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December 6, 2010 BY John Kim
The Air Jordan XI ‘Space Jam’ and Cool Grey retro have experienced a noticeable price-bump partly due to the special packaging and plastic shoe-trees included in the release, with a special slide-out box and ‘XI’ plastic shroud. However, the upcoming Air Jordan III Retro box should have both of those beat; Sneaker News recently showed you the special Air Jordan III box that was a near-replica of the original Air Jordan III box, which had elephant print on the container and a special Jumpman box-lid. Also included is the Air Jordan III pamphlet detailing the construction of the shoe. Yes, the nostalgia factor comes into play – that’s essentially one of the major driving forces of Retro sales – making these an early frontrunner for best Retro release of 2011. Well, you can have your pair now in 2010 so check out these new images and grab this must-have now from el-store on eBay.


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Next Issue, basically a Netflix for magazines subscriptions, now has over 100 titles. For $14.99 a month people get access to about 93 different publications and growing quickly. Bloomberg Businessweek,
Virtual perceptions grow within Google
By now, online publishers have acknowledged Google’s Panda update, which began rolling out in late February.
To discover how the algorithm change affected Mequoda System publishers, we
How online publishers are using podcasts to expand their brand, increase customer loyalty and make more money online
Parks Associates predicts that by 2012, "broadband media" such as online streaming video,
How They Created the World's Number One Business Website
We've been taught that successful website publishing in 2005 means creating happy users and healthy profits. With 10.3 million worldwide unique visitors

domain: news


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13 January 2017 – Cinco Días
The Baraka group has taken a giant step forward in its acquisition of Edificio España from the Chinese holding company Wanda. The company, through which the Murcian businessman Trinitario Casanova is handling the operation, has announced the launch of a joint venture with the hotel chain Riu.
Through this joint company, Rui will hold a stake in the property amounting to between 25% and 30%. Sources close to the agreement indicate that the hotel chain will participate as an investor through the joint venture for the acquisition and renovation of the building, which is actually still owned by the Chinese group Wanda.
The Mallorcan hotel chain, founded by the Riu family, in which the tour operator giant Tui owns a 49% stake, will also manage the future five-star hotel in Edificio España, which will operate under its Riu Plaza brand under a long-term lease contract. It will be the first property to operate under the brand in Spain, which was created in 2010 and which specialises in urban destinations, such as New York and Miami in the USA, Guadalajara in Mexico and Berlin in Germany.
The future establishment, which may open its doors at the end of 2018, will have almost 700 rooms, spread over 22 floors and will have a surface area of just under 70,000 m2. It will join six other properties operated under the same brand across Europe and America. (…).
Riu operates more than 100 hotels across 18 counties and each year receives more than 4 million clients, which means that the future hotel in Edificio España will have a very international profile.
Meanwhile, Baraka also made a second payment for the historical building yesterday, amounting to €14 million….the final operation must be signed before 31 March 2017, at which point the Murcian businessman will have to pay the remaining balance to make up the figure of €272 million agreed with the Chinese group.
Casanova reached an agreement with Dalian Wanda to purchase the property in July. The Chinese investor Wang Jianlin had purchased the building from Santander in 2014 for €265 million, but his plans to demolish the building and reconstruct it were never approved by the Town Hall ruled by Manuela Carmena.
Casanova had been looking for a partner to deal with the renovation of the property, which will have an additional cost of around €200 million. The businessman was looking for an operator for the hotel with which he could sign a fixed lease contract, which caused the major international chains to withdraw their interest. And that, despite the fact that Baraka managed to negotiate a 30 year contract with the US group Hard Rock. (…).
Original story: Cinco Días (by A.S. and L.S.)
Translation: Carmel Drake


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NOTE: This post was originally published on October 25, 2019
We are excited to announce the winner of the ExpressVPN Future of Privacy Scholarship 2019: Seth Connell, a law student at Regent University, in Virginia, U.S. Congratulations!
This year, our essay prompt asked students to discuss whether we should rely on governments or the free market to ensure consumer privacy. We received over 1,000 entries tackling the topic, with plenty of strong arguments for and against government intervention in regulating the use of consumer information.
Based on argument strength and clarity, we chose to award the scholarship prize of $5,000 to Seth, who wrote that in the pursuit of optimal user privacy, government intervention should be minimized in favor of consumer choice. You can read his essay on our scholarship page.
There was stiff competition with so many applicants this year, but five runners-up also presented compelling viewpoints on what has become a growing topic of debate among countries and companies. The runners-up each won 12-month ExpressVPN subscriptions.
- Isabella Grundseth, Mountainside High School, Oregon, U.S.
- Calvin Kuo, University of Virginia, U.S.
- David Slottved, University of Oxford, UK
- Elijah Smith, University of Pittsburgh, U.S.
- Jared Stancombe, Indiana University, U.S.
We spoke to Seth about his winning essay, his own privacy measures, and how he plans to use his degree to help others.
Congratulations, Seth! To start off, what are some of the digital privacy issues you encounter in your daily life? Do you take steps to protect your digital privacy?
It seems at every turn in life there is some privacy concern. I frequently encounter apps and websites asking to track me, monitor my personal data, and send tailored advertisements. I try to minimize the risks by denying whatever permissions I do not need for the program’s proper functionality, or, if I can find another program or website to use that is not so invasive, I’ll opt for the alternative.
Another concern I have is the various data breaches happening to a swath of companies across the country and the world. It seems that no one’s data is safe these days and I strongly believe it is important to protect yourself with a solid identity-theft protection plan. It’s only a matter of time before our data is compromised, and having a reliable recovery service is key to prevent your life from being uprooted by a data breach. For the personal side of things, I also use a VPN to scramble my IP address, and only use trusted and secure Wi-Fi networks for tasks involving sensitive information.
Which of the biggest tech companies do you think is the most intrusive into people’s privacy?
In my assessment, the most intrusive tech companies are Google, Amazon, and Facebook. These companies provide solid products and solutions for consumers and businesses, and I’m certainly one of them. However, the permissions that these companies require to use their services are highly intrusive and take mountains of personal data that is later used for marketing purposes. Facebook has dealt with major public relations issues over its handling of users’ data. It’s understandable that these companies are using the data as they are; after all, the potential for profits from sales by using this data is sky-high, but the tradeoff is, unfortunately, our privacy.
As I mentioned in my essay, one journalist for the Washington Post concluded that the Google Chrome browser is effectively a data-mining tool masquerading as a browser. Similarly, the Google Home and Amazon Alexa devices seem always be recording their owners’ conversations, and the FBI has tacitly admitted to using these devices as a backdoor wiretap. The fact that these devices and companies overhear our conversations is bad enough, but adding in the threat of government force makes for quite a Brave New World.
In your essay you say we need more choice of tech products and services. With the industry dominated by several tech giants, how should new competitors and startups approach entering the market?
I would say it is important for entrepreneurs to keep innovating and promoting their ideas in the marketplace. The more they innovate, the better our lives will become over time. There is one particular area I’d suggest considering if a tech business wants to promote a more secure product or service. Right now, the dream for many tech startups is to be bought out by a company like Google. If a product is so good that Google wants it, there’s potentially a lot of money involved in selling the brand to a bigger company. The potential downside is that consumers won’t get the full potential benefit that this startup could have otherwise provided.
Let’s say a startup really wants to focus on user privacy. There is definitely a market for that, and that market will likely continue to grow. However, if this startup agrees to be bought by a larger firm that does not have that same emphasis, consumers can’t benefit from an alternative product that will offer the benefits without the risks to their privacy. So I would say that more entrepreneurs ought to consider resisting the temptation to sell out to a bigger company. Keep to your principles and make a great product that privacy-concerned people will buy. Who knows, if these startups grow enough, it will put pressure on the existing companies to respond and increase their privacy protections if they are going to keep up.
Finally, what are you currently studying and what do you hope to pursue in the future?
I am currently pursuing my law degree and will take the bar exam in 2022. I have two types of legal careers in mind.
First, I would love to be a constitutional lawyer who specializes in Fourth Amendment law [the prohibition of unreasonable searches and seizures]. Millions of Americans have been subjected to unlawful surveillance for nearly two decades, and I believe it is important to uphold the wisdom of the Fourth Amendment and push back against the mass surveillance state.
Second, I am also interested in helping families with their finances and working with them to achieve a better financial future. I am currently a financial coach as well as a law student, and I would like to incorporate my financial coaching practice into the practice of law, should I have the opportunity.
Is privacy a topic that matters to you? Consider entering next year’s essay competition for the ExpressVPN Future of Privacy Scholarship! More details to come in early 2020.


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Camping Outlook Healthy as Travelers Seek To Solidify Plans
Kampgrounds of America’s Monthly Research Report finds that 4-in-10 campers are ready to travel again, while 3-in-10 say fluctuating gas prices will not change their plans.
BILLINGS, Mont. (Apr. 20, 2022) – The KOA Monthly Research Report – April Edition indicates that 38% of campers who have not traveled for a year or more plan to take at least one camping trip in 2022. However, increasing gas prices are a consideration for campers, with 71% saying fluctuations in fuel costs will impact their camping decisions to some degree. KOA’s Monthly Research Reports provide a timely snapshot that builds upon the findings of Kampgrounds of America, Inc’s (KOA) annual North American Camping Report, which will release later this month.
Campers report that, for the most part, they plan to keep hitting the road even if increasing gas prices alter their plans. The largest group of respondents said they plan to keep camping trips closer to home (32%). Some campers also indicate they will take fewer trips but stay longer at their destinations (25%) or take fewer trips overall (24%). However, 29% of campers report changing gas prices will not change their camping plans.
“It’s encouraging that even with gas prices reaching record highs, many campers are still planning to get out and explore,” said Whitney Scott, chief marketing officer of Kampgrounds of America. “The flexibility of camping is a real advantage to travelers; by choosing destinations nearby or altering road trip stops a camping trip can mitigate fuel costs in ways other types of travel cannot.”
While rising fuel costs also affect RVing, 46% of respondents said they are very or somewhat likely to purchase a new rig in 2022. However, it is notable that 1-in-10 RV owners would consider selling their RV if gas prices remain high.
Another factor impacting camping this year is increased travel demand stemming from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While camping experienced a rise in popularity as a safe way to travel over the last two years, a portion of the population still did not travel due to COVID-19 concerns. In fact, 38% of campers say they plan to take at least one camping trip after not doing so for a year or more. The same percentage said they would travel or camp this year even if gas prices increase.
“Fuel prices are a big consideration, but we can’t underestimate the desire to travel,” Scott said. “Between those who have not traveled due to the pandemic and avid campers making plans regardless of gas prices, travelers are eager. We’re not just seeing this in our research, but in our reservation data.”
To view the full findings of the KOA Monthly Research Report – March Edition, past and future editions, and review the research methodology, visit the KOA Press Room.
ABOUT KAMPGROUNDS OF AMERICA
Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA) is the world’s largest system of open-to-the-public campgrounds with 525 locations across the U.S. and Canada united under the mission of “connecting people to the outdoors and each other.” The industry leader in outdoor hospitality, KOA’s family of campground brands – KOA Journey, KOA Holiday and KOA Resort – offer sites and amenities designed for every type of camping experience. In addition to unrivaled brand visibility, KOA offers campground owners unparalleled support, marketing, and technology. The company’s proprietary reservation software, K2, delivers campgrounds a completive advantage within the market. Founded in 1962 in Billings, Mont., KOA now serves more than a million camping families each year, who rely on the standards of excellence and unique outdoor adventures for which KOA is known. For more information, visit KOA.com.
ABOUT CAIRN CONSULTING GROUP
Cairn Consulting Group is a market research firm with extensive experience in the hospitality and services industries. For the past several years, Cairn Consulting Group has worked with organizations in both indoor and outdoor hospitality, including the gaming/casino areas, food services/restaurant space, accommodations, travel/tourism and the products and services that are a part of the hospitality industry. The organization also serves clients in branding/brand positioning efforts, evaluating consumer behavior, public opinion & policy and product development.


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Outfit7's Talking Tom Hero Dash Game Has Arrived!
The "Super" New Endless Runner is Now Available to Download
LOS ANGELES, June 6, 2019 (Newswire.com) - The wait is officially over for the millions of Talking Tom and Friends fans around the globe who pre-registered for Outfit7’s "super" new mobile game, Talking Tom Hero Dash. Promising gamers the high energy and excitement of an endless runner with an action-packed superhero twist, Outfit7’s latest mobile game release generated an impressive 4.5 million pre-registered players in the weeks leading up to its launch.
Now available for download on Android and iOS, Talking Tom Hero Dash invites players to run, jump and fly across five different worlds, all while battling bad guys, collecting loot and rescuing Talking Tom’s friends using exciting superpowers. The epic new mobile game is just the beginning for the superhero friends. Outfit7 has also launched a brand new animated series, “Talking Tom Heroes,” to complement the game launch.
“We’re always brainstorming the next big way to enhance the fan experience, and superhero versions of Talking Tom and Friends seemed like a really fun place to start,” said Boris Dolenc, chief product officer at Outfit7. “From boss battles to unlocking the ability to play as new superhero friends, we really wanted to give our players the most robust and exciting runner game possible."
Are you game to save the world? Download Talking Tom Hero Dash free today here.
Outfit7 Limited is one of the world’s fastest-growing multinational family entertainment companies. The company is best known for its flagship franchise Talking Tom and Friends, which became an overnight global sensation when it launched in 2010. In the years since, Outfit7 has expanded its portfolio to include a suite of award-winning games, a 3D CGI animated series, digital video content, chart-topping music videos, and a licensing program in order to meet the amazing demand of its fans. In fact, Outfit7’s games have now been downloaded over 9 billion times in total and up to 350 million fans play with them every month. It’s game on, world. For more information, please visit: www.outfit7.com.


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PATNA: General Post Office (GPO)-Patna on Friday launched postal stamp, postcard, booklet, philatelic souvenirs and gift items to mark the concluding ceremony of 350th birth anniversary of 10th Sikh Guru Gobind Singh
Launching a set of 12 picture postcards, chief post-master general (Bihar circle) M E Haque said the postcard covers the Sikh Circuit
in Bihar and the gurdwaras which were visited by revered Guru Nanak, Guru Tegbahadur and Guru Gobind Singh
. “All the places and gurdwaras visited by either of them hold a special place in hearts of Sikh devotees and the postal department wants to make this ‘Parv’ more special for them,” he said.
A booklet, titled ‘Sikhism Through Stamps’, was also released with a short write-up on pious places attached to Guru Gobind Singh. Philatelic souvenirs, decorative pieces and gifts like wall hanging, coffee mugs, mouse pad, table display, calendar, tie and badges were also released.
Anil Kumar, post-master general (Bihar circle), said the postal department has set up three temporary post offices at Kangan Ghat, Bal Leela Gurdwara and near Takhat Sri Harmandir Sahib. “All the items released on Friday are available at Patna, Gaya and Muzaffarpur GPOs,” Kumar added.
Director of accounts (postal), Bihar circle, S C Jha and philanthropists Kamaljeet Gandhi, Jaspal Gandhi and Sudarshan Singh were also present at the launch.


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| WMU News
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Legendary comedy group The Second City is coming to Western Michigan University's Miller Auditorium at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25.
Purchase tickets online:
Fresh, fast and always funny, The Second City is celebrating 55 years of producing cutting-edge satirical revues and continues to launch the careers of comedy superstars.
The new show features classic material made famous by Second City stars like Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert and Steve Carell, as well as brand new scenes, songs and improv straight from sold out shows in Chicago and Toronto.
The Second City at Miller Auditorium is part of the Lake Michigan Mailers Spotlight Series and is welcomed by Meijer, Seat n Sleep and Pepsi. Tickets are on sale now and range from $25 to $30. They can be purchased online at millerauditorium.com, by calling (269) 387-2300 or (800) 387-2312, or in person at the Miller Auditorium Ticket Office.
A 15 percent discount is available to all WMU faculty and staff, and a 50 percent discount is available to WMU students. Discounted tickets may be purchased by phone or in person, and a valid Bronco ID is required at the time of pickup. Group discounts are available at (269) 387-2312.
For more information, contact Bethany Gauthier at firstname.lastname@example.org or (269) 387-2245.
For more news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.


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Bayut.com, one of the leading UAE and Dubai property portals, has launched a mobile version of its website which will help the site’s users stay in touch with the realty market when on-the-go.
The new mobile website of Bayut
RAK Ceramics, a leading ceramic manufacturing company in the region, has introduced its mobile website, designed for handheld and touch-screen interfaces as part of its global digital marketing strategy.
The company enjoys a viewe
UAE-based RAK Ceramics, as the world’s largest ceramics manufacturer, has launched its mobile website, designed for handheld and touch-screen interfaces.
The company already enjoys a viewership of over 150,000 visitors a mon
Air Arabia, a leading low-cost carrier in Mena, has launched of its new mobile website, which lets customers to use their smart phone to access airarabia.com for quick and easy access to important travel information.
Features of t
Dubizzle, the UAE’s largest free classifieds and community website, has launched a mobile version of its site, offering consumers access to Dubizzle services from any mobile device.
Dubizzle is rolling out the mobile platform simultaneousl
Banco Best, the leading Portuguese direct bank, has launched a new mobile website, with a new graphic interface, information architecture and navigation.
It's the only mobile website in the market that allows clients to perform all transac
MySpace has launched a new, more integrated and optimised mobile website at the Mobile World Congress 2009.
The conference, which started yesterday (February 17) in Barcelona, Spain will end tomorrow.
MySpace reinforced its


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Sweden Best selling cars 2017 back to the standard, after Volkswagen braked in 2016 the 54 years long Volvo domination. IN 2017 the last generation Volvo XC60 was the best model ahead of the new Volvo V/S90 and the former leader, Volkswagen Golf.
Sweden Vehicle Market hit a new all time record in the 2017, the second in a string, fueled by fast economic growth, solid labor market and the development of a local green vehicles strategy. Volvo outperformed on top of the list, ahead of Volkswagen and Toyota.
Sweden Best selling cars 2016 was the Volkswagen Golf, first time for a non Volvo after 54 years. Indeed the event was due to the Volvo decision to disconnect sales of the former leader the V70.
Sweden Best selling vehicles in 2015 dominated by Volvo and Volkswagen. The Volvo V70 again on top of the list with a safe margin over the Volkswagen Golf. Subaru Outback was the best new model ranking in 40th.
Swedish Car Market at best first half ever driven by robust sales for Volvo and Volkswagen. The 2015 sales are projected at the new all-time record with consumer's demand sustained by krona depreciation and domestic stability.
2014 left Swedish Automotive Sector in good shape with a double digit increase in domestic new vehicles sales. In December Volvo share was near 25% while Nissan, Mitsubishi, Lexus and Jeep posted amazing performances.
Sweden car market grew 25.7% in June posting the best performance this year with cumulate sales up 17.7% from year ago. Volvo and Volkswagen dominated best models scene.
Pushed up by roaring economic data, the Swedish car market in March 2014 grew over 20% from year ago keeping a wonderful momentum. Mercedes is progressively advancing in the ranking while BMW is falling down.


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Apple may be planning to build a research and development center in Vietnam, reports Vietnamese site BizLive. Work on the R&D center, which will be located in the Vietnamese central province of Da Nang, was uncovered following a local government meeting on foreign direct investment.
Rumors earlier this year suggested Apple would invest up to $1 billion to build an Asia-focused research and development center in Vietnam, designed to "enhance its competitiveness over major global electronic manufacturers present in the country." Last October, Apple also established an Apple Vietnam LLC in Ho Chi Minh City, led by Gene Daniel Levoff, Apple's VP of corporate law who is also in charge of international operations.
Companies like Microsoft, Intel, and Samsung have had investment projects in Vietnam for several years, but the R&D center will be Apple's first major project in the country.
A final decision on whether the research center plans will move forward is expected in late August.


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Categories: "Client News" or "Media Placements" or "Press Releases"
WATERTOWN, MA ? ExergenŽ Corporation announced the second year of its ?Up to Speed: Fast and Accurate? sponsorship program with INDYCAR and NASCAR, on behalf of its Exergen TemporalScanner thermometer. The promotion launches this Memorial Day weekend a… more »
The Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) announced a partnership with Erica Domesek, founder of the iconic DIY brand PS ? I made this? to promote the Association?s New Product Preview Program, which will serve as a premiere stage for craft manufacturers… more »
WATERTOWN, MA ? Exergen Corporation has announced a donation of $10,000 to The One Fund Boston to help those affected by the Boston Marathon tragedy. The donation is made in honor of the many doctors and nurses of the Boston Marathon Medical Team who… more »
Facebook Fans Can Share Favorite 'Dad Moments' for a Chance to Win Speyburn Single Malt Scotch Whisky announced the Reconnect Father?s Day Photo Contest for outdoors enthusiasts, beginning May 1 and running through June 30, 2013. Speyburn, known for it… more »
The World?s Only Luxury Asian Rum Launches in United States International Beverage USA announced the launch of Phraya, a premium aged rum from Thailand, to the U.S. market. Pronounced prai-ah, this distinctive rum is aged for seven to 12 years… more »


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ASICS Tiger, the third pillar in the brand giant that is ASICS, celebrated the brand’s longevity and consistent presence in the growing world of streetwear and sneakers with an intimate gathering of family, friends, and fans at the Red Dot Museum in Singapore last April 21.
A leader in sports lifestyle sneakers, ASICS Tiger has been a cult favorite since the rise of the popular GEL-LYTE series in the 1980s, rising again in January 2015 with the world’s new-found fascination with Japanese culture and fashion as ASICS’ heritage and Japanese technology have been at its core since its inception.
At the ASICS Tiger Brand Day, there was an exclusive showcase of the campaigns and collections coming out this 2017, one of which is the cult hit, GEL-KAYANO TRAINER KNIT and GEL-KAYANO TRAINER KNIT MT sneakers which were introduced last February.
On site were over 60 sneakers from the ASICS Tiger Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter 2017 collections featured on display including classic silhouettes like the GEL-LYTE III and GEL-LYTE V sneakers, as well as contemporary favorites like the GEL-RESPECTOR, GEL-MAI, and the new GEL-LYTE KOMACHI, ASICS Tiger’s first women’s-only sneaker.
Along with the upcoming releases, we were also treated to an exclusive peak of the archive of ASICS Tiger’s GEL-LYTE III 25th Anniversary collaboration sneakers which were released through various drops in 2015. Some of our favorites on display were the ASICS Tiger x AFEW GEL LYTE III “Koi”, ASICS Tiger x colette GEL LYTE III “25th Anniversary”, and the ASICS Tiger x Kith x Ronnie Fieg GEL-LYTE III “Homage.”
“The ASICS Tiger Brand Day 2017 is an event that was created with the sneakerheads and street style enthusiasts in mind. Hence, the event showcased the classics, the icons that have been given a contemporary update, such as the recently released GEL-KAYANO TRAINER KNIT, as well as the brand new styles. ASICS Tiger has something for everyone that both seasoned sneakerheads and new fans can appreciate.” said Kenji Oh, ASICS Asia’s Marketing Director.
We couldn’t agree more.
Words, Video, and Photos by @angelathejedi
Cover photo care of ASICS Singapore


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But Nintendo dominates the Top 20 overall.
Oh yeah, GTA 5 is here, too.
The next generation is looking good for action adventure fans.
The open world action adventure will seemingly have microtransactions.
Official reveal confirmed for next week's Ubisoft Forward.
New line-up trailer teases Immortals: Fenyx Rising appearance among others.
Despite ongoing controversies, Ubisoft has another stream coming soon.
A reveal for the rebooted game might be coming soon.


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GameStop to Buy New Zealand's Gamesman
Grapevine, Texas GameStop Corp. said Wednesday it agreed to buy Gamesman, New Zealand's largest independent gaming store chain.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
GameStop said the acquisition will help expand its presence in New Zealand.
The deal is expected to close in mid-July.


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Recovery of the broader Chinese economy and growing investor confidence has done wonders for Nio (NYSE:NIO) this year. Commonly referred to as the “Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) of China,” the electric vehicle (EV) company now has a net worth of more than $50 billion. This puts Nio stock in the same club as General Motors (NYSE:GM) in terms of valuation.
Given the exponential growth of the EV market this year, many investors believe that this is where the future of the auto industry is headed. Nio is proof of this with its stock up 93% this year and 936% to-date. But this is just the start of the company’s growth. Nio’s big plans and ample amounts of cash will help cement its position as leader of the up-and-coming Chinese EV market.
Nio Stock Gets a Bump
Riding on the highs of a successful year, Nio stock saw a bump in its price last week. On Monday the electric vehicle maker reported 5,000 deliveries for the month of October, which is a record monthly increase. Nio delivered 31,430 vehicles this year, a 111% spike from the previous year. Investors rejoiced at the news, pushing Nio’s stock up 14%.
Other electric automakers in China like Xpeng (NYSE:XPEV) and Li Auto (NASDAQ:LI) also reported a record increase in deliveries this month. This is a testament to the growing power of EV companies in China. Although Nio is not the largest automaker in China, its cars provide more upscale value with high-tech features. Many of its customers are willing to pay top-dollar.
Moreover, Nio’s financial position is stronger than ever. In its previous quarter, the company reported a 146.5% increase in revenue and sales for the period. Investors expect this value to grow by 147% in its upcoming quarter. It is likely that Nio will hit this target given that sales in Q3 jumped by 150%.
The company also holds a strong cash position after a series of funding rounds earlier this year. Nio is set to report earnings on Nov. 17, so keep your eyes peeled out for another bump in its stock price.
Batteries Will Fuel Nio’s Growth
An important area of innovation for electric automakers across the world is batteries. For companies like Tesla, expensive batteries are a huge reason for vehicle’s premium value. Lowering the cost of batteries will allow EV makers to target the mainstream market. In recent months, Nio placed a large emphasis on improving its battery capabilities.
A major catalyst for Nio stock surge this year is its new battery system. The company announced that it will release a 100 kilowatt/hr battery. Kilowatt is the term used to measure the energy used by the car for an hour. Traditionally, Nio’s battery power was limited to an 84 kWh battery. A 100 kWh battery provides more mileage and will allow the automaker to compete with EV giants like Tesla.
A second battery innovation by Nio is its Battery as a Service (BaaS) model. This is a subscription plan for batteries. While Tesla has battery charging stations for its cars, Nio’s plan lets you change the batteries. Customers can choose the number of and type of batteries they want in the plan. Gone are the days of refilling your tank at a station, with the BaaS model you can swap out your batteries and get back on the road.
Nio has already built 158 swapping stations across the country and continues to expand this service as more people subscribe to the program. In the era of convenience and speed, Nio’s battery service plays perfectly into customers’ needs. This will be a huge growth driver for Nio stock in the future.
The Bottom Line on Nio Stock
Nio stock has been a roll this year and is poised for greater growth in the months ahead. China’s economy is on a strong path to recovery from the pandemic. As the broader markets continue to grow in the next year, Nio stock will reap the gains. Analysts, meanwhile, hiked up the company’s price target in line with an optimistic Q3 outlook.
Adding to the EV market fuel is China’s plan to ban gasoline-powered cars by 2035. This is in an effort to reduce carbon emissions in the region and will be a boon for electric vehicle companies.
With a lot of upside ahead, Nio stock remains one of investors’ favorite stocks this year.
On the date of publication, Divya Premkumar did not have (either directly or indirectly) any positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article.
Divya Premkumar has a finance degree from the University of Houston, Texas. She is a financial writer and analyst who has written stories on various financial topics from investing to personal finance. Divya has been writing for InvestorPlace since 2020.


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PiNkey AG Retains Tower PR as Agency of Record
German PiNkey AG, a company that guarantees the secure storage of keys of all kinds, with a 24-hour standby service and delivery in less than an hour, has retained Tower PR as its agency of record. PiNkey is a startup, which already operates in 60 German cities. With Tower, they help to expand quickly to cover the entire country.
The PR agency will help deliver PiNkey’s message to consumers and potential partners nationwide. The company specializes in planning and controlling customer communication with predefined target audiences – using both traditional and new media, including social media like Facebook and Twitter.
“Tower PR will help us address specific target groups and will support us in delivering an active dialogue with these audiences,” said Steffen Malessa, CEO of PiNkey AG.
PiNkey has an interesting business model. This is more than a key safe, it is a pro-active service that allows customers to store spare-keys at a third party location, and have them delivered, in case of need, within an hour. The cost of the service is relatively low, with less than 30 EURO per year and 15 EURO for delivery. The company guarantees data security and privacy.
PiNKey is not the first service of this kind. In 2006 Ludwig Hagl, a student of Economics, founded Key² – a spare key deposit service in Munich. There are spare-key deposits in Switzerland as well, but none so wired as PiNkey, which had the business intelligence to hire a PR company to spread their message.


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TU student builds hobby into niche business
Monday, January 28, 2013
Hobby inspires Johnson to launch carpentry project
What started as a hobby for University of Tulsa graduate student Callen Johnson has turned into a small business that is already attracting buyers. Johnson, a physics major from Omaha, Neb., has begun building his own brand of gaming tables.
A self-proclaimed video gamer “nerd” since high school, Johnson said he considers gaming a social enabler that encourages human interaction. His products range from large tables ideal for interactive video gaming and board games to simple dice trays for traditional board games.
“I learned woodworking while helping in my grandfather’s shop as a child,” Johnson said. “My grandfather had a passion for carpentry. I never knew the skills I learned in his shop back then would apply to what I’m doing today.”
Johnson received more than $2,000 in financial support less than a week after recently posting his gaming table proposal on kickstarter.com. The website is a funding platform for creative projects related to films, games, design, technology and more. Johnson said comparable gaming tables can cost up to $1,800, but his basic tables with the same functions are about $500.
“My price is based on the cost of materials and my time,” he said. “I really love gaming, so I enjoy making these tables.”
Johnson’s endeavor on kickstarter.com began with a few challenges. His first attempt at funding failed when only a few supporters pledged to invest without ever seeing product samples or demonstrations. When Johnson tried again, he reduced his goal and contacted his original backers.
“I plan to buy all of the basic tools I need with funding from my supporters,” Johnson said.
This time, his project idea took off, and he met his goal in less than a week. With adequate funding, Johnson said he plans to convert his garage into a workshop over the next few months and begin filling orders. His online financial backers pledged their support in exchange for product, resulting in around 20 various projects he will complete this summer.
Johnson said the gaming table project will remain a hobby as he continues to pursue a career in neurophysics. He currently interns at the Laureate Institute for Brain Research where he studies functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), a non-invasive technique used to measure activity by identifying areas of blood flow in the brain.


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Landry’s to explore strategic alternatives
Landry’s Restaurants on Wednesday announced it appointed a special committee to explore a sale and other strategic alternatives.
In a letter on Friday, Tilman Fertitta, Landry’s chairman, president and CEO, asked the committee to formalize negotiations to acquire the Houston-based restaurant and hospitality company outright and spin off one of its brands, Saltgrass Steak House. Fertitta, who already owns 39 percent of Landry’s, has been bidding to privatize the company since early this year.
The committee, which retained Moelis & Co. to serve as its financial advisor, pledged on Wednesday to review strategic alternatives before it decides on Fertitta’s offer; it has not set a timetable.
Landry’s, which went public in 1993, operates several restaurant chains, including Landry’s Seafood House, Charley’s Crab and The Chart House, and the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas and Laughlin, Nev.


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Greggs has warned that the price of its products will likely rise for the second time this year as it faces skyrocketing costs.
The fast-food chain said it had already raised some prices earlier this year and more changes are expected.
The cost of doing business is expected to increase by 6-7% for the company this year due to rising personnel and ingredient costs.
He said he would try to protect his reputation for being “outstanding value for money”.
“As always, we will work to mitigate the impact of this on customers, protecting Greggs’ reputation for exceptional value in the freshly prepared takeaway market.
“Given this momentum, we do not currently expect significant earnings growth in the year ahead.”
However, boss Roger Whiteside said the company will need to assess whether it is able to change prices before doing so.
This is to ensure that customers will still choose to spend money at Greggs even if prices go up.
“We have no plans to increase prices at this time, but obviously this will have to be kept under review given the way markets are developing around the world, particularly food prices,” he said. he declares.
“If the market allows price increases to pass through to customers then we’ll have to try to do that, if not we can’t,” he added.
“You try to position the price to make sure you maximize sales.”
The company returned to profit last year after being hit in 2020 when many of its stores were closed for much of the year due to the pandemic.
The chain made a profit of £145.6million before tax, compared to a loss of £13.7million the previous year.
Sales rose 5.3% from 2019, the year before the pandemic, to £1.2bn.
Greggs plans to expand late hours to 500 stores nationwide and will begin offering delivery from 1,300 of its stores. Delivery is currently available from 1,000 locations.
Mr Whiteside said the business needed to establish a reputation for being open late before it could realize the full benefits of keeping its doors open until 8pm, rather than the usual 6pm.
“Despite challenging business conditions, Greggs was able to punch above its weight through a competitive pricing recipe, smart localization strategy and their JustEat delivery partnership.
“In 2021, Greggs drove revenue growth through store expansion, opening approximately 131 new stores.
“More stores may have meant more sausage roll sales, but a lack of comparable growth is now a concern.
“With the wow factor of its vegan offerings now a distant memory, Greggs needs to offer more innovative and expansive food and drink choices, our experts say.”
Staff can also expect a bonus as Greggs shares 10% of its profits with employees.
For staff who have been with the company for more than six years and work 20 hours a week, the bonus will be around £800, Mr Whiteside said.
He added that the company was not directly exposed to the war in Ukraine, but would be affected by the rise in world prices expected from the Russian invasion.
Russia and Ukraine supply about a third of world wheat exports, and Ukraine is also a major supplier of sunflower oil.


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Numerous surgical stapler models have been found to be faulty, putting patients at risk of injury and even death. The FDA issued recalls, and people nationwide have joined the lawsuit against these potentially harmful staplers.
Learn more: Surgical Stapler Lawsuit
Baby sleepers with an incline above 10 degrees are proven to be potentially harmful and even fatal to infants. However, some manufacturers have failed to recall these hazardous products. A baby sleeper recall lawsuit has been filed against the manufacturers of these sleepers after being linked to the deaths of dozens of babies.
Learn more: Baby Sleeper Lawsuit


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Apple Ramps Up iPhone 15 Production in India to Challenge China Dominance
The next generation of iPhones will start production in India just weeks after Chinese factories, as Apple seeks to boost its manufacturing presence in the country.
The Foxconn plant in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, is preparing for iPhone 15 output shortly after the initial rollout from China. This aims to significantly increase the number of new iPhones made in India, according to sources familiar with the plans.
Apple wants to diversify manufacturing away from China over several years, reducing supply chain risk for key products amid unpredictable US-China trade. India's PM Narendra Modi has built closer US ties and promoted domestic manufacturing. Before the iPhone 14, just a fraction of iPhones were made in India, lagging China by 6-9 months.
That gap was cut last year, with 7% of iPhones produced in India by March 2022. The target this year is near equal output timing from both countries, though suppliers are uncertain. iPhone 15 India volumes depend on imported component availability and smooth Foxconn factory ramp-up near Chennai.
The new iPhone range, expected 12 September, is the biggest update in 3 years. Major camera upgrades across models, plus improved A16 chip for Pro versions. Critical for reviving declining sales after Q3 drops in key US, China and Europe markets.
Other Apple suppliers in India - Pegatron and Wistron (Tata) - will also soon make iPhone 15 models. Apple spokeswoman and supplier reps declined comment. Hon Hai Precision Industry (Foxconn) did not respond.
Apple has expanded in India via Taiwanese suppliers, aided by Modi administration incentives for high-end manufacturing. Helped triple iPhone output to over $7 billion in fiscal year ending March 2022, per reports. Views India as retail opportunity and important long-term production base.
iPhone sales grew double digits in India in Q2 to new high, though Apple hasn't disclosed figures. "Committed to growing and investing across India," said CEO Tim Cook after April India visit.
iPhone 15 production starting soon in India at Foxconn plant
Seeks to boost India output close to levels of major China factories
Part of Apple strategy to diversify manufacturing away from China
India ramp-up depends on component supplies and smooth operations
iPhone 15 launch expected 12 September with major upgrades


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Could there come a time when even the easy task of downloading an app seems to take too much time?
Maybe so. And it looks as if companies like Google might be preparing for that not-so-distant future.
There’s no proof, but there is evidence. It was recently confirmed by Google that it has snapped up a company called Agawi (in 2014, actually). Agawi’s claim to fame is in mobile app streaming — a process that lets a user use an app without first needing to download or install it on their mobile phones.
“Unfortunately it is unclear as to what Google has planned for the company,” notes a recent story at UberGizmo. “A curt statement (from) Google said “The Agawi team has joined Google. We aren’t sharing other details.” That being said, given Agawi’s specialty, it does seem that app streaming could be on Google’s mind.”
Streaming from the cloud could grow even more prevalent. And Google could use Agawi’s technology to change how app search in Google works. In other words, streaming technology might allow people search for and then preview apps before downloading them.
“Given that right now a lot of things are streamed such as music, movies, and even video games, who’s to say that mobile apps won’t be next?” muses Ubergizmo. “Of course, the downside is that it will require users to always have an internet connection, but perhaps it would be offered as an alternative as opposed to a replacement.”


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New Delhi: India, the world’s second-biggest vegetable oil buyer after China, may cut imports next year because monsoon rains are forecast to be sufficient to boost the domestic oilseed harvest.
Vegetable oil imports may drop by 10% in the 12 months starting in November, M. Somasekhar, an analyst at TransGraph Consulting Pvt., which advises traders, said in a phone interview from Hyderabad yesterday. The monsoon is expected to be normal, with the fate of crops depending largely on rainfall distribution.
Agriculture accounts for a fifth of India’s $854 billion economy and directly employs 234 million of the country’s 1.2 billion people. Reduced edible oil imports may cool prices of palm oil in Malaysia and of competing soybean oil in Chicago, which have risen by 46 % and 30 %, respectively, in the past year on demand for cooking and for alternative fuels.
Rs.Rising prices and expectation of normal rainfall will definitely boost oilseed planting,’’ Bharath K. Rekapalli, director of Global Financial Markets, a trading and research company, said by phone from the southern city of Hyderabad.
The June-to-September rainy season will be 95 % of the average reported between 1941 and 1990, a level considered normal, India’s Meteorological Department said on 19 April. The rains water 60 % of the crop land.
Rs.If the forecast turned out to be a reality we can see higher output of soybeans and peanut,’’ Somasekhar said. Rs.This will have a negative impact on domestic prices.’
India’s vegetable oil imports may fall to as low as 5.4 million metric tons in the 12 months starting in November from an estimated 6 million tons this year, Somasekhar said.
The weather department reported that rains were 100 % of the long-term average last year. Still, agricultural growth slowed to 2.7 % in the year ended on 31 March from 6 % in the previous year as uneven distribution of rainfall hurt production of monsoon oilseeds and coarse cereals.
Rs.It’s not only the quantum but the distribution of rainfall which is important,’ B.V. Mehta, executive director of the Solvent Extractors Association of India, representing 800 oilseed processors, said in a phone interview from Mumbai yesterday.
Rs.We are already in a shortage of oilseeds. A good monsoon will boost overall agriculture output including oilseeds and will soften prices of food products in the country,’ he said.
Sowing for monsoon oilseeds, which account for 60 % of the country’s total oilseed output, starts in June. Harvesting starts in middle of September and continues till end of November.
Rs.If the weather office had said rains will be bad, farmers would have thought twice before sowing the crop,’ Rekapalli of Global Financial Markets said. Normal rainfall will encourage farmers to sow more crops such as soybean and peanut, he added.
India is likely to increase purchases of vegetable oil in the year ending October after uneven distribution of rainfall last year hurt production of oilseeds. The nation’s oilseeds output is estimated to fall 17 % to 23.26 million metric tons in the year ending June from a year earlier, the government said on 4 April.
The country’s purchases of palm oil, the biggest imported vegetable oil, increased 30 % in the five months ended 31 March to 1.07 million tons from 827,795 tons a year earlier. Malaysia and Indonesia produce 85 % of the world’s palm oil.
Palm oil, typically used as cooking oil or in soaps, can be mixed with diesel to stretch fossil fuel supplies. Soybean oil is used in salad dressings as well as in making biodiesel.


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- Travel Spots
Ultra Series Superhero Ultraseven Featured in Urban Revitalization Project in Tokyo’s Setagaya Ward
7:00 JST, November 27, 2023
The Soshigaya and neighboring Shimokitazawa areas of Tokyo’s Setagaya Ward are hosting an urban revitalization project focusing on the superhero Ultraseven, along with the unveiling of a new statue of the hero, street art featuring related characters and other activities.
Soshigaya is the original home of Tsuburaya Productions Co., which produces the Ultra series, a popular tokusatsu special effects science fiction franchise. Ultraseven is part of the lineup.
This history has made the Ultraman Shotengai shopping district in Soshigaya a must-see destination for Ultra fans.
The urban revitalization event, called Shimokita Soshigaya Ultra Town Fes, was organized due to the connection between Soshigaya and Tsuburaya Productions, which is currently based in Shibuya Ward. The event runs through the end of the month.
An unveiling ceremony was held on Nov. 3 for a 3.3-meter-tall statue of Ultraseven in his iconic attack stance. It is set in Kinuta 8-chome Children’s Park, near the Ultraman Shotengai shopping street. Many fans filled the park and took photos of the statue.
“I like the Ultraseven series best [among the Ultra series],” said a 48-year-old company employee who lives nearby. “I’m really happy to have such a cool statue in my neighborhood.”
Ultraseven was first broadcast on TV from October 1967 to September 1968. It is widely considered to be the best of the Ultra series and is beloved for its unique sci-fi and setting as well as deep storylines, which go beyond simple battles between good and evil.
Tsuburaya Productions planned the event to promote Ultraseven to mark the 55th anniversary of the series’ debut.
The event is taking place in Soshigaya, which has been using Ultraman as a local attraction, and shopping areas around Shimokitazawa Station on the Odakyu Line. Soshigaya-Okura Station on the line runs through the Soshigaya area.
Ultraseven has always strived for “a future in which people can understand each other” even when hurt, falling down or running out of strength.
Tsuburaya Productions says the series’ elements of dialogue with aliens with differing values can encourage people to reflect on today’s diverse society. Shimokitazawa was chosen as a venue for the event as the concept is well-suited to the area, where youth culture, arts and more come together.
Around Shimokitazawa Station, eight spots in the six shopping areas are featured in the event. Artworks of monsters and aliens from the Ultraseven series, such as Alien Guts and Eleking, drawn by young artists, are displayed as street art on the windows and walls of restaurants and clothing shops. Visitors can enjoy finding the images and solving riddles while strolling in the shopping areas.
The street art project runs through Dec. 25, while the urban revitalization event concludes at the end of this month.
“We feel that Ultraseven and the areas share something in common, so we planned the project,” said the chairman of Shimokita Shotengai Shinko Kumiai, an association of shopping areas in Shimokitazawa. “We hope people will visit and see how they blend together.”
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According to a new market report pertaining to the Product Lifecycle Management Consumer Packaged Goods and Retail (PLM CP&R) Market published by Transparency Market Research, the PLM CP&R market (the Americas, Europe, Middle East & Africa and Asia) is projected to reach US$ 5,204.18 Mn by 2026, driven by an expansion in the consumer electronics industry worldwide. The market is projected to expand at a CAGR of 11.45% during the forecast period from 2018 to 2026. Growth of the market is attributed to the high adoption automation in the Consumer Packaged Goods & Retail (CP& R) industries and high adoption of product lifecycle management (PLM) software. The Americas region is anticipated to lead the PLM CP&R market, followed by Asia and Europe, Middle East & Africa, during the forecast period. The PLM CP&R market is at an emerging stage and is anticipated to expand rapidly in the next few years.
Growth of the Consumer Electronics Industry
According to TMR analysis, the global consumer electronics industry has witnessed significant Y-o-Y growth at the rate of around 7% in 2017 in terms of revenue. The consumer electronics industry in Asia is expanding rapidly. Rise in disposable income and increase in population are boosting demand for consumer electronics. India had a population of 1,314 million in 2015, and it is anticipated to reach 1,530 million by 2030.
A rise in population is anticipated to present attractive expansion opportunities for the personal and portable consumer electronics industry. The expanding consumer electronics industry would need process automation, thus creating lucrative opportunities for PLM solution providers.


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Premier Li has called for the accelerated implementation of established policies and measures, the stabilization of China's macroeconomy, the maintenance of the country's economy within an appropriate range, and work to ensure people's livelihoods.
Targeted supportive measures should be unveiled for sectors and firms facing difficulties — particularly medium, small and micro-sized enterprises, and individually owned businesses.
At a symposium on the economic situation on April 11
Efforts should be stepped up to ensure the abundant provision and stable prices of agricultural supplies.
During an inspection tour of East China's Jiangxi province on April 12


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Apple Reveals 2012 Final Cut Pro X Update with Multichannel Audio Editing, RED Support and More
Apple met with video consultant and trainer Larry Jordan on the eve of the 2012 NAB show and shared some upcoming plans for Final Cut Pro X. The following features are expected in Final Cut Pro X in 2012:
- Multichannel Audio Editing Tools
- Dual Viewers
- MXF Plug-in Support
- RED camera support
Jordan goes into some light details about some of the new features. FCP X will be able to read MXF files directly without the need to convert to QuickTime. The same can be said for RED camera support whose files will be able to be edited natively. Finally, Apple explains that Dual Viewers is analogous to Source and Record monitors and that they will try to do it better than has been implemented in the previously.
While those are the only features officially announced, Apple indicated that they wouldn't be the only new features coming this year. Jordan also asked for hints about upcoming hardware, but Apple didn't provide any information.
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) conference kicks off this week in Las Vegas. Apple has not held a major presence at the show in recent years, but did use the venue last year to introduce Final Cut Pro X. Apple again appears to have a presence at the show and is at least meeting with some prominent figures. The NAB runs through April 19th.
Apple earlier this week announced the discontinuation of the iPod touch, and because it was the last iPod still available for purchase, its sunsetting effectively marks the end of the entire iPod lineup.
To send the iPod on its way, we thought it would be fun to take a look back at some of the most notable iPod releases over the last 21 years.
Original iPod (2001)
Introduced in October...
iOS 16 will include new ways of interacting with the system and some "fresh Apple apps," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has said, offering some more detail on what Apple has in store for the upcoming release of iOS and iPadOS set to be announced in a few weeks at WWDC. In the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Gurman wrote that while iOS 16 is not likely to introduce a major face-lift to...
YouTuber Unbox Therapy has shared a hands-on look at the iPhone 14 Pro Max using what he claims is a one-to-one replica created by third-party case makers with access to detailed schematics and dimensions for Apple's new upcoming flagship smartphone.
As with the iPhone 13 Pro lineup, in 2022, we are expecting a 6.1-inch iPhone 14 Pro and a 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Pro Max, but this time the Pro...
Apple today released iOS 15.5 and iPadOS 15.5, the fifth major updates to the iOS and iPadOS 15 operating systems that were initially released in September 2021. iOS and iPadOS 15.5 come a little over two months after the launch of iOS 15.4 and iPadOS 15.4.
The iOS 15.5 and iPadOS 15.5 updates can be downloaded for free and the software is available on all eligible devices over-the-air in...
It's been over 200 days since Apple debuted its redesigned MacBook Pro lineup. Offered in 14-inch and 16-inch display sizes, the new-look MacBooks wowed Apple fans and creative pros alike with their powerful custom Apple silicon, mini-LED screen, and multiple connectivity options. But there are still some things you can't do with a MacBook Pro. Here are five features some Mac users are still...
Apple has launched a special limited-time offer for iPhone, Apple Watch, Mac, and iPad trade-in that offers customers additional credit when trading in their only device for a new one.
The offer is being run in several countries including the US, UK, Germany, Spain, Italy, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, China, India, and France. In the UK, Apple is offering up to £50 of extra trade-in credit...
Earlier this week, well-known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed that Apple plans to release at least one iPhone 15 model with a USB-C port in 2023. Now, in a follow-up tweet, he has claimed that accessories like AirPods, the MagSafe Battery Pack, and the Magic Keyboard/Mouse/Trackpad trio would also switch to USB-C in the "foreseeable future."
Both the iPhone and all of the aforementioned...


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London is great at fintech. But the deluge of founders innovating services that merge machine-learning with traditional financial systems comes with a price. Founders eager to break into the sector have to do more to stand out. That’s why we’ve looked into four simple ways that you can grow your startup.
(1) Predict the future and act
What’s the first rule of entertainment? Give the people what they want. And the same guideline applies to budding entrepreneurs too. Speaking exclusively with Elite Business, David Jackson, managing director at Altus Business Systems, the fintech company, said: “Successful fintech startups solve problems that businesses are either facing today or will face in the future. Being able to quickly and effectively develop these solutions is the hallmark of a competitive startup – but achieving this level of agility is difficult when a business is running a large code base for a complex system.” If you can do that properly, then you’ll compete with incumbent big brands faster than you can say “challenger bank.”
(2) Forget about one-size-fits-all systems
You know that freedom you get from pick n’ mix sweets? Well, something similar is at play when it comes to becoming a successful fintech startup leader. “When it comes to delivering an online digital experience to customers, the old view that a single monolithic system is best is no longer valid,” said Jackson. “Fintech startups should look at curating technology estates that feature components and services that come from a variety of vendors and in-house developers. This will increase the business’s agility and in turn its likelihood to survive and thrive.” So think less Percy Pig and more Candy King.
(3) Don’t be afraid to seek out support
As the rock grandpa Mick Jagger put it: “You can’t always get what you want but if you try sometimes you just might find you get what you need.” The lesson? Don’t be afraid to look for help. “In order to give your company the best shot at success, seek the support that is available to startups in the form of the incubators and accelerators to be found all over the country,” advised Jackson. “These spaces can offer something as simple as desk space but with this comes visibility, competitor awareness and the chance of securing seed funding. And however these spaces are run, they all bring with them the promise of training, mentoring and business support, which enables startups to flourish.” Rock on.
(4) Seize the day
Taking chances is never easy but when it comes to growing a fintech business, you should get ready to step out of your comfort zone when opportunities present themselves. “Harness whatever opportunities there are for startups: for instance, PSD2 promotes the development and use of innovative online and mobile payments,” said Jackson. “The use of public APIs should accelerate the digital transformation of banks and herald a new era of open banking.” He argued that this will provide startups with a lot of opportunities. “From payments to funding and investment, fintechs are perfectly positioned to uncover, understand and deliver innovative solutions to these broken business processes and customer experiences,” he concluded. Remember, it’s better to regret something you did than something you didn’t do.
Scaling a business is not without challenges. However, with these four guidelines under your belt, you should have a slight edge against the competition.


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LOS ANGELES (LALATE EXCLUSIVE) – Ramona Singer, Countess LuAnn, and Jill Zarin feuded with Bethenny Frankel on RHONY. But now, Singer, The Countess, and Zarin have picked up trademarks for their names, while Frankel has abandoned her own, LALATE can report. And while Singer is set to return to RHONY with lots of wine, Luann is prepared with something else: The Countess Wine Buckets.
Ramona Singer and Countess LuAnn return to RHONY in the coming months. But the pair are leading the surge by Housewives of secure trademarks covering their names. Singer has picked up ownership of “Ramona Singer” to cover sales of wine in the U.S. The Countess secured three previous trademarks which she has since abandoned. But recently, LuAnn picked up new trademarks for bakeware, napkins holders, and even wine buckets. No word if Ramona’s wine fits Countess’ buckets.
Zarin has secured multiple trademarks for her businesses. But as to her name, she has also picked up one claiming “Entertainment services, namely, personal appearances by a television and reality show celebrity”.
Frankel’s reps have abandoned previous existing trademarks carrying her name for package food, “namely, frozen, packaged entrees consisting primarily of meat, fish, poultry or vegetables”. However, Bethenny was not behind securing the mark. Rather she gave “consent(s) to register ” at the time.


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Facebook Co-Founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg called out Instagram and its new Video on Instagram offering during the social network’s second-quarter earnings call Wednesday.
During his opening remarks, he said:
Next, let’s talk about building more useful services on the path to understanding the world. The newest product I’m most excited about from our last quarter is Instagram video.
Adding video fits really naturally with the Instagram mission of capturing and sharing the world’s moments, and it’s off to a great start.
People are already uploading hours of video to Instagram every minute. I’m really proud of the team, and I think they did a great job with this product.
When I first talked to (Instagram Co-Founder and CEO) Kevin (Systrom) about this, he had a really smart insight. Instagram has been about helping people capture moments in a way they’re proud of. Filters were necessary for photos, because when Instagram started, most phone cameras weren’t good enough to take high-quality photos, but lack of filters isn’t what’s holding back videos from being great — it’s that they’re shaky and feel unprofessional. Kevin realized that if we could deliver a product that helped people produce stable videos, that would really change the landscape, and I think it already is.
Later in the call, in response to a question about monetizing Instagram, Zuckerberg added:
Kevin has always been clear that we’re building Instagram to be a business, and we expect that over time, we’re going to generate a lot of profit from it, probably through advertising. Now, that all said, right now, it’s just growing so quickly. I mean, the number that we’ve just said was 130 million monthly actives, (and the) video product is growing really quickly.
There are so many directions to expand this in that we think that the right focus for now is to continue just focusing on increasing the footprint of Instagram, and when the right time comes, we’ll think about doing advertising, as well, and I think that’s going to be a really big opportunity.
Readers: How do you think Facebook will eventually be able to work ads into Instagram?


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When California Pizza Kitchen announces its newest crust is made of cauliflower—that’s when you know.
IHOP Restaurants unveiled its newest limited-time French toast innovation Monday in partnership with iconic King's Hawaiian sweet bread.
Applebee's Neighborhood Grill + Bar has brought back the $1 margarita, famously known as the DOLLARITA, to restaurants nationwide for the entire month of April.
A group of countries spanning from North Africa to Asia, the Middle East is at the crossroads of rich cultures, fallen empires, and centuries of migration.
In honor of National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day, Pinstripes (Bistro + Bocce + Bowling) is having some fun with a peanut butter and jelly-inspired meal for grownups that kicks-off April 2, which al
The annual Alaska halibut and sablefish (black cod) harvest seasons began March 24, bringing world-renowned Alaska whitefish to restaurants and retailers across the country. These two, delicious sp
As the first glimpse of spring emerges, Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar today introduces new seasonally inspired, handcrafted menu items that are infused with a variety of fresh ingredients.
Late-night menus come with challenges. Kitchens have already semi-closed; staff is tight.
The breakfast experts at the American Egg Board are cracking open a new chapter of Incredible Breakfast Trends (IBT) in 2018.


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After months of no word about NBA Live 20, the next entry in EA’s basketball series that tends to go toe-to-toe against NBA 2K , the other shoe has dropped. During an investor conference call on October 29, 2019, CEO Andrew Wilson confirmed that the latest game has been canceled. This reveal comes after not hearing anything about the game since July 2019.
During the conference call, Wilson said that NBA Live 20 would not appear during 2019. This title wasn’t specifically mentioned by name, with the CEO only referring to it as an “ NBA Live HD product.” However, his statement didn’t specifically say that the series was dead. Instead, he noted, “We’re not launching a new NBA Live HD product this season. Instead, we’re expanding our vision, leaning hard into the new leading-edge platforms, and taking the time to ensure we deliver against the opportunity for our players.”
Originally, it seemed as though NBA Live 20 would appear in 2019, only later than usual. In July 2019, during another investor call, Wilson said it was just delayed. The EA fiscal year 2020 announced console/pc titles financial report released at that time showed NBA Live 20 as a Q3 2019 console release.
This is not the first time an NBA Live game has been canceled in recent years. No game in the series was released in 2011, and NBA Live 13 was canceled and didn’t show in 2012. Most recently, the only 2016 NBA Live game was NBA Live Mobile , as the console version of the series went from 2015’s NBA Live 16 to 2017’s NBA Live 18.


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A Little Retail Hustle Paid Off in Holiday Sales
America's merchants hustled for sales this holiday season, marking down a substantial part of their inventories right before Christmas to bring in enough last-minute and postholiday buyers for a decent, if unexciting, 3.1 percent gain over the previous year.
"Everyone did a little better than we expected - but that was because our expectations were so low," said George Strachan, a retail analyst with Goldman Sachs, who labeled this Christmas "humdrum." The results, as measured in a survey released yesterday by Goldman, were not as good as the 4 percent gain reported a year ago, but better than the meager 2.2 percent rise in 2002, the worst in five years.
In the end, apparel was not the disaster some retailing consultants had privately said they feared, and electronics was not the blockbuster others had hoped for.
The continued climb of luxury stores like Neiman Marcus was not a surprise, although Saks Fifth Avenue's 12.1 percent increase in sales in stores open at least a year exceeded analysts' predictions.
The biggest surprise was how well the notoriously fickle teenage and young-20's sector did, with American Eagle Outfitters, Bebe and Abercrombie & Fitch demolishing previous projections. Also, Wal-Mart's last-ditch marketing and limited series of markdowns raised its result from a 2 percent gain to 3 percent and, coming from the world's largest retailer, the gain lifted the entire average.
On the other end, though, the disappointing holiday results at Gap Inc. took away a piece. Although Gap reported just a 1 percent decline, Rachel Schecter, a retail analyst and spokeswoman for Thomson Financial, said because the Gap is so big - it is the country's largest specialty chain, selling close to $16 billion a year - "it does sway the mean by a considerable amount," she said.
Both analysts and deal makers were watching Toys "R" Us to see how the troubled toy seller, which is known to be for sale, would do in its biggest time of year. The company's 2.2 percent decline over the last nine weeks was "pretty much predicted," said Gilbert W. Harrison, chairman of Financo, an investment bank based in New York. "Most of the buyers are looking at it as a fallen company, with tremendous real estate value."
In 2003, most merchants were successful in holding the line on holiday markdowns. But rising energy prices and the lack of "must have" toys and clothes resulted in some desperate week-before-Christmas bargain sales in 2004.
"Right before Christmas, I saw a lot of panic among retailers I spoke with, because consumers didn't seem to be responding," said John D. Morris, an analyst for Harris Nesbitt who tracks store markdowns. "But it was a delayed reaction: the consumers did arrive the week after Christmas and started buying, a lot with gift cards, so there was no need to make any further markdowns."
By Christmas, he said, there were 12 percent more items marked down than there were in early November, "a huge difference," he said.
It was unclear yesterday how much the quest to beat last year's sales yardsticks would affect profit margins. Wal-Mart's chief financial officer said on Tuesday that despite the chain's well-publicized price cuts, the overall earnings forecast remained unchanged.
But Wal-Mart, analysts said, might be an exception. "They only slashed prices on a couple dozen items," said Todd D. Slater, a retail analyst with Lazard.
Mr. Morris, the Harris Nesbitt analyst, said the more markdowns, the greater the impact on profits. "If you've got a store full of clearance racks in the next couple of months, the customer won't feel like focusing on the new spring merchandise," which will be offered at full, high-margin prices.
In yesterday morning's recorded call on the numbers, Gap's senior vice president, Sabrina Simmons, addressed that issue. Although the company cut prices deeply - especially at the Old Navy division - the tactic was successful. Gap got rid of the holiday merchandise and, she reported, will now bring in the new spring merchandise with alacrity. Old Navy's spring collections are already arriving, two weeks earlier than they did last year.
The surprise overall category winner was the teenage sector, said Ken Perkins, a statistician who heads Retailmetrics. Teenage apparel, he wrote, "racked up an impressive 12.1 percent increase."
It was not surprising that American Eagle Outfitters, a youth-oriented chain, did well. But the chain, on a year-round turnaround trail, blew by even the most optimistic projections for its holiday season, with its 32.8 percent increase, though that was compared with minus 10 percent a year ago. Then there was its competitor, the Bebe stores, which came close with a 28 percent rise.
But perhaps the major surprise was Abercrombie & Fitch, a youth-oriented chain. It defied industry logic, and what others were doing, by refusing to indulge in widespread markdowns. The strategy worked for that chain; while analysts had projected flat comparisons with last year, Abercrombie reported a 10 percent rise.
Then there were those that lost ground, although there were not as many surprises, largely because many executives chose to issue warnings fairly early in the season.
Wet Seal, another youth-oriented chain, continued its decline, while Pier 1 Imports sold 8.8 percent less, in stores open at least a year. (This comparison is generally considered the fairest measure; a company can increase overall sales by opening new stores.) Analysts had thought sales would decline 4.3 percent.
When the holiday season began, the hottest sector seemed to be electronics, including iPods, flat-screen televisions, digital cameras and other adult toys. But when the same-store sales came in, Best Buy, generally regarded as one of the most successful merchants, recorded only a 2.5 percent increase - not quite reaching its own 3 percent to 5 percent estimate. (Costco, on the other hand, had a 9 percent gain, surpassing projections.)
Like the holiday sales results, retail stocks were mixed yesterday. Although Standard & Poor's retail composite of 93 stocks fell 1.2 percent, many of the specialty chains' stocks were up substantially; investors feared even worse results. Ann Taylor's stock, for example, rose $2.55 to close at $23.14. (Same-store sales fell by 1.5 percent; analysts had predicted a decline of 10.2 percent.) Best Buy came in below expectations: shares were down $2.55, to close at $55.50. And then there was American Eagle, whose stock rose $2.56, to $50.48.
Mr. Strachan of Goldman Sachs de-emphasized the effect of gift card use on yesterday's numbers. While more people bought gift cards, he said, that did not necessarily mean they spent more money over the holidays.
He also questioned the significance of another much-reported trend: the 23 percent increase in holiday goods ordered over the Internet. While the Internet is indeed becoming more important in gift buying, many of the purchases were from the traditional stores' Web sites. Target and Neiman Marcus, he added, had two of the most prosperous sites. J. C. Penney, which reported a 30 percent rise in the use of its Internet site, may have just transferred sales from its catalog, Mr. Strachan said.


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Olympians' biggest hurdle is cashing in on gold
A glut of sporting stars will swamp marketers, reports Paul McIntyre.
Australia's rich haul of medals from Athens is keeping the country happy although winning athletes, even those with a gold, are facing the toughest sponsorship market of any recent Olympics if they return wanting to strike lucrative endorsement contracts.
One of the biggest problems is that it appears companies looking for sponsorship opportunities will have a glut of elite medal talent to choose from. And, as usual, the glamour sports will get most of the attention.
There are exceptions, such as Australia's first diving gold medallist, Chantelle Newberry, who sponsorship experts say is earmarked for contracts even though diving is not a top tier sporting sponsorship event.
Veteran swimmer Petria Thomas, long snubbed by the big end of town for a perceived lack of glamour, will also now hit the big time, at least on the corporate speaking circuit, after winning two golds and a silver at Athens.
"She's come through this looking incredibly mature, fast, courageous and solid as a rock," says Rush Sports and Events managing director Michael Porra. "She's not a smiling, glamorous, bubbly glamour girl like Jodie Henry but they will both do extremely well. If Petria can go a yard in public speaking, she will be highly sought after."
Outside of the obvious candidates - Henry, Grant Hackett, Giann Rooney, Liesel Jones and Jana Pittman- corporate attention will be fractured.
There is some glimmer of hope, however, for lower profile Olympians. First, the superfish, Ian Thorpe, is backing away from striking new endorsement contracts in favour of equity interest in his own products. That should free a lot of money.
Second, companies are looking for smarter, less traditional ways to spruik their commercial relationships with athletes than in straight advertising campaigns, particularly on TV. If companies can get some of these lower profile winners to work hard for them at a grass roots, community level, Australia's latest Olympians might strike a little more gold.
Media fragmentation is working in their favour, says Lynne Anderson, director of S-COMM, a sponsorship research and evaluation firm. "The timing is better than ever for marketers looking for new opportunities and who want to drop the traditional approach of going full steam into TV advertising. What we see clients looking for is something that allows them to really create connections with their target markets. It comes down to who has the creative brains necessary to develop a unique campaign." Anderson cites Coca-Cola's recent initiative in North America to move its marketing to the younger market off TV and on to the streets as an example of how sponsorship opportunities might evolve for new Olympians. As teens hang out more in public spaces, Coke has cut its reliance on TV advertising, in one case placing red lounges in shopping centres surrounded by music and, of course, Coca-Cola, to engage young people.
Smarter sponsorship of athletes suddenly allows you to bring that sort of thing to life, says Anderson. But such deals will place enormous pressure on companies which manage athlete sponsorship deals and it is the companies which might have to develop the strategies if their medal-winning clients are to earn some extra cash for their efforts.
Like a lot of other industries, sports management companies tend to wait for deals to come through the doors, says Porra. "They do happen but usually for the bigger names. It's possible that there might be a whole lot more creativity coming in but, to be frank, I still think the lesser knowns will struggle.
"We did an exercise earlier this week and already most people can't remember who won gold last week. It sounds hard but it's the reality."
For all the talk about moving out of traditional advertising, a bunch of fruit growers from SPC Ardmona had great success ploughing more than $20 million into straight advertising for the past decade in one of the longest standing Olympics-instigated endorsement contracts.
The company's Goulburn Valley brand has used the rowing team, nicknamed the Oarsome Foursome, which won gold in Barcelona in 1992, as its advertising spearhead for 10 years. And fortuitously for Goulburn Valley, two of them, Drew Ginn and James Tomkins, did it again 12 years later at Athens by winning gold in the men's pairs.
"You can take a short-term approach and take advantage of someone's medal-winning currency or you can choose to develop a longer term relationship," said SPC Ardmona's managing director, Nigel Gerard. "We took the longer term approach and it's proven to work. It's a good fit for both sides rather than just a personality endorsing a product. That's really important for public credibility. The ads are received very well by the public. The Oarsome Foursome have come to identify the Goulburn Valley brand."
Rod Bennett, a partner at Badjar, the Melbourne advertising agency which creates the advertising, said the Goulburn Valley campaign was still working because they had moved the ads on from a pure sporting endorsement to the rowers singing and becoming a bit humorous. "We've used them as Olympians and we've used them as singers," said Bennett. "My advice to athletes and their management is, don't try and get a lot of money in the first day. If they want success after their use-by date, work on the right relationships for the long term. The reality is that they are seen as a commodity to use."


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- NACDS, NCPA, GPhA express support for Drug Quality and Security Act
- Study from NCPA sheds new light on med synchronization programs
- ROUNDTABLE: Pharmacy’s future in sync with technology
- Generic drug prices spike, but PBMs' reimbursement rates don't keep up, NCPA study finds
- Americans more likely than others to prefer generics, study finds
NEW YORK — Indian generic drug maker Lupin has launched an authorized generic version of a birth control pill made by Warner Chilcott, according to published reports.
Dow Jones reported that Lupin launched an authorized generic of Femcon (norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol tablets, ferrous fumarate tablets).
An authorized generic is a branded drug sold under its generic name at a reduced price, usually through a third-party company.


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An app developer shows an image that suggests the iPad keyboard could scale to larger screen sizes. Is this a hint that the much-rumored iPad Pro is on its way?
iPhone and iOS news
You not only get to choose your colors, you also get to upload your own photo for the grill!
The iconic tablet was a phenomenon out of the gate, but with sales slowing, the iPad finds itself at a crossroads on the fifth anniversary of its original launch.
Researcher IDC cuts its forecast for tablet shipments in 2015, adding that Apple's iPad should keep losing market share.
Most of AT&T's customer gains in the fourth quarter came from its non-smartphone business.
Korea's smartphone exports for October fall by almost 36 percent, with the country's government blaming the release of Apple's latest gadget and cheap Chinese phones.
As all the carriers duke it out for consumers' affections, the gains last quarter keep Sprint just ahead of T-Mobile in terms of total customers.
Apple's first attempt at a smartphone over 5 inches brings it to battle with the latest and greatest Android phones of about the same size.
Sony wants to lure gamers to the Xperia Z3 line with its ability to remotely play PlayStation 4 games. And it'd be thrilled to finally see a smash-hit phone, period.
Sony has gotten knocked around in the smartphone business. CNET looks at why the company needs to stick it out.


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Johnson & Johnson announces that they will no longer sell talcum powder-based products around the world. The company recently announced that they will be transitioning to all cornstarch-based baby powder with talc-based baby powder being fully discontinued globally next year in 2023.
Cornstarch-based products are already sold in numerous countries, including in the U.S. The company says its position on the safety of its cosmetic talc remains unchanged. They also said they stand behind the decades of independent, scientific analysis by medical experts around the world that confirms that their talc-based baby powder is safe, doesn’t contain asbestos, and does not cause cancer.
In 2018, a jury in St. Louis delivered a $4.7 billion verdict against Johnson & Johnson in favor of women and their families who claimed asbestos in the company’s talcum powder products caused them to develop ovarian cancer.
Click play to listen to the AURN News report from Jamie Jackson:


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ABOUT THE CROSSBLUE
• Six or seven seats• Slotted in size above VW Tiguan and below Touareg SUVs• Concept has diesel-electric plug-in hybrid powertrain• Fuel economy 89 mpg in electric mode, 35 mpg combined• 0 to 60 in 7 seconds• Dual-clutch transmissionSource: Volkswagen
Read about the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
DETROIT - If Chattanooga's Volkswagen plant lands the production of a new midsize sport utility vehicle, it will likely have to battle Mexico to do so.
Mexico is hot when it comes to vehicle assembly with a variety of automakers ramping up production to take advantage of lower costs, an array of suppliers and free trade agreements.
In fact, VW last year chose Mexico for its first North American Audi production plant, and it's building an engine plant in that country. VW already has a production plant in Mexico that assembles about 600,000 vehicles a year.
Still, Chattanoogans are hopeful about the city's chances to land the SUV that would compete head to head with the Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot and Nissan Pathfinder.
"It would be a perfect product for our plant," said Frank Fischer, chief executive of VW's operations in Chattanooga, Monday at the North American International Auto Show. "I really like the design."
If VW's top decisionmakers decide the CrossBlue SUV concept is a go, the German automaker is aiming to assemble the vehicle in North America to stay away from currency fluctuations in Europe.
Fischer said the company's experience making the award-winning Passat is a big chip in Chattanooga's favor.
He said the plant produced 152,000 Passats last year, which was above the 145,000 planned. Also, exports of Passats outside America last year equaled about $400 million, the plant CEO said.
All that was done with a high level of craftsmanship, he said.
Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger said the plant has shown "proven results."
"Give the credit to the workforce," he said of the plant's 3,300 employees. "That gives us a competitive edge."
Coppinger also said local and state officials are committed to wooing more suppliers to the Chattanooga region for VW.
"That's one of our purposes at the auto show," he said.
Ron Harr, CEO of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, said that because the SUV is designed specifically for Americans, transportation is a key issue, and Chattanooga is centrally located.
He also thinks the idea of a product made in America still means a lot.
Charles Wood, the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce's vice president for economic development, said the Made-in-the-USA label is critical.
"It's not just business but psychological," he said.
Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield said there's also a realization that trade issues must be dealt with to make the U.S. more competitive with Mexico. Officials have said that the decision by VW last year to put the new Audi production plant in Mexico rather than the U.S. was in large part because of trade advantages.
Aaron Bragman, an auto analyst with IHS Automotive, said the midsize SUV would be a good product fit for VW.
"It's the hottest segment in the market," he said, adding that the Chattanooga plant's experience building the Passat is helpful.
Christian Klingler, VW's board member for sales, said officials were to gauge the auto show's reception to the CrossBlue. Even if VW officials sign off on the project, it could be 2015 before it hits dealerships.
Browning said Volkswagen wants a bigger share of the growing U.S. SUV market. He said the midsize SUV market is expected to grow by about 20 percent over the next several years.


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Judge Blocks Auction Of Native Hawaiian Heiress' Things
HONOLULU — An auction of a 94-year-old Native Hawaiian heiress' belongings can't go forward until a conservator is named to handle her finances, a judge ruled Monday.
Abigail Kawananakoa's foundation, which has been working to ensure her fortune goes to benefiting Native Hawaiian causes, asked a judge to stop the auction until at least a conservator is named. The auction was scheduled to close next week, while a hearing on her conservator isn't scheduled until July 21. On Monday, the the auction website said it is now scheduled to end on Aug. 2.
Kawananakoa's wife and others can't proceed with the auction or sell any of her belongings until there's a ruling on the foundation's petition and a permanent conservator is named, Judge R. Mark Browning ruled.
Her $215-million fortune has been tied up in a legal battle since 2017, when her longtime lawyer, Jim Wright, argued a stroke left her impaired. Kawananakoa said she's fine and fired Wright. She then married her partner of 20 years, Veronica Gail Worth, who later took her last name.
A judge ruled in March that she needs a conservator because she's unable to manage her property and business affairs. Another judge ruled month last month her conservatorship should be unlimited and set a hearing for July 21 to determine who that will be.
Some consider Kawananakoa a princess because she's related to the family that ruled the islands before the overthrow of the Hawaiian kingdom in 1893.
She inherited her wealth as the great-granddaughter of James Campbell, an Irish businessman who made his fortune as a sugar plantation owner and one of Hawaii's largest landowners.
Attorneys for the Kawananakoas and for the foundation didn't immediately comment on Monday's ruling.
Foundation directors said in their petition they are concerned that some of the auction items appear culturally significant.
Kawananakoa's attorney, Bruce Voss, said last week that the auction items are from a cottage she no longer visits and that she needs the proceeds from the sale to pay for personal expenses.


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Sonata Software, a global technology services and solutions company, announced today that it is participating in the etailcore Live event, to be held in Barcelona on 19th and 20th October this year.
At the event, Sonata will feature its digital transformation solutions for retailers, including 'Brick and Click' Solution - its fully unified omni-channel commerce platform enabling large retailers optimize their operations to provide seamless, consistent and personalized customer experience across channels. Other retail technology services that Sonata would showcase include E-commerce, mobility and analytics.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Omprakash Subbarao, Senior VP, Strategy & Digital at Sonata Software, said, "Digital technologies have become the core of a revolution taking place in the retail universe. Increasingly retail firms are embracing digital technologies to reach out to their customers.
Sonata has some of the state of the art digital ready solutions that can provide retailers a competitive edge. This year, the etailcore live event focuses on omni-channel and Global E-commerce, for which we have strong offerings to showcase to the retail world."
In recent years, Sonata has intensified the focus on digital technologies for retailers in Fashion, Electronics, Consumer Goods and Groceries segment to leverage its experience, expertise and resources in building future ready digital solutions for businesses across the globe.
The focus of Sonata's offerings for retailers is primarily on providing enhanced customer experience, improving operating efficiency for businesses and simplifying their IT systems for both Brick and Click businesses, benefitting them with faster implementations and reduced cost of ownership.
etailcore event conducted in Europe and US has provided a place for over 500 retail professionals from around the world to gather for latest trends, innovations and finding right partners for their businesses.


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Article by Jeffrey Pickette; video by Evan Schneider:
The story of what is turning into David Schuler's annual 2,800-mile takeout run to Stoughton's Town Spa to bring hundreds of pizzas back home to his family in Mississippi .
Schuler made headlines last August when he drove from his home in Madison, Miss. (north of Jackson, Miss.) to and back again to pick up an order of 150 pizzas. , which he picked up and brought home Saturday afternoon.
When Schuler and his family moved to Mississippi in the 1970s, they just couldn't find a replacement for their favorite hometown pizza.
While it may seem like a long way to travel for pizza - - when Schuler and members of his Massachusetts family gathered at Town Spa on August 9 for his sister-in-law Anne Schuler's birthday, there was actually a customer eating at the restaurant on the same night who had traveled further for his Town Spa fix.
Stoughton native Jim "Chester" Grant moved out to Las Vegas a few years ago and was back in town visiting. He will be packing 18 frozen cheese pizzas in a carry-on when he flies back home August 15.
Grant's round trip will be more than 5,000 miles.
Most of the pizzas are for his sister, Mabel Maltsby, who also loves out in Las Vegas, but Grant said he will be able to snag some for himself.
He would bring back more pizzas - maybe not as much as Schuler - but that is all his carry-on will fit.
Town Spa serves about 9 to 10 thousand pizzas a week, owner Dick Phillips said, and it's shipping business, handled by his grandson Matt Phillips, is growing.
Matt Phillips said Town Spa will ship anywhere from 5-10 orders depending on the week. However, during Christmas week this year, Town Spa shipped 400 orders of frozen pizza.
What makes Town Spa so special?
"It's the whole flavor of the crust and the sauce," Grant said. "The whole texture of the pizza - you can't get it elsewhere."
The pizzas are still delectable, even when frozen for almost a year, Schuler said.
"It tastes great. It's incredible. It's hard to believe," Schuler said. "It's not quite as good as having one right here [at Town Spa in Stoughton], but you still have the taste, the cheese and the seasoning and the crust. The crust is still perfect just like it is [in the restaurant]...nice and crunchy."
The restaurant, which has been open 57 years (26 years in the current Washington St. location), owes its success to “family loyalty,” Dick Phillips said last year.
"It's like the Cheers place," Grant said, conjuring up images of Norm being greeted by everyone at the bar. "You get treated like family."
"I told Dick open a place in [Las Vegas] and you'll be a gazillionaire," Grant said.
But there is only one official Town Spa location, and perhaps that is what makes it a restaurant worth driving (or flying) to, no matter what the distance.
Watch a video recapping David Schuler's big takeout order in the media gallery of this article. Video by Evan Schneider.


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2018 was a record period for start-up creation in the United Kingdom with over 660,000 firms registered with Companies House [Think Tank Centre for Entrepreneurs].
18,590 companies launched in Birmingham – more than double that of Manchester (9,107) in third place – showing an increase of more than 5,000 from 2017.
The high number of start-up businesses in Greater Birmingham is a result of continuing economic growth, a dynamic talent pool and strong support networks.
Those are three of the main reasons cited by leading entrepreneurs in the city region whose young companies have developed quickly in recent years.
And with the region now becoming the UK’s first 5G technology test-bed, this growth is set to continue, with businesses already eyeing new opportunities for expansion.
Saqib Bhatti, director for growing businesses with Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, said: "Greater Birmingham provides the ideal environment for entrepreneurs to thrive.
"Beyond our infrastructure and talent pool, the city and its surrounding areas also have a deep-rooted culture of innovation, creativity and ambition.
"With one of the UK's youngest and most diverse populations, we can only fulfil the city's full economic potential if our support for start-ups is as inclusive as possible."


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The Apple Cart is open for its 13th year at Mead Memorial Park, and customers were already lining up a little after 8 a.m. Tuesday, March 17. The Apple Cart Food Co. has been serving New Canaan for 20 years, according to its Facebook post.
The patio is closed at the outdoor restaurant at 241 Park Street., until further notice in keeping with guidance from the Director of Public Health, Jennifer Eielson for all restaurants as a result of the coronavirus. All restaurants in the state of Connecticut are prohibited from serving sit-down meals.