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MARION COUNTY, Fla. – James Brandl always knew he wanted to be in the grocery business. She also knows she loves helping people. As a child he cut out coupons and passed his savings to others.
Today, Brandl runs a small grocery liquidation store in Belleview, near Ocala, called The Coupon Kid, where he has earned a reputation for selling discount items and helping those in need.
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Coupon Kid Sales and Liquidation is not the type of store where you carry a shopping list.
“I don’t know what we’re going to get,” Brandl said, as he walked the islands, pointing out some amazing things. “The staff asked me, ‘What’s the future?’ I don’t know. If we open the truck doors it can be potato chips or it can be cookies. It can be anything in the world. I hope it’s not too heavy. ”
The shelves are full of everything from common dish soap to specialties like Fire Cracker Red Hot Pickled Sausage. Everything is sold at a discount.
Katha Phillips Hagood will sell there if she can. He was on a budget and said he appreciated the prices.
“I live 20 miles outside and with gas is what it is that I haven’t been here in a while,” he said. “Every time you check like wow that’s it.”
Brandl walks through boxes of unopened products placed over his head.
“We actually grew out of this building,” he said. Eventually we need to get a bigger building. ”
The business is different from where he started, cutting coupons in his sin when he was young. In a way, it’s also an extension of his beginnings of love.
He was introduced to couponing at the age of 15 by a friend’s mom.
“I was like,‘ Let’s see if I can do this, ’” Brandl recalls. “I came home with 200 boxes of noodles and 96 items of cinnamon rolls. We paid 14 bucks for everything and I went to the neighbors and said, ‘You can’t believe what I’m doing.’ ”
He gave up most of it, and in that moment, he was hooked.
Brandl said his neighbors and others in need will always benefit from his deals. She will donate school supplies and toiletries to a nearby elementary school.
“It’s not a big deal. I said, ‘You can’t believe how I got these things,’ ”Brandl recalls. “You can really save money doing it.”
He is known as “The Coupon Kid.”
Always looking for a deal, Brandl then started buying excess stock and closing items from major retailers.
He opened his first store in 2017.
“I don’t know what the grocery business is all about. Strange. You can see I love to eat. That’s all,” Brandl laughed. “It’s just crazy. I loved the grocery business when I was a kid.”
Today, Brandl continues to give back to his community. She has built a reputation for helping those in need. The store’s Facebook page is full of examples of people thanking him for his generosity.
“I’ve never been the person to sit down and say someone else is going to take care of it,” Brandl said. “I’m the guy who would stand in line and say,‘ Hey, we have something to do. ‘”
Brandl was nominated for the News 6 Getting Results Award by customer Patti Wilkinson.
“I witnessed James listening to a mother as she cashed out saying she was limited in funds and barely had the necessities,” Wilkinson wrote in an email. “James was quick to react and took care of their needs. He never let her be embarrassed in any way. He just tells her this is what he wants to do (:) help. ”
Brandl helps families after car accidents, whether they have lost a loved one or are just having trouble spending. He helped the local minor league and had a giveaway during the Christmas season.
Ann Baylis buys The Coupon Kid about twice a week. She remembers a family fire in the apartment. Brandl also helped them, giving them free groceries.
“I get goose bumps,” Baylis recalls the story. “That means a lot. He will do all he can. ”
Brandl said he loves what he does and hopes to open more stores in other locations. But it’s not about making more income, he said; it has more to do with helping more people.
“Coupon Kids isn’t just a way to make money,” Brandl said. “To me, it’s never been like that. It’s always to help people. ”
Wilkinson hopes “The Coupon Kid” and his team get the recognition they deserve.
“Please show James, his mom and his hardworking staff that they have seen, heard and recognized all they have done and will continue to do in this community,” Wilkinson wrote.
Copyright 2022 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.


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'Password' tops list of most common passwords
Updated On: Oct 27 2012 12:37:47 AM EDT
And people wonder why identity theft is such a problem.
"Password" has topped the list of 25 most common passwords for the second year in a row, according to password management company SplashData.
"123456" was the second most popular password in 2012, followed by "12345678" -- both unchanged from last year.
According to The Daily Mail, new entries to this year's list included "Jesus," "ninja," "mustang" and "password1."
SplashData warned that users of the 25 passwords on the list were "most likely to be victims" of future identity theft, and recommended using a password manager application to organize and protect multiple different passwords.
Authorities say several police phone systems are out of service
Two boaters arrested on charges of boating while intoxicated
Delivery of meat, dairy and produce at Market Basket stores Sunday
UNH student reports attempted abduction
Durham police urge UNH students to be cautious after attempted abduction

domain: news


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Pay-television broadcaster Canal Plus has agreed a one-season deal for the rights to the European Handball Federation’s men’s and women’s Champions League, including the Final Four, in Poland.
The broadcaster had previously sublicensed select EHF Champions League rights in Poland for the last four seasons, from 2015-16 to 2018-19, from sports broadcaster Eleven Sports.
Eleven acquired exclusive EHF Champions League in Poland from the MP & Silva agency, as part of a deal covering four territories. It took over rights from Canal Plus, which had held the rights in 2013-14 and 2014-15. The new deal, for the 2019-20 season, has been directly agreed with EHF Marketing, the marketing arm of the European Handball Federation, following the collapse of MP & Silva.
The deal will be the last that EHF Marketing will directly agree in Poland, as from 2020-21, the EHF’s 10-season global media and marketing rights deal with the joint venture comprised of the Infront agency and DAZN Group (then Perform) will begin.
Canal Plus owns the NC Plus platform in Poland, which local reports have said will be rebranded to Canal Plus by the end of 2019. Canal Plus is owned by the French media company Vivendi.


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Brainstorming about the future of digital consumption can leave you overwhelmed by the possibilities, but data released from YouGov--a global research and consulting organization--sheds some light on the emerging expectations of today's youth. The study found that nearly one in two children, aged 8-15, feel that access to online content and downloads should be free.
Jan 22, 2010
Handcase has launched a new mobile search tool designed for small-screen devices such as smartphones. The search system, called Gune, is a meta-search tool that consults Google and Bing and delivers results to a single page.


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Tiffany & Co. (NYSE: TIF) reported a 45% dip in the top-line for the first quarter of 2020 due to the closures of its retail stores across all of the global markets arising from the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Comparable sales dropped by 44%.
The company slipped to a loss from a profit last year due to lower revenue. The first-quarter was very challenging with sales and earnings significantly impacted by COVID-19, the impact of which the company expects to negatively affect its full-year sales and earnings relative to 2019.
The e-commerce sales were up 23% globally with key markets such as the United States and the United Kingdom up 14% and 15%, respectively. Additionally, sales through our Mainland China e-commerce portal have grown sequentially every quarter since the portal was launched last July.
The company will not be communicating an outlook for the remainder of the year. In light of the company’s entry into the merger agreement, the company will not conduct a conference call to review its results for the quarter.
Shares of the Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) have been rallying since the entertainment leader delivered strong results for its third quarter of 2022 a day ago. The stock was
Kohl’s Corporation (NYSE: KSS) has been on investors' radar ever since the retailer put itself up for sale earlier this year, after coming under pressure from activist investors. Putting an
Entertainment behemoth The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) on Wednesday reported higher revenues and earnings for the third quarter of 2022. The results also topped expectations. Third-quarter revenues of the Los


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Skin Motion™ is excited to announce the new SkinMotion.com, our patent-pending augmented reality cloud platform for bringing tattoos to life has launched! Exactly 6 months from when the first Soundwave Tattoos™ were created, the new Skin Motion website has launched with a brand new Tattoo Artist Directory.
In addition to launching our new website, we are pleased to announce that the first 1000 Tattoo Artists to register will receive a free Membership for the first year! Tattoo Artists can now apply, register and create their account in less than ten minutes from start to having their profile in the Artist Directory.
We are announcing two ways to get a voucher for a free Soundwave Tattoo Activation. First, is our referral program which Skin Motion users can sign up for through our website that gives users a unique link that once 25 people have clicked and created an account with, earns the referrer a free Soundwave Tattoo.
We are also starting a weekly contest on Twitter and Instagram to win a voucher for a free Soundwave Tattoo activation. To enter, Twitter and Instagram users can post about what they would like to get a Soundwave Tattoo of, or share the story of the Soundwave Tattoo that they have and hastag the post with #mysoundwavestory.
The entire Skin Motion team is working hard on daily updates, new features and the best experience possible so that the thousands of people all over the world who have signed up for our waiting list can get a Soundwave Tattoo. The Soundwave Tattoo Creation Tools are being tested now and will be launching soon!


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With sales declining in the first quarter in an increasingly challenging economic environment, including persistently high inflation, Macy’s reduced its outlook for the entire year.
As sales started to sag in March, quarterly profit and sales decreased, leading the New York department store to lower the price of clothing and other discretionary items.
Before the opening bell on Thursday, shares fell more than 10%, dragging down other merchants with them.
In contrast to the 45 cents Wall Street was expecting, Macy’s reported a net income of $155 billion, or 56 cents per share, a considerable decrease from the $286 million made during the same period the previous year.
Sales decreased to $5.17 billion, lower than analyst expectations and the $5.56 billion recorded in the first quarter of last year.
Comparable sales, which include deals from licensed companies like cosmetics and stores open for at least a year, decreased by 7.2% across all categories.
CEO Jeff Gennette stated in a written statement, “We have moved promptly to make the proper adjustments to meet current consumer demand and control our expenses.
According to Gennette, the updated outlook considered inventory reductions to account for the consumer slowdown and clearance markdowns on seasonal spring products in the second quarter.
Instead of the previous forecast of between $3.67 and $4.11 per share, the company anticipates $2.70 to $3.20 per share for the year.
Sales are expected to be between $22.8 billion and $23.2 billion this year, down from the previous range of $23.7 billion to $24.2 billion, according to the firm.
Analysts projected $23.73 billion in revenue and $3.69 per share earnings.


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Is brown sugar oat milk Starbucks vegan?
Both drinks are vegan, and the Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso has garnered a lot of attention on social media platforms, especially TikTok.
Why can’t you order oat milk from Starbucks app?
We temporarily removed oatmilk from our app due to outages at some stores in the US. Don’t worry, the Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso is part of our core menu and will be back when we restock.
What happened to Starbucks brown sugar Oatmilk?
The chain has temporarily removed oat milk as an option when ordering via their website and app, but some locations still have the option available in-store. … Though inconvenient, the Starbucks oat milk shortage is a positive statement for the vegan movement.
Does Starbucks charge extra for oat milk?
At Blue Bottle, Oat Milk Might Soon Be the Default.
Is oat milk more expensive at Starbucks?
According to Starbucks, it charges extra for plant-based milks – up to 80 cents per cup—due to the higher cost it pays for plant-based milk as compared to dairy.
Does Starbucks charge for non dairy milk?
Currently, customers have to pay extra to add dairy-free milk to their coffee, but dairy is no additional charge. During the question-and-answer portion of the meeting, PETA said Starbucks has already acknowledged the link between dairy products and carbon dioxide emissions.
Which is healthier almond or oat milk?
“Almond milk has a higher content of calcium, magnesium and vitamins A, D and E than oat milk, with appreciable quantities of potassium, sodium and sugar among the two alternative milk substitutes depending on the brand and variety,” Pumper says.
What brand of syrup does Starbucks use?
What Brand of Syrup does Starbucks use? The syrups Starbucks uses are all Starbucks branded, but they are made by Fontana. These syrups can be bought online – see below!
Will Starbucks get oat milk back?
The nondairy oat milk option was temporarily pulled from some Starbucks stores, and drinks with oat milk will not be available until the company is able to restock. Back to work:We’re returning to the office after COVID-19. … A month later, Starbucks told CNN of temporary shortages involving oat milk, citing high demand.


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Joy e-bike Mihos and e-rik deliveries begin: Details
Wardwizard Innovations and Mobility sell electric two-wheelers under the name "Joy e-bike". The brand recently hosted a media ride of Mihos, their new electric two-wheeler. Joy has now started deliveries of Mihos in a phased manner across Gujrat and Maharashtra. Apart from this, Joy e-bike has started deliveries of e-rik.
Wardwizard initiated the delivery of vehicles with the first phase, comprising over 150 Mihos and 50 Joy e-rik deliveries across Gujarat and Maharashtra. Additional cities in different states will be added in a phased manner, and deliveries will be conducted through over 600 authorized showrooms across the country.
Wardwizard Innovations and Mobility launched the Joy e-bike Mihos during the Auto Expo 2023 at Rs. 1,35,000 (ex-showroom) for the first 5,000 customers. The highlight of Mihos is that it is designed and developed with Poly DiCycloPentadiene (PDCPD) to absorb maximum impact on the road with added durability and flexibility. This material allows the scooter to take a beating.
Also check these Bikes
Joy e-bike claims that the Mihos can accelerate from 0-40 kmph in less than 7 seconds and it has a top speed of 70 kmph. The 1500W motor can deliver a torque output of 95 Nm. There are three riding modes - Eco, Ride and Hyper.
Also Read : Joy e-Bike Mihos first ride impressions: This electric scooter is “unbreakable"
Mr. Yatin Gupte, Chairman & Managing Director, Wardwizard Innovations & Mobility Ltd, expressed his views on the commencement of deliveries, "The commencement of delivery of our scooter MIHOS and first electric three-wheeler is a significant milestone for us. It reflects our commitment to delivering high-quality, reliable, and sustainable vehicles that meet the evolving needs of our customers. We are confident that with our technology and style, we will be able to meet customer aspirations and increase our market share in the EV space. We anticipate a strong sales rebound in the coming months for electric vehicles as the market is booming."


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St. Damien Parish News Release
Please join us for this free community event on Saturday, Oct. 21 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. St. Damien of Molokai Parish Country Fair is in its 20th year. The event offers something for everyone including, a country store, a plant sale, a silent auction, entertainment, keiki games, a prayer table, baked goods, Filipino food, popcorn and drinks, and our specialty food items. This year we are again selling our marinated uncooked chicken and cooked shrimp plate by pre-sale tickets. You can purchase both at the Damien Center office 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday through Friday or after mass at any of our parish churches. Chicken tickets, for pick up the day of the event starting at 8 a.m., are $7 and shrimp plate tickets, for pick up starting at 9 a.m., are $15. Tickets do sell out, so get yours early! Tickets not redeemed by noon will be resold. Hope to see you all there!


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After over 200 U.S. city governments vetted the world’s richest man, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, to plop his tech goliath’s HQ2 in their territory, Bezos picks Long Island City, Queens and Crystal City, Virginia as the two “winners.”
His Excellency, Andrew ‘Amazon’ Cuomo is offering state subsidies to the tune of $1.5 billion to gain what is promised to be 25,000 new jobs paying $150,000 per year on average.
Mayor Bill de Blasio, now in his lame duck era, has been cheerleading the Amazon search since last year, coming full circle from his days as NYC public advocate when he led the effort to keep Wal-Mart’s attempted NYC expansion at bay.
A blog post this morning from Amazon outlines the tax incentives for choosing NYC:
“Amazon will receive performance-based direct incentives of $1.525 billion based on the company creating 25,000 jobs in Long Island City. This includes a refundable tax credit through New York State’s Excelsior Program of up to $1.2 billion calculated as a percentage of the salaries Amazon expects to pay employees over the next 10 years, which equates to $48,000 per job for 25,000 jobs with an average wage of over $150,000; and a cash grant from Empire State Development of $325 million based on the square footage of buildings occupied in the next 10 years. Amazon will receive these incentives over the next decade based on the incremental jobs it creates each year and as it reaches building occupancy targets. The company will separately apply for as-of-right incentives including New York City’s Industrial & Commercial Abatement Program (ICAP) and New York City’s Relocation and Employment Assistance Program (REAP).
The community will benefit from New York City providing funding through a Payment In Lieu Of Tax (PILOT) program based on Amazon’s property taxes on a portion of the development site to fund community infrastructure improvements developed through input from residents during the planning process. Amazon has agreed to donate space on its campus for a tech startup incubator and for use by artists and industrial businesses, and Amazon will donate a site for a new primary or intermediary public school. The company will also invest in infrastructure improvements and new green spaces.”
In return, Amazon says that it plans to invest locally in public green space and infrastructure including a school in LIC, and space at the new campus for a start-up incubator to boost artists and early-stage businesses.
The corporation is also offering millions of dollars to engage its neighbors at the Queensbridge Houses with training programs and workshops.
Despite the city’s announcement of plans to invest $180 million in LIC infrastructure, the area severely needs more schools and greater sewer capacity to absorb tens of thousands of new residents.
State Senator Michael Gianaris and City Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer have released a statement criticizing the decision.
Joint statement from @SenGianaris & I regarding Amazon #HQ2 LIC deal: pic.twitter.com/Ipj9L2kMJW
— Jimmy Van Bramer (@JimmyVanBramer) November 11, 2018
“Offering massive corporate welfare from scarce public resources to one of the wealthiest corporations in the world at a time of great need in our state is just wrong,” Gianaris and Van Bramer said.
Cuomo was not as critical in his statement:
“When I took office, I said we would build a new New York State – one that is fiscally responsible and fosters a business climate that is attractive to growing companies and the industries of tomorrow. We’ve delivered on those promises and more, and today, with Amazon committing to expand its headquarters in Long Island City, New York can proudly say that we have attracted one of the largest, most competitive economic development investments in U.S. history.”
With an average salary of $150,000 per year for the tens of thousands of new jobs Amazon is creating in Queens, economic opportunity and investment will flourish for the entire region. Amazon understands that New York has everything the company needs to continue its growth. The State’s more than $100 billion transportation infrastructure program – the most ambitious in our history – combined with our education initiatives like K-12 tech education and the first-in-the-nation Excelsior Scholarship program, will help ensure long-term success and an unrivaled talent pool for Amazon.”
As both Cuomo and de Blasio are trying to position themselves as 2020 presidential contenders, they’re banking on tying their legacies to one of the world’s largest corporations with a growing list of concerns from watchdogs.
Amazon has been courting Trump’s favorite deportation task force, ICE, to use its “Rekognition” surveillance tool featuring facial recognition tech to track people in real time and identify pedestrians, according to the ACLU.
The hiring practices of Amazon have also come under fire. Utilizing an AI process for sorting applicants, the corporation received criticism for discriminating against female applicants, Reuters reports.
Amazon is also in the midst of a push to open 3,000 cashierless Amazon Go stores, with one store already planned in Manhattan, that would sell everyday items to compete with smaller convenience stores and Wal-Mart.
As Wal-mart is making moves to offer NYC residents same day delivery via Jet, with a 205,000-square-foot warehouse in The Bronx, Amazon is seeking to beat them to the chase.
With homelessness in NYC reaching Depression-era levels at over 60,000 people, the vacancy levels of apartments in the city is also skyrocketing to more than 247,000 vacant units.
Congressmember-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who will rep part of Queens, points to the threat of further displacement due to rising rents.
Displacement is not community development. Investing in luxury condos is not the same thing as investing in people and families.
Shuffling working class people out of a community does not improve their quality of life.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) November 13, 2018
Real estate brokers in LIC are already reporting a surge in sales via text message from eager buyers seeking to ride the Amazon wave of rent inflation, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Amazon also announced a third and smaller site in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, where it plans to install a regional operations center with 5,000 new jobs.
Council Member Van Bramer and Senator Gianaris will hold a public action tomorrow at 44th DR and Vernon BLVD.
Curious as to people’s thoughts on Cuomo’s recent Op-Ed on this matter: https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/op-ed-governor-andrew-m-cuomo
Leave a comment


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Target didn’t specify how the theft was carried out nor what portal the thieves crept in through to commit the massive theft, which Target first established in mid-December.
But even though goal didn’t give any details of the theft-via-vendor news, its actions point to possible vectors.
Particularly, as the WSJ reported last week, shortly after knowledge of the attack, Target shuttered remote access to two internal systems: a human resources website called eHR and a database for suppliers called Info Retriever.
A spokeswoman told set of connections World that in order to secure its network, in addition to turning off remote access to platforms, Target has also updated access controls.
In-depth details that originally came out of the forensic inquiry were later scrubbed by security firms, but safety blogger Brian Krebs has published copies of the original reports.
At this point, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating the breach, Attorney General Eric Holder told the US Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.
The DOJ typically doesn’t discuss matters under inquiry, Holder said, but it’s making an exception in the case of this massive breach.
The theft, which apparently started the day before Thanksgiving, 27 November, and reached through the heart of Christmas shopping mania up until 15 December, involved the breach of information including client names, credit or debit card numbers, card expiration dates, and CVVs.
Goal admitted a few weeks ago that it found malware on its point-of-sale (PoS) systems.
In fact, PoS theft is becoming so widespread that the US Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) recently warned retailers about it, saying that it’s been seeing the same type of malware cropping up since 2011.
The organization said that over the past year, it’s seen about 20 cases in which data was stolen using the same type of malware as that inserted onto Target’s credit and debit card swiping-machines, cash registers and other PoS equipment.
It’s not going away anytime soon, that’s for sure: the FBI says the profits are huge, and the PoS malware is both too inexpensive and too widely available on underground markets for thieves to resist.
Mind you, we don’t really know yet whether rigged PoS devices are behind either the Target breach or the one that hit Michaels.
It certainly wouldn’t knock anybody’s socks off if PoS malware were to be involved, though.
Visit at : http://www.nigerianspam.com/
As SophosLabs researcher Numaan Huq describes in an article about RAM scraper malware, this type of card scam is ripe for setting us up to get card data plucked from our hands if we pull out the plastic to buy so much as a bar of chocolate.
In fact, “Buy candy, lose your credit card” is the name of a 2014 RSA safety conference session in which Numaan and Chester Wisniewski will be presenting a paper on the industrialization of this exacting type of card fraud, in February.


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Some 50,000 homes in the state of South Australia—as the name implies, a southern state in Australia but not the southernmost, an honor that goes to Tasmania—are about to get a big gift from Canadian turned American entrepreneur Elon Musk.
Tesla is gifting solar panels and Tesla batteries to 50,000 homes in the state in an unprecedented plan to turn houses into a giant, interconnected power plant by 2022. The grid of solar arrays and Powerwalls will create the biggest virtual power plant in the world.
Tesla said in a statement to AFP that the virtual power plant would have 250 megawatts of solar energy and 650 megawatt hours of battery storage. “At key moments, the virtual power plant could provide as much capacity as a large gas turbine or coal power plant,” the company added.
Tesla has a foothold in the energy storage market in Australia thanks to its 100MW/129MWh Powerpack project in the state—currently the world’s largest centralized lithium ion battery system. The project, which reportedly generated $1 million in its first few days of operation, charges when demand and electricity rates are low and discharges when demand and prices are high.
The new project uses Tesla’s residential battery system, the Powerwall, to create decentralized energy storage, with the blessing of the South Australian government, led by Premier Jay Weatherill.
The 50,000 homes in the state that will be fitted with 5 kW solar arrays and 13.5 kWh Tesla Powerwall 2 battery systems will generate at least 650 MWh of energy storage capacity distributed in the state. Tesla stated:
“When the South Australian Government invited submissions for innovation in renewables and storage, Tesla’s proposal to create a virtual power plant with 250 megawatts of solar energy and 650 megawatt hours of battery storage was successful. A virtual power plant utilises Tesla Powerwall batteries to store energy collectively from thousands of homes with solar panels. At key moments, the virtual power plant could provide as much capacity as a large gas turbine or coal power plant.”
This new project will be financed through power sales and assisted by an Aus$2 million grant from the state government and a An$30 million loan from the country’s Renewable Technology Fund.
Test installations have already begun with 1,100 Housing Trust properties, which incorporates lower-income households. Tesla’s sustainable solution will lower electricity prices, a problem that Musk has vowed that Tesla will continue to “work harder” on.
“Tesla is gaining a reputation here for getting things done,” Tony Wood, energy program director at the Grattan Institute in Melbourne, told Bloomberg. “If South Australia can sort through the funding and technical side of this project, then it’s worth doing because we’ll learn a lot more about rolling out distributed solar and batteries at scale.”
The electric carmaker is also recruiting workers to help it build the world’s largest battery factory, or “gigafactory,” outside Reno, Nevada, in partnership with Panasonic.
Come work at the biggest & most advanced factory on Earth! Located by a river near the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountains with wild horses roaming free. https://t.co/Nimv3BvQXI
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 3, 2018
Closer to home, Tesla announced Monday it’s also donating batteries to stabilize the Tahoe power grid in Utah.
— Bloomberg (@business) February 5, 2018


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General Motors Corp. issued a safety recall and a stop sale of about 5,000 heavy-duty 2010 GMC Savana and Chevrolet Express passenger and cargo vans, according to a statement released this weekend. The safety recall is the result of a suspected faulty alternator, which poses a serious fire risk in affected models. The stop sale and recall will be in affect until a fix is determined.
“The Stop Sale and production halt are measures being taken to assure customer safety until we have a repair procedure,” said Jeff Boyer, executive director of Safety and Interiors for GM.
The affected vehicles fall in these ranges of VINs:
Year - Division - Model - From - Through
2010 - Chevrolet Express - 2500/3500 - A1129327 - A1142523
2010 - GMC Savana - 2500/3500 - A1128784 - A1901915
The recall affects the 2500 (three-quarter ton) and 3500/4500 (one-ton) series Savana and Express vans. Light-duty series vans are exempt from the recall and stop-sale as they use a different alternator.
Relatively few of these heavy-duty series vans are in retail customer possession, as most reside in rental and other fleets. The stop-sale issued on Friday prevents the vans from being rented from fleets or sold from dealer lots.
Express and Savana owners are urged to immediately stop driving the vehicles, park them outside away from buildings, structures and other vehicles, and, if possible, disconnect the battery cables. As the vans pose a serious fire risk at this point, owners should use extreme caution while in and around the vehicles and should keep them parked until the alternator fix has been determined.
AC Delco Alternators Affected
The recall also affects about 1,400 AC Delco aftermarket parts. Affected parts numbers are: 15200110, 15288861, 15263859 and 15847291. Customers who have had a heavy duty alternator replaced in February or March in a model year 2005-2010 Express or Savana or other model year 2005-2009 GM truck or SUV should check their repair order receipts to see if an affected part was used and, if so, stop driving their vehicle, park it away from other vehicles and buildings, and disconnect the battery cables.
Owners of vehicles affected by aftermarket alternators are asked to contact their Customer Assistance Center to provide contact information, so GM may follow up with them when more information becomes available.


text: LAWNDALE, Calif., Nov. 22, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- CKO Kickboxing, one of the fastest growing health fitness franchises, will launch its newest fitness kickboxing gym with Black Friday Specials on Nov. 25, 2016 in Lawndale. One hour-long CKO Kickboxing class is a total body workout that incorporates the punches of boxing and the kicks of kickboxing along with calisthenics and aerobics to give a fast-paced workout like no other. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161122/442035LOGO The 4,000 square-foot CKO Kickboxing gym is located across from the South Bay Galleria Mall, at 4415 Redondo Beach Blvd. It is at the intersection of Hawthorne, Artesia and Redondo Beach. The Black Friday special includes two offerings. People who sign up before noon will get a free enrollment. People who sign up after noon will pay only $20 for their enrollment, which is less than the normal enrollment fee. Everyone who signs up will receive boxing gloves and a T-shirt. Classes start on Saturday morning. The new gym features 50 heavy bags so that each participant has his/her own heavy bag. All classes are led by motivated instructors whose passion for fitness and kickboxing flows onto the participants so that the classes are action-packed, burn calories, and reduce stress in an atmosphere designed to be fun and engaging. Asha Ross, an international DJ from London who has lived in LA for eight years, owns the new gym. "I love to help people," said Ross. "One of the things I like about the entertainment industry is that people can forget their worries, their work and their bills so they can enjoy themselves. I think a great fitness club can do the same thing. They put on their boxing gloves and they can forget their worries and get fit at the same time."


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China to promote economic development by opening up economy more widely-Li
UNITED NATIONS, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said on Wednesday China would promote economic development by opening up its economy more widely as experience showed closed door policies only brought stagnation.
"We will promote development through expanding opening up," Li said in a speech to the annual U.N. General Assembly. "China's experience in the past decades has proven that a closed-door policy only leads to stagnation and backwardness ... China will open its door even wider to the outside world." (Reporting by David Brunnstrom; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
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Samsung Galaxy S8 Case Confirms Single Lens Camera, 3.5mm Audio Jack
Thursday, 12 January 2017 We've reported last week about the first Samsung Galaxy S8 concepts made by various designers, and now it looks like case makers have started to leak information about the upcoming flagship. After Ghostek published earlier today a picture showing the alleged Atomic 3 waterproof case for the Samsung Galaxy S8, a new case of the smartphone has been leaked online. An image of a back cover of the flagship has been published on Slashleaks, your every day site for the newest leaks in the smartphone industry. The person that posted the image has a great track of leaks with a 99% accuracy, which suggests the case is indeed real and not just a concept or a fake one. Even so, the case doesn't tell us too many things about the
In a blog post confirmed by Samsung on Thursday, Samsung has announced that the long overdue software update for the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge will be coming out very soon. The update is upgrade from current versions of Android Marshmallow to the new and improved Android 7.0 Nougat. This version is not...
The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 with the much-hyped dual rear camera setup will be officially unveiled next month. Even though we are just a few weeks away from the... BGR India - TechnologyAlso reported by •Softpedia •WorldNews
South Korean tech giant Samsung Electronics on Monday announced that it adds unlocked versions of its Samsung Galaxy J3 and Samsung Galaxy J7 smartphones to the... Softpedia - TechnologyAlso reported by •BGR India
Samsung Electronics America, Inc. today announced the addition of a Coral Blue flavor of its flagship Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ Android smartphones in the United... Softpedia - TechnologyAlso reported by •Business Wire
Samsung has quietly launched a new smartphone in India, called the Galaxy J7 Nxt. The smartphone has been listed on Samsung India’s official website and is... BGR India - TechnologyAlso reported by •Business Wire


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The lofty valuations of some Silicon Valley start-ups have come into question lately, with a few noted venture capitalists arguing over ride-sharing service Uber in particular.
Bill Gurley, who led investments in many noteworthy tech start-ups, including Snapchat and Twitter, defended the ride-sharing service in a CNBC interview on Monday.
"It's the fastest growing company we've ever been involved with," Gurley, a general partner at Benchmark, said on "Squawk Alley." "That's why, when the company was, you know, put in front of a large number of investors, that you ended up with the valuation that it did."
The company, which allows users to call a taxi, private car or ride share through its mobile app, currently ranks among the top 10 free apps on the Apple App Store, Gurley said. In turn, the company has added roughly 50,000 new drivers a month, he added.


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Amazon Web Services is the world’s biggest enterprise storage supplier. Or maybe second biggest, behind Dell. Either way, Microsoft ranks third by revenue share, ahead of NetApp and Huawei.
These are the findings of IT Brand Pulse. To arrive at its conclusions, the tech analyst firm looked first to AWS and Microsoft’s IaaS (infrastructure-as-a-service) revenues – which both companies publish. Then it tested two assumptions – first, that storage revenues comprised 15 per cent of overall IaaS revenues and and second, that they accounted for 20 per cent of the IaaS pot.
IT Brand Pulse dropped those estimates into the mix with IDC’s Worldwide Enterprise Storage Systems Tracker numbers for the third 2020 quarter. You can see in the table below how the inclusion of AWS and Azure changes the revenue standings.
Based on IT Brand Pulse’s 20 per cent IaaS share assumption, AWS was top of the storage tree in Q3 with $2.32bn in storage revenues in the third calendar quarter of 2020, ahead of Dell on $1.95bn. Tweak the storage percentage of IaaS revenues to 15 per cent, and Amazon eases into second place, on $1.74bn.
Using the 20 per cent of IaaS assumption, Azure was in third place with $1.26bn revs, ahead of NetApp in fourth place on $638m. Microsoft may soon run in to the law of large numbers, but if it maintains its current 59 per cent growth rate, it could overtake Dell’s storage revenues by the end of 2021. That is a big if. However, only Huawei has a storage revenue growth rate that is close to AWS’s 29 per cent, and it is less than half the Azure STaaS growth rate.
If IT Brand Pulse’s working assumption – that storage comprises 20 per cent of IaaS revenues is correct – the combined AWS+Azure storage revenues of $4bn translates into overall market share of 37.6 per cent in Q3 2020. We also note that cloud giants Google, Alibaba and Tencent deliver enterprise storage services – albeit they are a long way behind AWS and Azure.
The trend lines are clear. On-premises storage vendors today represent not much more than half of the overall enterprise storage services, by revenue share, This share will likely shrink further.


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Chennai, May 31 (UNI) The overall published flight fares in India has risen by six per cent, according to a survey of the first quarter update of the American Express Business Travel Monitor, Asia Pacific.
The fares had risen by two per cent in the domestic sector, nine per cent in intra-Asia, one per cent in EMEA and 32 per cent in the Americas, the survey said.
However, on a quarter to quarter comparison, discount economy fares decreased by 11 per cent, which was expected to be a temporary trend. International airfares, mirroring the hike in domestic airfares, were rising. An increase in fuel prices had played the single largest role leading to this cost escalation, it said.
Since the beginning of the year, airlines have seen a jump of over 40 per cent in fuel costs alone.
The monitor that tracks a constant set of round trip airfares, all originating in the Asia Pacific region with destinations throughout the world, had over the years become an industry benchmark to track fluctuations.
Indian carriers have been focussing on taking their products to a global standard and working to consolidate the domestic market.
Their focus on international expansion was just beginning.
UNI SNR GD 1350


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Burberry appoints new chairman
By Ava Szajna-Hopgood - Apr 16th 2018, 14:56
More change at the top for Burberry as Gerry Murphy is appointed chairman designate.
Murphy will begin his new role on May 17 and will succeed current chairman Sir John Peace at the company’s annual shareholder meeting on July 12.
“In Gerry Murphy, we have found a superb candidate with extensive experience in the consumer and retail industries,” Peace said.
“I am confident he is the right choice to lead the board as Burberry embarks on a new chapter.”
Murphy has served as non-executive director of British American Tobacco, Merlin Entertainments, and Reckitt Benckiser, and is the current chairman of Tate and Lyle and of the Blackstone Group International Partners.
Jeremy Darroch, Burberry’s senior independent director said, “We are delighted to welcome Gerry to the board. His substantial UK plc and global business experience will be a great asset to Burberry as we continue to focus on delivering long-term shareholder value.”
“On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Sir John for his immense contribution to Burberry over the past 16 years. Sir John has presided over a period of extraordinary change, during which Burberry has enjoyed strong growth and evolved into one of the most valuable luxury brands in the world.”
The appointment comes just six weeks after the British fashion house appointed Marco Gobbetti as its new chief executive, alongside Riccado Tisci as chief creative officer.Retail Gazette
Retail sales beat expectations in February
19/04/2019 - 12:39
SA shoppers spent more than expected in February, with retail sales growing 1.1% year on year, led by expenditure in the textiles, footwear and clothing sector.
Pick n Pay surprises local schools with Easter treats
19/04/2019 - 11:57
Two schools were recently surprised with chocolate eggs and hot cross buns ahead of the Easter Weekend.
Asian revenue surpasses European for first time at L’Oreal
18/04/2019 - 09:07
L’Oreal got more revenue from Asia than from Western Europe for the first time last quarter as the region’s surging demand for luxury products continued to resist the drag of a slower Chinese economy.
Easter is also a feast for criminals, retailers and consumers warned
18/04/2019 - 09:01
There is a tendency among criminals to use the Easter long weekend - and its spike in shopping - to their advantage, says Richard Phillips, joint CEO of retail cash management company Cash Connect.
Checkers hot cross buns go viral
17/04/2019 - 13:42
Checkers hot cross buns are trending on social media and South Africans are in stitches following the release of a viral video in which a false-positive breathalyser reading was recorded for a police officer.


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The continued fever in imported goods has boosted consumer demand in China, eliminating concerns that a slowing economic growth will weaken spending.
According to the latest “China Shopper Report” jointly released by consulting companies, in the third quarter of 2019, spending on fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) such as shampoos, fabric softeners or pet foods increased steadily by 5.7% compared to the same period last year. Bain & Kantar Worldpanel.
The report said that in the first six months of this year, imports accounted for 18% of all FMCG sales, an increase of 10%, almost double the growth rate of the entire industry.
This is mainly driven by the online channel, with sales increasing by 30% in the first half of 2019 and accounting for 35% of all online sales in the country.
Bruno Lannes, a partner at Bain & Company, said the pursuit of imported brands is “especially for consumers who think foreign products are of higher quality than domestically produced products such as perfumes, wines and milk powders.” Bruno Lannes, a partner at Enn, said. report.
The report found that in the 12 months to the second quarter of 2019, Korea’s nutritional supplement sales increased by 35%, while Singapore’s biscuit value increased by 22% over the same period.
“By focusing on online sales, foreign FMCG companies have grown in China without having to build a complex physical market model,” said Yu Yu, managing director and co-founder of Kantar Worldpanel Greater China.
The second China International Import Expo held in Shanghai also promoted this momentum, and the second China International Import Expo debuted in the Chinese market.
“For new products launched in China, we are transitioning from an intuition-oriented state of preparation to using data that describes customers’ clear preferences,” said Charles Kao, president of cosmetics group Amore Pacific China. Its revenue in China comes from online channels.
In categories such as toothpaste, imports have always outpaced category growth, sometimes with large increases. Derek Deng, a partner at Bain and head of the company’s consumer products business, said that this shows that imported goods have become a key driver of higher prices and higher consumption levels.
In terms of sector breakdown, the personal care and home care categories recorded 11.8% growth in the third quarter, the strongest performance in three years, while food and beverages grew by only 2.3% year-on-year.
Yu said, “The two-speed growth model persists because product categories related to healthier lifestyles are favored by consumers, while product categories that are considered relatively unhealthy (such as soft cakes, sweets, and chewing gum) are valued at decline.”
Deng said foreign companies need to “design, decide, deliver and digitize” their business in China in order to grow in the world’s largest consumer market.


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Omnicom Media Group ropes in Sudhir Nair to head Digital
Omnicom Media Group India has appointed Sudhir Nair as Managing Director – Digital. In his new role, Nair will drive the digital agenda for the network and its brands – OMD and PHD – as well as lead its growth and momentum.
A digital evangelist with more than 15 years of experience, Nair moves to Omnicom Media Group from Grey Global, where he had set up their digital offering incorporating a holistic and comprehensive set of services for leading brands across multiple sectors. Post Grey, Nair set up a full service agency 21N78E. Prior to that, he had spent time at Duckshake.com, Booz Allen & Hamilton, Repro India and VANS Info & Investor Services.
Nair’s appointment is effective immediately and he will be based in Mumbai. He moves to the position vacated by his predecessor Avinash Jhangiani, who has taken the role Chief Innovation Officer within Omnicom Media Group India.
Commenting on Nair’s appointment, Jasmin Sohrabji, CEO India & SEA, Omnicom Media Group, said, “As a network, Omnicom Media Group has witnessed a huge growth in digital across all platforms – search, display, social and mobile offerings in India. Sudhir’s proven track record of delivery will keep our momentum going with focus on further growth and innovation. Sudhir will work collaboratively with the business units and agency leads to further our digital mandate. As a network, we are committed to investing in talent to ensure that we are ahead of the curve when it comes to digital expertise and we are thrilled to have Sudhir on board.”
On his new role, Nair said, “Digital has transformed the advertising and marketing industry for the better. Thanks to the digital revolution, customer engagement has been taken to another level, leading to more meaningful brand and customer connections. In this exciting landscape, I am delighted to join Omnicom Media Group, a network at the forefront of digital innovation. I am looking forward to working closely with both the experienced as well as young talent that exists within the agency to strengthen our offering and make it more future facing.”


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Food is never really just about food. The need to sustain our bodies and the enjoyment that many of us find in sharing a good meal with loved ones, have never been so loaded with significance as they are nowadays. Simply put, how we go about fueling and refueling our personal machine daily, whether compelled by necessity or pleasure (or both), speaks tons about our vision of the world and about our values. And this is true whether we’re aware of it or not.
Take milk, for instance. The most basic, simple, primal even, food made available to us by Nature. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, or are lucky enough to consume milk straight from your own cow or your neighbor’s, you’ve undoubtedly been confronted over the past few years with various concerns and questions about what to pick from the dairy refrigerated aisle, and probably have done your research too. Organic or not? Cow or goat? Does local matter? And the most contentious one of all: raw or pasteurized?
Milk (as a poster child for all foods, really) has become altogether an environmental issue, a private health issue, a public health issue even, not to forget an economic and a social justice issue.
Last but not least, it has become a political issue in America (and elsewhere, if the “criminal” sales of raw milk behind closed doors in Canada are any indication). One that involves governmental control v. citizens’ freedom to choose. In that respect, milk has become a tangible, straightforward militant vehicle to confront the most troubling trend raised ten years ago by the U.S. Patriot Act and the establishment of Homeland Security: the unmistakable encroaching by the Federal government on civil liberties.
To be sure, milk has been the topic of many conversations in Washington, DC, over the past week. Passers-by on the Hill were treated Monday to the sight of a cow grazing in Upper Senate Park, across the street from the Senate. They watched it being milked by hand on site, and got to enjoy a sample of the warm liquid right there and then, if they were so willing. “Those who wrote the Constitution drank raw milk,” read a sign.
Charming as it may have been, the unusual, bucolic scene was a protest organized by the Grassfed on the Hill Buying Club in the name of a serious cause: the perceived persecution of Daniel Allgyer, a Pennsylvania Amish dairy farmer, at the hands of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). After 18 months of harassment, including a sting operation, the agency recently filed a civil suit against him for introducing into interstate commerce raw milk intended for human consumption, and gave him notice of a pending request for permanent injunction. It should be noted that no health incident was ever identified in connection with Rainbow Acres Farm’s raw milk. The farmer’s crime was to sell milk to residents of Maryland, Virginia and D.C. (where the sale of raw milk is illegal): transporting uncured milk across state lines is illegal, according to the Justice Department. In response, Grassfed on the Hill has sued the FDA, challenging the agency’s jurisdiction on ALL private clubs providing raw dairy.
“Despite the fact that there is no actual proof that anyone has ever been injured by milk from Dan’s cows, he is being treated as if he were a drug lord by our federal government,” said Jonathan Emord, a D.C.-based lawyer and author of “The Rise of Tyranny” and “Global Censorship of Health Information.” “He is being treated as if what he sells is contraband that will cause injury to anyone who gets near the substance. And this is fresh milk.”
Jonathan Emord was among several speakers invited to support the Food and Farm Freedom Rally. Other speakers included Sally Fallon Morell of Weston A. Price Foundation, author David Gumpert, and Mark McAfee of Organic Pastures Dairy.
The event was given national momentum by the introduction, last week in Congress, of a bill (H.R.1830) designed to “allow the shipment and distribution of unpasteurized milk and milk products for human consumption across state lines.”
“This legislation removes an unconstitutional restraint on farmers who wish to sell or otherwise distribute, and people who wish to consume, unpasteurized milk and milk products,” said its author Ron Paul (R-TX) when introducing the bill (read his whole, short speech here).
Freedom is what this bill is strictly about. Relevant and valuable as it may be, the health debate over the risks and the benefits of raw milk is a whole different conversation altogether, that only blurs the main issue at stake here: retaining one’s sovereignty over the food one chooses to consume (including “what” and “from where”), free of government control.
The impact of such a legislation would be anything but anecdotal. It is estimated that raw milk is a 10-million-consumer market in the United States. Legal in 10 states, sales of raw milk are illegal in 11 states (including Maryland and Virginia) and the District of Columbia, while remaining states have varying restrictions on purchase or consumption. And just to clarify, the hardship endured by Dan Allgyer is hardly an isolated incident.
“I urge my colleagues to join me in promoting individual rights, the original intent of the Constitution, and federalism,” Ron Paul concluded. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. It will need all the public support it can get to not be stalled–petition, anyone?


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"Yep, even I had to turn some family members down for this game," said Aztec point guard D.J. Gay.
Players are allowed four tickets to the game and Gay's parents, sister and high school friend will be there.
If he wants more tickets, he'll have to stand in line like hundreds of other students.
"I've been out here since 4 o'clock yesterday," said SDSU student Joey Brown.
Brown will get one free ticket and be able to buy one guest ticket for $10. Those $10 tickets are now selling online for more than $100.
"If the price is right, I'm not going to say no if someone offers me the right money," said SDSU student Nic Hermosillo.
"I was finding anywhere from $150 to $600. The last ones I saw were for $1,100," said Luna.
San Diego State Marketing professor George Belch says emotions are driving these rising prices.
"Basic economics, supply and demand. Viejas Arena holds 12,414 people and you probably have 5,000 or 6,000 people who would love to come," said Belch.
It is not illegal in California to sell tickets above face value but law prohibits those sales taking place from the actual sport venue.


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David Ortiz worked the drive-thru at New Hampshire Dunkin’ Donuts (pic/vid)
When Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz hangs up his cleats for the last time and retires after a storied MLB career, his quality performance while working the drive-thru at a Dunkin’ Donuts in Salem, N.H., certainly indicates he may have his post-retirement part-time job already lined up.
Ortiz, with a name tag reading “Big Papi” on his brown apron, took orders and even made an iced coffee while serving customers coffee as part of a promotion for the chain’s Dunkin’s Iced Coffee Day on Wednesday. As noted in a Boston Globe report, every iced coffee sold in eastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire locations will result in a $1 donation to the Boston Children’s Hospital and the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock.
Tuesday’s appearance ahead of Boston’s game against the Texas Rangers at Fenway Park is part of an endorsement deal Ortiz has with Dunkin’ Donuts for the duration of this season. Ortiz indicated his favorite drink at the popular chain is a mocha latte with milk and sugar. He apparently will enjoy it hot or cold, depending on the season.
Ortiz retweeted a photo of himself fraternizing with a customer as well as whipping up a coffee.
Got my coffee from big papi @davidortiz pic.twitter.com/6HRBzjomYa
— mikebernardini (@mikebernardini1) May 19, 2015
BIG PAPI MADE HIS FIRST COFFEE EVER AND IT WAS MINE @davidortiz pic.twitter.com/xQEaLy7foD
— KendraBrasil⚡ (@Brasil1_Kendra4) May 19, 2015
And for the record, working his “side job” had no ill effects on his regular gig, as Ortiz went 2-for-4 with 2 RBI and a run scored in Boston’s 4-3 win.
(photo credit: Boston Globe)


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In December 2010, 88.6 million people watched watched online video on an average day, up 32 percent from December 2009. A research conducted by Forbes found out that 59 % of senior executives prefer to watch video instead of reading text, if both are available on the same page. 80% of executives are watching more online video today than they were a year ago. (Forbes Insight, December 2010). Some key facts from the most popular online video platform YouTube:
- Videos on YouTube exceed 2 billion views a day.
- 70% of YouTube’s traffic comes from outside the U.S.
- Over 3 million people are sharing online videos to at least one social networking platform.
According to Cisco, video will increase from 30% of internet traffic to 90% of internet traffic by 2013 (Cisco, 2010) If you still think that online video is not for your company, think again.


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Threshold Entertainment, the folks who brought you the Mortal Kombat movies, have partnered with the Tetris Company to develop a big screen adaption based on the classic video game.
The film will be produced by Threshold Chairman Larry Kasanoff and executive produced by Threshold’s Jimmy Ienner and The Tetris Company.
It’s all part of the game’s 30th anniversary this year, and it will be a science fiction affair.
“Everyone knows that Tetris is one of the best known, most beloved brands in the world,” said Kasanoff. “What everyone doesn’t know yet is this epic sci-fi story that we’re going to tell. That’s what’s really exciting.”
“What started as a simple, computer puzzle game 30 years ago, today is part of our global consciousness, connecting people of all ages and backgrounds and feeding our innate desire to create order out of chaos,” says Henk Rogers, MD of The Tetris Company. “We look forward to partnering with Threshold Entertainment to re-imagine that common experience and bring a spectacular new Tetris universe to the big screen for the first time.
“In this new universe, as you’ll soon find out, there’s much more to Tetris than simply clearing lines.”
Those are the only details available as of press time. We’ll see if we can find out more.


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Melania Trump may be sending secret messages via her choice to wear clothes from British design houses, says Express writer Jess Sheldon. However, what that message may be, and its intended audience, remains unclear.
The first lady kept a low profile during the government shutdown but has since been seen on-camera, and often, she's been spotted wearing British brands. For example, at the State of the Union address, Mrs. Trump wore a jacket from the century-and-a-half-old English design house Burberry, valued at approximately $1919. You can find a similar Burberry jacket on Amazon, with the same black color but lacking the vertical column of buttons that appeared on Melania's garment, for $1,370. She also wore only one glove during her husband's annual address to Congress, although the significance of that choice, if indeed there is any, remains unclear.
Similarly, two days later Mrs. Trump made a public appearance, this time wearing a denim jacket. This one was also from a British design house; specifically, it's a Victoria Beckham jacket worth approximately $547.
So is Melania making a statement by wearing British brands? Perhaps it has something to do with the ongoing Brexit controversy, although what Melania thinks about Brexit is anyone's guess. She's said nothing about it so far, although it bears noting that her husband, Donald, supports Great Britain leaving the European Union.Mrs. Trump's stylist, Hervé Pierre, rejects any notion that his client is trying to make a statement with her choices.
"As long as I find the right outfit, the designer is almost irrelevant. The designer... could have been anybody else. It has nothing to do with England or Brexit."However, fashion expert Dominique St. John believes that Melania has made political statements with her fashion choices before, although she's not convinced she's doing so now.
"It is unclear whether Melania is making a political statement on this occasion."You'll note that St. John said the words "on this occasion." That's because the first lady has, in the past, been accused of making a political statement with her fashion choices. Perhaps most notably, in June 2018, Melania made a trip to a juvenile detention facility in Texas, where migrant children, who had crossed the border from Mexico illegally, were being kept detained, separated from their parents. That day, Mrs. Trump famously wore a Zara jacket with the words "I Really Don't Care, Do U?"
The message was taken to be a dig at the controversy of separating migrant children from their parents, not-so-subtly saying that she, well, doesn't care. However, as CNN reported months later, Mrs. Trump, after first insisting there was no hidden message, later said that it was a dig at the "fake news media."


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Harry White did not want much from the stock market. All he needed was $2.5 million to pay for a marketing blitz for an electronic device his year-old company, Sycon Inc., started selling last week.
But at the end of August, Mr. White, its president, called off a planned sale of Sycon stock. "Under existing [stock market] conditions it would have been very difficult to sell" stock to investors, he says. So now he's looking for private individuals who want to pump cash into Sycon, which makes signature verification equipment.
Sycon is not alone.
* Connecticut Light & Power Company's plan to sell $65 million in debt blew a fuse.
* Tape Specialty Company's hopes of selling $3 million in stock came unraveled.
* Republic Airline Inc.'s plan to sell $50 million worth of debt convertible into stock never got off the ground.
Executives at both fledgling companies and established concerns who want to put cash into their corporate pockets are running into roadblocks caused by the depressed level of stock and bond prices.
Low stock prices cut the amount a company can raise by selling shares. "In bad markets you have to bring the price [down] to where it is presentable," says Thomas McChesney, syndicate manager for Paulson Investment Company of Portland, Ore.
And depressed bond prices mean companies are faced with paying rates of interest on debt instruments that most corporate treasurers find unacceptable.
As a result of current market conditions, firms that are not desperate for cash are delaying equity (stock) and debt (bond) offerings in the hope the markets will improve. And those that must raise cash now are paying a high price to do so.
Although the new-issues market had been relatively unaffected until recently, for the past two weeks new enterprises have been "holding back on issuing" their first shares of stock, says Joel Lawson III, managing partner of Philadelphia-based Howard & co.
Mr. Lawson notes that there is a backlog of 200 companies that have registered their stock for sale with the Securities and Exchange Commission but have not brought their issues to market.
"More common than announced cancellations are deferrals of plans" to issue stock, notes Christopher Clutz, first vice-president in Smith Barney, Harris Upham & Co.'s corporate finance department.
Meanwhile in the bond market, "the availability of debt borrowing is limited and the cost almost prohibitive," says Mr. McChesney at Paulson Investment Company. Bonds rated Aaa by Moody's have recently been priced to yield more than 16 percent.
The high cost of selling debt has persuaded US corporations to postpone an estimated $18 billion in debt issues which companies said they would issue but still have not brought to market. "Debt offerings by industrial companies have been radically curtailed," Mr. Clutz notes.
Of course, not all companies can delay spending plans as a result of the market gyrations. "When you need money, the demand is not real elastic," says Wayne Guin, director of security financing at the American Telephone & Telegraph Company. "You have to go after it."
So far this year, Bell companies have sold $3.038 billion of debt and plan to raise an additional $650 million by year's end.
Some companies are avoiding the impact of market upheaval because they had not planned to issue long-term debt. For example, General Motors Corporation, while it borrows overseas to finance international operations, has not been in the US bond market since 1975, according to GM treasurer Robert T. O'Connell.
Using funds from operations and overseas borrowing, GM laid out $7.6 billion in 1980 to overhaul its assembly plants and car lines. Capital spending in 1981 "will be somewhat higher [than in 1980]," Mr. O'Connell says. "There have been no alterations in our plans due to interest rates."
Most companies, however, have to cope with bond market conditions and are adopting a Variety of strategies to do so. Some are proceeding warily. For example, Caterpillar Tractor Company is planning to sell $150 million in five-year notes in October to help pay for a recent acquisition. But sources close to the company say that if "rates move up again, we just won't sell" the notes.
Others have cut the size of their offerings to make debt easier -- and less costly -- to sell. This week Ohio Edison Company reduced a bond offering from $ 100 million to $75 million. "Our underwriters felt that going for $100 would have been difficult," says Edison information director David Poeppelmeier.
Some corporate treasurers have decided to beat a strategic retreat. Connecticut Light & Power canceled a bond issue because "we couldn't get a good reading" on on the price the offering would bring, says the utility's executive vice-president, E. James Ferland.
Republic Airlines canceled an offering of debt convertible into stock and "the day we were pricing the bonds . . . the Dow dropped 18 points. The market [for our bonds] evaporated," Republic treasurer Howard McKinnon says.
While bond market upheaval most often affects larger, longer-established firms, unsettled stock market conditions hit both large and small companies but make life especially difficult for new firms that want to sell stock. As a result new companies are redesigning their money-raising plans.
For example, Tape Specialty, which makes audio tape duplicating equipment, had planned on a common-stock offering. But its investment banker suggested Tape restructure the deal and sell debt convertible into stock. The debt is being packaged with warrants that allow an investor to purchase stock at fixed price.
"When you have a market decline there is little reason for the investor to be interested in a new, speculative issue when he could buy an existing company at a cheaper price," says Paulson's McChesney. ""You have to give investors a reason to want to own the company.


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Carlsberg UK is launching two new premium brands exclusively in the on-trade this spring. Craft beer, Shed Head and craft cider, Bad Apple, will be available on draught in bars and pubs from 2 May.
Shed Head is a 4.6% ABV American pale ale, dry hopped using Cascade and Citra hops, brewed in Falkenberg, Sweden and imported to the UK. The beer is balanced perfectly with bitterness and tropical fruit aromas, providing refreshment and delivering on flavour. Shed Head joins Carlsberg UK’s popular Backyard Brewery range, alongside Lawn Mower and Bee 17, which have both been available in 330ml can format in the UK since 2014.
Bad Apple, an expertly blended 5.1% ABV cider, is the first craft cider in Carlsberg UK’s portfolio. Produced in Herefordshire, it blends four distinctive cider fermentations to produce a tangy, fresh-pressed apple and blossom scent, alongside flavours of sweet, spicy apples, balanced with a crisp, dry mouthfeel and lingering oak taste.
Both Shed Head and Bad Apple will be supported with branded glassware and stand-out fonts which have been designed to communicate each brand’s identity and premium proposition. Carlsberg UK will also be supporting the launches through advertising and sampling throughout the year.
David Scott, Marketing Director at Carlsberg UK commented: “Innovation and brand building are at the forefront of our approach this year, so we’re thrilled to be growing our premium portfolio.
“As the craft beer revolution goes from strength-to-strength, we are delighted to introduce Shed Head, a new premium craft beer packed full of flavour that we know beer-drinkers will love. Pale ales are one of the fastest growing styles of beer, representing almost one in three craft beer sales¹, so now is the perfect time to launch Shed Head to the on-trade, supported by an iconic and unique font which will achieve stand-out on any bar.”
Commenting on the launch of Bad Apple, Scott continued: “Apple cider is worth £1.2bn to the on-trade and represents 73% of all cider². It’s a category that the UK has embraced in recent years, leading to a boom for cider sales. Many drinkers who were introduced to the category during this time will be looking for new and exciting craft cider brands as their palates have developed. We’re confident Bad Apple will be a perfect fit for them as it delivers impactful, authentic flavour alongside true craftsmanship and quality.”
For more information about stocking Shed Head and Bad Apple, call Carlsberg UK on 0845 3710 199 or visit www.carlsbergwedelivermore.co.uk.


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Discussion 8 – Coursework Example
News/ Research on EDs Research article Health Effects of EDs on Children, Adolescents and Young Adults. This article is attached. News ESC: EDs May Not Be All Bad
The concern being conversed here focuses on health implications of energy drinks (EDs). The first sentence of MEDPAGE Today article states that EDs can offer some benefits for a young, healthy heart. (MEDPAGETODAY 29 August 2012, para 1). Manufacturers of EDs promote their sale by highlighting their products for extreme thrill-seeking sports which appeal to young population. The article is supported by a picture of cans which does not imply research.
According to the research article, 30 to 50 percent young adults and adolescents consume EDs. EDs contain caffeine in an unregulated amount and bring about serious health implications particularly in children, young adults and adolescents. The research reveals that EDs may induce diabetes, seizures, cardiac anomalies mood swings as well as behavioral symptoms. The research article substantiates that in 2007, out of the reported 5448 US caffeine overdose cases, 46 percent comprise were reported to be individuals below 19 years of age. As a result, most of the nations have limited the sale as well as advertisement of EDs. The article elaborates that EDs do not hold any therapeutic significance, moreover the ingredients of EDs are unregulated as a result these ingredients or unknown agents impose toxicity which is a matter of great concern. Children are more vulnerable to the toxic effects of EDs as these drinks cause renal, cardiovascular, liver impairments as well as diabetes, seizures, hyperthyroidism in children. Besides, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) limits the content of caffeine in soft drinks but no regulation is imposed on EDs instead they are being promoted in articles as mentioned in MEDPAGE TODAY.
The news article states that volunteers showed tough contractile features just one hour after consumption of EDs. However, the research states that EDs are rich in caffeine and therefore consumption stimulates the nervous system. High doses of caffeine may bring serious health implications, this is the reason they are sports drinks. EDs are the infusions containing which also contain glucuronolactone, guarana, ginseng, taurine, inositol, herbal supplements, as well as artificial sweeteners, L-Carnitine, vitamin B, L-Theanine etc. Companies manufacturing EDs endorse their sale by the prominence of their products portraying them as tremendous thrill-seeking team games which appeal to adolescent population.
The comparison concludes that news articles do not reveal complete information about the research done or going around about the products, they do it partially and present misleading information, at one aspect they promote the companies by concealing information while on other side they reveal partial research information which is a matter of concern.
ESC: EDs May Not Be All Bad. (2012). Retrieved from
Sara, M., Seifert, B.S., Judith, L., Schaechter, M. D. Et al. (2011). Health Effects of Energy
Drinks on Children, Adolescents and Young Adults. Pediatrics, 127(3), 511-528.


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This video posted by AppAdvice gives us the best look yet at what is most likely Apple’s next lineup of iPhones. It features both the heavily-leaked ‘champagne’ colored iPhone 5S, as well as a blue version of the lower-cost iPhone 5C. Take a look:
Early rumors of the iPhone 5S said that the phone would be gold, but after seeing the device more clearly in this video and in recent leaks, it’s clear that it will be a subdued champagne style color instead. Seeing it side-by-side with the current black and white iPhone also shows that it would fit in quite well in the lineup. As for the iPhone 5C, the blue color is only one of many that the phone is expected to come in including green, red, yellow, and white. The front of the device will remain black.
Apple is expected to announce the new iPhones in an event on September 10th.


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Hamilton home sales dip but listings on rise, making for ‘rebalanced’ market, Realtors association says
Fewer homes selling in Hamilton, and at a lower price
What you see depends on where you stand, wrote C.S. Lewis.
While the lay theologian and novelist probably wasn’t referencing the local real estate market, the axiom still applies: whether it is trending good or bad depends on your situation.
Figures released Thursday show the protracted sizzling sellers’ market in Hamilton-Burlington cooled in July compared to the same month last year: sales were down 20 per cent, while listings were up nearly 18 per cent.
(Taken separately, Hamilton’s numbers showed a 26 per cent drop in sales, and a 15 per cent increase in listings.)
But it’s a positive pattern for buyers, according to George O’Neill, CEO of the Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington.
In fact, he says the market is reaching a healthier “rebalancing” in terms of the ratio of sales to listings, that had been too heavily weighted in favour of sales when the market was red-hot.
“When we see the number of listings go up and sales go down, it just means people have more choices.
“It’s better, in the long term for everyone, to have a more balanced market.”
A news release from the realtors association employed a weather metaphor to couch the shifting optics: “July 2017 Market Brings Home Buyers Relief from the Heat,” read the headline.
While a strong sellers’ market has its upside, it can make it tough for purchasers to afford to buy, O’Neill said.
In keeping with the trend, home sale prices have dropped from the highs seen in the spring — down 12 per cent from May.
The average home listed in Hamilton in July sold for $474,179 and in Burlington for $699,830.
The average length of time the homes were listed was similar for each market — 24 and 25 days, respectively.
Hamilton house sales went down in July compared to last year.


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China’s BAIC – minority shareholders in Saab’s putative owner Koenigsegg – are reportedly planning to buy up all the tooling for the old Saab 9-5 and move production to China.
Saab has recently revealed the new 2010 9-5 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Fine car bit appears to be, and we reckon it’s a great launch for the new Saab under Koenigsegg’s ownership. But what of the old tooling for the current 9-5, which is far from in it’s first flush of youth, having been a Saab model for the last 40 years (not quite, it just seems like it)?
It would seem that there is a use for it – not just scrap value. BAIC (Beijing Automotive Industry Corporation), which recently acquired a small stake in Saab and where there are high hopes of some good Saab sales in China, wants to buy up the old 9-5 tooling. And move it lock, stock and barrel to Beijing.
Which is actually familiar territory for the Chinese. SAIC did exactly the same thing when they bought up the assets of Rover. A cheap way to launch a new car in China. All it takes is a news set of badges and away you go. And those huge cost savings would make the old 9-5 a very viable entry-level option for Chinese buyers who can’t afford a nice, shiny 2010 9-5.
There is also the option for BAIC of buying up the recently closed factory which produced the old Saab slant-four engine. BAIC could buy that up and ship it out to China. A complete DIY car makers set at a knock down price.
Not always inscrutable , these Chinese. Sometimes entirely transparent and logical.Source: Autocar


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Get ready for the much-anticipated Pixel 8 series release this fall, as Google gears up to launch an updated version of its Camera app alongside it. This blog post delves into the exciting enhancements and new features the upcoming Google Camera app update is expected to bring, revolutionizing smartphone photography for Pixel users.
The forthcoming Pixel 8 series launch in the fall of 2023 is set to be accompanied by a significant upgrade to the Google Camera app. This update is generating buzz due to its anticipated array of enhancements, promising an enriched photography experience for Pixel users. Here’s a sneak peek at what the updated Google Camera app is expected to bring to the table:
1. New User-Friendly Interface: Reports suggest a brand-new, more intuitive interface that is not only user-friendly but also customizable to cater to individual preferences. This streamlined interface aims to simplify navigation and offer a seamless user experience.
2. Separate Photo and Video Modes: One notable update is the inclusion of separate photo and video modes within the app. This segregation will enable users to effortlessly switch between modes, facilitating quicker access to the desired features.
3. Exciting Camera Modes: Anticipate the arrival of fresh camera modes like Action Pan and Long Exposure. These innovative modes grant users greater creative control over exposure and motion blur, facilitating the capture of captivating photos and videos.
4. Enhanced Night Sight Performance: Renowned for its low-light photography prowess, the Night Sight mode is poised for further improvement. The update aims to enhance Night Sight performance, promising sharper and brighter photos even in challenging low-light conditions.
5. Upgraded Portrait Mode: Pixel users are no strangers to the popular portrait mode. The updated app is expected to introduce new portrait mode features, allowing users to fine-tune background blur and incorporate artistic effects for captivating portraits.
6. Improved Image Stabilization: With improved image stabilization, blurriness in both photos and videos is poised to be significantly reduced. This enhancement promises crisper, clearer results, even when capturing on-the-go moments.
7. Swift Processing Speeds: A faster processing speed is also in the works, allowing users to snap and view photos and videos with remarkable ease and efficiency.
All these exciting features are tailored to make smartphone photography an even more enjoyable and rewarding experience for Pixel users. The impending release of the Google Camera app update alongside the Pixel 8 series is creating quite the anticipation. Stay tuned for a revamped photography journey that’s sure to capture your imagination and memories.
Conclusion: As the fall of 2023 draws near, so does the launch of the Pixel 8 series and its accompanying Google Camera app update. With an array of exciting new features and improvements, this update is poised to redefine the photography landscape for Pixel users. The enhancements promise to bring your creative visions to life, making every snapshot a masterpiece. Keep an eye out for the unveiling of the updated Google Camera app – it’s bound to be a game-changer for smartphone photography enthusiasts.


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There is renewed conversation in Tennessee about the possibility of wine sales in grocery stores, but not so fast, says alcohol beverage law attorney Will Cheek.
Although the idea is popular among Tennesseans and two top Republican state legislators recently said they support it, "there are also lots of reasons why the will of the people may be doomed — again," writes Cheek, an attorney with Nashville law firm Bone McAllester Norton, which has clients on both sides of the issue.
Many of the bigger hurdles that have blocked wine from supermarket shelves in the past still exist, Cheek writes.
Allowing wine at the supermarket could be spun as win for "large out of state corporations" that force many mom and pop liquor stores out of business, Cheek writes in a blog post. "On the heels of a recession, with lots of local jobs and small businesses at stake, we see the local angle continuing to play well before legislators."
The state projects tax revenue from wine will double if grocers can offer it, writes Cheek, who doubts the estimates. While the added tax revenue would be a plus, the additional consumption of wine won't sit well with beer distributors and socially conservative legislators, he said.
You can read more from Cheek, who has represented some of the state's top liquor distributors and other interests, here.


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Country Music Association Brings Tunes to the Greeting Card Aisle
Last week, the Country Music Association and Hallmark Cards, Inc., announced a new licensing agreement, which would pair greeting cards with snippets of popular country music songs. The agreement should also lasso in younger consumers.
Most people have probably had the experience of opening a birthday card—and depending on the sender, expected to read an alternatively humorous or heartfelt message—but instead were surprised with a blaring audio clip.
With the announcement of a new licensing agreement between the Country Music Association (CMA) and Hallmark Cards, Inc., Americans will soon open cards and hear an audio clip with a decidedly country twang.
Come November, these Hallmark cards—priced at $4.99—will be available at stores nationwide. They’ll release a couple of weeks earlier in Walmart Stores. The cards will feature 15-second sound clips of CMA-member artists’ popular songs, such as Carrie Underwood’s “All American Girl” and Brad Paisley’s “Mud on the Tires.” Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, and Miranda Lambert are some of the other artists included in the 12-card series.
Emily Evans, CMA’s director of strategic partnerships, said that the agreement with Hallmark was good opportunity for the group because not only will it draw more attention to singers and songwriters but it’s also going to be a revenue driver. In addition, CMA will celebrate its 50th anniversary in November, so the cards, which will appear in card aisles with the 50th Annual CMA Awards logo branding, will also call attention to the group’s milestone.
“People love to connect with each other through music, and we’re thrilled to bring some of today’s hottest Country Music artists to Hallmark cards,” said Kelly Reichman, director of Hallmark Licensing, in a press release. “Capturing the spirit of today’s CMA-member artists, this collection celebrates good times with friends.”
According to the Greeting Card Association (GCA), Americans buy 6.5 billion greeting cards annually.
“Gen Y now represents more industry volume than any other generation, including baby boomers,” said GCA Executive Director Peter Doherty. “Part of this is due to the size of the generation, part due to the fact that they spend more per card.”
In sending greeting cards, Doherty said that people are trying to make an emotional connection.
And this emotional connection is one of the reasons Hallmark forged the deal with CMA. According to a CMA-commissioned study, conducted by the Futures Company, there was a 54 percent rise in country music consumption among the 18- to 24-year-old population group in the last decade. And more millennials listening to country music means more potential customers of country music cards.
“Companies are looking for ways to connect with millennials,” Doherty said.
He points to other ways card companies are reaching millennials. For example, Papyrus cutting a deal with Taylor Swift, and the husband-wife duo behind Old Tom Foolery selling cards with slightly irreverent messages that are again aimed at the younger generation.
CMA is enthusiastic about this new collaboration. “This year marks the 50th anniversary of the CMA Awards, and we are excited this partnership with Hallmark gives our fans another way to celebrate,” Evans said in a press release. “Country music tells the story of everyday living and these cards are a memorable way to mark life’s special moments.”
A few of the country-themed cards hitting stores later this year. (Hallmark press photos)


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A manufacturer of high-quality oak barrels and cooperage products plans to construct a state-of-the-art mill near Batesville to produce staves for bourbon and wine barrels, according to recent press release shared by the AEDC. Independent Stave Company, the largest barrel maker in the world, will invest more than $30 million in the facility and create approximately 60 new jobs for the area.
“This has been an exciting time as we continue to invest in our current and new facilities to support our customers and the growth of the industry,” said Brad Boswell, CEO of Independent Stave Company. “This new stave mill will be our seventh domestic mill, and an important addition allowing us to expand our supply of high-quality American white oak.”
Independent Stave Company operates six stave mills and three cooperages throughout the United States, as well as a mill and cooperages overseas. Established in 1912, the company manufactures staves, barrels, and oak alternatives for customers in 40 countries around the world.
The company reportedly sought opportunity in Arkansas due to the state’s wealth of natural resources and raw materials necessary to manufacture cooperage products. A stave is a narrow length of wood with a slightly beveled edge used to make the barrels that distillers and winemakers use to age wine, bourbon, whiskey and other spirits. White oak, which is plentiful in Arkansas, is used in barrel staves because white oak has proven to be the best for crafting a liquid-tight container.
“White oak is just one of the 160 species of hardwoods grown in the state,” said Secretary of Commerce Mike Preston. “Timber is vital to the Arkansas economy. It contributes slightly more than five percent of our economy and employs more than 27,700 people. With more than 19 million acres of forestland in the state and a workforce that is second to none, I am confident that Independent Stave Company will find the resources they need in Arkansas to continue on the newest path of their journey.”
“We are proud to welcome Independent Stave Company to Independence County,” CEO of the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce and City of Batesville Economic Development Crystal Johnson said. “Our community strategic plan, IMPACT, has a strong focus on local leadership working together to recruit and expand industry sectors that have the greatest potential to create new jobs, raise incomes and elevate standards of living. This exciting announcement is directly inline with this vision of progressive economic growth.”
Independent Stave Company plans to start operations in Batesville at the end of 2023. For more information, including job opportunities, visit www.independentstavecompany.


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OPPO has released a new poster to confirm that it will be holding a launch event on Oct. 10 to announce a new smartphone. The company did not confirm on the name of the smartphone that will be unveiled on the said date. It is speculated that the OPPO PBCM10, PBCT10 and PBCM30 phones that were recently certified by TENAA authority in China may get announced in the next month’s unveil event. Rumors are rife that OPPO is prepping to launch a new K-series of smartphones. Hence, it is speculated that the OPPO K1 will be the name of the smartphone that will be debuting in the coming month.
The OPPO event will begin at 10:00 AM on Oct. 10 The TENAA listings of the aforementioned smartphones have revealed that these phones will be equipped with waterdrop notch screen along with glass rear with blue-pink gradient color.
The PBCM10 and PBCT10 models feature 4 GB of RAM along with inbuilt storage of 128 GB. The PBCM30 model has 6 GB of RAM and 64 GB of native storage. These models are driven by 1.95GHz octa-core processor.
These phones are equipped with 6.4-inch AMOLED screen that produces Full HD+ resolution. A rear-mounted fingerprint scanner is not visible on any of the three smartphones. The reason behind it is that they are blessed with under-display fingerprint scanner.
For photography, these phones feature 16-megapixel + 2-megapixel dual camera setup and a 25-megapixel selfie camera. They are packed with 3,500mAh batteries and are loaded with Android 8.1 Oreo OS.
There is no concrete evidence to prove that the above models are variants of the rumored OPPO K1 phone. Hence, it is advisable to wait for further reports to confirm on its existence.


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Web-browser pioneer Marc Andreessen resigned from the board of EBay ahead of the online marketplace's breakup, following a verbal battle with activist investor Carl Icahn over the company's PayPal unit.
Andreessen, 43, co-founder of Netscape and a director at Hewlett-Packard, said in a statement the decision to separate marks the right time for him to step down. He has "complete confidence" in the ability of EBay chief executive officer John Donahoe and the board to lead the company's split, according to the statement.
In a contentious campaign earlier this year over the company's handling of PayPal, Icahn singled out Andreessen and fellow director Scott Cook, accusing them of conflicts of interest, which Andreessen and EBay disputed.
In April, EBay announced an agreement with Icahn, 78, that avoided a proxy contest, and EBay went on to unveil the PayPal spinoff last month, though Icahn and Andreessen continued to criticize each other. In an interview with Bloomberg Television earlier this month, Icahn said Andreessen is “what’s wrong with corporate America.”
Andreessen, who told CNBC Icahn lies and "makes stuff up," added that Icahn quote to his biography on his Twitter profile page.
EBay and PayPal are considered takeover candidates after their split, for buyers such as Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and Google Inc., according to analysts. PayPal will become a stand- alone company by the end of next year. Hewlett-Packard, run by former EBay CEO Meg Whitman, is also splitting up.
Andreessen joined the board of San Jose, California-based EBay in September 2008. The company, founded in 1995, enabled $205 billion of commerce volume last year. CEO Donahoe plans to lead EBay through its breakup next year and then step down from his executive role, though he will take a seat on one or both of the new companies’ boards. EBay disclosed Icahn’s effort in January, saying the investor took a stake, nominated two board candidates and proposed a spinoff of PayPal, the company’s digital-payments unit. In letters to EBay investors in the months that followed, Icahn criticised the online marketplace’s corporate governance. He said Andreessen had made investments in and advised direct competitors of EBay, and had conflicts of interest related to videoconferencing service Skype, which EBay acquired in 2005 and then sold to an investment group in 2009. Andreessen and EBay denied any wrongdoing, saying Andreessen recused himself from negotiations and the process was transparent.
Andreessen couldn't immediately be reached for further comment through a spokeswoman. Abby Smith, a spokeswoman for EBay, declined to say what the company will do regarding the vacancy on its board. Andreessen was a co-developer of Mosaic, the first widely used Internet browser, and founded Netscape, a software producer that was purchased in 1999 by the former America Online Inc. Andreessen Horowitz, the venture capital firm Andreessen co- founded, has invested in such startups as Facebook, Twitter, Airbnb and Box.
Bloomberg, the parent company of Bloomberg News, is an investor in Andreessen Horowitz. EBay shares gained 2.6 per cent to $49.20 at the close in New York. They’ve fallen 6.6 per cent since the company announced its plans to split.


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Halo 4 confirmed for release at E3 2011
It seems that the story of Halo does NOT end at Halo: Reach, it has been OFFICIALLY confirmed that Halo 4 is headed for the 360 and it's going to be a big release, looks like Microsoft may still have a good number of exclusives under their belt with the return of Halo and the release of Gears of War 3 later this year.
It has also been confirmed that this is the start of a whole new story line and that there will be 3 more games (leading all the way to Halo 6) so it looks like Microsoft is set for the next few years.
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Domestic trade and consumer affairs minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi revealed earlier today that the government will continue to monitor the ceiling prices of COVID-19 Antigen self-test kits in Malaysia. Prior to this, the kits have been gazetted as a controlled item under the Control of Supplies Order 2021 on 24 November of last year, and was later enforced on 1 December to ensure adequate supply in the market.
“The government always takes into account the needs and interests of consumers, especially from the aspect of adequacy of supply in the market as well as getting face masks and self-test kits at prices that are not burdensome,” the minister explained. “As such, enforcement, inspection and monitoring by my ministry’s enforcement division are always done on relevant items at every level, such as manufacturers, wholesalers and traders.”
Linggi’s statement comes as a reply to a question by Pakatan Harapan-Rasah parliament member Cha Kee Chin regarding on whether the ministry would review and reduce the ceiling prices of face masks and Covid-19 self-test kits, as well as set ceiling prices for oximeters and thermometers – all of which are considered as essential items at this time. For the latter, the minister says that the government would implement a pricing review for the items if necessary.
Concurrently, Linggi says that the ministry of health (MOH) will also ensure that the quality of self-test kits are up to standards. The matter is currently being looked into and the standards of quality will be gazetted at a later date, he added.
“In relation to COVID-19 test kits, [the medical standard] is indeed under the jurisdiction of the MDA (Medical Device Authority) under the Ministry of Health,” the minister stated. “This ministry will continue to work with the MDA to continuously monitor the matter to ensure these devices [in the market] are of quality.”
(Source: The Edge Markets)


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Eating your veggies will cost more this holiday
Torrential rains in formerly drought-ridden California and Arizona may impact what you have on your Easter table this weekend. The price of some produce like lettuce, broccoli and cauliflower has more than doubled and the supply has plummeted right before the holiday, a time when home cooks often look to fresh vegetables to round out a special meal.
Local produce shipping companies have been inundated with calls from restaurants and local groceries in attempts to procure more of the veggies.
Santa Maria Produce, which delivers fruits, vegetables and other produce to businesses all over Shreveport and Bossier City, has seen the impact of the crop loss first hand. Orders placed by the company to growers in California have come back with only fractions of what they requested.
"We're in a crisis," Santa Maria Produce Owner Joseph Glorioso said.
For example, if the produce company orders about 170 cases for a local restaurant, they'd only receive 47. In some cases, have to accommodate the restaurant with substitute vegetables from their stock.
Glorioso said they'll see a 25 to 30 percent increase in demand from the norm because of the Easter holiday.
A 24-count carton of heads of romaine and iceberg lettuce typically costs around $18 or $19, he said. With supply short and demand high, growers have increased their prices to a market average of $45 to $50 a carton. At one point, these lettuce cartons were as high as $75.
With farmers harvesting lettuce heads prematurely to ship out as much as possible, that's less lettuce at a substantially higher price.
"They can try to play hardball and get their order filled or take what they give us," Glorioso said.
While restaurants and supermarkets are feeling the brunt of the shortage, school systems and hospitals systems that bid out their food supply stay relatively safe from price fluctuations.
Bossier Parish School System spokesperson Sonja Bailes said lunch fees in the parish shouldn't go up, especially with schools about to let out for the summer.
Santa Maria and other smaller produce shipping companies Joseph Glorioso said he predicts lettuce, broccoli and cauliflower prices will return to normal by about mid-May, once the California farmers recover from the floods.
"It'll correct itself," he said.