Italy, on October 2, where they will present the innovative leather substitute to the world’s top designers in hopes that the product can become a staple in the luxury fashion industry . . .


text:
AT&T starts seeding Android 7.0 Nougat for Samsung Galaxy S7 Active3
AT&T recently updated the support page of the Galaxy S7 Active to reflect the new change. Starting March 7, the carrier has begun pushing Android 7.0 Nougat to the Samsung Galaxy S7 Active, rugged smartphone that's been released back in June 2016.
If you own the AT&T Galaxy S7 Active, then you'll want to check for a new firmware version NRD90M.G891AUCU2BQB2, which should allow you to update to Android 7.0 Nougat.
Besides the new features and improvements included in Android Nougat, the update also adds Samsung Cloud, Samsung Pass, and enables App Select in Setup and Transfer.
Also, the update should bring some network enhancements and Android device security updates. AT&T doesn't mention what security patch will be installed, but Samsung has already published the security bulletin for the March security update, so it might as well add the latest monthly security update.
Lastly, the carrier confirms the AT&T Address Book will be removed upon installing the new Android 7.0 Nougat. Keep in mind that the update weighs in at 1.58GB, so make sure you have enough storage before attempting to download it.


text:
Amid the continued slowdown in online shopping, it was likely only a matter of time before the ongoing consolidation in e-commerce swallowed a resale player. Even so, Poshmark’s decision to sell to Naver, a South Korean tech giant, for $1.2 billion likely left some in the industry scratching their heads.
The deal values Poshmark at less than half the $3 billion valuation the company bagged when it went public in January 2021. Tech stocks across the board have slumped this year, but rather than try to ride out the downturn and fetch a higher price later, Poshmark opted for an exit.
The company is suffering from the same challenges facing many secondhand fashion sellers. Despite the growth opportunity in the market, the publicly traded firms have seen their stocks tank as sales growth slows and losses mount, keeping profits elusive for resale. ThredUp’s stock has dropped more than 80 percent this year, and The RealReal’s stock now trades at just under $2.
Ongoing inflation, rising interest rates and the threat of a recession make a turnaround in the near future unlikely. By selling, Poshmark was “able to get some cover,” said Sucharita Kodali, a retail analyst at research firm Forrester. “If they waited, they may have had to merge or sell for an even lower price.”
Poshmark stands to benefit in other important ways, too. Just as the acquisition gives Naver a foothold in the US resale market, it provides Poshmark — a social-shopping app that lets users buy and sell pre-owned fashion to one another — the opportunity to expand its presence in Asia, where buying goods in social media-like environments is second nature for consumers.
It also gets access to technology that promises to help it solve one of its most pressing issues: converting more of its 80 million registered users into active buyers.
The social media-like atmosphere of Poshmark’s app, where users can follow their favourite sellers’ closets and like and comment on posts, is a great environment to foster engagement and time spent on the platform. Yet certain commerce features that Poshmark hasn’t nailed, such as advanced search functionalities, have prevented many users from buying the pre-owned goods they ogle.
In the second quarter of this year, just 10 percent of overall users had made a purchase within a 12-month period.
Not converting enough users into buyers has been especially cumbersome for Poshmark at a time when costs to acquire new users skyrocket and recently implemented privacy changes by Apple make it harder for retailers to target ads at potential shoppers. Poshmark’s marketing expenses have grown and pushed the company, which was profitable when it went public, deeper into the red.
Manish Chandra, Poshmark’s chief executive, said on an earnings call in August that improving search was one of the principal tools the company would use to convert more of its users, along with offering promotions.
Now, Naver says it will bring its AI-powered software capabilities to Poshmark, including smart image recognition that lets users figure out where on the platform to find an item without knowing the name, and the ability for users to filter searches based on the colours, designs and materials they prefer. These tools are expected to inspire more purchases on Poshmark.
“We entered into this agreement because we believe that in partnership with Naver, we can execute our vision and ambition faster,” Chandra said in an emailed statement. “Naver’s expertise, technology and market position have the potential to accelerate our key strategic growth areas, which include live selling and global expansion.”
While better technology may not be enough to help Poshmark overcome all its challenges, for Naver, sometimes referred to as the South Korean equivalent of Google, the price tag on Poshmark makes the acquisition relatively low risk. (Though after news of the deal broke, Poshmark’s shares were up 13 percent while Naver’s traded down nearly 9 percent, suggesting who investors thought would benefit most from the deal.)
The deal marks Poshmark as the latest in a spate of recent resale acquisitions. Last July, Etsy bought Depop, which lets users buy and sell used goods to one another, for $1.6 billion. In March, Paris-based Vestiaire Collective scooped up Tradesy, another peer-to-peer marketplace, for an undisclosed sum to fill out its inventory and shore up its US expansion.
The string of purchases and the struggles of resale businesses to turn a profit might lead onlookers to wonder whether resale companies can ever survive alone. But some experts say that’s not the issue.
“It’s too early to say that the business model cannot stand up on its own. It’s still a pretty young industry,” said Tom Nikic, a senior apparel and footwear analyst at Wedbush Securities.
Poshmark turning to Naver to beef up its tech and operational capabilities was “more a function of them being a younger company with a shorter operating history and shorter time to have made all the investments,” Nikic added.
It probably won’t be the last resale business to get acquired in any case. The most likely targets offer some form of tech prowess. For example, The RealReal’s automated software for authenticating high-end goods makes it an attractive buy for a larger retailer, Anna Andreeva, a senior analyst at Needham, said in a note.
Still, the varying business models of resale firms could limit acquisitions. Peer-to-peer platforms like Poshmark, Depop and Tradesy don’t incur the costs to process and store inventory. The RealReal and ThredUp, by contrast, face the same struggle to acquire customers and have to contend with the expenses of operating warehouses, contributing to their profit challenges. It could make resale firms that handle inventory less attractive, except maybe at a steep discount, and there’s no obvious technological solution for that.


text:
By VERONICA AMBUUL
COLORADO SPRINGS. Catholic rancher Mike Callicrate, a St. Mary Cathedral parishioner, is the plaintiff in a lawsuit in federal district court in Kansas City against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Cattlemens’ Beef Board (CBB) and other entities. The lawsuit alleges that money collected from cattle ranchers to improve the marketing of beef to U.S. consumers is actually used to lobby for policies harmful to family farmers.
“My money’s being used against me, and I want it to stop,” said Callicrate, who operates the Ranch Foods Direct store and home delivery service in Colorado Springs, on Aug. 15 during an interview on AgriTalk radio.
The focus of the lawsuit is money raised through the beef checkoff program, which was established in 1986. For every head of cattle brought to market, $1 is paid by the seller to the Beef Industry Council, which in turn goes to the Centennial (Colo.)-based National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA).
In his lawsuit, Callicrate claims that the NCBA’s management of checkoff funds has not improved market share for cattle producers, citing a decline in domestic cattle operations. He further alleges that the checkoff program, as it is currently operated, favors large conglomerates at the expense of small, independent cattle ranchers by advocating for “an industrial model of beef production, processing and distribution — harming both producers and consumers.”
Callicrate’s ranching operation, located in St. Francis, Kan., eschews the use of hormones and antibiotics in raising cattle and uses grass feed, as opposed to corn.
According to the NCBA website, the association does not favor any one mode of beef production over another, nor does it take a stand on issues like whether hormone-free beef is healthier.
In his lawsuit, however, Callicrate said that, in practice, the NCBA favors multinational corporations like Cargill, which he described as a monopoly that drives down prices paid to cattle producers.
“They are paying producers less while charging consumers more,” he said during the radio show.
As an example, Callicrate pointed to the recent furor in the media over the use of low-grade beef trimmings, commonly known as “pink slime,” as filler in ground beef. Neither the NCBA nor the USDA has tried to stop the practice, making consumers suspicious of beef, Callicrate said.
“NCBA fought to keep pink slime in hamburgers. That is embarrassing to all of us cattle producers,” he said. “There’s a connection between technology and appetite. When you go too far with technology, you most likely will lose appetite.”
Callicrate also claims that the NCBA is violating federal law that prohibits the use of beef checkoff funds for influencing government policy, and he said he hopes the lawsuit will put an end to the NCBA’s political activism.
Forest Roberts, CEO of the NCBA, told AgriTalk that the lawsuit was a “complete distraction and a waste of time and energy” during an already-difficult time for the beef industry caused by drought conditions. He also questioned the relationship between the Organization for Competitive Markets, of which Callicrate is president, and the Humane Society of the United States, which in the past has been at odds with the cattle industry and is accused by some in the industry of having a goal of stopping the consumption of beef altogether.
However, Callicrate said the Humane Society does not have a vegan or vegetarian agenda and simply wants to improve the way animals are treated.
“I’m in complete alignment with their philosophy that animals should be treated humanely,” Callicrate told AgriTalk during the interview.
Copyright (c) 2012 The Colorado Catholic Herald


text:
YouTube snatches three Twitch stars15th January 2020
The live streaming war is still in full force and in the latest skirmish YouTube has snatched three Twitch stars.
Rachell ‘Valkyrae’ Hofstetter, Lannan ‘LazarBeam’ Eacott and Elliott ‘Muselk’ Watkins are the trio to have switched sides.
YouTube – owned by Google – was the first to popularise watching video games as entertainment.
Some years later and Amazon-owned Twitch arrived on the scene to spark the live streaming revolution. Though, it began as Justin.tv in 2011 but was later acquired by the e-commerce platform in 2014.
Since then Facebook has entered the fray with its own service, much the same as Microsoft now boasts its Mixer platform.
All four have been gunning for the top internet stars.
One of the biggest shock moves was Tyler ‘Ninja’ Blevins making the jump to Mixer, a switch which was a heavy blow to Twitch. Michael ‘Shroud’ Grzesiek – the platform’s third most-followed star – also transferred to the Microsoft-owned site.
Not all of the sensations move to one of the big four, however.
Felix ‘Pewdiepie’ Kjellberg exclusively live streams on decentralised platform DLive, though he still uploads videos to YouTube.
It is no surprise to see the likes of Google, Amazon, Microsoft and Facebook embroiled in yet another tech war, when they frequently are world leaders in other areas.
The latest battle has been won by Google with Valkyrae, LazarBeam and Muselk now firmly in the YouTube camp.
The move is much needed when analysing its share of video game live streaming hours between 2018 and 2019. Back in 2018, YouTube boasted 27.5% compared to 27.9% in 2019, marking a rather small increase.
Likewise, Mixer only managed to increase from 2% to 2.6% while Facebook Gaming had the most remarkable rise from 3.1% to 8.5%.
Twitch took the biggest hit plummeting from 67.1% to 61%.
The figures were reported by CNBC and compiled from StreamElements and Arsenal.
It is still dominating the market, but with its rivals snatching up sensations left, right and centre, 2020 will be a testing year to see if it can keep its current monopoly.
Interested in reading more about the live streaming war? Discover more about Ninja discussing his shock move to Mixer on Kevin Hart’s ‘Cold as Balls’.


text:
'The Dish' still beaming signals from Australia 50 years after moon walk
Amazon AU adds AMD-powered instances
'Polarising' Oracle and 'disjointed' IBM remain cloud also-rans
Atlassian reboots performance reviews to combat 'brilliant jerks'
Law Council wants data retention loopholes shut
Don't have an account? Register now!
Apple users suffer iOS 5 update problems
Slow servers mar Apple's code release.
Oct 14 2011 7:05AM
Apple hunts for 'unreleased products' security guards
Lost prototypes spur Apple jobs growth.
Sep 7 2011 7:10AM
Google continues 'spring clean'
Ends Firefox Toolbar and Google Labs.
Jul 22 2011 6:57AM
Firefox 5 set for June launch
Ramps up release schedule.
Apr 12 2011 7:47AM
Microsoft announces Silverlight 5
Beta next year.
Dec 6 2010 1:30PM
Video: Why Dell ditched the container data centre
Too small a market for containers.
Nov 11 2010 4:08PM
Newly issued Safari closes 48 holes
Vulnerabilites in Safari, WebKit and Color Sync.
Jun 9 2010 12:12PM
Adelaide gets nod for high density data centre
Gauvin to build data centre in old Mitsubishi plant.
Mar 11 2010 3:07PM
HP to cut 5,700 more jobs
HP is to cut a total of 5,700 jobs across Europe, the Middle East and Africa over the next two years.
Jun 1 2009 3:37PM
Jboss 5 finally sees the light of day
After a significant period of waiting, a final 'stable' release of Jboss 5 has hit Jboss.org for download.
Dec 8 2008 7:04AM
More than 5,000 pirated eBay credentials found on web
A security researcher has discovered a loot of eBay credentials on a Google cache.
Oct 15 2008 10:10AM
Review: IdentiPHI SAFsolution 5
IdentiPHI's SAFsolution 5 Enterprise Edition builds a platform on which an enterprise can integrate biometrics into the already existing environment.
Sep 15 2008 9:26AM
Tassie government lodges $5 million broadband bond
The Tasmanian government has lodged the $5 million bond required to take part in the federal government’s $4.7 billion national broadband network project, rounding out the now known participants to seven.
May 28 2008 3:52PM
Mozilla unleashes Firefox 3 beta 5
The Mozilla Foundation has released the latest beta for Firefox 3, which includes more than 750 alterations and fixes..
Apr 4 2008 7:19AM
UK boffins plan Mach 5 airliner
A British company has designed an eco-friendly airliner that could make a trip from London to Sydney in under five hours.
Feb 6 2008 3:36PM
Telstra to cough up $5 million in class action settlement
Telstra has sought approval from the Federal Court to pay shareholders up to $5 million as a settlement for a class action lawsuit brought against the telco.
Nov 12 2007 12:50PM
Endace buys MSSP Applied Watch for $5 million
New Zealand-based network monitoring provider Endace has acquired Applied Watch Technologies, a managed security services provider, for US$5 million.
Oct 16 2007 9:51AM
Bush under fire over '5 million' disappearing emails
The White House has come under fire after losing a reported 5 million official emails, including several relating to the controversial firing of eight US attorneys.
Apr 16 2007 10:21AM
Hacker accesses Social Security numbers of 71,000 US health care workers
The personal information - including Social Security numbers - of 71,000 Indiana state health care workers were accessed by a hacker in January.
Mar 23 2007 1:34AM
China Mobile adds 5 million users in December
More than the population of Ireland.
Jan 23 2007 9:13AM
Most popular tech stories
Microsoft admits it couldn't afford its own cloud
CBA discloses app's open source components
Vic govt to build state's first digital twin
NSW using AWS to predict public transport delays
NSW Police smash fake telco technician scam syndicate
Andrew Foot leaves Dell, re-appears at HPE
Dell dominates hyper-converged market as Nutanix falls
VMware to acquire AI, ML acceleration firm Bitfusion
Windows 10 upgrade effect kicks PC sales into gear
Partners meet the meat at Comstor's OneSource BBQ
How long will a UPS keep your computers on if the lights go out?
6 cloud accounting systems for Australian small businesses compared: MYOB, QuickBooks, Reckon, Saasu, Sage and Xero
How to recover deleted emails in Gmail
Tip: Your shop can use a smartphone instead of an EFTPOS terminal
How do I make sure my email is properly synced between all my computers?
NNNCo attracts $8 million investment from energy consultancy
Deakin engineer connects schoolbags
City of Sydney invites businesses to join smart city database
Western Sydney Aerotropolis looks to SUEZ for smart city expertise
Australian Government polls industry about smart cities, regions, towns
Don't have an account? Register now!
Username / Email:
Forgot your password?


text:
The promise of the self-driving car has been a long time coming. While fully autonomous vehicles have yet to take over the roadways of the world, almost 50 different companies are working to make it a reality.
Some are automakers you’ve heard of – Volvo, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Toyota, General Motors, and Tesla. Others include equally well-known tech giants, such as Alphabet’s (parent company of Google) Waymo division, Samsung subsidiary HARMAN (in conjunction with Swiss automaker Rinspeed), and both Apple and Amazon.
Then there are the efforts of the original US automaker, Ford.
Read the article at Car Buying Strategies.


text:
Avril Group latest to join blockchain-based IBM Food Trust
Fri, 07 Feb 2020, 10:30 am UTC
Tech firm IBM has announced that Avril Group, a French agro-industrial group, has joined IBM Food Trust, a blockchain-enabled initiative targeted at the food industry, in a press release.
Launched in 2018, IBM Food Trust uses blockchain technology to enhance visibility and accountability in the food supply chain. It creates a digital record of transactions or interactions related to the food products, proving end-to-end traceability of the supply chain from farm to fork.
Immediate access to actionable food supply chain data
Built on Hyperledger Fabric-based open source technology, the IBM Food Trust platform uses permissioning to allow companies to set rules about who can see the data they upload to the solution and for how long. The companies also maintain control of their data even after it has been uploaded to Food Trust.
"The solution provides authorized users with immediate access to actionable food supply chain data, from farm to store and ultimately the consumer. The complete history and current location of any individual food item, as well as accompanying information such as certifications, test data and temperature data, are readily available in seconds once uploaded onto the blockchain," according to the official website.
Avril Group, a market leader in the vegetable oil and protein industry, will join existing members including Nestlé, Carrefour, Albertsons Companies, ORGANO, DeltaTrak, Topco Associates, Wakefern, BeefChain, Scoular and Smithfield, and others. Avril is also the owner of the leading fresh eggs and oil brands, Matines and Lesieur.
Matines taps blockchain technology
Matines offers its consumers a unique and personalized experience through its enhanced information and traceability of 25 references on its ranges of organic, outdoors, free-range red label, soil and standard eggs. This was part of its efforts to reposition the Matines brand around new commitments which included raising hens without antibiotic treatment, feeding them with 100% French cereals and incorporating good breeding practices.
“Advancing traceability also means contributing directly to the Avril Group's approach to corporate social responsibility (CSR), particularly in sectors related to quality livestock (French origin, organic) and the consideration of animal welfare,” the announcement read. “These standards have already been adopted in more than 1000 farms (including 400 laying hen farms).”
In order to enhance transparency for customers, a QR code is printed inside each egg box to give buyers access to a wide range of data related to the eggs they purchase and consume. This includes info on the farming method, how the hens are fed, date the eggs are laid, packing center, date of packaging, date when the eggs are received and the date of dispatch to the warehouse. Matines uses blockchain to handle these data.
“The blockchain records immutable information at each step of the process and provides transparency for consumers about claims of quality of the product they consume,” the announcement added.
Meanwhile, food safety company Neogen just announced its partnership with blockchain firm Ripe Technology in implementing blockchain technology for food safety diagnostics and animal genomics.
<Copyright © TokenPost. All Rights Reserved. >


text:
Women’s pump and dumper prices have dropped to a six-month low as a growing number of companies offer pumps and dumps that have little to no expiration date.
Women’s pumps and dumps are on the rise in recent years, according to industry data firm Statista, a trend that’s been driven in part by the popularity of breast pumps and pump-and-dump sites.
The trend has led to increased demand and increased prices.
A woman can expect to spend between $1,200 and $2,500 on a pump and a dump, according in Statista’s report.
Pump and dump sites often offer free shipping on orders of $10 or more.
The pumps and dumpers are designed to make pumping and dumping easier for women.
They’re made from plastic, rubber, wood, fiberglass and even PVC.
The pumps and deluge dumpers have more pumps and are smaller than pump and dumps.
They can be purchased for $2.50 to $4.50, depending on the pump and deluges size.
The price of a pump is determined by the type of pump and the size of the dump.
Pumps have the lowest price, while dumps are more expensive and larger.
The pump price ranges from $1 to $6, depending how large and small the pump is.
Pumps also are more durable than dumps.
A pump is made of metal that can withstand a couple of months in the dump, while a dump is made from recycled or reused materials.
The price of dumpers is typically lower than pumps.
A pump is typically the first item you should pick up after a dump.
A dump can last anywhere from five to two weeks.
A person can expect a pump to last for about a month before needing to replace it.
The pump will last the lifetime of the pump, while the dump will last for around four months.
The dumps can be used for the same purpose as a pump, such as when a person dumps the contents of their freezer.
They are often used as an emergency measure if the pump gets dirty or when the dump tank is full.
For most women, a pump can last for at least two to three months, depending if they dump or pump.
If they dump, they will have a new pump for about two weeks, Statista said.
Women who dump will need to buy a new dump every six months.
For women who pump, they can expect the pump to be used about a week before the dump ends.
For women who dump, it’s best to keep the pump in the freezer.
It can last up to six months, while dumpers can last a month.
Women can expect their dump to last about a year.
The dump will typically be the first thing to go.
They may need to replace a pump a few times.
A new dump will be needed every three to six weeks.
For the most part, women want to buy pump and dumped for their own personal use.
Pumping is often the first choice when a dump or a pump gets in the way of other needs, such a groceries or laundry, according the website Women’s Pump and Dump Association.
Women are willing to pay a lot for pumps and dumped.
According to Statista data, women who spend $5,000 to $10,000 per year on pumps and pumped dumpers spend $1.9 million to $3.4 million a year, according Statsite.
The number of women buying pumps and pumps dumped is expected to increase in the future, with many companies offering pumps and dumping sites.
Statista predicts that pump and dumping will be more popular in the next few years.


text:
NEW YORK ( TheStreet) -- Retail sales fell again in June, reigniting fears of a stumble in the consumer rebound. Sales dropped 0.5%, more than the 0.2% decline economists expected. This is the second consecutive monthly dip in sales, following seven straight months of gains. As a result, retail stocks are in the red Wednesday morning, with the S&P Retail Index down 1% to 400.10. Some of the notable losers include, Target ( TGT), which is off 1.4% to $49.22, Dillard's ( DDS), which is decling 2% to $21.98, Buckle ( BKE), which is falling 1.5% to $28 and J.Crew ( JCG), which is losing 2% to $35.66. Excluding the 2.3% plunge in autos, however, retail sales only slipped 0.1%. Sales at the gas pump dropped 2%, furniture sales were off 1.1% and building materials dropped 1%. Hobbies, books and sports stores also saw a decline, as did food and beverage stores. There were some bright spots: electronic and appliance stores reported a 1.3% jump; general merchandisers, which include Wal-Mart ( WMT), grew 0.2%; and department stores rose 1.1%. Restaurants, clothing stores, health and personal care stores, and online and catalog outlets, also saw modest increases. The disappointing overall number shouldn't come as a surprise. Last week retail chain stores reported lackluster June same-store sales, with 14 of the 26 companies tracked by TheStreet missing expectations. Now investors are awaiting the all-important back-to-school selling season, which office supply retailer Staples ( SPLS) said kicks off today. Staples will be ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange to commemorate the start of the season. But for whom will the bell toll? That depends on whether parents open their wallets this back-to-school season, or stick to their recent, frugal ways.
"In the end, the data is supportive that the consumer has taken a pause to reassess their personal finances as the June 2010 results are being matched to soft year earlier numbers," Wall Street Strategies analyst Brian Sozzi wrote in a note. "Unfortunately, as we learned with the June same-store sales results last week, promotions are still needed to entice the consumer." Retailers like American Eagle Outfitters ( AEO) and Abercrombie & Fitch ( ANF) may be in a pickle, having bought into a consumer recovery and increased inventory levels. "In the world of retail, product lead times could be detrimental to margins, and our sense is that will be the case for the third quarter," Sozzi said. -- Reported by Jeanine Poggi in New York. Follow TheStreet.com on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.


text:
US Tariffs on Chinese Tires 'a Cause of Concern'
Adjust font size:
The US government's decision to impose tariffs on Chinese tires is "a cause of concern", said Alejandro Jara, deputy director-general of the World Trade Organization (WTO), on Saturday at the ongoing 2009 Summer Davos in northeast China's port city of Dalian.
"I think this is a cause of concern," he told Xinhua on the sideline of the summit, adding that he was not sure whether this would solve the problem the US petitioners has sought to solve.
"It's obviously a measure that does not help recovery and does not help increase world trade," he said.
Jara said this was a measure of protection, but he refused to comment on the move's legality and legitimacy.
"WTO has the dispute settlement mechanism that can settle the issue," he said.
US President Barack Obama decided on Friday to impose punitive tariffs on all car and light truck tires from China for three years, a move quickly denounced by China as a "serious act of trade protectionism."
The US Steelworkers union, which represents workers at major US tire manufacturers, filed a petition against China earlier this year for import relief and won a favorable ruling from the US International Trade Commission (ITC).
The panel recommended Obama impose a 55-percent tariff on the Chinese tire imports which would be reduced to 45 percent in the second year and 35 percent in the third before being removed.
(Xinhua News Agency September 12, 2009)


text:
BSVI Bajaj Pulsar 220F price revealed, to be launched soon
Bajaj recently revealed the price of the Pulsar 220F which is Rs 1.16 lakh, ex-showroom. The price is Rs 8,000 more than the price of the outgoing BSIV model. The motorcycle has been sighted at the showrooms and bookings have unofficially started.
The new Pulsar 220 does not get any cosmetic changes. The engine comes equipped with fuel injection, an ECU and a catalytic converter. This is not the first time that the Pulsar 220 gets fuel injection. The first generation Pulsar 220 was launched with fuel injection before Bajaj made the switch to a carburettor the second generation onwards. Powertrain details have not been disclosed but is expected to be the same as the BSIV model's output of 20.93PS and 18.55Nm or might even see a slight drop in power as is seen in every motorcycle updated with BSVI engines. The engine will be mated to a 5-speed gearbox.
The official launch of the Bajaj Pulsar 220F is expected to take place by the end of the month.
Image source: Zigwheels
Starts Rs 98,500
Starts Rs 1,43,680
- NewsTriumph Tiger 900 GT Pro and Rally Pro first ride review
- NewsJehan Daruvala to compete in FIA Formula 2 Championship in 2020 as part of Red Bull Junior programme
- NewsMG Hector crosses 50,000 bookings in India
- NewsVintage and Classic car Grand Heritage Drive
- News2020 Hyundai Creta interior design layout revealed ahead of launch


text:
Skin Wins: Toxin Cut from Nail Polish
Bowing to consumer pressure and a grassroots Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, Orly International, OPI Products and Sally Hansen have eliminated the toxic chemical dibutyl phthalate (DBP) from their nail polish and nail treatment products. This common ingredient has been linked to birth defects, and was found in 100 percent of hundreds of Americans tested. The highest levels—exceeding federal safety standards—appeared in women of childbearing age.
DBP is considered a reproductive toxin by the state of California. Europe has banned its use in all cosmetics.
For a complete rundown of health and beauty product safety ratings by brand, visit the Environmental Working Group’s website at www.ewg.org/reports/skindeep.


text:
Tracr, the end-to-end diamond industry blockchain being developed by De Beers Group in collaboration with industry stakeholders, has named Jim Duffy as general manager to lead the next phase of the platform’s development.
Duffy is joining Tracr as the platform starts to build greater scale, with more than US$100 million worth of rough diamonds having been registered on the platform since the launch of the pilot in January 2018. Prior to this appointment, Duffy led several tech start-ups and has worked both in large multinational technology companies and in the financial sector.
As general manager of Tracr, he will be responsible for further development and scaling of the platform and leading a team of world-class diamond industry and technology experts. He will oversee all operational and commercial aspects of the venture, driving its go-to-market strategy and engagement with stakeholders.
Neil Ventura, executive vice-president for Strategy and Innovation at De Beers Group, commented, “Jim’s skills and experiences are the perfect fit for realising the vision we have for Tracr – a unique digital platform that will enhance long-term sustainability and deliver a range of benefits for the whole diamond industry. He brings extensive corporate and technology start-up experience that will be crucial to the continued development of Tracr, including successful scaling of technology-driven businesses across a number of sectors.”
Duffy remarked, “I’m thrilled to be joining the Tracr team and building on the great work that has already been completed as we further progress this potentially far-reaching initiative for the diamond industry. In the next several months, we’ll be focused on continuing to bring new strategic partners on board to participate in the Tracr pilot and incorporate the learnings from the pilot phase into what will be a collaborative and purpose-built industry platform.”
The Tracr pilot currently involves five leading global diamond manufacturers and the world’s largest retailer of diamond jewellery, Signet Jewelers. The pilot is focused on ensuring the platform’s ultimate design meets the needs of users at different stages of the value chain.
News Source : jewellerynet.com


text:
Ahold Delhaize USA amps up convenience through frictionless shopping
In the all-important intangible store brand department, Retail Business Services LLC, the services company of Ahold Delhaize USA, is aiming to take convenience to a higher level with a new frictionless store technology piloted under the name Lunchbox and powered by a proprietary mobile app, which permits consumers to quickly shop a small-format store and just walk out, no need to visit the cashier.
The technology is now being tested in Retail Business Services’ Quincy, Mass., office.
For the project, the company teamed up with digital transformation solutions provider UST Global. Retail Business Services provided application development, technology connectivity and food retail operations expertise, while UST Global and its partners offered the artificial intelligence (AI) technology solution and physical infrastructure for the store. The technology will be on display at the National Retail Federation (NRF) Big Show this January, in collaboration with UST Global and Intel.
"Lunchbox is an easy, fresh shopping alternative,” said Paul Scorza, executive vice president of IT and the chief information officer for Retail Business Services. “Once registered, shoppers simply scan in, shop and walk out. It’s that easy. And it offers fresh, healthy options 24/7. You can grab a snack, a salad, fresh fruit or even a carton of milk on your way home.”
According to Retail Business Services, Lunchbox is more efficient than other frictionless store concepts, as it carries a lean cost and can be implemented in just weeks.
“We believed in this concept so much we brought it to our own office,” continued Scorza. “Our cafeteria that serves more than 1,000 associates was being remodeled, and we were looking for a quick, cost-effective solution to give associates access to beverages, snacks and fresh items at a variety of hours. We implemented this solution in just six weeks. Today, thousands of shops, with groups of up to 12 in the store at the same time, have been successfully completed.”
The application technology for Lunchbox, developed in Retail Business Services’ innovation lab and tech hub, is powered by the company’s proprietary app, which lets shoppers into the store and charges them for purchases. To make payment easy, services such as PayPal, Venmo, Apply Pay and Google Pay are integrated into the wallet.
Retail Business Services provides services, including private brands, to six East Coast grocery brands: Food Lion, Giant Food, Giant/Martin’s, Hannaford, and Stop & Shop, and online grocer Peapod.
Goldschmidt is managing editor of Progressive Grocer, Store Brands' sister publication.


text:
FLINT TWP. — A Mattress Firm store at 4051 Miller Rd is set to open on Friday, Aug. 8. It is the first of two new Michigan locations for the Houston-TX-based specialty bedding chain.
A second store at 932 S Center Road in Flint near Courtland Center Mall is scheduled to open Aug. 22, according to Derrick Cox, market manager for northeast Michigan. These will be the 10th and 11th Michigan locations, joining 1,500 company-operated and franchised stores in 36 states.
The Miller Road store at Pirates Plaza is on a site formerly occupied for many years by Underwood’s vacuum cleaner and furniture store.
At about 5,000 square feet, it is among the largest sized Mattress Firm stores. Three employees have been hired and one or two more are being sought, Cox said.
The Grand Opening will be announced with signs, banners and other decorations inside and out. Refreshments will be served and a “Save the Tax’’ event will offer taxfree purchases during opening week, Aug. 8-15 (excluding Tempurpedic and Icomfort mattresses).
Mattress Firm sells all top mattress brands – Sealy, Beautyrest, Stearns & Foster, TempurPedic, Serta and Hampton & Rhodes. The store also sells frames, pillows and protectors for mattresses and pillows.
“We also have the best policies and guarantees in place to ensure each person gets the best price, and finds the right mattress for their needs,” Cox said.
The store also will bring to the community its philanthropic Mattress Firm Foundation, which has a national focus on pancreatic cancer awareness and research. Stores sell a brand of pillows called Lux Living and adjustable bases called Firmcare, from which a portion of proceeds is directed to fund pancreatic cancer research.
Additionally, at the local level, Mattress Firm typically gets involved with causes like Toys for Tots, the Salvation Army’s “Rock the Red Kettle,” and local food pantries and rescue missions.
Mattress Firm currently has stores in Muskegon, Holland, Lansing, Midland, Bay City and Saginaw.


text:
Market on Main approaching 80% completion
Thu, 12 Dec 2013 18:56:09 GMT —
Construction at Market on Main is progressing, and progressing fast.
The building looks unrecognizable from what it started as, with the roof now complete, the walls almost ready for drywall and all the different areas of the market starting to take shape.
"It's wonderful to see it come together, to this point, it's all been an idea on a piece of paper and now you can take the drawings and really see it come to live," said Heather Ware, Executive Director of Market on Main. "You can see where the kitchens are, where the retails space is, how this space is going to turn into what it's destined to be, it's just really exciting for us to see it finally turn into something."
If you want to see the market for yourself, head over to the Winter Market event on Tuesday, December 17 at 5 pm. By Tuesday, the building will be about 80 percent complete, and the community will have a chance to be wowed at the construction's progress.
In addition, about 25 local vendors will be on hand for crafts and food, including Cedar Valley Winery and students from Indian Hills Community College. Ware said there will also be an exciting announcement regarding the space at the front of Market on Main.
Tickets for the Winter Market cost $5 and you can purchase them at the door. A generous donor has offered to match dollar-for-dollar everything that is raised at the event and Ware said though their initial goal was $20,000, they are hoping to raise as much as possible.
For more information on Market on Main, click here.


text:
When it comes to fabric, every designer has their favourite. Renowned fashion designer Narendra Kumar's latest passion is Liva, a yarn that can be... ...http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/pix-kangana-priyanka-john--in-narendra-kumars-design/20160525.htm
The moment you see intricate embroidery and utmost detailing on garments, you should know that it is the work of the famous fashion designer, Rohit... ...http://m.mensxp.com/fashion/style-trends/30699-6-times-designer-rohit-bal-proved-that-he-is-the-boss-when-it-comes-to-fashion.html
MUMBAI: Colors CEO Raj Nayak opened the PromaxBDA India 2016 Conference highlighting the ever growing importance of promos for shows on channels.... ...http://www.indiantelevision.com/mam/marketing/mam/promos-programming-are-heart-soul-of-television-channels-raj-nayak-160513
Just a day after getting embroiled in a tax evasion case, megastar Amitabh Bachchan pointed out how fame and success has the capacity to garner... ...http://m.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/amitabh-bachchan-lists-disadvantages-of-fame/story-0BSpz7BcQ06kd1WaXCcscI.html
SEOUL, May 12 (Reuters) The South Korean won extended its gains on Thursday as investors sold the U.S. dollar and took profits on its recent gains... ...http://www.uniindia.com/s-korean-won-extends-gains-stocks-pare-losses/world/news/479030.html
Get your quick fix on Kaun Banega...
Looking to participate in kaun banega...


text:
Employees at perfume factories owned by Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH) are to begin manufacturing hand sanitiser for hospitals.In light of the escalating coronavirus crisis in France and around the world, LVMH chief executive Bernard Arnault has in…
Employees at perfume factories owned by Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH) are to begin manufacturing hand sanitiser for hospitals.
In light of the escalating coronavirus crisis in France and around the world, LVMH chief executive Bernard Arnault has instructed bosses at LVMH Perfumes & Cosmetics, including those who make products for Christian Dior, Guerlain, and Givenchy, to prepare sites to begin making “substantial quantities” of hydroalcoholic gel.
The gel will be delivered free of charge to French health authorities and those working at Assistance Publique-Hopitaux de Paris, a network of teaching hospitals that treats more than eight million patients per year.
“Through this initiative, LVMH intends to help address the risk of a lack of product in France and enable a greater number of people to continue to take the right action to protect themselves from the spread of the virus,” a spokesperson said in a statement. “LVMH will continue to honour this commitment for as long as necessary, in connection with the French health authorities.”
More than 170,000 people have been affected in 158 countries since the Covid-19 outbreak began in Wuhan, China back in December. Italy, Spain, and some parts of the U.S. have gone into lockdown to contain the spread of the virus, as more than 6,600 people have died.
In France, leaders have introduced sweeping restrictions across the nation, with cafes, restaurants, cinemas, and many non-essential stores now closed, while pharmacies have restricted customers to one bottle of sanitiser per person.
There has been over 5,400 coronavirus cases reported in the country, with 127 deaths.
© Cover Media
Angelina Jolie isn’t afraid of ageing.Over the years, the actress has frequently been cited as one of the world’s most beautiful women, receiving particular attention for her full lips and vast tattoo collection. Having now been in the public eye for d…
Angelina Jolie isn’t afraid of ageing.
Over the years, the actress has frequently been cited as one of the world’s most beautiful women, receiving particular attention for her full lips and vast tattoo collection.
Having now been in the public eye for decades, Angelina feels no less beautiful than she did in her younger years, and has encouraged others to ignore the notion that “femininity fades after 40”.
“It is just simply not true,” the 43-year-old insisted in an interview with Vogue Australia. “Wisdom, understanding, clarity of thought – all the things that come with age – are also beautiful and feminine qualities. I’d like to think we all get better with age, men and women.
“There is nothing more attractive than someone being fully themselves, without inhibition, in whatever form that takes.”
Angelina, who is mother to six children, adopting three internationally, with ex-husband Brad Pitt, has served as the face of Guerlain’s Mon Guerlain fragrance since 2017, and went on to become the first Hollywood actress to ever co-create a fragrance when the brand released an eau de toilette version of the scent.
She has also involved her 14-year-old son Pax in the project, inviting him to one of Guerlain’s bespoke perfume ateliers with in-house perfumer Thierry Wasser.
“Pax and I each made a perfume. We laughed that his was so much better,” she smiled, before emphasising the reason she agreed to collaborate with the French house.
“For nearly 200 years they’ve been making perfumes that celebrate femininity in all its forms. But I’d never endorsed a perfume before, and would not have unless I was sure of the values and ethos of the company.”
© Cover Media
Angelina Jolie once changed her hair colour using a Sharpie pen.The 42-year-old is often described as one of the most beautiful women in the world, but the actress hasn’t always boasted such a polished look. And in a new interview with American InSty…
Angelina Jolie once changed her hair colour using a Sharpie pen.
The 42-year-old is often described as one of the most beautiful women in the world, but the actress hasn’t always boasted such a polished look. And in a new interview with American InStyle, Angelina revealed the unusual hair technique she adopted when she was younger.
“I’m sure I had my moments when I was little where I would put make-up all over my face, but I was a bit of a tomboy. And then I was a bit of a punk. Nowadays it’s very poplar to dye your hair blue, for example. In my day you bleached it and used a Sharpie (for colour),” she divulged.
The mother-of-six now prefers a more natural look, admitting she has “the most boring make-up kit”.
However, because her 13-year-old daughter Zahara is developing more of an interest in beauty as she grows up, Angelina is finding she needs to stock up on extra products.
“I remember she had a girlfriend over one night, and they said they were going to do dress-up and did I have any make-up?” she recalled. “I gave them my make-up, but I wear one colour red, and I have black eyeliner and mascara. I now have a backup kit in case anybody wants to play.”
Angelina also shared that her children have been “upset” when she’s tried on perfumes in the past, because they mask her natural scent, but luckily they’ve grown to accept Mon Guerlain, the fragrance Angelina is the face of.
“As I was making this decision (to be the face of Mon Guerlain), I tested it with the kids. They recognised enough of it, and they liked it,” the Oscar winner smiled. “I wear it, and Zahara wears it.
“I’m a terrible liar, so I couldn’t promote something I didn’t actually like.”
© Cover Media


text:
- China has now outlawed Damus, a recently founded decentralised social networking platform.
- The app, which was created as an alternative to Twitter and is supported by Jack Dorsey, has been prohibited in China because of its decentralised structure, which is against the country’s regulations.
The China App Store has blocked Damus, a Jack Dorsey-backed alternative to Twitter that integrates the Bitcoin Lightning Network.
After receiving numerous denials, the application was finally accepted by Apple on February 1. Within 24 hours of launch, the smartphone app’s user base soared above 45,000, making it China’s second-most popular social network.
The withdrawal of the app was required by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), according to Damus, on account of an alleged infringement of national speech rules. Apple cooperated with the request right away.
The Cyberspace Administration of China claimed that the app “contains content that is banned in China” because it is a “Information Service with Attributes of Popular Views or Competent of Social Mobilization,” according to a notification.
The app, which was created as an alternative to Twitter and is supported by Jack Dorsey, has been prohibited in China because of its decentralised structure, which is against the country’s regulations.
China’s position on censorship is widely known, and the nation has already cracked down on social media sites.
Nostr, a decentralised social networking platform supported by Jack Dorsey, is the foundation around which the programme is constructed. With the Nostr-based social app, users have complete control over their data and content without having to expose their true names.
Apple repeatedly rejected the app because the corporation demands that all apps offer a way to report and block offensive content and users.
Any website that is accessible from within China or listed on an online marketplace needs to have an Internet Content Provider (ICP) licence.
ICP-licensed organisations are not allowed to publish materials that, among other things, “oppose the basic principles defined in the Chinese constitution,” “harm the honour and interests of the nation,” “disseminate rumours,” “disrupt the social order,” or “undermine the social stability.”
This is not the first time that news of an app “ban” in China has surfaced. WeChat, a major messaging app, decided to outlaw accounts related to cryptocurrencies and NFT on its platform in June of last year. WeChat claimed that as part of its “Illegal commercial operations,” “participating in virtual currency or digital collection business” is seen as “violating content.”


text:
By Kim Hart - 12/10/09 08:14 PM EST
“GAO has pinpointed one key reason for consumer dissatisfaction – early termination fees charged by carriers – which raises concerns both from a consumer protection and a competition standpoint. In the digital age, where technology can change overnight, consumers should not be chained to their wireless provider for years through exorbitant early termination fees,” he said.
“The GAO report shows that a large majority of wireless phone users are satisfied with their wireless service. This is good news, and the wireless industry deserves credit for serving the majority of its customers well,” said Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-Calif.), Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee.
“However, the report also suggests that millions of consumers still experience problems related to billing, fees, and customer service. Although I believe robust competition between wireless carriers is the best way to protect consumers, it is critical that the FCC, Congress, and the wireless industry monitor this situation closely and be prepared to act in the best interests of consumers.”


text:
Google announced that it is acquiring WildFire a social media marketing startup. Wildfire was founded in 2008 by Victoria Ransom and Alain Chuard and it offers technology/platform to manage all things related to social media marketing. Wildfire’s website states that its founders first developed the technology behind the Wildfire as a side project in 2008 as owners of a New Zealand-based adventure travel company. It states that
When they wanted to give away a free trip to fans, they discovered that running the promotion on Facebook would require them to create an application. So they got to work developing new software.
The side project became the first Wildfire product, Promotion Builder and in four years Wildfire technology is used in over 16,000 businesses, including 30 of the top 50 global brands like Virgin, Cirque du Soleil, Gilt Group and Spotify. Wildfire is headquartered at Redwood City, CA and has offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, London, Munich, Paris, and Singapore.
Announcing the acquisition news in a blog post, Google said
The ultimate goal is better and fresher content, and more meaningful interactions. People today can make their voices heard in ways that were previously impossible, and Wildfire helps businesses uphold their end of the conversation (or spark a new one).
In a complex and changing landscape, businesses want to manage and measure these efforts in an integrated way. We’ve been working towards this end for some time. For example, Google Analytics helps businesses measure the contribution of hundreds of social sites; our Admeld service has helped to serve ads in Facebook developers’ social apps; and our DoubleClick platform enables clients to run and measure ads across social websites. On Google+, brands use services like Vitrue, Buddy Media and others to manage their pages, with many more to come.
With Wildfire, we’re looking forward to creating new opportunities for our clients to engage with people across all social services. We believe that better content and more seamless solutions will help unlock the full potential of the web for people and businesses.
Here is a full blogpost from Wildfire announcing the acquisition news
Wildfire is joining Google
Four years ago, we set out on a journey to make social media marketing easier and more effective. We thought our idea had potential, but little did we know what an incredible ride it would be. Not only have we helped to define and build an entirely new industry, but we’ve created a company that’s larger (from 5 to almost 400 employees in two and a half years!) and more successful (we’re proud to serve 16,000 customers including 30 of the top 50 brands) than we ever imagined.
Today we are about to start a new chapter of our story and we couldn’t be more excited to share the news: Wildfire is joining Google! We truly could not think of a more perfect home for Wildfire. It makes us so happy to know that joining with Google will make it easier for us to realize our vision of changing the way the world markets and enable us to live up to our commitment to make Wildfire an incredible place for our team and our customers.
We believe that over time the combination of Wildfire and Google can lead to a better platform for managing all digital media marketing. For now, we remain focused on helping brands run and measure their social engagement and ad campaigns across the entire web and across all social services — Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google+, Pinterest, LinkedIn and more — and to deliver rich and satisfying experiences for their consumers. To this end, Wildfire will operate as usual, and there will be no changes to our service and support for our customers.
So many people have helped us get to this exciting point in Wildfire’s evolution; more people than we could ever list or recognize. But we would like to call out a few of you. First and foremost our wonderful customers — thank you for choosing Wildfire as your partner in social media marketing. Thanks to our awesome team — you are the most impressive group of people we have ever had the privilege of working with and it goes without saying that we wouldn’t be where we are today without each and every one of you. Thanks to Summit Partners and our other investors for all your support; your guidance has helped us to not only be one of the most successful companies in our space but also the most capital efficient.
Finally, a huge thanks to our friends and partners at Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube, Google+ and most especially Facebook. Were it not for the social media revolution that you have all helped to create, Wildfire would not even exist. We are committed to continue building tools that help enhance the way brands and consumers experience each of your respective social networks.


text:
Dec. 23, 2023
Management / Financial Result
Shiseido to acquire Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare
Strategic transaction adds dermatologist-led prestige skincare brand to Shiseido’s global portfolio
Shiseido Company, Limited (”Shiseido”) today announced that a resolution was adopted by the Board of Directors on December 20, 2023, upon discretionary approval of the Representative Director for the terms and conditions, to acquire DDG Skincare Holdings LLC (”DDG,” headquartered in New York, USA). DDG is a leading company offering dermatologist-led, science-based prestige skincare. To complete this transaction, Shiseido Americas Corporation (headquartered in Delaware, USA), a consolidated subsidiary of Shiseido has signed a definitive agreement to acquire DDG on December 22, 2023 (JST December 23, 2023).
About Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare
Launched in New York City in 2000, Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare is a skincare brand founded by former skin cancer researcher and practicing dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross along with his wife Carrie Gross. Their mission is ”To make the difference in the lives of all people everywhere by helping them have healthier skin.” Together, they disrupted the beauty industry by asking people to peel daily with their now-iconic Alpha Beta® Daily Peels. With innovative formulas incorporating simple, straightforward instructions, clients became instant believers. Dr. Gross continues to bring innovations and expertise from the dermatology practice to retail consumers around the globe in the form of easy-to-use at home products designed to work together in customizable regimens to treat multiple concerns.
Significance of the acquisition
This acquisition will provide the following benefits to Shiseido to drive further growth.
1) Adding a highly complementary brand to our existing portfolio
We expect to see a growing interest in health and beauty as consumers increase their awareness of “skin health.” As a derma cosmetics, doctor-led brand Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare strengthens our position in a rapidly growing skincare segment. By tapping the great potential of the growing market in the U.S. with its unique positioning coupled with a complementary fit with our prestige portfolio, this will be a strategic addition to Shiseido along with our prestige beauty brands SHISEIDO and Clé de Peau Beauté.
2) Driving growth and profitability in a critical market in the Americas business
The acquisition of a high-growth, profit accretive skincare brand will contribute to the ongoing expansion of the Americas business, a strategically important region for Shiseido. This will enable us to diversify our geographical footprint while resolving the imbalances in our revenue streams.
3) Creating synergistic effects with Shiseido’s strengths, bolstering innovation and driving global business growth
With a philosophy rooted in research, dermatology and technology, the brand is well aligned with Shiseido’s rich heritage in skincare, global platforms, and R＆D capabilities. This will in turn support Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare to accelerate its next phase of growth. Together, we will be well positioned to capture opportunities in the rapidly growing doctor-led skincare market around the world.
Expected impact on earnings
This acquisition will have no significant impact on the consolidated financial results of the Shiseido Group for the fiscal period ending December 2023. The impact on our financial results in 2024 and onwards will be disclosed at an appropriate timing.
*The content of the release is correct as of the time of release, but please note that it may in some cases differ from the latest information.


text:
The Sittingbourne-based healthy snacks manufacturer made the investment to air-dry fruit and vegetables on a large scale. The firm produces both snacks and ingredients for cereal and vegetable mixes.
30% of the world market
The birth of a mega brewer moved a step closer after SAB Miller agreed to AB InBev’s latest bid, which valued the business at £44 a share. If the deal goes ahead it will create one of the world’s largest beer companies accounting for about 30% of the world market.
There was good news too for Mexican food fans, with lunch of the MexImport Group, a multi-million pound venture formed by three Mexican business leaders to source traditional food and drink from their homeland.
One of its founders Yong Garcia said: “In the UK, we’ll be bringing lovers of our cuisine new gastronomic experiences through exciting brands, including a huge range of free-from products.”
Mexican food also feature in our Me and My Factory profile of the Cool Chile Company this week and a behind the scenes look at its production process.
Meanwhile, it was a bad week for food and drink recalls, as new research revealed nearly 20% of food and drink businesses lacked any plans to cope with a recall.
Research by law firm Roythornes revealed that 18.5% had no recall plans – potentially exposing the business to millions of pounds worth of costs – while 60% of firms failed to mention recall in contractual arrangements with suppliers.
Nestlé also revealed that its Maggi noodle recall had dented its third-quarter financial results. The food manufacturing giant cut its 2015 growth forecast from up to 6% to 4.5%.
- This video was produced by Laurence Gibbons.
Good Week, Bad Week: what appears where
- 18.5% of food and drink businesses lack any form of product recall plans
- Nestlé admited Maggi noodle recall dents third-quarter financial results


text:
Break enemy lines with Gridironhardt Reinhardt (Legendary)! 🏈Join us in Busan for Summer Games, kicking off August 9. pic.twitter.com/DIHj9XmaBvAugust 4, 2018
Blizzard has unveiled the second legendary skin for the Overwatch Summer Games—a menacing Reinhardt in a full football/American football (depending on your current location) uniform.
Gridironhardt, as the skin is known, joins Waveracer D.Va, which was unveiled on Friday. It's one of the best-looking Reinhardt skins I've seen—if I saw it charging towards me on the field, I'd get out of the way sharpish.
The annual Summer Games will kick off on August 9 and run until August 30. Blizzard has not yet announced how it will fill the three weeks with events and game modes, but the image it teased on Friday suggests that the 3-on-3 soccer/football-styled Lucioball will return.
No word yet on how much the new legendary skins will cost: last summer's new skins cost 3000 gold, which is standard for event skins, but summer 2016 skins were only 1000 gold.


text:
The next Curry 5 colorway will release this week, and if you’ve been playing the Steph IQ trivia game, expect some special prizes.
Ahead of tonight’s game, Foot Locker announced that it has partnered with Under Armour for a special edition of Steph IQ, a real-time mobile trivia game hosted by Brandon Armstrong of Shoot Your Shot.
A soon as Steph Curry hits his first three pointer, the trivia game will begin, and Foot Locker will be giving away the first globally released colorway of the Curry 5 as a prize. Lucky winners will be able to secure the shoe two days before its official launch.
As originally reported, the Curry 5 ‘Neon Coral’ will release at Eastbay.com for $130 in men’s sizes and $110 in boys sizes on May 18.
Images via US11


text:
RMA to examine coarse rubber markets
The Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) has created an "ad hoc" tire industry committee to identify new markets for coarse rubber.
"Efforts to find new uses for the nearly 300 million scrap tires generated annually in the United States have met with great success over the past decade," say RMA officials.
Nearly 218 million scrap tires -- 77% of all scrap tires generated -- went to end use markets in 2001, according to RMA statistics.
"Among the challenges the new industry committee will face to expand coarse rubber markets is to fight a number of myths about recycled rubber.
"The committee wants to dispel these myths by collecting information on where this material is being used, how it is used and its safety benefits."


text:
STOCKHOLM, 14 March 2018 – The European online payments provider Trustly announced today that it will be acquired by Nordic Capital Fund IX (“Nordic Capital”). Nordic Capital will support Trustly in its ambition to become the leading global online banking payments provider.
Trustly’s largest shareholder Bridgepoint Development Capital will dispose of its full equity interest in Trustly but management, founders and investment company Alfvén & Didrikson will remain significant shareholders in the company.
Nordic Capital is one of Europe’s largest private equity investors and has a pre-eminent payments practice. Its track record in the sector includes the transformation of payment platform Bambora into a global payment market leader and the successful investment in Point, a payment terminal and software company.
Oscar Berglund, CEO of Trustly said: “The shift towards online banking based payment solutions is only in its infancy and we are looking forward to continuing to innovate and execute so as to make it easier, safer and quicker for both consumers and merchants to make payments online. We are delighted to partner with Nordic Capital whose support will be of great value as we grow across merchant verticals, products and geographies. I also want to thank Bridgepoint Development Capital for their exceptional contribution over the last three years.”
Fredrik Näslund, Partner, Advisor to the Nordic Capital funds said: “Direct bank payments are the future of payments and Trustly is leading this transition. This investment is at the core of Nordic Capital’s payment investment strategy, and after having followed the company for many years, we have built a strong conviction in the business and we are impressed by what the founders and management have built over the last 10 years. Nordic Capital views Trustly as a highly strategic payment platform with unique capabilities. We intend to support the management team and founders in the journey to becoming the global account-to-account infrastructure player by providing capital and experience from our previous successful investments in payments.”
Johan Dahlfors, Partner at Bridgepoint Development Capital said: “It has been an honour to work with such a talented and motivated team to develop the leading European online banking e-payments player. The progress achieved by the team during our ownership has been outstanding, where Trustly has expanded its footprint across Europe, invested in the business infrastructure and team as well as in its proprietary technology platform. We are convinced that Trustly is very well placed to continue its strong growth trajectory in a structurally growing market with long-term tailwinds for real-time, account-to-account payments.”
Citi acted as exclusive financial adviser to the shareholders of Trustly. Trustly’s relationship with Citi also encompasses transaction banking where Citi is one of Trustly’s core banking partners.
Tony McLaughlin, Managing Director, Global Payments at Citi said: “Trustly are in the vanguard of changing the world of payments. We are excited to be their banking partner and support their international expansion.”
The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and approval by the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority. The parties have agreed to not disclose any financial details.


text:
Telenor Sweden came under the spotlight after it was revealed the company had wrongly collected data from up to 140,000 customers.
The Swedish tax authority – Skatteverket – said Telenor customers were able to log in to its services using “e-credentials”. It said a Telenor subcontractor, Identitrade, gained access to additional information and warned customers should only log in to its site using officially-issued credentials.
It also said Telenor and Identitrade had their access to the systems withdrawn; that there is no evidence data received had been spread; and that the Swedish Data Inspectorate had been notified.
Telenor, however, issued a statement clarifying its position, stating Skatteverket had issued information which could be misleading. It said 120,000 customers were impacted, slightly lower than the authority’s figures.
It explained an incorrect setting meant additional data was received, including name, address and spousal information. This was deleted “immediately after the error was detected” and was not disclosed outside of Telenor or its supplier, which it referred to as Identiway, rather than Identitrade.
Telenor also said it did not have access to information such as customer income or tax payments.
With the increasing focus on customer privacy, in the wake of the Facebook privacy scandal and the introduction of GDPR in Europe, the timing is less than ideal for Telenor. And with governments looking for wider adoption of e-government services, trust will be an important issue.


text:
China’s top food delivery app has started offering cardboard “shields” to prevent the spread of coronavirus when its customers dine in crowded spaces.
Meituan Dianping has started distributing the protective covers through select restaurant chains in parts of Beijing and Shanghai.
The company says customers will be able to unpack the cardboard to create a 20-inch “independent space” that covers three sides of their dish when placed in front of the user.
Meituan claims the shield can “effectively block” infectious droplets from customers when they consume food in an office cafeteria and hospital canteens.
The company says it will expand its offering to Wuhan, the epicentre of the COVID-19 pandemic, to help medical staff working at hospitals.
Since the start of the year Meituan has also offered a range of services aimed at reducing the spread of coronavirus including the launch of its “contactless delivery” service.
The app allowed its users to have their food delivered to a designated area without having to interact with the delivery rider in person.
Research by investment bank UBS suggests that there has been an increase in meal delivery demand as consumers spend more time at home either in self-isolation or in quarantine.
The analysis however warns the demand can spiral if consumers develop concerns around contact with food preparation or riders.
Meituan has ordered its riders to disinfect their delivery boxes twice a day, as well have their body temperature taken to monitor their health.
The firm has also capitalised on the surge in demand for groceries caused by the temporary closure of restaurants during the Chinese New Year with autonomous delivery vehicles.
The company’s “Space-pod” delivered fresh groceries for residential communities in northeast Beijing.
Source: Read Full Article


text:
A third of homes at the prestigious The Square, in Sunderland, have sold - although the sales office is not open until early March.
Christine Douglas, northern sales manager for builders Bowey, now owned by McInerney Homes NE, said: "The Square is a new concept from Bowey Homes - contemporary living on a grand scale.
"The development carries a new `black label' brand that denotes its exclusivity. The 24 homes, all with five or six bedrooms with additional flexible space, are clustered around a village green creating a safe and friendly gated community environment."
The properties, a mix of detached and semi-detached, have all been designed to appeal to those looking for a large, stylish home.
For further details, tel: (0191) 482-7711 or visit www.boweyhomes.co.uk


text:
H-E-B is planning to build two new grocery stores in Odessa and Midland, according to a report by the Odessa American.
The planned expansion, the second store for each city, is expected to add more than 500 jobs in the two West Texas communities. The new stores could be open as early as late 2015, according to press reports.
Last October, when the Business Journal noted, based on news reports, that the San Antonio-based grocery chain was looking to build new stores in the Permian Basin region, a spokesperson for the company denied the reports.
This time the Odessa paper is quoting an announcement they say is from Suzanne Wade, president of H-E-B San Antonio Food Drug division.
“For nearly two decades H-E-B has been serving West Texas, and we will deepen our commitment with the addition of two new stores to meet the growing needs of West Texas families,” the announcement states.
A spokesperson for H-E-B could not be reached for comment.
H-E-B operates 337 stores in Texas and Mexico and has sales of more than $18 billion.


text:
Nissan is recalling 59,058 cars across the UK after airbag concerns. That includes six different models - only the Almera was manufactured in Sunderland. Nissan has stressed that no incidents have taken place and that the recall is precautionary.
However, in Japan, five incidents have taken place. The problem is with a part in the airbag and the Sunderland site used the same supplier between 2001 and 2003. Customers are being contacted individually.
More top news
A look ahead at the Bank Holiday forecast for the Tyne Tees region.
Do you want to Leave or Remain in the European Union? That's the question facing everyone in the country. But what do young people think?
Remain or Leave? The impact on agriculture in the North East


text:
Kendall Jenner Wears a Sexy Cowgirl Outfit at Wild Wild West Party!
Kendall Jenner shows off some skin while wearing a sexy cowgirl outfit for a Wild Wild West-themed party on Thursday (March 5) at SHOREbar in Santa Monica, Calif.
The 24-year-old model was joined at the party by friends like Justine Skye and Renell Medrano. Her younger sister Kylie also showed up with a brand new hairstyle.
“remind us to always dress like cowgirl’s,” Kendall captioned the below photo booth photos on Instagram.
The next day, Kendall wore a more conservative outfit while running errands in Los Angeles. She was seen in a white jumpsuit that afternoon.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Kendall (@kendalljenner) on
Source: Read Full Article