text:
The August 2022 Pokémon Presents livestream revealed new details about a number of Pokémon games and apps. Most notable were the announcements for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, including a new battle mechanic and some of the Paldea region’s new Pokémon.
However, the presentation also highlighted plenty of information for just about every other Pokémon game that still receives updates. Here’s everything else The Pokémon Company announced in the August 2022 Pokémon Presents.
— Pokémon (@Pokemon) August 3, 2022
August 2022 Pokémon Presents: Pokémon World Championships
Later this month, the Pokémon World Championships will return in person for the first time since 2019. There, trainers will compete in Sword and Shield, the trading card game, Pokkén Tournament DX, Pokémon UNITE and Pokémon GO. In addition, the presentation revealed the Pikachu-themed trophy that attendees will compete for over the course of the Championships.
This weekend, residents of Sapporo, Japan, will get to participate in an in-person Pokémon GO Fest event. In addition, a global final event will take place Aug. 27. Trainers can participate in this event from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in their local time zone.
During the Pokémon GO Fest 2022: Finale, four Ultra Beasts will be available for capture: Nihilego, Phermosa, Buzzwole and Xurkitree. Trainers who purchase a ticket to participate can also encounter Shaymin by completing special research tasks. The GO Fest Finale will conclude the game’s ongoing storyline involving Rhi and Professor Willow, who was taken into Ultra Space by an Ultra Wormhole.
Finally, a new item called Daily Adventure Incense has entered the game. Players can use this item once a day. It will attract Pokémon that aren’t native to the user’s area for 15 minutes and can even attract Legendary Pokémon.
Buzzwole will make its way into Pokémon UNITE on Wednesday as part of the game’s ongoing 1st Anniversary Celebration. In addition, the August 2022 Pokémon Presents confirmed that a previously unannounced game mode called Pika Party will debut in Pokémon UNITE alongside Buzzwole.
In Pika Party, every participant plays as Pikachu in a Pikachu-themed arena. Additionally, all of the wild Pokémon on the field become Pikachu; the end-game Zapdos is even replaced with a Gigantamax Pikachu. This quick battle mode will be available from 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday to 7:59 p.m. ET on Sept. 1, giving players nearly a whole month to try it out.
Buzzwole and Pika Party join #PokemonUNITE at 5:00pm PT today, 8/3! #UNITE1st pic.twitter.com/KObU5LPjWq
— Pokémon UNITE (@PokemonUnite) August 3, 2022
A second wave of content for the 1st Anniversary celebration is coming in September, including three more new Pokémon. Players can also claim free Unite Licenses and Holowear for Pikachu, Lucario, Blastoise, Snorlax and Sylveon.
Pokémon Masters EX
A new location called the Trainer Lodge is coming to Pokémon Masters EX as its three-year anniversary approaches. While little information is currently available about this new content update, fans can expect more details to come later this month. For the time being, it seems that characters like Red, N, Professor Sycamore and Rosa will play a part in the Trainer Lodge.
August 2022 Pokémon Presents: Pokémon Cafe ReMix
Finally, the August 2022 Pokémon Presents announced that Mewtwo is returning to Pokémon Café ReMix. After Mewtwo joins the player’s staff, it can gain access to the Sidekick Bonus ability through one-minute cooking.
In addition, Latios will join the newly-added Latias in Pokémon Café ReMix in the near future. Players can also take advantage of a free express delivery every day through an ongoing campaign that lasts until 1:59 a.m. ET on Aug. 11. This campaign will increase players’ chance of adding Victini and Latias to their staff.
Dylan Tate is an alumnus of the Hussman School of Journalism and Media at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is a gaming journalist with a love for Nintendo esports, particularly Super Smash Bros. and Pokémon.


text:
Friday, June 6, 2008
Body scanners at airports
USATODAY.com: "BALTIMORE — Body-scanning machines that show images of people underneath their clothing are being installed in 10 of the nation's busiest airports in one of the biggest public uses of security devices that reveal intimate body parts. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently started using body scans on randomly chosen passengers in Los Angeles, Baltimore, Denver, Albuquerque and at New York's Kennedy airport. Airports in Dallas, Detroit, Las Vegas and Miami will be added this month. Reagan National Airport in Washington starts using a body scanner today. A total of 38 machines will be in use within weeks."
I guess these toys should keep the TSA employees amused while they do their Christmas shopping by seizing people's nail clippers.

domain: news


text:
• Animoca Brands’ strategic subsidiary has recently invested in Passion Labs in order to help Japanese companies move to Web3.
• Passion Labs provides analytics that strengthen luxury and automotive brands across Japan, Asia-Pacific, and beyond.
• Following the investment, Animoca Brands Japan and Passion Labs will continue working together to help Japanese companies develop their Web3 strategies and create communities.
Animoca Brands Investing in Passion Labs
Animoca Brands‘ strategic subsidiary has recently invested in Passion Labs with the goal of helping Japanese companies transition to Web3. Founded in 2022, Passion Labs provides analytics for luxury and automotive brands across Japan, Asia-Pacific, and beyond. Through the partnership between Animoca Brands Japan and Passion Labs, the two companies will work together to assist Japanese businesses with developing their Web3 strategies and creating web 3 communities.
The Role of Key Opinion Consumers
Kyoya Okazawa, Co-founder of Animoca Brands Japan commented on the strategic alliance with Passion Labs: “We believe that its services will be an integral part of Web3 where community engagement is critical…The role of Key Opinion Consumers is important because Web3 seeks to empower the community.“ The KOC analysis provided by both companies will be used by other businesses as they transition towards web 3.0 technologies.
Excitement from Both Companies
Keegan Huang, Co-founder & CEO of Passion Labs expressed his excitement about this collaboration with Animoca Brands: “We look forward to our new relationship with Animoca as we further innovate our advanced analytics solutions for luxury brands all around the world.“ The investment from Animoca Brands demonstrates their commitment to aiding Japanese businesses as they make their shift towards web 3 technologies.
NFT Taipei Conference
Last December, Animoca Brands joined Keegan Huang (Passion Lab’s founder) along with Daniel Feucht (Porsche’s marketing director) on stage at NFT Taipei conference where they discussed what web 3 means for luxury brands. This event set a precedence for future collaborations between both companies which are now being solidified through investments made by Animoca Brand’s strategic subsidiary into Passion Labs.
In conclusion, this collaboration between Animaca Brand’s strategic subsidiary investing in Passion labs shows that both companies are dedicated to helping japanese business migrate towards web 3 technologies while strengthening luxury brands all around the world.


text:
Medieval, quaint and a hidden gem in the city, Newcastle’s High Bridge has been experiencing somewhat of a renaissance in recent times.
The street, which connects the Georgian heart of the city to the historic Bigg Market, has seen a number of high profile re-developments since October and has become a regular haunt for visiting celebs.
And city councillors and the North East Chamber of Commerce have hailed the investments as a sign of the area’s vitality.
Jonathan Walker, NECC head of policy and campaigns, said: “It’s great to see life being breathed into the city centre. It not only shows that businesses are confident enough to invest into the area, it is also a very positive sign that consumers are ready to spend.
“This is very positive news for Newcastle and also for the region’s tourism as the North East prepares to welcome more visitors keen to take in our hospitality.”
City councillor Geoff O’Brien also welcomed the investment and said it could lead to further improvements in the city centre.
“It is great to see a previously run down area really starting to take off,” he said.
“There is a vibrant mix of cafes and bars giving a really good mix for people to enjoy.
“The Bigg Market is looking a little sad nowadays and investment in High Bridge could lead to a re-development of that area.”
Below, we take a look back at some of the highlights in High Bridge over the past few months.
Pleased to Meet You
The super-stylish gin bar unveiled its new look after a £500,000 expansion into two neighbouring shops and the bar’s basement.
Pleased to Meet You’s continued success drove owners Ladhar Leisure to add extensive additional seating to the existing venue, creating a relaxed dedicated dining area with an additional bar, luxury events space, private dining facilities and the creation of an experimental cocktail club – Viceroy – discreetly hidden in the basement.
With the new dining area, they created not just an inviting spot where you can relax, dine and indulge, but also something a bit different – an ideal place for a breakfast meeting, brunch with friends, lunch with work colleagues or to simply dine and while away the evening.
50 Cent was happy to splash the cash at the Indian restaurant when he visited.
The global superstar rapper popped into the joint ahead of his gig at the Metro Radio Arena and enjoyed the Punjabi chilli chicken tikka so much he took an extra plate with him for after the show.
Since opening in 2010, the restaurant has led a revolution in casual dining, introducing food lovers to its unique take on traditional Indian street food and chaats, tapas-style grazing dishes, classic plates and street combos.
The family-run business has consistently been held up as a leader in casual dining nationally, including the Harden’s Guide, trend watcher Buzzfeed and, more recently, the Sunday Times.
The £12m boutique hotel opened its doors on High Bridge in December. The 222-bed luxury budget accommodation brought more than 100 jobs to the region.
The opening marked the end of three projects to transform a building spearheaded by former building owners Lugano Group.
Munich-based Motel One, which has more than 40 hotels in Germany and Austria and three in the UK, agreed a long lease deal with Lugano Group back in 2012, when planning permission was also granted for the hotel.
The property owners then sold the property with the planning permission to Kier Property Developments, who oversaw an 18-month construction project before handing the completed building to Motel One.
The Old George, which dates from 1582, was given a new lease of life in October 2014 after a £200,000 investment to revamp the interior and introduce new drink and food menus.
General manager Stephen Lamb said at the time: "It’s a new beginning for the pub and there is real air of excitement about the reopening.
"As Newcastle’s oldest pub we are a great venue for all types of customers and we will be providing the best hospitality in the city.
"We have also recruited four new staff including a new chef to the venue. Our biggest change is in the food and drinks offer.
"On the food side, the emphasis will be on freshly prepared dishes, seasonal ingredients, while our drinks offer will be a lot broader offering a range of cask beers, quality wines and delicious cocktails."
In 2012, John and Greg Hall teamed up with entrepreneur Olly Henderson to launch Capology, a predominantly online retail venture with a store on Newcastle’s Grey Street which quickly expanded into the unit on High Bridge.
The shop interior was designed by Simon Mcilwraith, director and founder of Newcastle-based Collective Design, and it was shortlisted for Interior Retail environment of the year.
The firm specialises in a wide range of urban-style clothing including caps, shirts, hoodies, T-shirts, jackets and sunglasses and had many celebrity followers, including pop star Professor Green, who first opened their Newcastle venture.
Now, however, Capology is a purely online venture – and a Newcastle City Council planning application reveals Sir John has teamed up with Collective Design once more, with a vision to turn the four-storey building into a bar.


text:
Startup Studio sessions at the recently Girlboss Rally LA were highlight for many of the women who came down. Why, you ask? Because, presented by Google Chromebook,they provided actionable tips and tools for growing their businesses. And now, we’re sharing it with you.
Opening the media-themed session with a industry overview was Cyndi Ramirez, the founder and chiller-in-chief of Chillhouse, an incredibly cool cafe/spa hybrid in New York that she calls a “destination for modern self care.” For background, Ramirez did exactly what so many of us are trying to do.
She started a blog, worked hard to grow a dedicated and engaged audience, started working with other brands as an influencer, and then leveraged those connections and her audience, to create a successful business.
“The media industry has become more than just about reporting the news,” said Ramirez explaining that the industry is now fragmented into millions of topics and publishers, both niche and large. “People now, especially millennials, want to consume their media in bite-sized, digestible formats. And more than anything, they want to connect with who’s telling the story. Today, not only do we see and hear the story, but we see and hear the voice of the person presenting it.”
“Millennials want to consume their media in bite-sized, digestible formats. And more than anything, they want to connect with who’s telling the story.”
Ramirez says that shift in the landscape makes is possible to have more control over our own media. “We have in many ways become our own media companies,” she explained. “This is why it is so important to understand and identify your own brand or company through a strong and recognizable voice and visual identity.”
Instagram has been instrumental in growing both Ramirez’s personal brand and Chillhouse, but as she explained, it’s important to understand its role today. “Instagram has pivoted to be less about aspirational imagery and more about going deeply inside someone’s life,” she noted before sharing a few pointers with the group.
- Videos are the future. “In the past, it was all about the feed. People are now consuming things at an ever-increasing rates. Videos captures people’s attention much higher than a photo and a healthy mix of video and photo will help increase your placement in the algorithm.”
- Don’t worry so much about over-posting on your feed. “In fact, post as often as two or three times a day if you can. The algorithm will favor you, and you won’t overwhelm your followers because chances are they won’t see all three. If they do, then awesome! You’re breaking the algorithm and that’s fantastic.”
- Lengthy captions tend to do very well. “So, if you have something to say say it loud and proud. When people see a lengthy caption, they assume you’re saying something important. Don’t be afraid to share meaningful, lengthy thoughts in your captions.”
- Always end your captions with a call to action. “Maybe not always, but try to as much as you can, because it encourages comments.”
Ultimately, Ramirez said, “Identify your customer and build the brand with them in mind.”
Maia Knudsen-Schule is the brand marketing director at Tastemade, so she spends a lot of time thinking about creating content that speaks to the food platform’s values and the brand their working with, while simultaneously entertaining and engaging the consumer.
“What defines you? What do you stand for? You can’t betray that audience trust.”
The way branded content is created today allows brands to create a meaningful narrative around what they stand for, which creates an entertaining experience for the consumer while they get to know the brand. Citing a campaign that Tastemadedid with LL Bean called Uncharted, Knudsen-Schule showed how today’s branded content is less ad and more experience.
Good branded content is all about authenticity on both the brand’s side and your side. Using a romantic relationship as a metaphor, Knudsen-Schule explained that it’s important that both sides enter a branded content partnership with the same goals. “If you’re entering a relationship wanting a really serious relationship and the other person just want this really quick Tinder date, it’s not gonna work,” said Knudsen-Schule.
And that all starts with your voice. Which, Knudsen-Schule says is born from your brand pillars — the words that describe your purpose, values, and mission as well as your tone, look and feel.
“What defines you? What do you stand for?” asked Knudsen-Schule. “You can’t betray that audience trust.” She explained that before Tastemade enters into a brand partnership they make sure their brand pillars and ideals align with the brands because otherwise nothing feels authentic. “Ask a lot of questions up front,” she advised. “You want to make sure you understand what they stand for, make sure they understand what you stand for.” Then, it’s about creating amazing content.
Closing her session, Knudsen-Schule advise those in the branded content arena to be curious and open to trying things. “Poke your head and your nose around where it doesn’t belong,” she said. “Ask a ton of questions. My boss would probably say I ask too many questions, but you’re never gonna learn unless you ask. Just try things. You’ll never learn unless you try.”
“Growth is … the ability to get people to share the content, because they care about the content, because they self-identify with it.”
Someone who knows a thing or two about trying new things is Martha Pierce, head of audience growth, ATTN.Their social first strategy may have seemed wild a couple of years ago, but is now being copied by some of the biggest players in the digital media realm.
“In the last three years, ATTN has grown from essentially nothing to a media company that receives more than 2 billion monthly impression, 30 million monthly engagements, and over 500 million monthly video views and we’ve done that almost exclusively on social media, using the same metrics available to you and your brand,” Pierce explained.
“The way that I think about growth is the ability to get people to view your content and return back. But, as importantly, the ability to get people to share the content, because they care about the content, because they self-identify with it.” Pierce says getting people to engage with your content all stems from a well thought out content strategy. At ATTN, they’re content strategy is narrative issue-based videos that that often include influencers.
A great piece for content means your audience will start to engage with it. Maybe they tag a friend in an Instagram post or share or comment on Facebook. It’s Pierce’s job to look at the metrics, measure the success of what they’ve done and strategize how to iterate upon that success to grow even more.
According to Pierce, the performance metrics that are going to give you the most information about the success of a video are engaged time, repeat viewership and engagement rate (the sum of the reactions, comments, shares per post, divided by the total number of impressions on a given post).
AtATTN, Pierce says they also use their video’s metadata to track those seemingly unquantifiable metrics. “Before we actually publish a video, we tag it,” Pierce explained. “With things like topic and source, but also with things like sentiment.” Pierce then uses that data in creating successful content in the future. For example, she shared that through this type of tracking, she now knows that environment content does better for them with a positive spin versus a doom and gloom negative spin.
Additionally before any video publishes, Pierce says they do a “boring test.”
“I think it was my second day working at ATTN, our co-founder said, ‘Okay. You’re going to sit down. You’re going to watch this video and you’re going to tell me when you get bored or when you think that it’s just you lose interest,’” she explained. “It happened probably 15 seconds in and that’s what we still do to this day.” For her, that speaks to the importance of being self critical.
Her biggest piece of advice? “Don’t be afraid of failure,” she said. “We’ve launched many pages. We’ve launched many pieces of content that have not worked and we give them happy funerals. We’re like, ‘Okay, that’s done.’ You have to keep moving and keep looking forward, and finding new ways.
“Maybe the way that you positioned one thing isn’t the best way to do it and you can try a different form of post text, or a caption, or an image that people are engaging. Never be afraid to load something twice and make it special and make it better.”


text:
AirPlay Support Removed For iPhone 3G?
With the release of the GM seed of iOS 4.2, some features have been working great while others have been failing. The most notable feature that is not working for many is AirPrint, as detailed earlier this week.
Now, the next major iOS 4.2 feature to not work seems to be AirPlay but only for the iPhone 3G. If true, this will be a shame for iPhone 3G owners.
iPhone 3G users have been hit with a string of unfortunate issues recently from slow device performance on the iOS 4.x releases and even feature cuts such as Game Center. And now AirPlay gets cut too?!
Amazingly, 9to5Mac did some research and found that the iPhone 3G did have AirPlay support in earlier iOS 4.2 beta builds. In other words, AirPlay was working fine until the iOS 4.2 GM release. The issue becomes even bigger when on Apple’s website, it states that AirPlay will work on all iOS 4 devices. So what gives?
It is a mystery as to why AirPlay seems to have been removed from the iPhone 3G, but going back a bit, Apple did remove Game Center due to “performance issues”. However, considering the claim about AirPlay on Apple’s website, that excuse can’t be used.
The other possibility is that the iOS 4.2 GM seed is buggy and causing the problem. Like the recent AirPrint issues, this could simply be a problem with the GM seed that may be corrected with the full public iOS 4.2 release.
Then again, maybe Apple is just trying to get iPhone 3G users to upgrade their device?


text:
PATERSON, Wash. -- It will be a harvest to remember for an East Coast winemaker after an unbelievable misfortune, and the Washington grape grower who came to the rescue. It all started last week, when
It might be one of the most freakish, yet more beautiful natural phenomenon you'll see -- a flash of jellyfish sprite lightning.Paul Smith captured the incredible photo while storm chasing near Oklaho
Receive a daily summary of drinks news.
There are a lot of wines out there that suck; tasteless, insipid, and not meant for human consumption. But what about a wine that should be good, yet turns out awful?
A Seattle butcher said he’s found a way to marry marijuana and meat – by feeding pot plants to pigs.


text:
Micromax is all set to launch another Android device dubbed as Micromax Canvas 4 in company’s highly famous Canvas series. Company has posted a teaser video of the next upcoming device on the social media sites. According to official words from Micromax, the pre-booking for the Micromax Canvas 4 will start from June 28th, 2013 and it will be available for the buyers in July,2013. Core features of the phone are still not available but we expect it to pack some goodies like high definition screen and quad core processor.
It is confirmed that the Micromax Canvas 4 will be equipped with a 13MP camera sensor that is featured in the teaser video of the phone. The front camera is expected to come with 2 or 3 megapixels for high definition video calling support. It will be running latest Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean operating system along with 1GB of RAM memory. Comparing to the latest device from company the Micromax A116 Canvas HD, the Canvas 4 will be a bit heavier on the upper side and will be a little bit thinner on the bottom end as the teaser video suggests.
Micromax has also teased this upcoming phone its official Facebook page with the title of “Can life be endless”. It looks like company is all set to impress the Canvas series buyers with the latest device like the highly popular previous devices including Micromax Canvas HD A116. We will report more on the specs of the phone when it will be available to buy, so keep checking the blog for latest information. YouTube Teaser Video


text:
KGMI News Reporting
By Karen Taylor
OLYMPIA, Wash. – Prepaid cell phone users will soon pay for enhanced 911 services up-front when they buy minutes.
Cell phone companies have been taking the tax for enhanced 911 services out of the total amount they charge customers and then sending it to the state themselves.
Kim Schmanke with the state Department of Revenue says starting January 1, a new law will require retailers to charge the $1 tax up-front and list it on receipts.
Local governments will receive 70 cents of the tax, 25 cents goes to the state and five cents will cover the retailers’ cost for collecting the tax.


text:
You Can Now Buy Samsung’s Galaxy S21 5G Lineup in Canada
Samsung has launched sales of its Galaxy S21 5G lineup in Canada today, online, at Samsung retail stores and at retail partners across the country, including Bell Mobility, Freedom Mobile, Rogers, Shaw Mobile, TELUS Mobility, and Videotron.
The Galaxy S21 5G series lineup gets new cameras, design and 5G networking, plus come in new colours.
You can check out Canadian pricing below for the three Galaxy S21 5G models:
Galaxy S21 5G
- $1,129.99 CAD – Phantom Violet, Phantom Gray, Phantom Pink, Phantom White (128GB; 8GB RAM)
- $1,199.99 CAD – Phantom Gray, (256GB; 8GB RAM)
Galaxy S21+ 5G
- $1,399.99 CAD – Phantom Violet, Phantom Silver (128GB; 8GB RAM)
- $1,469.99 CAD – Phantom Black (256GB; 8GB RAM)
Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
- $1,649.99 CAD – Phantom Black and Phantom Silver (128GB; 12GB RAM)
- $1,719.99 CAD – Phantom Black (256GB; 12GB RAM)
- $1,889.99 CAD – Phantom Black (512GB; 16GB RAM)
Also launching today are Galaxy SmartTag trackers at $39.99 CAD each.
Samsung says those buying a new Galaxy S21 Series 5G device through February 12, 2021, can get free Galaxy Buds Pro and Galaxy SmartTag (S21 Ultra), or Galaxy Buds Live and Galaxy SmartTag (S21; S21+).
This Galaxy S21 lineup is pegged to take on Apple’s iPhone 12 lineup. Recent tests compared the S21 Ultra 5G to the iPhone 12 Pro Max, plus also informal battery life tests.


text:
Armani, YNAP Group will offer integrated shopping experience, as part of an agreement that will see the German luxury house and Italian online fashion retailer work together until 2025.
The Armani Group and Yoox Net-A-Porter (YNAP) Group will redesign and, over the next two years, develop “a revolutionary, digital and integrated shopping experience” for customers. The partnership will integrate Armani’s digital stores with physical boutiques, while leveraging YNAP’S global logistics network. This will help in creating a seamless experience between Armani’s clients and products across channels.
“In the past few months, I have been redesigning the Armani Group’s business model based on a concept that is very dear to me: do less, but better. Mine is an invitation to consume more responsibly, focusing on authenticity and change. In YOOX NET-A-PORTER I’ve found a partner that allows me to transform this principle in a new multi-channel shopping project where the relationship with the customer is increasingly personal and direct, while e-commerce and boutiques are integrated in a dynamic balance, which will have a positive effect, also on the environment,” said Giorgio Armani, president and CEO, Armani Group.
“Armani has always been at the forefront of the world of fashion and luxury and one of the first to have adopted e-commerce with us. After a partnership that has lasted for two decades, we are still both driven by the desire to revolutionise the world of fashion with continuous innovations, as we have done since the first day we started working together,” added Federico Marchetti, chairman and CEO, YNAP Group.
The partnership with Armani also marks the next milestone for YNAP’S “NEXT ERA” business model. As such, orders will be processed through the YNAP distribution network, as well as from distribution centres and Armani boutiques. Using technology, customers will have full visibility of the season’s entire collections, enabling them to view a wider assortment and shop all available products, whether they are stocked in boutiques or online.
As Armani, YNAP Group will offer integrated shopping experience, customers will begin to enjoy the new features of the NEXT ERA model on the armani.com website from 2021, with full integration expected from 2022.
Legal and social barriers that exist for women’s access to jobs isJanuary 18, 2021 | By Shruthi Nair
UAE-based Al Maya Supermarkets is hosting a two-week food festival at select
Locally-owned supermarket Spinneys has launched its ‘Power of Plants’ initiative in the
Carrefour UAE has launched “Cookit Yourself” — a curated recipe box created
UAE-based Al Islami Foods, one of the largest frozen food companies in
Marks & Spencer’s plant-based range now offers over 25 vegan products including meat-free
World’s largest fully integrated online brand in fresh fish and meat e-commerce
Homegrown, organic and plant milk company, Koita has announced its expansion into
Today’s on-demand streaming services are ripe with docu-series and explainer videos on
International food retailer, SPAR has today announced a global partnership to tackle food waste with the
UAE-based concept grocery retail chain, Grandiose has opened a new supermarket within
US-based fast food chain, Nathan’s famous Inc. brings another New York classic,
All hotels and restaurants have been directed to temporarily hold entertainment activities
The new Dubai Gold Souk is “very much on track”, according to
H&M has announced its collaboration with American denim brand LEE to push
Research from beauty comparison website, Cosmetify, has just revealed that the UAE
Gone are the days of traditional brick-and-mortar as well as purely e-commerce
The Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group’s ongoing jewellery campaign, held in association
Retail Abu Dhabi, the retail platform of the Department of Culture and
Gulf Marketing Group (GMG) is gearing up for a continued surge in
UAE-based Emaar Malls have announced the resignation of its CEO, Rajiv Suri
Giordano, the international apparel brand, recently inaugurated their largest flagship store in
The Lumière Co, a new e-commerce platform, has launched to offer young
Nakheel Malls, the retail arm of master developer Nakheel, has launched its


text:
Australian Leather, an Australian shoe company has been ordered to pay $450,000 to Deckers, the maker of the UGG boot.
A jury for the US District Court found 12 pairs of sheepskin-lined boots sold by Australian Leather infringed US-based Decker’s ‘UGG’ trademarks.
Deckers first filed an action against Australian Leather in 2016, asking the US court to limit the sales of Australian Leather’s boots to Australia and New Zealand so as to not cause consumer confusion in the US.
Australian Leather argued “ugg” is a generic term origination in Australia from the 1960s surfing community, but this argument was rejected by the court.
Additionally, Deckers also alleged Australian Leather had infringed four of its design patents. The verdict on whether Australian Leather infringed the design patents will be decided in a separate non-jury trial.
In December 2018, Deckers took action against alleged online counterfeiters in China for selling fake UGG boots. It said the counterfeiters ran online stores designed to appear as authorised sellers. Deckers sought an injunction against the companies and $2 million for each use of the UGG trademark.
Suffering an intellectual property and technology disputes can have serious implications on your business. Our business solicitors will quickly and efficiently put your case together and act on your behalf. Call Vijay Srivastava or Shalish Mehta in our civil and commercial litigation department on 0161 624 6811(Option 6) or email firstname.lastname@example.org or email@example.com. We can advise you on the appropriate course of action and assist with any legal documents or proceedings that may occur.
Latest posts by Shalish Mehta (see all)
- Nike is suing New York studio MSCHF and musician Lil Nas for trademark infringement over its Satan Shoes - 4th April 2021
- Former footballer turned agent, Barry Silkman wins £800,000 legal battle over ex-wife’s estate - 18th March 2021
- Family of Argentinian Footballer, Emiliano Sala, to launch legal action over footballer’s death - 18th March 2021
- UK High Court rules Health Minister, Matt Hancock acted unlawfully in granting Covid-19 contracts - 5th March 2021
- Qualcomm is being sued over alleged anti-competitive behavior in the UK - 1st March 2021


text:
Governor Revises EO 107 to Amend List of Businesses That Can Stay Open
An Executive Order issued Saturday, March 21, by New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy further expands restrictions on public outings, prohibits gatherings for parties and celebrations, and requires all New Jersey residents to remain at home or their place of residence with limited exceptions. Read EO-107 HERE
The Executive Order was amended, on March 24, to add additional essential retail businesses:Mobile phone retail and repair shops; Bicycle shops, but only to provide service and repair; Livestock feed stores; Nurseries and garden centers; Farming equipment stores.
The Governor had granted the State Director of Emergency Management, who is the Superintendent of State Police Patrick Callahan, the discretion to make additions, amendments, clarifications, exceptions, and exclusions to the list of essential retail businesses.


text:
SWEDISH electric performance car company Polestar has confirmed it plans to put its roadster concept car into production.
The car is expected to launch in 2026 as the Polestar 6 electric performance roadster.
"With the overwhelming consumer and press response, we took the decision to put this stunning roadster into production and I am so excited to make it a reality," said Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar's chief executive.
Revealed in Los Angeles in March as the Polestar O2, the electric roadster concept builds on the design, technology and sustainability ambitions laid out by the Polestar Precept and showcases the brand's vision for future sports cars.
The hard-top convertible will be built on Polestar's bespoke bonded aluminium platform.
Developed in-house, it will feature the high-performance, 800-Volt electric architecture already confirmed for Polestar 5.
This includes output of up to 650 kW (884 hp) and 900 Nm from a dual motor powertrain, a targeted 0-62mph sprint time of 3.2 seconds and a top speed of more than 150mph.
To mark the launch, 500 numbered units of a special ‘LA Concept' version, the ‘Polestar 6 LA Concept edition', are planned to be produced.
They will exclusively feature a sky blue exterior, light leather interior and 21-inch wheels of the original concept car.
Further technical details and specification will be released leading up to the expected launch in 2026.


text:
Twitter Blue listings unavailable after series of fake accounts
Twitter’s relaunched premium service – which grants “verification” tags to anyone willing to pay $8 a month – was unavailable on Friday after the social media platform was inundated with a wave of social media accounts. imposters that she herself had approved.
It’s the latest whiplash-inducing change to the service where uncertainty has become the norm since billionaire Elon Musk took over two weeks ago. Previously, the blue check was issued to government entities, businesses, celebrities, and journalists verified by the platform — precisely to prevent identity theft. Now anyone can get one as long as they have a phone, a credit card, and $8 a month.
An impostor account posing as pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly & Co. and registered under the new Twitter Blue system tweeted that insulin was free, forcing the Indianapolis company to issue an apology. Nintendo, Lockheed Martin, Musk’s own companies, Tesla and SpaceX, were also spoofed, as well as testimonials from various professional sports and political personalities.
For advertisers who have suspended business with Twitter, fake accounts could be the final straw: Musk’s rocky run to the top of the platform — lay off half of its workforce and trigger high-profile departures – raised questions about his survivability.
Imposters can cause big problems, even if they are eliminated quickly.
They created “overwhelming reputational risk for placing advertising investments on the platform,” said Lou Paskalis, longtime chief marketing and media officer and former head of global media at Bank of America. Adding that with the “verified” fake brand accounts, “a picture emerges of a distraught platform where no media professional would risk their careers by continuing to make advertising investments, and no governance apparatus or framework superior would tolerate if they did”.
Adding to the confusion, Twitter now has two categories of “blue checks,” and they look identical. One includes accounts verified before Musk took the helm. It notes that “This account is verified because it is notable in the government, news, entertainment, or other designated category.” The other notes that the account is subscribed to Twitter Blue.
But since Friday noon, Twitter Blue was no longer available for subscription.
On Thursday, Musk tweeted that “there are too many corrupt legacy blue ‘verification’ checkmarks, so no choice but to remove the legacy blue in the coming months.”
An email sent to Twitter’s press address went unanswered. The company’s communications department was gutted during the layoffs and Twitter has not responded to questions from The Associated Press since Oct. 27, when Musk took the helm.
On Thursday evening, Twitter also resumed adding “official” gray labels to some prominent accounts. He had deployed the tags earlier this week, only to kill them a few hours later.
They returned on Thursday evening, at least for some accounts – including that of Twitter, as well as big companies like Amazon, Nike and Coca-Cola, before many disappeared again.
Celebrities also didn’t seem to be given the “official” label.
Twitter relies heavily on ads and around 90% of its revenue comes from advertisers. But every change Musk rolls out — or rolls back — makes the site less appealing to big brands.
“It’s become chaos,” said Richard Levick, CEO of public relations firm Levick. “Who Buys in Chaos?”
A bigger issue for Musk may be the risk to his reputation as a model technology framework, as the rollout of different types of checks and other changes has been botched, Levick added.
“That’s another example of something not being very well thought out, and that’s what happens when you rush,” Levick said. “Musk is known as a visionary and a trusted magician – he can’t lose that moniker and that’s what’s in jeopardy right now,” Levick said.
Twitter accounts for a small portion of the total ad spend of the largest companies that advertise on the platform. Google, Amazon and Meta account for approximately 75% of digital advertising worldwide, with all other platforms combined accounting for the remaining 25%. Twitter accounts for about 0.9% of global digital ad spend, according to Insider Intelligence.
“For most marketers on a budget, Twitter has always been this thing that’s potentially too big to totally ignore but not big enough to care about,” said Mark DiMassimo, creative head of the agency. DiGo marketing.
“None of this is an eternally moral or ethical stance on advertisers’ point,” he added. “If Musk proves to be a long-term civilizing force, advertisers will come back – if Twitter is still around. It’s a “for now” decision – why be here now?
AP Technology Writer Frank Bajak in Boston contributed to this report.


text:
Clarip Data Privacy Roundtable
Clarip CEO Andy Sambandam and Director of the Clarip Data Privacy Group Robert Melton, Esq., will lead a roundtable discussion on the implications of the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica news and the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for the business and startup community in Philadelphia.
The events of this spring have put to rest the notion that no one cares about privacy. Privacy practices at Facebook and other technology companies have been heavily scrutinized by the U.S. Government, media and the public. Consumers have made their concerns over privacy known through the #deleteFacebook movement. The world's leading data privacy and protection law will go into effect in May in Europe. And it appears that Congressional action on privacy via the House BROWSER Act or the Senate CONSENT Act is inevitable.
Big data and data-driven decision making have changed the world over the past decade. But the Data Revolution's practices concerning data collection, usage and sharing will need to mature in order to continue to have access to the personal data of the public.
Data privacy and protection are now critical components of any successful business. Facebook's lax privacy practices cost it billions in shareholder value and perhaps even more in loss of consumer trust. The GDPR has also increased the penalties available for poor privacy practices, which will be up to 4% of annual revenue. Most businesses can't afford to suffer such a loss and need to make changes now to improve their privacy practices.
Join us for a light continental breakfast and discussion of how businesses will alter their privacy practices in light of this climate to ensure that your business keeps or gains a competitive advantage. The event is free, but please RSVP. Space is limited.
The event will be held at 2001 Market Street, Suite 2500 at Make Offices. PLEASE NOTE: This location is across the street from the original spot. We have moved it in order to accommodate more people!


text:
International Trade and Industry Minister Azmin Ali yesterday waved away calls for a total lockdown in Malaysia despite an unrelenting coronavirus outbreak, mooting instead more stringent procedures such as targeted testing and tighter distancing protocols.
This comes after manufacturing trade associations over the weekend called on members to step up measures to reduce infections - the sector is responsible for nearly a third of more than 300 active clusters - to avoid a shutdown of the economy as the current wave of Covid-19 has worsened, despite Malaysia reimposing a movement control order (MCO) on Jan 13.
But Datuk Seri Azmin, who is also Senior Minister for Economy, argued that "the overarching priority" is "to strike a balance between protecting lives and livelihoods", noting the "worst-ever decline (of gross domestic product) in our history", following a 17.1 per cent contraction in the second quarter of last year, after the MCO was first introduced. Relaxed curbs saw a third-quarter drop of 2.7 per cent.
"It is important to note that apart from the toll on health and the economy, Covid-19 has a direct impact on the people. One loss in income affects the whole household. In practical terms, the loss of income for one breadwinner may well adversely affect the livelihoods of at least four persons in a family," he said in a statement.
The current MCO allows for sectors such as manufacturing, construction and various services to continue under government-mandated standard operating procedures, unlike curbs in March that restricted most people to home as schools and nearly all firms closed.
While last year's "MCO 1.0" succeeded in reducing daily infections to single digits, this year's version has seen four-digit numbers rise to a new high of 4,275 patients last Saturday, while a record 18 lives were lost to the disease last Friday.
Calls to reinstate closures of non-essential economic activities have grown in recent days. The Straits Times reported the Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) briefed manufacturing stakeholders last Friday that the Health Ministry was mooting a total lockdown, if no improvements were shown during MCO 2.0, set to end on Feb 4.
However, health chief Noor Hisham Abdullah was optimistic as yesterday's 3,048 new cases was the lowest in the past 10 days, saying in a virtual press conference that "we do not want to prolong the MCO".
Several industry and government sources said suggestions such as creating quarantine spaces in workers' dormitories and halving the number of workers in transport vehicles were mooted during the brainstorming session with Miti.
The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers confirmed these and other proposals in a statement yesterday, adding the government should also subsidise the cost and regulate the availability of rapid test kits (RTK) to accommodate the mass testing of workers.
"A second full lockdown will lead to irreparable damage to the business sector and economy with devastating impact on business survival and job security," said its president Soh Thian Lai.
Mr Azmin concurred with the measures to help widen RTK testing. He also suggested the government "consider tightening the SOP to prevent outbreaks at ignition sites and introduce clear guidance" on the density of people in indoor settings.


text:
An interesting bit of information came out of China this week with news of the New Zealand Roundtable in China (NZBRiC), and the China Chamber of Commerce of Import and Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-Products (CFNA), signing a strategic cooperation agreement.
The agreement aims to build a China-New Zealand Food and Agricultural Product Trade Service Platform, no doubt building upon the recent success of the RCEP.
The New Zealand BRiC is made up of several notable food exporting companies including Fonterra, Silver Fern Farms, Zespri and Primary Collaboration NZ. This is a Chinese based company with New Zealand shareholders who are currently Sealord, Silver Fern Farms, Synlait Milk, Villa Maria Estate and Pacific Pace.
The advantages to the NZBRiC are fairly obvious with China being our largest trade partner and any partnerships which can improve trade and smooth the pathway of consultation and trade resolutions being welcomed. The benefits to China on the surface are less obvious but we need to remember that New Zealand is among the top five largest food suppliers into China and so value of this trade can not be underestimated.
Last year (2018) New Zealand jumped from third to first in food supply to China with 8.76% of the trade while Australia are second with 8.72% and the US third at 7.6%.
The internal protein supply issues created by the African Swine Fever exacerbated by the US/China trade war have created a perfect scenario for New Zealand producers and processors.
Making sure we can hold onto these gains will be key to how successful this period is seen in the future. At the moment, all of New Zealand red meat and dairy producers are reaping benefits from China’s protein deficiency with seemingly one exception.
Venison has not only not been lifting in price it has actually been going backwards. It is now within a stone's throw of being caught by lamb as the most valuable red meat. Given the heady heights venison achieved last season, (1147.cents per kgs at the start of October was the national average peak whereas it is now at 901c/kg and no sign of lifting with the traditional high point of the season behind us), the slump this season is a little surprising. The US pet food industry was in part responsible for the lifts last season, with $1 of the schedule being attributed to it. However, this market won’t have vanished totally. Another reason given is that sales have been subdued following poor sales of frozen product as a result of the high prices. If this is the case, then it looks as though there may have been some less than ideal management of the marketplace and the supply of venison into it. The venison industry grew up on boom-bust cycles; let's hope it doesn’t sink back into them.
Logs and wool have experienced the downsides of China’s slowing economy and while they have both firmed recently, are not anywhere near achieving the heights of the past.
A2 Milk is taking an optimistic and aggressive approach to its US and Chinese markets and is planning on spending “a couple of $100 million on promotion. Despite the growth emerging for domestically produced a2 milk the company believes there are plenty of export upsides to be had yet, and the rapid growth of the domestic produced milk is symptomatic of this.
Despite the recent rises in the GDT, Westpac are still picking the seasons Fonterra farm gate milk price to be $7.10 this year and $7.30 for the following. Most other commentators have been closer to $7.50 for this season and while the higher the better for the rural economy Westpac normally have a good eye for these things. Counting against them is the impact climate extremes may have in reducing world production, and that is anyone’s guess. Overall Westpac are picking that the New Zealand economy is coming out of the doldrums and the internal economy should start to perk up.


text:
This publication features lifestyle stories around cannabis use and experiences, including emerging trends in wellness, travel, food and drink, pop culture, and cannabis-related brands.
ECentralSports targets the emerging premium
on-trend esports and egaming market.
Unparalleled esports and egaming content that speaks to key consumers about trends, news, lifestyle and happenings in the $150 billion market.
Established as the news, lifestyle, and entertainment weekly in Vancouver for 50 years, the Georgia Straight is an integral part of the active urban West Coast lifestyle with over 1.081 million readers per week.
For those unfamiliar with the Fashion Week tent at David Pecaut Square, its basically divided into two spaces: the runway.
Mar 30, 2015
Canadian-born, Australian-educated cool chick Hayley Elsaesser impressed with her second collection to show at Toronto Fashion Week. Her.
Mar 27, 2015
One of the lowest points this Fashion Week was having to watch the talented Sunny Fong, former winner of Project.
The first two days of Toronto Fashion Week saw a ton of homegrown talent hit the runway. From edgy biker.
Mar 25, 2015
There was a lot of talent on last week's runway, but a few designs stood out above the rest
Oct 27, 2014
...instead throws a party all about Joe Fresh
Oct 23, 2014


text:
Cornwall swim and skate passes a popular Halloween treat
Patrick Daigneault, clerk security at the Benson Centre and Aquatic Centre, and aquatic co-ordinator Lori Gibeau, with some of the popular Halloween swim and skate passes that sell out each fall. Photo on Tuesday, October 3, 2017, in Cornwall, Ont.
Todd Hambleton/Cornwall Standard-Freeholder/Postmedia Network
It’s a sweet Halloween treat that 10 out of 10 dentists would surely approve of.
The city once again has Halloween swim and skate passes available, but don’t wait too long before picking some up – they could disappear with frightening speed.
“We sell out every year,” said aquatic co-ordinator Lori Gibeau. “Last year, by the third week of October, there were (no more passes available).”
The passes are sold in packs of 10 for $10, each pass good for a child or student admission to a leisure swim at the aquatic centre or public skate at the Benson Centre.
The city has made the passes available for the last handful of years, and Gibeau believes they’re popular each October for a couple of reasons – it’s a discounted ticket to a swim or skate, and the passes are a healthy alternative to traditional treats.
“These Halloween treats amount to healthy gifts,” Gibeau said. “Kids love to get them and homeowners love dishing them out.
“Parents are happy to find an alternative (to candy) that’s healthy. They don’t have to worry about handing something out that (might cause an allergic reaction).”
The city prints 1,500 of the passes, and they’ve been selling well in just the first week they’ve been available. The passes can be purchased at the aquatic centre, the Benson Centre or at the recreation office at the civic complex.
The passes won’t go stale too quickly, either, being valid at the rink or the pool from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31.
It’s not even Thanksgiving weekend yet, but Halloween decorations are popping up across Cornwall, and the Canadian Dental Association already has noted that the big day for kids and the young at heart will arrive before you know it, and has offered some helpful tips for healthy smiles.
The CDA says parents can be role models by sitting with kids, distraction-free, and enjoying a treat after a meal – and discouraging treat snacking at other times.
The CDA encourages parents to urge kids to avoid eating the treats until they’ve been checked and found to not have ingredients that could cause allergic reactions.
And, of course, brushing and flossing after a treat snack is ideal, but just rinsing with a glass of water will help wash away some of the sugars and acids.


text:
NEW DELHI: The government of India has extended the due date of filing annual Goods and Services Tax (GST) return by three months. “The competent authority has decided to extend the due date for filing GSTR-9, GSTR-9A and GSTR-9C till March 31, 2019,” the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) said in a notification. The previous deadline was December 31, 2018.
“The requisite forms shall be made available on the GST common portal shortly,” the notification added.
It further stated that “Form GSTR-9 and form GSTR-9A have been notified dated 04.09.2018 (September 4) while form GSTR-9C has been notified dated 13.09.2018 (September 13) as part of the CGST rules.”
GSTR-9 is the annual return form for normal taxpayers, GSTR-9A is composition taxpayers, while GSTR-9C is a reconciliation statement.
The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) had urged finance minister Arun Jaitley to extend the last date for filing annual GST return. It noted that the concept is till unclear to a large number of traders and most are not even aware of the obligation of filing annual GST return.
GST being a new born baby, government considered almost all the request of the business community related to GST. Now it is turn of this community to pay tax honestly and timely for speedy development.AROP
“Under such circumstances it will not be possible for the traders to file their annual GST return by the stipulated period and as an immediate measure, the CAIT has urged to extend the last date of filing annual GST return up to March 31 2019 for the period 2017-18,” the CAIT said. —PTI


text: Over-the-Top (OTT) video streaming platforms have risen exponentially in the last few years. However, a five-poll survey done by LocalCircles, with more than 40,000 responses, has now found that the majority have concerns with these platforms such as Netflix, Hotstar, Amazon Prime, etc.Adult content, foul language and anti-national ideology are some areas where Indians do not agree with the online curated content. Out of the concerned, most (25 percent) are worried about the fact that adult content is easily accessible to children on these streaming platforms. Thirteen percent are worried that these platforms have anti-national content while 9 percent are worried about obscenity. However, as many as 37 percent respondents feel there isn't anything alarming to be worried about.Given the varied objections, the key question was censorship. Is it needed on these platforms? As many as 63 percent of respondents feel that some kind of censorship or at least a code of conduct approved by the government is the need of the hour.The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) has released its second online curated content provider code in which it has committed to setting up a body called the Digital Curated Content Complaints Council (DCCCC) which has not been resolved at the Digital Content Complaint Forum.Consumers, however, have expressed that they have limited confidence in industry bodies being able to serve as the regulator of inappropriate content. According to some citizens, that is precisely why a censor board exists in the country and the Indian film industry doesn’t regulate itself. As on date most of the OTT platforms like Hotstar, Netflix, Jio, Voot and SonyLIV haven’t signed this new code of IAMAI either.The other questions in the survey, spell good news for the streaming services. When respondents were asked if they watch shows/movies using Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hotstar or any other OTT platform, as many as 47 percent replied in positive.Up to 33 percent of respondents have a subscription for three or more OTT platforms, 25 percent have paid up for two while 42 percent use one.In response to being asked what is the primary reason for using these OTT platforms, 53 percent said these services let them watch content as per their convenience. Surprisingly, only 9 percent gave the high quality of content as a reason, while interestingly another 9 percent said the uncensored content was a draw for them.


text:
A new class-action lawsuit in the US alleges Coca-Cola and Simply Orange Juice deceived customers with claims of an all-natural, healthy product when the juice has been found to be contaminated with toxic PFAS at levels “hundreds of times” above federal advisory limits for drinking water.
PFAS are a class of about 12,000 chemicals typically used to make thousands of consumer products resist water, stains and heat. They are called “forever chemicals” because they do not naturally break down, and they are linked to cancer, fetal complications, liver disease, kidney disease, autoimmune disorders and other serious health issues.
Water is considered to be a main exposure route, but researchers have recently found contaminated food to be more of a risk than previously thought. Still, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken little action to address food contamination. It annually tests some food products for the chemicals, but developed a methodology that ignores what public health advocates say are dangerous levels.
“As we get better and better able to measure PFAS at lower levels and the FDA falls further behind on what it is testing … then you’re going to keep seeing these lawsuits pop up,” said Tom Neltner, chemicals policy director with the Environmental Defense Fund, a non-profit that pressures the FDA to take stronger action on PFAS.
The suit, filed in the southern district of New York, asks a judge to order monetary compensation and take other “appropriate” steps.
Attorneys for the plaintiffs and Coca Cola did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
The complaint takes aim at several specific claims on Simply’s packaging and branding, including mentions of “all natural ingredients”, “simply natural”, and “nothing to hide”. The inclusion of “filtered water” leads “reasonable consumers to believe that additional care has been taken to remove any incidental chemicals or impurities,” the complaint states.
“In reality, testing has revealed that the product contains [PFAS], a category of synthetic chemicals that are, by definition, not natural,” the complaint states.
The labeling is part of Simply’s wider marketing campaign, which positions the orange juice as being “transparent, natural, simple in order to gain the trust of reasonable consumers who reasonably believe that the product is free from synthetic” ingredients, the suit says.
Simply’s marketing, the complaint continues, “is intentionally designed to drive sales and increase profits by targeting health-conscious consumers”.
The suit said third-party testing found PFOA and PFOS, two of the most dangerous compounds, which were used for decades before being largely phased out in the US, but which continue to contaminate the nation’s environment.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last year found that virtually no exposure to the two compounds in drinking water is safe. The complaint doesn’t provide specific test results, but said testing found PFOA and PFOS levels “hundreds of times” above what the EPA considers safe for drinking water. No limits for PFAS in orange juice or other food products exist in the US.
The suit comes amid increased scrutiny over the use of PFAS in plastic. A lawsuit filed in late December just days ahead of the class action suit asks a judge to order Houston-based firm Inhance to stop adding PFAS to plastic. Testing from academic and EPA researchers over the last two years has found high levels of the chemicals can leach into food and other products that have been treated with PFAS.
It is unclear how or why PFAS are in Simply Orange as the chemicals could be contaminating the water that is mixed with the juice, the fruit or packaging. If the chemicals were intentionally added to the product, then the levels would probably be much higher, Neltner said.
Regardless, the synthetic chemicals are allegedly in a product that claims to be free from them.
“This does convey that if a company is aggressively marketing its pureness, then this lawsuit is saying the company needs to be held to a higher standard,” Neltner said.


text:
Most Americans believe marijuana use should be legal, according to a new survey.
Black Friday is the time for door-buster electronics sales, deeply discounted fashion and, oh yeah, purchasing holiday gifts for loved ones. And it's also becoming a big shopping day for medical marijuana.
More than a quarter of all legal cannabis in North America is sold in California, despite much stricter laws than Colorado or Washington.
After about a year of discussions with a medical cannabis education organization, Sonoma State University will finally be offering its first course in medical cannabis in March.
There are hundreds of booths at the three-day festival, which also features concerts, a grow room, carnival rides, food trucks, educational seminars and more.
Nothing says “music festival” like a floral crown — especially a floral crown with bulging buds of marijuana artfully interspersed with the flower blossoms.
Five measures concerning marijuana were introduced in Congress on May 30.
Bruce Kennedy ~ WeedWorthy ~
As the legal pot industry grows, so do concerns over the security of cannabis products, as well as on-site cash, company employees and customers.
A small, bipartisan group of lawmakers is renewing a push at the federal level to legalize marijuana, calling it a criminal justice issue.
The fashion industry has never been one to hide its infatuation with marijuana.
State regulators and government officials involved in crafting rules for the budding legal and medical marijuana industry are going to pot.
The event at the iconic showbiz club, called "Medical Marijuana: Weeding out Fact from Fiction," is being presented by the Cannabis Doctors of New York.
California's full legalization of marijuana may not take effect until 2018, but weed is proliferating at entertainment industry gatherings.
Public support for marijuana legalization surged in 2016, according to data just released from the General Social Survey.
A lexical shift is happening around the word cannabis. It's a term that’s changing social norms, business, law, and government.
Forget lingerie, candy and boring flowers; this Valentine's Day, give a gift that truly keeps on giving.
Reefer madness appears to be fading into oblivion -- at least when it comes to popular attitudes. The law lags behind.
In case you weren’t aware, subscription boxes are all the rage these days. And as medical marijuana becomes more mainstream, so are smoking accessories.
Nelson shared a photo of himself wearing the shirt, which sports the words “Smoke Weed” and features a pot leaf decorated with Christmas lights.
Page 1 of 2


text:
By: Tom Ewing, Head of Communication, System1 Group
“The thing that matters most is the thing we do least research on,” lamented Michelle Gansle of Mars Confectionery in her candid and very entertaining presentation at TMRE on Monday. “How to Kill (Or Build) A Brand with Packaging” focused on the pack – the element of an FMCG product that plays perhaps the most critical role in decision-making in store, and yet is changed on what seems like a whim by companies who live to regret that choice.
Statistics show, after all, that changing packaging is a sucker’s bet. On average sales drop by 1% following a pack change. And we can all cite cases – like Tropicana’s catastrophic 2009 relaunch – where the results were far worse than that. “The best practice”, Gansle pointed out, “is to make no changes”. But some packs do change for the better, and with caution and good consumer understanding, disasters can be avoided.
Mars’ understanding of packaging is based on the concepts of Pop, Pace and Pull. Pop is about visual dominance – having distinctive and immediately recognisable colours, shapes and visual assets. Pace is about making the pack – and hence the shopper decision – as simple as possible: if the shopper must hesitate or gets confused, sales drop. And Pull is about the emotional appeal of the pack – Gansle showed examples of big, cute animals on pet food packs, for instance.
All of this showed the strong understanding of consumer psychology you’d expect from a leading FMCG manufacturer. Pop, Pace and Pull is a brilliant summary and application of decision science – the fact that human beings like to make quick, easy and familiar decisions. So how did things go so wrong when Mars decided to redesign its packs for Orbit chewing gum, to streamline the brand’s global visual image?
Gansle was enjoyably honest about the answers. The change wasn’t dramatic – a shift from black lettering to white, the kind people would likely only notice subconsciously. But this minor change triggered a double-digit sales decline, which was only arrested when Mars spent more money to bring the old designs back. How had the mistake happened? The philosophy was right, but the decisions didn’t live up to it.
For a start, research ‘red flags’ were ignored. Testing the new pack among category buyers and heavy Orbit users found that while the former were fine with the new pack, and predicted behaviour across both segments was stable at worst, attitudinal and emotional responses were a different matter. Heavy users found the new pack confusing and unenticing. With momentum behind the pack change, Mars decided that behaviour was the more important action standard, and ignored the red flags.
Mars’ second mistake was not to invest in the change. No money was spent on communicating the pack change via advertising – in fact Orbit wasn’t advertising at all at the time – and there was no spend on promotion to clear out stocks of the old pack before the new one came in. So many stores were selling both side by side with no explanation: a recipe for confusion.
These errors proved costly for Mars and Orbit, but the company has learned from them. There’s now a strict ‘no red flag’ policy for research results, and a greater willingness to invest in changes to make them simpler for consumers. Other advice Gansle offered was to avoid simultaneous changes in packaging, brand name or positioning, and price – for change to work it must be anchored in familiarity. And she emphasised the importance of avoiding unnecessary pack changes entirely by having a robust benchmarking process, which has saved Mars wasted effort in redesigning brands where the current pack isn’t actually a problem.
We talk a lot about learning from failure at conferences in the abstract, but it was still refreshing to hear a researcher demonstrate what this means from real experience with a household brand. What happened to Mars – getting the psychology right but cutting corners in the execution – could happen to any brand in the pressure-cooker world of globalised marketing. Being honest about mistakes is the only real way to avoid that.


text:
Ostrovok.ru, an online hotel booking service launched last summer, announced last week it had raised $1 million from General Catalyst Partners, a US-based venture capital and growth equity firm, Kite Ventures, a Russian venture fund, and business angels who founded online travel services in the US and China such as Kayak and Qunar.com.
The founders say it has “not been difficult” to attract investors who received “less than 15%” of the shares.
Ostrovok.ru aims to build Russia’s “most comprehensive [international] hotel base.” The site plans to provide its users with an enlarged offer as soon as next month.
The site claims 50,000 unique visitors every week and 2,000 new subscribers to its newsletter every day.
“Travel services represent almost 40% of the worldwide e-commerce market. This indicator is significantly lower in Russia, which means the market is still in its development phase,” says Ostrovok.ru co-founder and CEO Serge Faguet.
Faguet is a Russian-born entrepreneur and Stanford GSB graduate who, before creating Ostrovok.ru, worked as an analyst at Google, then founded TokBox, a web-based group video communications provider.
Ostrovok.ru President and co-founder Kirill Makharinsky describes himself as a “data virtuoso.” After studying at Eton, then Oxford, he co-founded YouNoodle, an online platform to develop the startup ecosystem; and Quid, a provider of data on innovation and emerging businesses.
In a recent interview with ArcticStartup, Faguet noted that “Russia has many markets that are not dominated by anyone while in other countries similar markets have companies that are already worth billions.” Faguet also finds it easier to recruit talented developers in Russia than in Silicon Valley, where “200 start-ups with $10 million funding each plus Google, Twitter, Facebook and the likes are all competing for the best developers.”
As reported earlier by East-West Digital News, online sales of tourism products have grown very fast in Russia over the last few years. Russia saw an estimated 6 million online purchasers of tourism products in 2010. Competition is becoming more intense, but the growth potential remains huge)—less than 5% of travel services are sold online in Russia vs. 30% to 60% in more advanced countries.
In early April, Oktogo.ru, another online hotel reservation company with its headquarters in St. Petersburg, announced it closed a $5 million round of financing with Western funds Ventech and Mangrove Capital Partners and Russian fund ABRT.


text:
Why 3-D Printing Is Becoming a Serious Industry A trio of printing big shots weigh in on the growing trend.
This story originally appeared on Business Insider
The same way that personal computing became a hotbed of innovation in the early 1970s, 3-D printing seems to be experiencing a similar renaissance.
While 3-D printers were once huge, pricey devices reserved for the industrial elite, they have lately been adapted to fit on your desktop at home. All over the world, hobbyist manufacturers are extruding plastic objects for prototyping or simply for fun.
But how important is 3-D printing? And should you even care about it?
If you're a tinkerer or DIY-er, then you should care a lot. The reasons here are obvious -- having a 3-D printer and being well-versed in how to use it gives you another tool in your belt to tackle problems and create new objects. Did a small and specifically-shaped piece of plastic break in your coffee machine? Now you can replace it in an afternoon without having to call the manufacturer.
Interest among the maker community is so rampant that a number of 3-D printing companies have sprung up to sell printers and related hardware. MakerBot, a darling of the 3-D printing world, was profitable on its 42nd day in operation. Formlabs ran a Kickstarter to bring its Form-1 printer to market and raised just under $3 million. The maker scene has such a big crush on 3-D printers right now that there was even a designated "3-D Printer Village" at this year's New York Maker Faire.
All these facts send a strong message -- there is a large community that will always be paying attention to 3-D printing.
Regardless of its relevance, people will still decry it. Criticisms will include "Who is this for?" and "The technology isn't good enough to become relevant." If you're mostly apathetic to the DIY approach, it's fine not to care about the field. Just be open to the idea that you might change your mind down the road.
We asked a few big shots in the 3-D printing space about why normal people like you should care about the trend.
Here's what they had to say:
• Matt Griffin of Adafruit told us about the Cricut vinyl cutter, a device that's a huge hit in the scrapbooking world. The scrapbooking community might not exactly be known for its cutting edge technology, but the Cricut is a very specialized tool that became of interest to people who wouldn't consider themselves technologically focused at all. With a little bit of focus, they were able to get amazing results out of the device.
The analogy here is clear -- just because something is a specialized or seemingly complicated device doesn't mean it won't become important or useful to you in the future. In fact, 3-D printers are already important in the present.
• Luke Winston of Formlabs told us that, "Most products we use today involve 3-D printing in some way during the design cycle. Shoes, electronics, and even building designs make use of it." Even if you've never touched a 3-D printer, you've touched an object that was made possible because of one.
• Peter Weijmarshausen, co-founder and CEO of 3-D printing company Shapeways, told us to "[i]magine a world in which you can get exactly what you want, and not what is just available...Imagine if you only made what you need, or imagine if you are a designer and could bring your product to market in days, not years. Imagine products that can all be made locally. 3-D printing is relevant for everyone, regardless of your technological background."


text:
The Business-20 (B20) trade task force, which includes 68 company executives from 25 countries, met earlier this week in Istanbul in preparation for the G20 Leaders Summit to be hosted by Turkey in November 2015.
“The world’s leading corporations are deeply invested in helping to shape a trade agenda that will deliver economic growth and millions of new jobs,” said Güler Guler Sabancı, Chairman of Turkey’s Sabanci Holdings, who co-chaired the task force.
Gathering ahead of a meeting with finance ministers, the trade task force called on G20 leaders to rapidly implement and ratify the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement that will create binding commitments across all WTO members to expedite the movement, release, and clearance of goods, improve cooperation among WTO members in customs matters, and help developing countries fully implement the Agreement’s terms. It is estimated that the agreement can cut trade costs by almost 14.5 percent for low-income countries, and by 10 percent for high-income countries, forming part of international efforts to cut tax barriers to trade on a global basis under the Doha Round.
Business leaders also urged G20 countries to stop protectionism in its tracks, remove supply chain barriers and ensure that plurilateral trade agreements contribute to a stronger multilateral trading system. The task force also called for progressive leadership by the G20 to liberalize trade in services, encourage the growth of e-commerce and improve intellectual property protection and enforcement regimes as drivers of economic growth.


text:
US Swimming Reverses Decision 'Lifts Ban On Bodysuits'
Jul 19, 2000
Below is the Official US Swimming Press Release about its decision to "Lift the Ban on the Bodysuits".
Here is some of the activity that has been taking place regarding the suits since the board of USA Swimming voted 16'3 to ban the suits at a meeting on June 22. The original concern was that manufacturers would not be able to outfit all the athletes for the Trials.
The decision to ban the suits angered quite a few athletes and coaches who would be taking part in the Trials. Since FINA itself had approve the use of the suits for the Olympic Games and athletes are able to wear them in qualifying meets for the Trials, it made little sense to many, not be able to wear them at the Trials themslves.
Then last week TYR Sport filed a grievance with the U.S. Olympic Committee, asking the USOC to overturn the decision by US Swimming.
Then Adidas got into the fray and offered its suits, "free of charge" to any competitor who wanted to wear it at the Trials.
This along with the grievance eliminated the original reason to ban the suits which was a concern over the availability for all athletes taking part in the Trials. Hence, US Swimming's reversal of it original decision to "Ban the Bodysuits."US Swimming Press Release
COLORADO SPRINGS-USA Swimming's Board of Directors voted 15-6 to lift the ban on full bodysuits for the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Swimming. All suits which meet FINA and USA Swimming rules will be allowed at the Trials, Aug. 9-16, in Indianapolis.
"In light of recent developments, the board decided to review its ban of the full bodysuits," said Chuck Wielgus, USA Swimming Executive Director. "In the last week, we have been in contact with the major swimsuit manufacturers to determine if and how they can meet the demands of all the competitors who will be at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials. The manufacturers have committed to us they can meet the objective of every Olympic Trials competitor having the opportunity to have a full body suit."
"When the ban was initially put in place, the Board had concerns that there would not be enough suits for the large number of competitors expected at Trials. Since that time, several manufacturers have stepped forward with offers to outfit all the competitors and have shown us their detailed production and distribution plans."
"This was not an easy decision and there are merits to both sides of the issue, but with the U.S. Olympic Team Trials being just three weeks away, it was important to get this issue resolved. By going along with FINA's approval of the use of full body suits in terms of what will be allowed at the Olympic Games, the Board of Director's decision today should close the door on this issue."


text:
KG Mobility, the brand formerly known as SsangYong, has received a significant boost in its electric vehicle endeavors through a partnership with the Chinese automotive giant BYD. This collaboration, which focuses on the development of future EVs and the utilization of essential battery technology, marks a pivotal moment for the brand.
KGM transitioned from SsangYong earlier this year following its acquisition by KG Mobility in 2022. The partnership with BYD is expected to play a crucial role in the brand’s journey towards sustainable growth. BYD, renowned as the world’s largest electric car manufacturer, is known for its exceptional expertise in electric vehicle battery cells and packs.
Notably, BYD manufactures its own batteries, which power vehicles such as the Atto 3, Dolphin, and Seal. These batteries feature the innovative ‘Blade Battery’ design, which optimizes space utilization within the battery pack, surpassing the efficiency of traditional lithium-ion phosphate cell packs.
KGM has already unveiled its all-electric vehicle, the Torres EVX, with plans for its launch in 2024. With this partnership, the battery packs produced in Korea will be seamlessly integrated into the Torres EVX, as well as an upcoming all-electric pickup truck.
KGM also asserts its commitment to developing plug-in hybrid vehicles, with a Torres-based hybrid model anticipated to debut in 2025.
Commenting on the BYD partnership, KG Mobility CEO Jeong Yong-won expressed, “By expanding the line-up of eco-friendly vehicles through cooperation with BYD for the joint development of next-generation hybrids, KG Mobility has laid a strong foundation for more stable growth.” This collaboration is poised to propel KG Mobility into the forefront of the evolving electric vehicle landscape.


text:
Cinnaholic, an Atlanta-based vegan bakery chain with locations across the United States and Canada, opened its first Michigan location in Ann Arbor on Friday morning. The store sold its specialty cinnamon rolls at $1 to the customers braving the freezing temperatures for the opening event.
U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell spoke at the ribbon cutting ceremony. She told the crowd — which stretched a block down East Liberty Street — she enjoys cinnamon rolls and is happy to have the new business in the city.
“I am a cinnaholic … I will be their best customer,” Dingell said. “I’ll be in line first thing … This is an exciting day for Ann Arbor.”
Deborah Boener and Doug Moeller, the owners of the Ann Arbor location, moved to Michigan after losing their California home to a wildfire in 2018. In an interview with The Michigan Daily, Boener and Moeller said they were excited about their decision to open the bakery.
“We saved for two years to try to figure out if we were going to rebuild the house,” Boener said. “And we just decided we were going to rebuild our lives instead.”
The couple decided to open a Cinnaholic location after Moeller left the corporate world because they frequently ate at a Cinnaholic in Berkeley, California.
“(We’re) just so thrilled to be doing it in Ann Arbor,” Boener said.
Located near the corner of East Liberty Street and S. 4th Ave., Cinnaholic will be open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week. Beyond their specialty cinnamon rolls, they also sell other desserts, including brownies and edible cookie dough. Their products are 100% vegan and allergen-friendly.
Boener said she is looking forward to providing the community with another vegan food option. She said many people are surprised to learn the company’s cinnamon rolls are vegan when they first try them.
“We want to be known as a really good cinnamon roll bakery, not just a vegan cinnamon roll bakery,” Boener said.
Ann Arbor resident Elizabeth Wilkinson was first in line at Cinnaholic on opening day. Wilkinson said the event was exciting, even though it was cold outside, and she was looking forward to trying the half dozen cinnamon rolls she ordered.
“I haven’t left my house in all of 2022, and I had errands to run, so I figured, ‘Why not?’” Wilkinson said.
Wilkinson said she expects the bakery to do well among Ann Arbor customers.
“I think the fact that it’s dairy free, that it’s vegan, I think it’s going to pull a lot of people,” Wilkinson said.
Jacob Lee, an Ann Arbor resident whose job is located near the new Cinnaholic, said he waited in line because he wanted a chance to check out the bakery for himself. He said that while there are other vegan businesses in the city already, Cinnaholic could be a good option for people looking for vegan desserts.
“I think it’s a great idea, honestly,” Lee said. “Their cinnamon buns seem good, I can’t wait to try them.”
Engineering junior Liz Chang and LSA junior Lisa Ryou said they were drawn to the opening by the discount on cinnamon rolls. Ryou said she was surprised by the high amount of energy at the event, which included a DJ playing music for the line. Chang said she also liked the inside of the bakery.
“It’s cute, I like the displays,” Chang said.
Neither Chang nor Ryou could initially tell the bakery was vegan. Ryou said she was impressed the bakery could still be so attractive to customers while being vegan.
“Everyone is still really willing to come here,” Ryou said. “It doesn’t really matter that it’s vegan.”
Daily Staff Reporter Eli Friedman can be reached at email@example.com.


text:
The Black Friday sale is undisputedly the biggest in the world. We see US retailers offer big discounts not just on individual products, but across whole categories. In fact, in cases such as Macy’s, there are huge discounts across the whole department store!
Black Friday is held annually on the Friday after Thanksgiving, so it will land on Friday November 29 this year.
And the party doesn’t stop there; there is Cyber Monday on the Monday following Black Friday. It is traditionally is a retailer event for electronic and tech-based stores and products.
On Black Friday, big name outlets such as Neiman Marcus, Sephora, Levi’s, J Crew, Amazon, Ralph Lauren, eBay USA, Walmart and Macy’s all join the sale offering many products which are not otherwise available in Australia.
Let Qannu sail in with your Black Friday savings
However, thanks to Qannu, a unique delivery service, Aussie bargain hunters will not be left out. They too can get a piece of the action, cash in on the biggest retail sale in the world and have exclusive brands delivered right to their doorsteps.
And to put the icing on the cake, the strength of the Aussie dollar will add significant savings to products already discounted by up to 50 per cent.
Australian customers can start their shopping from mid-afternoon on Black Friday but fierce competition means some traders start sales up to a week early. And you don’t even have to worry about technical issues, US websites are very robust.
How does Qannu help you save?
As Australia’s first fee-free online package forwarding service, Qannu cuts shipping costs for Australian online shoppers purchasing goods from the US. In fact, for a while now, several Australian businesses have been saving on freight fees with Qannu.
Single or multiple goods are packaged at Qannu’s US warehouse, shipped and then hand-delivered to customers’ doorsteps in Australia within five to eight days. There are no joining fees, membership fees or personal shopping fees.
With Qannu’s reliable shipping service, Australian shoppers can take full advantage of Black Friday and have their purchases delivered door to door without having to shell out whatever savings they have made on their shopping on delivery fees.
How can you, an Australian shopper, make the most out of Black Friday?
Firstly, this is the busiest time for US retail so it may be worth paying for faster shipping from the retailer. Yes, free shipping is fantastic but you might have to wait two weeks! Also, consolidating your orders into one package to send to Australia will save heaps on shipping.
Secondly, the products move very fast so you need to stay informed. The deals come out up to seven days before Black Friday so keep checking the Qannu Twitter feed (@QannuUSA), the retailers sites, the Qannu blog, and our Facebook page for the latest offers.
Lastly, if you are super organised, put your most desired products in the retailer’s shopping cart before Black Friday. This way, you can jump on and enter the promo codes as soon they are released, check out and boom, you have beaten the crowds!
Keep in mind that Black Friday is a great time to get on top of your Christmas shopping. But the best thing of all is that you don’t have to line up outside waiting for the stores to open and you can shop in your pyjamas in the comfort of your couch!
Bridget Speed is a Melbourne online entrepreneur. She is a Founder and Marketing Director at Qannu, a unique delivery service that allows Australian customers to shop from any US website, but pay only one international delivery fee.


text:
Speakers of LANXESS’s Liquid Purification Technologies, Inorganic Pigments, Saltigo business units and Distribution departments answered media questions at 2020 LANXESS Virtual Day Media Preview
German specialty chemicals company LANXESS will launch on September 15-17 its first-ever online Virtual Day under the theme of “Creating value with partners.” The event is focused on the Asia-Pacific region and will create a platform to communicate with customers and partners and promote latest products and solutions.
“This virtual trade fair is our answer to the frequent cancellation of traditional trade shows in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic,” Ming Cheng Chien, President LANXESS Asia-Pacific Region, said. “The very satisfactory response in registrations so far shows that our customers are on board with this new format. We look forward to welcoming them to a vibrant and interactive virtual event.”
Virtual Day revolves around a comprehensive three-day agenda of 56 online seminars held in English, Chinese and Japanese. Experts from LANXESS will showcase new products, new processes and new technology for a broad range of industries including new mobility, rubber and plastics, construction, coatings, E&E, metal working, water treatment and personal care.
The event also features an interactive 3D exhibition online booth to ensure that participants gain immersive experience. By taking a virtual walk through the 720 degree booth, visitors can get detailed information on latest exhibits and solutions. A download center with brochures and videos complements the comprehensive offering.
Solutions for key industries
With long-term confidence in the prospects of the electric vehicle market, LANXESS is ready to display its wide range of new products dedicated to the New Mobility sector, such as Durethan high-performance lightweight plastics or Lewatit ion exchange resins, which have long been proven in the extraction and production of metals that are key cathode materials for electric vehicle batteries today.
LANXESS will also demonstrate and explore solutions serving the construction industry, such as polymerized flame retardants and inorganic pigments produced with environmental processes.
With more efforts planned for the development of consumer protection products, LANXESS also seeks to showcase its high performance active ingredient of insect repellent Saltidin® and unique solutions for personal care products during the event.


text:
Competition in the grocery sector is flourishing, backing up a key finding of the Competition Commission’s inquiry, according to Verdict.
Tesco extended its lead over rivals last year for the ninth successive year, but its 0.8 percentage point rise to 27.6 per cent was its smallest market share gain since 2002, Verdict found. Asda achieved its strongest market share gain since 2004, up 0.4 percentage points to 13.7 per cent.
Verdict lead analyst Nick Gladding said: “Tesco’s share advance reflects a combination of solid like-for-like growth – including an increasing contribution from non-food – and physical expansion. In the current year to February, Tesco will open 1.8 million sq ft – 25 per cent more than the net space growth of Asda, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons combined.”
The conclusion supports one of the key findings of the Competition Commission’s inquiry that the grocery sector is broadly delivering a good deal for UK consumers.
In 2007, Verdict estimates that the big four – Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons – accounted for 65.4 per cent of the£118.2 billion market, up from 63.6 per cent in 2006. Tesco’s market share is now exactly double that of Sainsbury’s.
Discounters Aldi, Lidl and Netto continue to build market share from a low base.


text: Volvo Group Venture Capital AB is investing in the Canadian founded company Waabi Innovation, which is developing the next generation of autonomous trucking technology. The investment highlights the companies’ shared commitment to redefine the way we move goods and to accelerate the deployment of future transport solutions.Waabi is developing next-generation artificial intelligence technology to solve autonomy at scale. The company recently unveiled the Waabi Driver, its core autonomous trucking solution, designed for large-scale commercialization and safe deployment. This solution is complemented by Waabi World, a scalable high-quality simulator, exposing the Waabi Driver to the vast diversity of scenarios needed to hone its driving skills and paving the way to widespread adoption of autonomous trucking.Freight movement is rapidly increasing, with the trucking industry moving the vast majority of the goods. Accommodating this growth has placed tremendous pressure on every part of the supply chain industry. Volvo Group see that fully autonomous trucking transports are key to provide additional capacity, better safety and improved efficiency but also support drivers in tiresome routes.Volvo Group Venture Capital was founded in 1997 and invests globally in venture companies. The aim is to drive transformation by facilitating the creation of new services and solutions and to support collaborations between start-ups and the Volvo Group. The market trends shaping the future of transportation and the strategic priorities of the Volvo Group define the investment focus areas: Logistics Services, Site Solutions, Electrification, and Climate Tech.


text:
Clean Water has joined with local government, wastewater professionals, senior citizen advocates, and those concerned with drug abuse to stop unused or out of date drugs from getting into the environment or into the hands of those who will misuse them.
Did you know that there are approximately 80,000 chemicals in commercial use but that in the U.S. little toxicity information is required to bring a chemical or product containing chemicals to market?
In May 2020, we held a townhall to talk about PFAS and it's impact on the health of first responders and communities.
PFAS are commonly used and highly dangerous. The use of long-chain PFAS in the U.S. is being phased out due to an increased awareness of their harmful effects, yet, the short-chain versions -- or those with a smaller number of carbon fluorine bonds -- are still actively used in consumer products.


text:
The Lerwick branch of the Santander bank has been closed due to a “plumbing issue”, the bank confirmed.
A sign in the bank’s window on Commercial Street had told customers it had been closed due to unforeseen circumstances.
Santander apologised to its customers on Tuesday, saying the closure was related to a plumbing issue at the bank.
“We are sorry for the inconvenience caused while the branch remains closed and are working to reopen the branch for local customers as soon as possible.”
It said customers could bank via their local post office for balance enquiries, cash withdrawals and cash deposits, or use telephone, online or mobile banking in the meantime.