text:
Live sports was once described by Rupert Murdoch as the “battering ram” that would drive the expansion of global pay-TV networks. At the time, News Corp. held rights to the Premier League, Rugby Union and Rugby League in the U.K. through BSkyB, a partnership with ESPN in the United States and significant agreements throughout Asia-Pacific.
History has found Mr. Murdoch’s predictions to be true, especially given the level of investment that pay-TV providers now make into sport. Sky alone bid £3.6bn (opens in new tab) for the latest Premier League rights in the U.K., an investment that realistically only a tier-one operator can reasonably afford. However, this is changing.
Driven by the increasing availability of high-quality broadband and the shift in consumption habits towards multiplatform and device viewing, the proliferation of new sports OTT services poses a very real threat and calls into question the future role of sports in pay-TV. According to the Global Market for Premium Sports OTT Services (opens in new tab) report—part of the 2019 Pay-TV Innovation Forum (opens in new tab)—a quarter of the global top 100 leagues and federations are now offering paid OTT services.
Now, 60% of the top 10 leagues by revenue globally offer a paid OTT service, including the NFL, NBA and Formula 1, while there are ongoing discussions with the NHL and others exploring similar options. Bespoke DTC aggregator platforms, such as DAZN, alongside growing investment from Amazon and other major players, means that pay-TV providers are facing unprecedented competition.
The problem is that rights cost money. As the sports rights come up for renewal, they will likely cost more resulting in increased competition for these rights. Providers therefore need to rethink and innovate their sports content strategy and take back control and ensure they stay relevant for a user base that is much more likely to churn than previous generations.
There’s lots of opportunities for operators prepared to adapt and innovate for the new era of active sports content monetization. In social media and sport for example, Facebook is bidding for far fewer streaming sports opportunities, instead focusing on becoming a source of editorialized fandom content, which is easier and more profitable to monetize. For pay-TV operators, we have found five areas with the greatest opportunities:
Operators that are innovative in their approach can be highly attractive partners to sports OTT providers, who often suffer from the challenges of churn as fans switch services on and off. Partnering with operators that are successfully managing subscribers enables operators to tap into a user base that is already invested—and potentially interested in additional low-cost offerings. We’re already seeing major OTT providers such as Netflix successfully launch on operator networks, and sports OTT providers have the potential to emulate these opportunities.
There are also opportunities to work with smaller leagues as a means to reach niche global audiences. The Professional Squash Association, for example, has launched SQUASHTV in Europe through a partnership with Eurosport, enabling it to reach a targeted group of enthusiastic fans via one network with reach into many operators throughout the region.
For the operator, partnerships large and small, from OTT providers to niche sports leagues, enables it to become the super-aggregator of sports content, delivering new and innovative bundles of premier and niche sports content all in one place.
Alongside full league or OTT provider partnerships, operators—particularly with triple and quad-play offerings—can work with rights holders to offer add-ons that can enhance the existing experience for the most avid fans.
For example, Liberty Media has created distinct OTT propositions for Formula 1. Designed for superfans, F1 TV Access and F1 TV Pro offer complimentary and additional live coverage respectively. Second screen capabilities can be hugely valuable to the most devoted fans and will keep them coming back for more.
Another option for operators—particularly telcos and vMVPDs with multiplay services—is to launch their own aggregated bundles of content and channels, as Sky and Dish Network have done with Now TV and Sling TV respectively. Doing so gives consumers access to a wide range of sports content—sometimes even the same matches as the traditional packages in a much more nimble and affordable way, effectively matching the services that distributors and aggregators provide.
While sport is still one of the most important types of content, pay-TV providers worldwide need to adapt how they package and offer it to consumers. As more offerings launch to provide services bespoke to a certain group of fans or those who only want to access content at specific times, operators are facing increased churn.
To counter this trend, the theory of skinny bundling needs to evolve and work for live action too. In Australia, Foxtel has launched Kayo Sports—a dedicated sports OTT service that repackages and offers content available on traditional Foxtel pay-TV services into a standalone offering that competes with third-party providers.
Such models, whether offering content that the operator has direct rights to or through a third-party network, can be powerful tools to encourage consumers to access the content they want easily using a new, affordable and appealing pricing.
Truly innovative operators don’t just think about technology enhancement, but about transforming their entire business to meet the needs of today’s subscriber, and that includes the sports content they offer. It should be treated as an asset and must be effectively managed. That means letting go of licenses when they’re no longer financially viable.
According to the Global Market for Premium Sports OTT Services report, indications show that pay-TV providers are—and will continue—to let go of the unprofitable investments in tier-two sports rights. Instead, they’re focusing spending on tier-one and niche tier-two that attracts both the large audiences and the under-served customers who will appreciate getting easy access. Doing so will also enable them to drive customer acquisition.
Data is also an important part of the pay-TV provision. Operators hold huge amounts of data, though many have historically held it in silos without harnessing the potential beneficial insights. However, if they take action to learn how subscribers interact with the content, they can build valuable recommendation engines, promote relevant content, offer intelligent pricing bundles based on consumption habits and encourage viewers to keep coming back. The most effective standalone sports OTT providers are already using data effectively; it’s time for operators to do the same.
Tier-one sports is the last bastion of pay-TV, and it’s vital for operators that they retain these rights—especially as digital-first platforms like Amazon begin launching successful bids for live content. If operators want to avoid relegation as providers of premium live sports content, they need to act. Simply buying more rights is no longer an attractive option, they need to be innovative, nimble and proactive businesses if they’re to maintain their leading position in the race for more customers in an increasingly competitive landscape.
Anthony Smith-Chaigneau is the senior director, Product Marketing, for NAGRA’s pay-TV and OTT Solutions unit. He is recognized as a leading evangelist for advanced-service television technologies, having held several senior management roles in leading digital TV companies since 1999, including the DVB consortium, where he was heavily involved in international-standardization efforts across the world, including ATSC and CableLabs.
Thank you for signing up to TV Tech. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.


text:
The British-Nigerian stylist turned fashion designer, Tokyo James , has recently released his a stylist menswear collection.
Tokyo who has in the past worked with top brands like Puma Black label,Brioni and Issey Miyake, has great knowledge of the industry so we didn’t expect any less from him.
To add to his various ventures in the fashion industry, he recently launched a monthly digital publication, Rough UK.
See images below;
Don’t forget to follow us on:
[…] Info on that Topic: glamafrica.com/photos-from-edgy-menswear-collection-by-british-nigerian-designer-tokyo-james/ […]
Comments are closed.

domain: news


text:
Latest news about Bitcoin and all cryptocurrencies. Your daily crypto news habit.
China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has published a national standard for blockchain technology to guide the development of the industry in the country, a state-run news channel CGTN reported on June 2.
The guideline reportedly standardizes the blockchain system’s functional architecture and core elements, serving as a reference to better understand and utilize the emerging technology.
MIIT reportedly stated that the standard aims to accelerate the standardization of China’s blockchain industry and drive its further development. Global Times reported that over a hundred blockchain companies in the country have been applying the standard to their operations.
China is pro-blockchain technology
Despite China’s strict anti-crypto stance, the Asian country has actively explored the use of blockchain technology. In September 2022, a Chinese government official said the country accounts for 84% of all blockchain applications filed worldwide.
On May 10, China launched a new national blockchain research center designed to connect universities, developers, and blockchain businesses, fostering the industry’s growth. This center is tasked with developing research and innovations that can further China’s expansion into the blockchain space.
The Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission recently published a white paper covering various technologies, such as blockchain and AI. The white paper emphasizes a commitment to web3 and metaverse innovations and plans to become an industry leader by 2025.
Several crypto community members, including Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao, noted that the white paper’s timing signaled the beginning of a more open approach to digital assets.
China has also leveraged blockchain technology to make significant progress in developing its digital yuan CBDC. The national digital currency has been trialed in several jurisdictions and has enjoyed some success since its development began.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not reflect the views of Bitcoin Insider. Every investment and trading move involves risk - this is especially true for cryptocurrencies given their volatility. We strongly advise our readers to conduct their own research when making a decision.


text:
Tourism officials in St. Kitts Nevis says the focus of this year’s Restaurant Week in the federation is that of Domestic Tourism.
According to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Carlene Henry Morton the country’s tourism product is not restricted to foreign clientele. Locals should get involved and enjoy their own products in order to promote not only the island but its restaurants.
“We are supposed to be our own best ambassadors and you cannot encourage people to enjoy or participate in something that you yourself do not know anything about,” Morton Henry said. “Once you have eaten at a particular establishment, you can say to our visitors, when you go to X place, you are going to have a wonderful experience. The food is very well prepared, nicely presented and the ambiance was great.”
She noted hardworking individuals should think of restaurant week as a way of rewarding themselves while enjoying and learning about local cuisine.
“Look at the menu, you know restaurant week is coming up, put aside your little five dollars and give yourself a US $60 meal every now and again,” she said. “For example, my grandmother’s birthday is coming up. So, all of us are going to pool our monies and go to X or Y place. It could also be an anniversary.”
Milestones are being achieved around Restaurant Week, said Henry Morton, adding that the week can be a way to celebrate them.
Prices have been lowered because it’s the slow season, she said while adding that the prices will increase when the tourist season kicks in in October.
“I am encouraging everybody out there to find a spot with a price point where you can treat yourself and your family. You go out together and you enjoy. This isn’t something that you do every day; this may be once or twice in the year and you are taking advantage of the fact that it is Restaurant Week,” she said.


text:
June 28, 2011
WEDNESDAY Marc Shargel Author and photographer Marc Shargel will show off his new book about California's coastline from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Environmental Nature Center, 1601 16th St., Newport Beach The free event also features a lecture, presentation and book signing. For more information, call (949) 645-8489 or visit http://www.encenter.org. TILL THURSDAY 'The California Years' Newport Beach Central Library, 1000 Avocado Ave., presents a photo exhibit by renowned photographer Jerry Muller.
February 1, 2011
A flurry of new business activity is coming to South Coast Plaza with the announcement of nine new stores coming this year to the shopping center in Costa Mesa, according to a press release. The new stores will include upscale garment retailers Brunello Cucinelli, Diane von Furstenberg, Lululemon Athletica, Madewell and Soma Intimates, accessories retailer Longchamp, watchmaker Omega, and Lego and Microsoft. "This is just the beginning of a very exciting year of welcoming sought-after brands and concepts to our incredible family of retailers," Debra Gunn Downing, executive director of marketing at South Coast Plaza, said in a prepared statement.
July 26, 2004
Local restaurant gets website nod ReNato Ristorante, an Italian eatery in Newport Beach, announced last week it was named one of the top 200 places to dine in Orange County by OC Spots, an entertainment information website. The restaurant reopened Friday after a brief renovation and serves lunch and dinner seven days a week. Firm completes $19-million deal CT Realty Corp., a Newport Beach firm, recently announced it has sold a 130-unit gated apartment development in Orange for $19 million.
July 13, 2005
Andrew Edwards Newport-Mesans don't have to break the bank to see a concert this summer. Fashion Island has hosted summertime concerts since 1967, and six performances are on tap for this year. Music fans can watch any of the scheduled shows for free or choose to shell out $20 for preferred seating. Tonight's scheduled performer is former Three Dog Night singer Chuck Negron. Negron is expected to sing "Joy to the World" and "Mama Told Me (Not to Come)
April 20, 2007
When it comes to Earth Day speakers, John Young offers a different perspective on the planet than most. He has seen it from the moon. Presenting "Preservation and Survival: Space Exploration and Earth's Future" Saturday at the Radisson Newport Beach Hotel, Young brings 42 years of experience as a NASA astronaut to the table, having journeyed into space six times on four classes of spacecraft. Coming to the area for tonight's Newport Beach Film Festival world premiere of "The Wonder of It All" — a documentary offering the personal stories of seven moonwalkers, including Young — the retired astronaut will discuss the development of new technologies that would potentially save the world's population in the case of a catastrophic event, such as the eruption of a super-volcano.
June 14, 2006
Yoga means union ? and what better way to unify then by practicing yoga under sunset skies on Laguna's Main Beach with 20 of your fellow coastal Orange County neighbors? Thanks to one local community-oriented athletic store, you can take part all summer long. Every other Sunday at 7 p.m. on a patch of grass near Main Beach, Newport Beach's Lululemon Athletica is hosting sunset yoga lessons on the beach. "One of the things we hold in high regard is community relations," said James Freeman, of Lululemon.
June 11, 2005
Send AROUND TOWN items to the Daily Pilot, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626; by e-mail to lindsay.sandham @latimes.com; by fax to (714) 966-4667; or by calling (714) 966-4625. Include the time, date and location of the event, as well as a contact phone number. TODAY The Goin' South Band -- musical styles and instruments developed in the South during the last century, including street jazz from New Orleans, mountain tunes from the Appalachians and Zydeco music.


text:
Car-to-Car Communication May Hit Roads Soon, from U.S. News.
What if your car could “talk” to other vehicles, predicting imminent danger and warning you before a crash?
It sounds like science fiction. But vehicle-to-vehicle communication is the newest brainchild of the auto industry, and it might be coming to a road near you within the next few years.
The MIT Technology Review named V2V one of the biggest tech breakthroughs of 2015, predicting that it will become widely available as soon as next year. General Motors was the first major car company to commit, announcing in September that it would release a V2V-equipped Cadillac by 2017.
The technology has been in the works for more than a decade, but a recent pilot program has brought it closer to deployment than ever.


text:
Legislation brought in last year to clamp down on UK companies who send unsolicited junk mail over the Internet is unlikely to result in any prosecutions until 2005.
The Information Commissioner's Office, which applies the Privacy and Electronic Communication regulations, says that it needs stronger powers to act against suspected transgressors. Without these additional sanctions, companies are free to continue sending email over the Internet while they are investigated -- a process that will take many months.
"It's possible there could be a prosecution towards the end of this year, in November or December. But realistically we are looking at next year," a spokeswoman for the information commissioner said on Thursday.
The Privacy and Electronic Communication regulations, which came into force in December 2003, make it illegal to send an unsolicited email to anyone that the sender doesn't already have business relationship with. The regulations only covered personal email addresses but even here they appear to be failing; the Information Commissioner's Office has already received complaints from UK citizens claiming they've been spammed, but admits that it is not in a position to take action speedily.
"It's not because we've not had any complaints, or aren't conducting any investigations. It's because we don't have the powers to act quickly," said the spokeswoman for the information commissioner. "We're keen to have stronger powers to be faster and more effective in cracking down on people who break the regulations. But we haven't been given them yet."
The government held a consultation last year before finalising the details of its anti-spam laws. At the time, the Information Commissioner's Office said that it wanted "stop now" powers, where a company that is suspected of spamming would be blocked from sending marketing messages by email while the case was investigated.
However, the government decided against this, and was attacked by the All-Party Internet Group for not giving the Information Commissioner's Office more powers.
Richard Thomas, the information commissioner, is understood to be pushing for his office's powers to be extended. The government has not yet made a decision.
"The Department of Trade and Industry is committed to reviewing the information commissioner's powers to enforce the Privacy and Electronic Communication Regulations," said a DTI spokesman.
"Beside regular discussions on the issue between the DTI and the information commissioner, such as the meeting between information Commissioner Richard Thomas and minister for e-commerce Stephen Timms last week, we are still consulting with key stakeholders."
A survey published by communications firm Pitney Bowes this week claimed that half of UK companies are failing to comply with the Privacy and Electronic Communication regulations. Pitney Bowes surveyed the top 50 companies in the telecoms, publishing, banking, insurance and retail sectors. It found that almost half of the companies fail to ask non-customers to actively opt in to further marketing emails when their details were recorded as the result of a promotion or enquiry. The new law says that companies cannot use the old practice of relying on opt-out check boxes.


text:
New York Giants wide receiver Beckham has had many accomplishments in his young career. On Monday, he became the fastest player to 5,000 career receiving yards in the Super Bowl Era.
Beckham is, obviously, one of the best players in the NFL and has a huge following worldwide. In fact, he may be one of the more polarizing figures in sports right now as his talent is undeniable, but many fans have grown tired of his sideline behavior and off the field antics.
But not everything Beckham does off the field can (or should) be viewed as a negative.
In early September, Odell Beckham, who re-signed with Nike in 2017, unveiled his new logo on his Instagram page.
Beckham recently talked about his shoe deal in a recent episode of “I Am More: OBJ” on Facebook Watch.
“When I was younger, I definitely dreamed of having my own shoe. (It) kind of let’s you express yourself in art form. There’s something special about being a party of something that’s bigger than yourself.” Beckham said about his shoe deal.
Beckham explained how he was infatuated by new cleats/shoes when he was growing up. For Beckham, he grew up idolizing Michael Vick and LeBron James, needing their newest model shoes every time there was a new release. Now Beckham is idolized by today’s youth nation wide.
“Now that kids have an opportunity to play in the same thing I play in, Like that’s truly special to me,” Beckham said.
Despite the criticism the star receiver takes on, Beckham is undoubtedly a role model to many kids who look up to him.
Beckham calls himself a sneaker head and has closets full of shoes, which he tours in the latest episode. The room is full of Nikes and Jordans, which he proclaims is all he has really ever worn.
Beckham continues to build his legacy both on and off the field.


text:
According to the information, the brand rating authority Chnbrand released the 2021 (seventh) China Customer Satisfaction Index SM (C-CSI) brand ranking and analysis report.
The list shows that Huawei reached the top for the first time, surpassing Apple to become the most satisfied notebook brand for consumers.
It is understood that Chnbrand has conducted a nationwide survey of consumers since 2015 to show the overall satisfaction of Chinese consumers with the products or services they have used or owned, which is a basic reference indicator for measuring and managing customer satisfaction.
From 2015 to 2020, Apple has been the most satisfied notebook brand by consumers. In 2016, Huawei entered the PC industry with its first notebook. Starting in 2017, Huawei first made the list, ranking 12th that year; ranking 6th in 2018; ranking 2nd in both 19 and 20, finally take the top spot this year.


text:
Juno Award-winning, The Visit, out on vinyl June 24th
For those of you who are vinyl fans, we are happy to let you know that Loreena will be marking the 25th anniversary of her award-winning record, The Visit, with a limited-edition vinyl release on June 24th.
The critically-acclaimed recording from 1991 won a Juno Award for Best Traditional/Roots Album. The numbered 180-gram audiophile-quality vinyl record will be released under McKennitt’s own label, Quinlan Road, and include a free digital download code. The release is available for pre-order now.
The vinyl release was re-mastered by Jeff Wolpert, the award-winning Canadian sound engineer who recorded the original album at Inception Studios in Toronto. It was pressed at Record Industry in the Netherlands.
“I have very fond memories of working on this recording during the spring of 1991, not long after learning about the Celts’ vast Pan-European history while I was attending an exhibition in Venice,” recalls McKennitt. “I also remember the lovely photo shoot in Portugal we did for the album while staying at a 16th century hunting lodge. This was at a time when retail was still intact and operating on a personal basis – and when individual retailers played such a significant role in the recording’s sales success.”
The Visit, which features such fan favourites as “The Lady of Shallott, “The Old Ways” and “Tango to Evora,” essentially launched McKennitt onto the world stage in 1991. At the time, it was distributed by Warner Music and its international affiliates and since then has sold over 1.5 million copies globally.
The Visit has gone Platinum five times in Canada (more than 400,000 sold), achieved Gold in the U.S. (over 500,000 sold) and seen extensive retail success across Europe.
So far, eight albums from her catalogue have been released as numbered, limited-edition vinyl records.
“Because vinyl is experiencing such a resurgence now and I’m celebrating 30 years in this business of touring and recording, I felt it was the right time to honour these albums in a format that is both rich and beautiful,” says McKennitt.
Share your thoughts and discuss
this subject on our MessageBoard.


text:
- Subscribe NowLimited Time Offer
New Belgium Brewing rolls out icon tied to Fat Tire beer
Send this to a friend
- Amy Bryer
- Denver Business Journal
New Belgium Brewing Co. was having an identity crisis.
The Fort Collins brewery realized that most beer consumers were familiar with its best-selling product, Fat Tire beer. But a lot of buyers didn't recognize the brewery label, or make the connection that New Belgium brewed Fat Tire and other best-selling brands, such as Sunshine Wheat.
So this month, New Belgium is rolling out a new logo that pays homage to the well-known Fat Tire brand bicycle. The new icon -- based on a 1952 Schwinn Hornet -- is gracing bottle caps, six-pack carriers, signs and trucks. The company also is touting its products via a new ad slogan: "Follow your folly. Ours is beer."
The new logo replaces New Belgium's "chalice" logo that also appeared on caps and packaging.
"Sometimes the world chooses a logo for you," said Monte Mead, creative director for Denver-based Cultivator Advertising & Design, creator of the new icon.
Mead wanted buyers to make the visual connection between Fat Tire and New Belgium, but in a subtle way.
"It's not a big slap in the face that says, 'oh that's a beer logo!'" he said.
Cultivator also wanted to be sensitive to New Belgium's desire not to be known as the "Fat Tire Brewery."
"Our biggest fear was that we would be called the Fat Tire Brewery and we never wanted to become that," said Greg Owsley, chief branding officer for New Belgium. "We want to be more than a product brand."
New Belgium founder Jeff Lebesch named his brewery after the country he visited 15 years ago while exploring beer making. He appreciated the "artistic nature" of Belgian brewers who were more experimental than their German counterparts, Owsley said.
If you are commenting using a Facebook account, your profile information may be displayed with your comment depending on your privacy settings. By leaving the 'Post to Facebook' box selected, your comment will be published to your Facebook profile in addition to the space below.
- Most popular
- 22-story office tower coming to downtown Denver
- 8 Colorado stores affected in Jimmy John's data breach
- Who stands out as Colorado's richest resident?
- Colorado cancer doctors propose $300 million cancer treatment facility
- Disputed study predicts $418M windfall from Arapahoe Park casino
- Einstein Noah agrees to buyout for $374M
- Inspirato receives another $20 million in funding
- New crude-by-rail facility planned for Colorado’s booming Niobrara
- Comcast eyes gigabit Internet for Denver area, too
- Millennials delve into downtown Denver development plans-Slideshow
Information Systems Director Alpine Bank | Rifle, CO
House Painters Illusions Painting | Denver, CO
Sr Scientific/Technical Writer Forte Information Resources | Denver, CO
Director of Major Project Development Colorado Department of Transportation | Denver, CO
Dishwashers, Prep Cooks, Grill Cooks, Lead Cooks, Line Servers, Cashiers, Concessions, Banquet Servers and Housekeepers All Team Staffing | Denver, CO


text:
Tesco says profit forecast was overstated by Â£250 million
Tesco has initiated a review after finding that it has overstated its expected half-year profit by Â£250 million.
In a trading statement issued today, the supermarket giant said it identified the overstatement during final preparations for its forthcoming interim results, adding that the error was “principally due to the accelerated recognition of commercial income and delayed accrual of costs”.
Tesco also said the overstatement, which relates to profits for the six months to 23 August, was a result of in-year timing differences. Last month, Tesco said trading profit for the period was expected to be around £1.1 billion.
The supermarket has now asked accountancy firm Deloitte to undertake an “independent and comprehensive” review of the issues, while working closely with Freshfields, Tesco’s external legal advisers.
Work is ongoing to establish the extent of the issues and what impact they will have on the full year.
Tesco chief executive Dave Lewis, who joined Tesco earlier this month, said: "We have uncovered a serious issue and have responded accordingly. The chairman and I have acted quickly to establish a comprehensive independent investigation. The board, my colleagues, our customers and I expect Tesco to operate with integrity and transparency and we will take decisive action as the results of the investigation become clear."
Last month Tesco also said that full-year profit was expected be £2.4 billion to £2.5 billion, down from its previous forecast of £2.8 billion, as it revealed that Lewis would join the group a month early. He succeeded previous chief executive Philip Clarke who stepped down after a series of profit warnings.
Email this article to a friend
You need to be logged in to use this feature.
Please log in here


text:
I Am Obsessed With Trader Joe’s Spud Crunchies, And It’s Becoming A Problem
People are losing their minds over Trader Joe’s new salty potato snack, and so am I.
Trader Joe’s, Costco, and Amazon Are Top U.S. Grocery Retailers
These companies beat out Walmart, Wegman's, Aldi, Whole Foods, and more thanks to their quality products at low prices, according to a new survey.
These Are the 18 Best Trader Joe’s Products of 2017, According to Customers
The popular grocery store just released the winners of their 9th Annual Customer Choice Awards. Did your favorites make the cut?
Now Fans Can Vote for the Newest Krispy Kreme Flavor
The winning doughnut will debut in stores this spring.


text:
Apple (AAPL) has confirmed a report that it has teamed up with Stanford University on a heart study to determine if the Apple Watch can accurately detect cardiac arrhythmias. The goal of the study is to convince the FDA that the Watch’s heartrate monitor is accurate/sensitive enough to be used as a screening tool. Up until now, AAPL has been able to avoid federal oversight as the Watch has been classified as a wellness tool. The company also reported that it is expanding its partnership with Aetna (AET), to determine if the Watch can reduce overall health costs.
Howie Long-Short: CEO Tim Cook has stated “medical health activity is the largest or 2nd largest component of the economy, depending on the country”; so, the outcomes of these studies are going to be crucial to the future of the Watch. If AAPL can make the successful transition from fitness to medical, the Watch becomes a “must have” for high risk patients and sales soar. I’m of the belief that it isn’t a matter of if, but when they can prove they are saving lives.
Fan Marino: The latest AAPL watch includes LTE, meaning you no longer need to have your iPhone with you and connected to make calls, run apps, etc. It’s a big development for people who use the Watch for fitness tracking functionality, but if you don’t already have the Watch, it’s not convincing you to buy one. It’s certainly not convincing me.


text:
The Metcash group improved both its liquor and hardware profits in the six months ended October 31, but this was more than offset by decline in food and grocery, which was impacted by the incremental investment in price in the first half of FY16.
Food and grocery sales rose 0.7 per cent to $4.54 billion. Supermarket sales were broadly flat, although, adjusting for the estimated impact of the storm disruption to Metcash’s NSW distribution centre, total sales would have been up around one per cent.
The trend in underlying supermarket sales, excluding tobacco, has improved from a 3.7 per cent decline (1H FY14) to around -0.4 per cent in the current reporting period.
IGA stores’ like-for-like retail sales increased 0.6 per cent, reflecting the continuing positive trend in retailer performance.
Convenience sales increased 3.7 per cent to $774 million. C-Store Distribution’s revenue continued to grow, but this was partially offset by a decline in Campbells’ reseller revenue.
Food and grocery EBIT declined 22.9 per cent to $91.9 million, reflecting price investment in supermarkets and a softer EBIT performance in convenience due to the sales decline in Campbells’ reseller business and lower margins from major customer contracts in CSD.
Group CEO Ian Morrice says Metcash continues to invest in its turnaround.
“While we’re still experiencing highly competitive trading conditions and price deflation, we’re seeing evidence the transformation plan is producing positive results across the group,” he said. “Importantly, we’ve seen a continuing improvement in the sales trend for the food and grocery pillar.
“We have also commenced ‘Working Smarter’, the next stage of the group’s transformation plan, designed to reduce complexity, make it simpler for customers and suppliers to do business with Metcash, and to reduce our cost of doing business.
“In addition, we will look to develop future growth opportunities and invest in new channels. Recently, we’ve begun exporting Australian product, sold direct to consumers in China through Alibaba’s online Tmall platform.”


text:
Are Altria attempting to take over the e-cigarette Industry?
Their latest investment decision in the e-cigarette industry indicates that it may have greater plans.
The foremost U.S. cigarette maker, which is also wishing to obtain a windfall if Philip Morris International is able to gain the Food and Drug Administration marketing authorization for its heat-not-burn Marlboro Heatsticks e-cig, stated it had taken a minority position within one of the nation’s biggest e-cigarette retail chains simply because doing so will certainly give it a greater understanding of consumers’ buying practices.
The e-cigarette industry has the potential to drastically change in size and scope in this coming year. If Philip Morris are able to gain a reduced-risk classification for the iQOS, it may end up with a competitive edge over other e-cigarette companies that aren’t approved to legally market their products as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes.
If it fails, but still gains approval to sell the device in the U.S., it will be able to introduce an entirely different and new technology into the marketplace which will ultimately be accompanied by very similar products, like British American Tobacco’s iFuse glo, which the U.K.-based tobacco producer has stated will seek FDA approval for later in the year.
Heat-not-burn technologies rely entirely on actual tobacco to generate the vapor that provides both the nicotine hit and the flavor that smokers crave. The more commonly known devices which are currently on the market in the U.S. depend on nicotine-infused e-juice to give a similar result.
Avail Vapor is one of the largest chains of vape shops, and also makes its own e-juice, which Altria states are manufactured in state-of-the-art, ISO-certified clean rooms. The company also has a full-service analytical laboratory where it performs lab tests to make sure it’s in compliance with federal regulations. Altria already has its own e-cigarettes on the market: the MarkTen XL from its Nu Mark division, as well as Green Smoke, one of the Altria’s first acquisitions. These devices tend to be known as cig-a-likes by users because they’re designed to look like traditional cigarettes, and usually come with disposable cartridges containing the e-liquids that are heated to create a vapor. More advanced devices are referred to as mods, and users can customize them by swapping out different tanks, drippers and other types of atomizers to fit their own personal needs and style.
With conventional tobacco use falling, and the Food and Drug Administration planning potentially disastrous new regulations restricting their nicotine levels, the tobacco industry is getting prepared with products to smooth the transition when the inevitable shift happens. Philip Morris had said it expected to have increased it’s capacity for manufacturing as many as 60 billion iQOS refills from 15 billion up to 60 billion and that it expects to increase capacity even further through 2018.
The iQOS could still be faced with tough opposition from rival Juul Labs, which has exploded in recent times to capture 32% of the e-cig market. Its devices differ from both standard vape mods and heat-not-burn devices. Their device still uses an e-liquid, but instead of heating ordinary nicotine, they contain a naturally occurring nicotine salt. As the recognized market leader, it is extremely unlikely to surrender its preeminent position without a fight.
Although there are tens of thousands of retail locations where e-cigarettes can be purchased around America. Avail possesses 102 shops in 42 states, but if they choose to give preference to Altria’s brands, that might discreetly change the playing field.
At this time, Altria have not shown any indication that it intends to make investments in any other vape franchises, but should it decide to, or even just decide assist Avail to drastically broaden its presence, it may well be a sign that the tobacco giant is making an effort to corner the electronic cigarette market as a whole.


text:
MONTREAL, March 28, 2017 /CNW/ - Solisco is now one of 35 Canadian companies to hold Canada Post's highest level of certification: Expert Partner. The company received this designation in February 2017 and is now recognized for using best direct mail processes and practices.
With this partnership, Solisco can offer its clients nation-wide distribution services. "We are thrilled to have been selected as one of Canada Post's printing partners for medium and long press runs in eastern Canada," said Alain Jacques, President and Co-Founder of Solisco. "We now plan on working with their team to go after promising leads and step up business development with a results-driven approach."
Solisco undertook a multi-step process to obtain its Expert Partner status. Since summer 2016, Solisco met several times with Canada Post, which, among other things, analyzed the printing company's work methods and internal mail handling equipment. The company had to meet several requirements to be eligible for the title, including employing strategic campaign planning, analyzing target audiences, achieving excellence in printing, preparing and distributing direct mail, conducting post-campaign analyses, and pushing innovation.
"Solisco was able to meet all the requirements," said Richard Lehmann, Director, Digital & Channel, Business Development at Canada Post. "We were particularly impressed by SoIX, their augmented reality app, which shows their ability to innovate and enables them to increase their clients' return on investments!"
"We are proud to have Solisco as one of our Expert Partners," said Vic Klassen, General Manager, Partner Development and Digital Sales at Canada Post. "Solisco is a first-rate partner for us and our clients thanks to their high-quality production, intelligent use of data, and digital strategies."
The Expert Partner designation was implemented at Canada Post a few years ago with a view to increasing direct marketing in Canada. "We surround ourselves with dynamic, specialized and complementary companies who are striving for the same goal," explained Sophie Ouellet, General Manager of East Commercial Sales at Canada Post. "By working hand in hand with these companies, we are able to offer a wide range of high quality services to our clients and in turn boost direct marketing in Canada."
To keep their Expert Partner status, Solisco will be evaluated regularly by Canada Post. The company is committed to doing everything it can to maintain the highest quality standards, year after year.
In business for over 25 years, Solisco continues to be an innovative leader in an ever-changing market. Solisco's team of 400 experts remains focused on the needs and expectations of publishers and retailers across North America. "Our goal is to ascertain our clients' needs, to understand their business sector and challenges, and to provide creative solutions that will ensure their success," said Alain Jacques, President and Co-Founder of Solisco. Solisco has just one goal going forward: to continue to innovate, adapt to a continuously changing market and maintain close ties with clients, suppliers and partners.
SOURCE Solisco Printers
For further information: Marie-Claude Laberge, Vice-President, Human Resources and Organizational Development, 1-800-463-4188, [email protected]


text:
New Tesla Cybertrucks, rumored to be “Master Candidates,” the final step before production, have been spotted coming out of Gigafactory Texas.
For the past month, Tesla has had full and at times, partial shutdowns, of production at Gigafactory Texas as it conducted factory upgrades.
Yesterday, a drone video shot by Joe Tegtmeyer confirmed that workers are now coming back to the factory.
The video showed new Model Y bodies coming out of the factory and new Cybertrucks.
There have been rumors that the shutdown at Gigafactory Texas might have been linked to the start of Cybertruck production.
Tegtmeyer, who often gets to talk to Giga Texas employees as he flyes drones there almost daily, claims that the new Cybertrucks spotted coming out of the factory are “Master Candidates,” the last step before production.
While it can’t be confirmed if they are master candidates or production versions, the two Cybertrucks spotted at the factory did look a lot more refined than the previously spotted prototypes:
The trims and fittings seem to blend better with the stainless steel body of the electric pickup truck.
While we can’t judge the vehicle’s fit and finish too closely because the footage is taken from a distance with a drone, the looks of those two Cybertrucks are encouraging.
Tesla is expected to officially start Cybertruck production any day now with deliveries to start at an event likely within the next month.
More Cybertrucks have been spotted parked at the homes of Tesla employees, which is a good sign that internal testing has expanded.
Rumored to be in the final stage before production, new Tesla Cybertrucks have been seen emerging from Gigafactory Texas. The factory had experienced shutdowns over the past month for upgrades, but a recent drone video confirmed that workers are returning. The footage revealed new Model Y bodies and Cybertrucks leaving the facility. Speculation suggests that the shutdown may have been related to the beginning of Cybertruck production. The Cybertrucks seen in the video appeared more refined compared to previous prototypes, with better integration of trims and fittings on the stainless steel body. Though the footage was taken from a distance, it offers promising glimpses of the vehicles. Tesla is expected to commence Cybertruck production soon, with deliveries potentially starting within the next month. Furthermore, sightings of Cybertrucks parked at the residences of Tesla employees indicate an expansion of internal testing.


text:
Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK), New Britain, CT, has agreed to acquire a 20 percent stake in MTD Products Inc., a privately held manufacturer of outdoor power equipment, for $234 million in cash. Stanley Black & Decker said it has the option to acquire the remaining 80 percent of MTD beginning on July 1, 2021.
The deal increases Stanley Black & Decker’s presence in the $20 billion global lawn and garden market. MTD manufactures and distributes lawn tractors, zero turn mowers, walk behind mowers, snow throwers, trimmers, chain saws, utility vehicles and other outdoor power equipment for residential and professional lawn and garden customers. The company had 2017 revenues of more than $2 billion.


text:
Mercedes-AMG has reinstalled the A45 AMG as the hottest hatchback in the land thanks to a power boost to eclipse the Audi RS3 Sportback.
The 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder in the facelifted A45 AMG scores a reconfigured valve assembly and retuned turbo to now produce 280kW (at 6000rpm) and 475Nm (between 2250rpm and 5000rpm).
Moving up 15kW and 25Nm means AMG’s nuggety little hatch surpasses the 270kW/465Nm RS3.
Ratios three to seven inside the dual-clutch automatic have been shortened, helping drop the 0-100km/h from the previous claimed 4.6 seconds to just 4.2sec – now a tenth faster than a certain Audi rival.
At the same time, its economy remains at an identical 6.9L/100km, partially thanks to a new transmission function called “sailing” that decouples the auto entirely when coasting to save juice.
The A45 AMG (and little brother the A250 Sport) for the first time gets the availability of two-mode adaptive suspension, potentially addressing a criticism of the outgoing model that it was too harsh during regular driving.
For hard punting, conversely, there is now the option of a front mechanical limited-slip differential. The 4MATIC all-wheel drive system still portions 50:50 front/rear but the new diff at the front replaces the previous system that electronically pinched a brake on either side to help add cornering control.
Both options add to the new-and-standard AMG Dynamic Select that mirrors that in the new C63 and GT. It offers Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual modes to alter throttle response, two-stage ESC and steering weight. Add the combined diff and adaptive suspension to the mix and a Race mode is further added, offering an even less restrictive ESC and ensuring the transmission stays in the lowest possible gear at all times.
Other new tech that is standard includes full LED front lighting and a larger 8.0-inch colour display (up one inch from before) with Apple CarPlay and MirrorLink connectivity.
Mercedes-Benz Australia says the new A45 AMG will go on-sale here either late this year or early next year, confirming the diff and damping options will be available but not if they will be standard.
Pricing isn’t finalised, but the current $74,900 A45 AMG limbos in under the luxury car tax threshold (for models not exceeding 7.0L/100km) by just $100 – and anti-LCT Benz likes the idea of it staying that way.


text:
Bitcoin to infinity and beyond: enters a new phase, “towards $ 28,000”
Institutional investors increasingly use Bitcoin to diversify their portfolios
Bitcoin has given the markets another one of those historical moments that the queen of cryptocurrencies used to have us used to in 2017. December 2020 has been the time chosen by investors for the digital asset to have broken the barrier of $ 20,000 , with its price rapidly accelerating toward $ 24,000 this Thursday, after hitting its three-year milestone on Wednesday. Once he broke that mark, “the market expected a quick run to $ 24,000 – $ 28,000,” recalls Ava Trade analyst Naeem Aslam.
And so it has been. According to the CoinMarketCap index, the most traded of the crypto currencies has accumulated increases of 24% intraday and exceeds 23,000 dollars , after being placed “in free rise”, underlines the expert of Bolsamanía, José María Rodríguez. Volatility takes its toll on the asset, with quick sell-offs bringing it back to $ 22,000, which is a normal reaction to the magnitude of the rise, although Aslam notes that “a broader correction could occur if the bullish rally continues toward the first price objective mentioned above in a rush. ” “The most normal thing is that it goes up gradually, from now on,” he says.
All in all, the euphoria is felt among experts, as is the case with Antoni Trenchev, co-founder and managing partner of Nexo, a crypto lender. “The focus shifts to the next round number of $ 30,000 , ” he said in statements collected by ‘Bloomberg’. The bitcoin crossing above $ 20,000 is its second major milestone in recent weeks, and it is that at the end of November the currency created by Satoshi Nakamoto reached a new three-year high. The cryptocurrency does nothing more than vindicate the bullish forecasts that many mocked months ago, following the blow it suffered from the Covid-19 pandemic, and is causing the forecasts to be even higher.The value of bitcoin has almost tripled this year, with many already targeting $ 100,000.
In the crypto market, other ‘altcoins’ are also boosted , more than 27%, in the case of ripple, which is bought at 0.56 dollars, or 10% in ethereum or 25% in litecoin, which change hands at $ 660 and $ 100, respectively. The total capitalization of crypto currencies amounts to 631.4 billion. The bitcoin pull is accelerating purchases in a market that is expected to be one of the protagonists of 2021.
THE STRONG HANDS
Experts are very encouraged by the recent pull of the creation of Satoshi Nakamoto which is due to the interest of institutional investors. “This week it emerged that asset manager Ruffer had taken a position worth hundreds of millions of pounds in bitcoin and this may be driving the idea that the cryptocurrency is entering a new phase as more large firms could use bitcoin to diversify their portfolios, “say the experts at AJ Bell.
“The biggest driver of the current price increase is mainly institutional money , “ says Alejandro Zala, Country Manager at Bitpanda in Spain. “Furthermore, this 2020 will be remembered as the year that crypto became mainstream,” he argues. Without going any further, this week Apple announced that it will allow the purchase of cryptocurrencies through Apple Pay, one of the largest mobile payment providers in the world. In Spain, BBVA was the first large bank to offer the service of purchase, sale and custody of digital assets to its clients. “There is a clear change of mentality: the new generations see in Bitcoin the gold of their generation,” says Zala.


text:
In an effort to reduce the country's carbon footprint, standard 40 and 60 watt incandescent light bulbs are no longer being produced as of the new year.
New standards have been put in place for light bulbs, which make the traditional bulbs obsolete. Technologies in LED, halogens and compact fluorescent bulbs are more eco-friendly with the potential to use 85 percent less energy, according to Kevin Schiller with the Home Depot.
The newer bulbs could cost consumers more at the register, but have the potential to save Americans billions throughout the years, according to the department of energy.
According to Schiller:
- LED bulbs can last up to 25 years and will pay for themselves in two years.
- Compact fluorescent bulbs can last 8-9 years and will pay for themselves in 3-6 months.
- Incandescent bulbs may last 1-7 years.
Incandescent bulbs emit heat which sucks up a lot of energy, whereas the newer bulbs do not, according to Schiller.
"We can save some money every single month our electric bills come out, saving energy is a nice way to do it, plus it’s a lot more eco-concious," Schiller said. "It’s less pollution the way we produce the energy around this area."
Some parents like that they don't have to worry about their children getting burned by the energy-efficient bulbs.
"We have a lot of lamps and nightlights and things like that in their rooms, so it gets them a little too close to touching them," said Lindsay Broshears, mother of three. "We’ve been able to switch so that they stay away from the danger, it’s just not as scary."
Broshears said her family has already been phasing out traditional light bulbs for the energy-efficient ones.
Some of the newer bulbs contain mercury. Schiller said the amount of mercury in the bulbs is the same as the amount on the top of a ballpoint pen.
The 2010 Census shows Northwest Arkansas to be in the top 50 markets for energy-efficient light bulbs.


text:
Todd Mouw, president of drivetrain provider ROUSH CleanTech, predicts propane will become the “lead horse” for school bus fueling over the next 10 years, with electric drivetrains to increase in use.
GRIMES IOWA — Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) yesterday celebrated the opening of its newest parts distribution center in Grimes, Iowa. This new facility will complement DTNA’s already expansive service network and continue DTNA’s long-term strategy to enhance the customer experience.
HIGH POINT, N.C. — Thomas Built Buses recently recognized its Dealers of the Year for 2017 at its annual President’s Club awards gala. The 2017 Dealer of the Year award was presented to New England Transit Sales, Inc., a full-service dealer offering sales, parts and vehicle service in Tyngsboro, Massachusetts.
It’s the oldest joke in the sales business: “Good, fast and inexpensive. Pick any two.” But, two out of three isn’t enough for school bus fleet managers and mechanics, especially when it comes to essential parts like radiators.
HIGH POINT, N.C. — Thomas Built Buses, the leading manufacturer of school buses, and its dealer network, has received top marks from its customers, resulting in an outstanding Net Promoter Score℠ (NPS®) for 2017. Through research conducted by the Daniel Group, Thomas Built has achieved a “World Class” NPS, which is any score within the range of 70-100. Being classified as “World Class” is the highest achievement that a company can receive through their NPS.


text:
There are have been a lot of leaks going wild about ZTE‘s upcoming smartphone, which is said to be the world’s first smartphone with an under-screen camera. Well, confirming the speculation, yesterday, ZTE’s CEO, Ni Fei, confirmed that the company will launch ZTE A20 5G.
ZTE A20 5G: The Under-Screen Camera Phone!
The under-screen phone, ZTE A20 5G has been certified by TENAA in China with model number A2121. The certification revealed that the phone will be powered by the Octa-Core Snapdragon 765G 7nm EUV Mobile Platform along with Adreno 620 GPU, coupled with up to 12GB LPDDR4x RAM and paired with up to 128GB (UFS 2.1) expandable storage.
Coming to the optics, many reports and leaks suggest that the phone will feature a quad-camera setup; 64MP rear camera, 8MP 119° Ultra Wide Lens, 2MP macro, and 2MP depth sensor. To the main highlight, the ZTE A20 5G will supposedly feature a 32-megapixel under-screen front-facing (selfie) camera, which will let the phone maker avoid notch or punch-hole in a 6.92-inch FHD+ OLED screen.
The ZTE A20 5G is not the first smartphone that is announced to have an under-screen camera. Back in 2018, Samsung announced that it is working on the under-screen camera sensor technology. In fact, Xiaomi and OPPO have also shown off under-screen camera prototypes. Possibly, ZTE could be the first manufacturer to release this technology commercially.
ZTE A20 5G Specifications (Rumored)
- 6.92-inch (2460 × 1080 pixels) Full HD+ OLED display
- Octa-Core (1 x 2.4GHz + 1 x 2.2GHz + 6 x 1.8GHz Kryo 475 CPUs) Snapdragon 765G 7nm EUV Mobile Platform with Adreno 620 GPU
- 6GB / 8GB / 12GB LPDDR4x RAM
- 64GB / 128GB / 128GB (UFS 2.1) storage + expandable via microSD (up to 2TB)
- 64MP rear camera with LED flash, 8MP 119° Ultra Wide Lens, 2MP macro and 2MP depth sensor
- 32MP under-screen front-facing camera
- Android 10 with MiFlavor 10.1
- 4200mAh battery with fast charging
- In-display fingerprint sensor
- Dual SIM, 5G SA/NSA, Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 ac, Bluetooth 5, GPS/GLONASS/Beidou, USB Type-C
- Dimensions: 172.1×77.9×7.9mm; Weight: 198g
The ZTE A20 5G is expected to come in Flame Blue and Dazzling White colors and is predicted to be announced later this month. However, we will have to wait for the official confirmation.


text:
Food inflation remains the challenge
In the CPI basket, the food inflation has remained one of the stickiest aspects. The spike in CPI inflation from 3.28% in Aug-19 to 7.59% in Jan-20 was largely driven by higher food prices. The food inflation chain was first triggered by unseasonal rains in September, which led to large scale crop damage. With weak storage and warehousing facilities, most components of the food basket, especially the most vulnerable products, saw a sharp spike in prices.
Within the food basket, vegetables and pulses continue to be the real thorn in the flesh. Food inflation for Jan-20 continues to hover at 50.19%, which is surprising because the government has put in adequate efforts and also encouraged imports of onions to balance the demand supply equation. Pulses at 16.71% inflation also present an unsustainable problem on the inflation front. Even other products like eggs, meat and fish are now experiencing inflation above 10%. The overall food basket inflation was marginally lower at 13.63%, but any hopes of tempering of CPI inflation can be virtually ruled out till the time food inflation is brought under control. The government has shown urgency by allocating funds to post-harvest infrastructure but these are more of medium term solutions. The only hope is that a bumper Rabi output (already 9.5% higher) could partially compensate for the Kharif shortfall.
Other aspects of the inflation basket
While the food inflation in Jan-20 has come down marginally to 13.63% from 14.19% in Dec-20, the question is what exactly drove up the overall inflation. Clearly, oil has not contributed much to inflation because global crude prices have been under pressure due to the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic and risks of a US glut. Therefore, we can logically assume that that spurt in inflation has come from core inflation (inflation excluding food and fuel). This is the portion of inflation that had been under control for the last few months and the government needs to ensure that that does not go out of control in the midst of efforts to bring down food inflation.
Real challenges are on the policy front
In the last two monetary policies, the RBI had maintained status quo on rates due to the sharp spike in inflation. While the RBI has maintained its “accommodative” stance, that could change rapidly if inflation continues to remain at elevated levels. On the domestic front, the RBI has been pushing for banks to cut lending and deposit rates to ensure better transmission. However, beyond a point, low deposit rates just will not work if inflation continues to remain above 7%. At that point, the RBI may not have a choice but to allow repo rates to be hiked again, and we saw in 2018 the consequences of such an action.
The second implication will be on foreign portfolio flows into debt. For a long time, the big attraction of Indian debt was the elevated real returns in the range of 3-4%. However, that has now turned negative. While FPIs were selling Indian bonds through most of December, there was a turn in sentiments post the “accommodative” stance in the monetary policy. But inflation at 7.59% will do little to soothe the nerves of FPIs.
But, there is light at the end of the tunnel!
The good news on the food inflation front is that the Rabi crop has been nearly 9.5% higher than the previous year. The unseasonal rains in September ensured that reservoirs were full and the Rabi sowing season benefited from that. If the Rabi output is actually as good as it is projected to be, it should temper inflation to a large extent. The government is already doing its best in managing supply imbalances and that should also help. Above all, oil prices are likely to remain under pressure because of the lag effect of the Chinese virus pandemic. The US plans to increase its daily output closer to 20mn bpd by end of the year and weak crude prices will keep a check on downstream inflation. Jan-20 inflation may look elevated, but there is surely room for optimism in the months ahead.


text:
The "Ello Meal Prep Glass Food Storage Containers" are reportedly selling fast at Costco and shoppers are sharing reviews in the comments section on a viral Instagram video.
A Dior Baby collection faced scrutiny for its pricey products marketed for young children, including cleansers, a moisturizer and scented water.
An Arlington, Washington, woman got a serious surprise after hitting a $150,000 lottery win while she celebrated her own birthday. All it took was a $1 purchase.
A bottle of Macallan Scotch whisky sold for over $2 million at auction this week, breaking records for spirits of its kind. The previous record was $1.9 million.
The Chinese Railway Construction Corporation is in communication with Russian business leaders about possibly building a tunnel connecting Russia to Crimea, according to reports.
K. Scott Griffith, author of "The Leader's Guide to Managing Risk: A Proven Method to Build Resilience and Reliability," said workers can learn to prevent harmful career blind spots.
Last year, Americans had to cough up more for a Christmas tree and it appears this year is no different as trees are up 10%, according to the American Christmas Tree Association.
The FDA has issued a recall for a certain type of turkey gravy sold at Hy-Vee Stores.
These are the most popular purchases that are made during the Thanksgiving rush, according to Instacart. This list consists of the top food and non-food items including pie, plates and more.
A popular West Los Angeles grocery store was spotted selling Thanksgiving turkeys for over $200.
Target has featured substantial June Pride month displays on an annual basis, but this year’s merchandise caused problems for the retailer that recently unveiled LGBTQ Christmas-themed products.
Fast-food restaurants like McDonald's and Starbucks will be open on Thanksgiving Day 2023, as well as chain restaurants including Cracker Barrel, Golden Corral and many more.
Krispy Kreme announced new donut flavors to celebrate the 20th anniversary of "Elf" and Buddy the Elf. Learn more about the flavors — and how you can try them.
A 38-year-old resident from Wayne County, Michigan, dropped his coffee in shock after learning that he would be taking home the jackpot worth $472,295 from the state lottery.
Target has a trial of a limit for self checkout registers underway, according to a Saturday report from CNN. The retailer has capped customers at 10 items.
A product recall for stainless steel children's cups was announced just before Thanksgiving and Christmas, as many shoppers continue their shopping holiday gifts.
The "Barbie x Mariah Carey Holiday Celebration Doll," inspired by the fashions of singer Mariah Carey, sold out completely the day it was released. Here's the latest.
Black Friday is coming up fast and many Americans are preparing for a weekend of deals ahead of the holidays. A WalletHub report shared some startling retail realities.
Wanda Dench and Jamal Hinton went viral in 2016 when the strangers spent Thanksgiving together. Now, the unlikely friends have partnered with Airbnb to bring more in on the tradition.
Jonathan Isaac, an NBA player who is Christian, launched an NBA-caliber basketball shoe on Thursday, Nov. 16, featuring a Bible verse on the outside of the shoe.


text:
Shanghai – November 23, 2020
Comau has attended the 5th edition of Italian Design Icons (IDI), held November 20-22 in Shanghai. IDI，with the theme of “Style and Sustainability”, shared knowledge from various industries such as automotive, industry, furniture, fashion, education, which is an incomparable occasion to share the Italian brilliance and uniqueness.
As a global leader in industrial automation, headquartered in Italy, Comau is characterized by its attention to the style and versatility of its technologies, backed up by continuous R&D work. For Comau, developing an industrial machine or robot means applying design to technology, which translates to combining high technical performance with effectiveness and aesthetics.
At Comau, innovation stems from a creative approach and a willingness to experiment with new technological concepts following or driving market trends. Indeed, Comau China uses clean and renewable energy and implemented environmental management system by continuous improvement in environmental performance.
During the press conference, Comau China CEO Gaetano Cantalupo shared his insights about “Style and Sustainability”. Bie Chao, Head of Marketing for Comau APAC, also delivered a keynote speech focusing on Comau’s competencies in electrification, a current trend in many industrial sectors, starting from automotive.
Comau China showcased Café Robot at IDI, an entertaining concept featuring the integration of a Racer 3 robot and an Italian coffee machine. The smart manufacturing demo represents a combination of industrial automation and digital applications. With Italian style and easy-to-use functions, guests were asked to scan the WeChat QR code to enjoy a scented cup of coffee served by the robot. Comau also demonstrated an Augmented Reality solution for the Comau Smart Laser Welding Station (Smart LWS) and a reconfigurable pallet for Body Assembly.
Since 2013, Comau has launched a wide range of innovative products which merge design and technology, including the TP 5; the Racer 7 and Racer 5 robots; the Rebel SCARA; the AURA cobot; the Amico humanoid robot concept; the MATE wearable exoskeleton, e.DO, a small, modular, open source robotic arm used for educational purposes, and the LHYTE hybrid laser machine.


text:
Power price cuts threaten safety - claim
Electricity price cuts announced today by regulator Callum McCarthy threaten 10,000 jobs and could jeopardise the security of the nation's power supply, unions warned.
Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union boss Sir Ken Jackson said the £15 taken off the average standard bill from April would rebound on Britain's 22 million electricity customers.
He said: 'There will be too few skilled people to service the network and ensure a secure supply. It may take weeks rather than days to restore power after a blackout. We're all for price cuts but consumers need a safe and secure electricity supply and this puts all that at risk.' Employment in the industry has halved from 160,000 to 80,000 since privatisation a decade ago.
His comments came after McCarthy, head of the Ofgem energy regulatory body, said domestic bills would be cut by almost 6% on average next year, mainly as a result of a new cap on distribution prices. McCarthy said: 'This is a good day for customers. They will see lower prices, better quality of service and continuing scope for attractive competing offers.'
The final figure is down from the average £25 cut flagged in October's draft proposals to boost competition.
Most watched Money videos
- Take a look at the new Gordon Murray Automotive T.50 supercar
- Britain's first Dutch-style roundabout unveiled in Cambridge
- VW launches clever new 'Caddy California' compact campervan
- New £250,000 Ghost 'most technically advanced' Rolls-Royce ever
- Rolls-Royce release new £250,000 limo called Ghost
- Morrisons CEO reveals opportunities given to those out of work
- Mercedes-Benz shows how hands-free Drive Pilot system works
- UK firm to build world's first electric Rolls-Royce's Phantoms
- Hybrid BMW cars will switch to electric only in low emission zones
- VW's new electric car set to finally launch in Britain
- Ray Massey test drives the Aston Martin DB5 Goldfinger Continuation
- Maserati's back! Italian brand releases first supercar for 15 years


text:
Sherlock fans may long to get close to Benedict Cumberbatch, but British Airways’ High Life magazine is offering the next best thing. The recent issue, with the actor on the cover, proved so popular that the Belstaff coat Cumberbatch is photographed wearing is now being auctioned for the charity Flying Start.
The sale of the blue, resin-coated trench coat — usual price £1,795 — opened yesterday, with the highest bid currently standing at £2,170. The auction closes on Sunday.
We hope the Cumberbitches have been saving their pocket money.Reuse content


text:
Capcom has unveiled the dino-slaying, exosuit-wearing Exoprimal
It looks as crazy as it sounds.
As part of tonight's State of Play broadcast, Capcom just unveiled an upcoming dinosaur-slaying, exosuit-wearing title called Exoprimal. The game seems to see various different kinds of exosuit-wearing heroes teaming up to hold back hordes of oncoming dinosaurs that are spawned in through what seems to be a portal that resembles a black hole.
Yes. It's a very strange sounding concept, but the action that was displayed in the trailer does make it look like a pretty exciting title, especially if you can team up with friends to chew through some giant lizards.
Either way, as the game was just announced, we are a little lacking on the finer details, but what we do know is that Exoprimal will be arriving on PS4 and PS5, and that it will be coming in 2023.


text:
Over the last two weeks, there has been a lot of conversation in the advertising community about statements made by Proctor & Gamble CEO Robert McDonald and CFO Jon Moeller on the company’s quarterly earnings call. McDonald and Moeller announced they would lay off 1,600 employees, including some in the marketing department, and that they would rely on digital marketing to help contain media spending long-term. With a $10 billion annual advertising budget, the traditional media folks have been doing a lot of hand wringing while the teams leading the “hot” digital properties have been twitching in anticipation. Continue reading
About The Radio AgencyFor nearly 20 years The Radio Agency has focused exclusively on the medium of radio, gaining expertise unmatched by any advertising agency in America. Since 1993 we've worked with Fortune 500 companies, direct marketers, retail consumer brands, and dot com visionaries to create and manage their radio campaigns.
Return to Our Homepage


text:
Want to join the conversation?
During 2Q16, $AZO opened 30 new stores and relocated 2 stores in the US, opened 9 new stores in Mexico and opened 2 new IMC branches. As of Feb. 13, 2016, $AZO had a total store count of 5,676, of which 5,193 stores were in 50 states in the US, the District of Columbia & Puerto Rico, 451 stores in Mexico, 24 IMC branches & eight stores in Brazil.
$WTW Great marketing execution and overwhelming response to the development strategy is seeing the stock boom. Biggest intraday gain ( 30%) since Nov. 2015. Hats off to Oprah Winfrey !!
$HSY is planning to cut its global workforce by 15%.
$ACN spreading its arms!! Now into pipeline network and emergency management services, thanks to the latest Davies Consulting buy.


text:
The Circle is an organisation of women working together to achieve equality for women and girls in a fairer world. Founded by Annie Lennox in 2008, The Circle is inspired by the notion that when women come together and organise, they can be a powerful force for change.
Livia Firth and The Circle, together with the Lawyers Circle, launched The Living Wage Report in 2017, calling for the three-trillion-dollar fashion industry to pay a living wage.
Eco-Age has a long-standing partnership with Fashion 4 Development, a platform that promotes initiatives focusing on education, development and empowerment within the fashion and textile industries.
Following a successful sustainability-focused summit in Costa Rica, which Carmen Busquets and Livia Firth co-created and which had the support of Gisele Bündchen, Paul Hawken and Nina Garcia, in addition to the Costa Rican government, Couture Lab is a new coalition from a number of entrepreneurs and humanitarians who attended. The strong coalition of members are passionate about fostering sustainable practices, and improving the lives of artisans and creatives in Latin America.
The BFC Fashion Trust, the British Fashion Council's charitable initiative, has partnered with Eco-Age to curate a unique sustainable fashion mentorship programme for its grant recipients.


text:
Blizzard and Hasbro have announced a partnership with USAopoly to release two classic board games. Monopoly: World of Warcraft and RISK: StarCraft combine tried-and-true foundations with new visual designs inspired by the popular gaming universes. Those who dare to engage will discover a new chance to claim supremacy, both over their friends and over the battle-torn lands of Azeroth and the Koprulu Sector. These games will formally debut at the 109th annual Toy Fair this Sunday, February 12 in New York City.
Blizzard are holding a poll on Facebook right now where you can vote on which player pieces will make it into the final Monopoly: World of Warcraft board game! Ten options, including Murky, Chen’s Keg, Mechagnome, and a Spellbook are present, and the six most popular pieces will be represented in the game when it launches this May.>


text:
According to reporting from Antara News, Indonesia’s National Development Planning Ministry and Japan’s Economy, Trade, and Industry Ministry have discussed bilateral cooperation for the implementation of Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan.
Suharso Monoarfa, National Development Planning Minister explained on his official Instagram feed @suharsomonoarfa on Tuesday, that as a participant in the expo, Indonesia has been provided three alternative themes.
Monoarfa said that the first theme is “Welcoming the Future,” highlighting the high commitment of the Indonesian government to managing and preserving nature for the advancement of the country and its civilization, say Antara News.
The second theme is “Our Nature, Our Future,” considering that Indonesia has abundant natural resources and is committed to encouraging green development as its economic driver in the future, he added.
“The third theme is “Thriving in Harmony.” It emphasizes that Indonesia’s journey into the future is not only for the advancement (of the country), but also for the harmony (of the nation),” he said.
“The expo will give a vision about the future to visitors by providing a realistic illustration of future society, which is co-created along with various business players and other parties,” he explained.
Meanwhile, three issues will be raised during the world expo, the Indonesian minister said.
Antara News report that the first issue will be carbon neutrality to showcase various technologies that can be used to realize net-zero emissions, reach energy optimization, as well as utilize hydrogen energy.
The second issue is digitization, as the expo will provide futuristic entertainment, which will combine physical and digital entertainment.
Monoarfa said “It (the expo) will also apply digital technology to develop a sophisticated (visitor) reception system to evenly distribute the flow of visitors, while providing the best service for them.”
The last issue will be mobility, as visitors to the expo will get to experience using a flying car, which is expected to become a means of mobility in the future, he added.
Earlier, Vice President Ma’ruf Amin said that Expo 2025 could become an opportunity for Indonesia to promote its halal products and he encouraged the Indonesian diaspora in Japan to produce and import more Indonesian halal beverages, especially during the implementation of the world expo.
Source: Antara News


text:
In a surprising twist of events, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has released a press statement that contradicts what the Royal Malaysia Customs and the Domestic Trade, Consumerism and Cooperatives Ministry stated earlier today.
Telecommunication companies will revert prices of their prepaid reloads to its pre-GST price starting 1 May 2015. While there has been a lot of confusion between the recent GST implementation and its effect on prepaid reloads, all that will now be a thing of the past with this latest piece of news.
Remember the Hotlink Tablet Plan that offers 1GB of data that is valid for 365 days? Starting 1 May 2015, the plan will be 50% cheaper than before, retailing at only RM30 for the starter pack. On top of that, the telco also has cheaper data add-on options with long validity period of up to 365 days.
Maxis has just released the details to its OnePlus One device bundle. The OnePlus One will retail at RM1,199 when it lands on our shores starting tomorrow, 22 April 2015, but the telco is offering it at only RM859 when you sign up for a contract with their MaxisONE postpaid plan.
Maxis has just opened up its trade-in program to offer the Samsung Galaxy Note 4. If you have an old smartphone lying around the house that you don’t use anymore, the telco is offering from RM200 to RM950 in trade-in value, allowing you to get the Galaxy Note 4 from as low as RM749.
Recently, Maxis approached us with a very interesting proposition. Alongside a few other publications, the local telco wanted us to really test out its “no bill shocks” promise for its customers, which is a statement made as part of its 2015 “Unmatched Customer Experience” programme. We were told we could do virtually anything we wanted to see if we could break the company’s many fail-safe measures to ensure the consumer does not end up with, well, a bill shock at the end of the month.
How could we even say no to that?
Maxis has recently been promoting its “zero bill shock promise” which promises that customers will not be charged for data consumption that they did not use. This has now been followed up with a new video featuring a room full of children that are unable to understand simple instructions, and an unattended smartphone.
A few weeks ago, we reported that local telco companies have generally agreed to lower down the prices for their broadband packages. However, the exact amount of price reduction was still under wraps until just a few hours ago through the official announcement by the Minister of Communications and Multimedia, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek.
According to the subsequent press statement from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), the reduction applies to both fixed line and mobile broadband packages. That being said though, the reduction seems to be limited to entry-level broadband packages at the moment.


text:
Here are five ways to secure the data on your Mac using both built-in tools and third-party utilities. All of these are robust tools that can thwart both casual snoopers and hardcore hackers. And on top of that, they won't cost you a dime.
Showing results 1 to 20 of 95
Apple is ruffling features by collecting search and location data from OS X Yosemite users through Spotlight features that some argue should be off by default.
Having invested hundreds of million acquiring the Microsoft OS since 2010, the Chinese government is choosing to hang on and looking for Win XP-specific security products to protect user data.
Among the measures proposed by the data security branch of GCHQ to cut risks after Windows XP support ends is a block on government workers with the OS remotely accessing the network.
The storage drive provider is "urgently investigating" reports of users experiencing data loss as part of the upgrade process to the latest version of the Apple desktop software.
The latest monthly OS share numbers from NetMarketShare show few surprises. XP continues to slide, Windows 8 is very slowly gaining traction, and Microsoft still dominates usage in the declining market for traditional PCs. But the numbers show a few unexpected trends.
The next version of OneFS, code named Mavericks, drastically cuts access times as well as adding data protection and recovery features to complement the Isilon storage OS
VoIP specialist Truphone is working on an app for the BlackBerry 10 platform that will allow users to make international phone calls and send text messages for only one-tenth of the normal cost by using a Wi-Fi or data connection.The company confirmed it is in the process of developing an app for RIM's forthcoming OS on Tuesday.
New details about the extent of the Mac-specific Flashback malware epidemic emerged today. The Russian security firm that has been actively investigating infected Macs found older versions of OS X are more vulnerable, and many infected Macs have missed security updates.
Google unveiled on Tuesday Google Drive, its online storage system. Allowing users to store any sort of data in Google's cloud, access is through the browser or an app for Windows, Mac OS, Android and, "in the next few weeks", iOS.
According to a newly published data, Mac OS X users are just as susceptible to targeted attacks, as Windows users are.
Windows 8 users will be able to take their PCs back to factory settings in much the same way as is possible with smartphones and other consumer devices
Hackers discovers vulnerability to gain access to PlayBook's hardware functions, but analysts say incident will not damage Research In Motion's strong reputation in mobile security.
Apple has introduced updated versions of its 21.5-inch and 27-inch iMac desktop computers with Intel's Sandy Bridge chip and Thunderbolt data transfer technology
Unix and Mac OS are designed to support different file systems - Mac folks may use 3 a day without knowing it - which is why ZFS on Mac is not only possible, but practical. And not only practical, but a giant step forward for data integrity and performance.
Apple consumes 50% of the world's NAND flash - and their flagship OS can't securely delete SSD data. Isn't total control of the hardware and software supposed to improve integration?
Concerned about growing storage needs and budget constraints, Asia-Pacific enterprises will increase investment in data archiving, virtualization and security, according to findings on IT infrastructure.
Google is really trying to sweeten the deal for consumers with the promise of free 3G data on Verizon Wireless with each purchase of a Chrome OS netbook.
While a lower market share has kept Apple users safe from attacks, security firms warn that with increasing Mac malware codes, a major incident is "waiting to happen".
Mac OS X's usage share might have dipped below 5% worldwide, but in the US it's doing really well, according to data gathered by NetMarketShare.
The best of ZDNet, delivered
- 1 ZDNet Cloud TV: Hurdles to overcome (highlights)
- 2 Perfectly legal ways you can still get Windows 7 cheap (or even free)
- 3 34 ways to improve your iPhone's battery life
- 4 How much does an iPhone 6 really cost? (Hint: It's way more than $199)
- 5 So you have an app idea and want to make a bajillion bucks


text:
The onslaught of Covid-19 saw automakers suffer a difficult first half of 2020, slightly lifted by a more buoyant Q3. Global shutdowns halted production and supply chains were disrupted. Unfortunately, a difficult 2020 has bled into a challenged, yet opportunistic 2021. And in a cruel twist of déjà vu, many markets—namely the UK and EU—are back in prolonged periods of lockdowns which will likely see Q1 auto sales compromised. Even with the severe cost-cutting across OEMs seen last year, and despite an encouraging roll-out of the vaccine in the UK, Covid-related risks remain worryingly high and the auto industry is unlikely to see a rebound this year, or even next few years, back to pre-pandemic sales numbers.
Countries like China which have bounced back from the virus quicker than their Western neighbours will see the pendulum of supply versus demand swing back in favour of the East where automakers with bigger shares in the Chinese market will profit from the region’s relatively fast recovery and growth.
However, despite the gloom, the auto industry is far from stagnant. The next decade will be one of its biggest yet. 2020 gave automakers the opportunity to reposition themselves as they emerge from the crisis on a new path towards electrification and connectivity.
Hard global CO2 emission targets are in play, and automakers must double down if they want to be in with a chance of getting even close to reaching them. Subsequently, 2021 will be the year electric vehicles (EVs) take centre stage. They’ll be pushed out into market, perhaps even with a discount, to drive sales and further contribute to reducing emissions.
2021 will see a continuation of trends that have been bubbling even before COVID. From ramping up EV investment to digital playing an ever-increasing role in the vehicle purchase journey, sustainability and customer experience will be the standout priorities for automakers this year.
The electric revolution
With lofty global zero emissions goals, it will be the decade of the EV, and 2021 is a critical year in that step change. We will see every major OEM begin or increase marketing EVs across their vehicle line-up, with many scaling and recalibrating their business models to sell EVs at scale. Both new and old automakers will launch much-awaited vehicles in 2021. There are many from sport cars to SUVs: Audi e-Tron GT, BMW iX3, Mustang Mach-E, GMC Hummer EV SUT, Lucid Air, Polestar 2 (Volvo), Nissan Ariya, and Mercedes-Benz EQC to name a few. Whilst it is unlikely this immediate roll-out will cause Tesla’s crown to slip, more competitively priced EVs in the market will likely have a knock-on effect in the years to come.
As for the EV start-up market, focus will be on delivery vans and buses which will prove revolutionary if achieved at scale. For example, companies like the UK’s Arrival, backed by Hyundai and BlackRock, will continue to build volume orders in the EV B2B space. Last year saw Amazon reveal its first electric van, developed by EV start-up Rivian, which claims to “raise the bar for next-generation delivery” vehicles. Whilst roll-out isn’t largely expected until 2022—the delivery giant aims to have 10,000 vehicles on the road by next year and ten times that by 2030—its mere promise will see significant movement in this space over the course of the next year. As we start 2021, Rivian is close to raising funds with a US$25bn valuation.
As consumer buying behaviour continues to shift, and COVID-related restrictions remain at least for the first half of 2021, improved customer experience will become absolutely critical in 2021. Subsequently, further investment will be made in digital. Online sales tools will improve and become embedded in the process, and although the models behind them won’t change quite yet, they will begin to evolve and identify gaps in the current customer experience. Digital leaders like Daimler offer single sign-on to streamline the customer experience for both current and prospective customers. Most of the automakers are focusing on accelerating their connectivity and voice-activated capabilities to improve the in-car, shopping and service experience. To do this, not only are they implementing the technology, but they are also building data platforms to activate on the data and be able to make faster and smarter decisions on how to elevate and evolve the customer experience.
Self-driving and autonomous vehicles
Whilst not a major area of focus for automakers in 2021 as they prioritise efforts to new and upcoming legislation on emissions, developing and marketing climate-friendly products, and recouping their losses, self-driving and autonomous vehicles will likely continue to be a hot topic of conversation, and still make for the occasional headline.
Self-driving and autonomous vehicles will be a test-and-learn endeavour but will not be where all, or even most, of 2021 budgets go. The immediate need in the economy and post-pandemic for the creation of jobs and solid cash flow will require a focus on what OEMs can bring to fruition at scale in the next 18 months. EVs are that opportunity.
In the interim, it will be the big tech giants—Google, Apple and Microsoft—that continue to work on autonomous vehicles and partner with automakers to bring these to a reality in the near(ish) future. Tesla will also lead the charge given it already has an EV platform to fuel the business. As autonomous vehicles won’t be a reality for a while, we’ll see target geographies where these technology players, Tesla and the OEMs will continue to evolve the technology, targeting roll out in the next few years. But 2021 will be a year more of chatter than market realisation.
Additionally, companies like Uber and Lyft have business models that ultimately rely on autonomous, so we may see them build momentum this year, but it will be cautionary until the technology and rules of the road work with the needs of autonomous vehicles.
We’ll also likely see new designs for autonomous vehicles, at least at CES, that take the frame of what we know as how automobiles look inside and out, and place focus more on the experience itself. In 2021, dreams of what it could be like to be in an autonomous vehicle will be refined and begin to build a reality for consumers, realised through technology.
A big focus for automakers this year, in addition to building an EV platform, will be connected vehicles and how they can provide a more robust and 2021-like experience for consumers who are increasingly demanding of such. Recent research shows that expectations for vehicles pre-fitted with connected tech is now mainstream, with almost all people surveyed (93%) desiring at least one connected feature in their next vehicle, cameras and navigation coming out top. The look-and-feel of the car and how it improves and engages with consumers’ digital lives is what will create the most brand loyal customers.
Unfortunately, the process of streamlining businesses is most probably far from over for automakers. With a difficult year behind them, and perhaps also a difficult year ahead, they urgently need to decrease the complexity of their business and increase profitability; reducing the numbers of derivatives which are not profitable, minimising their ‘nice-to-have’ projects and increasing the speed of change to make a difference. The alternative outlook is unfavourable.
Ultimately, 2021 will be a year of meticulous focus: focus on building the future of the auto industry, with EVs and connectivity being the primary areas for growth and transformation along with targeting operating approach and costs.
About the author: Alyssa Altman is Global Transportation & Mobility Lead at Publicis Sapient


text:
London Fashion Week officially wrapped on Sept. 20 — and now the attention turns to Milan.
Before they headed to Italy, three top European buyers weighed in on their London Fashion Week highlights — including the hottest trends on the runway, favorite shows and their outlook for footwear for spring ’17. (And one thing is for sure, according to Ida Petersson).
• Cassie Smart, footwear and bags buying manager, MATCHESFASHION.COM
Top Trend: Flat shoes or slides being styled with occasion wear.
Favorite Shows: “I thought the Emilia Wickstead shoes were great and a perfect example of the new season trend for flats. I also loved the shoes at Erdem. Sophia Webster does great presentations and has a very creative way of showing footwear.”
Overall Outlook: “Flats dominated — not just classic styles, there were also more decorative versions for evening which felt really modern – much more so than wearing a pair of high heels.
• Jennifer Cuvillier, head of style, Le Bon Marché
Top Trend: A playful tropical theme was strong with embellishments such as exotic fruit and birds of paradise – as seen at Sophia Webster and Charlotte Olympia and even Peter Pilotto.
Favorite Shows: Sophia Webster, Charlotte Olympia and Anya Hindmarsh.
Overall Outlook: Flats were the season’s strongest suit — especially ballet shoes (as seen at Malone Souliers) and a reinterpretation of the slip-on pool slide.
• Ida Petersson, non-apparel buying manager, Browns Fashion
Top Trend: “I love the continued emphasis on cool with a side of comfort. Be it a platform or a flat, the message this season is definitely be kind to your feet.”
Favorite Show: “Christopher Kane and the Crocs collaboration. I used to hate this shoe so much but Mr. Kane convinced me that they can actually be kind of cool. Sophia Webster really knows how to put on a show and this time it was a Sixties explosion and Natasha Zinko’s new flatform thong sandal is genius.
Overall Outlook: “Individuality. I love this new movement where anything goes and there is excitement over new emerging brands, not just the establishment ones.”
— By Stephanie Hirschmiller


text:
Not a Hero will miss its May 7 release date, according to an announcement from Roll7. Not to worry though, it's only by a week.
According to the developer, the delay is due to "having undergone super-secret upgrades to crank shit up to 60fps."
The extra week will provide the additional time needed for tweaking and testing a new tech update to the game, bringing it from 30fps to the aforementioned framerate.
“Throughout the rigorous beta testing phase of Not A Hero, the most consistent feedback was to increase the frame rate to 59fps,” said producer Simon Bennett in the press release. “Well, we went a step further and took Not A Hero up to 60fps. You’re welcome.”
You can pick the game up come May 14 on GOG, the Humble Store and Steam. While you wait, placate yourself by playing the demo.
Not a Hero will also be released on PlayStation 4 and Vita.


text:
Nepal, China trade halted due to landslideRasuwagadhi-Kerung, Nepal’s only gateway to land trade with China has been obstructed due to landslides. The Pasang Lhamu Highway in Rasuwa district has been hammered by incessant rainfall since Thursday, triggering landslides.
Rasuwagadhi-Kerung, Nepal’s only gateway to land trade with China has been obstructed due to landslides. The Pasang Lhamu Highway in Rasuwa district has been hammered by incessant rainfall since Thursday, triggering landslides.
This has negatively affected the movement of containers carrying export goods travelling to China.
According to District Administrative Office in Rasuwa, landslides occurred at three different locations.
“We are making full efforts to clear the landslides so as not to obstruct the movement of containers headed for China,” said Chomendra Neupane, Chief District Officer of Rasuwa.
Neupane said that they have two bulldozers on site to clear the landslide debris. Other entities are also helping to clear the debris.
Since the Chinese government closed Tatopani customs point after the devastating April 25 earthquake that struck Nepal two years ago, Rasuwagadhi-Kerung is the only entry point for trading with the northern neighbour. On a normal day, an average of 50-70 containers goods is traded through Rasuwagadhi-Kerung. But the trading route is now in peril due to the landslides triggered by rainfall and road maintenance by the Chinese authority on their side.
As per Rasuwagadhi Customs Chief Kedar Paneru, since Chinese authority started road maintenance in the segment eight months ago, the movement has come down to 15-20 containers. “With the continuous rainfall in the past few days, only 4-5 loaded containers have been passing through,” said Neupane.
The trade route was officially opened for bilateral trading on December 2, 2014. However, it is frequently obstructed due to poor infrastructure on the Nepal side.
Nepal imports goods such as apples, readymade garments, footwear, toys, herbs like jimbu, cosmetics, electronic products through this border point. In return, Nepal exports flour, chilli, rice, noodles, fruit juice among others.


text:
OS X menu bar app released to control Hue lighting
Earlier this year, Philips released its Hue connected lighting system, which consists of Wi-Fi-enabled LED lightbulbs users can control via an iOS app. The lights have proved insanely popular among both techies and ordinary consumers. Last March, Philips released an official SDK for the lights. Now, a developer has made an app called Hue Menu that allows customers to control their Hue lights from any Mac.
The app is a simple menu bar drop-down utility that allows users to adjust their Hue lights via several ways. For instance, you can use OS X's Color Picker to set each bulbs hue, create presets for certain lights, turn lights on and off and adjust brightness. You can even set the lights to randomly change color patterns.
Hue Menu is US$2.99 in the Mac App Store.
Subscribe to Newsletter
Software Updatesmore updates
- Dropbox adds file/folder renaming and Office document editing to iOS app
- Vizzywig 8xHD price tag now a very affordable $49.99
- Automatic targets teen drivers with License+ service
- Dropbox adds support for TouchID
- YouTube for iOS gets updated with full support for iPhone 6 and 6 Plus
- iOS 8.0.1 update now available (Updated -- Don't update!)


text:
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, the world’s largest regional theme park company is planning a multimillion dollar expansion of Hurricane Harbour waterpark in Mexico.
The revamped 67 acre park in Oaxtepec will include a wide mix of new water slides, rides and attractions along with food and retail outlets.
Six Flags confirmed that its public bid to open and operate that park has been accepted by IMSS (México’s National Social Security Entity).
John Odum, President, Six Flags International Development Company said the company was looking forward to bringing the Six Flags experience to other locations in Mexico:
“Our theme park in Mexico City is one of our fastest growing and most beloved parks, and we look forward to offering guests thrilling Six Flags memories at the new Hurricane Harbour Oaxtepec waterpark for years to come.”
Six Flags currently has 18 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada and reports $1.2 billion in revenue.