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The Food Pyramid
“No or Low-Fat” Prescription
Has Been Flipped On Its Head
The USDA Food Pyramid first introduced in 1992, promoted a diet high in processed grain foods like bread, cereals, and pastas with moderate intakes of fruits, vegetables, and proteins while encouraging a drastic reduction of dietary fat.
Ancient wisdom had us believe that fats were the root of all evil, promoting obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and about every other unexplained poor health condition.
At the time, every major health Associations grabbed hold of the fat-free pyramid mindset and this “ancient wonder” burned a lasting impression in how we think and eat.
Only one problem — the data used to establish the Food Pyramid turned out to be wrong, and not surprisingly, based on studies funded by the sugar and processed food industries.
The biggest outbreak of obesity and disease the world has ever known.
Modern research has now shattered food-pyramid thinking. Today’s science proves a diet full of processed grains and sugar, and void of healthy fats, can…
So what DO we eat?
Volumes of new research tell a whole new story on what helps…
This new story is called Integrative health. And the research behind it has validated some of nature’s most powerful molecules in supporting the body’s normal functions of defense and repair. These molecules combined with the best standard of medical care are now achieving best patient outcomes.
So what now? What do you eat to manage weight, support good gut health, immune function, sleep, brain clarity and joint health?
New science has given us new solutions. Get the full story on the next gen of nutrition and healthy living. Get connected and stay in the know.


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More than 2 billion cups of coffee are consumed worldwide, which means coffee beans used in all those lattes, espressos and mochas create a livelihood for millions of people worldwide.
Yet coffee plant production remains decidedly low-tech, and gimmick labels like "organic" and "fair trade" keep developing nations growing coffee stuck in the past. That has resulted in a "biennial effect" in yields, where years with high yields are often followed by years with low yields. The biennial effect makes it challenging for coffee breeders to compare yields from different varieties of coffee. Without accurate measures of yield, breeders cannot know which varieties of coffee would be most useful for farmers to grow.
A new computational model compensates for the biennial effect in coffee. This model reduces experimental error. It also increases the usefulness of data obtained from field trials. In turn, the model directly impacts the quality of coffee varieties supplied to farmers. These findings could reduce the cost and time to launch a new coffee variety into the market by half, the authors estimate, and it could also help farmers improve yields.
'Catigua', one of the most popular commercially-grown cultivars in Brazil. Credit: César Elias Botelho
Using information from the model, farmers could tailor cultivation strategies to individual plants. Effective management of growing conditions directly impacts harvest quality and yields.
Importantly they found that the biennial effect in coffee doesn't follow a well-defined pattern, as previously thought. Instead, some coffee plants can have reasonably stable yields across years. Other plants may have high yields for two years and reduced yields in the third. The new model also allows researchers to determine why individual coffee plants may have high or low yields each year. Some coffee plants with high yields may belong to high-yielding varieties. However, the plants of high-yielding varieties may produce low yields during recovery years.
The next step would be to incorporate more genetic information into the current model. This would allow researchers to study genetic control of the biennial effect. Understanding the genetic basis of the biennial effect could be very useful. For example, it might allow breeders to identify coffee varieties with more uniform yields across multiple years.
Coffee isn't the only crop to show biennial effects. Apple trees, for example, also exhibit biennial effects.

domain: news


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Class Action Certified for California Contact Lens Consumers
Abbott Medical Optics is facing an uphill battle in a California class action. A California State Court judge has certified a class action for consumers who purchased contact lens solution that is associated with an eye infection that can cause blindness. The plaintiffs, who represent California consumers who purchased Complete MoisturePlus contact lens solution between 2003 and 2007, are asking for refunds of their money. The class action lawsuit claims that Abbott Medical Optics misled the class members into believing that its contact lens solution disinfected their lenses, when in fact the solution could cause an eye infection that can lead to pain and blindness or even force the removal of an eye.
The California Supreme Court recently amended its class action standards. As a result, more consumers will be afforded additional protections under California law.


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Cookie Co. has hired Pamela Fazio as CEO as part of plans to continue growing the emerging franchise.
Fazio has previous experience in the food industry, having held positions as CEO of Duff’s CakeMix as well as president and CEO of Beard Papa’s. She also owned Fazio Restaurant Group in Arizona. Other senior leadership roles in Fazio’s resume include Papa Murphy’s International, J&A Food Service Inc. and Kahala Brands.
The new Cookie Co. CEO also specializes in creating strategic systems for rapid expansion which aligns with the franchise’s latest ambitions. Cookie Co. currently has 25 locations in the US and is projected to open another 25 branches this year. The franchise now hopes to open 100 locations within the next two years under the guidance of Fazio.
“I’m excited to lead the Cookie. Co. team,” said Fazio. “Cookie Co. has a solid business model to succeed in the franchise industry. We’re looking forward to growing our shops throughout North America and Internationally taking the brand to the next level.”
Cookie Co. was founded in 2020 by Elise and Matt Thomas, when Elise became known as ‘The Cookie Lady’ online after her home baking posts became popular on social media. The success propelled the couple to open a physical store which has continued to expand.
“I’ve always loved to bake cookies for my friends and family,” said Elise, co-founder of Cookie Co. “The pandemic was a wild time for all of us, and starting a business is a lot of work. We got pregnant during that time and our home burnt down as well. To see where we are now, bringing on an experienced and respected CEO in the industry, feels like a dream. We’re excited for the future of Cookie Co.”
Matt Thomas, president and co-founder of Cookie Co. also commented: “We’re excited to have Pamela’s experience and knowledge on our team. Cookie Co. has fantastic products, and our brand is growing quickly. With Pamela, we believe Cookie Co. will grow immensely and we look forward to the journey together.”
Cookie Co. is recruiting franchisees across all 50 US states, with more information available on their website.


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Contactless payments are great technology. On the iPhone, it is represented by the NFC module. Alas, it is used only by Apple Pay.
Image from iphone-tricks.com
Apple Pay analogs lack NFC on the iPhone. For them, this opportunity is blocked. The Cupertino corporation does not want to support rivals at its own expense.
Many people think that Apple is acting unfairly. The largest banks are against strict restrictions. In Germany, they decided to make life easier for the victims.
Apple again the most expensive company in the world
Apple Pay has earned in Belarus. Now officially!
German authorities passed an unusual law. It expands the responsibilities of electronic payment infrastructure operators. They must guarantee competitive access.
Image from engadget.com
Apple said the same applies. Innovation promises her problems in this country. The company expressed concern about such a policy. She said it’s dangerous to “open” NFC.
Enforcement of the bill will negatively affect security. Apple predicts reduced protection for financial and personal information. However, the California giant has no serious arguments.
By the way, the EU is considering the idea of a similar law. What do you think-will introduce? Write in the comments.
Chief editor of the blog – Erika J. Wells .


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The Observer will be the media partner for the Saatchi Gallery launch exhibition, which features a retrospective by artist Damien Hirst. The newspaper will produce a 24-page guide to the gallery on April 20.
EHS Brann has won an estimated £1m digital marketing brief with internet bank, Egg to create an online marketing campaign.
Sportswear brand Fila is without a top marketer after Dominic Munnelly quit the company. He joined Fila in 1997 and took over as marketing manager in a restructure following the departure of Stuart Ryan in 2001 (MW May 24, 2001). Munnelly’s departure comes just weeks before parent company Fila Holdings is due to agree terms […]
Coca-Cola is looking for a new global marketing chief following the resignation of Stephen Jones. The former UK Coca-Cola marketer had been expected to quit when Steven Heyer arrived from AOL Time Warner’s Turner Broadcasting System in 2001 as president of new ventures. Heyer was promoted to president and chief operating officer in December last […]
Although still negative overall, expectations around marketing jobs has improved thanks in part to the government’s extension of the furlough scheme.
Twenty-five years on, EasyJet’s third employee looks back at how a mixture of bombastic ads and guerilla marketing helped the airline overcome its ‘David versus Goliath’ struggle.
Despite a slight upturn in confidence last month, the latest lockdown and increased restrictions have put a serious dent in any hopes for a more optimistic outlook going into 2021.
The Marketing Academy has created an online learning platform, which is available to its global community and sponsors, as well we 1,000 marketers who have been made redundant or are on furlough.


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Margolis most recently was president and CEO of Limited Brands' Apparel Group and has more than 30 years of retail, merchandising and product development experience, New York-based Cache (Nasdaq: CACH) said.
Prior to Limited Brands, Margolis was president, chief operating officer and director of Reebok International. Before that, he was chairman and CEO of Esprit de Corp. USA, president and vice chairman of Tommy Hilfiger Inc. and in several senior executive positions at Liz Claiborne Inc. He currently sits on the boards of Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corp., Godiva Chocolatier Inc. and Boston Beer Co.
“Jay is a highly accomplished merchant with proven success in strengthening assortments, growing revenues, increasing store productivity and driving product sales in new channels, all of which is expected to position our company for sustained long term profitability and growth,” Reinckens said in a statement.
Margolis, aside from becoming CEO, also will invest $1 million in newly issued shares of Cache in connection with an $8 million rights offering announced Tuesday by the company, subject to shareholder approval. The proceeds of the rights offering will be used to provide enhanced liquidity to Cache, the company said.
The company said it entered into an investment agreement with Margolis and two of the company's shareholders, MFP Partners L.P. and Mill Road Capital L.P. Cache said all shareholders will be able to invest at the same price as Margolis, MFP Partners and Mill Road.
Cache also said it expects to report a pretax loss for its fourth quarter ended Dec. 29 of $4.8 million to $5.1 million, compared with pretax profits of $2.4 million a year earlier. It also said sales declined 3.3 percent to $60.8 million, with same-store sales down 0.7 percent, compared with the 12.4 percent increase it had in the year-earlier quarter.
Cache currently operates 261 stores in 42 states, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.


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Oracle announced that it added more than 500 new Software as a Service (SaaS) customers in the last quarter, though an analyst thinks most of them are existing Oracle customers and those gained in acquisitions.
The Redwood Shores, Calif.-based IT company reported quarterly earnings on Thursday, announcing that total revenue was up 2% since the same quarter last year, and software revenues were up 5% year-over-year.
However, most of Oracle's growth is its "existing client base and acquisitions (more) than net new standalone sales," according to Chad Eschinger, research vice president at Stamford, Conn.-based Gartner Inc. That said, Eschinger added that Oracle continues "to be a strong provider with a growing presence in SaaS."
There has been much talk that a large portion of Oracle's cloud business has come from acquisitions, particularly Taleo. Oracle CEO Larry Ellison sought to discount those rumors during the quarterly earnings call.
"We added more new Fusion core HCM customers last quarter than Workday added HCM and CRM customers," he said. "That's just Fusion, not Taleo."
Ellison and other company executives added that Oracle will make a major cloud-related announcement next week. Following a question about Oracle Database 12c, which is in beta but hasn't been released generally, Ellison expanded on what those announcements would include. He said Oracle will announce partnerships with "the largest and most important SaaS companies and infrastructure companies in the cloud." The partnerships are expected to be with Salesforce.com, NetSuite and Microsoft.
Meanwhile, Oracle announced that hardware revenue was up 15% since the last quarter but down 9% from the same quarter last year. Company executives continue to claim that Oracle hardware will soon be a "growth story." Ellison said the company has basically eliminated its x86 server and storage resell business, and so the revenue declines will end.
Oracle claimed that hardware revenue would grow overall in the next fiscal year, although not everyone is that optimistic.
"Oracle’s hardware should be bottoming out but I’m currently conservative in a short-term view of significant growth during fiscal 2014," Eschinger said.


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Horrific footage of farm workers smashing screaming piglets against a wall has been released by leading animal protection organization Animal Equality.
The footage from Rosebury Farm in Dunstable, which supplies major retailers as well as local butchers, has led to the facility losing its Red Tractor certification.
It shows a worker swinging tiny piglets by a back leg and smashing their head against the wall – one continues to kick for at least 10 seconds. In addition, according to Animal Equality, it features ‘piglets screaming in agony as the tips of their tiny teeth are clipped off without pain relief, terrified pigs being shocked repeatedly with an electric prod to force them onto the slaughter truck, and a tiny piglet frothing at the mouth, having been thrown onto a pile of dead piglets and left for dead hours earlier’.
After viewing the footage – which was passed to Animal Equality UK earlier this month – Executive Director Dr. Toni Shephard said: “The sound of piglets’ heads being smashed against the wall, the cries of agony as their tiny teeth are clipped, and the terrified squeals of pigs being forced onto the slaughter truck with electric shocks could all be straight out of a horror film.
“Yet these harrowing scenes are from the much romanticised local, family farm producing British pork under the Red Tractor label.
“It’s time consumers were told the truth – labels and certificates do not prevent animals from suffering in the meat industry, but choosing from the ever-increasing selection of meat-free options will.”
Veterinary expert Professor Andrew Knight from the University of Winchester’s Centre for Animal Welfare also viewed the footage and confirmed that it showed ‘inhumane handling and killing of piglets’ as well as ‘excessive and inappropriate use of an electric prod likely to cause pain and fear’.
The footage is extremely graphic
Speaking about the farm, a Red Tractor spokesperson said: “The assessment did confirm a number of non-conformance issues that do not adhere to Red Tractor standards.
“The use of the goad specifically…is not allowed in Red Tractor farm standards. As a result, Rosebury Farm’s Red Tractor assurance certificate has been withdrawn.”
Michael Thorne, who runs Rosebury Farm, told The Times: “I apologise for my actions and accept that there were shortcomings in the way that I managed the farm.
“The pigs have been my livelihood for the last 25 years so their welfare is of utmost importance to me.
“In future, I will ensure that all staff including myself have the latest training and resource to be able to manage the farm in a way that the public would expect.”


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MEMPHIS — Deep within a global operations nerve center here, a team of specially trained operatives scan data from nearly 200 countries, issues urgent "SNOCON" alerts and tracks a fleet of cargo jets via a glowing, wall-sized "war board."
Their mission? To make sure no Frozen doll is left behind.
They are corporate meteorologists, commanded to help keep hectic holiday shipments on time, snow or shine. And America's shipping giants increasingly see them as a secret weapon, both in the fight against a brutal winter and in what could be the busiest online shopping season in history.
UPS and FedEx expect to handle a record-breaking 900 million packages this month — about three for every man, woman and child in America — and there is no room for error, not with billions of dollars of business involved.
The job has become more demanding as online storefronts promise near-instant gratification through perks such as free shipping or same-day delivery, and as package-tracking shoppers have grown more acutely aware of — and annoyed by — how long their Blu-ray player has been sitting in Buffalo, N.Y.
"Someone awaiting a package in Bangkok doesn't care if it snowed in Louisville, Ky.," said Randy Baker, a senior meteorologist for UPS Airlines. "They want their stuff."
Some meteorologists help big retailers, including Wal-Mart and Home Depot, prepare for emergencies and know what to stock. But shipping weather work can prove far more complex, with forecasters helping reroute jets around rough weather; mobilize deicing and refueling crews; and prepare pilots for the worst of fog, frost and potentially million-dollar delays.
The largest shipping firms' top meteorologists are a motley crew of Air Force veterans, experienced forecasters and part-time storm chasers, many of them weather nerds who can trace their love of sky-watching back to a seminal childhood blizzard, hurricane or act of God.
This winter could be their biggest test yet. The National Retail Federation expects that about 45 percent of Americans will do their holiday shopping online, and Forrester Research analysts predict that online sales will rise about 13 percent this season, to $89 billion.
The shipping industry can barely afford a repeat of last winter's misery. As forecasters fought to dodge the polar vortex and a battery of icy storms, shipping crews were overrun by a binge of last-minute Christmas orders. UPS was overwhelmed so thoroughly that it missed crucial Christmas deliveries, and FedEx slashed $125 million from its expected profits, a hit that chief financial officer Alan Graf called "beyond the realm of believable."
Amid this tension, shipping meteorologists' work can take on an air of near-military momentousness, including among the 15 expert weather-watchers at FedEx's global command complex. On the chaotic travel day before Thanksgiving, meteorologists there flitted among four monitors' worth of satellite, radar and weather-model data, prepping for questions about when, for instance, rain would change to snow at Newark International Airport.
Weather watching has long been a key battleground for the international shipping elite: UPS launched its meteorology department 20 years ago after a surprise blizzard crippled the firm's central air hub in Louisville. The teams now work on 24-hour schedules, befitting the cargo world's endless pace. One or more of UPS' 237 cargo jets is flying at all times, and the company charters even more aircraft during winter to help with an average of 1,955 cargo flights a day.
Delivery data from logistics firm ShipMatrix show that FedEx and UPS are off to a strong start, and the firm expects the carriers to have an on-time delivery rate of 95 percent or better on Christmas Eve.
But the world's increasingly complex shipping network has made global transit a game of brutal math. As with highway traffic, any small delay can ripple larger down the chain. Every minute of weather delays can cost hundreds of dollars more in spent fuel, service failures and stranded crews; spread across a fleet making thousands of flights a year, the cost can tally into the millions. "Canceling flights is not an option," Baker said.
When forecasts aren't enough, the top shipping firms often turn to desperate measures. FedEx dispatches special "sweep flight" jets to amble aimlessly across the skies so that, in case of emergency, they can swoop down to intercept and deliver stranded packages. UPS runs a similar "hot spare" program, with more than a dozen standby jets and crews stationed across the United States, Asia and Europe, ready to take off within 30 minutes of a call for help. The program "rescues" more than 1 million packages a year, said one UPS spokesman, who called it "an expensive but vital insurance policy."


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A grandma has spoken out against "sexually explicit" sweets on sale at a seaside shop in Yorkshire.
Susan Radford, who went for a family day out in Bridlington at the start of the half-term, was gobsmacked to find the offending sweets being sold at "children's height" by a shop near the Promenade Amusement Park, GazetteLive report.
"Foot-long" multicoloured rock sweets shaped like male genitalia were on sale "within children's reach", blasted Susan.
Sweet names included 'Rock C***' and 'Big Boy'.
Susan, from Market Weighton, said: "Why should children be getting exposed to that?"
"They are getting too sensitised.
"Don't put them on the seafront in a big twirly-coloured rock shop."
The pensioner, who was a nurse for 36 years before working at York Racecourse, said she didn't approach the shop at the time and hasn't found contact details since.
"I was going to tell them off but the girls behind the counter were only about 15 or 16 years old," she said.
Susan has, however, contacted a number of different outlets in the past few days to see if the "pornographic sweets" can be removed.
These include Trading Standards, the council, Greg Knight MP's secretary and even the police.
"The police got quite shirty and said it isn't against the law, so there's nothing they can do about it," she said.
"My point is that it would not be OK if kids were taken to a pornographic shop where that sort of thing may be expected, so why is it OK to have that in a sweet shop on the seafront?"
"When I was young, they'd have been interested, but now it seems anything goes."
She has also contacted a local Anglican church and a rival rock sweet store in Bridlington to share her outrage.
The grandma plans to not visit Bridlington again because of the experience.
"I don't want to go there," she said. "Don't buy sweets in this Bridlington shop because of what you will be confronted with.
"I'm not giving up."
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text: Adding to recent speculation that Apple is developing its own branded television set that would respond to voice commands, the Wall Street Journal reported today (Monday) that the company is also looking to include technology that would respond to "movements." The newspaper, which said that Apple has been meeting with media executives at several large companies, did not specify how the technology would work. Meanwhile, Santa Clara, CA-based Zappo TV announced today (Monday) the availability of a free app that effectively turns an iOS device like the iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch into a remote control that will allow users to watch on their TV sets content, including movies, TV shows, personal videos, and photographs, stored on the device itself or on any number of settop boxes and the Internet. In a statement, Jan van Ottele, CEO of ZappoTV, said, "Consumers have media all over the place, on phones, servers, and the web, because we have so many devices and places where we share our content. ZappoTV was designed to help people enjoy and manage all their media from one place -- their mobile device -- and finally enjoy it on the big screen."


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Click For Photo: https://3c1703fe8d.site.internapcdn.net/newman/gfx/news/2018/microbeadsin.jpg
As the government ban on microbeads in cosmetics comes into force, scientists at the University of Plymouth have revealed companies appear to have taken action to eradicate the tiny particles from their products.
In August 2015, a study published by the University showed almost 100,000 microbeads could be released in every single application of products such as facial scrubs.
Results - Methods - Products - Traces - Particles
But current results using the same methods has so far shown that similar products no longer contain traces of the tiny particles, which measure a fraction of a millimetre.
The current research is being led by PhD student Imogen Napper and Professor of Marine Biology Richard Thompson OBE, both of whom were involved in the 2015 study and who have described the findings as "very encouraging".
Study - Researchers - Products - Street - Filtration
For the original study, researchers subjected six products available on the high street to vacuum filtration and subsequent analysis using electron microscopy showed that each 150ml of the products could contain between 137,000 and 2.8 million microparticles.
Professor Thompson, who was made an OBE in the New Year's Honours List in recognition of his services to marine science, added:
Order - Problems - Pollution - Approach
"I have always said that in order to tackle the problems associated with marine pollution, a holistic approach is needed. That includes...
Wake Up To Breaking News!
Economic projections are useless with out the exact timer they will occur


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Facebook shares are up 5 percent today, closing at $28 on the first day of trading in 2013. The company also set the date for its 2012 fourth quarter earnings call: Jan. 30 at 2 p.m.
Today’s share price is as high as it has been since Dec. 13. This is only the third time Facebook has reached or exceeded $28 a share since late July.
The surge today is likely related to a number of analysts’ upgrades. Bank of America Merrill Lynch released a report predicting that Facebook’s mobile ad revenue will surpass its desktop revenues in 2014. BAML analysts expect Facebook to report 37 percent growth when it releases results for Q4.
Facebook reported $1.262 billion in revenue for the third quarter of 2012 — a 32 percent increase year over year. On Jan. 30, we’ll get a look at how Facebook’s advertising business fared during the holiday season and an idea of how Facebook Gifts may be contributing to revenue growth in the U.S.
Related article: How Facebook’s latest monetization efforts may take shape in 2013


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- In a worrying letter to shareholders, Transmetro (TCO) announced it is suspending its dividend and says the company’s future outlook remains uncertain
- Transmetro operates a number of pubs and hotels across the country, including the Metro Hotels chain
- Due to state-wide movement restrictions, the company has been forced to close three hotels and a number of pubs in Sydney and Adelaide
- Transmetro has stood down 105 staff so far
- There’s been no change in the company’s share price since March 11, which remains in the grey at $1.21 per share
In a worrying letter to shareholders, Transmetro (TCO) announced it is suspending its dividend and says the company’s future remains uncertain.
The company operates a number of pubs and hotels, including the Metro Hotels chain, which has locations across the country.
Due to new COVID-19 restrictions in Sydney and Adelaide, the company has been forced to close its pubs in both cities.
Furthermore, travel restrictions have severely impacted the company’s hotels. Consequently, Transmetro has closed three hotels to date and are reviewing further closures.
As a result of all these closures, the company has stood down 105 employees so far.
With regards to its operating Hotels, Transmetro says it is closely monitoring any government subsidies or relief. This suggests that, barring government intervention, the company may have to close further hotels.
Government-mandated shutdowns came into effect last week as confirmed cases of COVID-19 continue to rise in New South Wales.
The latest measures enforce that all residents must stay at home and self-isolate. Residents can only leave the house for essential purposes and all non-essential business have ceased operating.
In reaction to this, Transmetro has cancelled its dividends for the financial year.
In an ominous closing statement, the board of directors stated that, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the company’s future outlook remains uncertain.
The duration of the state-wide shutdown also remains unclear, but it has been suggested that it could extend as long as six months if case numbers continue to rise.
There’s been no change in the Transmetro’s share price since March 11, which remains in the grey at $1.21 per share at 10:32 am AEST.


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Cellular Sales has always been focused on delivering high-quality customer service.
WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. (PRWEB) July 17, 2015
Cellular Sales, the nation’s largest Verizon premium wireless retailer with approximately 545 U.S. locations is announcing the opening of a new store in Williamsville.
The store, which is expected to open for business Aug. 4, is located at 5221 Main Street near the Wyndham Hotel. The store expects to hire as many as 12 people prior to opening. To celebrate the opening of the newest Cellular Sales store, the company is having a grand-opening event Aug. 21-23.
“We are looking forward to the grand opening for this store,” Luke Fletcher, Cellular Sales regional director, said. “We’re planning a big event to welcome everyone to our new location.”
Cellular Sales offers a wide range of products, including: smartphones, tablets, mobile accessories, home phone and internet service, and even television. Cellular Sales places a high priority on customer service, something that has been the company’s calling card since the company was founded in 1993.
“Cellular Sales has always been focused on delivering high-quality customer service,” Fletcher said. “Wireless service is constantly changing, and it’s important for customers to have an expert voice they can trust.”
Those interested in applying for jobs at the Williamsville store should visit the Cellular Sales employment page to search available opportunities or contact Cellular Sales recruiter Jason Alexander. He can be reached by emailing Jason.Alexander(at)cellularsales.com or calling (615) 788-9634.
About Cellular Sales
Cellular Sales was founded in 1993 in Knoxville, Tenn. and has been named by Inc. Magazine as one of the nation’s fastest-growing privately owned retailers for six of the past seven years. The company currently employs nearly 4,500 people and operates approximately 545 stores nationwide. Job seekers may visit joincellularsales.com to search current openings at the Williamsville, N.Y., store. For more information on the company, visit cellularsales.com.
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More new SUVs and crossovers, some sedans for the new year. Look for gas engines performing like diesels — and more automakers vowing to provide more electrified models.
The second-generation Mazda CX-5 nails the technology: head-up display, full-range adaptive cruise, G-Vectoring. The ride is improved, the back seat remains roomy, and it’s at least 10 grand less than an Audi or BMW.
The top 10 tech cars of 2012 lead the way with newer, better, more affordable technologies. And the best of the best? Tesla’s Model S.
Subscribe Today to get the latest ExtremeTech news delivered right to your inbox.


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Big Foot 2.0: The Rise of Cartoonishly Oversized Shoes
Stepping into the Oversized Trend
Paris, the fashion capital, is set to host another feverish fashion week from September 25 to October 3, featuring a lineup of 108 fashion houses, 68 fashion shows, and 41 presentations. One of the most anticipated participants is the Italian fashion house, Marni, which has unveiled an exciting shoe design for the runway, the Big Foot 2.0. This model is an amplified, humorous rendition of a previous platform sneaker model from 2018, resonating with the trend of oversized, comical footwear.
The Big Red Boots Phenomenon
The Big Foot 2.0 resonates with the art collective MSCHF’s Big Red Boots, which became a viral sensation after their presentation in the spring. Despite their eccentric design, these unisex boots quickly found their way onto the feet of many, including popular artists like Doja Cat, Lil Nas X, Iggy Azalea, and Janelle Monae. Interestingly, the boots’ unintentional suction issues seemed to augment the phenomenon’s reach, adding to their distinctive charm.
MSCHF, a New York-based art collective renowned for pushing the boundaries of art, design, and luxury commerce, also collaborated with Crocs in August. This collaboration resulted in the Big Yellow Boots, a sunflower-yellow reinterpretation of the Big Red Boots, complete with the signature Crocs holes and heel strap.
Psychology Behind the Oversized Trend
Carolyn Mair, a psychologist and fashion consultant, offered some insight into the appeal of such oversized, comical shoes in an interview with the BBC. According to Mair, these shoes represent a desire for nonconformity and personal expression, echoing contemporary values of individuality and self-assurance. Simultaneously, they challenge traditional beauty norms, proposing a new, unconventional aesthetic.
Cultural historian Annebella Pollen concurred, noting that the shoes call to mind designs by feminists in the 1970s and 1980s. These shoes were seen as a rebuttal to the trend of heels and pointed shoes, which were viewed as a means to restrict women, and were very anti-fashion.
Standing Out with Comical Shoes
According to Caroline Stevenson, Program Director for Cultural and Historical Studies at the London College of Fashion, such comical shoes also generate attention and stand out. The attention-grabbing aesthetic of today’s oversized shoes may not appeal to everyone, but they certainly draw attention and can convey an adventurous and fun image.
Clowncore and Nostalgia
Peculiarly, these comic-style shoes also seem to align with the “Clowncore” fashion movement, a circus-inspired aesthetic that emerged on TikTok in 2020 and has since permeated the fashion world. The trend towards flashy, colorful, large shoes also rests on a pervasive sense of nostalgia. They remind us of childhood memories and evoke a sense of familiarity and warmth, according to Mair.
As we step into this new era of fashion, it’s clear that the trend of oversized, comical shoes is more than just a fad. It’s a statement of individuality, a challenge to traditional norms, and a celebration of personal expression. And as the fashion world continues to evolve, we can expect to see more of these unique and daring designs on the runway.
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Peter Schwarzenbauer is leaving Porsche Cars North America Inc. to join the Audi AG management board as head of global sales and marketing.
On April 1, Schwarzenbauer, 48, will be replaced as North American CEO by Detlev von Platen, who now heads Porsche's operations in France.
Von Platen, 44, has worked at Porsche since 1996. Before joining Porsche, he held management posts in BMW Motorrad GmbH's sales and marketing departments in Munich, Germany.
Schwarzenbauer replaces Ralph Weyler, 55.
Weyler will set up his own consulting business, Audi said on Friday.
"Peter Schwarzenbauer is well-known for his sales expertise and in particular has an excellent understanding of the North American market," Audi CEO Rupert Stadler said in a statement. "We want to grow strongly there in the coming years."
Schwarzenbauer has run Porsche Cars North America since 2003.
For Audi to reach its goal of selling 1.5 million cars by 2015, it needs a big volume boost in the United States.
Audi's U.S. sales rose 3.8 percent to 93,506 units last year, but its sales are well behind those of rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Each sold more than 200,000 units in the United States last year.
Schwarzenbauer helped Porsche launch the Cayenne SUV -- a vehicle purists said was bound to fail -- in the United States.
The native of Germany has been with Porsche since 1994. Before that Schwarzenbauer worked for Audi's chief competitor, BMW AG, in the United States and Germany.
Porsche owns 31 percent of Volkswagen AG. Audi is a unit of VW.


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Early Times Searching for Artwork for Commemorative Bottle
Louisville, KY— For the past 24 years, the Early Times Mint Julep has proudly served as the “Official Drink of the Kentucky Derby” with a commemorative artwork bottle released for the past 13 years. Early Times is now looking for the next artist whose work will grace the 2012 Early Times Mint Julep bottle with the “Early Times Mint Julep Bottle Artist Search” contest.
2011 marked the first year Early Times held a nationwide contest where artists were able to submit their original artwork for consideration to be featured on the bottle. After receiving dozens of entries from across the country, Marita Walizer of Oklahoma City, OK was chosen as the winner for her artwork entitled “Derby Cheers”.
Early Times is once again giving consumers the opportunity to submit their own, original artwork for the chance to be featured on the 2012 Kentucky Derby bottle. Consumers can log on to www.earlytimes.com/etmjartistsearch to submit their “Kentucky Derby Day” artwork, as well as to see official rules and contest details. The winner will win a VIP trip for two to the 2012 Kentucky Derby, $5,000 in cash, along with having their artwork featured on the 2012 Early Times Mint Julep bottle.
“Last year was the first year we held a public contest for the bottle artwork and it was a huge success,” said Therese McGuire, Early Times brand manager. “We were extremely impressed by the quality of artwork submitted and were thrilled to have Marita’s painting featured on the bottle.”
All entries must be received by June 28, 2011 to be considered. Entrants will be judged on the originality, creativity and overall quality of the artwork.
About Early Times Kentucky Whisky:
Early Times Kentucky Whisky, is enjoyed in 28 countries around the world and the Early Times Mint Julep is the “Official Drink of the Kentucky Derby™.” For more information visit www.earlytimes.com. For over 140 years, Brown-Forman Corporation has enriched the experience of life by responsibly building fine quality beverage alcohol brands, including Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, Southern Comfort, Finlandia, Canadian Mist, Early Times Kentucky Whisky, Korbel, Gentleman Jack, el Jimador, Tequila Herradura, Sonoma-Cutrer, Chambord and Woodford Reserve. Brown-Forman’s brands are supported by nearly 4,000 employees and sold in approximately 135 countries worldwide. For more information about the company, please visit http://www.brown-forman.com/.
About Churchill Downs®:
Churchill Downs, the world’s most legendary racetrack, has conducted Thoroughbred racing and presented America’s greatest race, the Kentucky Derby, continuously since 1875. Located in Louisville, the flagship racetrack of Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ: CHDN) also operates Trackside at Churchill Downs, which offers year-round simulcast wagering at the historic track. Churchill Downs will conduct the 137th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 7, 2011. The track’s 2011 Spring Meet is scheduled for April 30-July 4. Churchill Downs has hosted the Breeders’ Cup World Championships a record seven times and the event will return to the track for its next renewal on Nov. 4-5. Information about Churchill Downs can be found on the Internet at www.churchilldowns.com.
Churchill Downs®, Kentucky Derby® and the Twin Spires design are registered trademarks of Churchill Downs Incorporated.


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CHICAGO (Feb. 8)—The tires on Ford Motor Co.´s F-150 Lightening Rod concept truck fit the image the auto maker intended for the vehicle as a whole. According to Ford, the truck´s "hard-core, tattooed appearance is inspired by the resurgence of rock and roll and the current fascination with body art." The tread on the 20-inch tires resembles the tatoos of the New Zealand Maori tribe. Size 295/40R20 in the front and 305/40R20 in the rear, they give the truck a "hot-rod" feel, Goodyear said.
Goodyear supplies tatoo treaded tires for Ford Concept truck
Rubber News wants to hear from its readers. If you want to express your opinion on a story or issue, email your letter to Editor Bruce Meyer at [email protected].


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March 28, 2018 The launch seeks to provide developers with access to the text-to-natural speech technology used in Google Assistant, Maps and Search. Google have launched a Cloud ‘text-to-speech’service along with their AI subsidiary DeepMind. With this launch, Google aims Continue reading Google launches DeepMind backed text-to-speech service – News @ WebHosting.info
March 27, 2018 The move seeks to rectify issues for mobile searchers by using the mobile version of web pages. Google have announced that they are all set to roll out mobile-first indexing for its search index. By introducing mobile-first Continue reading Google announces roll out of mobile-first indexing – News @ WebHosting.info
The tools seek to provide Google’s cloud and GSuite customers transparency over security risks with the help of deep insights. Tech behemoth Google have launched two new security features namely- Cloud Security Command Center and VPC Service Controls for their Continue reading Google launches new security tools for cloud – News @ WebHosting.info
SAN ANTONIO – March 21, 2018 – Rackspace® announced today that Managed Security and Compliance Assistance for Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is now available for preview to new and existing customers that use Rackspace Managed Services for GCP. Companies using Continue reading Rackspace Extends Managed Security to Google Cloud Platform
If your business has anything to do with ecommerce, transactions, products or purchases, this one’s for you. Cart abandons are as the name suggests, a record of how many users / customers leave a website without making a purchase after Continue reading Getting the most out of Google Analytics – Part III
Originally Posted by checher Hello, Some data centers offer connection to Google Cloud, Amazon Cloud and other services in the quality of Channels. I don’t understand exactly how it works. What is the difference of such a connection from Continue reading Connection to Google Cloud, Amazon Cloud… instead of typical IP-transit.
Google Analytics has been a marketer’s best friend since its launch in 2005. This in-depth tool provides a wealth of information about a website’s performance. Marketers use this data to make informed decisions about their promotional strategies, website design and Continue reading A Beginners Tour of Google Analytics
Have you ever clicked a button on a website and seen a really long, confusing link open up in the tab? These long, confusing links are actually essential for tracking a potential lead or a customer. They’re a great tool Continue reading Getting the most out of Google Analytics – Part II


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[email protected] wrote an interesting post today on
Here’s a quick excerpt
Laptop Power UK, the leading replacement laptop parts supplier, is offering LED laptop screens and laptop battery replacements at the best prices. Every leading laptop brand is now adopting LED laptop screens in all of their new laptop models. Light Emitting Diodes or LED require far less power and are therefore more efficient.
(PRWeb May 07, 2012)
Read the full story at
Read the rest of this great post here


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Tesla’s upcoming all-electric pickup truck is hotly anticipated, but it looks like the company has pushed back the release date of the vehicle.
Near the end of July Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk tweeted that we can expect the truck in two to three months. Now, Musk has set a tighter release window of “likely” November 2019.
November most likely
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 7, 2019
Musk has been hyping the release of its truck for about a year now.
In previous interviews, Musk said the truck has a cyberpunk-inspired aesthetic and looks like something out the movie Blade Runner.
The truck is also rumoured to have a range of 400 to 500-miles (643 to 804km), a Dual Motor All-wheel-drive powertrain with dynamic suspension, a 240-watt electrical outlet and a 300,000 lbs towing capacity.
So far we only have a small teaser image to go off of to know what the truck might look like.
About a minute in, we flashed a teaser pic of Tesla cyberpunk truck pic.twitter.com/hLsGsdyuGA
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 16, 2019
Ford could release an all-electric F-150 by as early as 2021. Further, electric vehicle startup Rivian plans to begin production on its truck in late 2020.
Source: Elon Musk


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The American Economic Liberties Project has announced new legislation to address problems created by federal preemption over state law and the related absence of a private right of action in the original airline deregulation law. from 1978.
The AELP is a non-profit, non-partisan project – essentially a think tank – that works to “combat monopolistic corporations and the systems that entrench their power”.
The legislation was drafted by William J. McGee, senior aviation and travel researcher, and Lee Hepner, legal counsel for AELP. This follows the release of a letter from the National Association of Attorneys General, in which 38 state attorneys general proposed that Congress allow them to enforce state and federal consumer protections for airline passengers.
You may recall that in 1992, the United States Supreme Court ruled that the Airline Deregulation Act prevented airlines from enforcing NAAG guidelines for advertising fares. Morales vs. Trans World Airlines, Inc., 504 U.S. 374, 378 (1992). Numerous other court cases followed as the courts struggled to draw distinctions on the meaning of “related to a price, route or service of an air carrier”, the statutory phrase that delineated what was preempted.
The language used by Congress was vague and left open for judicial decision a wide range of topics that, taken together, would leave airlines free from meaningful discipline by state laws designed to protect consumers. The net result was that the Department of Transport remained the sole arbiter of airline consumer protection. It’s fair to say, I believe, that prior to the pandemic and the dispute over refunds owed to travelers for flights canceled by airlines, DOT’s consumer protection performance was spotty at best. In the context of a pandemic, it was and remains abysmal. Billions of dollars in refunds, clearly due, remain unpaid as 2022 draws to a close.
The NAAG proposal would allow state AGs to enforce their consumer protection laws against airlines. It would shift authority for federal DOT enforcement to the Department of Justice or the Federal Trade Commission. AELP’s proposal is even more comprehensive. It allows private “rights of action” (the right to sue airlines directly for alleged wrongs), prohibits the ownership of multiple airline interests by Wall Street investment groups, and allows MGAs, courts and State legislatures regulate and enforce to protect consumer rights. . The proposed law is endorsed by the Business Travel Coalition, Consumer Action, the Consumer Federation of America, Ed on Travel, the National Consumers League, Public Citizen, the Public Interest Research Group, and the Center for Economic Policy and Research’s Revolving Door Project.
I don’t know of any other industry that benefits from what the AELP accurately calls the “Airline Liability Shield”. Admittedly, the travel counselor industry does not benefit from such protection. Indeed, as you have hopefully read in previous columns, advisors are often treated as fiduciaries to their clients, a much higher standard than that which applies to airlines.
The purpose of the pre-emption provision of the Airline Deregulation Act was to prevent states from inserting their own comprehensive regulatory systems in place of the federal system that Congress was abandoning. The outcome of the chosen language has been disastrous for consumer interests. DOT’s episodic and complex efforts to enact pro-consumer regulations take years to achieve and often fall short of stated goals. As we have seen with the cancellation of regulations that preceded the ongoing proceedings on airline refunds, political interference can also hinder effective action. The AELP is right to say that a structural change in the legal regime is essential to remedy the vacuum that exists in the protection of air travel consumers.
The AELP movement is clearly very impactful. Because of this, it will almost certainly face strong opposition from the airline industry. For the same reason, the support of travel advisors will be very important as the legislative process unfolds. The text of the bill can be read here.


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Midwestern Pet Foods expanded its recall of dry dog and cat food following reports that dozens of dogs died after eating the Sportmix dry kibble, the FDA said.
A pet food recall is widening after the Food and Drug Administration announced that more than two dozen dogs died after eating Sportmix brand dry kibble.
The statement issued on Monday said that the suspect is aflatoxin, a byproduct of a corn mold Aspergillus flavus, which at high levels can kill pets.
The expanded recall includes corn-based kibble manufactured by Midwestern Pet Foods, Inc. at one of its Oklahoma factories.
Pet food brands listed under the Sportmix, Pro Pac, Splash, Nunn and Sportstrail labels are affected by the recall, the FDA said, adding that over 70 unconfirmed deaths were reported in connection to pets eating these foods.
Pets that have been poisoned by aflatoxin-tainted kibble may be sluggish, experience gastrointestinal issues, or develop jaundice, which in canines exhibits as yellowish tint to the eyes or gums.
However, the FDA warned, some dogs may exhibit no symptoms even as their livers are damaged.
“Pet owners should stop feeding their pets the recalled products listed below and consult their veterinarian, especially if the pet is showing signs of illness,” the FDA wrote, encouraging consumers who purchased the products to dispose of them safely and clean all food bowls.
“The pet owner should remove the food and make sure no other animals have access to the recalled product.”
Midwestern Pet Foods, Inc. began its recall on December 30 and expanded it this week to include all foods containing corn made at a specific factory, so now dozens of types of dog and cat foods over hundreds of lot numbers are subject to a recall, with a full list of products with corresponding images of their packaging appearing on the company’s website.
The FDA said it is working with Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas and Washington state governments on this investigation.
Alarming video shows a belligerent attacker pulling a baseball bat from his pants and hitting an unsuspecting man … Continue reading Disturbing video shows unsuspecting NYC man hit in the head with a baseball bat
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A Mississippi man who burned a cross in his front yard to intimidate his … Continue reading Man pleads guilty to federal hate crime for cross burning
Frightening video shows a suspect threatening to “shoot” cops as he tries to flee through an Ohio daycare … Continue reading Kids scream in terror as crazed suspect runs through daycare, threatens to ‘shoot’ cops


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As the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) spreads across the globe, we're monitoring key consumer behavior thresholds to help fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) brands and retailers understand the status of each market, as well as how to best respond.
Consumer spending in the grocery sector continues to slow, with sales declining to -1.6% in the most recent four weeks, in the context of the 2018 bumper spring, this spring has been tougher for supermarkets.
Following a slow start to the year, consumer spending in the grocery sector increased in April by +5.9% for the four weeks to 20th April, the highest level since the late Easter in 2014 and the summer heatwave of 2013, according to data released today by Nielsen.
Consumer spending in the grocery sector has continued to slow for the third consecutive month, with sales up +1.2% in the last four weeks, below the CPI rate of +1.9%, and compared to +2.5% this time last month.
Growth in the grocery sector has slowed since January, with sales up +2.5% compared to +3.3% this time last month. However, there is opportunity for retailers online, as the online grocery market has hit a huge value of £8.5bn per annum.
While online has been growing as a channel in several developed markets in recent years, it’s broadening in scope, and is fast becoming a popular shopping destination for consumers around the world, particularly those looking to purchase premium products, as these platforms are able to attract...
When the notion of MUP was first introduced, I remember thinking “this is big!” and I wondered how the industry would react. I also wondered how I would react if the same were to be implemented in England; would it make a difference to how or what alcohol I buy? Would I even notice the price...
Following a highly price-driven December, grocery sales increased by +3.3% in January. Not only did shoppers spend more, but they bought more items as they experimented with healthier food categories.
As companies look to break into new markets, they must understand that each market demands its own approach. In burgeoning sustainability markets, however, natural and organic are paving the way for more detailed and specific claims.
While shoppers visited more supermarkets more frequently this Christmas, in a competitive retail environment, grocery sales growth slowed to +1.8% in the last four weeks, almost half the growth (+3.7%) enjoyed at the same time last year.


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April 27, 2016
Santa Clara-based Intel, which is cutting 12,000 jobs by mid-2017, revealed more about the strategic plan it envisions. The world’s largest chip maker’s CEO Brian Krzanich says the goal is to transform “Intel from a PC company to a company that powers the cloud and billions of smart, connected computing devices.”
Cuts to about 11% of its workforce have already begun, including 296 jobs at six facilities at its Santa Clara headquarters, 269 jobs in Folsom, CA, 784 jobs in Oregon, and 215 employees at a Rio Rancho, NM plant.
Intel is long-thought to replace Qualcomm’s chips inside Apple’s iPhones, a rumor that got louder after Qualcomm told analysts last week the company is “assuming” it is losing some orders from a big customer.


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The music from Publisher Square Enix's Final Fantasy video game series is truly a treat for the ears. You can even listen to the soundtrack without playing the game and this is not the case with many games.
For quite some time, one or the other Final Fantasy orchestral concerts have taken place here in Germany.
Now Square Enix has announced in a press release that another Final Fantasy Orchestral Concert is to be performed in Germany. This is an orchestral concert featuring live music from the incredibly large soundtrack repertoire of the Final Fantasy XIV video game. This concert will be titled Eorzean Symphony.
This orchestral concert will take place on the 24th and 25th of August this year in the Konzerthaus Dortmund. In addition, the concert will bring known star guests to Germany. So will Naoki Yoshida, producer and director of FFXIV; Masayoshi Soken, sound director and composer at FFXIV; and the well-known singer Susan Calloway will be present at the concert. If necessary, they will tell something about the genesis of the video game and the orchestra concert.
Here you can buy tickets for the orchestra concert. The in-game currency is available at the professional online gaming house. The interested gamers can buy FFXIV Gil from those professional online gaming houses in the most affordable cost.
Square Enix has also wanted to join the trend of making jokes during the April Fools' Day. His bet has been a project that, if real, would make the mobile market pillars wobble: Final Fantasy XIV Online GO.
To celebrate our 2016 Halloween, we're having a special discounted promotion on all products. Follow the step, join us for a Big Halloween Weekend, you'll get up to 15% coupon discount code.
Square Enix has given a release date for the next interim update of Final Fantasy XIV, which will include players in the Eureka zone
Square Enix conduct a free login campaign for up to 96 hours from March 27, 2018 in the online RPG "Final Fantasy XIV".


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By Sarah Groves, also posted in News on 07/01/19
Over the next few months, you may notice some subtle changes to the wording on Ghost Ship 0.5% bottles, cans and keg badges.
We will be removing the words 'alcohol free' and making the 0.5% more prominent in our name for Ghost Ship 0.5%.
The previously printed labels and versions will be moved through naturally, which is why you won't necessarily see the changes immediately.
Why the change?We're making this change to make the description clearer for customers and to align with new Government guidance for low alcohol descriptions. Adnams decided to launch Ghost Ship 0.5% as 'Alcohol Free' in June 2018. At that time, a beer at 0.5% abv in the UK was termed ‘dealcoholised’ and for the EU the term is ‘alcohol free’. We decided to use both the UK and European terms and put ‘alcohol free’ on the front alongside 0.5% abv and ‘dealcoholised beer’ on the back label so that both terms were there.
With Britain due to exit the European Union in March 2019, there have been some consultations and reviews on alcohol labelling, and rather than enforce new legislation, the Government has decided to issue new guidance to ensure labelling is clear and consistent. Ghost Ship 0.5% is regarded as 'dealcoholised' beer and is defined as a drink from which alcohol has been extracted and no more than 0.5% abv in strength. Rest assured that the recipe for this much-loved dealcoholised beer, overall design and the ABV has not changed, it’s purely a description change.
You can find out more on the Government's new labelling guidance here.


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Check out the companies making headlines before the bell:
United Technologies UTX – United Technologies said it would separate into three independent companies , with plans to spin off its Otis and Carrier divisions to shareholders. The split, which would leave aerospace operations under the United Technologies banner, is expected to be completed in 2020.
Apple AAPL – Apple is under pressure, after President Trump told the Wall Street Journal he would put tariffs on Chinese imports currently not subject to tariffs if negotiations are not successful. That would include Apple's iPhones. Based on pre-market trading prices, Apple will no longer be the most valuable U.S. publicly traded company, losing that title to Microsoft MSFT .
Hibbett Sports HIBB – The athletic footwear and apparel retailer fell two cents short of expectations with adjusted quarterly profit of 14 cents per share. Revenue also missed estimates, although Hibbett did post an unexpected comparable store sales increase of 0.1 percent. The company also lowered its adjusted full year earnings guidance to $1.55-$1.65 versus a prior estimate of $1.57 to $1.75.
Novartis NOVN-CH – Novartis eye care division Alcon said it expected to pay a dividend to shareholders starting in 2020, following its planned spinoff from the Swiss drug company next year.
Tesla TSLA – Tesla sales in China dropped 70 percent in October compared to a year ago, according to a Reuters report quoting information from the China Passenger Car Association. The group said Tesla sold only 211 cars in China last month.
Amazon.com AMZN – Amazon announced that Cyber Monday saw the single biggest shopping day in the online retailer's history.
AT&T T – AT&T's pay-per-view broadcast of the golf match between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson drew far more interest than the company had anticipated, according to sources quoted by the Wall Street Journal. Sign-ups may have reached as high as one million customers across multiple providers, although most have provided refunds due to a technical glitch on the day of the broadcast.
Bristol-Myers Squibb BMY – The drug maker said a combination of two cancer drugs did not extend the lives of lung cancer patients in a late stage trial. The combination involved the company's immunotherapy drug Opdivo combined with cancer treatment Yervoy.
Buckle BKE – Buckle reported quarterly earnings of 42 cents per share, four cents shy of analyst forecasts. The accessories retailer also saw sales fall short of estimates, with comparable store sales falling 1.4 percent.
CVS Health CVS – The drugstore chain operator and pharmacy benefits manager was rated "outperform" in new coverage at Cantor Fitzgerald, noting the company's strength as an integrated health care company with the capability of innovating across the entire industry landscape.
Spirit Airlines SAVE – The airline gave upbeat guidance for the current quarter, including lower costs and higher revenue.
Amarin AMRN – The Ireland-based drug maker will collect about $200 million in gross proceeds from a newly priced offering of its American depositary shares. Amarin will use the money for commercialization of its Vascepa drug, a treatment for patients with high levels of triglycerides.
Watch: The first time the Dow closed above 1,000 in 1972
More From CNBC


text: Just Found This. from Jan 2010 As every month, Microsoft has released a fact-filled statement. According to the company, Xbox 360 gamers spent $158 million on Xbox 360 games in the month of January 2010, $150.5 million of which was spent on third party game titles -- which the company claims is the highest spend out of the three current consoles. The company claims a current tie ratio of 8.8 games for every console sold. Microsoft also released new stats about its Xbox Live service, claiming 23 million registered users online right now. The company also claims to have set a record for the service at 2.3 million Xbox Live users online at one time during January 2010, and notes that Nielsen, the ratings company, finds the Xbox 360 is the "most-used console on the market" according to its research. Life to Date sales 360 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 - 6.16 million sold. PS3 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 - 3.25 million sold.


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Facebook will show less public content and more posts from friends and family. But it's also possible that these new moves undermine those initiatives, and that Zuckerberg's aim to make users more happy could also make them more misinformed. Zuckerberg said in the post yesterday that he wanted to change the way Facebook ranks posts by putting more weight on social interactions and relationships.
Zuckerberg expects the time people spend on Facebook will go down.
However, the group added, "more detail is needed and we would strongly urge Facebook to be more open and accountable to advertisers and the public in its assessment of the current position and in its reporting of the impact of any measures it takes".
Now Facebook is doubling down on that theory with a drastic change to the News Feed algorithm. Since your news feed is not showing important local news, articles, and stories, so here's a simple way to set the preferences of your news feed.
Going forward, Facebook has told page owners that if they want to see their traffic increase or show up higher in algorithms, pages should start producing more video's and pictures because these usually generate far more reach.
But by de-emphasising content from brands and links to publications, Facebook is likely to become less valuable to them, thus diminishing its potential - or at least perceived potential - to make money. But too often today, watching video, reading news or getting a page update is just a passive experience. Today, fake news, which allegedly affected the 2016 US presidential election, is widespread on the social media platform all over the world.
As CNN commented, "With more than two billion monthly users, any change Facebook makes can be a seismic event". I'm changing the goal I give our product teams from focusing on helping you find relevant content to helping you have more meaningful social interactions. He also stated that the company started making changes in this direction previous year. In fact, live videos on average get six times as many interactions as regular videos.
Facebook's focus used to be connecting people. But businesses that use Facebook to connect with their customers without paying for ads will also feel the pain.


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The gadgets that will drive car demand
Updated: 2012-04-27 10:41
By Bob Bao and Ben Wang (China Daily)
Chinese drivers want to keep up with the latest technology in cars that keep them connected
The news that China's vehicle sales are set to miss their 8 percent growth forecast has surprised many in the industry after the recent boom in car sales. In 2009 China overtook the US to become the world's largest auto market and went on to grow more than 30 percent in 2010, according to figures from China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. Despite the withdrawal of the incentive policy for car buying, China's auto market still enjoyed a growth rate of more than 5 percent last year.
But, with forecasts in March of a slowdown, auto makers are asking what features and trends will drive the next wave of growth in China's car market. An Accenture survey on in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) examined current and future demand for car technologies in Brazil, China, France, Italy, Malaysia, South Korea and the US as we believe this is a key area for brand differentiation and future market success. We analyzed data that covered consumers' car preferences, car replacement frequency and the demand for in-car technologies.
The survey shows that IVI and telematics systems are forcing auto makers to move closer to a connected vehicle. The connected vehicle refers to the rising number of cars or trucks that use the latest on-board devices, telematics and mobile connectivity.
Accenture believes that competitive pressures driven by the demand for IVI may have some auto makers focused on individual functions, rather than a complete operating system that could enable long-term success. The research demonstrates the risks of this approach.
Accenture expects the global IVI and telematics market to exceed $70 billion (53 billion euros) this year and $80 billion by 2014. While our research found that IVI penetration is relatively low in the mid- and lower-priced vehicle segments, its application is expected to rise among all segments in the near future and will reach almost complete penetration in luxury brands.
So how do Chinese car consumers perceive the IVI and telematics systems and how should car makers respond to the business opportunities this presents? The Accenture survey highlights that China's auto market, while slow to mature, now demonstrates a high level of consumption. This is illustrated by high market shares of luxury cars and SUVs, the intention of nearly half the car owners to buy a second car in the near future, and the strong interest and demand of Chinese consumers for advanced in-car technologies.
This demand for new cars and new technology could be important for sustaining the growth of China's car market. Drivers in China show a strong desire to see the latest in-car technologies in their next cars. These include streaming music as well as reading and dictating emails, support services such as automated breakdown calls, automated warnings for problems such as congestion or accidents and lane-changing warnings, fatigue warning and night-vision systems.
This demand will directly contribute to the growth of IVI and telematics systems, including eco-efficiency, security and safety, and comfort. In terms of in-vehicle services, the annual turnover of the global services market is expected to grow to $20 billion in 2014.
According to the survey, some in-vehicle technologies are more widely applied in China than the other six countries surveyed, such as digital radio, using on-board devices to read and dictate e mails while driving and streaming music. Accenture believes a convergence of these devices with the latest mobility services will aid auto companies in their pursuit of competitive positioning as they respond to consumer demand for the future in-car technologies, services and capabilities.
The marketplace is exploding with a proliferation of connected-vehicle solutions and applications to meet customer priorities. Accenture estimates that IVI could deliver up to $200 a year in revenues for each new car as drivers and passengers increase the use of services provided by in-car technology.
If sales for 2012 in China reached 75 percent of the 20 million units forecast at the beginning of the year, this would represent total IVI revenues of up to $3 billion. The revenue growth will gather pace as more systems are produced to give consumers access to new technologies, such as cloud computing, and full Internet capability.
It is clear that consumers are, for the first time, determining in-car technology, and the automakers are being forced to satisfy demand, not create it as they used to. This means shorter timeframes for new ranges and changes to vehicle specifications.
This consumer desire for ever more sophisticated in-vehicle systems that can accommodate the latest advances in technologies, such as smart phones, portable devices, and apps store capability, will make it increasingly difficult for companies to keep up with and make money out of changing preferences unless they have the appropriate operating systems and processes in place to absorb them.
Providing the newest technology is important, but even more important is developing the operational capability to effectively respond to any potential advances down the road. This will be critical to sustaining success in the connected-vehicle market.
The industry is already beginning to move in that direction, adopting operating systems to match consumer technologies. Such systems and others like them will give auto companies the agility required to respond to the aggressive pace of technology change, as well as address the emerging trend of product and services customization, while reducing costs on research and development. Furthermore, the Accenture survey reveals two major trends regarding Chinese consumers' use of, and demand for, in-car technologies that show the importance of this approach. Chinese drivers are particularly focused on in-car safety systems.
A higher number of Chinese respondents plan to use these driving support systems than the average level of all the surveyed countries. These include electronic stability control, anti-lock breaking system, autopilot, fatigue warning device, night vision device, reversing sensors, lane-changing warning system/blind spot warning system and lane keeping system.
Chinese drivers are showing great interest in and demand for many advanced in-car technologies, such as automated breakdown call, automatic stop if a barrier is too close, windscreen that acts as a visual monitor and car-to-car communication.
Taking the automated breakdown call as an example, only 9 percent of Chinese respondents are using this technology, but as many as 80 percent respondents would like to. Chinese consumers' interest in and demand for these advanced in-car technologies will promote their wide application across the auto market.
With the withdrawal of the national incentive policy, it will be very hard to sustain the explosive growth of China's auto market that occurred in 2009 and 2010. But Chinese consumers' steady demand for luxury cars, forecasts for vehicle replacement as well as the expected demand for advanced in-car technologies will help maintain a stable and rapid growth for the auto industry in China. However, the car makers, car parts companies and related IT companies planning to target the Chinese market will need to understand consumer expectations for IVI and take a strategic approach for this business opportunity if they are to take a share of this opportunity.
Robert Bao is principle of Products, Automotive, Accenture China; Ben Wang is executive director of Products, Automotive, Accenture China. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.


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Spruce plywood exports were stable throughout the 2010s. The average quarterly volume was around 120 000 m3 until 2019. By the end of that year, a clear decline had set in. While the February strike and Corona impact caused a drop during Q1, 2020, the market already started deteriorating before that. Apparently the price hike made the turn steeper for the Finns.
The Netherlands is by far the largest destination country. Last year the Dutch import amounted to 122 000 m3. Less than 1% of the Finnish export volume goes outside of Europe. Spruce plywood is produced by UPM Plywood and Metsä Wood.


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A Canadian-owned family discount store plans to expand its presence in Saint John.
Giant Tiger is opening a new location at 450 Westmorland Road on the east side.
According to the company’s website, the store is slated to open on Nov. 4.
Giant Tiger currently has one location in Saint John on Prince Edward Street uptown.
The company operates 12 other stores in New Brunswick, including in Fredericton, Oromocto and St. Stephen.


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Australian scientists conducted tests that found new anti-microbial substances in two common native Australian plums that could help prolong the shelf life of petfood, according to a report.
Testing done by scientists from Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation and Queensland government revealed that when small amounts of the kakadu and Queensland Davidson plums are combined with organic acids, the plums develop promising new anti-microbial properties. These anti-microbial substances may extend the shelf life of processed kangaroo meat used as an ingredient in petfood, according to the scientists. This may allow the petfood industry to reduce its use of preservatives, such as sulphides, that can lead to thiamine deficiencies in dogs and cats.
Pet owners want a lot from their pet food brands. They want primary proteins that suit what they believe is best for their animal. They want grains or they don't. They want something customized, but it has to be easy to understand.
Constraints and crises, like those experienced in 2020, help drive innovation and sustainability offers context.


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technews.am is a new community for breaking news across the technology sector. We are still in Alpha, so please bear with us.
HTC Corp.’s least-expensive smartphone to date hit Taiwan shelves on Wednesday, priced at less than a third of its flagship device. The point? Get rid of all those proprietary switches, of course. As it seeks to catch up to Amazon in e-commerce, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is creating a vast new logistics system that includes building new warehouses for Web orders, but also uses workers in stores to pack and mail items to customers. Isn't everything about the process of buying a car just... fantastic? Yeah, not so much. I think there’s unprecedented space now in journalism to really say things that you wouldn’t have been able to get in print, or at least a large audience for, even ten years ago. Netflix will offer its streaming video service in the Netherlands later this year, as it increases its reach in Europe. How do you transfer video from an iPad to a computer? Walt answers readers' questions. Walt puts to the test the battery-life claims of the Apple's new MacBook Air and Sony's Vaio Pro. Dish said the "extreme deal protections" included in Sprint's revised pact with SoftBank made a counterbid impossible. Adobe Systems Inc.'s fiscal second-quarter earnings fell 66 percent as the software company recorded weaker product sales and higher operating expenses, through subscriptions for creative services continued to strengthen.


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Facebook, coming off of the heat of a year full of drama and scandal in 2018, announced earlier this year that it plans to create and release its own cryptocurrency. The company wants to release its own cryptocurrency as a way of monetizing on the crypto boom. The United States Congress, however, has raised concerns that a cryptocurrency controlled at the hands of Facebook could lead to illegal monopolies. They’re also worried it would give Facebook even more uncontrolled power than it already has.
The Arrival of Facebook’s “Libra” Is Divisive
“Libra,” the name of the cryptocurrency that Facebook is developing, was announced back in June. The announcement received a mostly skeptical response from both experts and Facebook users. The social networking company got itself in some hot water last year over a massive data breach that impacted the 2016 Presidential Election, as well as the Brexit vote. Facebook has proven itself to be less than responsible with the fate of user data, letting its greed take over in cases where it’s been given a critical choice between doing right and wrong.
In theory, Libra would give Facebook users the opportunity to send and receive money to and from anywhere in the world with little oversight and virtually no fees. In Facebook’s words, this gives immigrants in the Western world the opportunity to send money to their families in poor countries without incurring major “capitalist” charges wherein the fees go directly into the pockets of big banks. It seems well-intended, but the reality is far darker than consumers can expect.
Both experts and members of Congress worry that Libra would allow Facebook to gain more financial control than they already have (which is a lot, considering Facebook’s $5 billion fine for its role in the Cambridge Analytica scandal only makes up a small portion of its overall annual revenue). Both the US treasury secretary and the Chairman of the Federal Reserve have expressed concern for how much power it would give Facebook.
A Source of Uncontrolled Power
The concern over Facebook’s cryptocurrency would mean that the company would be able to set its own prices on goods sold through its platform. It would also mean that the company could control how people paid for goods, meaning that small businesses that advertise through Facebook would have to migrate into using Libra instead of using and accepting payment through major banks like Visa and Mastercard.
All of this would let Facebook set its own prices on things like advertising. Especially considering there would be no competition that forces Facebook to keep its prices fair for consumers. For example, Libra would allow Facebook to decide what the price of advertising should be, rather than market value. Companies like Visa and Uber are also invested in Libra. So members of Congress are also worried that it would corporatize currency.
Libra is currently live. But the US Government is worried that it will have a negative impact on the overall prices of goods and services. Particularly those sold through Facebook. Many governments are concerned that without tight regulation, a global currency could destabilize the value of the global economy.


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Celebrities are calling for a black political revolution to galvanize African-American participation in local government in a new video backed by a political action committee.
“Instead of splurging on stuff, let’s spend our money on progress by boosting black politics,” actress Meagan Good says in a three-minute video posted Thursday on the website "Funny or Die."
Actress Yvette Nicole Brown and other famous black celebrities use the video to call for a break from the consumerism of Black Friday.
"With Black Friday around the corner - it's arguably the biggest shopping day of the year, a day when retailers turn a profit and most people go broke spending their holiday bonuses," Brown begins, her sentence completed by other celebs.
"Because a whole lot of people are getting ready to use money they don't have to buy stuff they don't need, for people you don't even like," the sketch continues.
"Join the collective by reclaiming Black Friday this November 24 and support something that is really gonna make a difference in our lives," adds Jeff Johnson.
The assembled Hollywood stars tell viewers that rather than retail spending, investing in local politics and politicians can have a greater effect on communities and national politics.
Twitter users are encouraged to tweet #ReclaimBlackFriday to boost the campaign, and interested viewers can text 48484 for more information. The video is the first post from "The Collective PAC," a new video channel on Funny Or Die's website. No other information was available on the channel's page, but according to the FEC the political action committee has been active since 2016. The group is aiming to "recruit, train, fund and elect 45 progressive black candidates from around the country" in 2018, according to its website.
"By reclaiming a day that is synonymous with retail, we'll turn it into a day to promote qualified people of color to affect change in local governments," Brown says.
"90 percent of the elected officials in our country are white," Good adds. "Not even 90 percent of our country is white."
"With that kind of under representation, it means that there's a lot of people making a lot of decisions that don't really understand the needs of the black community," Carri Twigg says in the video.
"We didn't land on Black Friday," finishes Brown. "Black Friday landed on us."
Source : http://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/361712-celebrities-on-black-friday-black-political-leadership-is


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Published: 10:00, 24 May 2021
| Updated: 10:02, 24 May 2021
Retailers across the county are being invited to sign up for a new rewards programme run in collaboration with the Kent & Medway Growth Hub.
Backed by all 12 local district authorities, as well as Medway Council, the Local Rewards High Street Guide has been developed alongside social media firm Maybe* Tech.
It is hoped the scheme will help retailers bounce back from the pandemic and reach more customers.
Local Rewards allows businesses to communicate with and reward shoppers when they hit the high streets and has been created with the intention of ‘levelling the playing field’ between local retailers and giants like Amazon. Businesses can also cross-promote and support their high street neighbours to create an online network of connected traders.
The technology enables shoppers to see businesses near them and view their social media content, engage and shop with them through their via Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp on mobile phones and desktops.
The programme will go live featuring over 16,000 retailers from across Kent.
Rebecca Green of The Beehive, a clothing shop in Ashford using the platform, explained: “Lockdowns have heightened the importance of supporting local independent businesses and I like the way the technology allows you to easily engage with other local businesses to increase the feeling of community within the town.”
Tudor Price from Kent & Medway Growth Hub, added: “As a county, we are blessed with a diverse, thriving retail sector and we are delighted to be launching the new Local Rewards High Street Guide programme that will connect shops and shoppers in an exciting, innovative way.”
Every business that signs up to manage their listing on the Local Rewards High Street Guide will also have access to an extensive range of social media tools and training provided by Maybe* Tech.
Polly Barnfield, CEO of Maybe* Tech, said: “Around two thirds of shoppers regularly look online for inspiration and the Local Rewards High Street Guide programme groups all social media content by location to encourage people to browse their local high street and then rewards them for their local spend.
“High streets need infrastructure that until now has only been available for online businesses and this programme will help local retailers level the playing field with giants like Amazon.
“They need to communicate with shoppers in real-time and be able to showcase what’s available. In order to compete, high street businesses need to up their digital game, promote their physical stores and collaborate. Our platforms help them collectively to do that and we are delighted to be working with businesses in both towns."


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AB InBev continues to expand its reach into the craft brewing sector by acquiring 100% of Sydney, Australia based craft brewery 4 Pines Brewing Company through its subsidiary ZX Ventures. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. The Craft Brewery was established in 2008 by Jaron Mitchell and his father Steve Mitchell in Manly, a beach-side suburb of northern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. In 2011 the company opened a new brewing facility in Brookvale, just 6 km away from the old facility with 50hL brewery and bottling line and a small small batch Keller Door 5hL brewery. In early 2014 they expanded the company's Brookdale facility and last year 4 Pines sold already about 80,000 hl of beer all across Australia. The brewery has currently 3 venues (The Brew Pub Manly, Truck Bar Brookvale, Public House Newport ) with a fourth (Beer&Bread Melrose) coming soon.
According to the breweries website, “everyone keeps their job” and “the founders and all the key people are hanging around.” Mitchell and his team hope that the takeover will help 4 Pines to “be part of the global forefront of beer innovation.” In addition “the Brookvale brewery will be expanding its capacity in the very near future” and “4 Pines has already started developing plans for national and global expansion.”
Jan Craps, President of AB InBev’s Asia Pacific South Zone, said he was incredibly excited to be partnering with 4 Pines. “Anyone who knows Jaron and the 4 Pines team know they do things differently, which is why we were so interested in teaming up with them.”
“4 Pines brewers will continue to make beer from their breweries on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, and continue doing what they do best – having fun making some of the world’s best and most outstanding beers,” Jan Craps said. “We will support their ambitious plans for the future, using our expertise and capability to help them get their exceptional beer to more people in Australia and globally.”
After having bought 10 craft breweries in the United States in the last 6 years, which are managed by AB InBev’s High End division, AB InBev just recently announced to stop buying further craft breweries in the United States (inside.beer, 7.9.2017). Nevertheless, the international expansion will go on and the latest deal marks another milestone in an attempt to create a worldwide net of craft beer breweries, mainly through AB InBev’s global disruptive growth group ZX Ventures.
Within the last 12 years AB InBev or one of its subsidiaries bought the following craft breweries:
Bogota Beer Company, Bogotá/Colombia (Feb. 2015, through Ambev), Cervejaria Wäls, Belo Horizonte/Brazil (May 2015, through Ambev); Cervejaria Colorado, Columbia (Jul. 2015, through Ambev), Mills Street Brewery, Toronto/Canada (Oct. 2015, through Labatt Breweries of Canada), Cervecería Tijuana, Tijuana/Mexico (Aug. 2015, through Grupo Modelo); Cervecería Mexicana, Tecate/Mexico (Aug. 2015, through Grupo Modelo); Cervecería de Baja California Cucapá), Mexicali/Mexico (Aug. 2015, through Grupo Modelo); Cervecería Bocanegra Mexico (Aug. 2015, through Grupo Modelo); Camden Town Brewery, London/UK (Dec. 2015, through ZX Ventures); Microbrasserie Archibald, Quebec/Canada (Apr. 2016, through Labatt Breweries of Canada), Birra del Borgo, Rome/Italy (Apr. 2016, through ZX Ventures); Brouwerij Bosteels, Buggenhout/Belgium (Sep. 2016, through ZX Ventures, inside.beer, 9.9.2016); La Virgen, Madrid/Spain (Jan. 2017, through ZX Ventures) (inside.beer, 12.1.2017), Boxing Cat Brewery, Shanghai/China (Mar. 2017, through ZX Ventures, inside.beer, 4.3.2017) and 4 Pines Brewing Co., Sydney/Australia (Sep. 2017, through ZX Ventures).


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Spanish scientists have developed a way to eliminate the smell of household plastic waste, such as used shampoo bottles, in an attempt to create conditions for recycling later.
According to efe on November 24, 29.1 million tons of plastic waste were produced in Europe in 2018, of which 17.8 million tons were packaged waste, 42 percent of which was recycled and the rest was incinerated or buried in landfills, according to the European plastics manufacturers association. That means more than 10 million tons of plastic waste in Europe goes unrecycled every year.
Experts Andrea cabanez gil and andres fuyana fonte of the university of alicante in Spain spent a year and a half developing the new method, which has huge potential for applications.
The researchers point out that recycling of household plastic waste is limited by the absorption of high levels of food or cleaning product waste in its polymer matrix, which is a source of pollution and bad smells.
They stressed that the odors were volatile organic compounds that could not currently be disposed of through conventional washing or mechanical recycling. Therefore, they argue, “it is necessary to recycle these household plastic wastes in an efficient and environmentally friendly manner for later use as feedstock, thereby reducing their presence in landfills, reducing production costs and increasing the added value of products”.
The new system, designed by the waste, energy, environmental measurement and nanotechnology team, USES water vapor to extract volatile organic compounds (vocs) to eliminate the odors, the report said.
The report says the system includes several stages. The first is the separation and adjustment of plastics; The second is crushing; Third, chemical washing with surfactant; Fourth, wash plastic materials; Fifth, mechanical drying; Sixth, in the distillation column for plastic deodorization.
Kavanez-gill says the more complex the plastic, the more difficult it is to recycle, so there is an urgent need to design plastics with simpler structures.
The new method was patented a few months ago and five companies, including one multinational, have expressed considerable interest, the report said.


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Experts Agree 2023 Likely to Bring Slowdown. But Will It Be a Soft Landing or a Crash?
The experts agree, 2022 was a strange year for the economy.
GDP was up while unemployment hovered close to 3%. Nevertheless, Wall Street had its worst year since 2008 and inflation pumped up prices. At the start of the new year, the Fed walks a tightrope as they attempt to cool the economy without smothering it.
A panel of economic experts led by moderator Tony Mecia, editor of The Charlotte Ledger, discussed the upcoming year during an hour-long Zoom webinar. They all agreed that a slowdown is on the way.
But is the economy in for a soft landing, or will it crash? That was the real question.
'On The Edge of a Knife'
Eric Freedman, chief investment officer for U.S. Bank Asset Management, said the combination of rising interest rates and the cycle of consumer spending is already causing the red-hot economy to cool.
“We do think we’ll have a slowdown that will ultimately be termed a recession,” Freedman said, “But we’re less concerned about how deep it gets than how long it will stay with us.
“If we use the analogy of a treadmill, the treadmill is probably at a five or six right now. And we think we’ll get down to a three or four and stay that way a little longer."
Siobhan O’Keefe, assistant professor of economics at Davidson, says the economy is “on the edge of a knife.” A small slowdown is all it may take to get inflation under control.
But it’s also possible that the recent interest rate increases have not yet stymied swelling prices.
“The labor market has continued to be more robust than expected,” she said. “The pessimistic part of me says this may force the Fed to raise interest rates more and they may go too far, and that may cause a deeper, more traumatic recession than anyone would like.”
Housing Market Will Drive Economy
One major indicator all of the panelists are watching is housing.
Jennifer Streaks, senior personal finance reporter for Insider, expects the uncertainty of the upcoming year will cause consumers to put off big purchases–like new houses.
“When the housing market starts to suffer, it indicates that every other sector is going to start suffering at some point,” she said. “It’s a harbinger for what’s coming down the road.”
Matt Phillips, markets correspondent for Axios, pointed to declining rents that may portend a turnaround for the stock market, which was battered in 2022.
“Rents have been falling consistently over the last few months,” Phillips said. “That takes a while to feed into the official government numbers but if rents continue to decline, that would help decrease inflation and help the stock market.”
Inflation Still A Question Mark
Phillips also pointed out that inflation already seems to be heading the right way.
“We peaked at 9% in June and we’re down to 7% right now. That’s not insignificant,” he said. “It’s still crazy compared to where we’ve been over the past 30 years but if it continues to come down, that may be a reason for optimism in the stock market.”
Inflation may be trending in the right direction, but all panelists agreed that the Fed is far from finished with interest rate hikes. That’s big macroeconomic news, of course, but both Phillips and Streaks pointed out that consumers should do one thing above all: save money.
“Basically, the Fed is giving a signal to people that now is the time to save,” Phillips said, pointing to rising interest rates in savings accounts and certificates of deposit.
Streaks urged consumers to prune their spending and set up automatic drafts to make sure they save regardless of the economic climate.
“The most important thing you can do,” she said, “is make saving a habit.”
The Charlotte Ledger, Where is the economy headed in 2023? A panel discussion


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The Significant Change to the Soup Menu at Subway.
Customers have observed differences in experiences depending on location when it comes to one Subway menu item.
However, Subway just updated its menu just in time for "Soup Season," putting some effort into improving its soup game.
Three new soups will be added to the Subway menu this month, according to a press statement posted on PR Newswire.
The trio consists of Loaded Baked Potato Soup with bacon, cream cheese, and red potatoes, Broccoli Cheddar Soup, and Home style Chicken Noodle Soup enhanced with more chicken.
The sandwich company is also providing an incentive, although it's only accessible on particular days, to further urge customers to get into the soup season vibe.
Customers of Subway who want to save money on soup now have one more incentive to anticipate the weekend.
Subway will begin hosting "Souped Up weekends" on October 7, according to a news release posted on PR Newswire. Customers must have registered for a Subway account
and chosen to receive emails at least 72 hours before placing an order in order to receive $1 off one of the new soups on the weekend.
Visit a "climate-controlled" pop-up with a Subway igloo at Gansevoort Plaza on October 5 from 1 to 5 p.m. to learn about the new offers from Subway.


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“There’s mandated transparency, which regulatory agencies act as advocates for the consumer and set up rules around,” she said. This includes labeling laws, such as the Nutrition Facts and nutrient content claims; dietary restrictions, such as a ban on trans-fatty acids; sourcing claims, such as organic; and manufacturing claims, such as no hormones in poultry.
“There’s also voluntary transparency, where companies advertise product attributes that cater to their target consumer,” said Weaver. “These attributes address one or more dimensions of a product, including ingredients, manufacturing, process, and more. Voluntary transparency can be a source of competitive advantage.”
In the case of chicken (see infographic), hormone-free is required. “The category has tipped towards antibiotic-free,” she said. “Vegetarian-fed and cage-free are a competitive advantage.”
Companies that are in the process of making voluntary claims are wise to communicate their goals.