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Want to make sure you know about the next private sale? The latest new hot spots and places to hang out in Abu Dhabi? Join our community to be the first to know. Register to our newsletter, thousands of readers have signed up already!
With the coronavirus lockdown, UAE residents are more likely to turn to grocery apps
As the government has given a stay-home order to slow the pandemic in the UAE and that all non-essential stores will shortly close, here is a list that will be very useful for UAE residents.
Food shopping is still allowed but TRA (Telecommunications Regulatory Authority) has listed names of apps for online groceries in the UAE to facilitate the confinement as much as possible.
The list includes 51 shops (initially 22 listed) providing home deliveries for vegetables, fruits, fresh food, butchery, grocery. This is a great initiative taken by the TRA as cooking at home is very much back in vogue (worldwide) ever since the confinement started.
The list of apps is non-exhaustive, more apps might be added over time, stay tuned by checking http://wam.ae/
For now the listed businesses are below:
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In detail, the number of mobile applications of e-stores rose to 55 as of 6th April, compared to 22 in the preliminary list published two weeks ago. The TRA noted that the number of e-stores on the list is expected to continue growing in the coming days to meet the consumer demand. The beginning of the current year witnessed an increase in consumer demand for e-shopping around the country, leading to an increase in online sales and a decrease in overcrowding in traditional stores. #wamnews
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Heinrich Villiger is stepping down as CEO of European tobacco giant Villiger Söhne AG. Robert Suter, a former CEO with Swiss Holding company Conzetta AG will succeed him as company CEO. Villiger will continue to serve as Chairman of Villiger Söhne AG and Villiger Holding.
At 85 years old, Villiger has had a long career with Villiger. Villiger joined the family business in 1950 and recently has completed 65 years in the tobacco business. Villiger Cigars was founded by his grandfather Jean Villiger in 1888. The family business grew on the strength of its machine made products. It wasn’t until 2008 when the company first entered the handmade premium cigar business.
Villiger Söhne AG is the parent company of Villiger North America, the U.S. distribution company for Villiger products. Earlier this year, the Villiger North America announced a restructuring that saw the its U.S. Headquarters move from Charlotte, North Carolina to Miami, Florida.and the naming of Rene Castaneda as its new division president.
Photo Credit: Villiger.ch

domain: news


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More than one million people are faking out their friends with Faker$, a free app that lets you put yourself – or friends and family members – on the cover of famous magazines, newspapers, movie posters, and more.
iPad owners have no shortage of ebook apps to choose from, be it Apple’s own iBooks, Kobo, Amazon’s Kindle and dozens of others. Curiously missing was Sony’s Reader app. Until now.
Available this week, Apple’s latest iPad isn’t like the others that came before it. Here’s what you need to know about this smaller tablet.
While they don’t usually get the media attention they deserve, a good number of Android and Windows tabs also deliver the goods, and in many cases offer features not found on the iPad.
Canadians now have more solid alternatives to the iPhone, iPad, and iPad mini to choose from, thanks to Google.
In this week’s Tech Talk show, we talk about Apple’s iPad mini unveiling, the Windows 8 launch and how to remove malware on your computer that got past your antivirus program.
Parents of young kids know it can be tricky to manage their busy social schedules. A new app aims to help you out.
uMoove, an upcoming app for mobile devices, lets users interact with content by simply moving their eyes and head. While in the early stages, the technology works.
The iPad mini is here, and now the real fight for small-tablet supremacy begins.


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Credit card giant Visa (V) reported upbeat results for its third quarter ending June 30, 2018. The company’s shares, which hit a new all-time high on Wednesday’s regular trading session, continued to trade in the positive territory after the bell also.
Visa’s adjusted earnings jumped about 40% year-over-year to $1.20 per share on revenue growth of 15% to $5.2 billion. Analysts viewed that Visa’s earnings would be $1.08 per share on revenue of about $5.06 billion. GAAP net income swelled 13% to $2.3 billion or $1.00 per share. The revenue growth in the quarter was helped by continued growth in payments volume, cross-border volume, and processed transactions.
Looking ahead, the payments technology company expects its annual net revenue to grow in low double-digits on a nominal basis for its fiscal year 2018.
The company had a litigation charge of $600 million related to the interchange multidistrict litigation case in the recently ended quarter which increased the GAAP operating expenses by 53% to $2.4 billion.
Visa’s rival Mastercard (MA) is set to report its quarterly results on Thursday after the bell. Last week, another competitor American Express (AXP) posted mixed results for its recently concluded quarter. Visa’s stock had climbed about 25% so far in 2018 and about 40% in the past one year.
Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MU) Thursday said its fourth-quarter profit declined from last year, hurt by a sharp fall in revenues. Earnings, however, beat the market’s projection. On an adjusted
Shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE: PM) were down 1% on Thursday. The stock has dropped over 9% year-to-date. Although the tobacco industry has felt the pinch of inflation,
CarMax, Inc. (NYSE:KMX) reported second quarter 2023 earnings results today. Net revenues rose 2% year-over-year to $8.1 billion. Net earnings were $125.9 million, or $0.79 per share, compared to $285.2 million,


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Let’s talk crypto, Metaverse, NFTs, CeDeFi, and Stocks, and focus on multi-chain as the future of blockchain technology. Let us all WIN!
During the past three months, Coinbase recorded a revenue of approximately $1.8 billion in comparison to $190 million recorded in the same time last year.
American rapper, songwriter, and entrepreneur Nasir Jones alias Nas through his investment firm QueensBridge Venture Partners is expected to reap huge profits once Coinbase lists for public trading on April 14. According to Coindesk, Jones could net millions of dollars from the $25 million investment in Coinbase Series B funding round.
According to research by Coindesk, QueensBridge owns approximately 99,329 Coinbase shares on the low end or 496,642 on the high end. With Coinbase shares trading around $350 per share in the private secondary market, Jone and his investment partner could net between $34.76 million and $173.8 million.
Moreover, Coinbase shares have been hotly anticipated and could spike further during the first day and subsequent months of trading. Notably, according to investment bank DA Davidson analyst Gil Luria, Coinbase COIN shares could trade around $440 in the near future. Furthermore, the cryptocurrency industry is unpredictable and still considered volatile, thus a high chance of higher valuation than previously anticipated. Luria gave COIN shares a Buy rating that signifies a bullish sentiment from the investment firm.
Nasir Jones and His Investment in Coinbase
Coinbase previously disclosed its first-quarter revenue earnings through a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing on the upcoming public listing. During the past three months, Coinbase recorded a revenue of approximately $1.8 billion in comparison to $190 million recorded in the same time last year.
Coinbase valuation has been a topic for discussion by many over the past few weeks. While some analysts are for a higher valuation than the expected $100 billion, some foretell a decline after the public listing on Wednesday. Delphi Digital, a digital asset research firm estimates Coinbase could be valued between $160 billion and $230 billion. To those who predict a lower Coinbase valuation, huge competition in the crypto market is the key aspect that could affect the company’s valuation.
Notably, Coinbase offers cryptocurrency-related services both to institutional and retail investors. However, there has been a huge influx of crypto startups that have ventured into the cryptocurrency market. Reportedly, cryptocurrency exchange Kraken is expected to go public sometime later next year. Similarly, it is expected that Kraken could use a direct listing method to go public next year. More crypto-related companies could follow the same path, thus creating huge competition in the crypto ecosystem, particularly in the centralized exchange industry.
If there is an expected spike in COIN stock in the coming weeks, Jones will have made considerable profit from his Coinbase prior investment. Venture capital funds are experiencing flow more into the technology companies especially the blockchain and cryptocurrency market in the coming years.


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Bitcoin is surging. Even after a decline of as a lot as 10 % on Monday, the worth of Bitcoin is up to date this yr to about $31,000, including to a livid rally on the finish of 2020 that pushed the cryptocurrency close to $30,000 a coin, a degree it breached over the weekend. In March, it was buying and selling under $4,000.
The euphoria stands in distinction to regulatory doubts about cryptocurrencies.
Digital cash fanatics have been submitting feedback to the Treasury Division on a proposed new disclosure requirement for sure crypto transactions “aimed toward closing cash laundering regulatory gaps.” The deadline for feedback is Monday, and greater than 3,500 submissions are already in.
The Blockchain Affiliation despatched Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin a letter requesting extra time to contemplate the rule, arguing that “tough and momentous” points had been being dealt with unexpectedly. Eight Home lawmakers additionally wrote to Mr. Mnuchin, asking that the assessment interval be prolonged by a number of weeks.
The staggering 2020 rally highlights Bitcoin’s speculative attraction but in addition expectations of its lasting worth to some traders. The run that has lifted Bitcoin to its present value got here as some huge establishments mentioned they might start to purchase or permit use of Bitcoin.
In Might, Paul Tudor Jones, considered one of Wall Road’s best-known hedge fund managers, said he had put virtually 2 % of his portfolio in Bitcoin. He mentioned the cap on Bitcoin manufacturing made it a lovely various to the declining worth of conventional currencies, which he thought was inevitable as central banks printed extra money to encourage an financial restoration.
In July, the Workplace of the Comptroller of the Forex, an American regulator, mentioned this summer season that banks would be allowed to carry cryptocurrencies for patrons.
In August, MicroStrategy, a software program firm in Virginia, said it bought $250 million of Bitcoin to retailer a few of the money it had within the company treasury.
In October, Sq. said it was putting $50 million of its company money into Bitcoin. In 2018, Sq. additionally started providing the digital forex on the Money App, its telephone app that individuals use to ship cash between family and friends.
Quickly after Sq. did, PayPal announced in October that it will permit folks to purchase and maintain Bitcoin and some different cryptocurrencies.
In fact, none of that gives any indication of how excessive Bitcoin may go, or when this rally might finish. The final time this type of speculative fever hit the cryptocurrency — in 2017 and 2018 — it doubled in worth earlier than halving once more in only a few months.
Shareholders of Fiat Chrysler Cars and PSA, the French maker of Peugeot, Citroën and Opel automobiles, voted on Monday to merge in an effort to accumulate the size essential to survive in an business gripped by technological change.
The brand new firm, to be referred to as Stellantis, would worker 400,000 folks and embrace the Jeep, Ram Vans and Maserati manufacturers. It could be the world’s fourth-largest carmaker, after Toyota, Volkswagen and the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, primarily based on car gross sales through the first 9 months of 2020.
Executives of Fiat Chrysler and PSA agreed to merge on the finish of 2019 and have been understanding the main points and securing regulatory approval since then.
Collectively, the 2 firms imagine they stand a greater likelihood of surviving a transition to electrical autos, which is happening faster than most analysts predicted.
“We live via a profound period of change in our business,” John Elkann, the chairman of Fiat Chrysler, instructed shareholders by video, drawing comparisons with Fiat’s founding on the daybreak of the car age. “We imagine the approaching decade will redefine mobility as we all know it.”
However the brand new firm would face main challenges. Neither Fiat Chrysler nor PSA has a robust presence in China, the world’s largest automotive market, and so they have been sluggish to introduce electrical autos.
Each firms have been exhausting hit by the pandemic. PSA’s car gross sales had been down 30 % within the 11 months via November, whereas Fiat Chrysler bought 30 % fewer automobiles and vehicles within the 9 months via September, the newest reporting interval. The pandemic has made the rationale for the merger “much more compelling,” Mr. Elkann mentioned.
Carlos Tavares, the chief govt of PSA, would maintain the identical title on the new entity. Mr. Elkann, a scion of Italy’s Agnelli household and descendant of the person who based Fiat in 1899, is in line to be chairman. Mike Manley, the chief govt of Fiat Chrysler, would handle the mixed firm’s American operations.
“We’re prepared for this merger,” Mr. Tavares mentioned through the assembly of shareholders, which was carried out on-line. The merger will permit the businesses to share the price of creating electrical autos, Mr. Tavares mentioned, and provides PSA entry to the American market and cut back its dependence on Europe.
The billionaire financier Carl Icahn has begun to money out of his practically decade-long wager on the dietary meals dietary supplements firm Herbalife, an funding that survived each regulatory assessment and a outstanding — although unsuccessful — problem by one other activist investor.
Herbalife said late on Sunday that it will purchase again about $600 million value of inventory held by Mr. Icahn, who has been the corporate’s greatest shareholder since 2013. Doing so would additionally imply that he’ll hand over 5 board seats held by his designees.
The transfer, which can cut back Mr. Icahn’s stake to six % from 13 %, caps an funding success few may have foreseen in late 2012, when the billionaire first poured cash into Herbalife.
On the time, Mr. Icahn pushed again in opposition to a marketing campaign by William A. Ackman, the supervisor of the hedge fund Pershing Sq. Capital Administration, who had prominently accused the corporate of being an unlawful pyramid scheme on the verge of being shut down. Mr. Ackman shorted Herbalife shares, wagering that their value would fall to zero, finally pouring $1 billion into his wager.
Herbalife denied the accusations, and Mr. Icahn turned considered one of a number of hedge fund managers to wager in opposition to Mr. Ackman. Such was Mr. Icahn’s conviction that he raised his stake within the firm in 2013, changing into its largest shareholder and most vocal defender.
The funding led to a memorable shouting match between Mr. Icahn and Mr. Ackman reside on CNBC that devolved right into a televised airing of grievances — and transfixed Wall Road merchants. (The extent of the talk’s eloquence might have been encapsulated by Mr. Icahn likening his rival to “a crybaby within the schoolyard.” The 2 later buried the hatchet.)
Mr. Ackman was forced to concede defeat in 2018, quietly closing out the final of his quick place after a federal assessment of Herbalife led to an enforcement action that fell far wanting shutting down the corporate.
Mr. Icahn, nonetheless, held onto his stake for years, promoting his shares over time. It has proved to be worthwhile as properly: The investor mentioned in 2018 that he had collected a $1 billion return on his funding.
In an announcement late on Sunday, Mr. Icahn mentioned that “the time for activism has handed” at Herbalife.
Officers from OPEC, Russia and different main oil producing international locations are anticipated to satisfy by videoconference on Monday to contemplate permitting additional will increase in output within the face of decreased demand from the pandemic.
Throughout a tough assembly in December, the group, referred to as OPEC Plus, reached a compromise that permitted manufacturing to extend by 500,000 barrels a day beginning Jan. 1, as an alternative of a beforehand agreed two million barrels a day. The group additionally agreed to satisfy month-to-month to contemplate whether or not additional will increase had been warranted.
The members are nonetheless holding about seven million barrels a day, or about 7 % of world provide in regular occasions, off the market. The prospect of opening faucets may rapidly depress oil costs.
Analysts say that the gradual restoration of the worldwide economic system and demand for oil might check the group’s cohesion within the coming months. Producers like Russia, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates have their causes for desirous to carry manufacturing, however there are additionally arguments for continuing cautiously, together with the worsening pandemic in areas like Europe and america and what seems more likely to be a sluggish rollout of vaccines.
Jerome H. Powell, the 67-year-old chair of the Federal Reserve, will face stress from all sides in 2021, and he may discover himself auditioning for his personal job. His time period expires in early 2022, which implies that President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. will select whether or not to renominate him.
Mr. Powell, a Republican who was made a Fed governor by President Barack Obama and elevated to his present place by President Trump, has but to say publicly whether or not he needs to be reappointed, reports The New York Times’s Jeanna Smialek.
His possibilities could possibly be affected by the Fed’s coronavirus disaster response, which has been credited as early and swift.
“We crossed plenty of purple traces that had not been crossed earlier than,” Mr. Powell said at an event in Might.
The Fed rolled out practically the whole menu of emergency mortgage packages it used through the 2008 monetary disaster, and it teamed up with the Treasury Division to announce packages that had by no means been tried — together with plans to help lending to small and medium-size companies and purchase company debt. In early April, it tacked on a plan to get credit score flowing to states.
However the Fed’s extraordinary actions in 2020 weren’t aimed solely at holding credit score flowing. Mr. Powell and different prime Fed officers pushed for extra authorities spending to assist companies and households, an uncharacteristically daring stance for an establishment that tries mightily to keep away from politics. Because the Fed took a extra expansive view of its mission, it weighed in on local weather change, racial fairness and different points its leaders had sometimes prevented.
In Washington, reactions to the Fed’s larger position have been swift and divided. Democrats need the Fed to do extra, portraying the eye to climate-related monetary dangers as a welcome step however just a beginning. Republicans have labored to limit the Fed to make sure that the position it has performed on this pandemic doesn’t outlast the disaster.
The ski business already took a success within the spring when the pandemic struck and lots of resorts needed to shut early, resulting in $2 billion in losses and inflicting layoffs or furloughs of 1000’s of staff, based on the Nationwide Ski Areas Affiliation, a commerce group. The business noticed its lowest variety of visits, 51 million, for the reason that 2011 to 2012 season, the affiliation mentioned.
Now resorts are setting their expectations low for the brand new ski season, reports Kellen Browning for The New York Times.
Mike Pierce, a spokesman for Mount Rose Ski Tahoe, a resort in western Nevada, mentioned the mind-set was “to simply keep established order and survive.” He declined to supply any financials, however mentioned, “if we break even, that’s virtually thought-about a hit.”
Even earlier than the pandemic, the ski business was laboring to construct curiosity within the sport. The variety of skiers has stagnated prior to now decade, based on the Nationwide Ski Areas Affiliation.
How the ski resorts do that winter may have a domino impact on tax income for state economies. In New Mexico, the truncated ski season final winter and this spring generated $41 million in taxes, however George Brooks, the chief director of the state’s ski affiliation, mentioned he anticipated not more than 40 % of that quantity within the coming months.
Vail Resorts, the world’s largest ski firm with 37 resorts across the globe, together with 34 in america, reported in an earnings name on Dec. 10 that it misplaced $153 million from August via October, wider than the lack of $106.5 million in the identical interval a yr in the past. Rob Katz, chief govt of Vail Resorts, mentioned that season move gross sales had been up about 20 %, however he anticipated fewer guests and fewer income this winter than in earlier seasons.
Private revenue elevated
Would have been sharply unfavorable with out P.P.P.
insurance coverage advantages
Would have been sharply unfavorable with out P.P.P.
insurance coverage advantages
Word: Information from March to November 2020 in contrast with the identical time interval in 2019.·Supply: Bureau of Financial Evaluation
To grasp why the markets are buoyant whilst 3,000 folks a day are dying of coronavirus, The New York Occasions’s Neil Irwin and Weiyi Cai dig into the data.
Salaries and wages fell much less in 2020, within the combination, than even a cautious observer of the economic system would possibly assume. Whole worker compensation was down solely 0.5 % for these 9 months, extra akin to a gentle recession than an financial disaster.
That may appear inconceivable. How can the variety of jobs be down 6 % however worker compensation be down solely 0.5 %?
It has to do with which jobs have been misplaced. The hundreds of thousands of individuals now not working due to the pandemic had been disproportionately in lower-paying service jobs. Greater-paying skilled jobs had been extra more likely to be unaffected, and a handful of different sectors have been booming, akin to warehousing and grocery shops, resulting in greater incomes for these employees.
The arithmetic is so simple as it’s disorienting. If a company govt will get a $100,000 bonus for steering an organization via a tough yr, whereas 4 $25,000-per-year restaurant employees lose their jobs fully, the web impact on complete compensation is zero — regardless that in human phrases a substantial amount of ache has been incurred.
Mix hovering private revenue and falling spending, and Individuals within the combination had been constructing financial savings at a startling price. It needed to go someplace.
By: Ella Koeze·Supply: Refinitiv
Shares in Europe and Asia rose on the primary buying and selling day of 2021, with a number of European indexes leaping greater than 1 %. Buying and selling on Wall Road was extra subdued, with shares falling barely after an early achieve.
A number of the first financial information of the yr confirmed manufacturing activity persevering with to develop throughout Europe and Asia, giving traders a purpose to remain optimistic, even because the variety of coronavirus cases around the world climbs greater and international locations from Japan to Britain are considering extra social restrictions that may weigh on financial development.
The S&P 500, which is buying and selling in report territory, rose lower than half a % early within the day earlier than giving up these positive factors. The Stoxx Europe 600 index climbed 1.5 % and the FTSE 100 index in Britain jumped 2.7 %.
Final yr, the S&P 500 gained 16 % as traders poured cash into shares after the central financial institution stepped in to help monetary markets, Congress spent trillions on unemployment and enterprise help packages, and vaccinations started, displaying a sustainable method out of the pandemic.
Commodities costs rose because the U.S. greenback declined as traders throughout markets had been keen to search for some riskier investments. Gold rose 2.6 % to its highest degree in months, and metals together with silver and copper additionally climbed. Crude oil futures had been additionally barely greater, although their early positive factors additionally pale.


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Weekend preview: What's going on in Kitsap and beyond
Weather: Highs this weekend will reach the low 50s with lows in the 40s. Friday is a good day to spend time outside, with only a 20 percent chance of rain. Saturday there will be a 70 percent chance of rain and a 90 percent chance on Sunday.
Veterans Day: The Navy League of the United States Bremerton is hosting a Veterans Day ceremony on Saturday at the Kitsap Sun Pavilion at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds to honor all who served. Doors will open at 9 a.m. for guests to view displays of antique military vehicles, vintage military uniforms and 24 booths. The program begins at 10:30 a.m. There will be bagpipe music, a performance by the Bremerton High band, a ceremonial bell ringing, rifle salute and playing of Taps. Food will be provided by Crazy Eric's Drive-In.
Christmas Market: Head to the Kitsap County Fairgrounds this weekend for the FARM & Frills Vintage Christmas Market at the President's Hall. Vintage Christmas decorations, décor and unique handmade and repurposed gifts will be on display. Early bird shopping is Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. with a $15 admission fee. Those attending Friday will receive a free gift, while supplies last, and be entered into a Friday-only raffle. Saturday, shopping is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and admission is $7.
Harvest Party: The Kitsap Public Market at 2901 Perry Avenue in Bremerton will host an all-day Harvest Party kids craft table, plus optional purchases including food, art, and other vendors from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday.
In Seattle: The Seattle International Auto Show features over 400 cars and trucks at the CenturyLink Field Event Center. Hours are noon to 9 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, click here.
At the Movies: "Conor McGregor: Notorious" comes out this weekend. It’s the story of his meteoric rise from claiming benefits and living in his parents’ spare room in Dublin to claiming multiple championship UFC belts and nine-figure pay-packets in Las Vegas. Also, out this weekend is "Hello Again," "Donnie Darko/Nightcrawler" and "Daddy’s Home 2."


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In a press release issued today, Sierra has announced that the Xbox 360 demo is currently available and that the Playstation 3 version of the demo will be available on May 8th.
ooooooooooo. better late than never
Wow this Thursday is turning out to be a great day for demo's. Can't wait to try them all out.
N4G is a community of gamers posting and discussing the latest game news. It’s part of NewsBoiler, a network of social news sites covering today’s pop culture.


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The American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN) is excited to welcome its newest sponsor: Tighe Logistics Group. Tighe’s sponsorship donation will provide ongoing support for ALAN’s mission: to engage industry to address the unmet needs of relief organizations, communities, and people.
“ALAN is very fortunate to have the support of Tighe Logistics Group,” said Kathy Fulton, ALAN interim president and director of operations. “Tighe and donors like them keep ALAN ready to respond quickly to the next disaster, wherever and whenever it occurs. Most important, their support allows businesses, communities and families to rebound rapidly from unpredictable events.”
Tighe Logistics Group is a full-service third-party logistics company headquartered in Woburn, Massachusetts. They provide asset-based warehousing, transportation and a wide range of value-added services to customers across a broad spectrum of industries.
“We are glad that we can help ALAN,” said John Tighe, II, president of Tighe Logistics Group. “In New England, we have seen our share of serious weather and it’s nice to know that an organization like ALAN stands ready to help if ever needed.”


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U.S. shrimp imports top 1-billion-pound mark
U.S. shrimp imports remain on track to top last year’s total of 1.23 billion pounds, according to figures released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Fisheries Service on Friday.
Through the first 10 months of 2011, U.S. shrimp imports were up 3.9 percent, to just over 1 billion pounds.
For October alone, shrimp imports were up only 0.3 percent, to just over 135.5 million pounds. That’s the fourth consecutive month that shrimp imports have grown. A month earlier, shrimp imports were up 10.9 percent, the largest monthly increase this year.
Shrimp imports from Thailand — by far the United States’ No. 1 shrimp supplier — were down 6.8 percent, to 329.9 million pounds, through the first 10 months of 2011. The country is recovering from the worst flooding in decades, which has impaired its shrimp production, distribution and storage.
However, Indonesia and Ecuador are picking up the slack. So far this year, shrimp imports from Indonesia were up 14.4 percent, to 128.4 million pounds, while shrimp imports from Ecuador were up 11 percent, to 135.8 million pounds.
China and Vietnam are stumbling a bit, with shrimp imports from the two countries down 9.6 percent and 0.3 percent, respectively, so far this year.
Not so for India, which has ramped up its vannamei production this year. Shrimp imports from the country were up an impressive 76.9 percent, to 87.3 million pounds, through the first 10 months of 2011. India is in line to be the United States’ No. 4 shrimp supplier this year, which would be up from No. 6 last year.
U.S. shrimp imports for November are due to be released on 13 January.


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American trade deals typically stretch to thousands of pages.
The new "phase one" trade deal between America and China takes up only 86.
Wang Shouwen, the Chinese deputy representative of international trade negotiations,
described a text with nine chapters, including ones on intellectual property, technology transfer, financial services and dispute settlement.
Robert Lighthizer, the United States Trade Representative (USTR)
gave journalists a glimpse of it on December 13th, hours after it had been agreed. It is due to be signed by both sides in the new year.
Mr Lighthizer said that American tariffs on around $120bn of Chinese imports would be reduced from 15% to 7.5%.
Fresh tariffs due on December 15th were cancelled.
In return, he said, China would ramp up imports of American agricultural products, manufactured goods,
energy products and services by $200bn over two years. Negotiators had set targets for various categories of commodities,
so that agricultural purchases would rise from a baseline of $24bn in 2017 to at least $40bn in 2020 and 2021.
The exact figures would be secret to avoid influencing markets.
These arrangements are sure to attract criticism.
It is hard to see how China will meet its targets while sticking to the World Trade Organisation's principle of non-discrimination.
Joe Glauber of the International Food Policy Research Institute, formerly chief economist of America's Department of Agriculture,
warns that other countries, in particular Australia, Brazil and Canada, may have objections.
He also questions the secrecy regarding the targets, asking "how else would producers get signals on what to plant?"
China, for its part, does not like the idea of becoming so reliant on America for imports of commodities such as soyabeans.
It had long insisted that it was unrealistic for President Donald Trump to demand that it double its purchases of agricultural products from America.


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Hauling Industry News
Record demand for new heavy trucks outpacing supply, stabilizing prices in bloated used marketplace
Thanks to a white-hot freight market, trucking companies this year have ordered new trucks at a record pace.
North American Class 8 orders for March reached 46,300 units – the third highest month on record according to FTR. The 133,900 heavy-duty trucks ordered in the first three months of the year nearly doubled the amount from the same period last year and is largest order total of any quarter in history.


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The federal government has reached a deal with Pfizer Inc. to secure 100 million more doses of the company’s Covid-19 vaccine, an agreement that will bolster the vaccination campaign under way in the U.S., Pfizer and its German partner, BioNTech SE, said Wednesday.
Under the terms of the deal, Pfizer will provide an additional 70 million doses by the end of June, with 30 million to follow by the end of July, the companies said. Pfizer and BioNTech will receive $1.95 billion for the additional doses, consistent with the pricing for the initial supply of the vaccine.
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Users searching for a product on Dorman Products’ website can now use a new tool to check if inventory is available at a jobber nearby.
Dorman announced the new functionality that can check product stock in real-time. After selecting the year, make and model of the vehicle, users can choose from a dropdown list of products categories or through searching the product number. After choosing the specific item, users input their location and a map and list is populated showing where the product is in stock.
Phone numbers and directions to the auto parts store are also available.
“We are always looking for ways to make it easier for repair shops and DIYers to finish a job. With this new capability, it’s now incredibly easy to find our full range of products,” said Steve Gisondi, Dorman’s vice president of marketing. “You can quickly search our tens of thousands of parts and components on a computer or smartphone, and find where they’re available near you, without the hassle of having to call around to multiple locations.”
The tool was created through a partnership between Dorman and software company Epicor. The Dorman website connects directly with store inventory systems at a variety of retailers and distributors to let users know if a part is in stock at specific locations. This is done by leveraging Epicor channel connectivity among parts distribution businesses across North America.
“Dorman is one of the automotive aftermarket’s most innovative suppliers, so it’s no surprise they are on the leading edge of solutions that bring increased access and convenience to the industry’s end-users,” said Tim Hardin, senior vice president and general manager of automotive at Epicor. “We are very proud to have played a role in enabling this important new solution for Dorman and the many parts distribution businesses that offer Dorman’s products.”
Have your say:


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According to the official Instagram page of ‘Dr. Bird’s Advice for Sad Poets’, the movie will be released on Amazon Video on December 8.
Based on the critically acclaimed novel, funny, clever, tackles mental health in a unique way.✨
“Dr. Bird’s Advice For Sad Poets” starring @lucasjzumann, @tayrussell, @davidarquette, @lisaedelstein, and @therealjasonisaacs , will be available on December 8th.


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Celebrating this new release, Weezer will perform a very special show at one very lucky college campus as part of the T-Mobile Motorola CLIQ Challenge, a competition to see which community has what it takes to get Weezer to their local campus.
All Weezer fans need to do is vote on Facebook and the school with the biggest vote will win a live performance by Weezer and a school reward of up to $25,000 (one dollar per vote).
We have six copies of the new CD to give away to Distorted Loop readers. Here’s how it works – the first six readers to comment while leaving a valid email will be contacted with a free copy of the new album. Thanks to YouCast who are providing these prizes. Good luck!!
Next year the company will upgrade the free version of its application, Tap Tap Revenge. The new game will offer support for upgrade packs, selling music to gamers from independent and major labels. The company hopes to release a new upgrade pack each month subsequent to the release of version two.
Tapulous is serious in its strategy to link-up with musicians and labels for numerous generations of its hugely popular Tap Tap Revenge for the iPhone, following news of yesterday’s link-up with EMI with the announcement of a special Christmas version of the game, featuring music from Weezer.
Christmas With Weezer is available now and costs £2.99 (UK), $4.99 (US). It shares the same gaming engine as Tap Tap Dance, and is especially made for holiday season.
Activision plans to triple the quantity of Guitar Hero titles and associated products it produces by 2010, driving a boost to music sales, the company said this week.
The news came as music to the ears of Universal Music president and chief operating officer, Zach Horowitz, who attended an Activision gathering to tell staff and media that song downloads included within Guitar Hero titles saw real-world sales climb on average 200-300% – Weezer’s ‘My Name Is Jonas’ saw sales climb 1,000% as a result of inclusion within Guitar Hero III, he said.
Aiming to create more titles, Activision acquired music specialist and B-Boy developer FreeStyleGames last month. Its new unit is already developing new Guitar Hero content, a report explains.


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Alongside clearance sales, free giveaways, and celebrity appearances, mobile ads might be assuming a place in the pantheon of top traffic-builders at retail. The 2015 “Mobile Audience Insights Report,” released today by NinthDecimal, found that store visits shot up 80% during the first day a mobile ad was run by a retailer, then trailed off to 18% above average the next day before settling back to normal on day three.
The mobile intelligence company’s portrait of mobile marketing in 2014 drew on surveys of 1,500-plus consumer and internal data during the final three quarters—and much changed during just that time. Between Q2 and Q4 of last year, the average time a consumer spent with a mobile ad increased more than five seconds to nearly 29 seconds. Certain verticals (see below) blew that number out of the water: Entertainment companies averaged nearly 47 seconds and retailers clocked in at just over 38 seconds.
Engaging with rich media and videos on larger screen phones was the most likely cause behind these impressive stats. More than half (51%) of mobile ads served in 2014 contained rich media and 17% used video. In 2013, rich media and video ads combined amounted to only 52%. Marketers’ creative abilities also appear to be on the rise, with mobile video ad completion rates rising 31% between Q3 and Q4.
NinthDecimal’s report confirms previous studies pointing to huge upticks in retail activity in the channel. Some 54% of consumers shopped on phones and tablets before making purchases last year, and 35% of them consummated the deal on the device. That compares with only 34% and 23%, respectively, in 2013. Just 18% of mobile shoppers made their purchases on laptops in ‘14, according to the study.
Tech enthusiasts were the audience segment most coveted by programmatic buyers—targets of 48% of mobile ads serviced. The next most popular segment characteristics were, in order, ethnicity (25%), fast food consumers (12%), and car shoppers (7%).


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Local fund to help Shreveport small businesses with safe reopening
Keeping businesses afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic is something municipalities are faced with across the country.
As one solution, the City of Shreveport partnered with SUSLA Community Development Corporation to establish the "Safe Reopening Fund" as a way to help local businesses transition to phased reopening.
Business revenue not only helps businesses, sales taxes are key to city revenue. With the loss of revenue brought on by the pandemic, the city is facing revenue shortfalls and is considering employee furloughs.
"As Shreveport moves into Phase One, we want to assist local businesses with the costs of safely reopening,” Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins said during a Thursday press conference. “While PPE and disinfecting supplies are necessary to ensure a safe reopen, they are also unexpected expenses. The City of Shreveport wants to help ease that burden for local businesses. This fund will not only provide 200 local businesses with money they can use to reopen, but it will also help protect their employees and customers."
The Department of Community Development will make an initial $100,000 available for distribution to small businesses in the form of forgivable micro-loans by way of Community Development Block Grants earmarked for economic development.
Businesses will receive $500, which can be used to cover the cost of personal protective equipment for employees or as working capital to assist with reopening.
Loans will be forgiven after 90 days if recipients meet basic requirements such as following the safe, reopening guidelines prescribed by the State of Louisiana for their respective industry.
Other requirements include (accurate) bookkeeping and one consultation with a SUSLA small business advisor.
“SUSLA is excited to have the opportunity once again to partner with the City of Shreveport in serving this community,” said Rodney Ellis, chancellor of Southern University at Shreveport. “Programs like the Safe Reopening Fund is an example of SUSLA’s commitment to the workforce and economic development needs of the City of Shreveport.”
To qualify, businesses must be legitimate companies in good standing, have fewer than five employees, receive less than $2.5 million annual revenue, and must not have already received federal support such as PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) loans or EIDL (Economic Injury Disaster Loan) loans.
"We're explicitly trying to help the folks that missed out on the federal aid," explained Shreveport Economic Development Director Brandon Fail. "This is a program to get cash into the hands of local businesses when they need it most."
Business owners can apply for the program at www.shreve.biz. The application will remain open through June 5.


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Press Releases • Mar 09, 2015 03:02 EDT
Tobii, the world leader in eye tracking, and EyeTech Digital Systems Inc., an innovator in eye tracking hardware and software, jointly announce that they have entered into a royalty-bearing technology partnership/license agreement giving EyeTech access to Tobii’s patented Region-of-Interest technology.
Press Releases • Feb 05, 2015 12:00 EST
Tobii Tech in partnership with Ubisoft®, announced today that Assassin’s Creed® Rogue, the new installment in the multimillion dollar Assassin’s Creed franchise, will feature integrated eye-tracking input in its PC version.
Press Releases • Feb 02, 2015 07:05 EST
Tobii, the world leader in eye tracking, has appointed Kent Sander as new Chairman of the Board and elected Åsa Hedin new member of the Board. Sander replaces Arne Almerfors who has chosen to step down.
Press Releases • Jan 27, 2015 14:23 EST
The PCEye Explore is an entry level, peripheral eye tracker that opens up the wonderful world of gaze interaction to everyone. With the PCEye Explore, young and inexperienced users get a simple, fun and no-fail way to learn how to use eye tracking and gaze interaction, while at the same time preparing them for AAC.
Press Releases • Dec 29, 2014 08:24 EST
Tobii Tech will showcase how pioneering consumers will take eye-tracking technology out of the lab and into their daily lives in 2015. From the world’s first consumer eye tracker developed in partnership with premier gaming gear brand SteelSeries to the first steps in eye-tracking wearables, Tobii will give a first glimpse into what is waiting for consumers in the coming months.
Press Releases • Dec 11, 2014 08:05 EST
The Analysis Division of Tobii Technology announced today that it has started shipping Tobii Glasses 2. The company’s newest wearable eye tracker is being distributed to Tobii customers, which include many of the world’s leading behavioral research labs within top universities, private research institutions, technology companies, industrial companies and major consumer packaged goods corporations.
Press Releases • Dec 04, 2014 10:05 EST
Tobii Technology announced today the release of a new Tobii EyeX plug-in for Unreal Engine 4. This new addition to the Tobii EyeX SDK provides developers with an exciting set of new features to easily and seamlessly create new gaming experiences never possible before.
Order a Pizza with Your Mind and Eyes Using Pizza Hut Restaurant’s Subconscious Menu by Tobii Eye Tracking
Press Releases • Nov 28, 2014 09:57 EST
Tobii Technology and Pizza Hut Restaurant’s today release footage of the World's first Subconscious Menu, designed to intuitively recognize what the user really wants, even when the user doesn't know themselves.
Press Releases • Nov 12, 2014 04:01 EST
Tobii Technology announced today that its partner ESINOMED GmbH, is launching EyeSeeMed, the world’s first eye-tracking solution that integrates with hospital PACS systems to give surgeons hands-free access to imaging and patient data in sterile surgical environments.
Press Releases • Oct 15, 2014 10:24 EDT
The T-Series, by Tobii Dynavox, has been tremendously successful in the USA, helping thousands of individuals with communication impairments lead a more independent and fulfilled life. Now, the T-Series is being introduced in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa as well.
Press Releases • Oct 15, 2014 08:57 EDT
The eye controlled speech generating devices in the Tobii Dynavox I-Series join the T-Series in supporting the Compass communication software, currently available in U.S. English and German.
Press Releases • Oct 07, 2014 08:30 EDT
Tobii Technology, and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology announced today that they will collaborate to provide students with Tobii EyeX eye trackers to support the university’s Game Development and Entrepreneurship undergraduate program.
Press Releases • Aug 14, 2014 02:25 EDT
Tobii Technology, the global leader in eye tracking, announced today that the Sixth Swedish National Pension Fund (AP6) has invested SEK 100 million (USD 15 million) in the company, which will be used to finance Tobii’s acquisition of Dynavox LLC and Tobii’s continued expansion.
Overwolf to Bring Eye Tracking Overlays to 600 games for launch of the SteelSeries Sentry Eye Tracker Powered by Tobii
Press Releases • Aug 08, 2014 07:04 EDT
Tobii Technology and SteelSeries announced today they will be giving audiences at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) Europe Aug. 11-13 and gamescom Aug. 14-17 a sneak preview of eye tracking technology and overlays in over 600 games as part of a new collaboration with top gaming software developer Overwolf.
Press Releases • May 29, 2014 07:06 EDT
Press Releases • May 22, 2014 13:55 EDT
Tobii Technology, the global leader in eye tracking, today announced it has reached an agreement to acquire 100 percent of the membership interest in DynaVox Systems LLC, a leading provider of speech-generating devices and symbol-adapted special education software. The future merger will solidify Tobii’s Assistive Technology division as the international leader in the AAC and accessibility market.
Press Releases • May 20, 2014 07:05 EDT
The Analysis Division of Tobii Technology, the leader in eye-tracking research solutions, today announced the launch of Tobii Glasses 2, the lightest and most advanced wearable eye-tracking research system in the world. Tobii Glasses 2 offers unprecedented functionality including wireless live viewing and opens up new opportunities for natural human behavior research in real-world environments.
Press Releases • May 08, 2014 07:05 EDT
Tobii Technology, the global leader in eye tracking, today announced that it has started to ship the Tobii EyeX Controller to developers who have pre-ordered the dev kit. The first batch will now be shipped to developers who want to integrate eye tracking into mainstream Windows applications and PC games. To celebrate the EyeX launch, Tobii is offering the dev kit for $95 through the end of May.


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Colorado has taken a dynamic approach to regulating vaping products over the past decade. Here’s a more detailed look at how vape laws have progressed:
Are Vapes Legal in Colorado?
2010-2016: Initial vaping regulations
Between 2010-2016, Colorado’s vaping laws focused on light regulation:
In 2010, Colorado amended its Clean Indoor Air Act to prohibit vaping in indoor areas like restaurants, offices, and bars. This put vaping on par with existing cigarette bans.
In 2013, the Colorado legislature passed bills to begin taxing vapes and nicotine e-liquids as tobacco products. The bills levied a wholesale tax on vape product distributors.
In 2016, Colorado lawmakers passed the first laws directly regulating packaging and labeling of vape products. This included:
- Requiring child-resistant caps on liquid nicotine containers.
- Mandating labels with nicotine content, warnings, and ingredients.
- Banning the use of cartoon characters or sponsorships targeting youth.
A 2016 law also officially prohibited selling any tobacco or vape product to minors under 18. Until then, age limits were left to local governments.
Major regulatory changes from 2019-2021
Starting in 2019, Colorado significantly increased vaping regulations:
In March 2019, Colorado raised the minimum age for purchasing tobacco and vaping products to 21 years old. This aligned with a new federal law.
The Colorado Legislature passed sweeping vape regulations in May 2019, including:
- Banning all vape flavors except tobacco and marijuana. Fruit, candy, mint, and menthol nicotine flavors were prohibited to curb youth vaping.
- Requiring all nicotine vape liquids to be child-resistant without exceptions.
- Creating tobacco retailer licensing for all vape and e-cigarette sellers.
- Allowing only licensed retailers to sell online and prohibiting third-party marketplace sales.
- Levying a special tax on nicotine vaping products.
In November 2019, amid the national outbreak of vaping lung illness EVALI, Colorado temporarily banned all nicotine vape sales. The ban was lifted after 4 months when vitamin E acetate was identified as the likely culprit.
In 2021, Colorado signed a new law increasing fines for underage vape sales up to $15,000. It also began requiring reporting of vaping product ingredients.
Current status as of 2023
Colorado’s vaping laws continue evolving but include strict regulations as of 2023:
- 21 minimum age for all tobacco and nicotine purchases, including vapes.
- Indoor vaping bans for nicotine products in all public spaces, workplaces, transit, etc.
- Flavor ban on all non-tobacco/non-marijuana nicotine vape liquids.
- Child-resistant packaging mandate on nicotine vape liquids.
- Retailer licensing requirement for all vape sellers.
- Tax levied specifically on nicotine vaping products and components.
- Ban on vitamin E acetate as a thinning agent in vape liquids.
Vaping Product Bans in Colorado
While regulated nicotine vaping is permitted, Colorado has instituted total bans on certain product categories:
Banned nicotine vape products
- Non-tobacco/non-menthol flavored nicotine vape juices (fruit, dessert, candy, mint, etc).
- Pre-filled nicotine vape pods and cartridges in flavors besides tobacco and menthol.
- Disposable flavored nicotine vapes.
Banned marijuana vape products
- Marijuana vapes containing vitamin E acetate additives.
- Marijuana vape cartridges over 1 gram or with over 800mg THC.
Banned for all vapes
- Vapes marketed toward children through cartoons, toys, or sweet flavors.
- Vape components containing DEHP, DiBP, or other hazardous “forever chemicals”.
- Vapes making unapproved therapeutic or modified risk claims.
Fines and Penalties in Colorado
Colorado has implemented fines and penalties for violating vaping laws:
- Illegal sales of vapes to minors under 21 incur fines up to $15,000. Retailers face license suspension or revocation.
- Minors face graduated penalties for underage possession like fines up to $200 and tobacco education programs.
- Public vaping in prohibited indoor areas results in fines around $500 per infraction.
- Manufacturing, distributing, or importing banned vape products can lead to criminal charges.
- Unlicensed vape sellers may face up to $500 in fines per violation and be shut down by state regulators.
Public Vaping Restrictions in Colorado
Colorado prohibits vaping of any substance, including nicotine and marijuana, in indoor public spaces like:
- Restaurants, bars, coffee shops
- Retail stores
- Public transit and bus stops
- Entertainment venues such as movie theaters
- Hotels, indoor pools, and common areas
- Enclosed stadiums and arenas
- Lobbies, hallways, and other indoor public domains
Outdoor areas like parks, sidewalks, and trails set their own vaping rules. Most prohibit marijuana but allow tobacco e-cigs.
Workplaces, colleges, hospitals, and multi-unit housing may further restrict vaping via their own policies. Homeowner associations can also limit vaping on properties.
In summary, vaping laws remain complex in Colorado with separate regulations on nicotine and marijuana products. But the state has instituted comprehensive age limits, retail restrictions, bans on certain products, and public vaping prohibitions.
Frequently Asked Questions on Vaping Laws in CO
Q1. Is it completely illegal to buy or use a vape in Colorado under 21?
Yes, Colorado bans all possession of vaping products including e-cigarettes by those under 21. There are graduated fines and penalties for minors caught with vapes.
Q2. Where am I allowed to vape nicotine legally in Colorado?
The only place you can legally vape nicotine products is in private residences or in specifically designated outdoor smoking areas. Indoor public spaces have complete nicotine vaping bans.
Q3. Can I still buy menthol nicotine vape juice in Colorado?
Yes, menthol flavored nicotine e-liquids remain legal for sale at licensed tobacco retailers and vape shops in Colorado. All other flavors besides tobacco and menthol are prohibited.
Q4. Can I bring THC vaping products back to Colorado from other states?
No, it remains illegal to transport marijuana products including THC vapes across state lines even between other recreational states. Only marijuana purchases from licensed Colorado retailers are legal.
Q5. Do vaping laws vary between cities and counties within Colorado?
Most vaping laws are set at the state level but local jurisdictions can implement additional vaping bans, flavor restrictions, or age limits beyond the state minimums. Check local ordinances before vaping.
In summary, vaping laws remain complex but regulated vaping is permitted in Colorado. However nicotine and marijuana vapes face separate restrictions on age limits, approved products, public use, and retail sales.


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WINDSOR — George Saponare will once again host the ‘Christmas Tree and Holiday Festival’ at his Windsor home, a benefit for the Windsor Food and Fuel Bank.
Visitors can tour the home Dec. 14 and 15 from 1 to 5 p.m. Cash donations or nonperishable food items are accepted, with the proceeds to the Windsor Food and Fuel Bank.
The home exudes the holiday spirit, as spectacularly decorated trees, lights, toys, music boxes, and garland fill the space. Saponare offered a preview as he laid out more decorations or added final touches.
A self-described Christmas “fanatic,” Saponare said his love for Christmas harks back to his childhood, visiting the G. Fox Department Store in Hartford.
“It was one of my favorite places. I bought furniture there that I still have,” he said. “When I saw their Christmas displays, I couldn’t resist.”
Saponare still displays ornaments he bought from G. Fox, adding to his collection over the years. He typically puts up 30 trees throughout his two-story home, which include five, nine-footers, and all the way to table size.
He makes sure each tree has a theme, like Mardi Gras or angels or Santa Claus. A Dickens village dominates an upstairs room.
A retired teacher, Saponare said the electric bill doesn’t worry him.
“It’s high, but I don’t care. It’s once a year, fun, and something that gives me pleasure,” he said, “a lot of other people pleasure, too.”
The open house started after his neighbors noticed him putting up decorations and more decorations. As interest grew, he incorporated the charitable component.
“I go through all of this work, and I enjoy it,” he said, “but let’s benefit the Windsor community.”
He raised more than $1,500 in 2018.
Ernest Perreault, the president of the Windsor Food and Fuel Bank, said, “We are very grateful to George Saponare for creating a wonderful holiday treat for the public to enjoy, and to help raise food, funds, and awareness for the Windsor Food & Fuel Bank at the same time. That is the true spirit of the holiday season.”


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SUNNYVALE, Calif. /California Newswire/ — The latest "US Remodeling Sentiment Report" from Remodel or Move indicated that the continued economic recovery has favorably affected homeowners. Homeowner respondents report their average home equity is now over $165,000, up from $115,000 in 2013, which combined with continued low interest rates and pent-up demand for home repair and improvements, is fueling growth. The size of an average remodel has gone up from 3.4 rooms in 2013 to 5.3 rooms in 2015.
"Bathroom and kitchen remodels remain the most popular improvements homeowners intend to make this year, but in stark contrast to previous years, the number of other rooms that homeowners plan to add or remodel has grown significantly," said Dan Fritschen, principal report author at remodelormove.com.
"The dramatic increase in home equity and consumer confidence combined with the projects that homeowners postponed during the recession has fueled a move toward remodels and home additions that are of larger scope and scale than in past years."
Even with the significant increase in the size of remodels – the DIY spirit is strong with close to 60% of homeowners planning to do some of the remodeling work themselves. The increase in home equity creates a wealth affect that drives the percent of homeowners who report they will use expensive materials up to 23% of respondents from a low of 10% in 2010 at the depths of the recession.
First published in 2005, the US Remodeling Sentiment Report is published by the popular website remodelormove.com. The report has 10 years of data containing millions of data points from U.S. homeowners, which are used to document and project homeowners remodeling preferences.
http://www.remodelormove.com/ has provided the information homeowners need to make savvy remodeling and moving decisions, reduce stress and get more for the money they invest in – remodeling their current home or moving to a home that better meets their needs.
|Specific findings from the Spring 2015 US Remodeling Sentiment Report:|
|Average Home Equity:||$165,000|
|Average Value of Home Before Remodel:||$353,000|
|Average Estimated Cost of Remodel:||$151,000|
|Average Number of Rooms to be remodeled or added:||5.3|
|Percentage of Homeowners who report they will:|
|Do a lot of the work themselves||20%|
|Do a little of the work themselves||39%|
|Do none of the work themselves||41%|
|Use Expensive materials||23%|
|Use Economy Materials||5%|
For questions or comments regarding the above news announcement, contact the company/organization(s) mentioned in the text, and not this website.
Copyright © 2015 CaliforniaNewswire® and Neotrope®. California Newswire is a publication of the Neotrope News Network and a U.S. reg. TM of Neotrope.


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U.S. stocks closed down more than 1 percent on the last day of trade for April as investors weighed mixed data and continued weakness in the dollar.» Read More
Wal-Mart is doing what none of its competitors can do to gain its share of the $106 billion in economic stimulus check rebates that Americans will be receiving over the next few weeks. The world's biggest retailer Wal-Mart will:
Wal-Mart Stores said Tuesday that it would cash U.S. tax rebate checks for free in its U.S. discount stores, with no purchase required.
Plus, Brazil as the exception to the Latin American rule, the best play on lithium batteries and more.
With big media earnings due this week, find out what former Disney Chief Michael Eisner says every trader should know! That, plus our other "Trade Tomorrow" plays!
Cramer makes the call on viewers' favorite stocks.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry asked the government to cut "skyrocketing" food prices by waiving half of the renewable fuel standard for ethanol made from grain.
Wall Street has been busy figuring out where and when consumers will spend their rebate checks, even as the latest consumer sentiment numbers show U.S. consumers are more distressed than they've been since 1982.
With consumers under siege from skyrocketing fuel and food prices, what’s the best way to play a penny–pinching population?
What would you do with $600? If you're an American making $75,000 or less, you'll be receiving a rebate check in that amount by the end of May. Spend that payout on groceries at Kroger or Supervalu and those stores plan to give you some extra cash on top of that government money...
Looking for a retail trade that could make the competition green with envy. Commander Planet to the rescue!
No reason to panic just yet but on Wednesday Sam's Club began limiting purchases of rice to only four bags per customer. What’s going on?
It costs consumers more to buy ‘green’ or eco-friendly products. But retailers are hoping that consumers’ conscience will override price-consciousness when it comes to buying these green lines.
On a day like Friday it's easy to get carried away with the market's big move. Should you trade the momentum or focus on fundamentals?
The prodigious American consumer electronics industry may be providing consumers with somewhat more ‘eco-friendly’ products. but it remains an industry with a dark side: mountains of toxic e-waste.
Shoes made from old tires, fleeces made from recycled plastic and organic cotton shirts -- they’re all part of an eco-friendly fashion movement that is gaining momentum.
Shares in Australian logistics firm Brambles fell almost 18% on Friday on concern it may lose business after it said U.S. retailer Wal-Mart Stores was reviewing the way it sources pallets.
Earnings beat or not, Jeff Macke thinks there are better places to play.
Cash your stimulus check at Sears and the company will give you a bonus gift card worth 10 percent of that check. What's the catch? You have to cash your entire check and trade it in for a giftcard that has to be redeemed at a Sears, Kmart or a Land's End sometime between May 14 and July 19th.
A crucial economic report is due Wednesday. Will it reveal that 70’s style inflation is back in fashion?
To give investors an edge, CNBC asked market experts to share their best retail plays.


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(BrightPress.org) – A Southeast Washington, D.C. Giant grocery store removed major name brand products like Tide detergents, Advil, and Colgate toothpaste from their offerings in order to void the impact that their regular theft has on their bottom line.
President of the chain Ira Kress told Washington Post reporters that they couldn’t continue to offer the products due to their rampant and frequent theft. These particular items would disappear from shelves after being out for only a few hours, Kress said, meaning legitimate shoppers weren’t able to purchase them anyway.
Kress said that they couldn’t afford to offer the items with the current rate of thievery and this was after they changed policies requiring shoppers to show receipts and investing significant amounts of cash into hiring security guards. He suggested that the rate of theft from the Alabama Avenue D.C. store has increased dramatically in the last few years as well as the potential threat of violence against their employees.
Kress said they’ve invested more in the operation of that store than any other due to security concerns.
Schick razors, Dove soap, Tide detergent, and Degree deodorant are just a few of the name brands they couldn’t keep on the shelves. Senior vice president of operations Diane Hicks said she’d like to put the products out for customers in the store but unfortunately, they attract the criminal element and drives theft since the items have a high resale value on the black market.
Kress further suggested the only other option they have is to close the store which would force locals to look elsewhere for their needs.
San Francisco recently lost a 35-year-old Nordstrom after a string of thefts left them unable to operate profitably. Many department stores are experiencing spikes in thefts and robberies across the state of California. Masked thieves in Pasadena stole a half-million in products from a jewelry store after ambushing the owner with pepper spray, leaving him too stunned to resist their smash-and-grab.
Sam Babikian is thankful he survived the ordeal but reports all his merchandise was stolen. Thieves raided a Home Depot in Long Beach as well, making off with several thousand dollars in power tools.
Copyright 2023, BrightPress.org


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In the social media world, things happen fast, to the extent that market leaders go out of business in a matter of a few months. It is a market defined by the most trending technology that can enhance the user experience over what they already use. Zuckerberg knew this at the beginning of his career. He has always been smart to replicate things and make them trendier.
He put Orkut out of business and was swift in acquiring WhatsApp and Instagram. With billions of active users on his different platforms, he knows how technology works and how to keep social media users engaged. It’s just that he hasn’t been able to get his game right and find an answer to some complex technological questions.
Rebranding the entire Facebook sphere did not help much
By rebranding Facebook to Meta and creating Threads, a Twitter (X) rival, Mark Zuckerberg certainly thought that the company’s fortune would change. He expected the branding and a new launch tactic to increase active users, increase time spent on various Meta platforms, and bring a new lease of life to the company’s functioning with an increase in employee morale and a boost in stock prices. But is it this easy?
So far, nothing has gone right, as seen with the loss in market value, tanking stock price, loss of advertising revenue and massive layoffs. It might be – it has happened in the past with other big brands, tech and non-tech. But the success rate has been much lower than the failure rate.
A brand name change and promoting the idea of Metaverse was expected to do wonders, but it nosedived within a couple of months. The stocks crashed, and Mark Zuckerberg accepted that the Facebook user base is seeing a sharp decline, and the stiff competition with the rise of TikTok and some other factors has put a big dent in future hopes.
Meta stock crashed. Market value nosedived by $700 billion in 2022. It saw the biggest one-day crash in history. The freefall continued, and people are waiting for another strong move from Zuckerberg that is promising and is not hollow like the Meta rebranding strategy. Let’s look at some of the main reasons users are losing interest in Facebook and why Meta is set to face even bigger challenges in the coming times.
TikTok is the new market leader and the biggest threat to Meta
Mark Zuckerberg openly criticized the Chinese app Musical.ly, but in 2016, he went all out to acquire the company. He did not succeed, and Bytedance acquired Musical.ly in a deal worth $800 million. Things would have been quite different if Zuckerberg had successfully acquired it, but it was not meant to be. Today, it is TikTok that is the real giant slayer.
He has openly accepted that Meta’s reduced user base is mostly because of the increasing popularity of TikTok. It’s in trend, and TikTok stats are proof of its popularity. TikTok login numbers are at a new high, and advertisers love it for this. TikTok videos are proving to be the new advertising hotspot for marketers, which means Facebook’s monopoly is being challenged.
TikTok, the short video format social media platform, is the new craze, and it’s this app that has made the deep cut into Meta’s active user base. Zuckerberg pumped billions to make Instagram Reels the top short video app, but so far, he has completely failed to crack the secret codes that make the TikTok video app extremely popular. TikTok algorithms are superior in every regard, and both YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels have failed to crack the secret codes.
TikTok currently has 1 billion active users and 3 billion installations, with every user spending an average of 850 minutes every month. This is phenomenal, and there’s nobody more hurt than Zuckerberg to see these staggering numbers. For now, TikTok users are in love with the app, no matter what data security it offers or how long it will remain in the market.
Facebook is reaching the ex-growth stage
Facebook has been around for 18 years. Facebook consistently came up with new features that attracted every age group, which helped the social media platform acquire users at a high rate. But in the last year or so, Facebook seems to be reaching the ex-growth stage where new users don’t sign up, and the old ones start becoming inactive.
The king of the social media sphere does not interest the users anymore for various reasons like the availability of other better options (other Meta apps or non-Meta apps), the lack of something extraordinary or something that is simply new, and the security issues which have surrounded Facebook for many years causing mistrust among the users.
Apple’s iOS 14.5 update cost Meta dearly
Apple is the new market leader, and it makes rules. Nobody knows it better than EPIC Games, the makers of Fortnite. The antitrust legal battle is the talk of the town, but in Apple’s courtroom, which is the App Store, Apple decides everything. Elon Musk, the Twitter CEO, faced the heat when he launched a barrage of clash-inciting tweets against Tim Cook and Apple. His controversial tweets and outright intention to take Apple heads-on ended in his unilateral surrender to the smartphone market leader. Apple controls a lucrative market of above $1000 smartphone buyers, with a 78% market share.
When Apple came up with a new update in 2021, it made matters worse for Mark Zuckerberg. Apple’s iOS 14.5 update, released in April 2021, cost Meta around $10 billion in 2022. The iOS update allows users to disable the app tracking feature, which has caused big troubles for Meta. The new security feature in Apple phones means Meta cannot show personalized ads to users who choose not to be tracked on their smartphones. This has caused huge losses in ad sales, which is the primary source of revenue for any app or website.
Apple phones have always had this feature, but the popup prompt makes users choose the option more freely. All the negative news around Facebook user data handling had already created a situation, and the Apple update meant a final blow for Meta.
Meta expansion plans are centralized-oriented
The digital world is adopting blockchain technology at a fast pace, and every idea that centers around decentralization promises a better digital future. Somehow, what Meta promises comes with a centralized approach. Mark Zuckerberg is pumping in a lot of money in Metaverse, with an initial investment of $10 billion.
The major revenue earner will be the ads that will provide a realistic experience in the virtual world. It might be a game-changer in the future, but for now, it is only in the initial development phase. Technology is more about what’s there now or about to come up in the next year or two and not about the next few years.
Although the idea of Meta is dynamic and highly promising, people have not known Zuckerberg to be very liberal and prudent in data handling and have always seen the company functioning on a centralized approach. This has been a huge reason behind people’s disinterest in Meta.
Heightened scrutiny of Meta
Facebook and controversies go hand in hand. In Britain, the regulators fined Meta £1.5m for breaching the online animated GIF maker Giphy merger enforcement order. You would rightly think of this amount as just a flea bite for Facebook. But Facebook’s trouble with different governments does not end here. The regulators also plan to crack down on the company over human trafficking, fraud and revenge porn.
In the US, the FTC charged Facebook with anticompetitive conduct in running the business. The genocide in Myanmar, the Cambridge Analytica scandal, misinformation surrounding the 2016 US Presidential election, the $5 billion fine over user privacy, the failure of cryptocurrency Libra, and energy usage issues, Facebook has had its own large share of controversies. Over a period of time, it has eroded the people’s confidence in many ways and made regulatory bodies alert about every move the company made.
The future of Facebook – And Meta
A large number of advertisers are exploring Pinterest and TikTok. Amazon is becoming the first choice for ad spending by advertisers. Amazon DSP hailed as the next big thing – better than Google Display Network and Facebook Ads
$700 million in fines in 2022 alone
Stock falling to lows of around $90 in 2022, market value loss of $700 billion
Layoffs – more than 11000 employees in 2022 (13% of the workforce.
Massive investment in Metaverse development – something which is not expected to provide any returns in the near future. Meta spent $10 billion in 2021 on the development of Metaverse.
Gen Z continues to exit Facebook and favors TikTok over Instagram. Threads did not impress anyone.
Although not discussed in detail, the pointers here throw light on the future of Meta. Meta, including Instagram and Facebook, is set to face headwinds in the future. For now, it seems Mark Zuckerberg cannot do much about the challenges he faces in keeping Meta on top. Threads app was being seen as a gamechanger but sadly, it died down pretty quickly after the initial euphoria. The only way for him to succeed in the long-term is to come up with something unique, something disruptive.


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It looks like everyone's getting into Halloween this year. WRAL'sWisdom Martinvisited a haunted neighborhood in Cary Tuesday night.
Halloween is a big event to many people, especially in the area ofdecorations, which can get pretty expensive depending on what you buy.Pumpkins, the most simple of decorations, can range anywhere from $10 to$20. Some people said they spend their money on decorations just for thefun.
A cut-off head, a graveyard and tombstones are all common sights at themall in October. The Halloween Express opens its doors the third week inAugust and keeps them open until the day after Halloween.
It takes three or four days to set up, and it costs the company a bundle.Manager Gail Campbell says it's all worth it.
The decorations are fun and very rewarding financially. The store averagesabout $4,000 a day in sales during the season. So who's buying all thestuff? Families like the the Mazurick's, who went all out in a frighteningdisplay in their yard. There is a gate, fog, tombstones and every creepy,crawly creature of the night. The set-up cost the Mazuricks quite a bit.
"It costs us probably a thousand dollars to set it all up, but we enjoyspending it," said Walter Mazurick, decorator.
They also decorate all over the house and yard. Mazurick said it takes alot of money and a lot of time.
Unlike a business, their rewards aren't measured with money.
"I enjoy doing something for the community, we look forward to it everyyear," said Mazurick.
The Mazurick's didn't have to pay for everything, some items were donatedto them.
Reporter: Wisdom Martin
Copyright 2023 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Editor’s Note: This is a sponsored post, bought and paid for by the Doritos brand.
Baseball, for many fans, has faded from view. The NHL has contract issues, and many foresee another cancellation of an entire hockey season. Basketball, meh. This time of year means one thing, football.
As we quickly approach midseason, the ad world begins to look towards the Super Bowl. This year, Doritos is back on the seventh anniversary of the Crash The Superbowl program, the consumer generated ads where wannabe admen and directors take their shot at fame and fortune by earning the air time for everyone’s favorite game day snack.
I’ll summon my best Don LaFontaine voice “In a world where Doritos crashes the Super Bowl, Doritos raises the stakes higher than ever before. One Man (or woman, thanks legal dept), has a chance to work with Michael Bay on the next installment of the “Transformers” movie franchise. And, a shot at a $1 million bonus.”
Michael, freaking, Bay. Whom, incidentally, got his start doing TV in the ad biz.
From now until Nov. 16, 2012, participants in the contest can visit the Doritos Facebook Page and upload their :30 homemade commercials.
New to this year’s contest, the app will feature a “Pitch In” collaboration tool that allows fans from all walks of life to interact with each other and assist with the creation of Crash the Super Bowl entries by requesting or offering up props, talent and other items contestants need to create their potentially winning ads. Now, anyone from any background can play a role in the creation of the next great Doritos masterpiece. The app will also house the traditional toolbox where Doritos logos, product shots, music and animations are available for download and use, as well as the gallery of all contest submissions where fans can view submissions and weigh in on their personal favorites.
Five finalist ads will be announced in January 2013. Then it will be up to fans to vote for their favorite consumer-created ad. The Doritos brand originally introduced Crash the Super Bowl in 2007, and aired its first consumer-created commercial during Super Bowl XLIV. Over the last six years, consumer-created Doritos ads have consistently ranked within the top-five spots of the USA TODAY Ad Meter, and three of the last four years they have scored the No. 1 ranking. As a result, the creators of these top-ranked winning ads have been awarded millions of dollars in grand prize money. Contest finalists have also gone on to receive commercial work, Hollywood representation and other once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. To date, the brand has received more than 19,000 consumer-generated ad submissions, further demonstrating the popularity of the award-winning program.


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Gridserve breaks ground at Gatwick Airport
Gridserve has broken ground on its so-called latest Electric Forecourt amidst “multiple global headwinds,” so CEO Toddington Harper. Once completed in 2023, the new high-power charge hub will enable 36 EVs to be charged simultaneously with up to 350 kW.
UK: Gridserve accelerates ultra-rapid charging network
Gridserve is building its ultra-rapid charging hubs in the UK, following plans announced last summer. There are already eleven charging parks under construction, each with six to twelve high power charging points, according to Gridserve. The company expects to finish 20 so-called Electric Hubs by Q2 2022.
London Gatwick expanding electric car sharing
The UK airport has launched a car-sharing service with ten electric vehicles and charge points from Bolloré’s BlueCity, building on an earlier trial. The vehicles are part of a larger city fleet, and can be used and dropped anywhere in London.
Gatwick, Proterra, Tesla, Vector, SemaConnect.
Electric Gatwick: The London airport wants to become the “UK’s leading low carbon airport” by 2025. That also means it will electrify its entire fleet over the coming 10 years.
More efficient: According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Proterra’s all-electric buses are four times more efficient than buses running on compact natural gas. The study looked at a pilot scheme in California’s Foothill Transit, where 12 Proterra buses are in service.
EV feud: A new bill could put an end to Tesla’s direct sales model in the U.S. state of Indiana from July 1st, 2016. The EV maker blames GM to behind the measure, who responded to the allegations by saying that Tesla should not play by “special rules” when competing against “similarly capable vehicles and similar price points” – meaning the Chevy Bolt going up against the Tesla Model 3.
autoblog.com (bill); autoblog.com (GM)
Vector expands network: New Zealand’s Vector added two more rapid and one standard charger to its network in the city of Auckland. The company also said that it will install at least another 13 fast-chargers in the country over the next six months.
Charging USA: SemaConnect has installed five new charging stations at three The Wiseman Company properties in California. Four stations will be reserved for tenants and local drivers, while the fifth is open to the public. Meanwhile, DC Solar will install six portable, solar-powered EV chargers for the NASCAR weekend in Las Vegan, Nevada, next month.
pressreleaserocket.net (California), pressreleaserocket.net (Nevada)


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Walmart’s Possible Flipkart Acquisition Would Open a New Front in War with Amazon
India’s retail market could face a major upheaval soon if Walmart can close a big deal with e-commerce giant Flipkart. According to Bloomberg, Walmart hopes to acquire a controlling interest in Flipkart for $12 billion or more and announce the agreement in as many as two weeks. Bloomberg, which cited sources in its report, said that the entire Flipkart board has signed on to the investment. If Walmart can clear a few more hurdles to get the deal done, the company could soon be a prominent player in India’s exploding retail market.
With a population of 1.3 billion and recent changes that pave the way for a more competitive business environment, India is widely viewed as the next big frontier for companies to do business. But because of some difficult regulations that have kept foreign companies at bay, many of India’s corporate leaders are local organizations.
American companies, hoping to capitalize on India’s gigantic consumer base, have been lining up to enter the market and acquisitions have proven to be an important way for them to gain a foothold.
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For Walmart, the implications are clear. Flipkart is India’s biggest and most popular online retail company and has quickly cemented itself as the go-to place for consumers to buy products. While Amazon had reportedly considered at least partnering with Flipkart, the Indian company’s board ultimately decided that Walmart would be a better acquiring party, according to Bloomberg’s sources. Walmart stands to face fewer regulatory problems and could ultimately get its deal done more efficiently, the sources said.
But Amazon isn’t standing idly by. Instead, the company has already said that it’s willing to put $5.5 billion into India in the coming years and has already started making modifications to its site’s policies and design to play within government regulations and attract Indian shoppers. The moves have helped Amazon capture market share from Flipkart and establish itself as a worthy alternative.
Walmart, meanwhile, has done little in India. But a Flipkart acquisition clearly positions the retailer as a direct competitor to Amazon and opens yet another front in their international battle.
According to the report, Walmart could ultimately acquire between 60% and 80% of Flipkart through the transaction. The deal then would value Flipkart at $20 billion.


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The designer has been stepping on the business accelerator since finding backers in South Korean marketing company SK Networks Co. Ltd. last year. Chai has added resort and pre-fall deliveries, and now hopes for additional growth with men's wear and his first freestanding retail unit. There is also speculation that he is designing a limited edition collection for Target.
"A lot of people are doing accessories, but I wanted to start with men's wear because there is a huge void in that market," Chai said of the men's line, which features a mix of sleek wovens and knits with the same kind of architectural details that inform his women's wear. "It's things I want to wear and my friends want to wear."
Chai plans to sell the pieces alongside his women's wear in his first freestanding store, which he hopes to open for fall. However, he still has to find a location in Manhattan. "I have been looking at Madison Avenue, and downtown in the far West Village," he said.
With all these new initiatives, Chai recently retained Baron & Baron to work on marketing and branding his label. It resulted in a sleek brand book about the designer, with the text supplied by Glenn O'Brien, who was just named co-editorial director with Fabien Baron of Interview magazine.
"It was important to me, as my company is growing, to have a bible about what my brand stands for," Chai said. "As we start to develop retail stores and work with architects, it will offer a consistency.
"It will also be useful as we expand and look at other categories, including licenses for fragrance or shoes," he added.
Chai brought in Robert Burke Associates to help with merchandising and developing his wholesale business, which includes stores such as Barneys New York, Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman.
After his fall runway show, Chai plans to relocate to a 9,000-square-foot office on Grand Street that will feature a design studio and atelier, a showroom, a sales office and a finance department. "It will be the whole Richard Chai world," he said.Although a gig as consulting creative director for Onward Kashiyama's contemporary line Nave ended last year, Chai's design touch may be found elsewhere next year should he become the next guest designer for Target's Go International initiative. Chai declined to comment.
@fearofgod and @maxfieldla have teamed up on a pop-up installation. The store, located in the gallery space across from Maxfield’s Melrose Ave location, is the site of the brand’s House of God pop-up in which Fear of God founder @jerrylorenzo has created a church-inspired installation. A dozen vintage church pews sit in front of an LED screen playing 90s gospel singers in an effort to re-create an environment akin to a Southern Baptist Church, Lorenzo explained. Read more about the pop-up on WWD.com #wwdfashion (📷: Jennifer Johnson)
Known for his sleek, sophisticated American glamour, Norman Norell is the subject of an upcoming exhibition at @fitnyc. “Norell: Dean of American Fashion,” which runs from February 9 through April 14, will feature approximately 100 ensembles and accessories. His best work is exemplified by the designer’s glittering “mermaid” gowns frosted with thousands of hand-sewn sequins – like the one pictured. (📷: William Helburn) #wwdfashion
For pre-fall 2018, @balmain didn’t let go of the glitz. A crystal embroidered baseball jacket priced at around $40,000 hangs in the “couture” section of the brand’s first men’s pre-collection. Sporting the words “Balmain Army” across the back, the item took around two months to make. “When it was completed, it was like Christmas, it was like, ‘It’s done, it’s exactly what I wanted,’” said Balmain’s creative director @olivier_rousteing during a tour of the collection in a Paris showroom on Monday. #wwdfashion
Eighty degree temperatures and outdoor installations at the annual Art Basel Miami Beach called for bright, elevated beachwear. See more street style pictures on WWD.com. #theyarewearing #ABMB (📷: @lifeinreverie)
Following September’s emotional tribute to her brother Gianni, Donatella Versace wanted to bring the spring show’s deep sense of intimacy to her @versace_official pre-fall collection. Donatella found inspiration in Versace Palazzo in Milan and from Gianni’s opulent apartment. Archival patterns and new motifs were splashed on silk shirtdresses and fitted jersey frocks. See the rest of the photos on WWD.com. #wwdfashion
Demna Gvasalia continues to shake up the Paris fashion calendar — and experiment with new runway timetables for his @vetements_official brand. WWD has learned that Vetements plans to stage its next coed show for the fall 2018 season on January 19 during Men’s Fashion Week in the French capital. Details about the timing and venue have not been confirmed — stay tuned on WWD.com to catch the latest. #wwdnews (📷: @giovanni_giannoni_photo)
@zacposen's go-to holiday gift? Cookies! "I'll usually bake cookies and send them as a gift," said the designer, who recently released his cookbook "Cooking With Zac: Recipes from Rustic to Refined." Get the recipe for his Brown Butter-Chocolate Chip Cookies via link in bio 🍪🍪🍪 #wwdeye #cookingwithzac
For @monsemaison’s pre-fall 2018 collection, Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim honed in on the brand’s many signatures — men’s wear, which was tweaked and feminized through deconstruction, proportion play and lots of bare shoulders. See the rest of the photos on WWD.com #wwdfashion (📷: George Chinese)
On Friday night, @yohjiyamamotoofficial received the Design for Asia Lifetime Achievement Award in Hong Kong. The 75-year-old designer has been celebrated for many years and is best known for his dark and avant-garde tailoring. “In my long career, in design, architecture, [I’ve been to] so many parties, this is the very first time that I have such a warm feeling, I really appreciate this,” Yamamoto said. #wwdfashion (📷: @dominiquemaitre)


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If you’ve been working hard to build your credit score by making wise financial decisions and paying your bills on time, it may come as a surprise that some of those timely payments may not be impacting your credit score at all.
“Traditionally, credit scores are not impacted by utility, phone and cable TV bills unless they are severely delinquent,” explained Rod Griffin, director of consumer education and awareness at Experian.
Utility and other similar providers typically do not report positive payment information to the three national credit bureaus — Equifax, TransUnion and Experian — which is why this information is not usually included in your credit report or factored into your credit score. But Experian recently launched a new program, called Experian Boost™, that gives individuals more control over their credit scores by self-reporting these positive payments.
The Open Door Coalition spoke to Griffin to learn more about how Experian Boost works, and how you can leverage your utility, phone and internet bills to improve your credit score.
Timely payments are the No. 1 factor that goes into calculating your credit score, so the first step toward getting your utility payments to work in your favor is to make sure they are paid on time.
While positive payments on these types of accounts are not automatically reported to credit bureaus, delinquent accounts are, said Griffin. “If you’re late on a utility, phone and/or cable TV bill, your provider may report late payment information to Experian, and it would show up on your credit report in the form of a collection.”
For credit agencies to be notified of your delinquent account, it must be more than 30 days past due, he said. For instance, missing a payment by a few days or a couple weeks may be considered overdue by the provider and result in late fees or penalties, but if a payment is made before the 30-day mark, it should not impact your credit.
However, remember it’s always best to pay all your bills on or before the due date to be certain it doesn’t hurt your credit.
Once you’ve established a good history of on-time cell phone, internet, cable and utility payments, you can sign up for the free Experian Boost program to report these payments to Experian directly.
How does it work? Griffin said to start the process, simply visit Experian.com/Boost. Once you’ve activated your free Experian membership, you will be asked to sign in to the online checking or savings account you use to make monthly telecom and utility payments.
“With the consumer’s permission, Experian Boost will securely connect to their accounts and identify their positive monthly payments,” he said. “Once a consumer verifies the information is correct, the positive payment history is added to their Experian credit report and an updated credit score is shared immediately. The whole process takes about five minutes.”
While some third-party programs for reporting utility and rent payments exist (such as SimpleBills and RentTrack), Experian Boost is completely free and instantly gives you a recalculated credit score.
“This is the first-time consumers can add positive information directly to their credit report,” said Griffin. “With Experian Boost, consumers are in complete control. They can decide when to contribute their positive telecom and utility payments to their Experian credit report and when they’d like the information removed.”
It’s important to note that these positive payments are tied to your Experian credit report, and thus will only impact credit scores pulled using Experian data.
“If a consumer enrolls in Experian Boost, the positive payment histories are only added to their Experian credit report,” Griffin explained. “If a lender does not pull an Experian credit report, Experian Boost will not be factored into their decision.”
So in order to get the most benefit from the program, Griffin said consumers can ask their lenders to pull their credit report from Experian when applying for a new account.
“Your credit scores could mean the difference between hundreds and even thousands of dollars in savings,” he said. “Having a ‘good’ credit score, or a score of 700 or greater, can unlock many opportunities including lower interest rates on loans, access to better credit cards and smaller down payments. Additionally, high credit scores could mean lower security deposits on rentals and utilities and lower insurance rates.”


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- The People Report
- 1 min read
The Walt Disney Company gets its first ever woman chairperson
Susan Arnold has been elected to chair the Disney board, and has been a board member at the company for 14 years...
Arnold has been a Disney board member for 14 years and will succeed Bob Iger at the end of this year.
Iger stepped down as Disney's chief executive in 2020 after 15 years in the role and will leave the company by the end of this month.
Over the last eight years Arnold has been an executive at Carlyle Group. She has previously held roles at consumer goods giant Procter and Gamble and fast food chain McDonald's.
"As I step into this new role as chairman of the board, I look forward to continuing to serve the long-term interests of Disney's shareholders and working closely with CEO Bob Chapek as he builds upon the company's century-long legacy of creative excellence and innovation," Arnold said in a statement.
Watch BE+ with Ambi Parameswaran: In conversation with industry leaders like Jasneet Bachal, Harish Narayanan, Deepali Naair, Siddhesh Joglekar and more


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Although LG has exited the smartphone market, its commitment to software development for older devices remains strong. Having already launched the Android 13 update for the LG Velvet, the LG V60 ThinQ is now set to receive a substantial Android upgrade. The Android 13 update comes with an array of new features and enhancements for the V60 ThinQ.
T-Mobile has begun distributing the new software to the LG V60 ThinQ (LM-V600TM) under the software version number V600TM40a. Several users have confirmed the update, with some LG Velvet users even sharing screenshots on Reddit and various social media platforms. The update for Verizon models is currently in development and is expected to be released soon.
The 1.18GB update is sizable, so ensure you have sufficient storage and data on your device. Android 13 for the LG V60 ThinQ introduces a host of new features and security improvements. Among the changes are new media player controls on the lock screen and notification bar, enhanced themed icons, and more. The update also includes a more recent security patch.
The key takeaways from the revised text are:
1. LG is rolling out the Android 13 update for the LG V60 ThinQ (T-Mobile) in the United States, despite having left the smartphone market.
2. The update includes new features and security enhancements such as redesigned media player controls, improved themed icons, and an updated security patch.
3. T-Mobile has started distributing the update, while the release for Verizon models is expected soon.
4. Users who haven’t received the Android 13 OTA notification can update their phone manually through the Software Updates settings.
5. Before updating, it’s essential to back up important data and charge the phone to at least 50%.
If you’re using T-Mobile’s LG V60 ThinQ, you may have already received the Android 13 OTA notification. If not, head to the Software Updates settings to update your phone, and share your thoughts on the update in the comments section.
Before proceeding with the update, remember to back up vital data and charge your phone to at least 50%.