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Rakuten Mobile announced the 5G plan "Rakuten UN-LIMIT V" on September 30th. You can apply online or at the store from 3:30 pm on the same day.
The fee is deferred from 2980 yen per month for "Rakuten UN-LIMIT 2.0". By using "Rakuten Link", you can use unlimited voice calls, and you can use data communication as long as you are on Rakuten's own line for both 4G and 5G. Also, in the partner line area [KDDI line, 4G only], you can communicate at 5GB per month and up to 1Mbps after exceeding.
Furthermore, the campaign that started offering when Rakuten UN-LIMIT was announced will continue for one year, limited to 3 million people. The company announced that the number of applicants exceeded 1 million at the time of the announcement of this new plan [the number of actual contractors is not disclosed], and it seems that there is still room for the end of the campaign.
The 5G area started in some areas of Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Hokkaido, Osaka, and Hyogo prefectures. In March 2021, 5G services are scheduled to be rolled out in all prefectures, and in the second quarter of 2021, 5G services will be launched in a stand-alone manner.
5G area schedule
In addition, existing "Rakuten UN-LIMIT 2.0" users will be automatically updated sequentially from October 12th to November 30th. If you want to apply it quickly, you can do it manually from "my Rakuten Mobile".
Announcing the original 5G terminal "Rakuten BIG"
A compatible terminal is required to use 5G, but Rakuten announced the original 5G terminal "Rakuten BIG" in line with the provision of the new plan. In addition to supporting both Sub-6 / millimeter waves, 5G is equipped with the world's first 6.9-inch organic EL display with a built-in front camera.
Equipped with the world's first display with a built-in front camera
Furthermore, it is sold for 69,800 yen including tax while being equipped with a 4-eye camera with a maximum of 64 million pixels, Snapdragon 765G, RAM 6GB, Osaifu-Keitai, IP68 waterproof performance, etc. It will be available on the website, Rakuten Mobile's Futakotamagawa store from 15:30 on September 30th.
Also announced the new 4G smartphone "Rakuten Hand". In-house terminal became 3 models including "Rakuten Mini"
Also, the AQUOS R5G that is already on sale will be updated to support 5G.


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(Business in Cameroon) - Household final consumption prices in Cameroon went up 0.5% MoM in August 2023, following a 0.4% rise the previous month, the National Institute of Statistics (INS) reports in a recent note. "The price hike is mainly due to a 1.3% MoM increase in food prices and a 1.1% MoM rise in education costs.”
This overall food price trend came with inflation that reached a yearly average of 7.8% at the end of August, way beyond the 3% community threshold tolerated in the Cemac region. "Inflation rose mainly due to a 13.3% YoY increase in food prices, a 10.4% YoY increase in transport costs, and an 8.6% YoY increase in prices for furniture, household goods and everyday cleaning products,” INS said. Compared to the same month in 2022, the overall price level increased by 7.4% in August 2023.
Bread, cereals, meats, fish and seafood, milk, cheese, eggs, oils and fats, fruits and vegetables, and sugar are among the food products that have seen the sharpest price hikes. Transportation costs have also risen by 16.8% YoY.
However, inflation is not only driven by surging costs of fresh produce and energy items, which saw increases of 13.9% and 5.7%, respectively. Depending on the origin of the products, the increase is more pronounced for local products, with prices rising by 8.5%, than for imported products, which saw prices rise by 6.0%, according to reports. The INS report notes that the inflation rate consistently exceeded 7% in nine regional capitals. The highest rate was observed in Bertoua (East), and the lowest in Garoua (North).

domain: news


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MEP Catherine Bearder is calling for EU limits on the food poisoning bug campylobacter in chicken meat.
Her comments follow the news three quarters of fresh chicken sold in the UK is contaminated with the bacteria.
A study by the European Food and Safety Authority has estimated cases of the potentially life-threatening illness could be cut by between 50 and 90 per cent if EU limits on campylobacter, similar to those already in place for salmonella, were introduced.
South East regional Liberal Democrat MEP Mrs Bearder said: “Campylobacter can cause very severe cases of food poisoning and it must be taken seriously.
“EU limits have already helped reduce salmonella cases in Europe by half.
“A similar approach to campylobacter could significantly reduce the risk faced by consumers and force retailers and the poultry industry to clean up their act.”
She added: “Thoroughly cooking chickens will get rid of the bug and good kitchen hygiene will reduce the risk it poses.
“But there are systematic ways in which campylobacter levels can be reduced at the processing stage.
“The pressure should be on the industry to ensure chickens are free from campylobacter before they reach customers.”


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Online holiday sales continue to grow
Online sales have grown in all time frames so far this holiday season.
Helped by a $1 billion sales day on Cyber Monday, a 16 percent increase from last year, the sales numbers for the week of Nov. 27 through Dec. 3 totaled more than $5 billion, according to Internet-based tracking firm comScore.
That was a 9 percent increase from the same time period last year. Overall, online sales during the holiday season, defined as beginning Nov. 1, totaled more than $16 billion through Dec. 3, a 12 percent increase from the same time frame in 2009.


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First National Bank’s new First Business Zero Account, with no monthly fees, has certainly made competitors sit up and take notice. This is not a segment that has seen an awful lot of innovation, and banking for business is generally quite pricey.
It is not uncommon for business accounts to have monthly fees of just under R100 for basic offerings, and banks have pushed bundled options where those fees are significantly higher. Before November, FNB’s most cost-effective option, its Gold Business Account, meant a monthly fee of R80 or one of two bundles at either R265 or R390.
As a result, many sole proprietors simply use their existing personal bank account (or a second account) to run their business. Think bakkie builders, plumbers and the like. It is precisely this segment — businesses with turnover under R5-million/year — that FNB is targeting with this new account.
First Business Zero pushes FNB’s digital-first proposition into the business space. The account has unlimited point-of-sale purchases (swipes), free payments via a QR code in the FNB app (like Zapper/Snapscan), and an FNB Connect Sim card with a modest amount of bundled data, voice minutes and SMSs. Per-transaction fees are in line with those charged on the Gold and Platinum accounts, but those accounts generally have a number of free bundled transactions.
The name of this account evokes an obvious comparison with Bank Zero — also targeting the small to medium enterprise space — and which launches commercially next year.
The move by FNB can be seen as a defensive one, with competition in the banking sector heating up. It’s not just Bank Zero. Capitec’s acquisition of Mercantile Bank will see a concerted push by the country’s largest bank by customer numbers into the business segment. But Capitec has indicated that it will immediately invest in digital and IT over the next two years to enable growth. It is likely, then, that it will take Capitec at least a year before it begins to offer disruptive products in this segment.
This move by FNB is not just about new entrants, however. Existing competitors, especially Capitec, are popular choices for sole proprietors despite these accounts not explicitly being targeted to entrepreneurs (or really being suited for the purpose).
Additionally, it will allow FNB to target existing customers who are using personal bank accounts to run their businesses. Shifting these sole proprietors to business accounts will enable better segmentation of its base, and allow FNB to upsell other products, particularly credit, as well as its value-added services like payroll, invoicing and accounting all built into its online banking platform.
FNB is the clear leader in cross-selling in the personal account space and this is a continuation of that strategy. In its results for the 2019 financial year, FirstRand specifically highlighted the success it had in “targeted cross-selling in the small business segment”.
The bank says in the past financial year, “FNB Business banked SME lending reached more than R40-billion on the back of simple, scored, digital lending, with a credit approval taking less than three minutes in many instances”.
Mike Vacy-Lyle, FNB Business CEO, says: “Better use of data, understanding client context, easier credit applications through scoring and digitisation, as well as lower origination costs, have led to better, deeper credit underwriting and quicker turnaround times. This has made borrowing from FNB Business a much better experience with better pricing.”
Customer growth in its commercial segment (business banking) was 11% in the year, with this base growing 42% in the last five years. Normalised profit before tax for its commercial transactional business was up 17% (compared to 13% for its personal transactional one).
The bank says it has seen “strong adoption of digital platforms” in the commercial segment, with increases of 25% and 37% for active online and active banking app customers respectively.
Says Vacy-Lyle: “Continued digitisation of the commercial banking experience, at scale, has resulted in improved efficiencies and a lower cost of banking. This benefit of scale will be passed on to the customer through more affordable banking solutions like these.”
- This article was originally published on Moneyweb and is used here with permission


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Nikola Stock (NKLA) conquer fourth-quarter estimates & announced progress on critical production goals, while Fisker (FSR) reported demand that is strong demand for its EV. Nikola stock and Fisker inventory rose late.
Nikola Stock Earnings
Estimates: Analysts expect a loss of 23 cents a share on nominal earnings. Thus much, Nikola’s modest product sales came from solar installations and not coming from electric vehicles.
According to FintechZoom, Nikola posted a 17 cent loss each share on zero revenue. Inside Q4, Nikola made “significant progress” at its Ulm, Germany grow, with trial production of the Tre semi truck set to start in June. In addition, it reported improvement at the Coolidge of its, Ariz. site, which will start producing the Tre later inside the third quarter. Nikola has completed the assembly of the earliest five Nikola Tre prototypes. It affirmed an objective to deliver the first Nikola Tre semis to people in Q4.
Nikola’s lineup includes battery electric and hydrogen fuel-cell semi-trucks. It’s focusing on a launch of the battery electric Nikola Tre, with 300 miles of range, within Q4. A fuel cell model of the Tre, with longer range up to 500 kilometers, is actually set to follow in the second half of 2023. The company additionally is focusing on the launch of a fuel-cell semi truck, considered the Two, with up to 900 miles of range, in late 2024.
The Tre EV will be at first made in a factory inside Ulm, Germany and ultimately inside Coolidge, Ariz. Nikola establish a goal to considerably complete the German plant by conclusion of 2020 and to do the original phase with the Arizona plant’s development by end 2021.
But plans in order to establish a power pickup truck suffered a very bad blow of November, when General Motors (GM) ditched blueprints to carry an equity stake of Nikola and to assist it build the Badger. Actually, it agreed to supply fuel-cells for Nikola’s business-related semi-trucks.
Stock: Shares rose 3.7 % late Thursday right after closing down 6.8 % to 19.72 for consistent stock market trading. Nikola stock closed again below the 50-day model, cotinuing to trend lower after a drumbeat of news which is bad.
Chinese EV developer Li Auto (LI), that noted a surprise profit early Thursday, fell 9.8 %. Tesla (TSLA) slumped 8.1 % after it halted Model 3 generation amid the global chip shortage. Electrical powertrain maker Hyliion (HYLN), that reported steep losses Tuesday, sold off of 7.5 %.
Nikola Stock (NKLA) beat fourth-quarter estimates and announced advancement on key production


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O Magazine April 2009 Fashion - Behind the Scenes in Argentina
This month, the O Magazine fashion team made the (ten hour!) journey to the Estancia El Rocio, a real working ranch just outside Buenos Aires to shoot our April 2009 Gaucho Chic fashion story. O's creative director, Adam Glassman, was calling the shots--a
By Robin Monheit O, The Oprah Magazine | March 11, 2009
This field of sunflowers were the perfect backdrop for the story's boho-chic styles. "I've always been obsessed with sunflowers," says Adam. "They're just happy flowers." It's obvious Todd heartily agrees.


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CONSUMER ALERT: CONSUMERS MAY LOSE MONEY, NOT WEIGHT
LITTLE ROCK - A guarantee to lose weight without dieting sounds appealing to consumers hoping to shed a few pounds, but businesses that promise quick-fix weight loss are most likely taking away more money than they are pounds.
According to the FDA, Americans lose billions of dollars a year to health-fraud schemes. Dietary supplements touted as "magic pills" and supposed fat-dissolving products that claim to erase inches from waistlines are ineffective and could be dangerous to a consumer's health.
Accordingly, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel issued this Consumer Alert today to urge Arkansans to use caution when considering weight-loss products or businesses that offer fast results with little effort.
"Consumers who invest in weight-loss businesses because they want to lose weight immediately may soon find out that they aren't getting what they paid for," McDaniel said. "Not only are these types of schemes a poor investment, but medical professionals warn that they could negatively impact a person's health."
The assertions made by the businesses contradict the long-held view that weight loss can and should be achieved only through diet and physical activity. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences advises that losing one-half to two pounds per week by eating better and exercising more is the best way to lose weight and keep it off.
UAMS also recommends that consumers speak with their physicians or consult a registered dietician before starting a weight-loss program.
Dietary supplements that can be found in stores or online are not FDA-approved, and could contain dangerous ingredients, or ingredients that could be toxic when taken with other drugs or foods.
The federal agency also warns that there are no FDA-approved injectable drugs to eliminate fat. Additionally, there is no credible scientific evidence to support that drugs or substances used in lipodissolve procedures are actually effective in eliminating fat.
McDaniel encouraged consumers who believe that they have been victims of a weight-loss scam to contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division. Some consumers have reported signing contracts with a weight-loss business promising a money-back guarantee if they were unsatisfied. However, the consumers claim they were left with no results and no refund.
Consumers can identify weight-loss fraud in a number of ways, according to the FDA:
• Consumers should be wary of businesses that promote the "one and only" product guaranteed to work, and should be wary of web sites that use words like "guarantee" and "breakthrough."
• Keep in mind that businesses often dress up actors to appear as doctors in their advertisements.
• Consumers should be skeptical of any business that offers quick and easy weight loss without diet and exercise.
• Consider that scammers may alter before and after pictures or craft testimonials to promote false results.
For more information about weight-loss scams or other consumer-related issues, contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at (800) 482-8982 or visit www.GotYourBackArkansas.org.


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Discover our not-to-miss art pop-up and exhibitions selection!
Lemon Park – Citrovia: Interesting construction-site art piece is right next to Hudson Yards mall and the High Line.
- The space is decked out with oversized artificial lemons, lemon trees, and lemon slices by the hundreds, as well as seating, a fabric “cloud” featuring hourly light shows, and a series of augmented reality experiences that aim to make this otherwise avoidable space a place people might actually go on purpose.
- Built over a former railyard, the project will include a 62-story residential tower, 6 million square feet of office space in four other buildings, and a 164-room hotel. Part of the superblock complex is complete, and part is still being built; the entire project is expected to finish in 2023.
— Waterfall NYC
The aforementioned unique digital waterfall was brought to Times Square by Samsung Electronics which unveiled the “Waterfall-NYC (2021)” art installation in partnership with d’strict on July 27. Giving visitors a break from the allencompassing surrounding advertisements and noisy marketing blitz of the neighbourhood, the soothing, 100- meter tall spectacle. The display is part of Samsung and d’strict’s ongoing collaboration on digital art projects, developing content for the company’s Samsung Smart LED Signage.
Massive 3D waves are crashing on a digital billboard, creating an unlikely scene in the middle of Times Square. Across a 125,000-square-foot screen at 1535 Broadway, which is North America’s biggest and most expensive billboard, hyper realistic waves seem to be contained inside a glass box.
MoMA’s newest exhibition, Automania, unpacks the complex relationship, and dependence, between us and cars. Featuring vintage cars from the earliest years of automobiles. The MoMa pitches the ambitious show as examining “the car as a modern industrial product, transportation innovator, and style icon, as well as the generator of fatalities, traffic choked environments, and ecological disaster in the oil age.” And, at the end of the day, the younger ones are sure to be impressed by all the cool cars.
The two-part exhibition consists of galleries on view from July 4 through January 2, 2022, and a total of nine vintage cars dotting the museum’s first floor and Sculpture Garden until October 10. The exhibition pulls its name from a 1964 Oscar-nominated cartoon by the British animation team Halas and Batchelor, most famous for their adaptation of George Orwell’s Animal Farm.
— Superblue Miami
The new immersive art experience, Superblue, has opened in Miami. “Superblue is at the forefront of how we experience immersive art. The artists inaugurating it offer a glimpse into a new world and a completely new experience. We’re looking forward to welcoming the public to immerse themselves in the new worlds these artists have created,” says Superblue co-founder Mollie Dent-Brocklehurst.
The Massless Clouds exhibit invites visitors to interact with clouds made of soap bubbles in an ever-changing installation.
“This is art that you can literally be inside. You’re like the paint, the brush. The art is physically touching you.”
Inspirations, Envisioning Future(s) FW23-24
Inspirations, Envisioning Future(s) FW23-24 : “What if the radically changing[…]


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China wants Apple's source code, but Apple refuses to hand over the goods
Apple has revealed that Chinese authorities have asked for access to the company's source code in the last couple of years. The revelation was made by Apple general counsel Bruce Sewell as he tried to deflect accusations that have sprung up in the wake of the San Bernardino iPhone case.
The battle between Apple and the FBI rumbled on for a while as authorities asked the iPhone manufacturer to crack encryption or provide a backdoor into the phone at the center of the case. Apple refused to help the FBI, leading to accusations that the company was failing to help US authorities whilst assisting those abroad. Apple categorically denies handing over information to the Chinese authorities.
While the San Bernardino iPhone case has been the focus of the battle between the FBI and Apple, it is far from being the only phone that US law enforcement agencies want to gain access to. Tim Cook has been very vocal about his unwillingness to build any sort of backdoor into iOS, saying that it would set a dangerous precedent -- something the Justice Department dismissed and the FBI actually tried to turn back on Apple.
US authorities became increasingly keen to paint Apple in a bad light, suggesting not only that the company was aiding terrorism, but implying a lack of patriotism by inferring that Apple was happy to help other countries to gain access to data. Apple point blank denies having helped China by providing access to source code or other data.


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Keep up with the latest cybersecurity threats, newly discovered vulnerabilities, data breach information, and emerging trends. Delivered daily or weekly right to your email inbox.
Nearly 20% of social media accounts associated with ten major global brands are fraudulent.
Emily Johnson, Digital Content Editor, InformationWeek
September 1, 2016
3 Min Read
Social media fraud is on the rise as cybercriminals have found a lucrative way to abuse corporate brands, according to report released this week by Proofpoint.
The study, which evaluated social media accounts of 10 global brands -- BMW, Capital One, Chanel, Amazon, DirecTV, Nike, Samsung, Shell, Sony, and Starbucks -- was conducted from April to June of 2016 and focused on major social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram. Of the 4,840 social media accounts associated with the 10 top brands, an astounding 19% were fraudulent, Proofpoint found.
The research also revealed that 30% of the 902 fraudulent accounts were offers for counterfeit products and services, and 4% of these accounts were used for phishing for personally identifiable information (PII), malware, brand satire, and protest.
The findings from this report weren't surprising to Ray Kruck, vice president of marketing and business development for Proofpoint Social Media Protection, citing that this is part of a broader trend his firm has seen over the last few years. He believes the market will likely begin to draw a correlation between social media fraud and increased corporate spending on social media.
Brands are looking beyond Facebook and Twitter to Instagram as well, because of the visual and interactive features, says Kruck. “By expanding the accounts, they’re exposing their brands across more threat factors, [making it] easier [for fraudsters] to maybe hide among all of the accounts,” he says.
Not only is social media brand fraud increasing, but the types of attacks on these platforms are getting more advanced. There are fewer classic attacks that occur via a bad link. “It’s much more about trying to use fake accounts to sell counterfeit services; trying to lure in an executive or employees to give up sensitive info about the brand,” he says. Some of the attacks involve social engineering as well, he says.
Meantime, the fastest-growing social media threat is phishing, where fraudsters pose as legitimate brands: that increased 150% from 2015 to 2016, according to the report.
One of the major security issues with social media is how the technology works and how people are connected -- especially the sharing of posts, which is an integral part of social media. It’s easy for a fraudulent post or account to get away from the brand owner when you have friends of friends sharing information. As you move further away from the actual brands, Kruck says, the harder it is to get a handle on who or what started the original malicious post. “It’s easier to fool a user that is getting shared something that is three degrees of separation from your brand,” he says.
To that point, Akino Chikada, senior brand protection manager for MarkMonitor, says that impersonation accounts can also be hard to track down because fraudsters are able to open an account for a brief period of time, maybe just three hours. They collect the information or money they’re looking for, and then shut down the account in that short timeframe. It’s low risk for the fraudster because it’s hard to track, she says.
While social media brand fraud is quite prevalent, Kruck says brands are beginning to take a proactive stance. “We’re seeing brands buy technology to give them a head start to see these risks,” he says. “[Brands are] being much more vigilant, especially with retail brands when they know that search engine optimization can be affected,”
They’re proactively contacting Facebook after identifying or having a customer identify a fraudulent account or post, he says. “They’re not just letting it sit there and fester.”
About the Author(s)
Digital Content Editor, InformationWeek
Emily Johnson is the digital content editor for InformationWeek. Prior to this role, Emily worked within UBM America's technology group as an associate editor on their content marketing team. Emily started her career at UBM in 2011 and spent four and a half years in content and marketing roles supporting the UBM America's IT events portfolio. Emily earned her BA in English and a minor in music from the University of California, Berkeley. Follow her on Twitter @gold_em.
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Osama bin Laden, Saddam Hussein, the Frankenstein monster, Santa Claus.
Agustin Juarez can get pretty much any kind of piñata you want.
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For 12 years he’s been bringing them back from Mexico to sell in his combination restaurant and market in Kansas City, and he said he’s happy to hear ideas from customers.
“Everything is by request,” he said.
The bin Ladens and Husseins on display now have been part of his seasonal Fourth of July stock since customers asked about them two years ago. He bought a few, sold them quickly and found that his customers on the West Side had their own ideas about how to break a piñata.
A half stick of dynamite, for instance, will reduce the four-foot effigy to a litter of paper and a severed head.
Juarez’s primary business at Los Alamos Market y Cocina is a lunchtime trade of Mexican food, but he is also becoming known for unusual novelty items from Mexico, such as the piñatas. Juarez takes customer requests to a shop in Nuevo Laredo, just across the border, and shows his partners there a picture of the piñata he wants.
He makes the trip — 18 hours, in a rental truck — about once a year to restock inventory.
“Every time I go, I like to bring something back,” he said.
The piñatas generally sell for $30.
More and more people have been requesting new piñata models lately, he said, and he’s listening.
This Fourth of July, Juarez said, he sold 50 of them, with the bin Ladens going the fastest. He plans to bring fewer Husseins back next time.
But neither of the public enemies rate as his all-time best-seller, Juarez said. His other seasonal characters do far better: the Easter bunny in the spring, pumpkins and skeletons in the fall. And the birthday cakes appeal to a wider consumer base.
Over the years, too, he has learned to cater to the local sports crowd with Royals and Chiefs piñatas, as well as out-of-town teams.
“Oh my goodness,” he said, shaking his head at the popularity of Raiders and Yankees figures — remember, they’re made to be beaten with a stick.
And Juarez is aware that many of his customers have not forgotten the Border War quite yet. He said he plans to load up on Kansas Jayhawk and Missouri Tiger piñatas the next time he drives back from the border.
Juarez said he knows he could provoke an emotional reaction with the mascots, but he shrugs mischievously.
“If I get in trouble, I get in trouble,” he said.
There are some models of piñata that Juarez is unsure he wants to sell, he said. For example, some people have asked for President Barack Obama.
“No,” he said. “Let’s not do that.”


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Oradian, a finance company with offices in Nigeria and the Philippines, has developed a new technology-based banking product for a network of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Nigeria, called the Association of Non-Banking Microfinance Institution. Nigeria (Anmfin).
This product, called Anmfin Cloud Express, will allow Nigerian MFIs “to improve the management of their operations, including customer relationships, transactions, portfolio management, in the same way as the big banks,” says Onyeka Adibeli (photo ), co-founder of Oradian.
Through this solution, microfinance can “save time and money through digitized and efficient processes. It will also reduce operational costs and provide digital financial services to Nigerians, “said Adesola Ogunleye, president of Anmfin.
Fintech Oradian was founded in 2012. It plans to expand the range of its financial products to financial institutions operating in rural areas of Nigeria and targeting unbanked populations.


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Natural beauty retailer Crabtree & Evelyn has restructured its management and will be led from London rather than the US as it refocuses the brand around its English heritage.
The retailer – whose US arm filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last month – has pooled strategy, creative, sales and marketing under UK chief Catie Callender, who has become global chief operating officer.
She reports directly to the retailer’s owner, Malaysian company Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad. She said: “London really is on the pulse in terms of creativity and we are an English brand so it just made sense.”
Crabtree & Evelyn has also hired a creative director, Kate Shaw, who moves from the same position at design agency Ziggurat Brands.
Callender said: “We want to take the brand back to its roots and make sure the heritage is kept intact while giving it a modern twist, and Kate will help us do this.” The retailer is continuing to expand this year and trade was strong in June and July, she said. “The next couple of months might be more difficult, but we have some strong launches and have worked hard on our proposition.”
There are opportunities to expand overseas, Callender added. India, China and Eastern Europe are all target markets. The retailer’s global operations are unaffected by the US arm going into Chapter 11.


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Thai home-grown restaurant chain S&P and Advanced Info Service (AIS), the country's largest mobile phone operator, last week launched the "AIS Summertime in S&P", a special dining experience with good saving deals for the summer months.
Seen at the launch of ‘AIS Summertime in S&P’ dining experience are, from left, Pravesvudhi Raiva, president of S&P, Vilasinee Puddhikarant, and Vitoon Sila-On.
"This is the fifth year that we have partnered with this well-known Thai restaurant chain to introduce the summertime menu," said Vilasinee Puddhikarant, AIS's chief customer officer. "The concept is to offer healthy dining experiences and summer drinks that help relieve the heat with the best value."
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Google announced on Tuesday, that it has plans to buy cybersecurity firm Mandiant, for around $5.4 billion as part of an effort to better protect its cloud customers. The Mountain View, California, search giant said it will pay $23 a share for the publicly traded firm, which was founded in 2004.
If the deal gets approved by regulators, it will be Google’s second-largest acquisition ever behind its $12.5 billion Motorola Mobility deal in 2012. Google sold the company to Lenovo for $2.9 billion two years later. Google’s third-largest acquisition is smart home product maker Nest, which it bought for $3.2 billion in 2014. Google is a unit of Alphabet.
Mandiant will join Google’s cloud computing division, which is yet to grow to the same size as Microsoft Azure or Amazon Web Services.“Organizations around the world are facing unprecedented cybersecurity challenges as the sophistication and severity of attacks that were previously used to target major governments are now being used to target companies in every industry,” said Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud, in a statement.


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Updated: Jan 2, 2021
Opinions of Scientists and Conservationists remain divisive regarding the introduction of manmade Rhino horns into the black market to combat poaching.
African and Asian Rhinos have been subject to heavy persecution at the hands of man for centuries and some species have become some of the most infamous and recognisable poster children for conservation efforts worldwide.
According to WWF, at the start of the 20th century, 500,000 Rhinos were estimated to inhabit grasslands, savannahs and forests throughout Africa and Asia. in 1970, this number had decreased to 70,000, today, this number sits at a mere 29,000 (1).
In response to poaching, governments and conservationists have devised and implemented a number of measures aimed to address the illegal trade of Rhino horn and provide hope for the remaining five species. Some examples of strategies include the forming and guarding of protected national parks, tracking initiatives, education of locals and many strategies aimed to interrupt the movement of product to the black market.
In addition to more traditional approaches adopted to impede black market trade, some more creative anti-poaching initiatives have been explored in the field and tested for efficacy. One such example being used In South Africa by the Rhino rescue project involves the infusion of Rhino horns with a compound mixture consisting of dye and ectoparasiticides, aimed to render the horn damaged and undesirable (2).
More recently, the synthetic production of Rhino horns and proposed release of these into the black market is seen by some to be another weapon that might be added to the anti-poaching arsenal. This would involve production and sale of large masses of rhino horn in the hope that flooding the market on the supply side would reduce price, thus disincentivizing poachers. Fritz Vollrath, a Biologist from the University of Oxford working on the project with several other scientists at Fudan University, China created a horn made from horsehair visually indiscernible from the real thing at a microscopic level. Vollrath hopes that this development can be used to demystify the Rhino horn as “something very special”. At the most fundamental level, after all, according to Vollrath the Rhino horn is “nothing but a tuft of nose hair stuck together with glue that comes out of the animal's nose glands”(3).
Microscopic cross section of the fake, synthetic Rhino horn (B, D) and the real thing (A, C) (3).
Though according to supply and demand economics the widespread distribution of synthetic horns would logically reduce price, a handful of biologists and conservationists have opposed the idea. Many believe that the synthetic replacement would not be perceived as sharing the same medicinal, spiritual or ornamental value as the real thing. In China and Vietnam, the countries responsible for highest demand, Rhino horn is primarily used in traditional medicine (given to treat many conditions/ailments including cancer, headaches and hangovers), in ceremonial practices and to be displayed ornamentally (in homes or as part of jewellery), to represent wealth and status of the owner (5).
When purchasing expensive products, consumers tend to ensure product legitimacy by buying from trusted sellers which would make the introduction of synthetic alternatives difficult. Accounts in China and Vietnam report that horns are DNA tested by some buyers so that the true product is being bought (4). In addition to this, sceptics have hypothesised that where the release of an inferior substitute product may satisfy a market unable to afford the real thing, this introduction may encourage new buyers previously priced out of the market to start using or may shift the perception of the product from being a luxury to being essential.
Though it might be unwise to completely disregard the production of synthetic Rhino Horns, it's clear that it is not currently the saving grace some once perceived it to be. If synthetic Rhino horn is to serve its intended purpose, then it must not only be visually and structurally identical but genetically also. Additionally, successful market infiltration might take years of preparation and financial backing meaning a large opportunity cost would be attached towards practical implementation – could finite conservation funding be used elsewhere more effectively?
With the future of the Rhino family finely in the balance, the next few decades are likely to prove critical in deciding all species’ future survival. Even over the next few years, the fates of the Sumatran Rhino (Population = 80) (6) and Javan Rhino (Population = 58–68) (7) are likely to be decided. In order to ensure these magnificent and ancient animals are not lost to the history books more must be done to ensure their protection, not only in the field and through new research/ innovative technology development but by anyone with an interest in saving them by supporting charities and organisations responsible for their protection.


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Asia – Exhibition floor space sold in Asia grew by 8.7 per cent in 2008, according to a new report released by industry association UFI.
Despite the weakening global economic environment, the net space sold by the region’s organisers reached a total of 14.3 million square metres, according to the fifth edition of UFI’s annual report on the Asian trade fair market.
The research, undertaken for UFI by Business Strategies Group in Hong Kong, shows that China’s growth continues to dominate the rest of the region. More than 7.6 million square metres were sold in China alone in 2008, accounting for 53 per cent of the total for Asia. It is the largest market in the region in terms of space sold and industry revenues, with net square metres sold growing by 14 per cent, year-on-year.
UFI managing director Vincent Gérard says 2008 was another ‘noteworthy’ year for the Asian exhibition industry. “Despite a challenging economic environment, space sales in the region as a whole grew by close to nine percent. Seven different markets posted double digit growth – and of those, four grew by more than 20 per cent.
However, a number of much smaller markets grew faster than China. Space sold in Macau expanded by 69 per cent on the back of the opening of the new venue at the Venetian. Taiwan grew by 26 per cent and Vietnam by 24 per cent, primarily driven by additional capacity.
Contrastingly, the region’s second largest market - Japan - shrank by more than six per cent last year with two million square metres sold.


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Microsoft has released a revamped version of its WGA (Windows Genuine Advantage) tool that it hopes will reduce complaints from paid-up users of Windows XP.
The new approach to WGA Notifications introduces a category of results for PCs with Windows installations of questionable validity. This aims to address complaints from users who have yet to pass WGA by creating an "indeterminate" category for copies of XP that failed to prove they were genuine yet didn't use a licence of XP known by Microsoft to be pirated.
Users with copies of XP labelled "indeterminate" are also provided with more information to troubleshoot the problem, according to a Microsoft spokeswoman.
The change addresses a problem raised by the other half of Microsoft's antipiracy program, WGA Validation, which was introduced in mid-2005. PCs that were scanned by WGA Validation and failed to prove to Microsoft’s satisfaction that they were running non-counterfeit copies of Windows XP were formerly labelled as "non-genuine" by Microsoft.
That caused WGA Validation to disallow access to certain Microsoft software, and WGA Notifications to send periodic messages asking users to reinstall XP or buy a legitimate licence for it, leading to "nagware" complaints from some users.
Many users also claimed that WGA, due to technical glitches or other issues, mislabelled their genuine copies of Windows XP as pirated. Microsoft has maintained throughout that the rates of such "false positive" errors were very low.
At the same time, its online forum for WGA-related problems has registered nearly 20,000 postings from aggrieved users.
Microsoft keeps a database of pirated XP licences, most of which are stolen from corporations using a single volume licence to install multiple Windows on multiple PCs.
The majority of Windows XP users, whose copies of XP have already passed Microsoft's WGA program, can safely ignore the updated tool.
Users running copies of XP that Microsoft has already determined to rely on one of four pirated Windows licence keys are now being asked to download the revamped tool. That will be gradually expanded over the "next several weeks and months", according to Microsoft, though users will continue to be able to de-select the update from being downloaded and installed.
The new version of WGA Notifications will not incorporate a "kill switch" that cripples PCs that fail to prove that they’re running genuine copies of Windows XP. That more aggressive feature, called RFM (Reduced Functionality Mode), is being introduced in the upcoming Windows Vista OS.
The release also features a new installation wizard and will display validation results as soon as the tool has been installed. The software doesn't need to be rebooted after its installation, Microsoft said.
Microsoft plans to update the tool every 90 to 120 days, as a way to react to re-evaluation of the software and any changes in software piracy.


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Ah the dreaded server blues. I've gots 'em this morning. Still investigating so apologies upfront if Comixpedia is up and down today. And now the news (such as it is):
JUSTIFY MY HYPE
AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 BLOGS
- Ted Rall talks about his book on Central Asia. Rall has traveled extensively to the countries of the old Silk Road.
- Journalista! notes the announcement of Ambrosia Digicomics which aims to be a combination webcomics- and blog-hosting service for cartoonists and creators. Picking up on my journalist-independence question from yesterday, if Deppey's observation that this new service is connected to the online comics news site Independent Propaganda – how does that impact the news' site editorial judgment?
- Neil Cohn writes on why there will never be a "universal pictographic writing system".


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The bitcoin and cryptocurrency world was rocked final week by information U.S. authorities had levied prices towards main bitcoin and crypto change BitMEX and its management crew.
BitMEX executives Arthur Hayes, Benjamin Delo and Samuel Reed have been indicted by the U.S. authorities on October 1, accused of flouting U.S. banking legal guidelines whereas serving American clients.
Now, in an additional blow to the controversial Seychelles-based bitcoin and cryptocurrency change, the influential blockchain knowledge firm Chainalysis has branded BitMEX a “high-risk” change—with exterior knowledge displaying buyers have eliminated nearly 50,000 bitcoin tokens from BitMEX since final week.
On Monday this week, Chainalysis warned its shoppers that BitMEX, which rose to prominence all through bitcoin’s large 2017 bull run and was up till just lately the most important bitcoin-derivatives change, could be thought-about a “excessive threat change” from October 13.
“Any transfers from October 1 and later ought to be thought-about excessive threat,” Chainalysis advised shoppers in an e mail that was first reported by bitcoin and cryptocurrency information and evaluation outlet The Block, including BitMEX transfers will set off alerts for these utilizing the Chainalysis monitoring device.
The Chainalysis warning compounds knowledge from blockchain analytics agency Glassnode that reveals round 45,000 bitcoin tokens have been withdrawn from BitMEX for the reason that begin of the month, representing a 27% drop within the whole bitcoin on the change.
“On Friday 2 October, the day after the announcement, BitMEX noticed its largest ever day of web outflows as buyers rushed to take away their funds from the now-risky platform,” Glassnode analysts wrote in a market replace.
Elsewhere, open curiosity on BitMEX’s bitcoin derivatives market dropped off 16% the day after prices have been introduced towards the corporate, knowledge from Arcane Analysis confirmed.
“The BitMEX case has proven that crypto companies should work based on the principles of the prevailing monetary system, so far as the U.S. is anxious,” Anatoliy Knyazev, co-founder of funding agency Exante, stated by way of e mail, including he thinks different bitcoin and crypto exchanges world wide that do not require identification paperwork from all customers will doubtless fall into line.
“The U.S. authorities have made it clear that the crypto sector, together with its ‘grey’ alleys, is now beneath management and must play by the principles.”


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Alongside, the Tata Harrier which is set to debut this January, Tata Motors also showcased a crucial part of their turnaround strategy at the 2018 Auto Expo. The 45X hatchback concept was the second car that Tata debuted with the Impact Design 2.0 philosophy, the premium hatch will take on the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Baleno and the Hyundai i20 once launched later in 2019. The car which is still in pre-production testing has been spied with near production spec parts by a Youtube Channel by the name of Auto Comparos’ at the petrol pump, whose walkaround video features below. Here’s what it reveals.
On the face of it, the premium hatchback which is yet to be given a name retains the raked roofline of the 45X Concept as it was showcased at the Auto Expo. While other test mules have been spotted with the top-of-the-line five-spoke alloy wheels, this particular variant seems to be still on steel rims. However, it is likely that these might get wheel caps to keep up the premium quotient even in base-trims. What is visible, however, is the chunky wraparound tail lamps, that are visible behind the faux tail-lamps. However, with heavy camoflague paddings details of the cars body design elements are quite hidden. However, certain features are still visible including the rear door handle which is mounted on the C-pillar like the new Generation Maruti Suzuki Swift. The heavy padding on the roof also suggest that the 45X in production spec could get a sunroof as an optional extra, a segment first among cars on sale in India.
The 45X is expected to be powered by the same powertrains that underpin the Nexon namely the 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol and the 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel motor, it is likely to ride on 16-inch wheels rivalling the likes of the Hyundai i20 and the Maruti Suzuki Baleno. We also expect the new floating infotainment system layout like on the Tata Nexon and the upcoming Tata Harrier to make its way to the 45X.
The Auto Expo 2018, saw Tata Motors pull the wraps on not just two new cars, but also two new platforms that would underpin a whole range of future Tata Cars. While the Harrier will debut the Omega Arc Platform, that is based on a Land Rover platform the 45X will be the first of the Tata Cars to debut the small car ALFA-ARC platform. This is a new platform developed in-house by Tata and is likely to be ready to accommodate electric drivetrains as well.
Video Source: Auto Comparo Youtube
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High street hit by weak Christmas trading as number of shoppers falls 3.7%
Disappointing set of figures after many stores pinned their hopes on sparkling Christmas trading following a weak autumn
Tuesday 14 January 2014
The British high street suffered a dismal Christmas as new figures reveal the number of shoppers fell 3.7 per cent in December compared to a year earlier.
Figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) showed numbers were down 3.8 per cent in the last quarter of the year, the worst drop since August 2012.
Overall footfall recorded by the BRC/Springboard monitor was down 2.4% in December compared to a year earlier. It was double the 1.2 per cent year-on-year declineseen in December 2012.
High streets suffered more than out-of-town locations which were down 0.6 per cent, and shopping centres which were off by 1.5 per cent.
The 2.4 per cent overall fall was an improvement on the heavier decline in November but will be seen as a disappointment after many stores pinned their hopes on sparkling Christmas trading following a weak autumn.
It comes after separate data showed almost one in five non-food purchases were made online in December, as overall retail sales grew 0.4 per cent on a like-for-like basis.
BRC director-general Helen Dickinson said: "These figures highlight how the rapid evolution of multichannel is changing the face of shopping, particularly at Christmas.
"Rather than making multiple trips to the shops over the festive period, many of us planned ahead for our gift-buying and took advantage of retailers' investment in services like click-and-collect."
Diane Wehrle, retail insights director at Springboard, added: "Footfall increased over the month from November, but it was just not enough to deliver an increase from December 2012."
Shoppers had delayed visits to the high street early in the month as they anticipated pre-Christmas discounts before severe weather in the days leading up to December 25 hampered a hoped-for late surge.
In England, the worst decline was in the South West, where footfall was down 3.4%. Wales saw a drop of 3.8% while Northern Ireland saw an 8.7 per cent slump and Scotland's numbers were down 1.9 per cent.
Additional reporting agencies
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Microsoft is rolling out trials for developing a low-cost Windows XP edition in India in a couple of months.
Though India still does not officially figure in the name of countries where the cheapest-ever version of Windows will be developed and sold, the tech giant is already in talks with the Ministry of Information Technology.
Senior officials from Redmond were in Delhi last week to firm up plans for Windows XP's stripped-down version for India.
"Trials for the low-cost starter edition should start in India in a couple of months. We have begun initial rounds of talks with the government,'' confirms Ravi Venkatesan, chairman, Microsoft India.
Refusing to give details on the pricing for India, he merely confirmed that it will be in line with other countries. To begin with, the starter pack will be launched in five countries including Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Interestingly, China is yet to appear on the country list for software designed for first-time desktop PC users who are interested in an affordable, entry-level version of Windows. Initial research for the pilot programme targeted at first time users was conducted over 1,000 people.
Besides a redesigned help system, local language instructional videos designed specifically for first-time computer users can choose from country-specific wallpapers and screensavers with familiar landscapes and geography-specific traditional designs.
XP has also been changed to only allow users to run three programs at once and forces all users of a single PC to use the same desktop but log in separately to the software they use.
The starter edition also has many of the common settings in Windows pre-configured to help users get started. Microsoft has not yet officially announced any price, but the stripped-down version is expected to be significantly cheaper.
Microsoft had till now maintained rather uniform global pricing model, although large corporate customers often get better prices.
Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has brought about some monumental changes within the rules governing the debit cards and credit cards in India. This move has been made with the primary goal More
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Twitter has announced that it is rolling out an update for its mobile apps and website. In the coming days, users can now find older tweets using the search feature. Previously, the site only allowed users to search for tweets that were up to a week old.
With a broader search capability, users can now find those older tweets that they so desperately wanted to reference, yet had no way to because too much time had passed. Twitter yesterday began taking steps to implement this when it upgraded its mobile search experience to better allow users to find content and information useful to them on the go.
Twitter didn’t specifically say what prompted it to increase the amount of data that users could parse through, but it may have something to do with the fact that it might be more promising to have search be done. According to a report from marketing firm TBG Digital, who specializes in buying promoted tweets on Twitter, advertising on search results are more effective than if they were inserted into a user’s Twitter feed. Why? The company says it’s because a search is triggered by a user’s interest in that topic, thereby holding an interest in the results. If it’s in the timeline, it’s just additional noise.
It’s not know how this will affect developers who use the API, but it’s doubtful this improvement in search will benefit them — they currently have access to Twitter’s fire hose of data through one of its approved resellers, Datasift and Gnip. This update is aimed primarily at those that use the consumer apps and Twitter.com.
Expanding the search time length might be another way for Twitter to help users feel comfortable they have access to their tweets. Last summer, Twitter CEO Dick Costolo said that it was building a tool to allow users to download their tweets. In December, this new feature began rolling out in a phased approach, with some (including this reporter) waiting to be able to take advantage of it.
Twitter’s announcement, written by Paul Burstein, an engineer with the search infrastructure team, is below:
Yesterday, we updated our Android, iOS and mobile web apps to make it easier for you to find relevant content when you’re on the go. We also started to roll out an additional update on our mobile apps as well as on twitter.com: you’ll now be able to find older Tweets using search. To see for yourself, try searching for [Manchester United Southampton] or [#SpotTheShuttle].
Previously, Twitter search results displayed Tweets going back about a week. We’ve developed a way to include older Tweets, so you can see content that goes beyond the more recent Tweets.
As we roll this out over the coming days, the Tweets that you’ll see in search results represent a fairly small percentage of total Tweets ever sent. We look at a variety of types of engagement, like favorites, retweets and clicks, to determine which Tweets to show. We’ll be steadily increasing this percentage over time, and ultimately, aim to surface the best content for your query. For now, enjoy your trip down memory lane!
Photo credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images


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Activists with Rainforest Action Network staged a direct communication today at office-supply giant Staples. Displaying a banner that read, “Staples: It’s Too Soon to Buy from APP,” a group of activists voiced their opposition to the company’s recent decision to resume purchasing paper from Asia Pulp and Paper (APP).
Profits and Principles
RAN's corporate campaigns seek to push companies to balance profits with principles, to show that it is possible to do well by doing good. We publicly applaud and support political and corporate leaders who show strong leadership and innovation in advancing sustainability. Sadly, many companies require more motivation. Our campaigns leverage public opinion and consumer pressure to turn the public stigma of environmental destruction into a business nightmare for any American company that refuses to adopt responsible environmental policies.


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Next to the espresso machine you can find a handwritten list on the wall encouraging customers to sign up.
Chance Ebersold, the owner of Black Sheep, said his coffee house promotes a social environment welcoming visitors of all sorts.
Free online dating in Virginia Beach for all ages and ethnicities, including seniors, White, Black women and Black men, Asian, Latino, Latina, and everyone else.
For , you can participate in Black Sheep’s event starting at 6 p.m. Potential participants can sign up by going to the coffee shop and filling out a form.
I spend half an hour setting up the room, putting café numbers on the tables, and writing out name badges.
Then the daters arrive, in ones and twos, slowly filling the bar.
The first event was catered by Ruth Chris Steak House, the second by Extra Virgin (Italian cuisine), and the third event featured cupcakes donated by Cake Love.
Johnny Rockets and Capitol City Brewery have also offered food donations.


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A former Tesla worker who calls himself a whistleblower has filed a proper tip with the Securities and Trade Fee that alleges Elon Musk’s electrical automobile start-up misled buyers and put its prospects in danger.
Martin Tripp — who has been sued by Tesla ( and accused by Musk of making an attempt to sabotage the corporate — claims Tesla put in defective batteries into some autos and positioned battery cells dangerously shut collectively. )
Tripp additionally alleges Tesla has drastically overstated to buyers what number of Mannequin three autos the corporate produces. Tesla allegedly inflated its statistics by as a lot as 44%.
The tip was filed with the SEC on July 6, and a press launch about its contents was made public by Tripp’s lawyer, Stuart Meissner, on Wednesday.
The SEC declined to touch upon the matter.
Tesla didn’t reply to a number of requests for remark.
Associated: Tesla goes huge in China
Tripp, who labored as a course of engineering technician for Tesla was sued by the corporate final month for allegedly hacking its manufacturing working system and stealing inside knowledge. Tripp stated he was fired in June.
Tripp denied the allegations, referred to as himself a whistleblower, and stated he collected info at Tesla that “was so extreme, I needed to go to the media.”
Tripp’s lawyer stated Wednesday that the lawsuit amounted to a “calculated effort to smash his status and silence him and different potential Tesla [whistleblowers] from coming ahead.”
Tripp stated in a press release that he is obtained “a ton of help” since he first got here ahead with allegations towards Tesla final month — however he is additionally been the goal of threats and harassment. He stated he and his household has been compelled to relocate.
Associated: Tesla lastly hits Elon Musk’s goal for the Mannequin three
“Getting the reality out has grow to be a nightmare,” he stated.
Tesla has struggled for months to ramp up manufacturing of its new Mannequin three automobile, the corporate’s first mass market automobile and a cornerstone of its enterprise mannequin. A collection of producing missteps led to bottlenecks and lengthy delays for patrons who positioned orders for the all-electric sedan.
Musk promised buyers on a convention name in June that manufacturing was lastly on observe. And in a regulatory submitting posted final week, the corporate stated it lastly hit its objective of churning out greater than 5,000 autos in a single week.
Tripp’s submitting with the SEC claims Tesla recurrently overstates the manufacturing figures. A board on its manufacturing facility wall that retains a tally of what number of Mannequin three autos have been made is artificially inflated, the tip alleges.
Tripp additionally claims Tesla put batteries into autos that contained “harmful puncture holes,” in accordance with the discharge from his lawyer’s workplace. It additionally claims Tesla “lowered autos specs,” which resulted in hazards resembling battery cells being place too shut collectively or improperly hooked up to the automobile, risking a potential explosion.
Lastly, it alleges Tesla “systematically reused elements already deemed scrap/waste in autos with out regard to security.”
The SEC has since 2011 supplied cash to tipsters who move on credible details about violations of federal securities legal guidelines. The company has doled out greater than $250 million to whistleblowers in a wide range of circumstances.
CNNMoney (New York) First revealed July 11, 2018: 5:19 PM ET


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NEW YORK — Jack Welch, the hard-driving former chairman and chief executive officer of General Electric, had a saying: “If you don’t have a competitive advantage, don’t compete.” Gary Williams would tend to agree.
Williams, the founder of wRatings, an independent research firm that annually ranks the most competitive retail and consumer goods companies, believes a firm’s success rests on its ability to earn a consistent profit and protect it — that’s the competitive advantage.
The 2008 Most Competitive Retail and Consumer Goods Study, sponsored by software provider SAP AG, lists 20 companies in each category. On the retail side, Publix Super Markets Inc. captured the top slot for the second year in a row. Williams suggests the fact that Publix is employee-managed has something to do with the food retailer’s success. “If you’re an employee and you own stock, you’re going to do a better job,” he said, adding this should be incorporated into best practices for many firms. “Why don’t other companies look at giving employees stock? It shows up in their customer service rankings.”
Coach Inc. holds the second spot on the list this year. “Coach has had great economic profit for years,” Williams said. “It keeps getting better. Coach is enormously consumer-oriented and has a huge database of what consumers want and tracks [products] from all over the world. Coach is also very good at introducing products that are attuned to the next generation of things.”
Commenting on the phenomenon that very young consumers are buying Coach, Williams suggested the handbag and accessories retailer take a page from Victoria’s Secret, which created the Pink brand to appeal to younger customers while protecting the sexy image of its core brand.
Evidence of the lackluster economy could be found in the presence of chains such as Family Dollar Stores Inc., which weighs in at number three. Interestingly, everyday-low-priced Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is absent from the 2008 list. “Wal-Mart is doing well,” Williams said, “but Wal-Mart is not a choice that consumers enjoy making. They don’t say, ‘Oh great, I can go to Wal-Mart now.’ Will Wal-Mart do well in 2008? Probably, because they’ve got everyday low prices. If there are other choices, like Family Dollar, consumers will go there. Family Dollar is sort of a Wal-Mart alternative.”
Other apparel retailers on the list are Gap Inc., Ross Stores Inc., Neiman Marcus Inc., American Eagle Outfitters Inc., J. Crew and Nordstrom Inc., (numbers seven, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 16, respectively).
Williams said Gap appears on the list year after year, probably due to high brand recognition. “We keep seeing Gap and they should be doing much better than they’re doing financially,” he said. “They have started to make some headway on the economic side. They’ve turned a corner at Gap. We believe that based on the ratings, they’ll have steady performance for the rest of this year.”
On the consumer goods ranking, Williams notes more cosmetics companies than in previous years. “Estée Lauder moved from number 34 to number nine,” he said.
While there’s little pricing power in apparel, cosmetics is one of the few categories that has it. “It’s a form of a small indulgence,” Williams said. “Revlon [number 16, up from 38 in 2007] typically doesn’t do well financially. Revlon’s really started to come around on the consumer side. They’re in the right category in 2008.”
Another beauty brand, Avon, rose to number 12 this year from 18 in 2007. “Cosmetics every year for the last few years has been a top-ranked industry,” Williams said, adding that it’s not surprising considering companies spend so much money on marketing. �
Taking the final spot on the mens’ portion of New York Fashion Week calendar next month will be none other than @tomford. Though he’s shown his men’s wear in New York in the past, this will mark the first time the designer has shown his men’s collection alone during New York Fashion Week: Men’s. His runway show will debut on February 6 at the Park Avenue Armory. #wwdfashion
London-based couture house @ralphandrusso has certainly been in the spotlight, having its dresses worn by @beyonce, Angelina Jolie, Meghan Markle in her engagement photos and more. For couture, Tamara Ralph focused on ornamentation — think: feathers with chain mail, jet embroidery and clusters of pearls and crystals. See the rest of the collection on WWD.com #wwdfashion #couture (📷: @giovanni_giannoni_photo)
Minnie Mouse celebrated her 90th birthday by getting her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. For her celebratory luncheon, @coach’s creative director @stuartvevers dressed her in a custom made prairie dress, complete with Vever’s take on the polka dot – black sequined versions – under a cropped motorcycle jacket. The designer also put his own mark on Minnie’s classic red shoes, infusing the color with sparkles and adding some Coach crystals. “We chose colors that were very Minnie and also represented quintessential Coach elements,” said Vevers. #wwdfashion #nationalpolkadotday (📷: George Chinsee)
@nickjonas is unveiling his first-ever apparel collection through a partnership with John Varvatos. The limited-edition capsule, which makes its debut in spring, also marks the first time the designer has collaborated with anyone on a line. “The process in working with Nick is amazing. It’s inspiring to be around someone who is not only connected with the trade that they do, but also with what’s happening in the environment around him, and how that connects to what we do with style,” said Varvatos. (RG: @johnvarvatos) #wwdfashion
@margotrobbie steps out onto the red carpet wearing @miumiu. The actress is nominated for “Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role” in “I, Tonya” at the #SagAwards. (📷: Stewart Cook) #wwdfashion
For @massimogiorgetti of @msgm, the Nineties are his favorite decade. “They had a huge impact on my personal growth. What I like of the Nineties is that they are not so precise in terms of style as other decades…there was actually a bit of everything,” he said. As seen on MSGM’s Spring 2018 show: tie-dye and a bit of grunge, two styles that are synonymous with the decade #wwdfashion #wwddecades (📷: @kukukuba)


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Popular Leesburg coffee shop reopening this summer
- Staff Washington Business Journal
Shoes Cup and Cork Club, the popular coffee shop on North King Street that closed its doors suddenly over the holidays in late 2012, will be reopening under new management this summer, Leesburg Today reports.
General Manager Lori Miller was an executive assistant with SWaN Investors, which owns Shoes and is headquartered just a block up the road, when the previous management decided to close up shop to start a sandwich shop in Frederick, Md.
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Porsche has announced its vehicle will feature native Google software going forward, the Verge reported. While new Porsche owners will be able to use a wide variety of apps from the Google Play Store at some point in the future, it hasn’t been good news for everyone: Volkswagen has stated that it will cut 2,000 jobs at Cariad, its bug-prone in-house software developer.
The Automotive Mistake That Ruins the Movie ‘Halloween’
Porsche, which is owned by VW, previously partnered with Cariad but decided to explore other options for an infotainment software provider last year. The German sports car manufacturer was in talks with tech giants, including Alibaba, Apple, Baidu and Tencent. Google was the leading candidate for the deal but there were reportedly concerns about the amount of data Porsche would have to hand over.
Porsche’s move has it joining the likes of GM, Ford and Honda in either featuring Android Auto or just having Google software built into its model. New Porsche vehicles will be equipped with the software within the next few years, but the automaker hasn’t specified which models will be first.
Cariad has continued to struggle since the split. The developer reported nearly a $425 million loss for this year’s first quarter. Cariad’s recently launched app store has also allowed owners to download third-party software instead of being reliant on the flawed built-in tech.
Volkswagen will now restructure Cariad and cut 2,000 jobs over the next two years, according to Reuters. The restructuring will also delay the introduction of Cariad’s new software architecture. It’s not clear when or if VW’s in-house provider will ever match the third-party offerings on the market.


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“How do I speak to my audience at a time like this?” That’s the question every creative is asking right now. But even when it seems like there’s no right thing to say, brands still find ways to be relevant to their customers. We’ve dug deep and found some key insights from the companies bravely venturing to advertise during the coronavirus crisis.
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Need to Know
- Visa reaches a milestone of $1 trillion in sales with new Visa Token Service.
- The digital payment company has also launched a new click-to-pay checkout service.
- Visa continues to expand into the fintech market, investing in secure transactions and a simplified experience.
- As of 2018, Visa has facilitated over $11 trillion worth of transactions.
Visa’s expansion into fintech is paying off big time. So much so that the credit company has officially hit a major milestone with its Visa Token Service: an estimated $1 trillion in transactions.
It was announced this week that participants in Visa Token Service (VTS) are estimated to process a combined volume of $1 trillion in e-commerce transactions since the service was first introduced in late 2014.
VTS is a technology that replaces sensitive payment information with a unique identifier, or “token”, protecting a user’s private account information.
In 2019, consumer spending was up 19.7% from the year prior, with more than a third of holiday shoppers doing so on a smartphone. As digital shopping continues to rise, so does the need for secure systems. Enter tokenization technology.
“At Visa, one of our primary goals has always been to create the best customer experience possible. As digital transaction volume grows, there has never been more urgency to build increased confidence in the seamlessness and security of online shopping,” says Jack Forestell, Chief Product Officer, Visa.
The credit company’s Visa Checkout service is also set to transition and expand. Later this month, the popular payment method will change into a click-to-pay model, similar to PayPal or Mastercard’s MasterPass. With the new model, when users see and select a click-to-pay button, they won’t be required to enter any other account information to complete their transaction.
Visa’s simplified checkout experience will replace Visa Checkout around the world throughout 2020, starting with the US later this month. The new authentication methods include device binding and biometrics, which are used to protect the user’s transactions.
In recent years, Visa has expanded deeper into the financial technology space and this $1 trillion milestone is evidence that the investment is paying off.
It has already been a big 2020 for Visa. Earlier this week, Visa acquired payment platform Plaid, which will provide significant benefits to the tech company’s developers, financial institutions and consumers.
Visa has also recently partnered with SiriusXM to disrupt the in-car experience. The two brands unveiled their voice-assisted payment system, designed to reduce driver distraction and increase technology inside the car.
Visa is a world leader in digital payments, connecting millions of consumers and businesses every day. As of 2018, Visa is available in over 200 countries in almost 16,000 financial institutions and has facilitated over $11 trillion in transactions.


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Top 5 Stories of the Week: Advances in Creative AI, AIops, Web3 and Tech Spending
Sign up now to get your free virtual ticket to the Code-Less/No-Code Summit on November 9. Hear from executives from Service Now, Credit Karma, Stitch Fix , Appian, etc looking for more information.
Artificial intelligence continues to be the focus in the industry. With developments that transform simple text prompts into images, videos and even 3D animations – this technology opens up enormous creative potential.
Some of the excitement around innovative AI has even come as a surprise to Dave Rogenmoser, CEO of Jasper, one of a number of companies currently using the “text-to” space. He believes that innovative AI will “impact every tool available” as its use continues to grow.
Although many players are participating in the innovative AI race, one thing they have in common is the use of diffusion model – can enhance the creative output of technology.
At the other end of the AI spectrum is news from Red Hat and IBM. The two announced plans this week to continue automation and AIops through an open source project. The companies claim this is the first project to create intelligent NLP capabilities for Ansible and IT automation.
Another partnership hit the tech scene this week – a partnership between Equifax and Oasis Labs. Both have collaborated to use blockchain technology for verification Web3 identity, which some say can add credibility to the Web3 ecosystem as a whole.
All of this week’s news is underlined by a recent survey from Battery Ventures showing that despite the economic downturn, 54% C-suite executives say they still plan to expand their tech budgets for next year.
Here’s more from our top 5 tech stories of the week:
- Red Hat and IBM team up to advance AIops with an open source projectRed Hat has new plans for Ansible with its other initiative, the Mind Project. The company is aiming to take automation to the next level with IBM Research. Red Hat, owned by IBM, refers to Project Intelligence as the first community project to create intelligent, natural language processing (NLP) capabilities for Ansible and the IT automation industry.
Tom Anderson, VP and GM of Red Hat’s Ansible Business Unit, says the future of Project Wisdom is what he sees as “real AIops where decisions are made and decisions about content and automation are made.” generated in real time using AI.”
- Jasper CEO says
For Dave Rogenmoser, CEO of AI content platform Jasper — which raised $125 million in funding last week — the level of enthusiasm around creative AI is surprising. Jasper’s announcement comes just a day after Stability AI, the company that developed the Stable Diffusion text-to-image generator, announced it had raised $101 million.
“I didn’t know Stability was going to announce on Monday – and then our inclusion in that thing definitely added value to the whole market,” he said.
But Rogenmoser says hype aside, creative AI – describes artificial intelligence that uses unsupervised learning algorithms to generate digital images, video, audio, text or code – not flash in the pan.
- Oasis Labs and Equifax turn to blockchain for Web3 user identity verification
This week, private blockchain provider Oasis Labs announced a partnership with Equifax to co-develop a ‘know your customer’ (KYC) Web3 solution that will provide identity management and verification solutions. blockchain for companies adopting this new iteration of the Wide Web.
The partnership between Oasis and a well-known legacy finance provider like Equifax has the potential to add new credibility to the Web3 ecosystem and this new identity verification service.
Dawn Song, founder of Oasis Labs said: “We are working hard not only to build a better and more efficient decentralized and decentralized KYC solution, but also to help accelerate Web3 adoption and bring more confidence in the industry.”
- How diffusion models open up new possibilities for joint creativity
Artificial intelligence (AI) models continue to gain popularity and recognition. The emergence of text-to-text architectures is driving this adoption even further, with popular AI models like Google’s Imagen Video, Meta Make-A-Video, and others like DALL- E, MidJourney and Stable Diffusion.
A common denominator among all common AI architectures is the use of a method known as diffusion modeling. Using diffusion models for creative AI can assist in leveraging a number of unique capabilities, including diverse image generation and text rendering in different art styles, 3D comprehension, and animation. .
- Report: Spending on technology is growing strongly, although priorities are changing
A recent survey from Battery Ventures of 100 tech buyers across industries found that while companies are changing their tech buying habits, their overall budgets aren’t going down. In fact, most budgets are expanding or will continue to expand over the next year and beyond.
Despite the ongoing economic uncertainties, the majority of CXOs – 54% – plan to increase their total technology budget over the next year.
VentureBeat’s mission is a digital city square for technical decision-makers to gain knowledge of transformative enterprise technology and transactions. Explore our summary report.


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WASHINGTON — Americans stepped up borrowing in January to buy more cars and attend school.
Consumer borrowing rose by $17.8 billion in January, the Federal Reserve said today. That followed similar gains in December and November.
The gains for those three months were the largest in a decade and helped consumer borrowing climb to a seasonally adjusted $2.5 trillion. That nearly matches the pre-recession borrowing level.
The January increase was driven by $20.7 billion increase in category that mostly measures demand for auto and student loans. It was the biggest increase for that category since November 2001. Borrowing on credit cards fell $2.9 billion in January after four months of gains.
Many economists believe the rise in borrowing is a sign consumers are feeling more confident about the economy. But consumers are also borrowing more at a time when their wages have not kept pace with inflation.
The outlook for hiring has improved, which could boost consumer spending in coming months.
In January, companies added 243,000 net jobs and the unemployment rate fell to 8.3 percent, the lowest in three years. The economy has added an average of 200,000 net jobs per month from November through January.
Economists are predicting another strong employment month in February, forecasting the addition of 210,000 net jobs. The government reports February job growth figures Friday.
Ellen Zentner, an economist at Nomura Securities in New York, said there were encouraging signs that consumers are feeling better about their finances, largely because of the strong employment gains. That should translate into a greater willingness to borrow.
“We have begun to see in the past few months a sign of greater confidence with households more willing to take on debt,” she said. “As long as we keep having job growth, I expect to see credit growth pick up.”
The Conference Board reported last week that consumer confidence rose in February to the highest level in a year, and financial markets have started the year off strong. The Dow Jones industrial average closed above 13,000 on Feb. 28, the first time that has happened in nearly four years.
But even with the gains in hiring, Americans are seeing little growth in pay. After paying taxes and adjusting for inflation, incomes actually dipped in January. And after adjusting for inflation, consumer spending was flat for a third straight month.
The Federal Reserve’s borrowing report covers auto loans, student loans and credit cards. It excludes mortgages, home equity loans and other loans tied to real estate.
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New Report: Parks Contributed $12 Billion in Economic Benefits in 2010
According to a report released this morning by the National Park Service, the park system remained a strong economic engine in 2010, despite the slow pace of economic recovery nationally. An estimated $3 billion in taxpayer money invested in the parks generated about $12.16 billion in revenue to local economies (within about 60 miles of the parks) and resulted in 281 million recreational visits. The park system also supported 258,400 jobs nationally in 2010.
Read the full report (PDF, 52 pages, 1.6 MB) at: http://www.nature.nps.gov/socialscience/docs/NPSSystemEstimates2010.pdf


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What’s next for Monroe Center?
After decades of high vacancy along the historical retail hub of Grand Rapids, occupancy is peaking in buildings that were largely forgotten in the 1970s and ’80s.
Downtown and city officials speak highly of the economic health of Monroe Center, a main street that has been grappling with declining shopping dollars for much of the past half-century.
Aside from the closing of Van Hoecks Shoes this fall after 70 years as a downtown mainstay, officials see the street as rebounding economically. Today, Monroe Center boasts a stronger commercial picture, which is expected to continue to improve as several redevelopment projects bloom in 2013 and the coming years.
“The fact that we have so many of the upper floors occupied that were vacant for decades is really important because now you’re starting to build in a density of residents and office tenants that can help support that retail on the ground floor,” said Suzanne Schulz, planning director for the city of Grand Rapids.


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After plotting $6 billion in production upgrades earlier this month, Novo Nordisk’s CEO Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen suggested the expansion outlay was just the start. Now, some three weeks later, he’s putting his company’s money where his mouth is.
Starting this year, Novo Nordisk will plug more than 16 billion Danish kroner (about $2.3 billion) into an expansion of its long-held production site in Chartres, France. The upgrade will help the site crank out current and future drugs for serious chronic diseases, Novo said in a release.
Aside from a significant increase in capacity, the manufacturing site will be equipped for aseptic production and finished production processes. In addition, Novo plans to expand the Chartres site’s current quality control laboratory.
The outlay is designed to boost Novo Nordisk’s ability to meet future demands for its drugs, including GLP-1 products, the company explained.
Novo’s semaglutide franchise of GLP-1s—which includes Ozempic and Rybelsus for diabetes, as well as Wegovy for obesity—has been doing gangbusters in recent years. But intense demand for the products has also saddled Novo with supply constraints.
In early November, Novo revealed a $6 billion investment to expand its existing manufacturing facilities in Kalundborg, Denmark, with the vast majority of the venture directed toward increasing capacity for active pharmaceutical ingredients, including semaglutide.
As for the latest expansion in France, the project is set to more than double the site’s existing footprint and create more than 500 new jobs, Novo said. Construction has already kicked off and will gradually wrap up from 2026 to 2028.
Novo established its Chartres site back in 1961. The plant currently employs around 1,600 people and manufactures treatments used by more than 10 million diabetes patients around the globe.
Back in Denmark, Novo’s recent $6-billion investment is expected to create another 800 new jobs on top of the 4,400 employees that currently work at the Kalundborg campus.
At the time of the expansion’s unveiling, Novo’s CEO Jørgensen said the $6 billion wouldn’t be the end of Novo’s manufacturing overhaul.
“With the capacity we’re building and what competition is building, I believe we are far from getting to a billion people,” Jørgensen said, as quoted by Reuters. By the World Health Organization’s estimate, more than 1.9 billion adults worldwide were overweight in 2016, and the number has been rising.
“I believe we will continuously have to invest,” the CEO previously told Reuters.
Jørgensen was alluding to Eli Lilly, Novo’s long-time rival in diabetes, whose dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist tirzepatide recently passed muster at the FDA in obesity, donning the commercial moniker Zepbound.
Lilly has itself experienced supply disruptions around tirzepatide, which is also approved in Type 2 diabetes as Mounjaro. During the company’s third-quarter earnings call, Lilly’s CEO David Ricks said his company was “aggressively planning” additional manufacturing expansions.
Wasting little time, Lilly recently blueprinted a new, $2.5 billion plant in Alzey, Germany, which is expected to eventually employ up to 1,000 people.
The site, slated to utilize automation and high-speed manufacturing lines, will help meet demand for several drugs, including those in Lilly's diabetes and obesity portfolio, the company said in mid-November.
Construction on the site is set to begin next year, and the plant is expected to commence operations in 2027.


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SALES at Launer - the handbag label best-known as a favourite of Her Majesty the Queen - has reported its most successful year to date, with sales up by 52 per cent. And the increase may just be down to the Queen's recent wave of sartorial experimentation.
The brand reveals that the increase came in a year that the Queen has worn more colourful handbags than ever before, as well as smaller handheld styles and clutches rather than just her traditional short-handled box bags.
"Launer continues to embrace more colour and design-led collections more than ever before," Gerald Bodmer, CEO of Launer, said. "Sales in colourful handbags have exploded both domestically and internationally this year."
Launer has launched a new colourful range - the Judi collection - in honour of the recent interest in its brighter pieces. Prices start at £1,095 from Launer.com.
Read more: Queen Elizabeth II: Style File


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Mainstream, VOL LX No 35 New Delhi, August 20, 2022
Controversy over Adverse Impact of Big Business on Farms Revived in Himachal | Bharat Dogra
Friday 19 August 2022, by#socialtags
During the prolonged agitation of farmers which continued for almost a year in 2020-21, the adverse impact of big business houses on farmers and marketing of farm produce had emerged as perhaps the biggest issue. Now this issue is making waves in Himachal Pradesh in the context of its apple economy.
Himachal Pradesh has a border with all the three foremost states/regions of the farmers’ movement—Punjab, Haryana and Western UP. So some impact of the movement had also reached this Himalayan state then also but this was not a very big impact. The visit of Rakesh Tikait, a prominent leader of farmers from Western UP, had helped to bring this movement to Himachal Pradesh but this was only a small beginning.
More recently 27 farmer organizations in Himachal, with a prominent role of apple growers, had mobilized to raise several demands relating to apple orchards in particular. This Sanyukta Kisan Manch (SKM) had organized a big protest on August 5, presenting several demands and said that a bigger protest movement will start after about ten days ( after August 15) if these demands are not met. Just before this, things have heated up with complaints about the role of big business houses.
The recently voiced complaints of SKM and apple growers are actually not very different from the complaints voiced last year too at the time of the apple harvesting season by several apple growers and their representatives. However at that time the apple growers were not so well mobilized and so the complaint had not attracted so much attention.
The state government in the BJP ruled state has propagated the growing role of big business houses in apple purchase in a very positive light and had claimed credit for speeding up the process of giving NOCs so that big business houses could enter the trade and purchase system which the government said will result in the apple growers receiving a higher price. However at the ground level things took a different turn and apple-growers started complaining about a lower opening price and arbitrary gradation of apples to deny them a fair price.
Similar complaints are being made more forcefully now. On August 14 Sanjay Chauhan, co-convener of SKM, said—New opening prices announced now have made it clear that the government is working under pressure from Adani and other companies.
Gaurav Bisht reported in The Hindustan Times on August 15 in a report titled ‘Apple growers dissatisfied with Adani Agri Fresh’s opening prices’—“ Adani Agri Fresh is one of the biggest corporate buyers of apples in Himachal. It owns three controlled atmospheric pressure stores in Himachal Pradesh, including one in Sainj and another in Rohru. The markets had crashed drastically last year after Adani Agri Fresh opened its price.”
Providing more details this report states, “ Last yesr, the Rs. 5,500 crore apple business, which mostly runs on the fee market model, was dealt a major setback right at the beginning of the season when the Adani group announced its opening price for A-grade premium quality apples at just Rs. 72 per kg. , much lower than the Rs. 88 per kg. it offered in 2020.”
With this year’s opening being around Rs. 76 for premium A-grade apples, the apple growers are angry that despite the all-round rise in production and packaging costs during the last two years as well as several adverse weather conditions, they may have to sell at prices lower than in 2020. They are also upset that the assurances given to them regarding a committee, also including their representatives, having a major say in determining price is not being honored in the right spirit.
This is election year in Himachal Pradesh and the three main opposition parties—the Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party and the CPM are all extending their support to apple-growers. They and the SKM also realize that now may be the most favorable time to convince or compel the government to accept most of their demands. Several other farmers are also agitated because of big losses from adverse weather conditions not being compensated adequately and lack of proper rehabilitation and compensation for those whose land has been taken over for various development projects, particularly four lane roads. Hence it appears quite likely that the protest actions of apple growers and other farmers will escalate in the coming days till their demands are substantially met.
(Author: Bharat Dogra is Honorary Convener, Campaign to Save Earth Now. His recent books include A Day in 2071, Man over Machine and India’s Quest for Sustainable Farming and Healthy Food.)


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On Monday, the Western District of Washington granted approval to a $415,000 settlement in a case brought by Washington consumers against DoubleDown Interactive LLC, a social casino game developer headquartered in Seattle, Wash., and its former parent company International Game Technology (together, IGT).
As the plaintiffs noted in their motion for settlement approval, the agreement is part of an ongoing seven-year campaign of lawsuits against social casino companies and now, the tech-giant platforms who partner with them.
The consumers’ operative amended complaint filed in April 2021 alleged that IGT owns and operates video game development companies in the so-called “casual games” industry, or “computer games designed to appeal to a mass audience of casual gamers.” One of which is a popular online casino available on Android and Apple iOS devices and Facebook called Double Down Casino.
The game platform reportedly features casino-like games of chance such as slots and spin-to-win games. According to the complaint, these are unlawful because the addictive-by-design games only reward players with more chances to play, not fiat currency.
“Double Down Casino games are illegal gambling games because they are online games at which players wager things of value (the chips) and by an element of chance (e.g., by spinning an online slot machine) are able to obtain additional entertainment and extend gameplay (by winning additional chips),” the complaint specified.
The plaintiffs, on behalf of a nationwide class of people who purchased and lost chips by wagering at the Double Down Casino, sought relief under Washington consumer protection laws and gambling regulations.
With this week’s five-page order, the parties’ settlement is moving ahead. It comes after motion practice, including for discovery, sanctions, and class certification. The parties reached agreement through mediation and the plaintiffs sought approval of the proposed settlement last week.
In addition to the agreed sum, IGT has agreed to maintain a link to resources relating to video game behavior disorders within its applications. It also agreed to a voluntary self-exclusion policy, published on its website, that will allow players to exclude themselves from further gameplay.
The court preliminarily appointed lawyers with Edelson PC as class counsel and ratified a class certification schedule. Double Down is represented by Davis Wright and Tremaine and IGT by Baker & Hostetler LLP.