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The toddler cried almost nonstop. Not quiet whimpers and sad sniffles. Big huge crocodile tears and wails punctuated with loud pleas for Mommy.
In most any other place, the boy's antics would have caused heads to turn and his mother's face to redden with embarrassment. But not here. The other customers barely noticed, and Ian Ravndal's mom stood nearby, nonchalantly chatting with strangers.
This is Cool Cuts 4 Kids, a new haircut chain that opened recently in the Target shopping center on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard in Wesley Chapel. Manager Kayla Parchment said it's a place where it's okay to cry, although they hope kids will be so distracted by their video games, movies and train set that they won't remember they don't like haircuts.
The surge in kid-based businesses like Cool Cuts seems a natural fit now that Pasco County has become home to many young families. According to the most recent U.S. Census figures available, more than 20 percent of county residents are younger than 18.
Since Cool Cuts opened in October, it's gotten a few calls about the noise from the chiropractor next door, Parchment said. But otherwise, business has been good.
The wail factor seems to be a secret behind many child-based businesses, where owners are looking to make parents feel as comfortable as possible and create environments where kids can be kids.
"I don't mind a screaming child," said Dominique Switzer, who runs the Little Lambs Children's Consignment shop at 1532 Land O' Lakes Blvd. in Lutz. "I don't mind a parent disciplining a child."
Her store, which she opened four years ago, has a playpen set up for moms to park their little ones while they browse. She also avoids the harsh "don't touch" environment in many clothing shops by making sure that toys on the floor or on low shelves are ones that children can play with.
"We try to make it easier on the mom to shop," Switzer said.
When Switzer opened her doors, the families flocked in, she said.
"We were very lucky," she said. "When we opened the doors, it started paying for itself."
She says word-of-mouth has been their best form of advertising.
"It just keeps growing. We have new people moving into the area and word just keeps spreading."
Although, Switzer said, there's more to a successful business than just targeting the right demographic.
"I have watched a lot of (kid-themed businesses) come and go," she said.
There's not a tried-and-true recipe, she said, but location is important, as well as creating the kid-friendly environment.
Carol Barrett and her husband moved to central Pasco County in 2004 to be closer to her parents. They have twin boys and are always traveling to Tampa in search of kid adventures, like going to the zoo.
They decided to open up a franchise of Gymboree, which offers scheduled playtime, classes and activities for kids in Land O' Lakes.
Since their November 2004 debut, business has been "growing like crazy," said Barrett, a former preschool teacher.
They've done some advertising, she said, but she's still surprised by new customers who say they didn't even know the center was in the strip mall on State Road 54.
There are some downsides to having your workdays full of kids.
Pam Reynolds, a stylist at Cool Cuts 4 Kids, admits she sometimes takes her job home with her.
Like last week, when her husband asked her where their map was.
In response, she sang, "Get the map, get the map," after a song from a Dora the Explorer movie she plays, and replays, in the salon.
"My husband said, "You have got to get a life.' "
Nearby, in between snips, Rhonda Rollock grabs a tissue to wipe away the tears on Ian's unhappy face. She talks about Thomas the Tank Engine roaring down the tracks on the television screen.
He's distracted for a second. But then he remembers to cry.
"You're a big boy Ian, you know it doesn't hurt," she tells him.
But he's not buying it. He's also not interested in the bell at the front of his fire engine chair.
"Very short, please," Darcy Ravndal chimes in. She's hoping to make it another two months between cuts.
"I keep trying to get my husband to do this," she says, only half-joking.
The environment at the kids' hair salon makes the 30-minute drive more than worth it, she said.
"I would not even remotely think of taking him anywhere else," she said. "Because as bad as this is, it'd be a thousand times worse somewhere else."
Heather Urquides can be reached at (813) 909-4613 or toll free, 1-800-333-7505, ext. 4613. Her e-mail address is firstname.lastname@example.org.
BY THE NUMBERS
No one tracks the numbers of kid-based businesses, but a look at Pasco County Tax Collector records showed the following numbers of licensed businesses in Pasco County:
Child care: 80
Toy stores: 6
Children's party entertainment: 1
Retail kids' clothing stores: 3


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Oh dear, things are just going from bad to worse for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
First, Prince Harry upset Americans for criticising the First Amendment whilst admitting he doesn’t understand it.
Now it’s emerged that a company the couple has signed a deal with, sells some products that are at odds with the messages they try to send.
The Sussexes raised issues of racism during their now-infamous interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Meghan claimed an unnamed member of the royal family asked how dark their son Archie’s skin was likely to be, before he was born.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced a new partnership last week.
They have teamed up with Procter & Gamble.
According to The Mirror, the company sells a controversial Olay skin-lightening cream.
Critics of the couple are now querying how they could associate themselves with such an item, what with their anti-racism advocacy.
Alex Malouf, a former Procter & Gamble executive told the paper: “Meghan has talked a lot about the issue of race and racism, so this does stick out like a sore thumb,”
One of the products in question is Olay’s White Radiance moisturiser.
The Daily Mail reports that the company sells the controversial cream in India, Malaysia and Singapore.
Such creams are often advertised with claims that they can reduce the concentration or production of melanin.
Melanin is what gives skin its pigment, and the products claim to make the user’s skin tone lighter.
Over the years, campaigners have called such creams racist and colourist, and have called for them to be banned.
Olay defends such products by comparing them to other items, like tanners or make-up.
Nina Davuluri was the first Indian American to win Miss America.
She argues the creams promote a “racist” ideology “that you need white skin to be beautiful, you need white skin to be successful.”
Elsewhere, Joanne Rondilla is a professor at San Jose State University.
Rondilla says Harry and Meghan have a “responsibility” to answer these concerns.
“Like everyone else around the world, I saw that interview with Oprah that Meghan did,” she told the Daily Mail.
“It was important for [Meghan} to bring up these issues of colourism. I don’t think this partnership advances that conversation.”
Previously, the couple announced the partnership on their Archewell website.
A statement reads: “Archewell Foundation believes that with community, and through compassionate service to others, we can unleash systemic cultural change.
“In service of doing this, and building more compassionate communities, Archewell Foundation announced a multi-year global partnership today with Procter & Gamble”
“Through Archewell Foundation, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on a mission to build a more equitable and just future for women and girls.
Lastly, they add: “In this partnership, Archewell Foundation and P&G will put a priority focus on gender equity.”
When Meghan was young, she wrote to P&G about a dish-soap advert she said was sexist.
Are you surprised they have teamed up with a company that sells such a product?
Image via Alamy

domain: news


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Kia Motors is all set to launch its new electric crossover EV6 in Nepal. Kia will expand its Nepalese product portfolio with the launch of a new electric crossover in Nepal. Continental Associates, the official distributor of Kia automobiles in Nepal, has initiated the booking process for the Kia EV6. Nevertheless, the exact release date for the launch remains to be officially determined. Unveiled globally in March 2021, the Kia EV6 is the latest offering from the South Korean automaker, and it represents a new era of electric vehicles.
Kia EV6 is powered by a Permanent-Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM). The Kia EV6 is offered in multiple configurations and battery sizes. It is available with either a 58kWh battery pack or a 77.4kWh battery pack. One of the most impressive things about the Kia EV6 is its range. The Kia EV6 with the 58kWh battery has a range of around 378km while the 77.4kWh battery can do up to 528km on a single charge. The bigger battery gives an increased output of 325PS and 605Nm. The EV6 will come in two configurations, rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
Kia also offers an 800V charging setup which can charge the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in around 18 minutes. With a 350kW charger, the EV6’s 77.4 KWh lithium-ion battery can reach 80 per cent of its charge in just 18 minutes, while a 50kW charger will take about 73 minutes. A 7kW home charger will recharge the EV6 from 10 to 100 per cent in 7 hours and 20 minutes. The EV6 will take 32 hours and 45 minutes to reach the full 10 per cent using a regular domestic plug. Once launched in Nepal, Kia will be installing fast chargers across the country.
Kia EV6 is also packed with advanced features and technology. It is equipped with a 12.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. It is also equipped with a WiFi hotspot, wireless smartphone charging, an optional 14 speakers Meridian audio system, a voice-activated dual-zone front AC unit, and vegan leather seat trim. It also offers several safety features including automated emergency braking, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring system, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. It also gets remote parking assistance, vehicle stability management (VSM)), electronic stability control (ESC), multiple airbags, collision mitigation (rear), aerial view camera system, and many more.
The Kia EV6 boasts dimensions that exude a sense of spaciousness and modernity. It boasts impressive dimensions, measuring 4680mm in length, 1880mm in width, and 1550mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2900mm. It offers a comfortable ground clearance of 160mm and has a kerb weight of 1985 kg. Additionally, the EV6 provides ample space with a 490-litre boot, which can be expanded to a generous 1300-litre when needed. The Kia EV6 is built on Hyundai's Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), which it shares with the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Despite the common platform, the two vehicles have distinct and unique design elements.
The top-spec variant of the Kia EV6 price in Nepal is NRs. 1,25,90,000 but the official launch price has not been confirmed yet. Kia EV6 comes in five different colour options including Red, White, Black, Blue, and Gray. It will compete against the likes of the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Tesla Model Y. Kia EV6 will be limited to 100 units in the Nepalese market and will likely go on sale by the end of 2023. The Kia EV6 represents a significant step forward for electric vehicles. Its bold design, advanced technology, and impressive performance make it one of the most exciting upcoming electric vehicles in Nepal.


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Honda’s compact SUV is expected to be based on the same platform as the Amaze; probably powered by a 1.2 liter petrol engine and a 1.5 liter diesel engine
Reports circulating on the internet suggest that an all-new compact SUV from Honda will be launched in India in the second half of the next calendar year. It will directly compete against Tata Nexon, Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Nissan Magnite, Renault Kiger, Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Mahindra XUV300 and others in a highly competitive space.
It is believed that the development of the SUV under four meters is well and truly underway. The design could be influenced by the latest Honda SUVs, including the BR-V, and it will likely be rolled out from the brand’s production facility in Tapukara, Rajasthan. Like its competitors, the Japanese car major could target large volumes in overseas markets through exports.
The next compact SUV will replace the WR-V, which in turn is based on the Jazz. The fourth generation Honda City, WR-V and Jazz are also expected to be discontinued in the near future. It would be based on the same architecture as the successful Amaze compact sedan and powertrain options could also be shared.
Currently, the Amaze gets its power from the 1.2-litre i-VTEC four-cylinder petrol engine and a 1.5-litre i-DTEC four-cylinder diesel engine. The former could also benefit from a hybrid boost for better fuel efficiency. Considering that the i-VTEC and i-DTEC units are already capable of good mileage, Honda could please a wide range of customers with the upcoming model.
It is not yet known whether the same power and torque figures of both powertrains will be used in the compact SUV or not. The chances of gasoline and diesel engines getting a CVT automatic transmission are high. The diesel engine could be more powerful compared to the same unit in the Amaze.
It should be noted that Honda also seems to be working on an all-new midsize SUV for India and it could hit showrooms in late 2024. The Honda compact SUV could come with the latest connectivity features, safety, entertainment and convenience. .


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Another game of Nintendo Switch is Shutting down soon. The developer of this notable game has announced that the game will not be available on the platform soon. Paladins: Champions of the Realm is the game that will become unplayable on the platform. The game was released in 2018 on Nintendo Switch.
Paladins: Champions of the Realm was the first game of Hi-Rez Studios’ released on the console. In 2015, it was released as a hero shooter game, and in 2016 it was released as a closed beta. It was not released on famous consoles like PlayStation 4 and Xbox One until May 2018. The game was compared to Overwatch due to its release and announcement timings.
Both Overwatch and Paladins: Champions of the Realm have different heroic characters. Paladins has created a huge fanbase and therefore it is being regarded as the best game in the segment. The developers of the game have announced the news on their official website and Twitter.
The game will receive an update in June end named Midnight Masquerade soon after which it is going to shut down. According to the developers, the Switch version’s performance issues prevented the game from reaching the standards. Additionally, the platform-specific issues also took a lot of time for the team for getting resolved.
Paladins and its’ DLCs can no longer be downloaded from Switch eShop and therefore developer Hi-Rez is encouraging the players to link their progress to the Hi-Rez accounts so that it does not get lost. As Another game of Nintendo Switch is Shutting down soon, the Hi-Rez game Rogue Company will also shut down this year only.
Midnight Masquerade will be the final major update Nintendo Switch players will receive for Paladins.
— Paladins: The Game (@PaladinsGame) April 19, 2023
The fans are not very happy with the announcement and they have shown their disappointment on Twitter. Paladins do not allow for cross-progression on PlayStation 4 which will limit the ability to carry forward the progress of the players.
Fall Guys and Fortnite are among the games that offer proper support for cross-progression on Nintendo Switch. These games also face performance issues as they run at lower framerates. In comparison to other consoles, Switch does not have much power, and therefore optimization problems in the games have become very common.
The optimization issues are not exclusive to multiplayer games because the Switch version of Skyrim: Anniversary Edition also suffered the same issues. There is no news of modern games becoming graphically intensive or that the Switch model is also not becoming powerful. Due to this, there are chances that the games will either be delisted from the console or they will not be ported.


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The simplified versions of the main game, PUBG Mobile and PUBG Mobile Lite, have been terminated in India. The main game, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds for PC, Xbox, and PlayStation will continue to work. This was both announced and became effective on October 30, 2020. The news was received with sadness by the gamer community in India. People who try to enter will get the following message: “Server is busy, please try again later. Error code: restrict-area”.
Some die-hard players have hoped to continue playing by keeping the game installed or saving a .apk file. However, Tencent Games announced that all access and services will be terminated, even with a backup or active installation. Furthermore, Tencent Games will return publishing rights for both mobile games to the intellectual property owner everywhere, PUBG Corporation. Here’s a full statement of Tencent Games released on Facebook.
As you can see, PUBG Mobile was officially banned by the interim order issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology on September 2, 2020. The reason? PUBG Mobile and PUBG Mobile Lite were named among 118 apps that were suspended in India due to the fear of data leaks and security threats from China. The game publisher denies those claims. They still maintain that they took the utmost care of protecting user privacy and personal information.
The fear of Indian authorities didn’t stop there and wasn’t entirely off basis. On October 31, 2020, PUBG Corporation announced they will merge with a South Korean video game holding company, Krafton Inc. This will happen on December 2, 2020, but is also where the situation gets a bit more confusing. First, PUBG Corporation is a subsidiary of BlueHole Studios. Secondly, BlueHole Studios is also the founder of Krafton Inc. Thirdly, Krafton Inc., through this corporate merger, will essentially become the parent company. They will adopt that name after December 2 and will become a unified brand.


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CANCUN — Dozens of people have been defrauded with trips to the Mexican Caribbean.
The Federal Consumer Protection Agency (Profeco) issued an alert against 15 ghost agencies for offering trips to the Mexican Caribbean that ended with defrauded clients.
Profeco authorities say that during the summer months, these ghost agencies have defrauded people in trips that range from 15,000 peso to 90,000 peso ($830 to $5,000 USD), offering direct travel to nonexistent Cancun and Riviera Maya destinations.
They are warning consumers to be aware of fraudulent online travel agencies. The federal organization says that approximately 65 percent of travelers to the Cancun – Riviera Maya area book their trip online. This high level of online reservations increases the risk of travelers falling into the hands of these fraudulent travel agencies.
Hotel Association advisor, Alejandro Alvarado Muro, notes that tighter rules need to be applied. He says that the hotel sector has the full support of the Mexican Association of Travel Agencies to rectify this problem.
State Congress is in the process of approving new laws that offer better monitoring and tighter regulations to help control this level of fraudulent activity, adding stricter legislation for travel agencies.
Alvarado Muro says that these agencies have the potential to cause “serious damage” to the Mexican Caribbean and that “these agencies are trying very hard to be formal vacation clubs, but they are neither vacation clubs or timeshares, so they try to combine the two and call themselves a travel agency. These ghost agencies generate a bad image, so it is urgent to legislate on travel agencies”.
The state of Quintana Roo comes in second nationally for the number of tourist complaints concerning services and products. Ernesto Némer Alvarez, head of Profeco, says that nationally, they currently have about 7,000 complaints to deal with.
He adds that most of the complaints received include timeshares, restaurants, entertainment centers, travel agencies and car rentals. The largest reason for the complaints range from lack of proper pricing to mandatory tipping, exclusion policies in restaurants and breach of promotions.
Other states with high tourist complaints include Mexico City, Baja California, Guerrero and Michocan, all of which have high hotel infrastructure.
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Topeka, Kan. -- Suzan Harrison is the new president of Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc. North America, succeeding Neil Thompson, who was promoted to president and CEO of Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc. in April.
-- Suzan Harrison is the new president of Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc. North America, succeeding Neil Thompson, who was promoted to president and CEO of Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc. in April.
Harrison comes to Hill's after 26 years with the Colgate-Palmolive Co., where she was vice-president marketing for Colgate U.S. since 2006. The company achieved record market shares under her leadership. Hill's is a subsidiary of Colgate-Palmolive.
Previously, Harrison was vice president and general manager of the U.S. Home Care business and later the Oral Care unit. In 2005 she was named vice president and general manager of Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals, North America and Europe, which serves the dental profession.
"Suzan's record of delivering strong business results reflects her focus on innovation and across-the-board functional collaboration," Thompson says. "Her leadership will help drive Hill's initiatives and mission."
"I have long admired Hill's business and look forward to continue building upon our heritage of caring and our commitment to the community and the profession," Harrison says.
Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc. manufactures Hills' Prescription Diet brand pet foods, therapeutic pet foods available only through veterinarians and Hill's Science Diet brand pet foods sold through veterinarians and finer pet specialty stores.


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NBA 2K22: Luka Doncic, Kevin Durant, Candace Parker and more earn cover honors
As the NBA celebrates its 75th anniversary and the WNBA reminisces with their 25th anniversary, the developers of NBA 2K22 are looking to honor the sport’s past and present with a collection of unique covers.
Between four different covers, 2K will highlight six different NBA players and one WNBA star for its 2021 installment, which is slated for a September release.
>>FROM 2020: NBA 2K21 adding WNBA-centered game modes is a huge ‘W’
In the “Standard Edition” and “Cross-Gen Digital Bundle,” NBA fans will see Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic, who’s coming off an All-Star season that saw the Mavericks fall in the first round against the Los Angeles Clippers.
The cover features a painting that shows Doncic on a red, white, and blue background. The design is an homage to the flag of Slovenia, his home country, which is fitting when considering Doncic’s participation in the Summer Olympics.
“Making the global cover of NBA 2K22 is special for me,” Doncic said in a press release. “I’m proud to represent my country in a special cover that honors the colors of the Slovenian flag. Basketball has given me so much, and I’m excited to give back and work together with 2K Foundations this year to help the lives of young kids around the globe.”
The Standard Edition of the game will run $69.99 on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, and will cost $59.99 on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC. An increase of $20 will allow fans the ability to purchase the “Cross-Gen Digital Bundle” to access the game across console generations.
>>RELATED: Four sports video games that should come out on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X
The first special edition of NBA 2K22 is entitled the “NBA 75th Anniversary Edition,” which features Los Angeles Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki, and current Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant.
The cover utilizes paintings from Atlanta-based artist Charly Palmer.
“The NBA 2K cover has always been a vehicle for storytelling and a way to showcase the unique and diverse backgrounds of the athletes,” Alfie Brody, NBA 2K‘s vice president of global marketing strategy, said in a press release. “The culture around the game of basketball is vibrant and transcends geographical boundaries. This year, we want to showcase that global diversity via Charly’s amazing, one-of-a-kind art.”
In their press release, the 2K team described the trio as “three of the league’s most iconic big men who revolutionized the league over its 75 years.”
The release will mark Abdul-Jabbar and Nowitzki’s first appearances on a 2K cover, while Durant will be featured for the third time in his career.
>>RELATED: Pick-Six: Best NBA video games of all time
The “NBA 75th Anniversary Edition” will cost $99.99, a $20 increase from the Standard Edition on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, and will provide gamers with the ability for cross-gen access, along with a litany of additional content.
Finally, 2K honored the WNBA as the league celebrates its 25th season, putting together the “WNBA 25th Anniversary Special Edition” that will be exclusive to North American users on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.
The WNBA edition will feature Chicago Sky star Candace Parker on the cover, who will make history as the first woman to ever don the cover of an NBA 2K game.
“The cover of NBA 2K is such a pivotal platform to inspire young ballers, and I wanted future WNBA stars to know that they can be cover athletes too,” Parker said in a press release. “Representation matters, so this is a special moment of progress for the sport and the series. To be part of this historic cover is a testament to the growth and rising popularity of the women’s game, and I’m proud to be the first female cover athlete to be the face of NBA 2K.”
Players will gain access to seven WNBA jerseys for female MyPlayer characters, which can be used in the WNBA career mode entitled “The W.”
>>RELATED: WNBA unveils new jerseys: Which teams nailed it and which fell short?
The “WNBA 25th Anniversary Special Edition” will cost $69.99, and will be sold exclusively at GameStop and EB Games.
Lastly, Washington Wizards star Rui Hachimura, the first Japanese NBA player to ever be selected in the first round, will make more history as he graces the cover of NBA 2K22‘s Standard Edition in Japan.
NBA 2K22 is set to be released on September 10, 2021 around the world, with pre-orders available now.
Which is your favorite NBA 2K22 cover? Let us know by following @SOTSports on Twitter or by liking our Facebook page!
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realme adds yet another audio wearable to its list of growing AIoT products. This time, it’s the realme Buds Q landing in the Philippines with great features and an affordable price to boot.
The device, crafted by renowned cooperated designer José Lévy, offers a zero straight-line, all-curved-shaped wearable with zero sharp edges and a frosted texture, resembling a cobble in your hands.
It’s also touted to be ultra-light, even lighter than a sheet of paper with the buds weighing only 3.6g. It features a large 10mm bass boost driver, up to 4.5 hours playback on a single charge, and up to 20 hours of playback with its charging case. It’s available in black, white, and realme’s signature yellow colors.
The realme Buds Q lands in the country for PHP 1,490 and will be on sale at Lazada starting today, September 30, at 1PM. As a treat for those who want to purchase this today on Lazada, realme will be taking PHP 500 off the price, selling it for just PHP 990.


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GoLearnTo’s Greek cookery holiday is named best foodie holiday in Greece for 2018 by The Times
GoLearnTo.com were featured in James Ellis’ article, The best wildlife, culinary and luxury trips in Greece in 2018, in The Times on 27 January, 2018.
James’ article chose just 4 trips that he thought highlighted the best of Greek culture and we are proud to see our fantastic Greek cookery holiday in Zakynthos was picked for his foodie choice.
Can’t say we blame him though! What’s not to love about this family run cooking holiday on the picturesque island of Zakynthos? The family, headed up by daughter Denia, make sure all guests get to see real Greek island life, experience the rich culture and meet the friendly locals.
Here is what James said:
Want to know more? You can read the full cooking holiday itinerary here.
You can read the full Times article here.


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A blockade at sea - possibly near the port of New York - is being planned by European environmental activists and their American counterparts. Their target: Norwegian freighters and the fishermen whose products are on board for export to the United States.
Blockades on the semi-monthly shipments will continue until Norway abandons its whaling operations, says Michael Neilsen, who heads the Greenpeace organization's European lobby to save the whales. Few details have been divulged , but the protests are expected to involve a number of vessels and may begin within two to three weeks.
''Until now we have cooperated with American environmental groups working on boycotts of Norwegian fish products, and these activities will be greatly extended,'' Neilsen says. ''Last April Norway lost its contract with a major customer, the Long John Silver restaurant chain, and this was worth about $5 million. Since then McDonald's and Burger King have followed suit.''
A Norwegian official has admitted that in an important export market where antiwhaling sentiments run high a campaign of blockades and boycotts could be a serious blow to his country's vital fishing industry.
Since the International Whaling Commission met in Britain in July, Norway has become 1 of only 3 countries that object to the commission's four-year moratorium on whaling from 1986. But with Japan and the Soviet Union also refusing to accept the ban, why are the environmentalists channeling their energy into Norway?
''Our tactic is to go for the weakest country,'' Neilsen says. ''When Iceland withdrew its objection earlier this year, Norway [found] itself alone among the European countries. The Norwegians are proud of their environmental policies at home, and it is an embarrassment to be in the company of two countries with particularly poor records.''
If Norway steps into line with world opinion, Greenpeace will tackle Japan.


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Space Coast Tourism Office projects their development tax could hit $16.5 million this year
If you live in Brevard County and feel like you've been sharing the beach with more visitors than ever before -- you may be right.
Experts say the county is seeing tourism revenue far beyond anything it projected so far this year, considering the pandemic.
At Surf and Ski Water Sports, even before he started running the business, owner Bill Davidson used to love coming here on vacation and renting boats to enjoy the water with his wife and kids.
"It's awesome. We get to see the rockets, cruise ships, manatees," Davidson said. "I been here 11 years and I still feel like I'm on vacation every day."
Now, he loves sharing that enjoyment with others, and lately, he's sharing it more than ever.
"I mean there's a line out the door. We're open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and thank God we're busy."
"I think eco-tourism has been a number 1 factor for people. They're looking for these great outdoor experiences to be with nature and outdoor with their families," said Peter Cranis.
Cranis is the executive director of Florida’s Space Coast Office of Tourism.
He says out of the pandemic slump, the region is seeing its biggest visitor boom ever.
Brevard County is on track to mark a record year in tourism revenue.
The county's tourist development tax on hotel rooms and short-term rentals is up 16 percent over 2019, before the pandemic, and even without the cruise industry.
After a $2-million summer marketing campaign targeted northern vacationers, another $1-million fall campaign is set to roll out soon in the hope of keeping the momentum going.
"We're going to keep promoting launches, we're going to keep promoting beaches, but now we're going to add in cruising because cruising has come back so that's a message we can add back into the mix," Cranis said.
The Space Coast Tourism Office projects the county's tourist development tax could hit 16.5 million dollars this year.
If it holds true, that would beat 2019's previous record by nearly $500,000.


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Co-hosted by Pegasus Airlines Cargo Directorate and Bahcesehir University’s Faculty of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences, the ‘International Transport and Logistics Conference’ brought together education and experience for students looking to start a career in the sector.
Pegasus Airlines Cargo Directorate and Bahcesehir University’s Faculty of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences co-hosted the ‘International Transport and Logistics Conference’ on Thursday 8 October at the Bahcesehir University Besiktas Campus.
Hosted by Pegasus Airlines Cargo Vice President Aydin Alpa and Vice Dean of Bahcesehir University’s Faculty of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences Professor Dr. Yavuz Gunalay, the conference brought together prominent local and international executives in the air, sea and road logistics sectors. Pegasus Airlines CFO Serhan Ulga and Operational Control Center (OCC) Manager Umit Kula also shared their industry know-how with students.
Emphasising the importance of the conference as a platform for bringing together industry leaders as well as providing an environment for students looking to join the sector where their academic experience is brought together with the experience of the professionals, Pegasus Airlines Cargo Vice President Aydin Alpa commented: “Türkiye is a vital logistics hub in the region due to its geographical location, hence we anticipate further growth and expansion in the sector in the near future. As Pegasus Airlines Cargo, we currently carry air cargo across 37 countries and 94 different locations. We continue to invest in and further prepare for the expansion of our flight network as fast as we can obtain traffic rights from the Civil Aviation Authority.”
The conference, co-hosted by Pegasus Airlines Cargo Directorate and Bahcesehir University’s Faculty of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences, gave students the chance to combine their academic education with the industry know-how of sector leaders who shared their experiences at the conference.
Conference speakers included Reibel Transport and Trade Co. General Manager Arif Badur, Etihad Cargo Vice President David Hugh Kerr, Arkas Holding Executive Vice President and Logistics Services Group President Diana Arcas, Dusseldorf Airport Cargo Managing Director Gerton Hulsman, ABDA Cargo Services Regional Manager of Middle East, Europe & Africa Nilan Gunatilaka, Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport Cargo Operations and Marketing Manager Harun Ay, Lufthansa Cargo AG Türkiye General Manager Hasan Hatipoglu, UPS SPRL President of Freight Forwarding Europe Region Jens Poggensee, Aviation Services Holding EOOD CEO Michail Dantchev, Ekol Logistics General Manager of Freight Murat Bog, Vice Dean of Bahcesehir University’s Faculty of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences Professor Dr. Yavuz Gunalay, Damco CEO of EastMed Area Okyay Oztugran, International Transporters Association President O. Cetin Nuhoglu and Chair of Department of International Finance at Bahcesehir University Associate Dr. Deniz Gokce.
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Following our last report on the possible arrival of Android 4.0 for the HTC Rezound four days ago – it looks like Verizon is finally ready to send that scoop of Ice Cream Sandwich update for your handset.
Several sources have confirmed that the 299MB OTA update has been pushed out by Big Red to many thrilled owners of the HTC Rezound. According to those who have gotten the update notification and made the jump to ICS, the firmware of the phone has now been bumped to version 3.14.605.12.
It may take more than a couple of days – or weeks even – for the OTA update to hit all phones, so there’s nothing to worry about if you don’t see it today. You can always check for the ICS update manually to see if it will somehow make the OTA come sooner.
So enjoy your ICS treat and count yourself blessed that the HTC Rezound won’t have to go through the same ordeal like the HTC Desire HD, which to be fair is a year older.
Any luck in getting the update notifications on your phone? Do share your joy with the rest of our readers below.
[Update] According to Android Police, Verizon has updated the support documentation for the HTC Rezound, thus officially confirming the update.
Like this post? Share it!
really? where’s the verizon or htc link?
Updated the article, here’s the link: http://support.verizonwireless.com/system_update/rezound.html
How come the screenshot of the phone in this article already has ICS, but is getting the ICS update on the screen?
Leaked version installed then get ota? Is that possible?? I have .5 leak installed, no ota yet for me. will it happen?
i want to know the same thing. i have a leaked version and yet to get the ota
getting a software update on my Rezound …
Finally! getting this update as i type! so excited!
I now have ICS on my Rezound! Yay!
My phone got it just be patient people. Phone is a lot more responsive and that dreadful launcher with the phone personalize and app drawer is gone :)
Getting ics now. Did a check for new software and the firmware popped up. About f@&$ing time
JUst got my upgrade, easy, full update. no fireworks tho lol
I hate it! Hate hate hate it! It feels as if something else has taken over my phone.
I hate it!
Only thing good is the antennas other than that I hate my phone now


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Verizon Communications Inc. has topped AT&T Inc.’s offer for Straight Path Communications Inc., according to a person familiar with the matter, sparking a bidding war over a tiny company that controls a swath of wireless airwaves thought to be at the forefront of next-generation networks.
Verizon VZ, +0.54% bid $1.8 billion for Straight Path, topping AT&T’s T, +0.47% stock bid of $1.6 billion earlier this month. AT&T, which has until next week to respond, said Tuesday it was evaluating the situation. Verizon declined to comment. Straight Path didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
The competing offers show how wireless networks are changing. Both telecommunications companies surprised investors this month by largely sitting out a major government airwaves auction. The airwaves being sold were low-frequency, once considered “beachfront” property because they travel long distances and penetrate buildings—perfect for wireless carriers that want to cover large areas.
But consumers are now more likely to watch videos than talk on their smartphones. As a result, carriers must focus on expanding network capacity in targeted areas of high demand.
Popular on WSJ.com:


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January 8, 2019
7 Statistics every App developer should know about augmented reality
The concept of augmented reality is not as new as you might think. As a matter of fact, back in 1901 Lyman Frank Baum first mentioned the idea of an electronic display that could overlay data onto real-life objects and named it a ‘character marker’. The maturity and history of augmented reality, however, is a topic that deserves a post of its own.
For now, let’s fast forward 100+ years and better understand why Apple, Google, Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft, Adobe and other tech giants are fiercely investing in augmented reality as it is known today.
Starting with what the tech giant leaders and representatives are saying about AR:
Apple CEO Tim Cook during the company’s 2018 first fiscal quarter earnings conference call
“I see AR as being profound. It has the ability to amplify human performance instead of isolating humans, and so I’m a huge believer in AR. We put a lot of energy in AR, and it’s moving very fast”.
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg at the annual F8 developer conference in April 2017
“This [AR] is going to be an important technology that changes how we use our phones. There is a long roadmap of technology to build for years. I am confident that we are going to push this augmented reality platform forward”.
Adobe CPO Scott Belsky in an interview with The Independent – June 2018
“Well we believe that augmented reality is one of those new mediums that could be as big as if not bigger than the web.”
It’s undeniable that AR has gained serious momentum in 2018. Still, if your client is hesitant if he/she should give augmented reality a GO, here are 7 stats that will help you win your next app development project.
7 Statistics Every App Developer Should Know About Augmented Reality
As data shows, augmented reality is growing exponentially. New creative AR apps, solutions, and devices are stirring up the market and gaining the trust and interest of users worldwide. And a great part of the AR success is due to its versatility.
AR technology is proving to be useful in practically every sector: retail, logistics, journalism, maintenance, fashion, tourism, gaming, decor and more. Check the top AR use-cases to see how mobile developers are using augmented reality to boost their apps and improve the overall user experience.
Already working with augmented reality and want to increase your chances of getting your AR project approved? Wikitude’s Marketing Director, Paula Monteiro, shares some excellent tips on how to pitch augmented reality for your next project.
With augmented reality in current expansion the next big AR hit, after the Pokémon Go frenzy in 2016, is still up for grabs. Perfect time for innovative app developers to make their moves. Are you up for the challenge?
Interested in creating an AR project of your own?
Talk to one of our specialists and learn how to get started.


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PRWeek: Vantage is focused on demonstrating ROI not just for PR but in tandem with advertising. Why is this important?
Peter Wengryn: At VMS, years of research has demonstrated that analyzing the ROI of advertising and PR in separate silos is not as effective as the two working in tandem with each other.
One example is Denny's Super Bowl advertising and Free Grand Slam Breakfast giveaway. Denny's [a VMS client] same-store-sales are up... as a result of advertising a free breakfast using the Super Bowl. It would be misleading to look at their $6 million ad buy and calculate ROI from that investment, just as it would tell the wrong story if we only consider the $50 million in earned media they generated from this effort. Only by looking at the combined impact of paid and earned media can we truly understand what produced the impressive ROI this effort generated.
PRWeek: Vantage is targeted to Fortune 500 companies and can come with a high price tag. What is included? And, are there options for companies that don't fall within the Fortune 500 category?
Wengryn: Vantage was developed to be scalable. While Fortune 500 companies initially are our primary focus, smaller companies will also be able to benefit from Vantage with a solution that can be cost-effective.
The research we have done over the past 10 years has consistently shown that news coverage has a positive impact on business outcomes. But new findings looking at integrating earned and paid media show that earned media has a 10% to 20% impact on the effectiveness of paid advertising. That translates to a minimum of a $5 million to $10 million benefit for target companies with even higher benefit for companies with higher ad budgets. In any economic climate this level of benefit is of great interest, but it is especially relevant when every C-level executive is trying to get more out of every dollar they are spending.
Vantage will provide news monitoring, reporting, and analysis including a media directory and newsroom. Examples of some of the VMS solutions included in Vantage are InSight, AdSight, and RealTime. VMS consultation and hands-on analysis are included.
Most importantly, the ROI analysis can be tied back to all levels of the solution... you can now determine which media outlets or which reporters are having the most impact (good or bad) on revenues and profits. This will ultimately save the client money by dealing with one vendor and ensuring that all the data is consistent.
PRWeek: Why did you decide to launch Vantage in this economic climate?
Wengryn: We determined now was indeed a strategic time to launch Vantage. With reduced advertising and PR budgets at most institutions, a global solution was needed more than ever that would provide insights enabling these companies to generate the strongest potential impact from their diminished budgets.
We're confident Vantage can increase the ROI of company investments in advertising and PR activities by 10% or more, which can translate to savings in the millions. Our clients are proving our vision correct with early indicators showing strong demand.


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The past few weeks saw a series of news articles that focused consumer concern around personal data use (and misuse). Recently, it was revealed that email service Unroll.me anonymously used consumer email data to give companies like Uber visibility into subscriber spending habits. While there was nothing illegal in Unroll.me’s use of data, seeing that its privacy agreement explicitly allowed such usage, it nevertheless surprised and alarmed consumers.
As it happens, this news came on the heels of the President and Congress reversing the previous administration’s proposed FCC privacy protections. With the new law, service providers are now free to collect and sell customer data to advertiser’s surrounding a customer’s internet usage.
The internet data trade
A wider reality is that the consumer internet is built on the trade of personal data. On the internet, the term “free” is rarely without strings attached considering ad supported internet services are powered by trade for personal data. Now in most, if not all, cases the personal data is de-identified of unique individual identifiers. Nevertheless, the consumer internet is built on advertising and advertising depends on personal data for targeting. What’s new is that now personal data value has decoupled from any dependency to advertisers. Personal data now has its own intrinsic value to data buyers, as the Unroll.me example revealed.
The big problem with small print
Generally speaking, consumers have some awareness that the internet services they use rely on advertising which in turn depends on their personal data. They may not always like it, but in general they assent to this quid pro quo in exchange for the services they value. The challenge for consumers, however, is that the scope of use around personal data is not always clear and often hidden behind legal terms and conditions or consent agreements that bury details in fine print. Moreover, the use of personal data beyond advertising remains less familiar to most consumers and more concerning.


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Director of Retail Operations
Aloha Green Apothecary
As reports of vape-related illness poured in this summer, Hawaii was one of the many states whose cannabis regulators took notice. Shortly after a Hawaii teen was hospitalized with the state’s first suspected case of vape-related lung illness, the state Department of Health publicly warned residents to stop using vaping products altogether.
At our dispensaries, the calls and emails from concerned cannabis vape users rushed in as our workforce assured them that none of the additives in question by the Centers for Disease Control were ever included in our products.
Though the Aloha State had just one reported case and no case has been linked to any licensed dispensary, the state’s medical cannabis program took aim at cannabis vape cartridges. There was even discussion of an emergency statewide ban on all vaping products, similar to action taken in Massachusetts.
Mid-October was a turning point for cannabis vape manufacturing in Hawaii. According to state regulations, dispensaries may manufacture and distribute pre-filled and sealed containers used to aerosolize and deliver cannabis orally, provided the containers “shall be filled with cannabis, cannabis oils, or cannabis extracts manufactured by the licensed dispensary and shall not contain nicotine, tobacco-related products, or any other non-cannabis derived products.”
Although the use of naturally derived terpenes is a common practice in the cannabis industry, the state Department of Health decided to strictly enforce its policy against non-cannabis derived products. After a meeting between Health Department officials and a local cannabis trade organization, licensees believed the state would crack down on current vape cartridge formulations. Dispensaries scrambled to move as many of the affected cartridges out of their inventory as possible. Prices for half-gram cartridges with added terpenes dropped to as low as $3 each and our locations sold more units in a few days than we generally sell in a month. Warning and cease-and-desist letters were sent via email to licensees known to add terpenes or other additives to their products. All state-licensed cannabis companies received the letters and stopped sales immediately and manufacturing of these products ended.
This timely, organized response is a testament to the high level of control and regulation possible in a vertical licensing structure. What turned out as a loss for us and other Hawaii cannabis companies who stand by the quality of their products was a win for patients who needed to stock up on a budget. As for Aloha Green Apothecary, we plan to begin extracting our own terpenes to offer the flavorful products that our market demands.


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Ruling in a closely watched data security case, an administrative law judge of the Federal Trade Commission dismissed a lawsuit against LabMD for allegedly violating Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act for failing to take appropriate security measures to protect the information of its customers.
The case was based on two incidents that the Commission said involved the disclosure of patient information from LabMD's networks. The first occurred in 2008 when a third party notified the company that an insurance aging report was available on a peer-to-peer file-sharing network. The report contained personal information about roughly 9,300 LabMD clients, including names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers. In the second incident, day sheets, and copied checks—with names and Social Security numbers—for approximately 600 LabMD clients were found in the possession of individuals who pleaded no contest to identity theft charges.
The FTC filed suit in August 2013. LabMD fought the charges on two fronts, both in the administrative proceeding and in federal court, where the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal of LabMD's complaint against the Commission in January on procedural grounds (ruling that the complaint was not a "final" agency action as required by the Administrative Procedure Act).
LabMD then moved to dismiss the administrative proceedings. The company argued that the FTC failed to carry its burden under Section 5 of the FTC Act. In an Initial Decision, Administrative Law Judge D. Michael Chappell agreed.
Section 5(n) of the FTC Act requires that for an act or practice to be deemed unfair it must cause or be likely to cause substantial injury to consumers; the injury must not be reasonably avoidable by consumers themselves; and the injury must not be outweighed by countervailing benefits to consumers or to competition.
The agency was only able to demonstrate hypothetical or theoretical harm to consumers enough for LabMD's liability, ALJ Chappell said.
As to the first event, the ALJ stated that the FTC presented no proof of harm, either in the form of identity theft or emotional damage, or likely future harm. With regard to the second incident, the agency failed to present proof connecting the exposure of the documents to any failure on the part of LabMD to reasonably protect data on its computer network.
"Under the evidence presented, to conclude that consumers whose personal information is maintained on [LabMD's] computer network are 'likely' to suffer a data breach and subsequent identity theft harm would require speculation upon speculation," ALJ Chappell said. "Among other things, it would have to be assumed that, at some unknown point in the future, [LabMD's] computer system will be breached by a presently unknown third-party who, at some undetermined point thereafter, will use the stolen information to harm those consumers."
The FTC's theory that all LabMD clients with data residing on the company's networks faced a risk of identity theft similarly did not persuade ALJ Chappell. Lacking evidence from the agency about the degree of risk or probability that such a data breach would occur, the allegations were too speculative to support a finding that injury to consumers was "likely," he said.
"Fundamental fairness dictates that proof of likely substantial consumer injury under Section 5 requires proof of something more than an unspecified and hypothetical 'risk' of future harm, as has been submitted in this case," he added.
At best, the Commission "has proven the 'possibility' of harm, but not any 'probability' or likelihood of harm," the ALJ stated. "To impose liability for unfair conduct under Section 5(a) of the FTC Act, where there is no proof of actual injury to any consumers, based only on an unspecific and theoretical 'risk' of a future data breach and identity theft injury, would require unacceptable speculation and would vitiate the statutory requirement of 'likely' substantial consumer injury."
Dismissing the entirety of the Commission's complaint, ALJ Chappell wrote that the preponderance of the evidence "fails to show that [LabMD's] alleged unreasonable data security caused, or is likely to cause, substantial consumer injury."
In a statement, the Commission expressed disappointment with the decision and said it is considering whether to file an appeal.
To read the decision in In the Matter of LabMD, click here.
Why it matters: Albeit a loss for the FTC in the area of data security enforcement, the decision did not tackle the issue of whether the agency has jurisdiction to enforce standards in the data security ecosystem based on its Section 5 powers. LabMD expressly reserved its jurisdictional challenge for an anticipated appeal to the federal court, leading to a possible replay of FTC v. Wyndham Worldwide Corp., where the Third Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the power of the FTC to regulate corporate cybersecurity.


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ActionDash comes from the same dev who brought us Action Launcher, and the latest update to the Digital Wellbeing add-on bumps it up to version 5.0 with a couple of new features. The most intriguing of the new additions is Fresh Start, which kicks you back to the launcher homescreen after you've locked your phone while in another app. There are also some new focus mode options to play with. Read More
ActionDash, the app from Chris Lacy (developer of Action Launcher), has recently reached v3.0, delivering even more Digital Wellbeing-like features to older or unsupported phones. A handful of big new features come with this major version update: Focus mode, app usage limits, and a persistent notification called Usage Assistant that provides ongoing stats. ActionDash 3.0 also brings a fully black dark theme, support for Android Q's dark theme system toggle, and non-premium users can now enjoy the dark gray theme. Read More
Google soft-launched Digital Wellbeing with Android Pie, but it's still only available on a few phones. If you're sick of waiting, developer Chris Lacy has launched a new app that brings similar features to any Android phone. ActionDash tracks how you use your phone like Digital Wellbeing, but it includes more goodies like a dark mode, daily summaries, data backup, and more. Read More
Action Launcher is one of Android's most popular replacement launchers, and this has a lot to do with how quick Chris Lacy has recently been to update his app with the latest features of Google's Pixel Launcher. It's much more than just a port, however, and also has original features that its loyal users swear by, such as covers and shutters.
The last two updates have added AdaptivePack icon integration and a customizable bottom search box, à la new Pixel Launcher. The latest bump to version 30 includes the Pixel's 'At a Glance' widget, which shows you your next calendar appointment alongside the current date and weather, and an option to colorize the icons in the search box. Read More
Is your home screen feeling a little drab? A bit on the boring side? You might need more color, more customization, and a dash of Android O style. That's Action Launcher, and it has even more of those things today. A new version of Action Launcher is rolling out with ample new customization options and a weather widget. Read More
Chris Lacy's Action Launcher got a massive update recently, introducing new branding, more free features, an animated Android O style clock widget, and more. Together with its already useful feature set, including shutters and covers, it's cemented its place as one of Android's best launchers. The latest Beta is now available, as announced by Lacy on his blog, and it includes a number of features that Google has added to the Pixel Launcher in Android O, such as notification dots and a new UI for app shortcuts and widgets. Read More
A new version of Chris Lacy's Action Launcher is rolling out today, and it brings an all-new feature that makes it a snap to search your apps. Well, I guess it technically makes it a swipe. Quickfind is a built-in search box in the app list that's accessible with a simple gesture. That's not all that's new—there are a number of other thoughtful tweaks and changes in v3.6. Read More
Chris Lacy's Link Bubble floating browser was a cool idea right out of the gate, but you might notice that development has been slow. Today Lacy explains that his little indie dev company simply doesn't have the resources to do what needs to be done with the app, so he's sold Link Bubble (and TapPath) to an unnamed US startup. What does that mean to you? For starters there's a huge update today.


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Find out how COVID-19 has accelerated the shift to grocery ecommerce, and explore the successful strategies to follow.
2020 has seen an acceleration of grocery e-commerce with globally 29% of shoppers saying they are using pick up or delivery weekly for their grocery of eat at home consumption.
Whilst there was an initial surge in demand at the height of the Covid-19 crisis that was hard to meet, there has been a significant increase in capacity across retailers in recent months. Consumers have also started to adopt the channel more with 59% saying they will continue to stick with online pick up and delivery, alongside going to store.
In this session we explore successful strategies for meeting these new consumer needs. This will look at ways to capture this new growth channel, and grow customer adoption as well as ensuring a seamless omni-channel experience and a scalable, more profitable operation.
The 45-minute session will be by a live Q&A with the presenters.
When: Wednesday 4 November 2020, 16:00 GMT
- David Clements, Global Head of Retail, dunnhumby
- Tom Langley, Head of Media Propositions, dunnhumby
- Jemma Haley, Global Media Consulting Manager, dunnhumby
Covid-19 has fundamentally changed shopping behaviour in a short space of time with shoppers visiting fewer stores less often, but leaving with bigger baskets. Ecommerce sales have near tripled, leaving some Retailers struggling to meet demand and cannibalising in-store margins. What's more, these changes are anything but transitional, with lockdowns and social distancing of some variety likely to dominate society for the foreseeable future, or until a vaccine is released.
With price sensitivity likely to resurface as a recession kicks in, continued disruption to supply chains, and a potential price war in the making as cash-rich retailers fight to retain newly acquired Shoppers and market share, the implications for CPGs and their retail partners are varied and potentially vast.
This report explores how CPGs can maintain a collaborative, win-win relationship with Retailers in the face of changing shopper needs.


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Louis Vuitton's Resort Show Is Coming to Palm Springs
Road trip, anyone?
Nicolas Ghesquiere is heading to the West Coast for Louis Vuitton's resort show. The artistic director will present the French fashion house's latest collection in Palm Spring on May 6, a rep for the label confirmed to Pret-a-Reporter. The presentation will be held just a few days before Dior's resort show in L.A. on May 9.
Based on Tom Ford's star-studded fall 2015 show, which was held during Oscars weekend in L.A., it's likely we can expect the same star power for Ghesquiere's upcoming presentation considering the short drive from Hollywood to the desert oasis. Here's to hoping we see Michelle Williams and Jennifer Connelly in the front row.


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Brazilian Blowout and other toxic beauty products could become extinct with new legislation.
National Healthy Nail Salon Alliance
For Immediate Release:
June 24, 2011
WASHINGTON—Today, Reps. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., Ed Markey, D-Mass., and Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisc., will introduce the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2011 (HR 2359), which gives the Food and Drug Administration authority to ensure that personal care products are free of harmful ingredients. Last month, 10 members of Congress sent a letter to the FDA urging action on highly toxic “Brazilian” hair straightening products, and salon workers testified before a Congressional briefing, urging stronger federal regulation of salon products. Now, this legislation comes to the aid of thousands of nail and hair salon workers who are exposed to highly toxic chemicals in their daily workplace.
“The case of Brazilian Blowout makes it clear that the current law regulating the safety of cosmetics and personal care products is broken,” said Erin Switalski, of the National Healthy Nail Salon Alliance. “A large dose of formaldehyde in hair salon products simply shouldn’t be legal and it is. This greatly jeopardizes the health of salon workers.”
“Salon workers should have the right to a safe work place free from chemicals that impact their health and consumers deserve to know that when they go to the salon for beauty services that their health isn’t being compromised,” said Anuja Mendiratta, of the California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative.
On a daily basis and often for long hours, nail and hair salon technicians, most of whom are women of child-bearing age, work with solvents, glues, polishes, dyes, straightening solutions and other products. These salon products contain a multitude of chemicals known or suspected to cause cancer, miscarriage, allergies and respiratory, neurological and reproductive harm.
“As a hair salon professional, what really concerns me is the fact that salon products are not labeled to tell us what we’re being exposed to day in and day out,” said Safiyyah Edley, owner of Luv Mi Kinks salon in California. “The health problems that arise from exposure to toxic chemicals are just unnecessary. There are safer alternatives, but we need regulation in order to really push them forward.”
The Safe Cosmetics Act was first introduced in 2010. This year, congressional sponsors have worked with business allies to revise this year’s version to address the concerns of small businesses. This bill supports the efforts of businesses that are already making safer products.
Existing law, passed in 1938, granted decision-making about ingredient safety to the cosmetics industry. Advocates have pointed to the Brazilian Blowout incident as a case study for what can go wrong with current regulations. In that instance, the company sold products labeled “formaldehyde free,” the FDA received numerous complaints of serious injury, and independent lab testing found dangerously high levels of formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, to be endangering worker and consumer health. The U.S. is far behind other countries in their ability to act quickly to remove toxic personal care products. Several countries, including Canada, Ireland and France, have already banned these hair products, but they still remain on the U.S. market.
“The growing number of reports of serious health problems arising from the use of dangerous chemicals in personal care products shows a need to update our laws and protect men, women, and children from harmful exposure,” said Rep. Schakowsky. “Currently, manufacturers are not required to disclose all their ingredients on labels and the FDA has no power to supervise the use of toxic chemicals in cosmetics. Americans are left in the dark about harmful mystery ingredients in personal care products; consumers deserve confidence that the products that they use will not hurt them.”
Major provisions of the legislation would:
• Phase out ingredients linked to cancer, birth defects and developmental harm
• Create a health-based safety standard that includes protections for children, the elderly, workers and other vulnerable populations
• Close labeling loopholes by requiring full ingredient disclosure, including the constituent ingredients of fragrance and salon products, on product labels and company Web sites
• Give workers access to information about unsafe chemicals in personal care products
• Require data sharing to avoid duplicative testing and encourage the development of alternatives to animal testing
• Provide adequate funding the FDA Office of Cosmetics and Colors so it has the resources it needs to provide effective oversight of the cosmetics industry
• Level the playing field so small cosmetics manufacturers can compete fairly
“People’s health should not be needlessly put at risk by dangerous chemicals in cosmetics. That is why as Chair of congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), I am supporting the Safe Cosmetics Act, which would give the FDA regulatory authority over cosmetics and personal care products. Congress should move to swiftly adopt this legislation,” said Rep. Judy Chu of California, who hosted the Congressional briefing on salon worker health.
Dr. Quach at the Cancer Prevention Institute of California led and published a study in the American Journal of Public Health, finding air levels of toxic chemicals in nail salons in California exceeding what is recommended for indoor air, including methyl methacrylate, a compound banned by the FDA.
“Our concern is that harmful chemicals at unsafe levels in the workplace may also have impacts on the long-term health of nail salon workers, especially if workers are exposed over a long period of time,” said Dr. Quach.
# # #
The National Healthy Salon Alliance is working to raise the profile of salon worker health and safety issues, to connect and leverage the resources of concerned groups (including workers’ rights, labor, environmental and reproductive health and justice, and Asian Pacific Islander groups), to advocate that salon product manufactures reformulate and produce safer products, and to advocate for greater regulatory protection of salon workers. The Alliance is a joint project of California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative, National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, and Women’s Voices for the Earth.


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This story is part of, our full coverage of the latest news from Apple headquarters.
Apple used its spring event this year to announce the new M1 iPad Pro, a new M1-powered iMac, AirTags and a purple iPhone 12. This summer is when we’ll learn about all the new things Apple will make those gadgets capable of doing with its forthcoming software updates. The tech giant is watch for free., or WWDC, . Fans and developers alike will be able to
Last year, Apple announced a major change for its Mac computers,from them being powered by Intel-made chips to being juiced by chips designed by Apple’s in-house team. That group’s been building chips to power iPhones and iPads for more than a decade, and now Apple says those chips are capable enough to power computers too. So far, the new computers powered by the new M1 chip have received positive reviews for their . Despite the initially positive reception, industry watchers are anxious to see how those chips will power . Apple could also use the event to announce its .
We could also learn more about the next version of MacOS, but the biggest announcement out of the event will likely be, the latest annual update to the company’s software for iPhones and iPads. This time around, the software update, which is usually free and in the fall, is rumored to , include new ways to handle app notifications, and make its new more interactive (currently they update data, but typically a tap brings you into the app instead of letting you interact just through the widget.)
iOS 15 rumors:
There are also rumors that the Apple Watch and its software could get new features. The Apple Watch currently can track movement, heart rate, ECG and blood-oxygen levels. The next rumored step could be to.
Apple’s online-only WWDC begins June 7 at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. BST and at 3 a.m. on June 8 AEST (Sorry, Australia). Though Apple hasn’t officially announced CEO Tim Cook’s traditional opening keynote presentation, it would be a shock if he didn’t appear.
If June is just too long to wait for a visit with Cook, you may also be able to catch him testifying at.
You’ll be able to stream Apple’s event straight from the company’s website. We here at CNET will be covering the event live, as we always do, with the real-time news, insight and analysis you can get only here.
What we can expect
Apple’s digital events are fast-paced and slickly produced. WWDC also tends to be a little nerdier and sillier, with Apple making jokes about its wacky marketing team coming up with names for its software. Apple also tends to make fun of software head Craig Federighi‘s hair.


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All Kohl’s stores across the U.S. will now accept Amazon returns, the retailer announced in a statement Tuesday.
The returns program, which began with 82 Kohl’s stores across Chicago and Los Angeles, will now include all of Kohl’s 1,150-plus locations across 48 states.
The expansion of the partnership comes more than a year after the program’s debut. In late 2017, Kohl’s began allowing customers to return their Amazon packages in store. By early 2018, Kohl’s revenue growth in the Chicago region was up 10 percent, compared with 5 percent growth across the rest of the country. The area’s sales, transactions and customer growth outpaced the same metrics nationwide in 2018.
The program also attracted new customers, as Kohl’s had hoped. The number of new customers in the Chicago area grew by 9 percent last year, compared with 1 percent growth for other Kohl’s stores across the U.S.
In a statement, Kohl’s said it will accept “eligible Amazon items, without a box or label, and return them for customers for free.” Kohl’s will take care of the repackaging process, eliminating a step for consumers and adding to the program’s convenience.
“Amazon and Kohl’s have a shared passion in providing outstanding customer service, and this unique partnership combines Kohl’s strong nationwide store footprint and omnichannel capabilities with Amazon’s reach and customer loyalty,” said Michelle Gass, Kohl’s chief executive officer. “This new service is another example of how Kohl’s is delivering innovation to drive traffic to our stores and bring more relevance to our customers.”
Driving traffic and maintaining relevance are two firmly-rooted objectives for Kohl’s.
With online shopping waging war on traditional retail, Kohl’s has decided to live by the proverb, “If you can’t beat them, join them.” Maintaining a symbiotic relationship with e-commerce monolith Amazon has paid off, and Kohl’s even has plans to start carrying Amazon products in more than 200 stores.
Kohl’s has also expanded its efforts to woo millennial moms, a coveted consumer base for any big-box store chain. The retailer is experimenting with a new in-store merchandising initiative called The Outfit Bar, a curated assortment of head-to-toe looks from multiple brands. The program is designed to help time-starved moms who don’t have the time to peruse clothing racks in the quest for the perfect ensemble, and is due to roll out in 50 stores over the coming weeks.


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MORRISTOWN — “The Dealer for the People” is broadening its East Tennessee footprint with the addition of Farris Jeep, Ram, Chrysler, Dodge in Morristown.
New signage replacing its predecessor, Royston Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, Jeep, is in development as are possible changes in sales and service hours, all of which will be geared toward customer convenience.
“We are excited to expand our family brand into more of the Lakeway region,” said Johnny Wayne Farris, president of Farris Motor Company, based in Jefferson City. “We are committed to serving customers who want and need a nicer, newer car and we work with them to make that a reality. We welcome Royston customers, along with anyone and everyone who wants to be listened to when making a vehicle purchase. We realized some time ago that those shopping for vehicles often feel as if salespeople are trying to get them in the first thing they see, and that is just not how we operate.”
While he is proud of the fact his family owns one of the world’s oldest Chrysler, Jeep, Ram franchises — “in the top 15,” he noted when asked — Farris is succinct about its meaning.
“Oh, it’s important to us, but not that much to anyone else,” said the past president of the Tennessee Automotive Association, which represents both new and used vehicle dealerships across the state. “What matters to customers is that you’ll take care of them and work hard to provide them a good selection of vehicles to meet their needs. That’s the legacy I am most proud of and it’s what we carry with us into serving the Morristown area.”
Customer commitment took on a new meaning in 2011 when Jason Farris stepped into helping his dad run the 90-year-old operation as general manger. He earned his way to dealer principal over time, becoming the public face of the operation, a/k/a The Dealer For the People. The role quickly morphed from what some misunderstood as a quirky marketing concept to a new brand.
“When we look at the more than 650 Google reviews we have, with an average of 4.7 stars out of a possible five, we say, ‘Well, we must being doing some things right,’” said Jason, a fourth-generation Farris car dealer.
The family’s commitment to the Lakeway precedes the lakes for which the region is called, and even TVA itself. It dates back to 1931 when O.W. “Wayne” Farris decided to leave Knoxville, where he had run a Central Avenue repair shop with his cousins, to open his own garage in New Market. His successes included moving to Jefferson City, becoming a DeSoto and Plymouth automobile dealer before the attack on Pearl Harbor drew the United States into World War II, as well as adding a GMC truck franchise to the company. The dealership became a second generation family business when his son Johnny left an Oak Ridge job to join him in 1945. Wayne passed the reigns to Johnny 20 years later.
Johnny Wayne joined the enterprise in 1972, the same year the dealership began selling Dodge cars and trucks. As his dad had back in the ‘40s, the younger Farris began his automobile career in the service and parts departments. The advent of a new, four-lane Highway 11E lured the Farrises in 1977 to build a new automobile facility, which Johnny Wayne took over as dealer/owner when his father retired in 1988.
Other accomplishments have included the addition of Jeep to the line and recognition as Tennessee’s first full-line Chrysler dealer to earn the corporation’s prestigious Five Star Award for Excellence. “That’s my point,” said Jason. “Our dedication to taking care of people is part of our history, it’s why we exist today and is the reason that we can grow to take care of even more customers with this expansion.”
Those who shop online are asked for preliminary information that begins the sense of connection and relationship. The second stage begins when a local scheduler makes an appointment for them with a salesperson.
“We are happy for folks to come look as they wish but we never want them to feel like they have to wait on someone to pay attention to them,” said Johnny Wayne. “The car business is the attention business.”
Jason added to his father’s explanation, saying, “We have what we call the ‘Perfect Timing Car Buying Process,’ so we provide the best automobile at the right price, be it a preowned vehicle or a brand new Jeep, Ram Truck, Chrysler or Dodge, at the ideal time for the buyer.”
Johnny Wayne said he and Jason are excited to add the Morristown location to their family business. “We are grateful to Leroy Royston and his team for taking care of people in and around Hamblen County for 27 years. We are pleased to continue our family commitment to match customers with the vehicles they need.”


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G2A promises more transparency in new marketplace update
Sellers will be required to list names and addresses, automatic geolocation will confirm where they're based
Controversial retailer G2A.com has announced a number of changes to its online marketplace that aim to improve transparency and make it easier to detect grey key selling.
As of July 1st, the firm will provide detailed seller information to all buyers, including name and address. All seller info will be accessible in several places on the site - including the bills provided to customers, allowing them to see who they are actually buying games from.
G2A has also revealed that it is implementing automatic geolocation so customers will no longer need to select their country from a drop-down list. Instead, their location will be detected automatically using "data taken from independent and reliable sources", according to the press release.
The final major improvement is that VAT will be included in all product prices.
The decision to share seller information is a stark contrast to the firm's stance just a few months ago, when the reseller said it "has to protect every honest seller" and refused to submit to Gearbox Software's demand that it share its database with developers
G2A has come under fire over the years for establishing a grey marketplace that allows users to buy digital game keys for a low price in one region and sell them for a lot more in another. These changes have been implemented in order to help enables games firms to identify instances where this is happening, and improve the transparency around who these sellers are. While this won't prevent grey market selling completely, it will empower publishers to investigate why this is happening themselves and take action.
More improvements could be on the way, with G2A signing off its press release with: "These changes are only the first step in further simplifying and improving the shopping and selling experience on G2A Marketplace."
GamesIndustry.biz hosted an on-stage Q&A with a representative of G2A during this year's Reboot Develop, in which the firm insisted it's not a grey marketplace but that "people just don't understand our business model."
The retailer has faced severe accusations over the years from a range of games firms, most notably indie publisher TinyBuild and Borderlands developer Gearbox Software. Prominent indies have told us G2A's reputation could be fixed if it "just stops being shit."


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Travelodge is to open 100 hotels in Spain by 2020, in the budget hotel group’s first big move into international territory. Financial Times, Daily Telegraph
In a replication of its UK room-pricing strategy, the group will operate hotels of up to 100 rooms with online prices starting at €20 (£14.30).
The move involves development partners investing €600m in new-build properties or converting existing buildings. Travelodge estimates it will commit €1bn in rent over the course of the 25-year leases it will sign with developers.
The group will focus on Madrid Barcelona and Valencia before rolling out the brand elsewhere in Spain, including airports and suburbs.
Grant Hearn, chief executive, said the UK market outlook remained strong for the next 10-15 years, but added that pilot hotels proved the 'Travelodge model works in Spain and the time is right to capitalise on demand'.
Travelodge claims Spain has only 100 budget hotels and that there is “huge” market potential.
Travelodge will have eight hotels in Spain in three years and 15 sites in its development pipeline.
The company said it was focused on UK growth and expansion in Spain, but did not rule out further forays overseas.


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Google to invest $3.3 billion in European data centers
Topics: GOOGLE EUROPE INVEST
The company also said it will invest an additional 600 million euros next year to expand Google's data centers in Hamina, Finland. The moves bring Google's total investment in Europe's internet infrastructure to 15 billion euros since 2007, the company said.
"We look forward to partnering with governments and other stakeholders in the months and years ahead," Google CEO Sundar Pichai wrote in a blog post. "Together, we can make sure every European benefits from a strong and sustainable digital economy."
He said the data center in Finland "serves as a model of sustainability and energy efficiency for all of our data centers." ■


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TOMMY WALKS AWAY FROM CALVIN DEAL
Byline: Lisa Lockwood
NEW YORK — Talks between Tommy Hilfiger Corp. and Calvin Klein have collapsed, sources said Saturday.
After several weeks of intense negotiations, Hilfiger has decided not to buy Calvin Klein Inc., claiming the price was too high, WWD has learned.
Asked to comment Sunday on the report that Hilfiger’s negotiators had given up on reaching a deal, a spokesman for Calvin Klein replied, “The company is still very pleased with the direction of the process.”
He would not comment on any specific company. It is believed that top Klein officials may not have been aware over the weekend that Hilfiger’s people had decided to give up on the deal.
Hilfiger officials were unavailable for comment Sunday.
A Klein-Hilfiger combination would have created a multibillion-dollar mega-designer business, unleashing a public relations and marketing bonanza and opening up enormous sourcing and product development possibilities. Now, both parties are left to seek other partners.
Hilfiger is the latest company to scrutinize Klein’s company, and came close to inking a deal. Earlier this year, Holding di Partecipazioni Industriali, the Italian conglomerate, neared a deal, but talks broke down after HdP decided to focus on its publishing operations.
Sources said there are other companies that could potentially bid, such as Warnaco Group, which, through licenses and ownership of certain categories, has the lion’s share of the Calvin Klein business. Linda Wachner, chairman of Warnaco, had initially bid on the company, but didn’t make the second round. Sources said she may be ready to make another move. She couldn’t be reached for comment.
Calvin Klein had a self-imposed deadline of the end of the first quarter to reach an agreement.
According to sources, Hilfiger’s co-chairmen, Silas K. F. Chou and Lawrence Stroll, had been very serious about buying Calvin Klein and felt that at the right price, it would have been an extremely attractive acquisition. Klein is reportedly seeking in excess of $1 billion for the company.
The Hilfiger honchos had viewed the acquisition as an opportunity for renewed growth and a means of improving its standing on Wall Street. Hilfiger’s stock has been trading at or near its 52-week low of 11 11/16 and closed Friday at 13, up 1/8. Its 52-week high is 41 1/8.
Hilfiger is expected to make the news that it’s backing out of the Calvin Klein deal official at its April 3 board meeting.
Hilfiger will reportedly seek other growth strategies, such as expansion of both its retail operation and Internet business. The company’s Web site went up last December without e-commerce because Hilfiger officials didn’t want to upset their department store customers. However, sources said, they’re now seriously exploring an expansion into e-commerce because the Hilfiger consumer base is technologically savvy.
As noted, Hilfiger plans to close its two money-losing flagship stores in Beverly Hills and London after it finds new locations, and wants to operate smaller stores that could become “profit centers” as part of a new specialty store strategy. The company signed a deal earlier this month for a new Hilfiger store in SoHo here. The site, currently a parking lot at 372 West Broadway on the corner of Broome Street, is next to Harry Cipriani’s downtown restaurant.
Hilfiger, whose sales are approaching $2 billion, recently hired Morgan Stanley Dean Witter to explore acquisitions. The company has over 20 different divisions but is at a crossroads, with sales of its men’s clothing slowing down and its women’s business having some difficult times.
The company, which over the past 12 years had been growing at breakneck speed, hit its first roadblock in the past quarter when it reported disappointing earnings. Hilfiger announced it was undergoing cost-cutting measures, including temporarily shelving its better-priced women’s career line. It also named downtown designer Daryl Kerrigan as creative consultant to bring some edge to its women’s sportswear and accessories lines.
Last October, Klein retained Lazard Freres & Co. to explore an outright sale, a joint venture or a merger for the company. Lazard Freres reportedly came to the table fully loaded, emphasizing the company’s standing as one of the most powerful consumer brands in the world, a healthy balance sheet with no debt, groundbreaking advertising expertise and a broad product portfolio from Calvin Klein Collection to CK Sportswear, jeans, fragrances, men’s wear, eyewear and underwear.
Many U.S. and foreign companies have reportedly looked at the Calvin Klein books. But Klein officials have also made it known that if they didn’t get their price, they didn’t have to sell.
Calvin Klein Inc. generates 90 percent of its revenues through licensing and over $2.5 billion in wholesale, or $5 billion in retail volume annually.
Over the past decade, Klein has successfully reinvented his company from primarily a manufacturer, to a licensing empire. The strategy has paid off handsomely — licensing income has more than tripled from $45 million in 1994 to over $150 million this year. Its royalty stream is believed to be the highest in the industry.
Warnaco, which owns Calvin Klein Underwear and licenses CK Calvin Klein Jeans, generates $1 billion in sales and provides an estimated $60 million in royalty payments to Calvin Klein Inc.
Its other major licensee is Unilever Ltd., which manufactures and markets such successful Klein fragrances as Contradiction, Eternity, Obsession, Escape and CK One, and launched a color cosmetics line this spring.
Other licensees include GFT Corp. for men’s clothing and furnishings, Marchon for eyewear, Gabar for swimwear, Kayser-Roth for sheer hosiery and Fairbrooke for coats.
Boyhood friends from the Bronx, Klein and Barry Schwartz, chairman of Calvin Klein Inc., started their company in 1968 as a coat business, with an initial investment of $10,000. Each holds a 43 percent stake in the company; the rest of the equity is held in family trusts.
While Klein’s competitors such as Ralph Lauren, Hilfiger, Donna Karan, Guess and Gucci have all taken the IPO plunge, Klein has resisted, not wanting to become a slave to the quarterly pressures of public life.
Klein’s strategy the past few years has been to become a global brand. His fragrances, jeans and underwear have been sold in Europe since the late Eighties, but over the past couple of years, he has been on an ambitious path to expand his entire business internationally. He has over 40 stores around the world for Collection, CK, shoes, handbags, jeans and underwear.
While some observers consider Klein in a mature stage of development, the company believes there are still many opportunities for further global expansion, particularly through such categories as accessories; home products; activewear, including golf, tennis and ski merchandise; cosmetics, notably the new color cosmetics launched this spring, and a diffusion line priced between Collection and CK.


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The change for the lightened delivery days previously announced by Posti will start on April 1. The current lightened Friday will become a lightened Thursday on April 1, 2022.
The change is due to the further decrease in the volume of paper mail and the regional differences in the needs of companies and communities that send mail.
Nowadays, a household receives approximately 3.0 addressed letter items per week. In the 2000s, the volume of letters has fallen by over 70% because of digital communications. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has further reduced the volume of letters especially.
We develop our distribution services together with our customers. By varying the rhythm of delivery according to the volume of mail on weekdays is an important tool that enables us to ensure the continuity of postal services for citizens and businesses throughout the country. One way is to focus mail distribution on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and lighten on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
We will deliver newspapers in Posti’s early-morning delivery seven days a week. Other mail will be delivered on five weekdays. With regard of universal service, delivery takes place in accordance with the Postal Act. The change in reduced mail volumes from Friday to Thursday does not result to the need to reduce personnel. The change in the speed of mail will not be affected, and the change in reduced mail volumes from Friday to Thursday does not result to the need to reduce personnel.
Posti's service points and customer service will be open as usual, and the change will not affect parcel deliveries.
Delivered on Tuesdays and Thursdays:
Newspapers in early-morning delivery
Newspapers in daytime delivery
Letters and postcards with a Plus Sticker
Items sent to a corporate postal code, corporate addresses, and P.O. Box
Delivered on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays:
All products, including the above
We announced the change earlier in September 2021


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Early in 2000 the current expansion will become the longest in US history. Earnings have enjoyed pro...
Early in 2000 the current expansion will become the longest in US history. Earnings have enjoyed prolonged growth, the budget is in surplus for the first time in 30 years and interest rates and inflation have enjoyed a downward trend despite unemployment being barely over 4%.
As for the equity market the S&P 500 has provided a spectacular return of 17.6% pa in the 1990s and is up over 24% pa and 27% pa respectively over the last three and five years. The market has tripled since late 1994, a time when many asset allocators viewed it as expensive.
So what can the US market do for an encore in 2000? A repeat of the recent exceptional returns seems unlikely but many of the positive fundamentals remain in place and would argue against an overly pessimistic view of Wall Street. Earnings growth of 10% in 2000 appears achievable aided by significant exposure to rebounding global economies. In addition, the supply/demand picture remains positive as money flows continue into equity funds and proposed changes in accounting and financial regulations could encourage further brisk M&A activity.
The main concerns over the US market tend to centre around valuation issues and inflation/interest rate fears. Over recent years, many valuation yardsticks have proved untimely guides to the US market whilst inflation has continued to surprise on the downside despite domestic growth continuing to surprise on the upside.
With respect to valuation and inflation it is necessary to appreciate the increasingly important influence and impact of both the US technology sector and the dawn of the Internet era on the US market and global economy.
With respect to market valuation, technology now represents nearly 30% of the S&P 500, up from less than 10% just a few years ago. Companies such as Microsoft, Intel, Cisco Systems and Dell Computer are now amongst the largest US companies and have been enjoying dramatic growth and developing increasingly significant global franchises.
It seems natural therefore that with the increasing importance of these high growth technology companies the valuation of the market as a whole should expand by historic comparison. Layer on top of this the effect of 'new economy' internet-related companies such as America Online and Yahoo and the growth and valuation characteristics are exaggerated even further. In simple terms, the profile of the market constituents is changing, along with their growth prospects.
As for inflation, again technology and the internet have, and will, play an important and beneficial role. Increasing globalisation and competition have brought a constant demand to improve costs and efficiency. Consequently restructuring moves have led to an enormous secular demand surge for technology equipment as a way to improve productivity.
With labour costs representing two-thirds of US business costs, this trend of substituting capital for labour is an important driver in the explosive demand growth for technology. As for the internet, we are still in the early stages of its influence on prices. With the access to the internet becoming easier and cheaper its impact will continue to grow significantly.
The Web's deflationary influence is not only on the consumer but also the opportunity for business to business e-commerce is growing fast; this offers a projected market four times the size of consumer e-commerce. The bottom line is the internet is destined to save significant costs and thus maintain downward pressure on prices and inflation.
Although valuations may appear excessive by historic comparisons, the underlying fundamentals argue that it would be a brave person who continues to bet heavily against US equities.
Andrew Pringle is director of US equities at Friends Ivory & Sime
Moves to overweight equities and fixed income
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PETALING JAYA: Cyberspace is filled with fake advertisements and false information but regulating social networks would be a big challenge, said the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca).
Its secretary-general Datuk Dr Paul Selvaraj (pic) said to combat false information, the focus should be on consumer education and media literacy awareness.
“False advertisements and information is a global issue but as far as regulations are concerned, it is a difficult area to tackle.
“These advertisements are dangerous as they are unverified and can be manipulated by anybody for their own benefit.
“What is actually needed is media literacy to teach consumers what is authentic and what is false,” he said.
Paul said media literacy should be taught at the school level as children are exposed to the Internet early in life.
“We are not preparing consumers to deal with scams and false advertisements.
“A lot of people rely on social media for information, so it is easy to be exposed to such false information,” he noted.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) can handle certain complaints about misleading advertisements, said Paul.
“But it also depends. If the advertisement comes from an organisation, then of course the government can take action against it.
“But if individuals are coming up with these advertisements by using other people’s pictures, then that’s a bit challenging to handle,” he added.
He said consumers who come across online content problems could lodge complaints with MCMC’s complaints division by e-mailing email@example.com or calling the hotline at 1800 882 623 / 03-7954 8105 / 03-7958 3690.