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GREEN BAY, Wis., June 12, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Nature's Way, a trusted leader in the vitamins and supplements industry, unveiled a new line of sustainable packaging for its herbal line consisting of over 300 items, including Ginkgold®, Saw Palmetto, Ginger Root, Activated Charcoal and Turmeric. To continue pursuit of a positive impact on the earth, the new innovative packaging is made up of 97 percent post-consumer recycled plastics.
Nature's Way aims to contribute to less waste and recycle all they can, over the last several years, by diverting more than 70 percent of waste to recycling facilities. The company continues to make sustainability improvements and the new sustainable packaging, made of old milk jugs, is another example of how Nature's Way is achieving that goal. This initiative is expected to reuse 350 tons of plastic annually.
"At Nature's Way, we are always striving to improve our sustainability practices and know it's also a core value of our consumers. We often talk about how 'We Go Where Herbs Grow Best' to bring consumers the best the Earth has to offer, and in tandem with that promise, we know that we need to respect and care for the planet that provides those gifts. That's why we are excited to introduce our new innovative packaging in celebration of our 50th birthday," said Brand Manager at Nature's Way, Dan Countryman.
"Square bottles are not common in the supplement industry, and this new design brings a fresh look to capture consumer attention at retail shelves, while also tying together the herbal line in a cohesive way," said SVP, Marketing, Design & Engineering at TricorBraun, Becky Donner. "We are honored to partner with Nature's Way to create innovative packaging that supports their mission."
The new sustainable packaging will begin to roll-out over the next few months and be available at Sprouts, Kroger, Whole Foods Market, Publix, Wakefern and CVS stores, as well as local natural grocery stores, co-ops. and online retailers like Amazon.
You can find more information about Nature's Way, their commitment to giving back to nature and their sustainability efforts here.
About Nature's Way Founded in 1969, Nature's Way has been a pioneer in the health industry. Since then, Nature's Way has evolved to encompass more than 1,000 supplements from Fortify™ Probiotics and Alive!® Multivitamins to oils and herbal remedies.
Embracing the values of wisdom, integrity, authenticity and inclusivity, Nature's Way turns to nature to find and further a better way to wellness. Through uncompromising standards, we deliver the highest quality products to our consumers to allow them to be at their healthiest. We're on a continued mission to forward innovations that promote ancient health practices, connect with nature, and encourage everyone – from every farmer, herbalist, employee and individual – to live their best life. This is how we pave the way to wellness.
About TricorBraun TricorBraun is a global packaging leader, providing innovative solutions across a wide array of customer end markets in plastic and glass containers, closures, dispensers, tubes and flexibles. TricorBraun operates from more than 40 locations throughout North America and around the world. Our award-winning Design & Engineering Center provides forward-thinking design, driven by consumer insight, market understanding and creative solutions. Other services include global sourcing, manufacturing oversight and global supply chain programs.


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Test Native iOS Apps with SiteSpect
Brands are putting more of a focus on mobile apps, and for good reason. In fact, Flurry reports that the average consumer spends 86 percent of their time interacting with mobile apps, while only 14 percent of their time is spent browsing the mobile Web.
To help brands optimize their apps for better performance, SiteSpect has released an SDK that enables users to perform testing and behavioral targeting for native iOS apps. The new SiteSpect Mobile: iOS SDK is designed to integrate into any iOS app quickly and supports editing, creating and publishing user experience changes without requiring App Store updates.
Once the SDK is integrated, users can create new tests and metrics or edit previously created objects in a visual editor directly on the mobile device. The visual editor runs on the Xcode simulator and every change or metric can be previewed and validated on the actual device. This is a very useful feature according to Director of Product Management at SiteSpect Justin Bougher, as it means that users aren’t required to rely on screenshots or mockups of an experience. Rather, they can download the app, perform a test and actually see what the test looks like on the device.
For more complex tests or metrics, the SDK also supports testing custom code changes and tracking more advanced user behavior. Plus, users can run multiple tests at the same time and leverage SiteSpect's targeting capabilities, including targeting individual app users based on behavior, usage frequency and device type. It is also important to note that tests will continue to work even when the application is offline. Additionally, the SDK allows integration with any third-party analytics solutions.
“SiteSpect offers a complete solution to optimize the entire user experience, including native mobile apps,” said Eric J. Hansen, founder and CEO of SiteSpect. “So no matter how our clients create mobile experiences for their customers, SiteSpect helps them optimize not just how they look, but also how they work.”
Through testing, brands can identify how much time visitors spend in an app, where they lose interest and what kinds of experiences they prefer. This data can help brands optimize their apps to deliver better experiences, resulting in an increase in engagement and conversions.

domain: news


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This is actually very clever… it looks and feels like it’s built on Salesforce.com Ideas.
A new coffee blend is scheduled for an April debut, and a Web site, www.mystarbucksidea.com, will allow customers to submit ideas to the company and to vote on them.
Sprint was running their new advertising in heavy rotation on Jericho last night featuring CEO Dan Hesse saying stuff like how a simple flat rate billing plan was awesome and if you have ideas for how to improve the mobile company then email them to email@example.com. The problem is that this is a cheap advertising stunt, the company acknowledged that it’s not his real email address and more to the point, they don’t make public what people want anyways so maybe this is just some autoresponder that pings every schmuck who takes the time to write in about all the things Sprint could be doing better. As I was watching the commercial I was thinking of all the things I could write in about, but what’s the point? It really doesn’t matter because for Sprint it’s just lip service.
Thumbs up to Starbucks and back into the penalty box for Sprint.
In the end I wish more companies would just do this:


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CREDIT CARD FRAUD
Forget credit rating, your social media posts may decide whether you will get a loan or not
Credit bureau executives say that alternative data is being used especially for loans to firsttime borrowers, who do not have any credit score.
Bank fraud case: Court seeks ED's reply on businessman's bail plea
Additional Sessions Judge Sidharth Sharma posted the matter for arguments ...
RBI takes to SMSes, missed-call helpline against prize frauds
While the RBI has been regularly issuing caution notices against such frauds, i...
AB Finance aims at 40% credit growth
Co to focus on SME and consumer durables sectors; to beef up its online digital capability
Bitcoin futures debut with 26% rally, trigger Cboe trading halts
Cboe Global Markets Inc. started letting people buy and sell bitcoin futures Sunday evening.
Indians most susceptible to online frauds
The industry survey also said that Indians are willing to accept the online frauds if assured of non-recurrence by companies.
Bankruptcy Act is no substitute for penal code
The Indian government last week amended the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code through an ordinance.
Delhi Court seeks Enforcement Directorate's response on businessman's plea
Additional Sessions Judge Sidharth Sharma directed the agency to file its reply by December 4 when it will hear the matter.
Bank fraud: Court issues NBW against Gujarat firm's directors
Additional Sessions Judge Sidharth Sharma issued warrants against directors Nitin and Chetan Sandesara in a case in which Delhi-based businessman Gagan Dhawan was yesterday sent to two-day custody.
Uber says 2016 data breach hit 2.7 mn UK users, or most of its base
UK's Information Commissioner's Office said it expects Uber to alert all the affected British users, both Uber drivers and passengers, as soon as possible.
Transunion Cibil ties up with KPMG to offer employee and business credit risk check
It enables employers to make quick, consistent decisions based on pertinent financial behavioral information not typically included on a job application.
Kingfisher case: SFIO gets nod for filing prosecution cases
The corporate affairs ministry has approved filing of prosecution cases by the SFIO against defaulter businessman Vijay Mallya and others in the Kingfisher Airlines matter.
Here's what you can do if a restaurant overcharges even after the GST rate cut
Eateries are finding several dubious ways of not passing on GST cut benefits to you, the consumer. Some restaurants have only raised their menu prices.
CIC notice to South Delhi Municipal Corporation over parking fee fraud
The wrongful levy of parking charges was revealed after Om Prakash Khorwal, a former employee working in SCOPE Complex in Lodhi Colony.
Government to strengthen surveillance, legal framework to check cybercrime
As per data maintained by the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB), total 5693, 9622 and 11592 cybercrime cases were registered in 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively.


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Tennessee sees biggest one-day jump in coronavirus cases
Tennessee has reported its biggest one-day jump in confirmed coronavirus cases as the state continues to increase testing efforts.
The Tennessee Department of Health says there were 9,667 confirmed cases as of Sunday. The 478 new cases represents a 5.2% jump from Saturday’s total.
The Tennessean reports it’s the highest number of new virus cases recorded in one day in the state.
At least 181 people have died from the virus in Tennessee.
Republican Gov. Bill Lee will allow restaurants in most of the state to reopen dine-in service Monday, while retail stores may reopen in-person shopping Wednesday.
(Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.)


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Although his life and career were cut tragically short after he was murdered in Los Angeles at the age of 24, there’s no doubt that the Notorious B.I.G. left a lasting impact on the rap game that will permanently save his place on almost every hip-hop lover’s top five list. His hometown of NYC, showed up and showed out in May to celebrate what would have been his 50th birthday. Now, crypto platform OneOf is giving fans a chance to own a special piece of the rapper’s legacy.
Sky’s The Limit: The Notorious B.I.G. Collection is the first generative NFT collection featuring the iconic rapper. The collection, which includes one-of-a-kind 3-D artwork inspired by Biggie’s life and lyrics, will be available beginning July 26 on OneOf’s website. And as a special bonus, anyone who gets their hands on the NFT will also get an audio license to Biggie’s previously unreleased Fulton Street Freestyle, a masterclass in freestyling that B.I.G. dropped on a Bed-Stuy street corner when he was just 17-years-old. According to Complex, a portion of the proceeds will go to the Christopher Wallace Memorial Foundation.
OneOf gave fans a sneak peek at the collection in a June 22 Instagram post, encouraging fans to sign up to save their spot in line and receive a free King of New York Token.
For the managers of B.I.G.’s estate, this partnership is a wonderful opportunity to keep the rapper’s legacy alive. “Biggie’s music is a very important part of hip-hop culture and its global impact,” said Wayne Barrow, manager of Voletta Wallace/the Notorious B.I.G.’s estate. “Our business partner, Elliot Osagie of Willingie Inc, came up with the concept of coming together with OneOf to share the infamous freestyle that showcased to the world the icon that Biggie would soon become through an NFT, and sharing it with his fans in this way we are certain would make him proud.”


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Mark Zuckerberg & Co. on Friday issued invites to select members of the press to “Come see a new look for News Feed.” The media event takes place next Thursday, March 7, at 10am PST, at Facebook’s headquarters in Menlo Park. To our non-US readers: it’s an affluent town at the eastern edge of San Mateo County, in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, in the United States. This invite-only press conference comes less than two months after the company’s January 15 Graph Search launch event.
Facebook has some pretty rabid community so we’re expecting all sorts of backlash when the new News Feed goes live. The company recently updated its iOS client with in-app VoIP calling and a revamped News Feed, with the Like, Comment and Share buttons now found alongside the bottom of posts…
Here’s the invite graphics, via Business Insider.
Not much is known by way of detail except that a new look News Feed is coming.
The company wants to inject more ads into your News Feed.
A mockup by TechCrunch published on January 14, if true, depicts a Flipboard-like News Feed.
Author Josh Constine swears he saw the updated software running on a smartphone with his own two eyes. The upcoming News Feed, he says, creates two separate feeds, each for a few different content types including news and photos.
Users navigate between them by swiping sideways on a photo that serves as a header tile filling the top quarter or so of a portrait layout iPhone screen. Below the header is a larger body tile that takes up most of the rest of the screen. From what I saw, it shows one story at a time, with text and who posted it laid on top of a full-screen image.
For example, instead of the screenshot above where most of the screen is taken up with white, blue, and gray chrome and empty space, the app looks like the mock-up below.
The mockup is Josh’s approximation from his memory so take it with a pinch of salt.
Facebook-owned Instagram earlier in the week announced it passed 100 million active users. The social networking giant also updated its iOS software development kit with better analytics, additional app usage metrics and improved APIs and has worked with carriers to roll out free or discounted Messenger access to 14 additional markets.
By the way, Facebook ranked 48th on Forbes’ Most Admired Companies list. Apple is #1 again and Twitter, which increasingly challenges Facebook, did not even make it into the top 50.
So, are you ready for the new-look News Feed?
By the way, iDB is social, too.


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Just last week, Micromax made it high-end Android smartphone, called by the name of Canvas Gold A300 available via online retail site at the price of Rs. 23,999. In such a short span of time the device has received a price cut, which now brings the price of the handset to Rs. 20,999. The smartphoe can be bought from Flipkart at the reduced price.
However, it should be noted that Micromax has not officially launched the Canvas Gold A300 smartphone but it has listed it on the official website. We are expecting the launch soon.
As far as the specs are concerned, the Micromax Canvas Gold A300 comes with a 5.5-inch (1920 x 1080 pixels) IPS display. It is powered by a 2 GHz Octa-Core MediaTek MT6592T processor coupled with a 2GB RAM and runs on Android 4.4 (KitKat).
Users will also get to see a 16-megapixel auto focus rear camera with Sony sensor, LED Flash and a 5MP front-facing camera as well.
Connectivity options include: 3G HSPA+, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS and it is a Dual SIM handset with dual standby mode.
In the storage front, users will get 32GB internal memory (25GB for mass storage and 1.5 GB for applications). It is powered by 2300 mAh battery.
This is one of the best phones that Mixcromax has come up with this year. Thus, you can find a better hardware and also impressive software as well. However, since there are already a number of Android KitKat flavored handsets available in India at this price range, it will have a bit of a tough time initially.


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Apple has announced that it's investing $250 million into display glass supplier Corning, on top of the $200 million it put in in 2017. The money will help Corning develop glass technology that's "specific to Apple," including "state-of-the-art glass processes, equipment and materials integral to the delivery of next-generation consumer devices," Apple wrote. That includes new types of glass for the iPhone, Watch and iPad. The money will come from Apple's Advanced Manufacturing Fund aimed at promoting jobs and technology development in the US.
Since dabbling in sapphire for iPhones and Watches some years ago, the company has stuck closely with Corning as its main glass supplier. The announcement is timely for Apple, which has heavily promoted the toughness of its latest iPhone 11 Pro lineup with ads like the one below. "The newest iPhone models feature the toughest glass ever in a smartphone, as well as a back machined from a single piece of glass that allows for wireless charging," Apple wrote.
Apple notes that since the iPhone launched in 2007, it has spent nearly $3 billion with Corning on iPhone, Watch and iPad Glass. The investment also supports 1,000 Corning jobs specifically for Apple's business. Apple notes that it has spent the entire $1 billion initial Advanced Manufacturing Fund investment, and tapped 20 percent of the $5 billion it committed to spend after that. The other big chunk of that went to Finisar, the Texas-based company behind Apple's Face ID, Animoji and Portrait mode for selfies.


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Tuesday, 17 December 2013
The California could be introduced at the Geneva Motor Show
According to Al Ain Japan's sources, the car will use a twin-turbo V8 engine that is closely related to the Maserati Quattroporte's twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 that develops 530 HP (390 kW) and 710 Nm (524 lb-ft) of torque. There's no word on specifications but engine will reportedly be equipped with a number of unique components.
The redesigned sedan will be offered with a 420 hp (313 kW / 426 PS) supercharged V6 and a 520 hp (388 kW / 527 PS) turbocharged V8. The V6 engine won't be available at launch, but it will reportedly be 30 percent more efficient than the 4.3-liter V8 used in the Ferrari California.
Whether that engine will trickle down to the California remains to be seen, but both engines will be connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission which could be paired to an optional all-wheel drive system.
Last time Ferrari used a turbocharged engine was approximately 20 years ago in the F40. Produced between 1987 and 1992, the F40 featured a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V8 making 471 hp (352 kW / 478 PS).
Besides getting a new engine, the California is slated feature aluminum body work and a power folding hardtop. We can also expect a new infotainment system that could be loosely based on Chrysler's UConnect system.
The California could be introduced at the Geneva Motor Show before going on sale late next year.
SOURCE : Al Ain Japan


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Junkyard Find: 2017 Toyota Mirai Fuel Cell
I have become accustomed to running into the unexpected during my junkyard travels, finding everything from a JDM Nissan Fairlady Z to a bullet-riddled Cadillac from a Mythbusters episode to a British tank. That said, I never expected to find a four-year-old hydrogen fuel-cell car, more than a thousand miles from the only state in which they were sold that year. This becomes the newest junkyard car I’ve documented, taking the top spot from the now-second-place 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage.
Genesis Going All Electric in 2025
Genesis presented its vision a sustainable future on Thursday and settled upon total electrification, just like every other automaker. Hyundai’s luxury component plans to become a “100-percent zero-emission vehicle brand by 2030” but foresees the need to wait until 2025 to transition its fleet entirely over to battery and hydrogen power.
Does it mean anything? If the automotive industry’s prior promises of automated driving and EV sales are anything to go by, probably not. However, electrification has gotten a major kick in the pants over the last few years as governments have ramped up regulator pressures and the sector has been flooded with money to help the cause. So there’s certainly a chance, just like when you play the lottery.
Hyundai Xcient Fuel Cell HD Truck On Its Way
The Hyundai Xcient is on its way to becoming the first mass-produced hydrogen-powered, heavy-duty truck. Design and performance improvements have made it more competitive with those expected from Mercedes-Benz, Toyota-Hino, and Nikola.
Toyota Sticks With Hydrogen for 'Fine-Comfort Ride' Concept Vehicle
Still glued to hydrogen as the fuel of the future, Toyota will unveil a new fuel cell concept at the Tokyo Motor Show that could be summarized as a mobile lounge. Existing somewhere between a crossover and minivan, the “Fine Comfort-Ride” concept vehicle underscores a more roomy and relaxing automotive future.
At 190 inches long and 77 inches wide, it isn’t a petite transport. However, that mass translates into a spacious cabin — with ample room for six — affixed with all the luxuries you’d want to see in the car of tomorrow. It has lavish swivel chairs, mood lighting, connectivity for each passenger, and windows that double as infotainment screens.
Unfortunately, it has the face of Droopy Dog. This may be the first time an automaker has molded a vehicle’s bodywork into jowls.
GM to Add Over 20 New Electric, Fuel Cell Cars to Lineup by 2023
Earlier today, General Motors announced it will introduce two new all-electric vehicles within the next 18 months, kicking off a push of at least 20 forthcoming EVs by 2023. At a press conference in Detroit, GM’s executive vice president of global product development, Mark Reuss, said the company is absolutely “committed to an all-electric future,” but stated “that future won’t happen overnight, GM is committed to driving increased usage and acceptance of electric vehicles through no-compromise solutions that meet our customers’ needs.”
At the event, Reuss said the claims were the real deal. “These aren’t just words in a war of press releases,” he said. “We are far along in our plan to lead the way to that future world.”
Did you hear that, every other automaker that has claimed something identical in the last 12 months? General Motors is actually serious about all of this electric mobility talk.
2017 NYIAS: Honda Builds the Clarity Into a Family
Honda primarily uses the Clarity to prove its faith in the future of hydrogen-powered vehicles, but it doesn’t sell very many of the fuel-cell equipped cars — and those that are on the road are limited to the California coast. As one of the few hydrogen offerings in North America, the Clarity has broadened its role to encompass any form of alternative fueling. Wednesday at the 2017 New York Auto Show, Honda shed more light on the hydrogen-free EV variant of the Clarity, as well as its new plug-in hybrid.
That ought to boost Clarity sales to previously unfathomable levels. Honda is setting a U.S. target of 75,000 units over the first four years, a quadrupling of the company’s current electrified vehicle output. However, that’s a drop in the bucket compared to its EV sales goal of two-thirds of all light vehicle deliveries by 2030.
2017 NYIAS: Genesis GV80 Hydrogen Fuel Cell Concept
Genesis Motors doesn’t exactly have the most diverse lineup in the industry. Hyundai may have only cut it loose as a standalone brand a couple of years ago, but its current showroom offerings amount to a full-sized luxury sedan and its little (midsized) brother. Genesis is working on fleshing itself out, though. The brand has plans to bring six new models to market before 2021 — including two all-important sport utility vehicles.
Providing us with a “subtle glimpses into the bold future,” Genesis has brought its GV80 Concept SUV to the New York International Auto Show. But if this is supposed to be a taste of what’s to come from Hyundai Motor Group’s premium luxury brand, there is reason to worry about its future. It isn’t because the concept is a plug-in hydrogen fuel cell electric — although a case could be made — but because the path its styling has taken is more than a little perplexing.
Geneva 2017: Hyundai's Water-inspired FE Fuel Cell Concept
For reasons unbeknownst to me, Hyundai Motors revealed its next-generation hydrogen fuel cell concept at the Geneva Motor Show this week — showing continued commitment to the technology, despite the lack of infrastructure needed to make it truly viable. Dubbed the FE, or “Future Eco,” the company says the SUV alludes to its next phase of zero emission vehicles.
Sporting similar dimensions, the FE will likely replace the $50,000 Tucson Fuel Cell once it assumes its final form, because it cannot possibly go to market looking like this. Low profile whitewalls and oversized drug dealer rims rarely end up as from-the-factory hardware. However, there are some interesting off-kilter features that might stick around.
Not Giving up on Hydrogen, GM and Honda Announce Joint Venture in Michigan
A quick look at the automotive landscape of 2017 tells us that electricity, long relegated to golf courses and RC cars, is the chosen successor to gasoline and diesel propulsion. However, automakers are hedging their bets on the best way to create those electrons.
Despite a critically meager refueling infrastructure, hydrogen lives on as a potential source for that energy, and select automakers continue a quest to equip our future vehicles with containers of lighter-than-air gas. To this end, General Motors and Honda partnered up back in 2013.
Now, we know the next step in the two automotive rivals’ plan.
Sergio's Crystal Ball: FCA Boss Doesn't Think EVs Are the Future
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne likes to keep people guessing, which is no surprise to those following the rapid-fire product changes at his company.
With his company’s fortunes buoyed by sales of thirsty Ram and Jeep vehicles, Marchionne remains fascinated and distrustful of electric automaker Tesla, telling Britain’s Car Magazine that the future of propulsion likely lies somewhere else.
The question is, what’s Marchionne doing about it?
Question Of The Day: What Does Japan Know About Fuel Cells That We Don't?
A new report from Reuters highlight’s the Japanese auto industry’s increasing focus on hydrogen fuel cells, a technology that has long been written off as dead by many industry observers and battery electric vehicle advocates.
2015 Toyota FCV Unveiled, Priced From $68,688 In Japan
Toyota’s first mass production fuel cell vehicle was unveiled today in Tokyo, prices from just under $70,000.
Toyota Will Put Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle On Sale Next Year
It doesn’t have a name yet, and the prototype that Toyota unveiled at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show was covered in camo, but the Japanese automaker promises that they will be selling a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle in the United States next year. The company is claiming it will have a range of 300 miles and will refuel in less than five minutes. The Corolla sized sedan has been tested in North America’s hottest and coldest locations and Toyota says that the emissions free car will have an electric motor rated at greater than 100 kW (>130 hp) and be able to accelerate from zero to sixty miles an hour in about 10 seconds.
“We aren’t trying to re-invent the wheel; just everything necessary to make them turn,” said Bob Carter, Toyota’s senior VP in charge of U.S. auto operations.
Chief Engineer: Next Gen Prius Will Get Better Gas Mileage, Cost Less
Toyota’s Satoshi Ogiso and Bob Carter address the global media gathered in Ypsilanti for Toyota’s Hybrid World Tour press event
The chief engineer for Toyota’s Prius program, Satoshi Ogiso, who is also managing officer of Toyota Motor Corp, gave some hints about the next generation of Toyota’s highest profile hybrid car at a presentation held as part of Toyota’s Hybrid World Tour, a press event that gathered together all of Toyota’s hybrid cars sold around the world for the first time in one place, in Ypsilanti, Michigan, not far from Toyota’s large R&D center in Ann Arbor.
Ogiso, who oversees product planning and chassis engineering for Toyota, said that while the company continues to work on fuel cell cars and expects to be selling 10,000 or more fuel cell cars a year by the 2020s, Toyota is committed to the concept of hybrid cars that combine electric motors and combustion engines. Due to refinements in Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive, the next Prius will get “”significantly better fuel economy in a more compact package that is lighter weight and lower cost, Ogiso said.
Hyundai Assembling Fuel Cell Tucsons For Mass Production
As one of the big dissenters from the battery-powered EV lovetrain, Hyundai is about to put its money on Hydrogen Fuel Cell technology. Starting in 2015, it intends to assemble up to 10,000 units of a fuel cell-powered version of the Tucson crossover at its plant in Ulsan, South Korea.


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Jools Holland To Jazz Up New Saga Cruise Ship
Music legend Jools Holland is to become the face of The Club -a restaurant and bar on the first ever new build Saga cruise ship, Spirit of Discovery that launches in 2019.
Inspired by the…
14th Jul 2018 11:18 AM
Jet2 Nails Customer Satisfaction
A benchmark study of customer satisfaction has recognised Jet2.com and Jet2holidays as amongst the best companies in the UK when it comes to customer service.
The latest UK Customer Satisfaction…
11th Jul 2018 08:19 PM
Thomas Cook offers seven nights in Antalya, Turkey from £595 per person, based on two adults sharing
Late Deals From Thomas Cook: 03 July 2018
Staying at the four star SENTIDO Numa Bay on an all inclusive basis, flying from Manchester on 16…
3rd Jul 2018 03:45 PM
I Funk It Will Be Good – Cruise Pop
Travel & Arts Correspondent
British funk-pop band Level 42
British funk-pop band Level 42 and 80’s electronic pioneers Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark are to headline the fourth instalment of DFDS’ popular annual music…
29th Jun 2018 10:22 PM
Meal Deal Barbados Style!
Aerial view of Colony Club
To celebrate Colony Club’s 70th Anniversary Elegant Hotels has released a special deal for people wanting a taste of their idyllic Barbados property.
23rd Jun 2018 10:49 PM
Uninsured Brits Cop For Hefty ‘Foreign’ Medical Bills
New research by leading price comparison website, MoneySuperMarket, has revealed that although a third of Brits required medical treatment while on holiday, one in 10 still do not take out travel…
13th Jul 2018 11:00 PM
Thomas Cook offers seven nights in Antalya, Turkey from £589 per person, based on two adults sharing
Late Deals From Thomas Cook: 10 July 2018
Staying at the four star SunConnect Side Resort on an all inclusive basis, flying from Leeds…
11th Jul 2018 08:22 AM
Manchester Airport Congestion System To Launch
photo by Roger Blake
Manchester Airport has confirmed a new system to tackle congestion on its campus will go live on July 10.
In March, it announced it was creating a dedicated drop-off site, from…
3rd Jul 2018 09:32 AM
The Rubens Hotel
The newly refurbished Rubens at the Palace has launched a new Go Green
hotel experience, encouraging guests to make their stay healthier and more environmentally friendly.
24th Jun 2018 03:31 PM
Jet2 Expands Ski Runs Out Of LBA
Jet2.com has announced a new ski route to Turin in Italy out of Leeds Bradford Int. Airport, giving local snow enthusiasts an even bigger piste of the travel action this coming Winter.
21st Jun 2018 08:21 PM


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Insurtech Research Report The trends technologies allowing insurance startups to compete
In this report we look at the drivers behind the increasing number of insurtech companies and how they are impacting others in the insurance industry.
Beto ORourke keeps up the suspense ahead of expected 2020 election announcement
The former congressman and US Senate nominee is still hoping to decide about the presidential race by the end of February.
Bernie Sanders would be the oldest president in US history
At 77 years old, Senator Bernie Sanders is seven years older than President Trump, who currently holds the record for oldest president.
Kim Kardashian shoots down a conspiracy that she is in cahoots with Fashion Nova after the fast-fashion brand debuted a knock-off of her vintage gown
Fast-fashion brand Fashion Nova posted an Instagram advertising a knock-off of a Mugler dress worn by Kim Kardashian West less than 24 hours prior.


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Add products by adding codes
Sanctions are the driver of economic growth
The story of the US confrontation against the flagship of Chinese high-tech production, Huawei, began in December 2018 after the arrest of Huawei's CFO, followed by a false announcement of industrial espionage and technology theft. In May 2019, the United States blacklisted Huawei with a ban on using American technology and buying equipment and components.
Almost all international technology corporations have joined the US. By mid-2020, all this led to the fact that the United States contributed to the refusal of TSMC to produce Chinese processors on an advanced technical process.
As a result, a global ban on android and any American software, a ban on intermediate products and components, a ban on the production of components for Huawei in US-controlled factories, a ban on any technologies and licenses that, both in US jurisdiction and in countries in the zone US influence.
The reason for hitting Huawei was that the Chinese flagship has become a leader in technology and innovation, overtaking Apple. The US did not want China to overtake Apple and launch a cynical sanctions strike. Huawei accelerated revenue from $30 billion to $120 billion in 8 years to 2019. Back then, Huawei was the only smartphone maker in the world to grow its sales outside of China, becoming the world's flagship technology in telecommunications equipment, consumer electronics and semiconductors.
The nuance of US sanctions is that they are extraterritorial, that is, US sanctions almost automatically mean sanctions of key US partners. Therefore, China could not hope for partners - they do not exist.
By banning the production of processors according to advanced technical processes, the Chinese in 2020 began to forcefully develop their own semiconductor industry. Result?
Nineteen of the twenty fastest growing companies in the world (according to Bloomberg) , engaged in the production of chips for the past four quarters, are from China!
Not only chipmakers are growing, but also companies that produce equipment for making chips, because. the world monopoly is the Dutch ASML Holding NV, and the absolute leader in the production of chips is the Taiwanese Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing.
The global revenue of chipmakers is about 630-670 billion dollars (Bloomberg underestimates to 550 billion), the leaders are Taiwan, the USA and Korea. Japan has long since faded from the scene, but China is growing fast.
In 2021, China is already selling microchips and chips of its own production for $ 150 billion, with international orders growing by 60% y/y, revenue in 2022 may increase by 50%, and the leader is Chinese SMIC, which is growing by 70% y/y , fueled by a global chip shortage and the Chinese Communist Party's bet on its own technologies and closed-loop production from start to finish.
From an outsider, China has become the world's flagship in a matter of years, and this progress cannot be stopped. In 4 years, China will achieve parity with TSMC in technology, and in three years it will become the absolute leader in the semiconductor segment in terms of total revenue. Incredible!
How to become everything from nothing. Here is the story of Chinese success and expansion was triggered by sanctions, when China became convinced that only through technological sovereignty can survival be achieved in this toxic world.


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We are doing a little digging to connect to the millennial entrepreneur of today. Also, a tad of wisdom and insight from a few renowned entrepreneur statesman. ~ DOC
The Millennial Entrepreneur Being Noticed:
As a millennial entrepreneur, I’ve spent the past five years connecting with the darlings of my generation while building my online media and e-commerce business, Brit + Co. The focus has shifted to a new group of kids in town: Generation Z. Last year, I sat in on an internal strategy discussion at a Fortune 500 beauty brand where the CEO spent 30 minutes discussing this new generation; the term millennial“ seemed to be used in the past tense… Gen Z Rising
Meet the South Jersey millennial entrepreneurs going against national trendsIn New Jersey and the country, the ranks of millennial entrepreneurs are dwindling compared to prior decades, said Daniel Wilmoth, research economist for the Office of Advocacy with the U.S. Small Business Administration. He found that at the same age… Meet the South Jersey millennial entrepreneurs going against national trends
This is something older entrepreneurs and CEOs used to the tried-and-true 9-to-5 struggle with. Millennials are constantly connected, updating their team while they’re in line for coffee at 7 a.m. and doing last-minute project tweaks late at night…. 5 Millennial Trends Entrepreneurs Need to Know
Taking chances, following your passion and staying on course are just a few common mantras of the world’s most successful young entrepreneurs. While it may seem like killing it came easy for them, everyone from Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg to Spanx… Life hacks from Mark Zuckerberg and 9 others
The CEO and co-founder of BloomThat says to get comfortable with saying no and protecting your time…. This Founder Has 3 Simple Tips to Achieve Maximum Productivity
Entrepreneur’s “20 Questions” series features both established and up-and-coming entrepreneurs and asks them a number of questions about what makes them tick, their everyday success strategies and advice for aspiring founders. For David Bladow, entrepreneurship is the family business. The co-founder and CEO of flower delivery startup BloomThat grew up surrounded by people who never had their own boss: his grandfather, mother, father and stepfather.


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Hearts open their Betfred Cup campaign with a midweek trip to Cove Rangers and tickets will go on general sale at 9am on Wednesday, July 11th.
The Jambos make the trip to Balmoral Stadium for an 8pm kick-off against the Highland League side on Wednesday, July 18th.
Tickets are available to purchase now to those fans with 100 loyalty points or more (limited to one per account) and will go on general sale at 9am tomorrow.
Prices are as follows:
Over 65s/Under 18s: £5
Six loyality points will be awarded for this fixture
Fans can buy their tickets via the club’s three sales channels; online at Hearts eTickets, over the phone by calling 0333 043 1874 (option 1, then 1) or in person at the Hearts Ticket Office.


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The TriplePundit Flash: New Fund Aims to Close Lending Gap for Women Entrepreneurs
Shavon Marley (pictured above), owner and founder of Marley Transport & Trucking in Raleigh, North Carolina, is one of many women to benefit from this new impact investing fund. Women are becoming entrepreneurs at a rate far faster than men in the U.S. Yet less than 5 percent of small business lending—only $1 in $23—goes to women. Fintech company CNote aims to change that with a new impact investment product directed at low- to moderate-income women and women of color.
The Wisdom Fund, a fixed income vehicle that increases capital access and lending for women-owned businesses, was created by CNote in partnership with mission-driven lender CDC Small Business Finance and four innovative nonprofits.
CNote is a financial platform that directs every dollar invested toward funding female- and minority-led small businesses, affordable housing, and economic development in financially underserved communities across America. The Wisdom Fund will funnel money from accredited investors—institutions, funds, foundations, family offices and individuals—into business loans for low- to moderate-income women and women of color.
Minority-owned businesses often face discriminatory lending practices and are less likely to be approved for small business loans, and even if they are, data indicates they receive smaller amounts at a much higher interest rate. Black women, as the fastest-growing group of business owners in the U.S., stand to benefit enormously from the kind of support that the Wisdom Fund offers.
Image credit: CNote


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Kroger says storm hits 3Q earnings, sees slower 4QWritten by Associated Press | | email@example.com
Grocery chain Kroger Co. reported Dec. 9 that its third-quarter profit fell 6 percent, mainly because of damages and disruption from Hurricane Ike, and indicated that it expects slow holiday spending to hurt fourth-quarter results.
Shares in the nation’s largest traditional grocery store chain fell more than 7 percent after Kroger lifted its earnings guidance for the full year, but offered fourth-quarter projections below analysts’ expectations.
The company did manage to boost sales during the recession, as people cut restaurant spending and buy more store brands and store-prepared meals to take home. Third-quarter revenue rose 9 percent to $17.6 billion.
Identical-supermarket sales rose 5.6 percent in the quarter without fuel sales and 7.8 percent with them. Those sales, for stores open at least five quarters, are considered a key gauge of retail strength.
Kroger said it earned $237.7 million, or 36 cents per share, in the quarter, down from $253.8 million, or 37 cents per share, a year earlier.
The company said results were hurt by an after-tax charge of $15.9 million, or 3 cents per share, related to its $25 million insurance deductible for Ike. The storm damaged stores, forced some to shut down temporarily and caused outage-spoiled food in September, particularly in Texas and inland states as far away as Ohio that suffered severe wind storms.
Otherwise, Kroger said earnings would have been $253.6 million, or 39 cents per share.
Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters had predicted earnings of 38 cents per share on revenue of $17.4 billion.
“We know our customers are increasingly feeling pressured in today’s environment,” David B. Dillon, chairman and CEO for the Cincinnati-based company, said in a statement. “Kroger’s focus on low prices, quality products and providing a convenient, one-stop solution for their daily needs is resonating with our customers.”
The company said it expects full-year earnings of $1.88 to $1.91 per share, excluding the 3-cent share charge from Ike. The previous guidance was for $1.85 to $1.90, excluding Ike effects. Earnings for 2007 were $1.69 per share. Analysts are projecting earnings of $1.91 a share.
But Kroger now says it expects fourth-quarter earnings of 49 to 52 cents per share, saying that range “considers the cautious mind-set of many consumers this holiday season.” Analysts were projecting 53 cents for the quarter.
Kroger shares fell $2.05 to $25.25, in morning trading. They have traded in a range of $22.30 to $30.99 in the past year.
For the first nine months of its fiscal year, Kroger said it earned $900.2 million, or $1.36 per share, up from $857.6 million, or $1.22 per share, a year earlier. Total sales increased 10.9 percent to $58.7 billion.
Kroger operates 2,477 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states, under two dozen local banners that include Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Food 4 Less, Fry’s, King Soopers, Smith’s, Dillons, QFC and City Market.
On the Net: www.kroger.com


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Blockchain-Based Tax Invoices to Be Used in Local E-Commerce Industry in Guangdong, China
Blockchain technology is being implemented for smart contracts and even the storage of some important digital documents that would otherwise be cluttering an office somewhere. Considering the security of this type of ledger, the Guangdong Municipal Taxation Bureau has decided to use it for a new platform that allows consumers to view their tax invoice electronically.
Guangdong Province is one of the biggest regions in China by population, and this new service is meant to be implemented for customers and merchants in the first blockchain service of its kind. Overall, this plan is still in its nascent stages, and the creators plan to scale it to meet the needs of the large-scale e-commerce field.
With the use of blockchain technology for this service, the tax authorities will have a much easier time maintaining efficiency and ensuring transparency as a result of electronic invoices. In a report from local news outlet Southern News Network, the article states,
“Blockchain technology has established a highly mutual trust data sharing mechanism among tax authorities, invoice service providers, taxpayers and other parties. This is a major reason for the tax authorities to take a new step in deepening the [technological] reform [by] the distribution services.”
Back in the middle of December 2018, Shenzhen of the Guangdong Province had decided to use blockchain technology to issue electronic tax invoices as well. However, it was in connection with the WeChat payment platform.
A month earlier, the capital of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, was chosen to be the location of the headquarters for a new blockchain alliance in the country. The new alliance includes 54 companies right now and investigates the use of blockchain technology in funds, financing, trading, and related fields.


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Iceland today announces that it will stop using palm oil as an ingredient in the production of all its own label food by the end of 2018. Today it can report that the project is already well underway, with palm oil successfully removed from 50 percent of its own label range; 130 products will have been reformulated by the end of the year.
Growing demand for palm oil for use in food products, cosmetics and biodiesel is devastating tropical rainforests across South East Asia. In Indonesia and Malaysia, where expanding palm oil and wood pulp plantations are a major driver of deforestation, many species are being threatened with extinction, including the orangutan, already critically endangered. Recently published studies show that Bornean orangutan numbers more than halved between 1999 and 2015, with only 70,000–100,000 individuals remaining.
Palm oil is currently found in 50% of all supermarket products, from bread to biscuits and breakfast cereal to soap. Despite this, 35% of consumers are unaware of what palm oil is.
Once informed about palm oil and its effects on the environment, 85% state that they do not believe palm oil should be used in food products.
Iceland has made this ethical decision to remove palm oil in order to demonstrate to the food industry that it is possible to reduce the demand for palm oil whilst seeking solutions that do not destroy the world’s rainforest.


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Looks like we have another bad news to bring you, dear readers, this time coming from our homegrown automaker, Proton.
Apparently, due to the depreciating Ringgit, Proton has no choice but to increase the price for their models across the range. This move is to offset the cost of importing parts and materials, though the company hasn’t announced the revised list at press time.
Proton’s CEO Dato’ Abdul Harith Abdullah was quoted saying, “The weaker Ringgit affects the company’s operation cost and the entire eco-system chain from the vendors to us. Hence, we are evaluating our pricing structure and the percentage of the price increase will depend on the models.”
With Proton becoming the latest string of brands to announce price increase for next year, we can only wonder how much local content goes into the making of Proton cars. Proton Chairman, Tun Dr. Mahathir, once mentioned that there is about 90 percent locally manufactured parts found in Proton. So given that price increase to offset the remaining 10 percent (presumably the drivetrain) does raise a few uncertainties. Will the price increase be in the hundreds, or thousands? Will the local contents be impacted as well? Will Proton, in a worst case scenario, introduce variants cheaper than the SV trims to mitigate costing issues?
As of now, Proton is offering seven models to the Malaysian market, with the Saga Plus model being the most affordable pick with a starting price of RM33,243.40. Next year will see the introduction of the new Perdana model, with the Saga and Persona models both set to be succeeded soon.
If there’s one thing we can be certain about, is that the new Proton Perdana will surely cost more than they initially hoped. The better question now is, how much more?


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GENEVA – Three Geneva businesses will be participating in a fundraiser May 8 to help Kane County senior citizens.
Visiting Angels of South Elgin is hosting the one-day shopping event to raise funds for Senior Services Associates, Inc,. a nonprofit agency that helps seniors age 60 and older access social services they need.
Visiting Angels provide home care for seniors and respite care for families.
Shops and their specific hours of participation are Graham’s Fine Chocolates, 302 S. Third St., from 4 to 6 p.m.; Cocoon, 212 S. Third. St., from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Galena Wine Cellars, 477 S. Third St., from noon to 6 p.m.
Helping charities and nonprofits is something Graham’s always does, said Jayni Wunderlich, whose family owns the local confectionary.
“For the past 27 years, we have given back to the community in all sorts of ways,” Wunderlich said. “We have helped different schools charities churches and anything nonprofit.”
Sherie McGowan, owner of Cocoon, said she was not familiar with Senior Services until Visiting Angels approached her about doing a fundraiser.
“It sounded like a much-needed social services agency,” McGowan said. “We do a lot of different fundraisers.”
Cocoon sells custom furniture, seasonal decorations, baby gifts, toys, candles, jewelry, purses, scarves and fragrances.
Shoppers who want to participate must present a postcard when they shop so the stores will know a percentage of their purchase is to benefit Senior Services.
Postcards are available at Visiting Angels, 65 Woodbury St., South Elgin and at Senior Services Associates, 900 N. Lake St., Aurora.
Email Visiting Angels at email@example.com to request an electronic version of the postcard.


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We’re moving out of the summer slump and with it comes tidings of games. This week the PlayStation Store launched 11 new games between the PlayStation 4, PS3, and Vita. There are a few games on sale that are worth noting before I go into the full list, though. Catherine ($9.99), Dragon’s Crown ($19.99), and more »
The PlayStation Vita takes first place this week with six games releasing for the hand-held console today. The PS3 and PS4 have only three games to their name on tap this week, but after some exciting announcements at Gamescom 2014 there’s plenty to look forward to. Here’s what released in the PlayStation Store this week. more »
It’s the first Tuesday of the month, which means free games for PS Plus members in the PlayStation Store, as well as new releases. (Some are both!) The PlayStation Blog highlighted all the games that were going to be released for free in an end of July post, but I’ll re-cap the entire list right more »
Last week the doldrums hit something fierce, but Sony is back with some enticing offers in the PlayStation Store. If you pre-order Rouge Legacy, The Swapper, Hohokum, and/or Counterspy you get money back. Pre-order only two and get $3 credit back later, pre-order three and get $6 back, and pre-order all four and get $10 more »
The Destiny Beta is only hours away, since it begins July 9, 2014, and Sony wants to make sure you’re aware. The PlayStation Blog has been peppered with news to remind you that PlayStation owners who pre-order the game will get early access before all those Xbox owners get released on the servers on July more »
After a few weeks of no love, there’s a lot for the Vita on the PlayStation Store this week. It’s a bunch of Japanese games, to be exact. Plenty to keep any handheld owner happy. (Especially if they’re okay with Monster Monpiece‘s “questionable” content!) Let’s get to this week’s PlayStation Store update, shall we?
After a light week last week, there’s suddenly plenty to do on the PlayStation Store. There are PS4, PS3, and Vita games. It’s a cavalcade! Not to mention, some lucky people might just have PlayStation Now beta access. In short, it’s a good week on the PlayStation Store. Let’s take a look at what’s coming more »
Sometimes, the PlayStation Store comes across as a pretty empty place. Like today’s update! To give you an idea of just how few games there are dropping this week, the PS4 isn’t getting a single game. Don’t panic though. These things happen. Not every PlayStation Store update. Instead, we get these four PS3 and Vita more »
Ready for a good update? Well, you’ll be all set today. There’s plenty for everyone this week, which makes up for the few thin weeks earlier this month and in March. Here’s what’s coming to the Playstation Store today.
Ever visit the web-based version of the PlayStation Store? I do, sometimes. Never to actually buy anything, admittedly. I typically stop by to perhaps get screenshots from a game for a news story or something. Perhaps to check on a price for an article. Which is what I was doing earlier today. I was heading more »
No April Fools’ today, we promise. All I have for you is a list of the games coming to the PlayStation Store, and there are some good ones today. If there’s any April Fools’ joke, though, it’s that this list of games is a surprisingly short one.
Keeping true with tradition, Sony has posted the PlayStation Plus offers for April. Headlining the freebies is Batman: Arkham City. Mercenary Kings, an upcoming PS4 game that will be released next week, is also going to be free. Furthermore, we’re going to be getting Stealth Inc. A Clone in the Dark, (it’s also cross-buy) and more »


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Women’s retailer Bebe Stores Inc. said it was the victim of a data security attack in November, the latest in a number of breaches at retailers including Target Corp. and Home Depot Inc.
Based on a company investigation, the attack affected cards used from Nov. 8 to Nov. 26 in the U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands. Data accessed may have included names, account numbers, expiration dates and verification codes.
Payments made online or on mobile devices or in international stores weren’t affected, according to Bebe
Customers who used their cards in the affected areas in November should check their account statements for unauthorized activity, Bebe said. It is offering free one-year credit monitoring services to customers in the affected areas who made a payment-card purchase during that time.
Write to Angela Chen at firstname.lastname@example.org


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said he had taken an income shot from
recent privacy changes for mobile advertising, investors wondered what this might mean for
They won’t have to wait long for a response.
Facebook (ticker: FB) is expected to release its third quarter results after the market closed on Monday, but news from Snap (SNAP) caused Facebook’s shares to fall 5.1% on Friday after the results of the parent company of Snapchat fell short of expectations. One of the main concerns for investors was the impact of Apple’s changes to targeted advertising on mobile devices: Apple Now asks users if they want to sign up for the practice, and data from research firm Flurry suggests that only 15% of U.S. consumers opt for tracking when given the choice. Monday’s Facebook report will show how widespread the impact is to businesses focused on mobile advertising.
Facebook’s third-quarter Wall Street consensus estimate projects sales of $ 29.57 billion and earnings of $ 3.19 per share, according to FactSet. Analysts predict that monthly active users will reach 2.92 billion in the quarter and predict that Facebook has 1.93 billion daily active users.
“We expect Q3 results / outlook to likely be a little better than Snap’s, with the company already recognizing the targeting of headwinds and more proactively developing tools to help with measurement and attribution,” Baird analyst Colin Sebastian wrote on Monday.
There’s a lot more news swirling around Facebook, with the company considering a name change, The Verge reports. (Barron was unable to corroborate the report from The Verge, which cites an anonymous source.) Earlier this month, the damaging testimony of whistleblower Frances Haugen on internal data and documents she submitted to the Lawmakers, regulators, and journalists seemed to be mobilizing more support in Washington, DC for restraining in society. It is unclear what action, if any, lawmakers will take.
In a statement posted on Twitter, Facebook’s director of political communications Andy Stone said the company disagreed with most of Haugen’s characterizations on the issues she testified to, but called lawmakers to establish a standard set of rules for the Internet.
Investors might wonder if a potential name change for Facebook is linked to a series of controversies in recent years over user data and the potential influence of its app on political polarization. On the flip side, the company is much more than its eponymous social network – it also owns Instagram, WhatsApp, and virtual reality headset maker Oculus.
Beyond the company’s earnings call on Monday, investors will be able to hear Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg on October 28 when he is scheduled to speak at the company’s Facebook Connect virtual event. Zuckerberg is set to discuss Facebook’s interest in the Metaverse, a theorized next evolution of the internet, in which users socialize, buy, and consume entertainment in virtual worlds that are always online.
The Metaverse has been on Facebook’s radar for some time: The company bought Oculus in 2014, and on the company’s July conference call, Zuckerberg said building the Metaverse was the long-term aspiration of the company. But Facebook isn’t the only company trying to build the metaverse, with newbies in the video game industry like Epic Games’ Fortnite,
that of Microsoft
(MSFT) Minecraft innovates on such online experiences.
Write to Connor Smith at [email protected]


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Strategic Integrators: Integrating growth
Company owner says data security remains driving concernFebruary 16th, 2017
Now at the start of its 11th year of operations, Spokane-based information technology company Strategic Integrators Inc. continues to grow, evolving to meet the needs of its clients.
The company, which started as Strategic Hardware LLC, changed its name recently to reflect its offerings better, says company CEO Stewart Sonneland.
“I started this company in my den in 2006, selling hardware over the phone,” says Sonneland. “Now we offer infrastructure software, data storage, business continuity and disaster recovery, and security products.”
Essentially, Sonneland says, Strategic Integrators designs and builds computing systems to match client needs, by combining hardware and software products from multiple vendor partners.
Although the recession hit the company hard in its early years, he says it was able to bounce back and has been growing ever since.
“I’m pretty bullish about growth and our company’s potential for growth,” he says. “Last year’s revenues totaled $4.5 million, and this year I’d like to see us make $8 million.”
Sonneland says the company has 10 employees, seven of whom work in its Spokane office, a 1,000-square-foot space in the Tapio Office Center at 104 S. Freya. The company’s other three employees operate its branch offices in Seattle, Denver, and Boston.
This past year, Sonneland says, the company has seen a significant number of clients interested in improving data storage capabilities and secure data storage in case of natural disasters.
“We’re seeing more demand for better data storage for some of our federal lab clients,” he says. “Disaster recovery and business continuity plans are also still important for those clients whose industries have strict compliance regulations.”
While most businesses plan for data backup in case of a fire or natural disaster, he says many don’t stop to consider how they’re protected against data corruption or theft.
“Many don’t realize the number of devices their employees interface with daily, such as laptops, tablets, and others, which can be entry points for potential security threats,” he says. “You could also have a disgruntled employee who’s interested in stealing or leaking information. Just having a protection plan in place makes it much easier to see breaches quickly and stop them from happening.”
As for security, Sonneland says one of the bigger issues for businesses currently is ransomware, a type of malicious software designed to block access to a computer system until a sum of money is paid.
“This kind of thing can be devastating to a business,” he says. “Most need their files and systems in order to operate, so they’re losing money the longer they go without access.”
Sonneland says security concerns also are a big driver behind most client’s growing interest in what’s called virtual desktop interface, or VDI, software.
With a virtual desktop, he says, an individual user’s desktop features—icons, wallpaper, windows, folders, and toolbars—are stored remotely on a server, rather than on a personal computer or other device. Users access their desktop by logging in via the internet, and saving information to the virtual server rather than one physical device.
Having all of that data on a virtualized server, Sonneland says, “eliminates the need to connect to one specific physical device, and keeps data more secure as it’s stored separately.”
“A lot of our current work involves helping clients improve their infrastructure software,” he says. “We consider VDI a part of infrastructure, meaning programs that help a business with daily operations. These are things like databases, email servers, and systems for managing networks and security.”
Most of the time, Sonneland says, client issues with infrastructure programs can be solved with a simple update or hardware replacement, but occasionally projects can be more complex. He says most of the company’s client projects take from six to nine months to complete.
“We start by examining each client’s environment and working out what might need to be changed for things to operate more smoothly,” he says. “Once we’ve determined those needs, we can set about design and planning, using our partners products to create the solution. Usually, that means integrating several technologies together to achieve the desired result.”
Sonneland says 60 percent of Strategic Integrators’ revenues last year came from repeat clients, something he’s proud of.
“It’s important to us to develop lasting relationships, not just sell a product,” he says. “The more we learn, the better advice we’re able to give our clients.”
Sonneland says the key to the company’s growth is its strategic partnerships with vendors such as Microsoft Corp. and International Business Machine (IBM) Corp.
“We’re partnered with over 80 different IT vendors currently,” he says. “We try to partner with as many different vendors as we can in order to gain knowledge of and experience with their products. The more we learn and grow, the better we’re able to understand and match products to clients’ needs.”
Sonneland says the company started with clients in the higher education sector, but it has come to include the commercial and health care industries, as well as local, state, and federal governments.
“We serve about 100 different clients all across the country,” he says. “These are both large and small companies, some of whom we work with on multiple projects throughout the year.”
Some of Strategic Integrators’ more well-known clients include Bonneville Power Administration, Gonzaga University, the Federal Reserve Bank, the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, Denver Health Hospital, and even World Wrestling Entertainment.
“Our only two local clients are Gonzaga and Allied Safe & Lock,” says Sonneland. “It would be nice to have more, but that’s not our focus right now. Many companies like ours limit their focus to smaller, regional business. We go where we’re needed.”
Looking ahead, Sonneland says his plan is to keep growing the company, adding both more employees and clients.
“While I love our current team, I am hoping to add more salespeople and create additional branch offices,” says Sonneland.
He says one additional goal the company is working toward is obtaining more government contracts, hence it’s relocation this past summer.
“We used to be in an office up on the South Hill, but this location falls within a HUBZone, or historically underutilized business zone,” he says.
The U.S. Small Business Administration offers a special program for small companies operating and employing people within HUBZones, aimed at helping businesses in distressed areas gain access to federal procurement opportunities.
“The move was somewhat strategic, as this location gives us a better chance of qualifying for more federal contracts,” says Sonneland. “Overall, we’re always looking to add to our experience with less cost to the client. It’s about finding talented people and building relationships, then the growth will follow.”


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CZECH: Bel to sell Jaromericka cheese unit
French cheese maker Fromageries Bel plans to sell its Czech business Jaromericka, after the unit failed to meet sales and production targets.
The company, which acquired Jaromericka in 2008, also said that the recession and its impact on demand in the local market had left it with over-capacity in central Europe.
Bel's activities in Eastern Europe will now focus on the Želetava, Smetanito and Matador national brands as well as the company's international brands, including The Laughing Cow, Leerdammer and Babybel.
The sale will include Jaromericka's two production facilities as well as local brands such as Faun, Fénix.
“We consider the offer to sell Jaromericka with its full production capacity to be the best solution for the two plants, their employees and suppliers,” said Pascal Bigot, general manager of Bel Sýry Cesko.
“The dedication and skills of our local teams, the excellent quality of the milk and the industrial investment already made will enable a new buyer to continue developing and growing the business. The anticipated transaction will not only preserve production and the jobs linked to it, but trade relations with the concerned milk producers as well.”
Jaromericka processed 87m litres of milk and produced 15,600 metric tons of cheese in 2009.
Bel will remain active in the Czech Republic through its Bel Sýry Cesko subsidiary, which operates a production site in Želetava.
French dairy groups and farmers have reached an agreement on milk prices, allaying fears of a repeat of the disruption in supplies to processing plants seen in 2009....
- How Windsor buy is part of Ajinomoto's global push
- Focus: Fonterra's bid to weather dairy volatility
- On the money: Diamond's faith in on-trend range
- Industry awaits WHO reply on beefed-up ad pledges
- Focus: Does size matter for Thai Union Frozen?
- Kellogg, Burton's, Ulker "on UB bid shortlist"
- Kerry, Premier team up on frozen NPD in UK
- Nestle sells baby food brands Alete, Milasan
- Nestle forms new unit to "leverage scale"
- PepsiCo eyes Middle East growth with R&D centre


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Why do people who eat a lot of meat and milk products get cancer more often? A glycan (a type of polysaccharide) molecule present in red meat and milk products might elicit an immune response that stimulates tumor growth.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, led by Ajit Varki, M.D., have shown a new mechanism for how human consumption of red meat and milk products could contribute to the increased risk of cancerous tumors. Their findings, which suggest that inflammation resulting from a molecule introduced through consumption of these foods could promote tumor growth, are published online this week in advance of print publication in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
Varki, UC San Diego School of Medicine distinguished professor of medicine and cellular and molecular medicine, and co-director of the UCSD Glycobiology Research and Training Center, and colleagues studied a non-human cellular molecule called N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc). Neu5Gc is a type of glycan, or sugar molecule, that humans don't naturally produce, but that can be incorporated into human tissues as a result of eating red meat. The body then develops anti-Neu5Gc antibodies – an immune response that could potentially lead to chronic inflammation, as first suggested in a 2003 PNAS paper by Varki.
In mice the combination of the Neu5Gc glycan and immune antibodies against Neu5Gc caused tumors to grow quicker. Drugs that reduce inflammation might cut cancer risk by suppressing an immune response to Neu5Gc.
Using specially bred mouse models that lacked the Neu5Gc molecule – mimicking humans before the molecule is absorbed into the body through ingesting red meat – the researchers induced tumors containing Neu5Gc, and then administered anti-Neu5Gc antibodies to half of the mice. In mice that were given antibodies inflammation was induced, and the tumors grew faster. In the control mice that were not treated with antibodies, the tumors were less aggressive
Others have previously shown that humans who take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (commonly known as NSAIDs) have a reduced risk of cancer. Therefore, the mice with cancerous tumors facilitated by anti-Neu5Gc antibodies were treated with an NSAID. In these animals, the anti-inflammatory treatment blocked the effect of the Neu5Gc antibodies and the tumors were reduced in size.
"Taken together, our data indicate that chronic inflammation results from interaction of Neu5Gc accumulated in our bodies from eating red meat with the antibodies that circulate as an immune response to this non-human molecule – and this may contribute to cancer risk," said Varki.
This result is important because it suggests you probably can't neutralize all the cancer risk associated with greater meat and milk consumption. As long as you are eating sources of Neu5Gc you are boosting your risk of cancer.
Though not all studies find a strong link between cancer and red meat consumption. Another recent study found that the risk small intestine cancer seemed to be boosted by saturated fat consumption and not by red meat. Of course a lot of red meat is high in saturated fat. This result holds out the hope that lean red meat might not boost your cancer risk.
Cross and other researchers from the National Cancer Institute used food frequency questionnaires to track food intake in a half million men and women enrolled in the NIH -AARP Diet and Health study over an eight-year period. Through state cancer registries and national death indexes researchers noted the development of 60 adenocarcinomas and 80 carcinoid tumors of the small intestine.
While findings showed no clear connection between red and processed meat and these tumors, they suggested a noticeably elevated risk for carcinoid tumors in the small intestine in association with saturated fat intake.
If you eat more fruits and vegetables they will displace less healthy foods from your diet. Add omega 3 fatty acids since they probably counteract the harmful effects of too much omega 6 fats from red meat and dairy.
|Share |||Randall Parker, 2008 November 14 12:50 AM Aging Diet Cancer Studies|


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Snapchat has filed for an IPO that could value the company at $25 billion
Snapchat parent company Snap Inc. has quietly filed paperwork for an IPO, setting the wheels in motion for what’s expected to be the largest tech debut in years, a source familiar with the matter told Business Insider.
Snap’s IPO could come as early as March, but could also occur in the second quarter of 2017, the person said. The company is seeking a valuation of $20 billion to $25 billion.
Some people expect the offering could be even larger. Bloomberg has reported that Snap’s IPO valuation could swell as high as $40 billion.
Snap, which is based in Venice Beach, California, confidentially filed its paperwork with the US Securities and Exchange Commission before the presidential election, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs will lead the deal, while JPMorgan, Deutsche Bank, Allen & Co., Barclays, and Credit Suisse will be joint bookrunners.
Snapchat has emerged as one of the most popular consumer internet services, challenging Facebook, Twitter and Google for users and advertising dollars. With the tech IPO market stuck in the doldrums over the past year, investors are hoping Snap’s offering could open the gates to more IPOs, including closely watched tech companies like Uber.
Snap has told investors that it expects to make between $250 million and $350 million in advertising revenue this year. A recent eMarketer report predicted the company would near $1 billion in revenue in 2017 — meaning an IPO that valued the company at $25 billion would be 25 times its projected revenue numbers.
It’s not clear whether Snap is profitable however, and the company is aggressively expanding into new businesses and markets that are likely to eat into margins.
Snap’s main business is advertising in the Snapchat app, which has over 150 million daily users. But it recently rebranded itself as a camera company and started selling $130 camera-equipped sunglasses called Spectacles.
“Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs will lead the deal, while JPMorgan, Deutsche Bank, Allen & Co., Barclays, and Credit Suisse will be joint bookrunners.”
the usual suspects..
and what is your product snapchat?
it must be incredible to be valued at over $20 billion?
you dont have a product?
how do you spell bubble?
“It’s not clear whether Snap is profitable however”


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Three short years ago the electronic cigarette seemed like a novelty item. Now, this novelty has become a billion dollar market. The interesting fact about electronic cigarettes is traditional cigarette sales are 99% higher. The sale of e-cigarettes last year only had a total of $500 million, but the increasing popularity is growing in record climbing sales.
Electronic Cigarette’s Growing Popularity
While smokers are still using the traditional cigarette people are starting to make the switch. In 2011 about 21% of adults who smoke traditional cigarettes said they are experimenting with the electronic cigarette. That percentage is up 10% from the prior year, which means people are getting curious about the huge buzz around the e-cigarette. Tom Frieden the CDC director said “E-cigarette use is growing rapidly” announcing the recent study for the Center For Disease Control and Prevention in 2013.
Traditional Cigarettes Versus Electronic Cigarettes
A pack-a-day smoker will spend at least $150 - $300 a month on traditional cigarettes. That is quite a chunk of change to spend in a year’s time. A person that uses an e-cigarette will pay anywhere from $3 - $7 less for the number of puffs equivalent to a pack of traditional cigarettes. The difference in cost is very favorable for the electronic cigarette. Another factor to add is not having any type of smoke damage to your auto, household, or clothing.
Each year the electronic cigarette is proving to gain more and more ground when it comes to dominating the tobacco industry. Proven sales and also the celebrity endorsements are making the e-cigarette a force to be reckoned with. For more information please visit www.abcnews.go.com.
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Store Opening Date Set for March 6, 2015; Manager Jobs Posted on July 24, 2014
SEATTLE (April 23, 2014) – Nordstrom, Inc., one of the United States’ leading fashion specialty retailers, announced John Banks as manager of its store at Rideau Centre in Ottawa. Nordstrom Rideau Centre will open on Friday, March 6, 2015 and will be the company’s second store location in Canada, following its opening in Calgary on September 19, 2014. The new store will feature a compelling mix of apparel, shoes and accessories for women, men and children.
Banks began his Nordstrom career in 1999 in the restaurant division as the Southern California Regional Cafe Manager. In 2001, he became the store manager at Nordstrom Montclair Plaza in Montclair, Calif., and later served as store manager at two of the company’s largest stores at Nordstrom Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn. and Nordstrom Fashion Valley in San Diego. Most recently Banks served as the Southeast Human Resources Director, and was based in Miami.
“John’s varied leadership assignments across our business make him an ideal candidate to lead our store team in Ottawa,” said Karen McKibbin, president of Nordstrom Canada. “Customer service is the cornerstone of our business and his experience coupled with his pioneering spirit will help us bring our culture of service north of the border.”
“We’re new to Canada and we’re going to focus on doing things the right way for Canadians,” said Banks. “That means we’ll work hard to see our business through the eyes of our local customers so that we can provide a relevant and meaningful shopping experience.”


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To celebrate the 25th anniversary of these two iconic brands, Capcom have announced they are releasing an 8-bit style crossover that will feature everyone’s favourite blue man and a slew of characters from Street Fighter, all re-imagined as characters in the Mega Man Universe.
The game will pit megaman against bosses created from the Street Fighter universe and will feature a brand new 8-bit soundtrack that combines SF and MM tunes into great mashups.
“Our fans have been so supportive of the 25th Anniversary efforts on Street Fighter, that we wanted to provide one last surprise and token of our appreciation,” said Christian Svensson, SVP of Consumer Software at Capcom USA. “This game symbolizes the passion and dedication of our fans and with the 25th Anniversary of Mega Man coming up, we felt it was our duty to bring this wonderful experience to everyone who has shared the last 25 years with us and both of these celebrated franchises.”
The full download will be released on the 17th of December and will be available exclusively from Capcom unity on the PC.
Full details at Capcom Unity
See the official trailer below:


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Cramer said Tibco continues to do well and is at the top of its game.
Know Your IPO
In the "Know Your IPO" segment, Cramer said the initial public offering drought may be coming to an end after the disaster that was Facebook (FB). The IPOs of travel website Kayak and network security purveyor Palo Alto Networks go public next week.
Cramer said the underwriter in both deals is the beleaguered Morgan Stanley (MS), a firm that has no choice but to price these IPOs low enough to ensure a first day spike in price. Morgan Stanley can't afford another miss.
Kayak is a beloved travel website that offers the usual array of deals on airfare and hotels, but has an ad-supported model. Revenue at the company are up 30% year-over-year. Kayak plans to offer 3.5 million shares between $22 and $25 a share. That puts its valuation between 20 and 23 times earnings, inline with its peers.Palo Alto Networks is a next-generation network security company that plans to come public between $34 and $37 a share, placing its valuation at five times sales. In both cases, Cramer recommended investors get in on the IPO deal itself and sell those shares on the initial pop. "This is not a tech-friendly environment," Cramer reminded viewers, which is why flipping the shares on the first day of trading is the only move that makes sense.


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NEW DELHI: The US has dragged India to the WTO's dispute settlement mechanism over export subsidies, saying these incentives were harming American companies, prompting the government to state that it would engage with the Trump administration and explain its position.
The US yesterday challenged India's export subsidy programmes such as Merchandise Exports from India Scheme in the World Trade Organisation (WTO), asserting that these initiatives harm its companies by creating an uneven playing field.
They have sought consultations with India under the aegis of the global trade body's dispute settlement mechanism.
"The US has asked for a consultation process, we will engage fully in the process and we would make sure that we make our position known to the US.
We expect that they would also engage with a positive spirit with an effort to resolve a dispute with a friendly country," Commerce Secretary Rita Teaotia told reporters here.
Seeking consultation under the aegis of the WTO is the first step of dispute settlement process.
If the two nations are not able to reach a mutually agreed solution through consultation, the US may request for a WTO dispute settlement panel to review the matter.
Observing that the US has dragged India under a provision of WTO's Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures, Teaotia said that Article 27 of the same pact also provides for special and differential treatment to developing countries.
At the time the agreement came into force, developing countries with over USD 1,000 per capita gross national income (GNI) were provided a period of eight years to bring down their export subsidies.
India has stated that the WTO informed the country only in 2017 that it has crossed this threshold and hence should get the eight-year period from 2017 to cut its exports subsidies.
India has also submitted a paper in WTO in 2011 seeking clarification with regard to the year of applicability of the provision and also the extension period.
Under the pact, developing countries can seek further extension of the eight years grace period by providing cogent arguments.
"We will engage in the consultations with the US and place our position. We hope that they would be able to understand that," she said.
When asked if India will review policies with regards to export incentives and SEZs, she said that once India get the eight-year period, during that time it would look at a review of existing schemes to ensure that they comply with the WTO norms.
Further she said that several countries have crossed the USD 1,000 threshold and they have not immediately changed their export subsidy regime.
The US in its statement said that thousands of Indian companies are receiving benefits totalling over USD 7 billion annually under various export promotion programmes.
On this figure, the secretary said India would try to understand in the consultations how the US has arrived at the figure of USD 7 billion.
When asked if there is a trade war between India and the US, she said it would be "pretty irresponsible statement" as both the countries have lot of export interests in each others' markets.
"Either way, we are interested in selling to each other and we would continue to do so and wherever there are differences we will resolve them," she added.
On the question whether the government are reviewing the export schemes, she said, "we will certainly look at some of the schemes which could be reviewed and that is an ongoing process".
Most of the countries provide production subsidies to their exports but that require far larger budgetary commitments.
Production subsidies could be the way forward for India, she added.
Export subsidy programmes: the Merchandise Exports from India Scheme; Export Oriented Units Scheme and sector specific schemes, including Electronics Hardware Technology Parks Scheme; SEZ; Export Promotion Capital Goods Scheme; and duty free imports have been challenged by US Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer at WTO.
The USTR said these "apparent" export subsidies provide financial benefits to Indian exporters that allow them to sell their goods more cheaply to the detriment of American workers and manufacturers.
These export subsidy programmes harm American workers by creating an uneven playing field on which they must compete, Lighthizer said.
Through these programmes, it said India provides exemptions from certain duties, taxes, and fees; reduces import duty liability; and benefits numerous Indian exporters, including producers of steel products, pharmaceutical, chemicals, IT products, textiles, and apparel.
Export subsidies provide an unfair competitive advantage to recipients, and WTO rules expressly prohibit them, it added.
India has already lost two cases in WTO against the US -- poultry and solar sector.
In 2016, India also dragged the US to WTO against the policies of eight American states for the renewable energy sector, alleging that the domestic content requirement norms are inconsistent with global trade rules.
Besides, the country has filed a complaint against US decision to impose high fees on temporary working visas.
India's exports to the US stood at USD 42.21 billion in 2016-17, while imports aggregated at USD 22.30 billion during the same fiscal.


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It seems we can’t go one week without yet another rumour about the Assassin’s Creed Mirage release date, but here we go again.
This time, a bunch of Japanese retailers have the game listed as October 12, 2023, but there’s as little more credence to this that the other rumours. Why? Because Japanese retailers don’t tend to use placeholders and only list a game’s release date if it’s the real deal. Still, make of it what you will for now.
As mentioned, there’s been a lot of rumours regarding the game’s release date. One of the most prominent leaks came from Tom Henderson, who has been claiming for a while now that Assassin’s Creed Mirage is due out in August 2023. This was again reiterated only earlier this month by way of a GameStop listing.
However, earlier this month it was reported the game has been delayed and will launch by the end of March next year, with October being touted as a possible window.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage is in development for PS5, PS4, PC, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One, and is believed to be the final entry in the series that will be developed for last-generation platforms.


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Microsoft has assuaged consumers, investors, and gamers with claims that it will still be the gaming underdog after the $68.7 billion Activision-Blizzard merger, but Xbox is actually beating one of its major competitors right now.
In a new blog post discussing the merits of the Activision-Blizzard merger, Microsoft assures readers that it will remain number 3 in the pecking order behind Sony and Nintendo. "Greater competition in traditional gaming, where Sony and Nintendo will remain the biggest," Microsoft said.
This is an interesting claim and it's certainly not all-encompassing (for example, PlayStation makes most of its money from microtransactions, and that's not the more traditional hardware-software market). In fact, Xbox is actually beating Nintendo right now in revenues. Weaker yen has carved out sizable chunks of converted earnings from all Japanese games companies and Nintendo is no different.
According to public data made available from Microsoft and Nintendo, Xbox revenues have outpaced Nintendo during the June 30, 2021 - 2022 period. And that's without the boost from the Activision buyout. Xbox will surely stay ahead of Nintendo once Activision-Blizzard's multi-billion revenues are included (Activision made $8.8 billion revenue in 2021, which is more than half of Xbox's total-year earnings).
Why such a weird date range? Microsoft's fiscal years run from July to June, so we extracted Nintendo's revenues in yen for the according period and converted them using the "as of" foreign exchange rates provided in Nintendo's earnings documents. This does include the critical holiday period for both platform-holders.
The results show that Microsoft has made a record-breaking $16.22 billion in revenues from Xbox gaming from June 2021 to June 2022.
Nintendo, on the other hand, made $14.08 billion in net sales revenues during that same period. That's a difference of over $2 billion and is a result of the weakening yen.
On a yen basis, Nintendo's earnings for the period were 1.68 trillion yen, which when converted in today's rates delivers an even lower USD rate of $11.68 billion.
This small bit of info provides more perspective on Microsoft's assertions. It's not that Microsoft is completely wrong about what it's saying. There's truth to the claims.
However, this key data point provides critical context and is a reminder of how Microsoft has used vague sentiments in its consumer-facing comments on this merger.
The biggest example of this was the confusion on Call of Duty exclusivity. Microsoft's original communication said that Call of Duty would remain on PlayStation for the term of any existing agreements, and would be "made available" on PlayStation "beyond the existing agreement and into the future."
But Sony's Jim Ryan publicly confirmed the $30 billion franchise would eventually be removed from PlayStation.
Microsoft is in third place in hardware sales--this much is true. Nintendo does beat Xbox in hardware, but that's hard to pinpoint because Microsoft keeps that kind of data under wraps.
It is also a given that Nintendo and Sony are beating Microsoft handily in software sales too. Xbox makes most of its revenues from content and services, which includes game sales, microtransactions, and Game Pass subscriptions. Without more contextual data we can't delineate between these and determine how much Microsoft makes from game sales, for example.
Microsoft makes most of Xbox revenues from content and services, which lumps game sales (digital and physical) with microtransactions and subscriptions like Xbox Game Pass.
However, Microsoft did inadvertently reveal that the PlayStation 4 has sold "over twice as many" Xbox One consoles, so we know the Xbox One has sold less than 58.6 million units.
The numbers are pretty clear. The PS4's lifetime sales are at 117.2 million. The Nintendo Switch is currently at 111.08 million units and is expected to outsell the PlayStation 4 by year's end.
Microsoft's post seems to downplay the sheer enormity of the Activision-Blizzard deal. Apart from the incredible share buyout price, Activision is among the most powerful video games companies on the planet and #3 behind Tencent and NetEase in revenues from firms that do not have console platforms.
Activision-Blizzard has eight franchises that have made over $1 billion. Call of Duty has made over $30 billion in lifetime revenues, and King has generated over $12.4 billion since being acquired in 2016.
There will be five monetized Call of Duty titles on the market soon, including Modern Warfare 2, Warzone 2.0, Warzone mobile, Warzone 1.0, and Call of Duty Mobile. Nearly all of Activision-Blizzard's games are live titles that will fit perfectly with Xbox Game Pass (the fit is so perfect that no other company besides maybe EA would synergize better).
These are just a few things that aren't mentioned by Microsoft but are publicly available online.


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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEATTLE (June 21, 2019) — Gen Con, the largest and longest-running tabletop gaming convention in North America, expands its Gen Con TV streaming video program with new shows. Gen Con TV, a year-round streaming video program launched in January 2019, features tabletop gaming news, live gaming, interviews, and more. Shows are streamed live on Twitch, where fans can watch and chat in real time, often interacting with the shows’ hosts; episodes are then posted for on-demand viewing on YouTube.
“Livestreaming has become a huge driver of the growth of tabletop gaming culture, connecting fans across the world and attracting new audiences by making the hobby more accessible to newcomers,” said Kristen Jensen, Gen Con’s Marketing Manager. “We’re excited to connect with Gen Con fans year-round, both in Indianapolis and around the world, through our Gen Con TV streaming video channels, and can’t wait to share our plans for future content as the program grows.”
After launching in January 2019 with weekly tabletop gaming news show TableTakes and live gaming program Game Night, Gen Con TV has expanded its schedule with new programming including Fireside with Peter Adkison, an interview show focused on the history of tabletop gaming.
TableTakes, Presented by Gen Con, is a tabletop gaming news and culture talk show, streamed live each Friday from Gen Con’s studio in Seattle. The show is hosted by game designer Emma Larkins (Heartcatchers, ...and then we died), actor and director Christian Doyle (Zombie Orpheus Entertainment), Gen Con Senior Event & Program Manager Derek Guder, and geek-culture streaming personality Banzai.
Game Night with The Brothers Murph is a weekly live-gaming show with brothers Mike and Nick Murphy, who play a variety of board and card games live on air while interacting with their audience in Twitch chat.
Fireside with Peter Adkison is a live interview show focused on gaming history, investigating games and movements influential to tabletop gaming’s development. This season, Adkison, the founder of Wizards of the Coast and current Gen Con owner, traces the inception and early years of Magic: The Gathering, featuring interviews with key contributors to the creation, growth, and success of the popular trading-card game.
Gen Con launched convention-long streaming of events on Twitch at the Gen Con 2018 convention in Indianapolis, netting more than 300,000 unique viewers of its programming with more than three million minutes of watched footage during the four-day event. Convention streaming will return at this year’s convention, across three Twitch channels featuring Main Stage events, live gaming with popular tabletop streamers, and game previews and interviews from publishers and designers.
Gen Con returns to Indianapolis August 1-4, 2019.
About Gen Con
Gen Con is the largest and longest-running annual event devoted to tabletop gaming culture in North America. The convention, which began in 1968 in Lake Geneva, WI, attracts 70,000 attendees and 520 exhibiting companies each year. During the convention, attendees choose from 17,000 ticketed events representing a wide array of board games, card games, roleplaying games, seminars, entertainment events, and more. Gen Con takes place each August in the Indiana Convention Center, Lucas Oil Stadium, and surrounding downtown hotel spaces in Indianapolis, IN.
Media Contact for Gen Con
Stacia Kirby, (206) 363-1492, [email protected]
Gen Con TV Livestreaming Schedule
Game Night with The Brothers Murph — Mondays at 5 pm (PT), 8 pm (ET)
Join Mike and Nick for a fun night of chatting, hanging out, and playing games!
Gen Con News — Tuesdays at 4 pm (PT), 7 pm (ET)
All the latest Gen Con news and information, hosted by Gen Con Staff.
Fireside with Peter Adkison — Wednesdays at noon (PT), 3 pm (ET)
Episodes of Fireside will explore the origin and development of industry-defining games and movements, featuring behind-the-scenes stories and insights from the people who made it happen.
TableTakes, Presented by Gen Con — Fridays at 11 am (PT), 2 pm (ET)
Catch up on the latest tabletop news and talk, hosted by Banzai, Christian Doyle, Derek Guder, and Emma Larkins.
New Release Rundown — Fridays at 12:30 pm (PT), 3:30 pm (ET)
In partnership with local game stores, we review what released this week and why you should play it!
Gen Con Indianapolis 2019 Convention Streaming Channels


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Shoppers still try clothes for Marilyns
Last updated at 09:26 24 April 2006
Do you struggle to find outfits that fit? Tell us in our reader comments below
Even those who pound the High Street for hours can still be left empty-handed at the end of a hard day's shopping.
And it's not their fault, say researchers. Instead designers and manufacturers are to blame because they are making clothes to fit an hourglass figure which was popular in the 1950s but is no longer the shape of modern women.
They are more likely to be spoon or pear-shaped - where hips are at least 2in larger than the bust - like Hollywood star Jennifer Lopez.
But the clothing industry still takes the classic Marilyn Monroe hourglass figure as its blueprint even though only six per cent of today's women fall into the category.
According to Alva Products, which makes mannequins for designers, nearly two thirds of British women aged between 18 and 30 are pear or spoon-shaped.
And 31 per cent are rectangular - meaning there is little definition between bust, waist and hips.
Experts studied the body shapes of 1,950 women shopping on Regent Street in central London.
They were X-rayed by the Intellifit System - thought to be the first body scanner capable of collecting
accurate measurements when the subject is fully clothed. Janice Wang, chief executive of Alpha Products, said: "Most UK companies are still using the traditional hourglass size 12 form, which means that a high percentage of British women will continue to struggle to find clothes which fit them properly.
"Steps are being made by many of our clients to make the paradigm shift away from the hourglass figure which today is personified by Kate Winslet."
She added that the new data would help change the grading and sizing rules but that any change would not be felt on the High Street for at least 18 months.
The research also showed that British women carry more weight around their hips and thighs than their American cousins, who tend to be more rectangular.
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