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SuperZeldaSmashWright: Nintendo Direct Recap
October 2, 2013
In stark contrast to recent Nintendo Directs, which focussed on one or two titles, last night’s Nintendo Direct went broad, providing updates on 12 upcoming titles for the Wii U and 3DS.
To begin, Nintnedo President Satoru Iwata unveiled a new Super Mario 3D World trailer, which showed off a variety of new suits and items, including the Cherry, which creates duplicates of your character, and a portable Piranha Plant to take out enemies. For full effect, check out the trailer below. The game will be released in Europe on November 29.
The Legend Of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds will not be as linear as typical Zelda games. Iwata explained that the two unwritten rules of past Zelda adventures — “You could only get a new item at a new dungeon and…puzzles in that dungeon would primarily be solved with this new item” — are being reconsidered for the upcoming 3DS title. Players will instead be able to purchase any item they can afford early on, allowing flexibility in the order in which dungeons are encountered. The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds will be available from November 22.
Iwata also teased a new sidescrolling Kirby title. It planned for release on the 3DS in 2014.
After Iwata’s piece, Nintendo of Europe’s President Satoru Shibata showed off some English footage of Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Dual Destinies. It will launch exclusively on the Nintendo eShop on October 24; a demo is currently available to download. Shibata also announced that a localised version of Bravely Default: Flying Fairy will be released on December 6 from both retail and the Nintendo eShop.
To sum up the other announcements from this Nintendo Direct:
- Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze has been delayed until 2014.
- Sonic will, once again, appear as a guest character in the upcoming Super Smash Bros. games.
- Wii Karaoke U will be released in Europe on October 4. It will come with a free hour of access to the 1,500 song launch library. Further access can be purchased with tickets ranging from one hour (£1.79) to 30 days (£13.49)
- The minigame compilation Wii Party U will be available on October 25, and will include a Wii Remote Plus and a stand so you can lay your Wii U Gamepad flat for some of the minigames.
- Pikmin 3‘s first Mission Mode pack will be available for £1.79.


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Those looking to get the Sony Ericsson Xperia Pro, that sleek and sexy slide-out Android-based smartphone announced in February at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, will have to wait until October to get their hands on the device.
That's a whopping eight months and we can't help but think that it might just be too little too late. Carphone Warehouse (opens in new tab) now lists the phone for October while Sony Ericsson still maintains that the phone will be launched this month.
As for the other usual suspects (Clove, Play, Handtec and Expansys), they have yet to publish a release date OR a price. The Xperia Pro is basically the same as the Xperia Play except that it swaps the game pad of the latter for a proper keyboard aimed at corporate customers.
Like the Play, you get a Qualcomm Snapdragon SoC clocked at 1GHz, 512MB RAM, a 3.7-inch 854x480 pixel display with enhanced Mobile Bravia Engine, Android 2.3 Gingerbread, HDMI and a 8.1-megapixel camera with AF. To backup its business credentials, Sony Ericsson bundled the OfficeSuite Pro set of applications as well as a few other tools.
Is it worth holding on for the Xperia Pro? We're disappointed that Sony Ericsson delayed the handset by nearly three quarters of a year; by the time it launches the Xperia Pro may face a few more rivals while existing ones like the HTC Desire Z will have significantly dropped in price.

domain: news


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Although Virginia legalized recreational marijuana in 2021, they are the only legal marijuana state to prohibit marijuana retail outlets. Tonight’s election could change that.
Earlier this year legislation to legalize marijuana sales – Senate Bill 1133 – was approved by the state’s full Senate by a vote of 24 to 16. However, the measure stalled in the House of Delegates, which is controlled by Republicans in a 48 to 46 split. Several Democrats have campaigned this election with a platform that includes the idea that if they take over the House, they will legalize marijuana sales.
In tonight’s election Democrats appear to have achieved the first part of that two-pronged plan, winning enough seats to take control of the House while retaining control of the Senate.
Democrats were able to keep their advantage in the Senate that they had coming into the night, while gaining enough seats in the House to become the new majority party.
It’s unclear if the new Democrat-controlled House, seated in January, will consider Senate Bill 1133 in the coming session or if they will formulate a new bill to send to the Senate.
According to its official summary, Senate Bill 1133:
Establishes a framework for the creation of a retail marijuana market in the Commonwealth, which would be administered by the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority. The bill allows the Authority to begin issuing marijuana licenses on July 1, 2024, and allows, beginning July 1, 2023, certain pharmaceutical processors, pending establishment of the retail market, to cultivate, manufacture, and sell cannabis products to persons 21 years of age or older. The bill transitions from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to the Authority the authority to regulate the testing, labeling, packaging, and advertising of regulated hemp products, as defined in the bill. The bill creates a process by which persons convicted of certain felony marijuana-related offenses committed prior to July 1, 2022, who remain incarcerated or on community supervision on July 1, 2023, may receive an automatic hearing to consider modification of such person’s sentence.
The measure would create a “transitional sales” period for legal marijuana sales, allowing pharmaceutical processors and a handful of franchisees of those processors to begin retail sales of cannabis starting January 1, 2024. Other applicants could then apply for a license on July 1st of the same year.
Under the proposed law marijuana would have an excise tax of 21%, with localities given the option of implementing an additional tax of up to 3%.
If legal marijuana sales is approved by the Virginia Legislature in the coming session, it will need to get through Governor Glenn Youngkin (R), who would have the option of vetoing the measure. If he was to veto it, the legislature could override the veto but it would take a 2/3rds majority,
Polling released earlier this year found that 60% of Virginia voters support legalizing retail marijuana outlets where anyone 21 and older can purchase marijuana and marijuana products.


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WESTFIELD–The Westfield School System, in conjunction with the Westfield Food Pantry, Westfield State University and their radio station WSKB 89.5FM, will be holding a food drive Nov. 14, to help provide Thanksgiving dinners to families in need in Westfield.
School superintendent Stefan Czaporowski, along with several WSKB radio personalities, will be at the Tiger’s Pride Restaurant at Westfield Technical Academy from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. broadcasting live to help raise awareness and gather food. They are looking for a variety of food donations, as well as gift cards to local grocery stores to help meet demands.
“We have a significant number of students and families that are economically disadvantaged and may not have what’s needed,” Czaporowski said. “We currently have 35 requests for dinners but we expect it to go up.”
Czaporowski said that they are looking for traditional Thanksgiving food donations, including turkey, stuffing, potatoes, desserts and canned goods. Additionally, if gift cards are donated the group will go out and purchase whatever else is needed.
Czaporowski said that if the drive comes up short, the Westfield Food Pantry promised to fulfill the rest of what is required. However, if the food drive exceeds expectations, then the excess will be given to the Westfield Food Pantry.
In addition to donations for Thanksgiving, Czaporowski said that they will be accepting other food and toiletry donations due to the year-round need of many families and students.
Czaporowski said the project is being headed by Westfield Ward 2 City Councilor Ralph Figy and his wife, Sue, who will be helping to keep the project on task.
For those who want to donate, stop by the Tiger’s Pride restaurant between 6 a.m. and noon. And if you want to help in other ways or cannot make it to donate at that time, contact Czaporowski at [email protected] and see what you can do to help.


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Easing credit conditions are making it easier for consumers to buy new vehicles and should boost auto sales in the second half of the year, according to a new report by Scotia Economics.
The bank's global auto report, released Thursday, says Canadian auto loan approvals have increased to the highest level since April 2008. Study author Carlos Gomes said this provides evidence that credit markets are starting to thaw after freezing up in response to the financial crisis in late 2008.
This has been aided by Ottawa's move to buy up to $12 billion in securities backed in part by loans and leases on vehicles, which was launched last month, Gomes said.
"Loan approval rates have started to pick up in Canada, while securitization activity has begun to improve with the federal government's $12-billion securitization plan launched in early May," Gomes stated.
He said the withdrawal of some major lenders from the auto-loan business over the past year had dampened credit availability, although the Bank of Canada indicates auto loans at chartered banks in Canada have been readily available.
Chrysler's lending arm was forced to wind down due to a lack of capital after Chrysler LLC filed for bankruptcy protection in the U.S. in April.
GMAC, General Motors' lending branch, took over some of Chrysler Financial's business, but most automakers' financing arms were forced to increase the credit score necessary to get a lease to protect themselves from defaults.
This is turn created a vicious cycle, making it harder for consumers to lease new vehicles.
But there are signs that lenders are making it easier for consumers to get auto loans, including an increase in the loan-to-value ratio for new auto loans in the United States to 89.1 per cent, the highest level since August 2008.
"The increase in the loan-to-value ratio indicates buyers need a smaller down payment to purchase a new a vehicle, and points to an easing in credit conditions," Gomes said.
Additionally, overall household credit, of which auto loans account for about 20 per cent, is growing in Canada. This reverses a five per cent drop in overall auto credit seen in 2008.


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Safran announced today that it will display the M88 engine that powers the Rafale multirole fighter, and the Shakti helicopter turbine which was co-developed with HAL for the Dhruv twin-engine rotorcraft during Aero India Airshow.
The company will also display a wide range of products that include the AASM (air-to-ground modular missile) “Hammer”, BlueNaute, an ultimate “maintenance free” solution for maritime navigation, and explosives and narcotics detection technology handheld and desktop devices – Mobile Trace, Hardened Mobile Trace and Itemiser.
Safran has a 50/50 venture with HAL, exporting 100% of its production of aircraft / helicopter engine parts.
Stephane Lauret, Chief Executive Officer, Safran India, said, “We have been present in the Indian market for over 60 years and have focused on product development in India. We are working with our local partners in India’s aerospace, defense and security industries.”


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Apple loses out to Amazon during first round of App Store legal row
Judge rules online retailer's use of "App Store" term does not constitute false advertising.
A US judge has rejected part of Apple's lawsuit against Amazon.com's use of the term App Store, ruling the firm cannot bring a false advertising claim against the online retailer.
US District Judge Phyllis Hamilton in Oakland, California, granted Amazon's motion for partial summary judgment, which only challenged Apple's false advertising allegations. Apple leveled other claims against Amazon, including trademark infringement.
An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment, and an Amazon representative could not be reached immediately.
Amazon has stepped up competition against Apple in recent years, launching its cheaper Kindle tablet computer to go after the dominant iPad and trying to lure mobile application developers to its Kindle platform.
One of the first public clashes in their tussle was Apple's 2011 lawsuit.
Apple accused Amazon of misusing what it calls its App Store to solicit developers for a mobile software download service. However, Amazon said its so-called Appstore has become so generic that its use could not constitute false advertising.
In a legal filing last year, Amazon added that even Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook and his predecessor, Steve Jobs, used the term to discuss rivals. Cook commented on "the number of app stores out there" and Jobs referred to the "four app stores on Android."
In her ruling on Wednesday, Hamilton wrote that the mere use of "Appstore" by Amazon cannot be taken as a representation that its service is the same as Apple's.
"Apple has failed to establish that Amazon made any false statement (express or implied) of fact that actually deceived or had the tendency to deceive a substantial segment of its audience," Hamilton wrote.
A trial on Apple's remaining claims is scheduled for August.
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Those good old days with the theatrical experience could soon be ended by the impact of COVID-19. The theaters have no windows crack, but it is facing a lot of flaws.
Currently, AT&T’s WarnerMedia confirmed that all 2021 theatrical releases from Warner Bros. will showcase simultaneously on HBO Max for U.S. subscribers at no extra cost. The action of WarnerMedia is the consequence of what COVID-19 has caused to the theaters industry. Because of locking down regulations and non-essential business restrictions, theaters suffer from a big year of shortage and deficit. And as a result of the pandemic, the traditional theatrical experience will also change in order to adapt with the situation.
Every fans of theaters have foreseen what was coming to them. The locking down impacted the behaviors and the daily basis of everyone. Instead of going out and hanging out with friends in restaurants, bars, pubs, or theaters, people has to quarantine themselves and enjoy whatever they have inside their own houses.
COVID-19 came to bring in an evolution, and consequently, the theatrical experience is part of an evolution.
Nobody can imagine that there is going to be one day, we don’t come to the theaters to hunt for movie tickets. Yet, we stay home, sign up for a premium account on Disney+, Netflix, or HBO Max, and then enjoy the movies. From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Disney was the leader of the theatrical experience. A Pixar animated movie “Onward” was the first release of Disney on Disney+ in 2020.
Then Universal’s “Trolls: World Tour” and “King of Staten Island” were put on the platform of Disney in order to fulfill the desire of users. Disney once again showed their innovative mind when they published Mulan on their Disney+ platform.
Disney was the leader, and they are about to say welcoming to several followers that also want to duplicate the success of Disney. However, the change of Disney and other movies outlets are just temporary.
The theatrical experience could change, but it is going to change temporary because of COVID-19. Afterward the usage of vaccination, the life could get back to normal and the theaters will welcome back the audience to its houses.
“Let’s let the next six, eight, ten months play out. And then let’s check back in,” WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar said.
“Certainly this is pandemic-related,” Kilar added. “That’s why we’re doing it. We haven’t spent one brain cell on what the world looks like in 2022.”
Although the CEO of WarnerMedia is very positive, the ranging on pandemic is so unpredictable and it intercepts the soon comeback of theaters.
“We have a hard time believing the messaging that this is only a temporary 2021 plan, however, even if that might be the current plan today,” the Moffett Nathanson analysts wrote. “Once the windows change, it will be hard to go back.”
It will be hard to go back to normal, specifically for the theaters industry. Recently, AMC confessed that they suffered a lost of $2.2 billion in 2020.


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The Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) published a detailed aluminum beverage-can recycling roadmap that explains how ambitious recycling rate targets that CMI members announced in November 2021 will be achieved.
Those targets are reaching a 70% recycling rate by 2030, 80% by 2040 and 90% by 2050. This new report provides more details on what the can industry is doing in the near-term within its four pillars of action to make progress toward the targets and the potential total used beverage cans (UBC) that could be recycled through certain pillars. CMI’s four pillars of action are:
- Catalyze the passage and implementation of well-designed deposit systems at the state and federal levels.
- Increase and improve household and away-from-home recycling.
- Ensure that more cans are properly sorted at recycling centers.
- Increase consumer understanding on the importance of aluminum can recycling and the ability to collect and sell used beverage cans for cash.
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Labour Market Outlook Assisted By Reg. Development
Media statement by Jim Anderton
Minister of Economic, Regional and Industry Development
29 January 2003
Strong labour market outlook assisted by sound regional development programmes
The Labour Market Report released today by the Minister of Social Development and Employment, Steve Maharey, shows strong regional economies supported by sound regional development programmes, says Jim Anderton, Minister of Economic, Regional and Industry development.
"Reports that this year will be positive for jobs are good news. The strategic planning and development initiatives undertaken by the regions in partnership with government, communities and business have played a significant role in strengthening this positive outlook for job growth," said Jim Anderton
All 26 regions in New Zealand now have strategic plans for regional development and 10 regions have their Major Regional Initiatives in place (see below).
"I am aware that the outlook for export related jobs is not as buoyant as other sectors. While the dollar remains high our exporters may continue to experience some restraint to growth. The Labour Progressive coalition government is working with businesses to develop high value products and services. High skill, high value products are not as prone to difficulties when the dollar rises.
"The creation of high skill, high quality jobs, especially in export rich sectors, will help us build the conditions for long-term sustainable economic development. That is why this Labour Progressive coalition government is working with key industry sectors like the wood industry, biotechnology, design and screen production to further strengthen our economy."
"The predictions for good job growth overall, along with our record levels of low unemployment (currently 4.4%) and high economic growth (3.6%) bode well for New Zealanders looking for work. It is certainly a positive start to the year," said Jim Anderton.
Initiatives up and running so far:
Northland - tourism investment attraction
Waikato - innovation business park
Hawkes Bay - food and wine
Rotorua - wood processing
Taranaki - heavy engineering
Manawatu - biocommerce
Wellington - film production Nelson/Tasman - seafood industry
Marlborough - wine Southland - broadband for business
Industry sector strategies: Biotechnology Creative (including screen production and design) Information and Communications Technology Food and Beverage Niche manufacturing Wood processing Education


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Why The 2023 Jeep Renegade Is The Best From The Lineup
The Jeep Renegade has never been the best-regarded vehicle from the automaker. Plagued with reliability issues, it’s an option many avoid. However, the Jeep Renegade comes at a fairly reasonable price, making it hard for some buyers to say no to Renegade ownership. Luckily, the 2023 Jeep Renegade is a large improvement over the worst years of the off-roading adjacent SUV.
The 2023 Jeep Renegade performance is stable
Performance is one of the biggest reasons the 2023 Jeep Renegade is the best in its almost decade-long lineup. According to the official press release, the newest model comes standard with a 1.3-liter turbocharged engine. The 2023 Renegade has a maximum output of 177 horsepower and a torque of 210 lb. ft. In addition, this Jeep SUV has a max towing capacity of 2,000 pounds with the proper equipment and package.
Speed is where the 2023 Jeep Renegade continues some of the worst parts from the SUV’s lineup. It accelerates from 0 to 60 miles per hour in a reported 9.3 seconds. Though a slow SUV, it’s decently fuel efficient. The new Renegade gets an EPA-estimated 23 miles to the gallon in the city and 29 on the highway.
The new Jeep Renegade is more reliable
The Jeep Renegade has come with increased reliability in recent years. The 2023 model continues this upward trend toward a more stable small SUV. According to Repair Pal, the 2023 Jeep Renegade has a four out of five rating for reliability. This makes it the 4th most reliable out of seven subcompact SUVs.
In stark contrast, the 2015 Jeep Renegade is one of the models many suggest buyers avoid. Showing how unreliable the SUV once was, this model often wouldn’t start. In addition, the 2015 Jeep Renegade has reports of numerous electrical issues. Luckily, the automaker has found ways to fix these notable issues for more recent models.
The latest Renegade in the lineup has a solid look
The Jeep Renegade’s exterior has always been one of its most defining features. Some love how the Renegade looks, while others think it’s hideous. While the new Jeep Renegade didn’t get a huge facelift for 2023, it somehow has a more mature look. It comes in seven color options, with Solar Yellow being a brand-new exterior shade from the automaker.
The highlight of the Jeep Renegade exterior is still the front of the vehicle. Those iconic round headlights merged with the dynamic-looking grille steal the show. In addition to the front of the SUV, people know the Jeep Renegade for its use of stylish and eye-catching wheels. The same is true for the 2023 model, as it comes with various options for its different trims.
Though a much-needed improvement, the 2023 Jeep Renegade is far from being a perfect SUV. However, it has evolved into a vehicle that more people can trust when it comes to buying a lower-priced Jeep. Overall, the newest Renegade is the best from the lineup in more ways than one.


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Illegal. Arbitrary. Unconstitutional.
These are just a few of the printable adjectives being thrown at the city's new "certificate of use" program in the conflict it has touched off.
On one side of the conflict is the City of Rochester. Last November, City Council overhauled the program the city uses to license certain small businesses. The idea was to make it tougher for "problem businesses" to operate --- businesses selling illegal guns or drugs from behind the counter, for instance, or giving cash for food stamps.
City officials say that those businesses have resulted in hundreds of police calls a year, as well as repeated problems for building and fire code inspectors. And they say when they tried to close one of the businesses, it was often nearly impossible to find out who owned it.
On the other side of the conflict is a group of business owners who say they feel victimized by the new procedure --- and, in the words of one, treated like criminals. Some have decided not to apply for the certificate or send in their $100 registration fee. Instead, they're vowing to try to overturn the ordinance.
The conflict's roots go back to 1996, when the city first created the certificate of use. Initially, the program covered a narrow range of businesses --- small restaurants, drug stores, and food stores. And there was only a one-time, $25 fee.
But after several years, city officials say, it was clear that the program wasn't working.
"Every section of the city had problem businesses that the city couldn't contain," says Rod Cox-Cooper, director of the city's Neighborhood Empowerment Teams.
To try to fix the program, NET officials looked at efforts in other cities, including Buffalo; Miami; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Portland, Maine. The result is the new C of U legislation. Businesses needing a C of U now include retail stores, salons and nail parlors, liquor stores, and coin-operated laundry facilities. The initial fee is $100, and businesses must renew their certificate each year, at a cost of $10.
The new legislation mandates a background check of the owner, the operator, and the location of the business. And city officials can hold up approval if there are outstanding violations of other city laws.
Although the revised legislation received media coverage when City Council approved it, some business owners say they hadn't heard about the changes until they received a letter and application form from the city this summer. What they read did not make them happy.
Lisa Bilski owns Park Avenue Pets, a pet store that moved from Park Avenue to Upper Monroe earlier this year. As a retail store, hers is one of the businesses that hadn't needed a certificate of use until this year.
She first became upset about the fee, which she calls a "hundred dollar extortion from the city." Then, she says, "it was that I was treated like a criminal --- the mug shot, the background check." Now, she says, she opposes the changes on principle: "It feels unconstitutional and like it's a violation of civil rights."
Bilski's reaction sums up some of the major complaints that have been voiced about the new C of U.
Why the $100 fee? The purpose, says Cox-Cooper, is to keep the program from becoming another burden for taxpayers.
"This program needs a dedicated staff," he says. "We also know that this program needs to be self-supporting." And he echoes Mayor Bill Johnson, who last week seemed to brush off complaints about the fee, telling Channel 10 that any business that couldn't afford it had bigger problems than the certificate of use.
Some business owners say they're also concerned about giving the city personal information like their Social Security number. Particularly galling, they say, is the requirement that they provide a copy of a recent phone bill if they have an unlisted home phone number.
"Once they get all this comprehensive information, what are they going to do with it?" asks Sarah Jane Moriarty, co-owner of Utter Clutter on Park Avenue. One rumor making the rounds is that the city might sell the information to marketing database companies.
But Cox-Cooper says the information has a legitimate use: tracking down hard-to-find owners of problem businesses. In the past, businesses have been set up in the name of someone living out of town or out of the country. Names, addresses, and phone numbers have been bogus or out of date.
"We had countless struggles over the past four years to verify people's identity," says Cox-Cooper.
Under the new law, when a business is denied a certificate of use, it can't apply again for a year. The critics, linking that provision to the background checks, have come up with this hypothetical threat: that if they or an employee got a parking ticket, they could be denied a certificate of use --- and because they'd have to wait a year to reapply, they'd basically be put out of business.
What the law requires, however, is a background check on owners and operators, not ordinary employees. And it says a C of U can be held up if the city has received a judgment in the case of a violation. To get a judgment on a long-delinquent fine, the city has to go to court. In other words, you'd have to get a bunch of traffic tickets, ignore them, and be taken to court before those tickets impeded a certificate of use application.
Cox-Cooper dismisses the parking-ticket scenario as extreme and unrealistic. "We're not going to be dealing with minor things," he says. "I challenge anyone to show me or the mayor where this has happened."
But even if the law isn't enforced so strictly that parking tickets become a matter of contention, it's still one more bureaucratic hurdle that makes doing business in the city harder, the critics say.
"It makes it a lot more attractive to go to the suburbs," says Moriarty. For Bilski, whose shop is within spitting distance of the Brighton town line, the temptation to leave the city is even more real.
"I can move five blocks down the street and I don't have to pay $100," she says.
But Cox-Cooper says that by effectively policing bad businesses, the city will make itself more attractive to businesses, not less.
"I think what you get is a better business climate," he says. "If one business [on a block] is bad, nobody's going to come in. It's better for us to take out that business so that everybody can thrive."
Rather than rewriting the law, why didn't the city just crack down on the problem businesses?
"The problem wasn't the lack of will or drive," says Cox-Cooper. "The problem was the law had no teeth. Even when we caught stores, the city --- whether it was the police or NET --- we were powerless to stop them from operating the next day. Somebody would go to jail; they'd get someone else to run it."
The next day: "business as usual."
Under the new law, the city has already denied a C of U to six businesses, and it has given several more a conditional certificate --- probationary approval, in effect. Cox-Cooper points to these numbers as proof that the change is already working.
Those numbers may sound small, he says, but with tens --- and in some cases even hundreds --- of police calls a year, a single problem business can cost the city dearly, in both time and money. Under the old certificate of use program, the average time it took to shut down a problem business was 13 months, says Cox-Cooper. And that was just the average: Many took even longer.
"If a taxpaying citizen lives in a neighborhood with a problem business, it's unacceptable for it to take us 13 months to shut it down," Cox-Cooper says.
"What if it was your neighborhood?" he asks. "You would want somebody to do something about it. That someone is us, and that something is the certificate of use."


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When it comes to video, everyone has an opinion, but surveys are a fantastic way to get a real indication of how people will act.
No matter who originally said it – we’re not going to get into a debate over it – we can all agree that knowledge is power. But insight is how you wield that power. This is why it’s important to monitor the success of your video content. That way, you’re able to get a better read on both your audience and their intentions.
Vidyard surveyed several companies and found that 83% reported using some form of video analytics. Which is a 10% increase from the preceding year. And went on to explain that 67% of marketers and 76% of sales professionals noted how important video view data was in order to qualify leads, as well as engaging prospects and influencing deals.
For those keeping up with the news, there have been some very interesting rumblings regarding the UK’s stance on GDPR. We’re not gonna wade into the political discussion here but it’s something our industry needs to keep an eye on. One aspect that will be heavily affected by this is email marketing. But no matter what transpires internationally or as governments come and go, email is a powerful tool that can be overlooked.
Amazingly, even the word ‘video’ in an email subject header increases the open rates by 19%. What’s more, it also boosts click through rates by 65% and reduces unsubscriptions by 26%. And if you have an explainer video in there it can boost these rates by 20%!
So it should come as no surprise that 22% of small businesses in the United States are planning to add video content to emails this year. And who knows where that will rise to next year? And while these stats come from Siteefy, they’re not alone. Renderforest also found that 44% of people surveyed watch a video included in an email, including videos in emails increases the clickthrough rate by up to 300%, and 25% of businesses currently use video in their email marketing.
Speaking of Renderforest… At the minute, 80% of the biggest brands use short-form stories on social media. And it’s easy to see why. Getting your message across in a concise and engaging way is the best way to grab attention. But when you click through that initial story or ad and make your way to that brand’s site, you still want that same engaging content. Which is why 58% of businesses have a video on their homepage and users will spend 88% more time on websites that have video. And by including video on your landing page, businesses have found you can increase conversion by 80%.
When deploying video on socials, there’s a healthy debate about where to best focus your efforts. Thankfully, Wyzowl have done studies to ascertain exactly that. Having surveyed video marketers, they found that:
88% plan to include YouTube in their 2022 video marketing strategy
68% plan to include LinkedIn in their 2022 video marketing strategy
68% plan to include Instagram video in their 2022 video marketing strategy
65% plan to include Facebook in their 2022 video marketing strategy
33% plan to include TikTok in their 2022 video marketing strategy
17% plan to include interactive video in their 2022 video marketing strategy
Of course, each platform presents its own risks (as we outlined in a separate blog about reaching audiences with social media) but seeing where brands are aiming their attention can be very revealing.
But regardless of where they end up, video is clearly at the forefront of marketing efforts. 99% of brands that presently make video part of their marketing say they will continue in the coming years. While 66% say they will increase their market spend to better utilise video this year. Which, given 88% of people want to see more video from brands (an increase of 3%from 2021), feels like a no brainer. [Wyzowl survey]
What type of video is right for you? Well, it depends, but as 96% of people watch explainer videos to learn more about a product or service, an explainer is a good start on the road to success. And with Forrester researcher Dr James McQuivey finding that 60 seconds of video equates to 1.8 million words, imagine how much you could say about who you are and what you stand for with a brand story video? And, maybe most importantly, if you want one stat to take away.. 62%of consumers are more likely to have a negative perception of a brand that published a poor quality video. So when searching for the right fit for your video campaign, choose wisely.


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The Inaugural Nikola Tesla Dinner and Media Justice Award
The Colorado Media Justice Foundation (CMJF) is pleased to announce the launching of its inaugural Nikola Tesla Dinner, a flagship benefit for its Springs Community Radio Project.
Nikola Tesla (1856-1943) was a Serbian-American inventor, electrical engineer, physicist, and futurist best known for his contributions to the design of modern alternating current (AC) system.
On the eve of Tesla’s 157 th birth anniversary, CMJF pays homage to the man who is also known for his high-voltage, high-frequency… Show more
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The number of victims in an E. coli outbreak linked to romaine lettuce jumped almost 60 percent in the past week as public health officials struggled to determine the source or sources of the implicated produce.
Three more states have laboratory-confirmed victims, federal officials reported Wednesday. The 19 states now involved in the outbreak have a total of 84 people with E. coli O157:H7 infections, according to an update from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That’s up from the 53 victims the agency reported in its April 18 update.
Both the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration reiterated their warnings urging consumers, retailers, restaurants and other foodservice operations to not eat or sell romaine in any form if it is from the Yuma AZ, area. If the origin of romaine lettuce is unknown or cannot be confirmed, it should be thrown away.
The warnings include chopped romaine and any products containing chopped romaine, such as bagged salads and packaged salad bowl style products. Whole heads and romaine hearts are also covered by the warnings.
Additional outbreak victims will likely be identified. The most recent illness onset date is April 12. But, the CDC update on Wednesday said people who became sick after April 5 may not yet be included in the case count. It takes an average of two to three weeks from the time people become sick and their illnesses are confirmed by states and reported to the CDC.
The outbreak strain of the bacteria is proving particularly dangerous, with 42 of the infected people having been admitted to hospitals. Nine of the victims have developed a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome. That’s up from four with kidney failure as of April 18. No deaths have been confirmed in relation to the outbreak.
Connecting the dots
Epidemiologists report 64 of the 67 victims interviewed thus far said they ate romaine lettuce during the week before they became ill. That’s a 96 percent connection rate between the sick people and romaine. Many of the people said they ate romaine in restaurants. Romaine lettuce was the only common ingredient identified among the salads.
The victim reports are not, however, the final step in the outbreak investigation.
Tracking down specific growers, packers and distributors of fresh produce commodities is difficult. There is limited use of labeling codes on many of the fresh fruits and vegetables that are available to consumers through retailers or restaurants, partly because of a lack of packaging.
Without traceability codes on packaging to provide transparency, the Food and Drug Administration’s staff is left in a dense fog as the agency tries to navigate the supply chain. The investigators are also slowed down by some businesses’ incomplete and missing shipping and receiving records.
(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)


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Wineries Unlimited 2009, the largest vineyard and winery trade show and conference east of the Rocky Mountains, has released its schedule for the March 10-13 event.
Two day-long programs will be running concurrently on Friday, March 13, during the event at the Valley Forge Convention Center in King of Prussia, PA, just outside Philadelphia:
• A workshop on red wine production by Dr. Christian Butzke of Purdue University
• A seminar on winery planning and design by Dr. Bruce Zoecklein of Virginia Tech
The trade show and conference is produced by Vineyard & Winery Management magazine. In addition to the concurrent events, the conference will offer sessions for industry newcomers and two days of multi-track sessions on viticulture, enology and finance/management/marketing.
The buyers' trade show on March 11-12 is for the Eastern wine industry, and will present more than 100,000 square feet of exhibitor space including an anticipated 330 exhibitor booths on two levels of the convention center.
A silent auction will benefit scholarship programs of the American Society of Enology and Viticulture’s eastern section. A live auction will be held at the "Best of the East" grand tasting and gala.
To Dowd's Wine Notebook latest entry.
To Dowd's Spirits Notebook latest entry.
To Dowd's Brews Notebook latest entry.
To Dowd's Tasting Notes latest entry.
Back to Dowd On Drinks home page.


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BT has announced details of its new BT TV Ultra HD package, which includes BT Sport Ultra HD, and the company’s new BT TV Ultra HD set top box.
The package also includes BT’s new 1TB Ultra HD YouView+ set top box giving 600 SD or 250 HD hours of storage and 47 premium channels including entertainment, documentary and lifestyle channels with 13 in HD and the BT Sport Pack with all of the UEFA Champions League and Europe’s first Ultra HD channel.
It comes in at a competitive £15 a month: it also includes a voucher for up to £500 off an LG 4K UHD TV.
“The best way to watch BT Sport is with BT TV. BT Sport Ultra HD is the next step in high definition TV and provides a truly cinematic viewing experience and is available only on BT TV,” comments Delia Bushell, managing director of BT TV and BT Sport. “The BT Sport Ultra HD channel will bring you closer to the action than ever before. The picture quality is absolutely amazing – it’s four times the detail of today’s high definition TV.”


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A lot of modern Nasty Gal shoppers may not realize it, but the company actually began when founder Sophia Amoruso began selling vintage finds on eBay almost 10 years ago. Despite extensive new collections, the label is proving it’s still in touch with its roots, via a new Vintage Goldmine release of 160 vintage Chanel pieces on Friday.
The program is something they do only during the holiday season, reminding fans of its history. This new lot of Chanel from the ‘80s through ‘00s was released mostly online, with some pieces being sold at the Melrose Avenue store, and it will be followed up in December by a 30-piece collection of Louis Vuitton handbags and accessories.
Read more Instagram User Grace Coddington Says She Hates Instagram
CEO Sheree Waterson told WWD that these pieces were sourced “through Nasty Gal’s lens of sexy and fun.” Among the treasures: a snowboard, blazers, jewelry, bags and tops, priced between $450 and $9,500.
Added Waterson, “Vintage is core to Nasty Gal’s DNA and we celebrate this by curating the best in the market. Our merchants search the closets of collectors and style aficionados to score the most iconic pieces.” Happy shopping!
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Sales fell 30% in Greater China
The United States continued to be Apple’s largest market, generating revenue of $20.2 billion in fiscal 4Q16. However, this was a 7% fall from the revenue in fiscal 4Q15. Revenue from Europe rose 3% to $10.8 billion, whereas revenue from the Asia-Pacific region fell 1% to $2.7 billion in 4Q16. Revenue from Japan saw a significant rise of 10% to $4.3 billion.
China remains an important market for Apple
Revenue from China (FXI) fell due to the sluggish Chinese economy, the saturation of the smartphone market, and the strong US dollar. China, which accounted for over 18% of Apple’s revenue in fiscal 4Q16, is Apple’s third-largest market, after the Americas and Europe. Apple has faced falling sales and revenue in China since the start of the year. Sales fell 24% YoY in fiscal 2Q16 and 33% YoY in fiscal 3Q16. China was previously Apple’s second-largest market.
In calendar 2016, China’s regulators banned some of Apple’s digital services, including iBooks and iTunes. In June 2016, the Beijing Intellectual Property Office ordered Apple (AAPL) to stop the sales of its iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus models in China. The agency held Apple and its distributor and retailer, Zhongfu Telecom, responsible for the infringement of a Baili Electronics patent. As Apple draws over 55% of its revenue from non-US markets, falling revenue from China and other economies will pose a challenge.
According to Apple CEO Tim Cook, “iPhone sales in Greater China declined during the quarter, but the initial customer response to iPhone 7 and 7 Plus gives us confidence that our December quarter performance in China will be significantly better on a year-over-year basis than our September quarter results, even as we lap the all-time record period from a year ago.”


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Lyst has taken a look back at 2023 in its Year In Fashion report, and what a year it has been; the trend cycle has been hurtling along at a rapid pace, with everything from Tabis to LOEWE tanks leading the trend at some point. It’s been the year that saw quiet luxury, ballet-core, and bloke-core, so strap in and see what’s happened in the mega year that was 2023.
No surprise here: Miu Miu takes the top spot, winning “Brand of the Year” for the second year running. Thanks to some stellar celebrity moments and collaborations with everyone from Church’s to New Balance, the Miuccia Prada-helmed brand has had a belter of a year. Searches have increased 39% year-on-year, with its it logo cashmere cardigan getting a 12% rise in searches.
On the topic of logos, LOEWE was the cream of the crop, with the Spanish House’s Anagram logo being the most-wanted luxury motif on Lyst this year. The emblem has seen searches rise 170% year-on-year. The Anagram tank was the second-hottest product in the second quarter of 2023, seeing a rise in searches of 132%, cementing the Jonathan Anderson-helmed label as a cult brand for another year running.
Trend-wise, we’ve built on the mini-skirt madness of 2022, with fashion fans doing away with legwear altogether, making underwear outwear, and giving rise to the hotpant. The skimpy style has been seen on a host of celebrities — think Bella Hadid, Hailey Bieber, Rihanna, Kylie Jenner and BLACKPINK’s Jennie Kim. After Emma Corrin walked the Fall/Winter 2023 Miu Miu runway in a pair of gold sequin knickers, searches for the brand rocketed to 257% in 24 hours.
On the footwear front, there was a split between the naked shoe, seen in the output of brands like The Row, LOEWE, Khaite, Bottega Veneta, Nensi Dojaka, Chanel and Stella McCartney. The sheer shoe saw a rise of 56% in February. In terms of sneakers, it was the year of the adidas Samba, thanks to numerous celebrity cosigns and collaborations with brands such as Wales Bonner. In November, the TikTok-trendy, football-rooted trainer saw a rise in searches of 13,227% in searches.
When it comes to bags, designer carriers were definitely front and centre however, Uniqlo’s small but mighty Shoulder Bag was on top, seeing 119 million views and TikTok and selling multiple times.
2023 was filled with cultural highlights, with Beyoncé’s RENAISSANCE tour leading the way, thanks to a number of high-profile looks. When the star wore a LOEWE “hands” bodysuit, searches for the Spanish brand went up by 140%. Miu Miu looks went up on the radar of fashionistas too a rhinestone tank top ad shorts from the italian label saw an 81% boost in searches for similar pieces.
When it came to the fashion power couple Rihanna and A$AP Rocky were the most looked-up lovebirds, and honestly we get it. In the year they welcomed their second child, they were spotted carrying items, including the sought-after Bottega Veneta Andiamo bag, which led to a 35% rise in demand for the Italian label following Rocky being snapped wearing a “Bubblegum Pink” iteration of the bag.
This year, we were captivated by the powers of virtual reality, and no brand harnessed the power of VR quite like Jacquemus. Earlier this year, the French luxury label turned its Le Bambino bags into buses which snaked around the streets. Following the widely shared moment, its Le Bambino bag and ballerina flats saw 30% and 49% increase in searches on Lyst, respectively.
2023 was the year Kylie Jenner had her fashion-girlie moment and was seen on the front row of countless shows, from Acne Studios to Schiaparelli. Following her appearance at the latter’s SS24 haute couture show, searches for halter neck dresses hit new highs, rising 57%.
Thieves had a thirst for fashion this year after the TikTok viral story of @nextlevellexuss, who had her Maison Margiela Tabi shoes stolen after a Tinder date, which consequently gave birth to the Tabi Swiper trend. Searches for the trendy split-toe shoes rose by 342% and have seen a 40% rise year-on-year.
Finally, in the fashion frenzy that was 2023, we saw the birth of a number of hot new brands and designers to put on our radar. But London’s Dilara Findikoglu came out winning, thanks to a host of celebrity red-carpet cosigns and consistently good designs. Year-on-year searches for the brand have increased by a solid 89%, and who is surprised with designs like the viral knife dress, famously worn by Hari Nef at the London premiere of Barbie?
What has been your favourite fashion moment of 2023?
More on Culted


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Apple's softer side emerges under CEO Cook
NEW YORK (AP) — "Those jobs aren't coming back."
That's what Steve Jobs reportedly told President Obama when asked at a dinner in early 2011 whether Apple would consider moving some of its manufacturing from China to the United States.
Jobs' successor, CEO Tim Cook, might have another response for Obama: Yes, we can.
Though the metal edges of its PCs and mobile devices are as sharp and severe as ever, Apple is emerging under Cook's leadership as a kinder corporate citizen. Cook's announcement this week that the company is moving the production of one of its Mac computer lines to the U.S. is just the latest step in a softening of the company's image after the October 2011 death of CEO and co-founder Jobs.
"Cook is a gentler being in terms of how he projects himself," says Gartner analyst Carolina Milanesi. That's partly of necessity, she says — few people would tolerate Jobs-like arrogance in a new CEO — but it's also a reflection of Cook's personality.
Cook was born in Alabama and at 52 it seems he is still very much a southern gentleman. He joined Apple Inc. in 1998 from IBM Corp., where he worked for 12 years. Starting out as Apple's senior vice president of worldwide operations, he rose through the ranks to become chief operating officer. He made a name for himself as an expert organizer of manufacturing processes and a deft manager of supply chains. Cook ran Apple's day-to-day operations for years before he was named CEO in August 2011, but stayed in the background while Jobs commanded the spotlight.
Cook didn't say which computers Apple would make in the U.S., or where the company might locate new facilities. But bringing assembly-line jobs back to the U.S. lights a symbolic beacon of hope for working-class Americans who worry that the global economy has no use for them.


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Based on new vehicle sales during the first three weeks of this month, Ward’s Auto announced on Friday that it is predicting light vehicle sales during the full month of September to increase by 10.7% over last year and reach the highest monthly sales level for new vehicles since March 2008, four and one-half years ago. Here’s an excerpt from Friday’s Ward’s Auto press release:
A slowly improving sales climate, boosted by active incentive spending by key auto makers, should push this month’s U.S. light-vehicle deliveries to their highest seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) since March 2008. Auto makers are expected to sell 1,163,000 light vehicles in September, according to a WardsAuto forecast, lifting the light vehicle SAAR to a 54-month high of 14.6 million units (see chart above).
Market signs continue to be positive. Pent-up demand from the recession and a slowly improving sales environment continue to drive new-vehicle deliveries.
The actual seasonally-adjusted annual rate for sales through August rose to 14.2 million units on the strength of that month’s 14.47 million units, in line with a second-half sales acceleration called for by WardsAuto and other industry analysts expecting full-year light vehicles deliveries to exceed 14.3 million.
The forecasts for September and full year sales by Ward’s Auto are consistent with a separate auto sales forecast released jointly by J.D. Power and Associates and LMC Automotive, which reported last Thursday that:
Total light-vehicle sales in September are expected to increase 11 percent from September 2011, with volume at 1,152,700 units (and 14.5 million at a SAAR).
LMC Automotive is maintaining the 2012 full-year outlook for total light-vehicle sales in the United States at 14.3 million units. Looking ahead to 2013, a higher level of uncertainty is impacting overall volume growth, but the forecast remains at 15 million units for total light-vehicles and 12.3 million for retail sales.
Bottom Line: Expected new car sales this year of 14.3 million units would be 11.2% ahead of last year’s sales of just over 13 million light vehicles, and 23 percent above sales in 2010 of 11.77 million units, and would bring U.S. vehicle sales to their highest annual level since 2007. The gradually improving market for new car sales to an expected 54-month high in September is consistent with a gradually improving overall economy, and would not indicate any pending recessionary dangers for the U.S. economy this year.
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Gener8tor, ParqEx, 4490, RPRD, & More: This Week’s WI Watchlist
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technology to examine how patients’ genetic profiles affect their likelihood of reacting to particular drugs, said that Children’s Minnesota will use RPRD’s technology in its cancer and blood disorder clinic, as will as in its neurology-psychology practice. According to a news release, the collaboration reflects a commitment by Children’s Minnesota to make pharmacogenomics a more significant part of how it cares for patients.
—The UW-Madison School of Business recently opened what it’s calling the Center for Corporate Innovation (CCI), “a hub for innovation, programming, and thinking … to accelerate innovation for corporations while solving real-world business problems.” Sandra Bradley has been named director of the CCI; she previously served as research director for consumer and retail applications at UW-Madison’s Internet of Things Lab. Madison-based American Family Insurance has agreed to provide financial support for programming at the center, the school said. For more details, see this report from the university’s news service.
—We profiled Lynx Biosciences, a Madison-based startup that’s seeking to commercialize a device that would allow clinicians to test cancer drugs on a patient’s own cells. The company, which was formed in 2013 and currently has three employees, is currently seeking to raise between $800,000 and $1 million in seed funding.
—Madison-based Semba Biosciences, which makes instruments and reagents that researchers use to purify biomolecules and chemicals, introduced a new system for chromatography, or separating out parts of a mixture. Semba said in a news release that it can be extremely costly to produce drugs for diseases such as Alzheimer’s and multiple sclerosis, “in large part due to the chromatography steps required for their purification.” The company has raised at least $2.4 million from investors since launching in 2005.


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Petrol market to operate under new legal framework
domestic petroleum market is expected to become more competitive and closer to world standard following the issuance of Decree 83.
The new decree, which takes effect on November 1 and replaces Decree 84 of 2009, creates a legal framework for the domestic market to operate in accordance with market rules.
Phan Theá Rueä, chairman of the Vieät Nam Petroleum Association (VINPA), told a conference here last week that under the new decree, distributors could purchase petrol from several wholesale businesses at different prices and calculate and decide on their own retail prices. The new decree will also admit merchants and franchisees.
Ngoâ Trí Long, former deputy head of the Finance Ministry's Institute for Market and Price Research, said that allowing price increases of up to three per cent without the permission of management agencies could make wholesalers conspire to increase prices.


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2018 Wrangler Order Info
2.0L Hurricane four-cylinder turbo with 850RE transmission
3.0L VM motor light-duty diesel with 8HP75 transmission
3.6L Pentastar V6 with 850RE transmission
UCONNECT 8.4" navigation system with Apple CarPlay
Motorized soft top
Glass panoramic hardtop
In September 2017 the first orders will be accepted for the JL, which will launch as a 2018 model. In October 2017, production cars will start rolling off the line. Later that month, the journalists will all drive the press cars. Production of the pickup will start in March 2018. It will be a short model year for the pickup as all 2018 JLs will be built by June for the model year switchover.


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Disney's Hollywood Studios will complete its reinvention later this year with the additions of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway, Disney is pulling together long term plans to reinvent Epcot by 2021, by adding a massive fourteeen new attractions over the next three years...
1. Takumi-Tei (Fall 2019)
It was confirmed last year that a new signature dining experience will be coming soon to Epcot's Japan pavilion, and now we know that this new location will be named Takumi-Tei, which means house of the artisan.Operated by Mitsukoshi, which also runs the pavilion's other restaurants and retail areas, the restaurant will draw inspiration from nature.
The menu will include Wagyu Beef and a multi-course tasting menu with traditional tea service. Drinks will include signature cocktails, premium sake and a wine and craft beer menu.
Construction on this new location is almost complete, and guests should be able to make reservations at this dining location later this summer.
2. The Odyssey "Experience Center" (Fall 2019)
There are a LOT of changes coming to Epcot over the next five years, and to help guests keep track of everything happening there will be a new semi-permanent "Experience Center" opening in the former Odyssey restaurant later this year that will showcase the upcoming changes to Epcot.
This reimagined preview space will feature engaging and interactive exhibits that showcase the relentless innovation, energy and excitement driving the future of Epcot, and will be open for the next few years while all of the following ambitious projects are in development.
Though no firm opening date has been given yet, construction inside this location began after the end of the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, and hopefully we'll know more after this year's D23 Expo.
3. Epcot Forever (Late 2019)
In case you haven't heard, IllumiNations is ending later this year, and Disney announced last year that as soon as this show finishes up its run, Disney will debut a limited-time nighttime spectacular, called “Epcot Forever,” which will feature classic Epcot themes. This new show is meant to showcase the best of Epcot while celebrating its unique history, all with classic music and advanced pyrotechnics.
4. Space-themed restaurant (Late 2019)
Back in 2017 during the D23 Expo Disney surprised guests by announcing a new space-themed restaurant that would be constructed in Future World. No name or menu details were provided at the time, but Disney did specify that this establishment would have special "windows" that simulate views of the galaxy as diners “travel high above the earth” during their meal.
And though it has been awhile since this initial announcement was made, construction on the brand new building that will house this upcoming restaurant, which will be built in a newly developed area between Mission: Space and Test Track, is moving along speedily as Disney has announced a late 2019 opening for this upcoming restaurant!


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EBRSO searching for men wanted for robbing clothing store on Siegen Lane
BATON ROUGE – The East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office is looking for three suspects wanted for the robbery of a clothing store on Siegen Lane.
The robbery occurred on Dec. 15 around 8 a.m. at Hana's Fashion in the 7000 block of Siegen. Three black men entered the store wearing hoodies and walked around the store for about ten minutes before grabbing clothes and running out.
As the men ran out, an employee followed them and tried to tackle one of them. However, one of the men told the employee he had a gun, resulting in the employee no longer attempting to stop them.
The three suspects were seen entering a gold Saturn with a temporary license plate tag and a plastic bag on the passenger side window. According to the sheriff's office, the suspects were able to take an estimated $8,000 of clothing.
Anyone with information on the incident is urged to call the sheriff's office at 225-389-5000.
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Since the covid-19 pandemic started creating unstable market conditions around the world, investors have struggled to predict the future of the public market. While some investors are hesitant to invest, let’s remember that start-ups, such as Airbnb, Slack, Instagram and WhatsApp, among others, were founded just after the 2008 financial crisis. Now they are thriving success stories.
In the current crisis we all face, now is still a smart time to invest, as long as investors understand which sectors are doing well and which are set up for future expansion.
Let’s take a look at a few key sectors that we expect to shine as the pandemic continues and when we begin to emerge from it.
E-commerce and contactless shopping
Not surprisingly, e-commerce – already a fast-growing industry – is benefiting from an additional tailwind due to the pandemic. Such companies as Instacart, Postmates and Doordash excel at servicing homebound consumers. New protocols, including contactless delivery schemes, are expected to continue as social distancing measures remain enforced – further adding to their growth.
Start-ups Nuro and Starship Technologies have taken it one step further, creating fully autonomous vehicles that can deliver to your door without human involvement.
We expect such innovations to become more attractive to investors as covid-19 continues to modify global living standards.
Brick-and-mortar stores are also badly in need of makeovers. Businesses that can retrofit their existing stores to provide a “contactless checkout” experience will reap the benefits. We’ve already seen Standard Cognition, Zippin and Aifi convert regular stores to contactless checkout with the help of AI, computer vision and big data analytics technologies.
Online education and e-learning
While it’s hard for online education to replace the classroom environment completely, tools such as Zoom, Teams, WebEx and Skype have enabled the learning experience to become remote.
However, schools still struggle to combine multiple solutions, striving to replicate the traditional classroom experience and combine it with an interactive online system.
Today’s education market demands a complete platform that delivers educational content and facilitates interactions in the classroom. One start-up offering such a demanded platform, San Francisco-based Outschool, has seen major growth recently – alongside similar platforms in other countries such as Byju’s and Topper. Customers have new lifestyle and education expectations, so we expect that demand for such platforms will continue to grow now and even post-pandemic.
We have witnessed for the first time in modern history an environment in which professional leagues have paused their seasons. Some competitions have made an effort to continue offerings without a physical crowd presence, but the experience is simply not the same and audience churn is inevitable.
Due to the pandemic, e-sports start-ups are benefiting from a wave of increased interest as consumers look for sports entertainment even while stuck at home. Start-ups like Sleepr are adapting their product road maps to prioritize e-sports. Twitch, already an industry leader, surged early in 2020, breaking its own records for hours watched and average concurrent viewership.
Another interesting example is PlayVS. The company’s platform allows any high school to build and manage teams, maintain schedules and track stats. Pegasus Tech Ventures just invested in Mobile Premier League, India’s largest gaming app, which offers 50+ games online. As this trend continues, we expect that young people and adults may get even more involved in e-sports activities than they did in traditional organized sports.
Crisis creates uncertainty and it also creates opportunity. Start-ups should consider how to meet today’s demand, evolving their products and services now and in the future. Even when business returns to a relatively normal state, it will forever be impacted by the trends we are seeing in e-commerce, online education and e-sports.
Rather than retreat, now is the time for investors to capitalize on these trends and invest wisely. More so than ever, investors need to understand market trends, analyze deals carefully and invest in start-ups with visionary leadership. By doing so, they will seek a positive return and support ambitious entrepreneurs who are changing the world for the better.
Anis Uzzaman is general partner and CEO of Pegasus Tech Ventures, a venture firm that offers intellectual and financial capital to emerging technology start-ups. He is also the founder and chairman of the Startup World Cup, a start-up competition with a $1 million investment prize. He tweets at @anis_uzzaman.


text: Number of the day $4,000 That's how much a self-driving car designed by a 19-year-old Romanian costs, compared with $75,000 for Google's vehicle. The car, which won the Gordon E. Moore Award at Intel's science fair, uses 3-D radar and a mounted camera to detect traffic lanes and curbs. While price is a factor in the budding market, consumers are more interested in paying extra for features such as emergency braking and steering. Hear here "Tastes reasonably good." Mark Post, a physician and engineer at Maastricht University in the Netherlands, on the test-tube meat he's grown in incubators from thin strips of muscle tissue. Post is well on his way to developing the first all-test-tube burger, though it could be a tough sell to consumers. One approach might be to highlight the animal-rights angle, said Neel Williams, an advertising copywriter at Martin Agency: "Tastes Great, Less Killing." Heads up The S&P\/Case-Shiller index of home prices for 20 U.S. cities in March will be released Tuesday morning, and economists in a poll expect the closely watched indicator will increase 10.2 percent from a year earlier. The index rose 9.3 percent in February, its biggest increase since 2006. The Bay Area is likely to post a bigger gain than the national figure after soaring 18.9 percent in February.


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The U.S. government’s highway safety agency is gathering information on reports of malfunctions with a Tesla feature that lets drivers summon their cars in parking lots.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it’s aware of reports about “Smart Summon” and is in contact with Tesla. The agency stopped short of saying it had opened a formal investigation.
Last week Tesla sent out an over-the-internet software update that allows some owners to let their cars travel through parking lots without a driver behind the wheel. The cars can be stopped remotely.
On Thursday, Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeted the feature was used 550,000 within days.
Over 550,000 Tesla Smart Summon uses in first few days!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 2, 2019
But videos and pictures surfaced on social media reporting problems, including a crash and some near collisions.
via Reddit, another lovely #SmartSummon fail. Even better, the owner clearly had no line-of-sight to the vehicle for over two minutes while using summon in a busy parking lot.$TSLA $tslaQhttps://t.co/ImKbTrJ3eA pic.twitter.com/FBO6yoOfuS
— Elonomy of Scale (@zomgapocalypse) October 1, 2019
2/Tesla Smart Summon Fail: “oh sh*t,” said the owner.@Allstate @StateFarm @Nationwide @TheHartford @LibertyMutual @Progressive @USAA @GEICO @AAAauto @Travelers @KemperInsurance @CSAAInsuranceGp @WeAreFarmers @amfam pic.twitter.com/x6egeFQg46
— phoenix10 (smartish) (@phoennix10) October 2, 2019
"It's really timid, which is probably good," said this clueless Tesla Smart Summon user who doesn't understand a car randomly slowing down or stopping for no reason during beta testing is a fail. #TeslaSummonIssues $TSLA $TSLAQ #Enhanced #Advanced pic.twitter.com/Hid5CRdz9V
— KillingMyCareer (@MelaynaLokosky) September 28, 2019
Messages were left Thursday seeking comment from Tesla.
The agency says it won’t hesitate to take action if there’s a safety defect.


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OfficeMax comparable store sales for fiscal fourth quarter 2001 were down 3 percent, after falling 8 percent in the third quarter, the company said yesterday.
Year-end inventory is below $910 million, a decrease of more than $250 million from last year, the company said. OfficeMax said it continued its inventory reductions in the fourth quarter, mainly through supply chain management initiatives.
After an annual review, OfficeMax has begun closing 29 underperforming stores, almost half of them in single-store markets, the company said. This figure is less than the roughly 40 closings anticipated in December. Closings in multi-store markets eventually might result in new stores in better real estate locations, the company said. OfficeMax said it is not exiting any major markets.


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As there is a relief for the consumer with the price of gasoline at least though the fear of COVID-19 (Corona Virus) is still on. But there is very minor effect of this pandemic virus over the fuel price crash.
Due to the clash between Russia and the OPEC (The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) as Russia turned down the oil pact agreement. All the prices for the gasoline worldwide is determined by OPEC and soon after this Saudi Arabia flooded its oil production and Russia is by its own the global market for the gasoline has become like more cheaper than some brand of water. The dramas are still to come for few more weeks. It is definitely going to affect the US economy differently than the COVID-19.
Prediction: Gasoline price is going to be minimum till mid of April and will hike significantly after Russia will come with another agreement.


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Despite raging infection rates throughout the U.S., this holiday travel season is likely to be considerably busier than a year ago. The availability of COVID-19 vaccines and the lifting of stay-at-home orders are all the excuses many people will need to gather with loved ones for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and more.
If you’re one of the people planning on making a trip for the holidays this year, you might want to book your flight next week. Research by travel app Hopper concludes that the week of Sept. 13 will offer the lowest holiday travel prices of the season.
That said, expect to pay a bit more than you would have last year. Average U.S. domestic airfare for Thanksgiving will hit $300 this year, Hopper found, a 23% jump from 2020, but still 11% lower than in 2019. Christmas travelers will pay an average of $430, a notable 71% jump from last year—and 10% more than in 2019. (International travelers in late December should expect to pay $969 roundtrip, a 35% increase from last year.)
If next week is a bit too early to book your flight, you’ll definitely want to do so before Halloween. Ticket prices for Thanksgiving soar 40% at the start of November, according to Hopper. (They go up another 25% the week of the holiday.) December travel jumps 18% in the three weeks leading up to Christmas.
For Thanksgiving travel, you’ll save even more if you depart on Monday, Nov. 22. (You’ll actually save even more if you fly on Thanksgiving itself, but that’s a less popular choice.) And avoid flying home on Sunday, Nov. 28. That’s the most expensive day to fly back.
For Christmas travelers, Dec. 21 or Dec. 24 is your best bet for savings. Flying on Dec. 23 will cost an extra 20%. And it’s wise to stay an extra day or two, if you can, as Dec. 26 will be the busiest and most expensive day to return home.
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Two Robert Gordon University (RGU) graduates have set up their own company in Ellon’s Castle Road Industrial Estate.
Ben Grant and Alastair McLennan-Murray set up Impact Subsea which specialises in developing innovative underwater products for the energy industry, last February.
The pair met at university where Ben, 30, was studying electrical and electronic engineering while Alastair, 31, focused on an artificial intelligence and robotics degree.
Both Ben and Alastair graduated from RGU in 2006 and they have now have set up their company with the aim of creating a new generation of subsea products.
Ben said: “We had thought about setting up a company on and off for a few years now.
“At the start of the year we both found ourselves wanting to do something new, so the timing seemed right to get on and make it happen.
“We noticed that in the oil and gas sector a large number of the once small and highly innovative companies had grown in size, been bought up, and had significantly reduced their levels of innovation.”
Ben and Alastair launched their first offering to the sector earlier in the year, the ISA500, which provides multiple sensors in one unit.
Ben added: “This particular solution has never been available before.
“We are looking to offer cost savings. For companies conducting work underwater, we provide products with a greater level of capability than those available today.”
Alastair said: “University was great.
“The course was well structured and covered a broad range of subjects giving me a solid foundation in key areas.
“It worked out that Ben’s skill set pretty much compliments mine perfectly for starting up a company.”
Both men agree that running the company is not without its challenges and hard work but they believe their time at university helped to give them a great start.
Ben said: “It’s great to be able to create the products we want without compromise.”
Alastair added: “Running your own company is great, the possibilities are endless and exciting.”


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Coventry’s London Taxi Company reveals crucial new electric cab
COVENTRY-based London Taxi Company has revealed one of the most important new vehicles in its short history.
The company, owned by Chinese automotive group Geely Automobile Holdings, was salvaged from the collapsed Manganese Bronze last year.
It has developed a plug-in range-extended electric black cab which is destined to hit the streets of the capital in 2018.
With London Mayor Boris Johnson demanding stricter emissions standards from the city’s taxi fleet, the new cab is crucial to the firm’s future – especially as competition for business is growing with Nissan, Mercedes and Metrocab all looking for a slice of the lucrative London market.
The various options were displayed at an event in the capital organised by Johnson.
LTC said it was confident it had the technology, experience and investment to manufacture and retail a globally-dominant and iconic black cab, which met Johnson’s air quality ambitions for London.
Vice-President of UK Operations, Peter Johansen said: “Given Geely’s green credentials and their commitment to invest £200m in green taxi technology over the next five years, coupled with our own extensive experience and enviable heritage, we feel comfortable that we will provide London with an environmentally-sound Black Cab, which can meet the future air quality demands of our capital city, whilst also delivering a vehicle which is recognised by the general public as a taxi.
“Geely’s investment has allowed us to do what we do best; create purpose-built vehicles. It’s not a van conversion; it’s designed from the ground up to be a London Taxi and will be robust and durable in order to survive the demanding taxi duty cycle.
“It responds to Mayor Boris Johnson’s vision for improving London’s air quality and the future global environmental challenges. It also delivers against the needs and expectation of the taxi trade and is an evolution of the iconic, instantly recognisable London Taxi that is loved, admired and respected the world over.”
He said Geely’s investment meant the firm had the funds and the capabilities required to further improve the eco-credentials of its existing vehicle.
“It also means that we will be able to fulfil our aspiration to relocate from our Coventry factory to another UK production facility, invest in state-of-the art tooling and further bolster the domestic manufacturing industry and economy through recruitment and global export opportunities,” he added.


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The first week of summer was the best week for U.S. retail sales since the first week of winter — in 2011.According to the International Council of Shopping Centers and Goldman Sachs’ weekly chain store sales index, sales last week rose 4.6 percent over the comparable week in 2013, the strongest year-over-year gain since sales rose 5.3 percent during the final week of 2011. The sequential gain for the week ended June 28 was a more modest 1 percent, lower than the 2 percent gain for the June 21 week but above the 0.4 percent rise for the week ended June 14.RELATED CONTENT: WWD Research Roundup >>Last week’s performance marked the third consecutive week in which both year-over-year and sequential advances were registered, the trend since a 2.8 percent sequential decline during the week ended June 7.Perhaps more significantly, it made for three consecutive weeks in which year-over-year sales were not only higher but in which the size of the sales increase was greater than the one that preceded it. Year-over-year sales rose 3 percent the week of June 7, followed by gains of 3.1 and 4.1 percent in the successive weeks leading up to last week’s strong showing.“Business was up sharply for most segments, especially at department stores, apparel stores, discounters and wholesale clubs,” said Michael Niemira, ICSC research consultant. “Gasoline prices — which impact consumer discretionary purchasing power — stayed flat, providing consumers the ability to spend their money elsewhere.”Gains within those channels were described as “hefty” while drug, dollar, electronics, office and furniture stores raked in “solid” increases, according to ICSC.Weather bore much of the blame for soft sales during the first third of the calendar year and was less than cooperative last week in an improving business climate. Temperatures were, on average, 2.8 degrees cooler than during the comparable week last year, although 1.1 degrees above their long-term average.ICSC continues to expect same-store sales among reporting retailers to rise 3.5 percent for June. Results will be reported on July 10.Niemira, who has been with ICSC as chief economist and director of research since 2003, has ended his full-time association with the organization. He will continue to provide commentary on weekly sales for the group and pursue other affiliations as well.
“I’ve struggled my whole life to find a bathing suit that fits me that doesn’t look like a maternity bra. I’m proud of the line because it’s an accurate representation of me rather than me putting on someone else’s clothes,” says @atlantabean of her swimwear collaboration with @piaarrobio, LPA X ATL. The two decided on a swimwear collab and increased the industry standard size for the pieces. Read more about the line — and our interview with de Cadenet Taylor and Arrobio — on WWD.com #wwdfashion
Exclusive: Cate Blanchett has been named the first global beauty ambassador for @armanibeauty. Blanchett has been the face of the brand’s Sì fragrance franchise since 2013, and is now representing all of the label’s beauty categories including makeup and skin care. #wwdbeauty (📷: @zefashioninsider)
“From concept to creation, my goal was to create beautiful pieces, with a variety of sizes, all at affordable prices,” said @joansmalls of the swimwear and intimate apparel she designed for @smartandsexysocial. The collection includes neon laced bras, sheer bodysuits and swimwear separates. The intimates collection will launch in July, while the swimwear collection will be available for purchase on Tuesday at select @walmart stores, walmart.com and smartandsexy.com. #wwdfashion


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Innovation is spurred when there is a challenge: Vikram Khurana, Chairman, Toronto Business Development Centre
As India is fighting the biggest enemy the world has seen so far, the global community is doing its part vehemently. The Toronto Business Development Centre (TBDC) supported India’s fight with the Covid-19 by providing 5000 ventilators and other medical supplies. In an exclusive conversation with NewsX for its special series NewsX India A-List, Vikram Khurana, Chairman of the Toronto Business Development Centre talked about their beneficial initiative and shared his insights with us.
Talking about the initiative, Khurana said, “These ventilators have been donated kindly by the province of Ontario and the province of Saskatchewan. The ventilators are made to survive on their own. The pandemic has highlighted the importance of global relations among the nations. The virus doesn’t recognize any borders; it is evident that it moves freely, in the air. We cannot build any borders around this pandemic unless we’re able to build walls in the air,” said Vikram Khurana on the importance of co-relation between the nations.
Vikram explained about the organization that facilitated the supply of ventilators in collaboration with Air Canada. TBDC is the oldest business incubator in Canada that support entrepreneurs with all their needs. While talking about giving rise to 9 Unicorns, Vikram said, “Our current focus is on India. We think that there is a great amount of innovation and start-ups coming from India.”
Vikram Khurana also threw light on their Start-up Visa Program, which is extremely helpful for young and new entrepreneurs. He continued, “While there is a great discussion on brain drain, there is not as much discussion on business expansion. Start-ups that grow internationally become multi-national. To facilitate this, Canada started the Start-up Visa in 2013. It essentially allows entrepreneurs to move with their families, be closer to their markets, and access technology and sources easily. Currently, about 2500 entrepreneurs from all over the world migrate to Canada under this program.”


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NVIDIA Corporation NVDA shares are trading lower by 7.42% to $175.80 during Monday’s pre-market session after the company issued preliminary second-quarter revenue guidance below estimates. The company cited weaker gaming revenue.
Nvidia sees preliminary second quarter revenue of $6.70 billion versus the previous outlook of $8.10 billion.
The company says the shortfall relative to the May revenue outlook of $8.10 billion was primarily attributable to lower sell-in of Gaming products reflecting a reduction in channel partner sales likely due to macroeconomic headwinds.
Nvidia added that in addition to reducing sell-in, the company implemented pricing programs with channel partners to reflect challenging market conditions that are expected to persist into the third quarter.
“Our gaming product sell-through projections declined significantly as the quarter progressed,” said Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA. “As we expect the macroeconomic conditions affecting sell-through to continue, we took actions with our Gaming partners to adjust channel prices and inventory.
According to data from Benzinga Pro, Nvidia has a 52-week high of $346.47 and a 52-week low of $140.55.
Image and article originally from www.benzinga.com. Read the original article here.


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June 7, 2010
New VW Plant has Big Connections with Detroit and Mexico
We've never seen as much interest in the opening of a new foreign automotive plant in the Southern Automotive Corridor from auto parts suppliers in Michigan, Ohio and other old-line automotive states in the Midwest. Since Volkswagen announced in the summer of 2008 it had picked Chattanooga as the site of its first U.S. plant since the late 1980s, our Web site www.SouthernAutoCorridor.com has received hundreds of official inquiries from parts suppliers in and around Detroit. In fact, I would estimate that inquiries from Michigan off our Web site since VW announced have equaled if not surpassed inquiries from all other locations combined. That is how many there have been.
We can say with certainty that the interest from companies based in the Midwest in the prospects of supplying the German automaker's Chattanooga plant is 10 times or more of that of other foreign automotive plants that have been built or expanded in the South since SouthernAutoCorridor.com went live on the World Wide Web in 2003. Since then we have followed closely where inquiries were sourced prior or shortly after the opening of Honda and Hyundai in Alabama, Kia in Georgia, Toyota in Texas and Nissan in Mississippi.
We were curious why there was so much interest coming from the Midwest regarding the VW project and chalked it up to the reduced workload many of those suppliers faced as GM and Chrysler bellied up in 2009. But it turns out that Volkswagen must have made it clear early on to suppliers in the Midwest that it was interested in their products and services because it looks as if up to 25 suppliers in and around Detroit will end up with VW contracts. While there are dozens of Midwest-based suppliers providing parts for the 10 other foreign automotive plants in the region, almost every single one of them operate a facility near those plants. In Volkswagen's case, those 25 companies that will supply the Chattanooga plant will do so, at least initially, from their facilities in the Midwest.
VW's Chattanooga plant will also work with approximately 40 suppliers in Mexico. That makes perfect sense since VW has operated a large plant in Puebla for decades. The German automaker will import engines to be installed in cars built in Tennessee initially from Europe and Mexico.
As for the number of suppliers Volkswagen expects in and around Chattanooga, that figure is expected to be around 30 at some point before or after the plant opens next year.
Alabama Governor Launches Green Manufacturing Program for Parts Suppliers
In late May, Alabama Gov. Bob Riley announced the launch of a pilot program intended to help the state's automotive industry's parts suppliers reduce pollution and adopt green manufacturing technologies. Called Alabama E3, the program will help coordinate technical assistance programs offered by federal, state and local agencies. Alabama E3 will initially focus on 15 automotive parts suppliers in and around Tuscaloosa, Montgomery and Huntsville.
Topura America Expands in Kentucky
Topura America Fastener, a manufacturer of automotive and industrial fasteners, announced in June it will add 30 new jobs and invest $9.34 million at its plant in Bowling Green, Ky. The deal will more than double the size of the company's existing plant.
Hyundai's Alabama Production Can't Keep Up with Demand
In May, Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama had one of its busiest months since the Korean automaker opened its Montgomery, Ala. plant in 2005. The plant rolled out 28,000 Sonata and Sante Fe models and workers at the plant had to put in lots of overtime to produce that many vehicles. But sales of the two models in the U.S. and Canada totaled 31,439 in May and overall Hyundai sold 49,045 vehicles in the U.S. last month. The company reported that during the first five months of 2010 it sold 204,577 vehicles, the most ever of any five month period in the U.S.
Volkswagen Opens Training Academy
In June, Volkswagen Group of America officially opened the Volkswagen Academy, the training facility that will prepare employees for work at the plant. The training center is supported by Chattanooga State and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Michelin Expanding in Small Town North Carolina
Michelin North America announced in the spring it is expanding its plant in Stanly County, N.C. The company plans to create 74 jobs and invest more than $11 million on the project. South Carolina-based Michelin employs more than 600 workers in North Carolina at facilities in Norwood, Asheboro and Salisbury. For more information on development in the rural South, go to www.SmallTownSouth.com.
Faurecia to Open Second Plant in Tuscaloosa
French auto parts supplier Faurecia announced in May it has purchased the former Visteon plant in Tuscaloosa, Ala. where it will manufacture automotive interior components for several OEMs. The deal is the second plant that Faurecia has announced in Tuscaloosa County in the past six months. The new facility, which will make parts for Nissan, will house 148 workers and represents an investment of $13.5 million. In November, the company announced plans to hire 198 at another Tuscaloosa County factory that produces seating for Mercedes-Benz. For more information on economic development in the South, go to www.SB-D.com.
German Supplier Opening Automotive Production Facility in S.C.
In May, Eberspaecher North America, which operates plants in Alabama, Michigan and Ontario, announced it will open a production facility in Greenville Co., S.C. The company is a manufacturer of exhaust systems. The new plant will serve BMW and its large assembly operation in Greer, S.C. The $5 million deal is expected to create 30 new jobs.
Automotive Casting Operation Re-Opens in Radford, Va.
Virginia Casting Industries, a ductile iron components manufacturer for the automotive industry, is reopening the former Intermet New River Foundry facility in Radford, Va. The $9.1 million project will create 300 new jobs. Virginia successfully competed with Michigan to land the project.
Parts Supplier Creating 55 Jobs in Rural North Carolina
WhiteRidge Plastics, a supplier of custom-molded parts for the automotive, industrial, agriculture and tool markets, announced in the spring it will expand its operations in Rockingham County, N.C. The company plans to created 55 jobs and invest more than $1.2 million in Reidsville.
Volkswagen Supplier Expanding in Tennessee
Miniature Precision Components (MPC), a supplier of thermoplastic injection molded, extrusion and blow molded products for the automotive, lawn and garden and commercial industries, announced in the spring it is expanding in Warren Co., Tenn. The company will invest $7.5 million and add 118 new jobs. MPC recently earned a contract to do work for Volkswagen's Chattanooga operations.
Catalytic Converter Recycler Bringing Jobs to North Carolina
VSA LLC, a recycler of automotive catalytic converters, will locate its production plant in Burke County, N.C. The company plans to create 98 jobs and invest $4.5 million during the next two years in Morganton.
Caterpillar Supplier Hiring 400 in Seguin, Tex.
TPS, a supplier of component manufacturing and assembly services for Caterpillar, will hire 400 workers at a new plant in Seguin, Tex. to assemble diesel engines for the construction equipment giant. TPS is a subsidiary of Michigan-based Royal Oak Industries. TPS will operate out of an 800,000-square-foot facility currently being built on Seguin's west side.
Kaydon Expands in Sumter, S.C.
Michigan-based Kaydon Corporation announced in May it will invest $8.9 million and add 75 new jobs at its custom bearing facility in Sumter Co., S.C. The company has purchased a building formerly occupied by Bosch near the campus of its bearings facility, where it produces bearings for a wide range of general industrial markets. Kaydon also operates a wind turbine bearing facility in Sumter. The new facility is expected to open in the fall of 2010.
Bridgestone Celebrates 20 Years in Rural Tennessee
In the spring quarter, Bridgestone Americas celebrated the 20th anniversary of operations at its Warren Co., Tenn. facility. The plant was the first tire factory in the world to be awarded the LEED certification for its outstanding environmental building design. For more information on economic development in the rural South, go to www.SmallTownSouth.com.


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By Lawrence White
LONDON (Reuters) – Nationwide Building Society <POB_p.L>, one of Britain’s three biggest mortgage providers, is planning to push into the business banking market after annual profit fell 7 percent amid intense competition in the market for home loans.
Nationwide said it has applied for a 50 million pound grant as part of a 775 million pound package of funding that rival Royal Bank of Scotland <RBS.L> is being compelled to disburse to boost competition in the market.
If its application is successful, Nationwide said it would launch a business current account to compete in a market dominated by Britain’s five biggest banks with 85 percent of business accounts between them.
“Historically the cost of entry in this market was so high we couldn’t look our members in the eye and say this is going to pay them back, but if we are successful in securing funding from the remedies package that problem goes away,” Nationwide Chief Executive Joe Garner said.
Godfrey Cromwell, a member of Britain’s upper House of Lords, was appointed this month to lead Banking Competition Remedies, the body that will hand out the grants to banks.
RBS has been compelled by the government and the European Commission to hand out the funds as part recompense for its 45.5 billion pound bailout during the financial crisis.
Nationwide said it would target small businesses with annual turnover below 20 to 25 million pounds a year. Its push into business banking comes at a time when the incumbent large banks are coming under heavy criticism from lawmakers for their treatment of small businesses.
Nationwide reported an annual profit of 977 million pounds, down from 1.05 billion pounds a year earlier.
It was Nationwide’s second consecutive year of declining profits, which it blamed on costs from buying back its own debt as well as increased competition and low interest rates.
Unlike its rival listed banks such as Lloyds <LLOY.L> and RBS which have a goal of delivering ever higher profits to their shareholders, Nationwide operates as a society owned by its customers and said it will be comfortable keeping annual profits at between 0.9 to 1.3 billion pounds per year.
The lender said it has launched a review of its technology investment and will announce the results in the Autumn, as rivals crank up their spending to ward off the threat from startup digital banks and the big global technology firms.
(Reporting By Lawrence White, editing by Sinead Cruise)


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Remedy Entertainment has already completed the development of Control, a new action adventure that will hit the market for PC, PS4 and Xbox One in just one month, this September 27. This was announced by Mikael Kasurinen, director of the video game through a message on Twitter in which he has also highlighted several aspects that make the launch special, including its multiplatform character.
” It is already done. New IP, new technology, new game structure, new management, three platforms and three years of development. A great milestone for the best development team in the world! ”, Said the creative. Thomas Puha, also from Remedy, wanted to comment in another message that the adventure “is definitely different”, adding the achievement that has meant being able to reach high levels of quality with its development.
To check if so It has been, as we said, we will not have to wait long since the video game will hit the market on August 27. In the meantime you can check the latest Control impressions published on the GamesFreeBola pages.
— Mikael Kasurinen (@MikaelKasurinen) July 24, 2019