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Ford Motor Co said on Wednesday that it expected to finalize the sale of Volvo to China's Geely in the first half of 2010 in a deal that underlines China's arrival as a major force in the global auto industry.
The deal, which Ford said it expected to sign in the first quarter and close in the second quarter of 2010, would be the largest acquisition of a Western auto brand by a Chinese company.
It comes at the end of a year that saw China overtake the United States as the world's biggest auto market, a feat that would have been unthinkable only a few years ago.
And it comes as traditional Ford rival General Motors Co moves to abandon its Swedish Saab brand after selling some of its assets, including intellectual property, to another Chinese automaker, Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Corp, or BAIC.
Geely is China's largest private automaker. Its charismatic founder, Li Shu Fu, is known as the Chinese Henry Ford. He has shown global ambitions and has pushed for Geely to become a global brand.
As U.S. automakers have faced deepening distress over the past two years, Chinese automakers have had preliminary talks about buying a range of assets, but those deals have been small in scope and difficult to close until now.
Chinese automakers have been short on the know-how to make quality cars, although they have been making rapid advances, and have sought the technology and intellectual property to improve their product line-ups.
SIGNAL TO CHINESE GOVERNMENT
The rare update on negotiations from Ford and Geely that they have agreed on all the major issues and are closing in on a deal is seen as a signal to China's government, which must approve the sale. Such approval is needed for Geely to be able to borrow $1 billion or more from Chinese banks.
While some work still remains to be completed before signing ... Ford and Geely anticipate that a definitive sale agreement will be signed in the first quarter of 2010, Ford said in a statement on Wednesday.
The No. 2 automaker in the United States, Dearborn, Michigan-based Ford Motor also said it had agreed on all substantial commercial terms in a deal to sell Volvo to China's Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, parent of Geely Auto <0175.HK>.
The value of the deal has been estimated at $1.8 billion deal, far short of the $6.45 billion that Ford paid for Volvo in 1999.
Geely has indicated that it wants to maintain Volvo's production in Sweden, where the labor leader on Volvo's board said he likes what he hears of the sale.
It was very much expected, we had met Geely twice and they were both positive meetings, said Mikael Sallstrom, chairman of the Volvo cars union IF Metall. They said Volvo would remain an independent company ... if they live up to what they have promised, it (the sale) will be a positive thing.
BAIC, China's fifth-largest automaker, said separately it would launch an aggressive campaign to develop its brand both at home and overseas, after buying the rights to old Saab models from GM for $200 million.
Saab Automobile itself faces closure unless a last-gasp offer by Dutch-listed luxury car maker Spyker Cars is accepted by Detroit-based GM, which said last week it would begin winding down the brand after failing to find a suitable buyer.
BAIC said it would invest 33 billion yuan ($4.8 billion) in vehicle R&D over three years.
Someone has commented that the purchase of Saab's intellectual property can help cut short the development time for Beijing Auto's own-brand passenger vehicles by 4-5 years, BAIC Chairman Xu Heyi told reporters on Wednesday.
We basically agree with the view.
The Chinese car maker plans to immediately start integrating Saab technology into its vehicles, with an aim to sell 100,000 self-developed passenger vehicles in 2011, Xu said.
The sales target is a bit aggressive, said Tan Kunyuan, an analyst at Changjiang Securities.
It will take at least a year for the market to recognize the brand, and BAIC probably would need to modify the appearance of Saab cars to fit with Chinese market demand.
The Beijing-based automaker is in production partnership with Daimler and Hyundai Motor <005380.KS>, with most of their joint output for sale in the domestic market. Xu said BAIC sold 1.24 million vehicles in 2009.
BAIC's Saab acquisition includes the intellectual property for Saab's 9-5 and 9-3 sedans and some equipment to make them, leaving the fate of the Swedish-based automaker up in the air.
Spyker Cars is still in talks to buy Saab from GM despite BAIC's development plans, a Spyker spokesman said separately, adding it was positive that Sweden's metal workers' union backed Spyker's bid for Saab.
(Additional Reporting by Alison Leung in Hong Kong, Helen Beresford-Massy in Paris, Jason Subler in Beijing, Gilbert Kreijger in Amsterdam and Simon Johnson in Stockholm; writing by Niklas Pollard; Editing by Jon Loades-Carter, Martin Howell)
(Editing by Jon Loades-Carter)


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Lithium-ion batteries are emerging as crucial components for energy storage!
Lithium-ion batteries are not a new age concept, they have been used for a long time now, as a source of power in the portable electronics. Sony Corporation was the first company to commercialize the lithium-ion batteries in the year 1991, which influenced other consumer electronic manufactures to follow the trend. Over the past few years, penetration of Lithium-ion battery in the electric vehicle market and has taken it by storm. The success of lithium-ion batteries in every field is mainly due to the higher gravimetric and volumetric energy offered by the lithium-ion batteries as compared to the other rechargeable batteries. Owing to such potential benefits, demand for lithium-ion batteries has grown from a production base of 19GWh in 2010 to a production of 160GWH in 2019. As of December 2019, the number of lithium-ion battery mega-factories in pipeline has reached 115. The world’s leading EV and battery manufacturer added a huge 564GWH of pipeline capacity in 2019 to a global total of 2068.3GWH or equivalent of 40 million EVs by 2028. Lithium-ion batteries are mainly used in the electric vehicles, 2019 recorded over 2.21 million energy vehicles sales, compared to 1.25 million units in 2018. This clearly shows that the demand for lithium-ion batteries will be more in coming years, as more and more people are moving towards sustainable development. The global lithium battery market is projected to grow from US$ 30 billion in 2017 to over US$ 100 billion by 2025. Earlier it was not the lithium ions but the lithium metal itself with which the scientist tried making the rechargeable batteries. But the result was not fruitful as lithium is inherent instability of the lithium metal. It was then that the focus of the research shifted to a non-metallic lithium battery using lithium ions.
Countries with Lithium reserves
With every passing day the demand for lithium is growing as people are becoming more and more aware about the harmful effects of the nonrenewable energy. It will not be wrong to state that the countries which are having more energy reserves, would be the maximum contributor to the world economy in future. Chile has the largest lithium reserves worldwide by a large margin. Chile had an estimated 9.2 million metric tons of lithium reserves in 2020. Australia bagged second position with reserves estimated at 4.7 million metric tons. Australia was the top country in terms of lithium mine production in 2020, producing 40,000 metric tons of lithium in the same year.
Why is the demand high for Lithium-ion?
- The success of lithium-ion batteries in every field is mainly due to the higher gravimetric and volumetric energy offered by the lithium-ion batteries as compared to the other rechargeable batteries
- Lithium-ion is a low maintenance battery which means no scheduled cycling is required also the self-discharge is less than half as compared to the nickel-cadmium batteries which ultimately helps to prolong the batteries life
- The lithium-ion batteries provide up to 10 times longer life than lead acid batteries. They also provide 80% of rated capacity after 2,000 cycles
- If compared with lead-acid batteries the lithium-ion batteries last up to five years more. The main reason behind this is lithium batteries require no active maintenance
- The most important factor that makes lithium-ion batteries so valuable is that the lithium can charge and discharge at a high rate which helps in providing maximum versatility for all types of application
Countries promoting Lithium-ion batteries.
In the race of production of batteries China dominates the market with 93 giga factories, manufacturing lithium-ion battery cells as compared to only 4 in the United States. According to benchmark mineral intelligence, China is projected to have 140 giga factories by 2020, Europe is expected to have 17 giga factories and U.S. just 10. If the projected trends become reality, it clearly shows that U.S. will be dependent on other countries mainly China to meet its demand for lithium-ion batteries. This is specially not good when the Biden administration promises to boost the clean energy economy.
As the world is moving towards sustainable development, more and more companies as well as the government are finding different ways in which the traditional fossil fuel and lithium-ion batteries can be used as a good option. It clearly shows that the lithium-ion batteries will see an exponential growth in the coming years.
Author: Tinku Rai
For more detail Contact:
UnivDatos Market Insights
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Uttar Pradesh 201301
For Sales related query, please reach us at email@example.com

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A new study by ING Direct found 12 percent of Aussies went into debt last Christmas but a change is in the air this Christmas.
Ing Direct spokesman John Arnott said real-time date from this year showed attitudes were becoming more prudent.
"When it comes to Christmas, people in the past have been pretty comfortable with getting their credit card out, really loading up the Christmas purchases on credit.
"Then January comes and the bill comes through and they do whatever they can to pay it off -- like taking money out of their savings account. It can take about three months to get back in balance.
"This year we are seeing people pull back and be a bit more prudent."
The study also compared Australia's Christmas spend to countries around the world and find that while we had the second-highest average monthly earnings, we spent the second-lowest percentage of those earnings on holiday cheer.
In supermarkets, meanwhile, the Australian Retailers Association predicted Australian consumers would spend almost $19 billion on grocery items this Christmas, up 2.5 percent on last year.
“We recommend all consumers hit the stores early next week to avoid the queues that inevitably form in stores at this time of year and ask that shoppers remain patient as retail staff manage the increased number of customers,” Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said.


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Some new Destiny 2 leaks have recently dropped and they have some pretty astonishing claims for the future of this FPSMMORPG, one of which is a crossover with Halo for Bungie's 30th Anniversary.
Destiny 2 developer Bungie has already revealed that a lot of interesting content is coming to the game over the next two Seasons. However, a recent series of leaks claims that this is just scratching the surface of the cool content that Bungie has in store for its loyal fans.
Destiny 2 Leaks Reveal Rumored Halo Crossover for Bungie's 30th Anniversary
There is a ton of interesting info in the Destiny 2 leaks, but let's open with the biggest one of all: this rumored behind-the-scenes info claims that a Halo crossover is coming to the game to celebrate the Bungie 30th Anniversary.
These leaks are detailed on /r/GamingLeaksAndRumours and Pastebin. The most interesting entries claim that Bungie is going to be adding content themed around Halo and its classic shooter Marathon later this year to celebrate its 30th anniversary during a special event that is referred to as "Season 15.5." Aside from some cosmetics, the leaks claim that the Halo: CE Magnum is arriving as an exotic weapon and two secret Halo-themed missions are on the way.
I'll concede that it sounds a little nuts — Bungie and Microsoft don't exactly have the same kind of relationship as they did when the first Halo game launched. That said, the release of Halo Infinite is expected to arrive later this year and a crossover with the game's original devs could serve as some interesting promotion, so it's not entirely unbelievable.
Capital Ships and Big Bad Are Also Rumored to Be Revealed
Rumored Halo content aside, the Destiny 2 leaks also have some details about the game itself. These include a claim that players will gain access to capital ships and that the true face of Darkness is set to be revealed.
Let's start with capital ships — the leak shows a purported internal document that shows that Player Capital Ships — tagged as a "communities" feature — are slated to come in the Collapse/Unity update in 2023, the sixth year of Destiny 2's release. Unfortunately, there are no other details on this front.
The Darkness is apparently going to be revealed as the ultimate enemy of the game and it will cause a second collapse. Naturally, the Guardians will fight back and conquer this new challenge. As with the Destiny 2 Capital Ships, this isn't expected to arrive until 2023.
Of course, these leaks also reveal a bunch of new gameplay content including new missions, new crafting items, and more. There's one more rather interesting point: several new subclasses are expected to be introduced sometime within the next two years.
This batch of Destiny 2 leaks make some pretty incredible claims. You should, of course, maintain a level of skepticism with rumors that don't have too much believable evidence backing them up. However, the Pastebin post is from July 2021 and it correctly predicted the return of Mara and several other items from Season 15. Despite that, nothing is guaranteed until Bungie makes an official announcement — plans can change, and mixing in real info with fake info is a surefire way to make made-up features more believable.
If these Destiny 2 leaks and rumors are true, the next few years of content look particularly impressive. There's still plenty of fun to be had right now — you can play Destiny 2 for free on PC, consoles, and Stadia via its official website.
What do you think of these Destiny 2 leaks? What do you hope to see added to the game next? Let us know in the comments below!


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The product range aims to address the requirement of functional home workouts for consumers who are increasingly adopting a fit lifestyle regime, it added.
HRX also plans to expand the category and start retailing sports equipment, and treadmills by the end of this year, it said.
He added that with the e-commerce launch on Flipkart and Myntra, the company is tapping into a new category to aid a larger audience with a better home workout experience.
"There is a growing awareness around the importance of leading a healthy and fit lifestyle among consumers from all age groups. At Flipkart, we have seen the demand across this vertical accelerate since last year," Flipkart Senior Director - Private Labels Priya Fotedar said.


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Sam Smith has been revealed as the new face of Balenciaga.
The brand shared an image of the new campaign, as well as a video in which Smith walks towards the camera, his signature quiff silhouetted against the shadows. It reminds us of the opening scene of Ridley Scott's Alien.
This marks the first time that Smith has fronted a fashion campaign. He posted a shot of the advert and two films on Instagram, using the hashtag #BALXSAMSMITH.
"Ladies and gentlemen. The time has come for my first ever collaboration with a fashion house. You ready?" wrote the singer alongside the image. "So honoured and ecstatic to announce my collaboration with @BALENCIAGA on the upcoming autumn/winter menswear collection! You'll be able to see my full campaign very soon. So happy."


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The never-ending problems of Facebook just go bigger and are not going to end anytime sooner.
Facebook has already got fined $5 billion as a result of an FTC investigation over privacy violations, but this seems to be just the first of a log string of problems for Facebook because is continuously ignoring users’ privacy.
At the beginning of this week, Facebook has just been hit with three new separate investigations from various governmental authorities: United States, Canada, and Irland.
The United States will investigate Facebook’s email collection scandal.
The New York Attorney General is opening an investigation into Facebook’s unauthorized collection of the email contacts of more than 1.5 million users during site registration without their permission.
This big scandal began last week when it turned out that the social network giant “unintentionally” uploaded email contacts from up to 1.5 million new users on its servers, without their consent or knowledge. Apparently, Facebook used this unorthodox practice to exposed hundreds of millions of Facebook users to targeted advertisements in order to make more money.
This new scandal is not a surprise for anyone; over its entire life existence, Facebook has repeatedly demonstrated a lack of respect for consumer information.
Ireland will investigate Facebook’s plaintext passwords scandal.
Because of the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) the Irish Data Protection Commission will investigate Facebook’s plaintext passwords scandal, that was exposed last month; when it was revealed that hundreds of millions of passwords of Facebook, Facebook Lite and Instagram were stored in plain text on company servers.
As usual, Facebook tried to hide this too, by reporting that the incident is not a big deal and only some “tens of thousands” passwords of Instagram users were stored in plaintext. But soon after the lie was revealed when cybersecurity experts demonstrated that the actual number of affected Instagram users were not in hundreds of thousands but millions.
It seems that all the exposed passwords were dated back as far as 2012 and were accessible to up to 2,000 Facebook employees.
Remember everything can be hacked. In order to stay away from any threats related to the cyber world, we recommend the install of antivirus for Windows or antivirus for Mac on every device that you own, depending on which OS your device is running. If you are a company, it is also recommended to hire every year a specialized cybersecurity company that will run annual tests on your company’s network. These tests include penetration testing and ethical hacking tests;
Canada will sue Facebook over Cambridge analytica scandal
Canadia will sue Facebook for violating the country’s privacy laws as a result of a Canadian investigation into the March 2018’s Cambridge Analytica. Canadian authorities are saying that Facebook’s poor security practices allowed personal information of hundreds of thousands of Canadians to be used for political purposes.
For those who don’t know, last year, it was revealed that a UK political consultancy Cambridge Analytica harvested data from about 87 million users and then used it for political gain without their knowledge or permission.
Regarding this scandal that Facebook wants to burry as fast as possible, the problems will also not stop here. Canadians are not the only ones that are into this problem, the United States FTC is also starting an investigation over the Cambridge Analytica scandal.
We would continue to monitor this cybersecurity and privacy problem. Meanwhile, users should keep a keen eye out for any cyber attacks. Remember to use an antivirus for Windows or antivirus for Mac in every device that you own, depending on which OS your machine is running, If you are a company we recommend to hire every year a specialized cybersecurity company that will run annual tests on your company’s network, tests like this include: penetration testing and ethical hacking.


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Nintendo has claimed consumers won’t mind being unable able to watch HD movies on the Wii’s upcoming movie service. Reggie Fils-Aime, President of Nintendo America, told CNBC this week that since “the vast majority of content that’s available for streaming through Netflix is not HD content... there really is no loss for the Wii …
Nintendo could make the Wii considerably more attractive by allowing it to play DVDs.
Don't think so
Doing so would only make it more expensive thanks to the tax man. I doubt there's a house hold with a Wii and no DVD player so I don't think it's that essential.
Perhaps stating the obvious here, but does this come as any surprise given the Wii's inherent lack of HD capability?
They probably actually could make it read DVD's but dont bother through a firmware update...
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Trailblazing Women Printmakers Book Signing and Folly Cove Auction at Second Glance
Folly Cove enthusiasts and collectors are invited to a special event at Second Glance this November, featuring author Elena M. Sarni. Sarni will share a presentation from her newest book “Trailblazing Women Printmakers: Virginia Lee Burton Demetrios and The Folly Cove Designers,” followed by a Q & A and book signing.
Tickets are available for $10 each at bit.ly/follycoveticket.
Second Glance is also holding an online auction for three Folly Cove pieces donated to the store. The auction launched on Thursday, Oct. 26 at bit.ly/follycoveatsg and will remain live through the event. The auction will close one week after the event, on Thursday, Nov. 16.
Additional framed Folly Cove designs, on loan from a collector and not for sale, will also be on display for the event. Second Glance Thrift Store will remain open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 9 only in conjunction with the event.
Light refreshments will also be available.


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The Peoples Bank of Zanzibar (PBZ Bank) has entered into a partnership with Airtel Tanzania to provide an innovative service on money transactions aimed at bringing financial services closer to customers across the country at any time. In an implementation, the terms of the partnership with Airtel will enable customers of the Bank to make money transactions in an easy way without being at the bank physically.
The Managing Director of the Peoples Bank of Zanzibar (PBZ Bank), Dr. Muhsin Salim Masoud, commenting on the Partnership, noted that the bank’s approach is to create an avenue for customers to operate their transactions easily and be served in a more affordable and better way.
PBZ Bank and Airtel Money agents are expected to meet the needs of customers as frontline workers to ensure they are able to perform their money transactions in easy and safe steps. The inclusivity of the service also allows Airtel Money agents who are customers of the PBZ Bank to transfer money from the Airtel Money account to PBZ Bank and vice versa.
Airtel Money Director, Isaack Nchunda, referring to the Partnership noted that it will make the customers of the network provider in Zanzibar and other parts of the country get banking services easily.
‘I can upon our Airtel Money customers and agents to make use of this opportunity as it is safe, affordable, and convenient.
‘We understand that our Airtel Money agents are business people just like any other who need cash flow every time. By launching partnerships, will ensure them they have money at all times and this will lead to world-class service to our loyal customers, Nchunda said adding that we believe that our partnership will boost the government agenda of financial inclusion in the country he said.


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MANILA - Industrialization could help mitigate the country's ballooning trade deficit or the balance between exports and imports, through improving sectors such as manufacturing and creating jobs, Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual said Monday.
Currently, the country’s economy is relying heavily on the remittance of overseas Filipino workers and revenues from the Business Processing Outsourcing sector, the DTI said.
“That’s why I’d like to shift the focus of the department towards real effort in industrializing the country. That’s the only way we can sustain an economy that is sustainable and inclusive economy," Pascual said during a briefing with the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.
"In the sense that it’s only from industry, particularly manufacturing, that our people can get stable jobs, better quality jobs and higher paying jobs...Unless we give that, we are forever be beholden to these inflows from OFWs, we’ll be burdening them, we’ll be sending more people abroad to earn the dollars so we can do the importation here. That’s not sustainable,” Pascual added.
The DTI is now in the process of encouraging enterprises to produce consumer goods like processed foods that use raw materials sourced from the Philippines, but consumers today buy as imported products to fill in the demand, the Secretary said.
Industrialization, which has been proven effective in Indonesia, could also help reduce the country's trade deficit which has ballooned over the years, DTI Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo said.
The country registered a $40 billion trade deficit between 2018 to 2019 or before the pandemic, Rodolfo said, adding that this year's trade deficit could reach $46 billion.
Asked by Senator Sonny Angara if the Philippines has the biggest trade deficit in Southeast Asia, Rodolfo answered: "yes, Sir.”
“Yun hong ating (our) trade deficit has really ballooned… $40 billion na ho yung deterioration,” he said.
He said the main causes of deterioration is the import of rice and petroleum, among others, which are considered essential.
“We are growing but to fulfill the demand from this growth, we have to import massively....So ang laki nun sa deficit natin (That's why our deficit is huge). Kaya ang sinasabi natin we have to industrialize to be able to arrest this (We're saying we need to industrialize to arrest this),” he added
Angara said government leaders must also identify what sectors can really provide “high-paying jobs,” which Pascual said, would actually come from the manufacturing sector.
“We produce agricultural products that undergo processing,” Pascual said.
Cacao, coffee, bamboo, and abaca fiber are just among the agricultural products that local industries can actually produce to fill in the demands, he said.
Pascual said, he is now actively approaching various domestic and international business groups to encourage investments.
Officials have earlier said that trade deficit is likely to widen in the coming months due to the continued infrastructure spending and construction import.
Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan earlier said the investments put in place would result in improved competitiveness.
"We would expect that deficits, trade deficits to increase but again the expectation is the investments we’re putting in place…. Will improve the competitiveness of our industries, particularly exports and gain dividends from that," he said.


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Pro-family group livid retailer was promoting 'Happy Whateveryouwannakah' Day
The conservative American Family Association has decided to extend a holiday gesture to a company that it had just recently decided to boycott.
From a press release sent to RAW STORY:
The American Family Association is suspending its Christmas season-boycott of Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic pending the debut of a new Christmas-themed commercial this Saturday, Nov. 28.
Gap's Vice-President of Corporate Communications, Bill Chandler, informed the AFA via email that Old Navy's new commercial "has a very strong Christmas theme."
"As a gesture of our 'good will to men,' we have decided to suspend our boycott of Gap and its divisions until we see the content of this new commercial," said Bryan Fischer, the AFA's director of issues analysis. "We firmly believe that Gap is responding to an enormous amount of pressure from the AFA network. It looks like Gap has finally decided that a recession is a bad time to take a principled stand on secularism and alienate a huge percentage of their customer base. We're happy that they're apparently keeping Christ and Christmas in the Christmas season."
Added Buddy Smith, the executive assistant to Tim Wildmon, the president of AFA, "Gap cheapened the meaning of this holy day in their most recent commercial by putting it on the same level as Kwanzaa and the winter solstice. But, because of the importance of Christ's influence on the world in general and America in particular, celebrating His birth should be in a class all by itself. We are pleased that Gap is apparently beginning to agree."
However, the statement adds, "AFA officials made it clear that the boycott may be resumed if the new ad is not respectful to Christians and Christmas shoppers."
AFA's beef with the GAP is that their new ad campaign "mentions Christmas but encourages people to have a 'Happy Whateveryouwannakah,'" Denver's 7 News reported earlier this month.
"AFA believes this ad to be completely dismissive and disrespectful to those who celebrate the meaning and spirit of Christmas," said Randy Sharp of the American Family Association.
When 7NEWS asked people what they thought about "Whateveryouwannakah," the reactions were mixed.
"Everything is PC about everything," said Vicky Greer.
"I think it's funny," said Suzanne Wilson.
The Week noted that the AFA had complained that the GAP was "taking a 'cavalier approach' to the Christian holiday by equating it with 'pagan' holidays.
Since the day after Thanksgiving, referred to by retailers as Black Friday, is the busiest shopping day of the year, GAP stores have to be pleased with the AFA's decision.
If the GAP commercial, say, includes an all-out fist fight between Santa and Jesus (YouTube link to South Park clip), however, then the boycott will probably be back in full effect before anyone's leftover Thanksgiving turkey is finished.
This is a video of the GAP's Christmas ad:


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(Reuters) - Staples Inc , the biggest U.S. office supplies retailer, forecast its 15th straight quarter of declining sales as it closes stores in the face of intensifying competition. The company and former merger partner Office Depot Inc are struggling to compete with Wal-Mart Stores Inc and Amazon.com Inc at a time when people are using less stationery. Staples' shares were down 7.3 percent at $8.65 in morning trading on Wednesday. The company's sales fell more than expected in the second quarter and the company said it expected sales to also decline in the current quarter. It did not provide a specific forecast. Analysts on average were expecting sales to drop 3.1 percent in the current quarter, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. "The blunt truth is that market dynamics are firmly against Staples in that there are far more generalists in the stationery market than there used to be and online plays a much more significant role," said Carter Harrison, a retail analyst at Conlumino. Framingham, Massachusetts-based Staples said total sales fell 3.7 percent to $4.75 billion in the second quarter. Analysts had expected sales of $4.77 billion. Sales at its established stores in North America fell 5 percent, steeper than the 3.1 percent drop analysts polled by research firm Consensus Metrix had expected. Besides trying to buy Office Depot - a deal that fell apart over antitrust concerns - Staples has been responding to tough conditions by closing stores and focusing on serving medium-sized businesses rather than Fortune 500 companies. The company is also focusing on offerings other than office supplies, such as electronics and furniture, and said in May it would step up deliveries to 80 percent of total North American sales within three years in an effort to compete with Amazon. Staples posted a net loss of $766 million, or $1.18 per share, in the latest quarter, due to a $986 million pre-tax charge related to its European operations and costs associated with the termination of the Office Depot deal. It earned $36 million, or 6 cents per share, a year earlier. Staples reiterated it would close 50 stores in North America this year. It closed 242 stores in 2014 and 2015 as a part of a restructuring plan. Staples had 1,907 stores as of Jan. 30. Office Depot earlier this month said it would close about 300 more stores in the next three years to help cut annual costs. (Reporting by Abhijith Ganapavaram and Gayathree Ganesan in Bengaluru; Editing by Ted Kerr and Savio D'Souza)
Greene's amendment failed by one of the most lopsided votes you'll ever see as Democrats and Republicans alike rejected it en masse.
"Who Says A Little Coochie Lip Ruins A Look?" — Women Who Bought The Skims Micro Bralette And Thong Are Sharing Their Thoughts
"I see a lot of people joking about how much this piece would cover, and I think we all need to accept that just because things don't fit us the way they fit Kendall Jenner, doesn't mean they look absurd or comical — they look just as hot. Who says a little coochie lip ruins a look? Or some visible areola? Not me!"
- Patriot Ledger
Two children are dead and a baby was flown to a hospital with traumatic injuries after they were discovered inside a Duxbury home Tuesday night.
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Paul Burrell says he's confused and hurt.
Priscilla Presley, the former wife of late singer Elvis Presley, has filed to take control of daughter Lisa Marie Presley’s estate, according to new court documents obtained by The Blast. The American singer-songwriter passed away suddenly on January 12 after suffering a cardiac arrest in her home in Calabasas, California. She was rushed to West […]
- In The Know by Yahoo
The happy accident is peak cuteness.
- Business Insider
A video of Tyre Nichols being killed by police is due to be released Friday. Even the police chief says what it shows is 'heinous' and 'inhumane.'
Tyre Nichols died after he was beaten by police at a traffic stop. Chief Cerelyn Davis said the footage shows a "disregard of basic human rights."
The Ohio Republican received a series of blunt reminders.
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The "hip-drop" tackle that left Pollard with a high ankle sprain and fractured fibula wasn't illegal, but the NFL may look at making it so. | From @ToddBrock24f7
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We couldn't help but wonder: Where will his 'bachelor pad' be now?
Gisele Bündchen Has Officially Returned to Her Supermodel Roots With These Dramatic & Ultra-Daring Purple Swimsuit Photos
Gisele Bündchen the supermodel is back in a big way. Just months after her divorce from Tom Brady, the 42-year-old fashion superstar is ready for her return to the industry that made her a household name. Bündchen is back from her Costa Rica trip, where she was spotted with her rumored beau Joaquim Valente, and […]
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We Tried To Tell Y'all About Triflin' Amy Robach. Now, She's Allegedly Playing Victim Regarding T.J. Holmes' Past [UPDATED]
Updated 1/27/23 at 1:48 p.m E.T:
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“Did I say that?” he asked with a laugh “Sometimes you black out out there I guess. I don’t know.”
- USA TODAY Sports
Bronny James' inclusion for the McDonald's All American game sparked some debate. So, does he really belong? Scouts weighed in.
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Prosecutor appointed by Trump Justice Department used claims from Russian intelligence to obtain emails from a George Soros aide: NYT
John Durham, appointed by Bill Barr, relied on claims from Russian intelligence analysts to obtain a US citizen's emails, The New York Times reported.
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New details released about 46 arrested in prostitution sting, including Lewisville ISD coach, youth pastor
Dozens of local men – including some community leaders – were arrested recently at hotels in Frisco and Southlake as part of a multi-agency prostitution sting.
- Eagles Wire
The picks are in and we're looking at who the NFL Experts are picking in the Philadelphia Eagles NFC Championship matchup against the San Francisco 49ers


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Samsung Electronics is considering Austin, Texas, as one of the sites for a $17 billion chip plant that could create some 1,800 jobs, according to documents filed with state officials.
The South Korean tech giant is seeking combined tax abatements of $805.5 million over 20 years, according to the documents.
Samsung Electronics said in its filings that if Austin is selected, the company would break ground on the site in the second quarter of this year and that the plant will become operational in the third quarter of 2023.
“This project is highly competitive, and the company is looking at alternative sites in the US including Arizona and New York, as well as abroad in Korea…,” Samsung said in the documents, adding that it is taking into account access to talent, chip ecosystem and speed to market in its evaluation of the sites.
Samsung’s filing said it plans to make “advanced logic devices,” meaning it would aim to make the smallest, fastest kinds of computing chips for customers. The company has an existing chip plant in Austin that makes computing chips.
In a statement to journalists at our partner news agency Reuters, Samsung Electronics confirmed it is considering expanding its chip facilities, but no decision has been made yet.
The documents say the project would involve building out 7 million square feet of new space on a 640-acre site that the company already owns.
US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, called on Samsung to put a factory in his home state of New York, pledging to work to secure federal incentives for the facility, which he said are key for US to compete with China in boosting local chip production.
While Intel makes such chips for itself in the US, most contract manufacturers who make them for outside clients, such as TSMC and Samsung, maintain most of their facilities in Taiwan and Korea, respectively.
TSMC, which counts Apple among its major customers, last year disclosed plans for a $12 billion chip plant in Arizona expected to come online in 2024.
The filings with Texas officials were earlier reported by the Austin American-Statesman newspaper.
The team at Platform Executive hope you have enjoyed the ‘Samsung considers Austin for $17 billion chip plant, eyeing tax breaks‘ article. Translation from English to other languages via Google Cloud Translation. Initial reporting via our official content partners at Thomson Reuters. Reporting by Stephen Nellis and Hyujnoo Jin in San Francisco. Editing by Aurora Ellis.
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MARIN, Calif. (KRON) – KRON4’s Camila Barco is in Marin where the county has officially entered the yellow COVID-19 tier.
This allows more flexibility on what businesses can open and how many people they can serve at a time.
Marin is averaging 1.3 cases per 100,000 people per day, falling under California’s two cases per 100,000 people threshold for the yellow tier. That threshold had to be met for two weeks before the county could officially enter the tier.
Loosened restrictions include:
- Indoor dining – 50% capacity
- Retail stores – Full capacity
- Places of worship – 50% capacity
- Movie theaters – 50% capacity
- Indoor gyms – 50% capacity
- Wineries, breweries and distilleries – 50% capacity indoors
- Bars can now operate indoors with modifications
- Offices can open indoors with modifications
California is expected to drop all restrictions by June 15 due to increasing vaccination rates and lower COVID-19 cases.


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Everyone comes to Jacks.
Its hard to walk into the Jacks Surfboards location on Main Street in Huntington Beach, California without bumping into someone from the surf industry. Its one of the most popular places in the world to lift a moist index finger and see which direction the surf-industry winds are blowing.
So its not surprising to bump into ONeill CEO Pat ONeill and VP of Accessories Rick Petri at Jacks on the morning of March 9. Whats surprising, however, is where theyre standing.
In what will be the largest expansion and redesign of the store since 1992, Jacks has assumed the lease and taken over the 3,500 square feet of retail space adjacent to their store where Burger King was located. Now ONeill and Petri are standing in the large walk-in freezer where hamburger patties were once stored, listening to Bobbie and Ron Abdulfattah, the owners of Jacks, explain the renovation.
In addition to tearing down the wall between Jacks and Burger King and expanding the shops mezzanine, Bobbie says there will be two new cash-wrap areas, new displays and buildouts, and new hardwood floors throughout the store. A lot of people will come to the shop in three or four months, and they wont recognize the store.
Bobbie says the expansion will allow Jacks Garagethe skatecentric sublocation currently a few doors downto be moved onto the main floor. The wall currently separating Jacks Girls from Jacks Garage will be torn down, allowing for a significant expansion of Jacks Girls.
Most brands will also get more room on the main sales floor after the remodel. Volcom and Hurley are getting new buildouts. We would like to give more representation to the big companies, and give a chance to the small companies to be on the main floor, says Bobbie. Currently many of the smaller brands are only found at Jacks Garage. The hardest thing for me as a buyer is seeing a new brand and then walking out onto the floor and trying to figure out where I could put them.
A few years ago there seemed to be a need to separate the skate and surf offerings, but Bobbie says the market has changed. Ive always believed in the surf market more than anything, he says. Three or four years ago at the Cabo Surf Summit, that was my argument with a lot of people. Nothing will ever beat surf–unless you are a retailer in the Midwest somewhere.
Bobbie hopes the new expansion will be open by the end of May and doesnt anticipate having to close the main location during renovations.
While hes excited about the renovation, which will carry the total square footage of the store past the 15,000-square-foot mark, hes still eyeing more retail space. If Jacks could take over the Jamba Juice location next door, it would be able to link all the components of store into one contiguous floor plan: Thats a very good space, and weve been talking to them, but things havent gone through yet. But someday hopefully it will.
For now though, it seems the owners of one of surfings most visible shops have enough on their plate to keep them busy. Bobbie says the move highlights the current strength of the surf industry and the recent record sales of Jacks, but laughs that hell have to work harder than ever to pay for it all: But this is 2004. We have to keep up.


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After a few false starts, Sprint finally plans to begin consumer trials of its WiMAX networks this fall, according to a report by Telephony Online. The trials will kick off in September in Baltimore, Maryland, and they'll follow in Chicago and Washington, D.C. "before the end of the year."
Telephony Online says Sprint actually deployed WiMAX networks in those areas last year just before Christmas, but it has only run employee trials since then. Plans to start commercial trials early this year and to follow with a "full commercial launch" in the second quarter reportedly fell through.
Sprint CEO Dan Hesse announced the new commercial trial plans at the NXTcomm08 conference in Las Vegas, where he also played up the advantages of WiMAX over the alternatives. Hesse claimed the industry can't match today's wireless capacity demand with existing 3G networks, and only 4G or WiMAX can provide the necessary bandwidth at a low enough cost. Hesse also said he believes WiMAX networks should support "more than just traditional handset and laptop connections." He mentioned WiMAX-connected digital cameras, music players, and car navigation systems or stereos as examples.
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It now is easier to read employment online news today rather than examine produced papers on an everyday basis. Employment online news is constantly available and current frequently. Many important magazines have online news on employment and job seekers could possibly get current employment news as job opportunities occur. The process of finding employment online is simple and job seekers only need to start a web browser and visit a web site with employment news on a research motor or research on the internet site of a magazine due to their employment news section.
Big newspapers and company magazines have equally employment online news on the adjusting employment scene and classifieds for employers that are seeking competent employees. Some key guides that have employment portions range from the New York Instances the Washington Article Businessweek and Forbes. The convenience on employment news online is it is accessible 24 hours a day and 7 days a week and labeled ads are included and current frequently.
Navigation via a web site using research alternatives is easier when looking employment news compared to standard newspapers. One can article advertisements and answer advertisements concerning careers easily for a payment in online news magazines or papers. Most online publications or papers have archive sections for the research of the net viewer.
Everybody is always trying to find impressive methods to increase their organization, to improve the total amount of traffic to their websites and other methods for getting their name, their models, services and items to the consumers that will use them. Among the newest buzz purposes in the Web advertising market is Online News Submission.
What it basically is, is a company that’ll get your companies details, set of services, products and services, everything you do, how you get it done and wherever you are. They punk your data up; deliver it to the PR division, in which a clever author puts together a amazing, but informative push launch about your company. Once you have permitted the press discharge, they’re going stay and distribute it to the internet, through tens of thousands of net portals and online news companies throughout the world and immediately your item has reached millions it wouldn’t have already been able to otherwise.
Not just do the companies prepare your total press release, portion of the offer is Online News Distribution, so without you having to look for programs about wherever release a your news article, portion of the company is they do all of this for you. They curently have a well related information foundation of stores and an unprecedented ability to achieve a diverse field of journalists, bloggers, online news programs, potential customers and buyers.
It doesn’t matter if you have never published a press release or Scandinavian before, you do not have to go and learn how to accomplish this, or use a copywriter or journalist to take action, an Online News Support Company is going to do all of that for you. It will soon be like using a complete PR organization to take on your media and news insurance without having to separate the bank,
Social networking, show press coverage, SEO submissions and national and international press are platforms and sectors a unique support like this will introduction your business, services and brand from. By achieving the correct people in the proper groups your manufacturer can headline and reach the very best people, the people that need to know.


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CDL has launched an anti-fraud syndicate, which is seeing a number of major insurance brands join in order to combat the growing challenge of quote manipulation.
According to CDL the syndicate allows insurance retailers to identify potentially suspicious patterns of consumer behaviour using Hummingbird, CDL’s data intelligence solution, which is able to search and analyse millions of records at sub-second speed.
A number of CDL’s customers are already signed up to the new syndicate,
- Biba warns of 'uncharted waters' as Theresa May's Brexit deal is rejected
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- PIB merges underwriting offerings
- GRP-owned County buys Swinford Insurance Consultants
- Close Brothers Premium Finance restores contact centre after outage
- Cross-border broker partnership plans escalate ahead of Brexit


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We all know that Microsoft will soon be launching its Cortana voice-based virtual assistant for Android and iOS. While the Redmond-based tech giant is yet to give a concrete launch date, an early version of the Android app has leaked to the Web. Microsoft had previously said a beta version of the app would be made available "starting July".
We tried the early version of the Cortana app for Android on the Nexus 5, and the assistant seemed to work without any glitches. Users would have to go log in their Microsoft account before the app launches. Setting reminders, alarms, voice commands for calling someone, singing a song, and even playing rock-paper-scissors are included in the leaked version. The app overall comes with a dark theme with the content is shown on white boards. Since the app appears to be an early version, users still can't give the 'Hey Cortana' voice command to launch the app. Typing at the search bar below or tapping on the icon besides it to activate the voice command feature is present. Also, commands for typing a message to someone seemed incomplete.
The apk file was first found by Suomimobiili website, and is available to download from a Google Drive file weighing 19MB. However, it won't be long before the link is taken down as the app's release is not yet official.
However, what is official from Microsoft is the exiting of the company's Hyperlapse app from the beta version and its availability to all Android users via Google Play. The Hyperlapse time-lapse video app since its launch in May was under beta mode and was available only via registration.
The app is not to be confused with iOS app with the same name by Instagram, which is just a time-lapse video making app. Microsoft's Hyperlapse Mobile app is meant to not just create time-lapse videos but also remove the jitter and shake associated with first-person time-lapse videos, using specialised algorithms developed by the Microsoft Interactive Visual Media Group.
For those unaware, the Microsoft Hyperlapse app lets them save videos in multiple speeds ranging from 1x to 32x and share them via social media or emails. The app can additionally create Hyperlapse videos from content imported from the device's storage. Selfie time-lapse videos can also be created. The user interface is very simple looking and without any editing features. Once video is rendered, the app asks users to save it and share it. The video can be saved at different speeds.
The Microsoft Hyperlapse Mobile apps weighs 15MB in size and is compatible with devices running Android 4.4 KitKat and later OS versions.


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New York’s network may be far speedier than most, but it’s a microcosm of what’s happening across the globe. Wi-Fi networks with widespread coverage and new standards are popping up to allow us to cut back on paying the carriers an arm and a leg for cellular data. It’s downright exciting—and downright scary if you…
There are already clues to suggest what developments are on the horizon for the industry. By putting these together we’re able to form a pretty interesting picture of what’s in store for the long-term future of television.
Covering relevant timely and newsworthy content is a great way to grow your site audience and take advantage of trends that get people more interested and thus more engaged.
Digital computers have been commercially available for almost 70 years, and yet the digital “revolution” is a relatively new phenomenon, beginning in the early 1980s with the introduction of the IBM PC.
Why the delay? Two words: speed and memory. And those two words lead to a third: cost.
AT&T has announced that starting Tuesday, Jan. 12, new and existing AT&T consumer wireless customers who have or add AT&T DirecTV or AT&T U-Verse TV may sign up for the new AT&T Unlimited Plan. The new plan offers more data for video, playing games and surfing the web on mobile devices. Unlimited data and unlimited…
But devices like Google’s Chromecast make search input easier by letting you do it on your smartphone. And voice-activated search, including the new Siri functionality Apple has added to its Apple TV device, is becoming commoner too.
Welcome to the year of virtual reality, the technology that is likely to dominate CES 2016 and fail to live up to the buzz. #virtualreality
An infographic from Adobe and Edelman reveals the best ways to engage your customers through content marketing. Some advice is tried and true, but other exhortations, including “design for multiple screens,” are gaining momentum as we begin the year.


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As the holidays approach, Mississippi Ag Commissioner Andy Gipson encourages you to make this year a “Genuine Mississippi” Christmas by purchasing a Mississippi Christmas tree.
The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce has made it easy for shoppers to find the perfect Mississippi Christmas tree this holiday season at MSChristmasTrees.com online. The website, part of the Genuine MS® state branding program, provides a guide to the types of Christmas trees grown in the state and the locations of Mississippi Christmas tree farms where locally grown trees can be purchased.
“As families prepare for the holidays, I encourage them to visit one of the 32 Christmas tree farms in the state. It’s an experience the whole family will enjoy and selecting a Genuine MS® Christmas tree supports our Mississippi farmers, as well as the local and state economies,” said Commissioner Gipson. “Consumers can also find an array of other Mississippi products for the holiday season from stocking stuffers and gift ideas to ingredients for special holiday meals at GenuineMS.com online.”
For those who have never owned a Christmas tree or need tips for caring for a tree, MSChristmasTrees.com explains how to select the best Christmas tree for your family, how to safely care for a Christmas tree and how to dispose of your Christmas tree after the holidays.
The post Consider a Mississippi Christmas tree to brighten your holidays appeared first on News Mississippi.


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Imported skin whitening products banned by the national government for containing mercury are being sold in broad daylight in Cebu City in clear defiance of the law.
The Cebu-based Philippine Earth Justice Center (PEJC) and the Quezon City-based EcoWaste Coalition, revealed the “toxic truth” after obtaining five forbidden cosmetics in test buys conducted on July 22 at shops located in Pres. Osmeña Blvd. and Sanciangko Sts., Cebu City.
The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has so far recalled 93 skin whitening cosmetics for containing excessive levels of mercury and for having no market authorization from the agency.
“We deplore the illegal sale of these mercury-added cosmetics by vendors who bag profits at the expense of their customers’ health,” said environmental lawyer Gloria Estenzo-Ramos, Coordinator of the PEJC.
“Our local government and police officials should take firm action to put a stop to such unlawful trade and make law breakers accountable,” she insisted.
For his part, Thony Dizon, Project Protect Coordinator of the EcoWaste Coalition, cautioned consumers against patronizing unauthorized cosmetics that are supposed to result in fairer skin complexion.
“Please don’t buy cosmetics that are not duly authorized by the FDA and often with labels that are not understandable as this may spell trouble for you,” he said.
“Repeated applications of mercury-laden cosmetics onto the skin can actually harm your skin as well as your brain and kidneys due to direct and extended exposure,” Dizon warned.
Chemical analysis through a handheld X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer showed high concentrations of mercury, a potent neurotoxin, in all the five products in violation of the regulatory limit of one part per million (ppm) under the ASEAN Cosmetics Directive.
The Jiaoli 7-Day Specific Eliminating Freckle AB Set had 10,700 ppm of mercury.
The Sara Glutathione Sheep Placenta Whitening & Anti-Aging Cream had 5,176 ppm of mercury.
The Huayuenong 12-Day Whitening & Speckle Removing Wrecking Set had 4,371 ppm of mercury.
The Miss Beauty Magic Cream had 3,847 ppm of mercury.
The Flower Woman 7-Day Whitening & Spot Day & Night Cream had 3,766 ppm of mercury.
Huayuenong was among the 16 skin whitening products banned by the FDA last week, while the Flower Woman, Sara and Miss Beauty were banned in 2011, and Jiaoli in 2010.
According to a fact sheet prepared by the World Health Organization, “the main adverse effect of the inorganic mercury contained in skin lightening soaps and creams is kidney damage.”
“Mercury in skin lightening products may also cause skin rashes, skin discoloration and scarring, as well as a reduction in the skin’s resistance to bacterial and fungal infections,” the WHO said.
WHO explained that “mercury in soaps, creams and other cosmetic products is eventually discharged into wastewater. The mercury then enters the environment, where it becomes methylated and enters the food-chain as the highly toxic methylmercury in fish.”
“Pregnant women who consume fish containing methylmercury transfer the mercury to their fetuses, which can later result in neurodevelopmental deficits in the children,” the WHO further said.


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News that Southern Roots Nut Co. is expanding in Dothan has our community going nuts! No stranger to nuts, the Wiregrass region will soon be home to a multimillion-dollar pecan processing facility for the New Mexico-based company.
About Southern Roots Nut Co. in Dothan
According to reports, Southern Roots Nut Co. is expanding in Dothan with plans to invest more than $16 million into modernizing an existing building and more. To clarify, the company purchased a 120,000-square-foot cold storage facility in Sam Houston Industrial Park.
What’s more, along with renovating the existing space, Southern Roots Nut Co. plans on constructing an additional facility next door. Eventually, it will be a hub for storing, processing and distributing raw pecans.
Construction on the brand-new building is expected to begin within 12 to 18 months. And since Southern Roots Nut Co. is expanding in Dothan, there will be more jobs! In fact, the company hopes to create about 120 jobs for the area once the construction phase is complete.
More about Southern Roots Nut Co.
Southern Roots Nut Co. is family-owned and operated, as are many of their grower-owned cooperative multigenerational farms. According to their website, brothers Chris and Brandon Harrell “grew up around pecan shelling plants and learned the industry from the ground up, just as their father, Marty Harrell, had before them.”
Now, Southern Roots is expanding their reach and capabilities by putting down roots in the Wiregrass with the upcoming processing plant. Known for high-quality pecans, Southern Roots Nut Co. is a wholesale supplier for both inshell and shelled pecans. They can handle a variety of packaging options and volumes, truly making it a farm-to-table experience.
Are you currently looking for a place to put down roots in Dothan? Learn more about Colony Square Apartments and our apartment community. For more local news and fun things to do, keep reading our blogs.


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Amazon’s new store is its latest huge bet in defiance of the retail apocalypse (AMZN)
|10/05/2018||Posted by BusinessMediaguide.Com under General World News||
- Amazon opened its new Amazon 4-star store to the public on September 27.
- It’s just one of several physical retail initiatives the e-commerce giant has undertaken recently.
Amazon has become synonymous with online shopping.
The e-commerce giant is now estimated to take about half of all online sales in the United States.
But Amazon cannot live online alone. The company is increasingly moving into the physical world, opening spaces in malls, shopping districts, and even local strip malls. It’s a move that signals the company’s ambitions are larger than e-commerce, combining its digital prowess with the convenience of physical retail.
One reason read more >>>


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Potato power: Spuds serve high quality protein that's good for women's muscle
from McMaster University via ScienceDaily
Researchers from McMaster University have found that the potato, primarily known as a starchy vegetable, can be a source of high-quality protein that helps to maintain muscle. The findings, reported in the journal
, highlight the potential benefits of what is considered a non-traditional source of protein, particularly as dietary trends change and worldwide demand has increased for plant-based alternatives to animal-derived sources.
7701 Las Colinas Blvd., Ste. 800, Irving, TX 75063


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Cleveland, OH (PRWEB) May 30, 2013
World Synergy, a national digital marketing and technology company, today announced record growth with customers in 37 states and a handful that reach across Europe. Additionally, the company announced that is has promoted Michael D. Mack to President. Mack has held successive leadership positions at the company since 1999.
In 2012, World Synergy doubled its revenue and client base. The company now serves over 200 brands in the mid-market space. World Synergys growth has allowed the company to significantly expand its offices in Cleveland, Ohio. The company is also growing its talent base, particularly across its marketing and web applications divisions with their new Chief Marketing Officer, Sheila Miklos, hired in late 2012.
World Synergy forecasts double-digit growth in the years ahead. “Our continued success in 2013-2014 will reflect the innovation, strength and core value of our teams at World Synergy to tirelessly deliver World Class Customer Service,” said founder and CEO, Glenn Smith. Regarding Macks promotion to President, “Michaels role will be a cornerstone in our growth phase as we move from traditional marketing and technology to building more strategic business partnerships, noted Smith.
Mack said, “I am very proud to lead World Synergy as President. In 2012 our exceptional thought leadership with strong client growth and our outstanding teamwork helped define our success. A continued focus on our customers value propositions promises to make 2013 yet another profitable year for World Synergy and our customers and partners.”
About World Synergy
World Synergy is a leading strategic business services firm in Cleveland, Ohio. For over 25 years, we have shaped integrated online marketing and technology strategies to increase our clients’ sales and improve their ROI.
Our Marketing division provides a full suite of traditional and digital marketing & advertising services including web development, SEO, SEM, web design, analytics, email marketing and social media management. Begin with our website audit, and boost your online visibility with us.
Our Technology division provides total network managed services, application development, SharePoint development, Security Audits and computing infrastructure architecture expertise. From secure, reliable networks to setting a technology strategy for your company, we can help.


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Coke’s Eagan operation: A new energy-efficiency model
Coke’s iconic polar bears have always beggared the question as to what they were doing to save their habitat. Apparently they are trying a few things, see below.
love those bears. They are harmless and cuddly, there on the screen. They seem to have feelings. They love their children, and they drink Coca-Cola from bottles while sliding down snowdrifts, just for the fun of it. They smile a lot. They are not the 10-foot-tall, 1,200-pound, blood-smeared beasts I’ve seen in person, from a distance of 10 feet. And the Coca-Cola polar bears are not on the endangered species list.
This puts Coca-Cola in a strange position. Coke’s iconic polar bears are on the endangered species list because their habitat is disappearing. The government says humans are changing the climate by burning too much fossil fuel. Coca-Cola uses a lot of fossil fuel to make its products and ship them all over the world.
So, to protect its image and the image of its image, it has dedicated a portion of its sales to the protection of the polar bear. That kind of thing is common in the world of corporate branding. But how can any company protect nature while doing things that threaten to destroy nature? Coke has figured that out, too. And by so doing, may open a dialogue between industrialists and environmentalists. Coca-Cola has figured out how to conserve water, conserve energy and pollute less while making more money in the process.


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Nexus 6P-lookalike Huawei Mate S2 photos and specs leak from TENAA
A smaller and more compact rendition of the Nexus 6P, the smartphone which is referred to as the Huawei Mate S2 is listed with a 5.5-inch display and it's powered by the Kirin 960 octa-core chipset, paired with 4GB of RAM. There's a 16MP camera on the back, and an 8MP camera is on the front. The battery unit is sized 3500mAh.
Allegedly, the smartphone will be unveiled September 1, running Android Marshmallow with Huawei's latest EMUI interface.


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Leaked Phone Rumors: Foldable Displays And Flexible Form Factors. – Singapore – Word on the tech grapevine is that Apple may be working on designs for a foldable iPhone, possibly with a stylus. Tech rivals Samsung, Huawei and Motorola have already launched phones with flip and foldable screens (albeit not without a lot of problems), so it will be interesting to see if and when Apple follows suit.
Rumors of a foldable iPhone, dubbed the “iPhone Flip” by the internet, began in 2016 after it was reported that LG was making foldable smartphone displays for companies like Google and Apple.
Leaked Phone Rumors: Foldable Displays And Flexible Form Factors.
In 2017, Apple reportedly teamed up with LG, which has prototypes for foldable displays that use flexible OLED panels, to develop the first iPhone with a foldable display. LG’s foldable displays have different designs – one folds like a book and the other screen rolls up like a newspaper.
All The Folding Smartphones You Need To Know About
In September 2020, a leak on Chinese social network Weibo suggested that Apple had ordered a “large number” of folding screens from South Korean rival Samsung, which launched two smartphones that transform with folding screens in 2019 and 2020, the Galaxy Fold and Galaxy Z. Flip.
While the Galaxy Fold goes from a 4.6-inch smartphone to a 7.3-inch tablet, the Galaxy Z Flip goes in the opposite direction – from a 6.7-inch smartphone that folds in half to be a smaller, more portable phone.
Other smartphones such as Huawei and Motorola have also launched foldable smartphones, but the technology is new and customers are reporting problems – such as cracked and twisted screens – with all foldable display devices on the market.
The Next Chapter In Mobile Innovation: Unfold Your World With Galaxy Z Fold3 5g And Galaxy Z Flip3 5g
In January 2021, Bloomberg reported that Apple had begun “early work” on an “iPhone” with a foldable display, although the technology company made no official commitment to releasing a foldable device.
The article notes that a foldable iPhone is likely still “years away” or “ultimately may never be introduced,” with Apple focusing primarily on updates to its flagship iPhones and iPads coming in -2021.
Jon Prosser, host of the popular YouTube technology channel Front Page Tech since 2013, recently revealed that Apple has reportedly finalized the form factor for the new foldable iPhone. MacRumours reported that while Mr. Prosser has been right about several Apple rumors in the past, he has also passed on incorrect information.
A New Leak May Push Lg’s Rollable Phone Closer To A Launch Date
In the video, Mr Prosser claimed that in terms of design, Apple is “heavily leaning” towards a clamshell design where the screen folds inwards when the phone is closed.
Front Page Tech’s Jon Prosser has shared “leaks” of a possible new iPhone with a foldable display and a clamshell design. Image captions: YouTube screen grab
Mr Prosser said the prototype Apple is working on has two separate display panels joined by a hinge, unlike Samsung’s Galaxy Fold, which has a single-display design. He also added that the foldable iPhone will have rounded stainless steel edges and Face ID.
Galaxy Fold 2 To Feature Next Gen Flexible Glass Display
According to international analyst firm EqualOcean, Apple won’t introduce products with a foldable display until 2023, but says the first foldable iPhone will have a 7.3-inch to 7.6-inch display with an “activity pen” or stylus.
A report from the Economic Daily News, citing sources in Apple’s supply chain, claims that prototypes of the “iPhone Flip” are currently undergoing testing at Foxconn, Apple’s manufacturer in Taiwan.
At the moment, there is no concrete evidence that Apple is working on or will launch an iPhone with a foldable display, but rumors and leaks continue along with speculation and excitement. Nintendo Switch 2 iPhone 15 Amazon Gift Cards Deals Best Deals Connect AirPods New on Netflix New on Hulu No Caller ID Free Streaming Apps iOS 18
Galaxy Fold Release Date Leaked
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Samsung is at the forefront of foldable phone development right now, with Huawei and Motorola behind them. But everyone in the industry is working on similar devices. While several Chinese phone makers have already introduced folding phone concepts without launching any commercially, others are more secretive about their folding plans. Apple is perhaps the most secretive of all, as the company never announces any new products until they are ready for mass consumption. That is, unless you count AirPower, which is still vaporware today.
Apple is reportedly working on its own foldable iPhone, according to various leaks as well as patent discoveries detailing technological innovations that could be used on such devices. However, Apple is not close to releasing a foldable iPhone, as has been noted in various leaks over the past few weeks. Now, a new report claims that the first foldable iPhone won’t launch until 2023, when it will debut with a flexible OLED screen and Apple Pencil support.
Forget Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3: Lg’s Crazy Rollable Phone Just Leaked
Investment research firm EqualOcean cited a report by Omidia (via MacRumors) that claims the first foldable iPhone. Here’s what the bitmachine translated version for iPhone sounds like:
Omdia, a global communications and digital media research organization, predicts that Apple may launch a 7.3-7.6-inch foldable OLED smartphone in 2023 and add an activity pen to its foldable iPhone.
Since Apple usually launches new iPhone models in September, it looks like we’ll be looking at a September 2023 release date for Apple’s first foldable iPhone if this report pans out. And that “activity pen” is likely the Apple Pencil, Apple’s stylus that works on various iPad models, including the iPad Pro, Air, and mini. While it’s unclear where Omdia got its information, the claims make some sense.
Apple’s Foldable Iphone Dubbed ‘iphone Fold’ Could Release In 2025
For starters, Apple is said to be working on several foldable iPhone concepts, including a version that looks like Samsung’s Galaxy Fold models. It is a kind of foldable smartphone that can offer a 7.3-inch to 7.6-inch display. Such a display size puts the iPhone on par with the iPad mini, which has a 7.9-inch display. It is the smallest iOS device that supports Apple Pencil.
Apple has been rumored for years to be planning stylus support for the iPhone, with larger versions of the Max expected to be among the first iPhones to support the stylus. Apple has also patented the technology that explains how the Pencil works with the iPhone.
A few weeks ago, Samsung confirmed rumors that the S Pen Note stylus would work on the Galaxy S21 Ultra. The company said other Galaxy devices will also support the stylus. The next-generation Galaxy Z Fold model could be among them, provided Samsung can develop the key technology in time. The Z Fold 2 was originally rumored to support the S Pen, but subsequent rumors explained that the foldable device’s ultra-thin glass (UTG) wasn’t strong enough for the stylus.
Foldable Iphone: News And Expected Price, Release Date, Specs; And More Rumors
For a foldable iPhone to support the Apple Pencil, Apple would have to develop the kind of strong glass that can withstand the pressure of the stylus, but still fold and unfold without breaking.
The OLED claim also makes sense. Apple uses OLED displays in its iPhone line, with Samsung being the main screen supplier. Samsung OLED displays currently offer the best possible performance and are flexible enough to be used in foldable phones. Of course, Samsung Display also makes the OLED screens used on Samsung’s foldable phones.
Omdia has no established track record when it comes to Apple’s reputation. The research organization may simply be repeating some recent claims about foldable iPhones. Recent rumors have said that Apple is testing foldable chassis as well as foldable displays. Apple is said to be looking at both portrait and landscape folding. These reports said that foldable iPhones may still be a few years away.
Exclusive] Oneplus Fold, Oppo Find N3 Camera Specs, Design Details Revealed
A number of earlier rumors said Apple was also developing an iPhone with two flip-out displays, similar to Microsoft’s dual-display Surface launched last year. It’s not technically a foldable phone because it doesn’t have a continuous foldable screen. But such a device can use thick glass and can support the Apple Pencil. However, this is just speculation. And Omdia is clearly labeling the device as a foldable OLED smartphone, not a dual-screen device.
Chris Smith has been involved in consumer electronics since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the latest tech news for , he brings his entertainment expertise to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and other successful franchises.
Outside of work, you’ll find him streaming almost every new release of movies and TV shows as they become available. LetsGoDigital has released a series of new renders based on the appearance of the foldable smartphone in a video recently released by Samsung Vietnam. The latest images reflect the front screen, which looks surprisingly thin, and the amount of icons that can be seen on the display in smartphone mode. However, it may not be the device that Samsung plans to unveil.
Samsung Galaxy Fold 2 Rumors, Specs, Price, Release Date And More
As usual, the LetsGoDigital team has created some great renders to help you get an idea of what the rumored/leaked device might look like. This time it’s the Samsung Galaxy F/Fold foldable smartphone. We already reported how Samsung Vietnam recently uploaded a Galaxy Unpacked video on YouTube that offered a sneak peek of the foldable device. based on LetsGoDigital
What are flexible displays, flexible displays, flexible oled displays, e-ink flexible displays, flexible electronic displays, samsung flexible oled displays, youm flexible displays, flexible led displays, lg flexible displays, flexible lcd displays, flexible amoled displays, foldable displays


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The first shovel load of dirt in a planned expansion by PGT Inc. will be turned Jan. 9.
The Venice-based window and door manufacturer will break ground on a new facility it announced last summer. PGT is building a new glass plant on 12 acres it purchased for $1.6 million on Diamond Boulevard just north of the main campus.
Willis A. Smith Construction in Sarasota will build the 96,000-square-foot plant, which is expected to cost $12 million to $14 million and take about a year to complete. PGT needs the plant to meet increased demand for products as the housing market gains traction.
The plant will expand the company’s current space for glass cutting, tempering and laminating processes.
PGT (NASDAQ: PGTI) has about 1,350 employees now and expects to hire 50 to 60 more employees when the new facility is completed.
The company is riding a wave of business growth. PGT reported profit of $6.3 million in the third quarter compared to $2.7 million the previous year. Third quarter 2013 revenue was $64.9 million, a 45 percent increase over the prior year.


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A Staffordshire couple were accused of breaking coronavirus rules by shopping together while buying groceries for four different households.
Sharon Walton had been shopping with her husband Lee when she said they were approached by a security guard who allegedly told them "you aren’t allowed to shop together".
She said despite speaking to customer services at Tesco Extra, in Hanley, the couple later ditched their shopping and went elsewhere, leaving Mrs Walton in "floods of tears".
The pair were shopping for themselves, as well as Mrs Walton's parents, her father-in-law and a family friend who are all in their 70s and classed as 'vulnerable' during the pandemic.
Until recently, 51-year-old Mrs Walton was doing a weekly shop for all households on her own but was struggling to find the time.
She therefore asked Lee to join her so they could do a weekly shop for everyone on Saturdays.
Usually their experience goes smoothly but on February 6 it went far from it.
The mum-of-one, from Bucknall, said: “We have been unfortunate where we haven’t been able to get delivery slots and it’s been difficult because we’ve done shopping for three other households.
“There were two security guards talking to somebody else at the door. They watched me and Lee go in together, take trolleys from the doorway, clean them and nothing was said.
“We had been in the store for 30 minutes and had a trolley each. One of the security guards approached my husband and said 'you aren’t allowed to shop together’. It was one of the same security guards that had stood at the front door and watched us come in.
“He could see I had a shopping list for four different households.
“I turned around and said 'we live together and we are shopping for three other households, would you rather that they be coming in?’ The security guard replied with 'it doesn’t look very good for other shoppers'.
"He wouldn’t leave it. He kept standing there saying 'you can’t do your shopping together’."
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Sharon asked to speak to the manager after the issue was not resolved, StokeLive reported.
She added: “The manager never came so I emptied my bags into the trollies and walked over to customer service.
“I explained our side of what’s going on because I’ve never felt so bad in my entire life. We have come in to do our shopping and just go. We’ve had people standing and looking at us like we’re criminals.
“I got upset because I was so angry and I started to cry. We were going around in circles because she wasn’t giving an answer.
“It was embarrassing and degrading because he wouldn’t leave us alone. Everybody could hear.”
The couple left their shopping and went to the branch in Longton where they were allowed to do their shopping together.
She has vowed never to step foot into the Hanley branch again and has now called for an apology.
She said: “All the way through lockdown we have never broken a rule. I used to see my mum and dad every day, now I see them once a week through the window whilst dropping their shopping off.
“We are trying to help our elderly relatives and it’s very difficult. I don’t want to keep having to do shopping individually. I want to go in once so I can get it all done, come out and deliver it to them and that’s it.
“The minute I walked through the door in Longton I went to the security guard and explained our situation. He replied ‘I have no issues with that.’
“There were other people in both Tescos in couples. I feel like it’s unjust and I don’t understand it.
“They drove us out of the store and I came out in tears, it was awful. I do think procedures should be in place but we live together, we are husband and wife. I want an apology from them and nobody to go through the same thing.”
Supermarkets have brought in a one-shopper rule to help stop the spread of coronavirus and reduce queues.
A Tesco spokesman said: “Since the start of the pandemic, we have focused on ensuring everyone can get the food they need in a safe environment.
“To protect our customers and colleagues, we are asking our customers to shop alone, unless they’re a carer or with children.”


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Brazilian Retail Sales Rose Slightly as Supermarket Sales Increased
By Jeffrey T. Lewis
SAO PAULO--Brazil's retail sales rose slightly in August, the third consecutive monthly increase, as the slow decline in unemployment, and the poor quality of new-job creation, boosted sales to lower-income shoppers.
Sales rose a seasonally adjusted 0.1% and rose 1.3% from Aug., 2018, the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, or IBGE said Thursday. Last month, the IBGE reported retail sales increased 1% in July and rose 4.3% from a year earlier.
Brazil's jobless was at 11.8% in the three months through July, unchanged from the three months through June, as the country's sluggish economic growth has resulted in new-job creation concentrated in the most precarious categories, the self-employed and under-the-table employment.
The retail sales figures reflect an improvement in purchases by low-income shoppers, IBGE said. Sales at supermarkets rose 0.6% in August, the fourth positive figure in this area, and purchases of other items for personal and household use increased 0.2%. Those two categories represent more than 60% of total retail sales, according to IBGE.
"The increase in those two groups indicate the profile of the most basic consumers, associated with the lowest income classes in the population," said Isabella Nunes, IBGE's research manager.
Retail sales in Brazil are expected to continue to increase very slowly in coming months, because economic growth is forecast to increase slowly as well, according to Pedro Coelho Afonso, chief economist at Sao Paulo-based PCA Capital.
"Unemployment is still high and consumers still see the economy as not being in good shape," he said.
Write to Jeffrey T. Lewis at email@example.com


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1C Entertainment and 6 Eyes Studios have revealed that the Missions and Monsters downloadable content for Fell Seal: Arbiter’s Mark will release next week.
This “hefty expansion” is the first that the turn-based tactical RPG has received, and promises to enrich gameplay through “adding a plethora of new content and deepening base game mechanics.”
To release on Tuesday 23rd June, the Missions and Monsters expansion ($12.99) will let you recruit powerful monsters from across the land of Teora. These can be customised with their own classes before sending them into battle alongside your forces.
You will also be able to send your troops on missions to gather precious resources, earn rewards and unlock new locations and classes.
There are also three new human classes – Beastmaster, Samurai and Wrangler – to unlock, new equipment and crafting recipes to uncover, five new locations and the chance to upgrade Arbiter’s Guilds for rewards.
Fell Seal: Arbiter’s Mark is now available on the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch worldwide.


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Written by Eva Belanyiova
This image is featured as part of the article 49m superyacht LA TANIA offering 20% discount on West Med charters.
Charter yacht LA TANIA
Please contact CharterWorld - the luxury yacht charter specialist - for more on superyacht news item "Charter yacht LA TANIA".
Email Your Yachting News to:
news @ charterworld.com


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IoT Planners to Use Software Widget to Assess Readiness
London (7 September 2016): The IoT M2M Council (IMC), a trade group serving the nascent Internet of Things sector, has developed a software widget designed to help prepare managers for deploying connected devices in the field.
PTC Joins IoT M2M Council to Expand Computing at the Network’s Edge
London (10 August 2016): PTC, provider of ThingWorx , one of the most widely deployed software platforms for networking remote devices in industrial applications known as the Internet of Things, has joined the trade association the IoT M2M Council, whose mission is to educate those deploying connected devices in the field.
Ingenu joins IoT Trade Group to Expand Global Reach of LP-WAN
London (28 June 2016): Ingenu, a leader in delivering wireless connectivity to machines in the nascent technology sector known as the Internet of Things (IoT), has joined the trade association, the IoT M2M Council (IMC) to augment the footprint of its low-power, wide-area network and technology.
Semtech Joins IoT M2M Council to Boost Business Cases with LoRaWAN Technology
London (21 June 2016): Semtech, a leading supplier of analog and mixed-signal semiconductors and provider of end-to-end solutions for low-power wide-area network (LP-WAN) connectivity known as LoRa, has joined the Board of Governors of the IoT M2M Council (IMC).


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Actress Elena Aroaz is suing the producers of a commercial she was in for breach of contract. Aroaz portrayed a victim in a wrongful injury case for the Levinson Trachtenberg Group’s tongue-in-cheek commercial. The ad took off and the rights were sold to multiple law firms across the U.S without approval from the actress. The suit was filed by Aroaz in Manhattan Supreme Court and alleges that Levinson Trachtenberg Group paid her $600 in 2009 to appear in a 30 second advertisement that was only supposed to air on local television for a year.
Sketchers USA Inc. just recently settled over a recent advertising campaign that came under harsh criticism. The shoe company was claiming that their new toning shoe helped build muscle and shed fat. The $40 million class-action lawsuit was centered around a flashy commercial featuring Brooke Burke and Kim Kardashian. In the commercial Kardashian and Burke sport a variety of Sketchers brands, including Shape-Ups, Resistance Runners, Podded Sole Shoes, and Tone-Ups. The class action lawsuit was settled out of federal court in Louisville, KY and combined the cases of about 70 people seeking damages. Part of that final agreement was that Sketchers was no longer allowed to run the advertisement. The lawyers involved will split about $5 million while most consumers were entitled to a maximum repayment for their purchase.


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McDonald’s Experiments with Menu
The famous fast food restaurant, McDonald’s, seems to experimenting with its menu by including macaroni and cheese option. However, the mac and cheese is only available in 18 restaurants of the Cleveland area in Ohio. These outlets are acting as a test market for the new entry in the menu.
Mcdonald’s has been offering mac and cheese since this summer. “We’re always looking for new ways to offer relevant tastes to our customers, so we’re giving mac and cheese a try and gathering valuable feedback from our customers,” said Lisa McComb, a McDonald’s spokeswoman. Mac and cheese is considered as a tries and tested food combination.
The novelty food item is being sold a part of Happy Meal, which is worth $3. The meal includes mac and cheese, along with fries, fruit and milk. The company reported that the four-ounce portion contains five grams of protein and whole grain each, while offering less than 200 calories. The mac and cheese is now being sold as a separate item for $1.75 from November 2015. Lisa said that the product will be sold only until February 2016. Its availability after that is uncertain.
She added that the customers’ reviews will be used to determine the continuity of the product. It is still very early to say anything about the outcome of the experiment and the company is not sure whether it will be offered at any other outlets, Lisa stated. Among other experiments, the company started selling all-day breakfast in October 2015. In the U.K., McDonald’s is offering customized thicker, premium burger.
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Consumer demand for freerange eggs has been increasing all over the world and Australia is no exception.
Shoppers in this country bought 525 million dozen eggs in 1920/21 and for the first time more than 50% were labelled as freerange. Sounds great, but most people buy eggs in supermarkets which only stock eggs from intensive production systems.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission made a great attempt to stamp out the practice of egg substitution by obtaining convictions in the Federal Court for deceptive practices. Several penalties for $300,000 were imposed and one totalled $1,000,000 including costs. However, profits are so large that all those operators are still in business. The reality is that by doing nothing but simply adding the words ‘free range’ to their labels can boost each company's net profit by around $2.5 million a year, So. For them, paying occasional fines is just another cost of doing business.In its various judgments, the Federal Court found that to be clasasified as freerange, hens must be allowed to move freely on an open range and not confined to barns.


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China’s Doublestar Group and its subsidiary Xingwei Korea have signed contract to acquire a 45 per cent stake in Kumho through a €492 million private equity placement. Doublestar has therefore become Kumho’s ultimate controlling shareholder. The agreement has been signed with Kumho and its creditor representative Korea Development Bank.
Kumho Tire manufactures a full range of tyres under the Kumho and Marshal brands. Kumho currently has 60 million unit annual capacity at its eight tyre plants. It has three manufacturing facilities in South Korea, one of which includes the Kumho Research and Development center. There are a further three plants in China, one plant in Vietnam, and one plant in the United States.
In addition to the aforementioned largest research and development facility in South Korea, there are two other centers in the USA (Akron, Ohio) and and in the UK (Birmingham). These latter two R&D centres service the US and European tire markets respectively. It also has two other research centers are located in Germany and China.
Doublestar has all its tyre manufacturing plants (modern facilities) except for a joint venture truck and OTR tire plant in Kazakhstan.
Doublestar plans to maintain the current workforce at least for the next three years with no drastic salary cuts. It also has undertaken to retain its shares in Kumho for at least five years.
The Chinese tyre maker last global ranking in terms of sales was in the low thirties 30 with a strong focus on the commercial vehicle tyres. Kumho last global ranking was 14th. Just like ChemChina’s takeover of Pirelli, it is expected that Doublestar will not change or interfere in existing successful global sales and marketing of Kumho and marshal brands.


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- Apple and IBM partner for business software
- Kroger debuts Retail Site Intelligence, new enterprise IT architecture
- Target launches image recognition app for mobile shopping
- Winick leases up East Coast Development in Long Island City
- Kohl's, Toshiba partner with Plug and Play in retail accelerator program
Anaheim, Calif., Pacific Sunwear of California, Inc. announced that the company’s chairman of the board, Greg H. Weaver, will retire, effective April 1, 2006.Weaver, who served as CEO from 1996 to 2000, has been a part of the company since its public debut in 1993. He became executive chairman in April 2005 for a limited time to provide a period of transition and to work on new business development, he said. “Now that our One Thousand Steps concept is ready to launch, this is the appropriate time for me to step down,” Weaver said.