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German car giant Volkswagen Group plans to alter its trade identify in the United States to ‘Voltswagen’ as it increasingly focuses its manufacturing on electric powered autos and attempts to length alone from a scandal over a deception in the measurement of emissions of its automobiles.
The organization is scheduled to make the official announcement on Tuesday, according to a human being, who questioned to converse on ailment of anonymity due to the fact the programs have not been produced community.
The firm briefly posted a statement on its web-site early Monday announcing the name alter. The statement was withdrawn later on, but it experienced manufactured it to various publications by then.
Meanwhile, Volkswagen is accepting bookings for the new ID.4 electric SUV in the United States. It is the company’s only new electrical model for sale in the state, although there are programs for extra, such as a nostalgic reissue of the firm’s Microbus.
Even with the ID.4 for sale, only a smaller fraction of Volkswagens on American roadways will have the ‘Voltswagen’ name. The the greater part of the firm’s car income in the United States in the near foreseeable future will proceed to be gasoline-driven and will continue on to be branded Volkswagen. Last 12 months, the German automaker marketed just underneath 326,000 Volkswagen-branded cars in the United States.
The particular person acquainted with the program said the Volkswagen Group of The us name, which also consists of the Audi, Bentley, Bugatti and Lamborghini manufacturers, will not improve. Rather, only the “K” in the Volkswagen model will be improved to a “T”.
Electrical autos will carry an exterior badge with the identify ‘Voltswagen’, while gasoline motor vehicles will nevertheless have the regular ‘VW’ but no trade names, the supply additional.
The assertion more famous that the action amounted to a general public declaration of the company’s future financial commitment in electric powered motor vehicles.
VW has been trying to clean up up its impression immediately after US authorities identified in 2015 that its so-known as “clean” diesel cars cheated in emissions checks. Vehicles activated pollution controls throughout Environmental Security Agency exams, then turned them off during use on the streets.
Volkswagen pleaded guilty in 2017 and agreed to shell out $ 4.3 billion in civil and criminal penalties, as well as billions of pounds more to invest in back again the autos. Two folks ended up in jail.


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Managed Services: The Franchise ApproachBy Jessica Davis | Print
Desktop-as-a-Service Designed for Any Cloud ? Nutanix Frame
TeamLogic IT, a franchisor of managed services for SMBs, estimates that 40 percent of its franchisees are conversions by conventional VARs.Some VARs looking for a quick entry into the fast-growing managed services space may be considering the purchase of a franchise.
That's the idea behind TeamLogic IT, a franchisor launched two years ago after founding company Franchise Services concluded, based on commissioned market research, that virtually all SMBs (small to midsize businesses) are struggling with technology.
Such business owners typically have no full-time IT person, or if they do it's a low-level employee who for the most part reboots machines when there is trouble, said Chuck Lennon, president of TeamLogic IT, based in Mission Viejo, Calif.
TeamLogic IT recently opened its 25th location and operates in 13 states, Lennon said. He estimates that about 40 percent of the company's franchisees are VARs that have converted their existing businesses.
One of the company's first franchisees falls into that category. Scott Chandler and Denise Trowell, both engineers, had started up their network consulting, installation, procurement and training business, Acornnet.com, in 1995 after spending years working for bigger companies.
"But we had difficulties growing much beyond a mom and pop business," Chandler said. "We wanted to do more. We both came from big industry, so there were a lot of tools that we were used to that we no longer had. TeamLogic had a lot of these tools."
And Chandler, 49, was also looking to create a business that would have more value when he sold it to retire, he said, noting that McDonalds would typically be valued higher than an unknown burger restaurant. He chose TeamLogic IT because Franchise Services, the company that launched TeamLogic IT, was also the parent company of popular franchise brands PIP and Sir Speedy Printing.
While the idea of getting into managed services didn't play a role in his decision two years ago, Chandler now considers the concept of managed services central to what VARs can offer to customers, he said. He said his partner's research has led to the creation of a Microsoft Exchange Server managed service now offered through TeamLogic IT.
"The concept of managed services is going to change computing," he said. "Managed Services is going to be the future. It's sneaking up on us whether we want it or not."
Lennon noted that TeamLogic IT's research showed that customers thought managed services would cost the equivalent of having an IT person on staffbetween $3,000 and $6,000 a monthan amount more than double the actual costs of the TeamLogic IT offering.
The lower-than-expected cost together with the need for a true security program ranked particularly high as a motivating factor for businesses in data-sensitive industries such as accounting, law and health care, he said.
"You could tell customers were absolutely frightened about security," Lennon said. "About 95 percent said they were backing up data, but when we started asking how often and where, they didn't know the answers."

domain: news


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American Apparel offers ‘Sandy Sale’ for hard-hit states
Los Angeles clothier American Apparel is just the latest retailer extending a “Sandy Sale” for those caught in the path of the storm’s relentless march through the East Coast.
The clothing maker sent out an email Monday night offering a 20% site-wide discount for 36 hours to shoppers in nine states hardest hit by Sandy, including New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
“In case you’re bored during the storm,” the ad says. “Just Enter SANDYSALE at Checkout.”
The sale drew swift condemnation on Twitter, where many criticized the company for capitalizing on a storm that has wreaked havoc and killed at least 38 people in seven states.
“Really @americanapparel? Sandy Sale email blast?” David Honig tweeted. “The lowest of low.”
“Hey @americanapparel people have died and others are in need,” Christine Lu wrote. “Shut up about your #Sandy sale.”
Others predicted the clothing maker would soon be dealing with the fallout of their faux pas.
"@americanapparel will soon be hiring a new marketing director,” Buzz Bishop tweeted. “Yes, they just email blasted a ‘Hurricane Sandy Sale.’”
But American Apparel isn’t alone in offering Sandy specials. Most deals involve free shipping, presumably to grab all those shoppers weathering the storm from inside their homes.
Urban Outfitters is offering free shipping on all orders with the rather apt discount code “ALLSOGGY.” Steven Alan is also running a free shipping promotion with code word “SANDYFREESHIP.” Customers can get 15% off orders over $100 at sport retailer Owner Operator by entering the discount code “FRANKENSTORM.”
The Twittersphere was not pleased with any of it.
“Trying to make a SALE off of a terrible disaster is just terrible,” tweeted someone who goes by the handle I Heart Heels. “Stop it with your cutesy puns, brands. #notcute”
Such storm-related sales are just the latest from companies mixing current events into marketing, sometimes with cringe-inducing results.
A KitchenAid tweet this month about President Obama’s deceased grandmother sparked fury on social media and a series of apologies from the home appliance giant. After the Aurora shootings, retailer CelebBoutique tweeted that its Kim Kardashian-inspired Aurora dress was behind the term’s popularity on Twitter and included a link to the $157 frock.
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Independent plastics and rubber research organisation Rapra Technology has reported a significant growth in demand for information on compostable materials.
This year, work in biodegradable and compostable material has received a financial push with support from Telford-based Polymer Cluster, which is channelling funding provided from Advantage West Midlands and the European Regional Development Fund.
The funding was used to develop a number of case studies in the Wolverhampton and Telford areas, and to help progress the UK's understanding and testing work of compostable and biodegradable polymer materials.
Rapra's David Ingles is leading the project. According to Ingles, until now the only approved facilities to conduct this type of materials testing and analysis programmes were on mainland Europe.
The UK's Composting Association has established an accreditation scheme that is linked to the existing validatory scheme, DIN CERTO, based in Germany. This scheme enables materials manufacturers and converters to certificate their products as being compliant with the tests contained in EN 13432. Subsequently, Rapra has set up dedicated laboratories and pilot-scale facilities to deliver this service to the expanding UK market.
"Demand has been strong," says Ingles, "and alongside our capital investment, we have been fortunate to receive considerable support from Polymer Cluster in relation to staff training, accreditation fees and promotional activities. It is hoped that this test facility will prove a valuable resource for all UK-based companies active in this market."
Funding into the plastic research and development sector continues to grow with an announcement by the Faraday Plastics and Polymer Partnership that in the past 12 months it has helped to raise of total of £22 million in research funding for the plastics sector in the UK and Europe.
Faraday Plastics director Richard Simmons says: "The total size of this funding reflects an underlying dynamism in the research part of this sector and an underlying willingness for governments, companies and institutions to commit funds to plastics. The success here presents a convincing argument for more to be done.
"Many areas of plastics-based research are simply waiting to happen - needing only a kick-start in finance and a collaborative effort between partners to bring them into the production arena."
The range of more than 20 projects facilitated by Faraday Plastics includes conductive polymers; biocompostable materials, gas and liquid processing, energy-saving polymer processing; polymer aggregates in building materials; supercritical fluid technology; pro-cess intensification techniques and marine polymer applications.
Retail carrier bags targeted
Two retail projects focusing on plastic carrier bags and glass containers are the latest to receive grants from a funding scheme established by the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP).
The £8 million Waste Minimisation Innovation Fund was launched in November to support R&D projects that focus on reducing the amount of retail packaging and food waste that goes into household bins.
ASDA stores and Ecomedia have joined


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Tesla Fires Employee Over Sabotage, Report Says
An internal email sent Monday by Al Prescott, Tesla's (NASDAQ: TSLA) vice president for legal and legal advice, describes a recent sabotage incident at the company's Fremont, California factory, according to Bloomberg. Tesla is currently still in litigation with another former Nevada Gigafactory employee who was fired in 2018 after being accused of hacking the company's systems. In June 2018, Tesla fired process engineer Martin Tripp from Nevada after the company accused him of hacking into computers and sharing proprietary data with a reporter.
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The Algerian making his own instruments
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Moderna chief executive says he thinks the pandemic could be over by next year
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Blackberry rallies on earnings beat, Darden jumps on earnings, Toast surges on debut


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T-Mobile’s new pricing is absolutely unreal once you take a look at what its competitors charge – one international trip …
You can still buy one in a store. You just can’t walk out with one.
New early-upgrade options are confusing and pricey. Some deals!
The odds of saving money with AT&T Next and T-Mobile Jump are stacked against you.
PCMag has published the results from its annual test of mobile data speeds, covering 30 cities around the country.
To go along with its new contract-free wireless plans, T-Mobile is offering trade-in credit for iPhone owners.
Here’s how to run the numbers to see if you can get a good monthly deal on the T-Mobile iPhone.
T-Mobile has announced that it’ll be selling the iPhone 5 starting April 12; it’ll be priced at $100 plus a $20-per-month equipment fee that must be paid for 24 months.
T-Mobile has made a bold step by getting rid of two-year contracts. Here’s the skinny.
Some smaller carriers are introducing payment plans meant to bring down the up-front costs of high-end handsets like the iPhone. Cricket, for instance, is letting customers pay $105 to walk out the door with an iPhone 5.
On Thursday, T-Mobile announced that it will sell Apple “products” in 2013, but that’s only part of the carrier’s plans.
A press release gives vague — but official — information about a long-awaited partnership.


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Isuzu Concept X D-Max and Mu-x revealed
Extreme off-road concept unveiled
Isuzu has unveiled an extreme take on its dual-cab ute and four-wheel drive duo.
Developed by independent workshop and professional driving outfit Team D-Max/EMG, both the D-Max and Mu-x Concept X were unveiled this morning at the National 4x4 Outdoors, Fishing & Boating Expo in Melbourne.
Originally brought about by the idea of fitting huge 38-inch Toyo Open Country Mud Terrain tyres onto the cars, the project took on a life of its own and 12 months later the end result is a concept car which towers over most off-roaders on display.
Both vehicles feature heavily reworked or new body panels from a redesigned front-end, bulging bonnet, flared guards and re-sculptured rear bumper. Rather than mould fibreglass parts, every new panel is fabricated by EMG in Australia from tough alloy metal.
“The cost, well it’s mega. Many man hours, I don’t want to even think about it,” EMG director and owner of Team D-Max Wayne Boatwright told Drive.com.au at the concept's unveil.
“It just started with the tyres, no one that we know has put 38-inch tyres on an Isuzu and you can’t even get them in Australia. I imported the wheels at almost $10,000 for one car and all of a sudden we just started redesigning the whole thing because they looked so tough.”
The vehicles have been lifted a further 180mm without the use of portal axles as used in Toyota’s extreme HiLux Tonka concept revealed last year. But the three-leaf span D-Max rear-end has been replaced with the five-link suspension setup found in the Mu-x and supported by performance shock absorbers with 60mm reservoirs all-round.
The approach and departure angles increase to 50 and 38 degrees respectively.
Each vehicle has two winches, one behind both the new front and rear bumper while the braking system has been replaced with front six-piston callipers over 390mm rotors and rear four-piston callipers on 335mm rotors.
The engine remains untouched, powered by the same 3.0-litre four-cylinder diesel turbo of the production vehicle producing 130kW and 430Nm through a six-speed automatic. A bespoke exhaust system has been added to get around undercarriage modifications.
“We’ve used different vehicle brands throughout the team’s history but Isuzu’s truck DNA sets them apart from the rest. Their diesel engines are simply the best in the business and the whole package has been outstanding in terms of reliability,” said Boatwright.
The interior remains unchanged from the MU-X LS-T spec, leaving all of the extreme modifications to the exterior and nuts and bolts.
“It certainly got a bit out of control. But once we’d started, we were determined to make them special. We didn’t set out to build a racer or pre-runner or rock crawler, or yet another version of the ultimate 4WD tourer. It would have been easy just to bolt on a lot of accessories but we really wanted to go our own way, so most of the build; the guards, bull bars, bonnet, brakes, suspension and chassis mods are all in-house custom work.”
However, Boatwright says there are no plans for a production version to take on the Ford Ranger Raptor.
“We’ve thought about how we could offer this as an aftermarket solution but at the moment we’re flat out between our driving and this, so there’s no plan yet.”


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Binance CEO weighs in on the notion of “offshore” crypto businesses
Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao took to Twitter on Feb. 19 to recommend that differentiating between on-shore and off-shore companies constitutes a false distinction.
Zhao posted his feedback in response to Kraken CEO Jesse Powell, writing:
“[Powell] makes use of the phrase ‘offshore’ very often…The time period ‘offshore’ seems overly narrow-minded, self-centered, misses the broader image and [is] unhelpful to the event of our trade.”
Zhao argued that every one corporations function on-shore in relation to their very own nations. He stated that to tell apart on this manner is “smug” and added that believing within the superiority of corporations in a single’s personal nation is just not a cure-all for the crypto trade.
He additionally famous that such considering has apparently failed to stop on-shore fraud. Zhao noticed that FTX.US failed alongside FTX even supposing, relative to the USA, it was an on-shore firm with many American executives.
Zhao explicitly denied that this kind of sentiment is barely seen within the U.S. He stated that it may be seen in Asia as properly, as there are Chinese language and Japanese phrases which might be used to disparagingly consult with overseas companies (“lao wai” and “gaijin” respectively).
Zhao’s feedback particularly criticized statements made by departing Kraken CEO Jesse Powell on Feb. 17. Powell had lamented that U.S. regulators didn’t take heed to his complaints about off-shore corporations and supplied excuses for these corporations — at the same time as these regulators took motion in opposition to Kraken’s staking program this month.
Zhao appeared to acknowledge the severity of Powell’s state of affairs, as he wrote in a single tweet: “I apologize for saying [this] so instantly. No hurt meant.”
Regardless of Zhao’s sentiments round on- and off-shore enterprise, his firm should now navigate worldwide laws. Binance’s U.S. stablecoin accomplice, Paxos, introduced on Feb. 13 that it will cease issuing Binance USD (BUSD) for regulatory causes.
Reviews from the Wall Avenue Journal on Feb. 15 moreover instructed that Binance pays penalties to American regulators to resolve regulatory probes. Zhao added on Feb. 17 that although Binance doesn’t plan to delist U.S.-based cryptocurrencies, the corporate will possible cut back U.S. investments and bids and can as a substitute “search permission first.”
Binance.US additionally faces scrutiny over its connection to buying and selling agency Advantage Peak.


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Articles About Pinterest
August 23, 2014
How many apps do we download each month? What apps do we spend the most time using? Do Android users like different apps than iOS users? Here's your chance to find out.
August 18, 2014
Gary Vaynerchuk is a social media guru, entrepreneur, and author. He's also found a way to make social media content creators rich. Here's how.
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A startup has just launched an app that makes it easier to track social media sites' privacy settings and policies -- and will eventually let you sell your data.
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Ready to celebrate the 4th of July? Here's how you can save some money.


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AUTHOR: Jesupemi Are
The World Health Organisation (WHO), says 300 children have died due to the use of contaminated cough syrups in three countries.
WHO issued a medical product alert on October 5, 2022, focused on the Gambia regarding four products — Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup, and Magrip N Cold Syrup.
It issued another alert on November 6, 2022, focused on Indonesia concerning about eight products — Termorex syrup (batch AUG22A06 only), Flurin DMP syrup, Unibebi Cough Syrup, Unibebi Demam Paracetamol Drops, Unibebi Demam Paracetamol Syrup, Paracetamol Drops (manufactured by PT Afi Farma), Paracetamol Syrup (mint) (manufactured by PT Afi Farma), and Vipcol Syrup.
On January 11, it also published an alert focused on Uzbekistan regarding two products — AMBRONOL syrup and DOK-1 Max syrup.
The organisation in a statement said over the past four months, countries have reported several incidents of over-the-counter cough syrups for children with confirmed or suspected contamination with high levels of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol.
It said the contaminants are toxic chemicals used as industrial solvents and antifreeze agents that could be fatal even taken in small amounts, and should never be found in medicines.
“Last year, WHO raised the alarm by issuing medical alerts in October focused on the Gambia, in November about Indonesia, and earlier this month regarding Uzbekistan,” the statement reads.
“The cases in these three countries are associated with more than 300 deaths, but we know that at least seven countries have been affected. Most of the deaths have been in children under the age of five.
“WHO’s medical product alerts were rapidly disseminated to the national health authorities of all 194 WHO member states.”
The WHO said since the incidents were not isolated, various key stakeholders engaged in the medical supply chain should take immediate and coordinated action.
“WHO calls on regulators and governments to detect and remove from circulation in their respective markets, any substandard medical products that have been identified in the WHO medical alerts referred to above as potential causes of deaths and disease; ensure that all medical products in their respective markets are approved for sale by competent authorities and obtainable from authorised/licensed suppliers; assign appropriate resources to improve and increase risk-based inspections of manufacturing sites within their jurisdiction in accordance with international norms and standards,” the statement reads.
It added that governments should “increase market surveillance including risk-based targeted testing for medical products released in their respective markets including informal markets; and enact and enforce, where relevant and as appropriate, laws and other relevant legal measures to help combat the manufacture, distribution and/or use of substandard and falsified medicines.”


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In a landscape marked by inflation, increasing labor costs, and the rise of AI, we’re in an era of disruption that’s transforming the entire hospitality industry as we know it. As restaurant operators, it’s difficult to predict what lies ahead and how to adapt, especially in a time of breakneck efficiency, tight margins, and rapid technological advancements. It’s even more challenging to know what innovation or strategy is a fleeting trend or a long-term industry advancement. To help you navigate the twists and turns of the dynamic restaurant industry, we investigated the top 2024 restaurant dining trends operators must be prepared for, including:
- The shift toward phone and text ordering via artificial intelligence
- Streamlining back-of-house tasks with integrated technology for greater efficiency
- Continuing to leverage ghost kitchens as significant revenue generators
With knowledge of these trends, you’ll stay ahead of the curve as we enter a new year.
Moving Away From Call Centers and Towards AI Phone Ordering
On average, quick-service restaurants (QSRs) handle 50-75 calls daily. However, multiple calls at once often lead to extended wait times and result in around 150 unanswered calls per month. With the average order value at $25 and roughly 60% of unanswered calls being missed orders, the annual revenue loss amounts to over $27,000.
However, while offshore call centers offer significant labor cost savings, brands run the risk of incorrect orders due to communication difficulties. “You may have saved a few dollars in labor, but you might have really damaged the guest experience,” says Shannon Chirone, Senior Vice President of Marketing at HungerRush.
Instead, Chirone says more brands will address these labor issues by using AI to streamline phone ordering and improve customer and employee experiences. One such solution is voice AI, also known as conversational AI, which allows customers to engage in natural, free-flowing conversations with virtual assistants, similar to how they would talk with staff members. These virtual assistants take orders and seamlessly integrate with a restaurant’s POS and kitchen display (KDS) system.
For instance, HungerRush’s OrderAI Talk phone bot enables customers to place orders via phone without staff interaction. “OrderAI is always on the phone, ready to take a phone call, and you can take infinite phone calls at once,” says Aaron Nilsson, Chief Information Officer at Jet’s Pizza, a leading pizza franchise with hundreds of locations across the US. “This is a way to leverage technology to get people off the phones and back into the fun part of the job: making pizzas,” he says.
Even during the busiest rushes, the customer will hear the pleasant voice of the AI phone bot rather than a stressed employee, providing a great customer experience every time. It also accommodates various dialects and conversational nuances, helping to reduce customer frustrations associated with less sophisticated phone bots and save on labor costs.
“[Call centers] are still an expensive solution in the long run because it’s all human capital,” says Thierry. “Ultimately, what you want to be able to do is replicate that, with really well thought out technology and AI.
After switching to AI phone ordering, Jet’s Pizza reported increased sales, improved customer satisfaction, and higher order accuracy. Jet’s Pizza now earns $6 million monthly from OrderAI technology and has a 92% order completion rate for phone bot customers.
Using AI Text Ordering as a Reorder Channel
While restaurants adopt new solutions to manage phone ordering, another tool often remains underutilized: AI text ordering.
As we enter 2024 restaurant dining trends will include, more restaurant owners will embracing text ordering capabilities—opening the door for ordering convenience and enhanced customer loyalty.
Studies have shown that 70% of consumers subscribed to text marketing in 2022, showing a 12% growth year-over-year in SMS opt-in rates. Additionally, 20% of Gen Z consumers indicated their interest in text-to-buy options to purchase directly through text messaging.
Thierry says the convenience of texting is unmatched, making it a powerful reordering channel. When a restaurant sends an email or text reminder to reorder, the customer usually has to open another app or website to place the order, creating more friction—and the possibility of a lost order—in the ordering process.
However, with AI text ordering, customers can place their order without leaving the text conversation; they enter their four-digit PIN code to confirm their order directly in the chat. The immediacy of response makes AI text reordering a big lift channel, says Thierry. “It generally creates a higher frequency of orders and a higher ticket price per order.”
HungerRush’s OrderAI Text allows restaurants to leverage texting as a seamless and effective reorder channel alongside other ordering channels. It also allows customers to opt-in for marketing promotions where they’ll receive text reminders at critical reorder times. Data from pizzerias using HungerRush OrderAI Text shows they experienced a 29% increase in revenue month-over-month, with an average of 291 orders using the platform.
Jet’s Pizza is an early adopter of HungerRush’s OrderAI Text. We found that 29% of Jet’s Pizza customers who received text promotions placed at least one order, and 20% of text-ordering customers placed two or more orders monthly.
A Greater Focus on Cost-Saving Technology
Amidst rising minimum wages, shifting delivery fee models, and increasing operating costs, cost-saving measures are paramount for restaurant operators (no matter the year).
The margins in restaurants are already thin, says Thierry. The National Restaurant Association found that 88% of restaurant operators reported higher food costs, and 86% said their labor costs were higher than in 2019.
While costs continue to rise, Thierry says online ordering volume is also increasing. Restaurants will all deal with cost-related challenges differently, but the one strategy we’ll continue to see more of is investing in the right technology to improve efficiency and reduce overhead costs.
For example, AI phone and text ordering can lighten employee workload and optimize labor costs while improving customer experience. AI ordering has also been shown to generate significant revenue and increase average ticket sizes through personalized upselling opportunities. We anticipate seeing more AI ordering in 2024 restaurant dining trends
Thierry adds that more operators will look to move their phone business, especially repeat customers, to text ordering. “The guest experience is great, and the cost is minimal compared to voice-based ordering.”
To address rising food costs, restaurant operators will rely on food cost monitoring technology to keep track of ingredient price fluctuations and make menu pricing adjustments. One example of this technology is xtraCHEF, which syncs invoices to offer ingredient-level insights and cost monitoring. Similarly, cloud-based systems like Meez enable restaurants to save recipes, analyze food costs, and experience real-time updates based on recent invoices and receipts.
Additionally, more operators will invest in cross-compatible platforms like HungerRush 360 to handle orders, track deliveries, and manage inventory and labor, all from one centralized POS system. This integrated system saves the headache of dealing with separate devices (and subscription fees) for each ordering channel or third-party service.
Taking Better Care of Your Employees
The labor market in the hospitality industry is cooling off as we enter a new year. Hospitality industry unemployment rates have returned to pre-2020 levels, hovering around 5-6%, and quits and separations began to steady in the first half of 2023. These 2024 restaurant dining trends are a sign that the labor market is shifting back in favor of employers.
As employers see some power return, the basic principles of employee retention remain constant: workers who feel valued and cared for are more likely to stay in their current roles.
Engaged employees lead to lower turnover and better customer experience. A recent Gallup survey found employee engagement has hit a record high since 2009, with 23% of employees feeling engaged at work. Operators must prioritize employee engagement by providing better tools, communication, and recognition.
Research shows that efficient workplace communication boosts productivity by up to 25% and reduces turnover by 50%. More restaurants will look to digital communication tools like back-of-house signage and mobile apps, such as 7Shifts and Homebase, rather than phone calls and verbal communication to improve communication and foster higher morale and loyalty.
Better employee recognition can also reduce turnover by 31%, meaning those who invest in employee well-being, growth, and job satisfaction through technology and improved internal systems will win in people operations moving forward. Beyond leveraging available digital platforms for employee communication and recognition, improving the quality of work life for workers includes providing fair compensation and benefits, structured career paths, flexible scheduling, learning and development opportunities, and empathetic leadership.
Tech-Enabled Back-of-House Efficiency
In today’s fast-paced foodservice industry, there’s no room for inefficiency. The competition is fierce, and customers demand a seamless dining experience; if they don’t get that, they’ll take their business elsewhere. As a result, there’s a strong push in 2024 to enhance back-of-house efficiency by leveraging technology to stay ahead in this fast-paced environment according to 2024 restaurant dining trends.
While the front-of-house experience is becoming increasingly streamlined and automated, using POS systems and mobile apps, the back-of-house operations have often lagged behind. You can find kitchen staff scribbling complex recipe conversions on napkins or chefs racing between recipe binders and the pantry, trying to piece together the next purchase order.
Restaurant operators recognize the need to use technology in various aspects of back-of-house operations (BOH) to streamline processes and reduce human error. We will see more restaurants digitize their recipes, adding them to a central database where all teams and locations can access them in real-time or use predictive inventory tracking systems to generate more accurate purchase orders based on their planned recipes.
Culinary Operating Systems (COS) like Galley Solutions will be vital in streamlining back-of-house operations. A COS is a central hub where your recipes, menus, inventory, vendor costs, and kitchen tasks can communicate seamlessly.
As online orders continue to rise, other tools like digital kitchen display systems will become a staple in BOH operations, ensuring these orders get fulfilled efficiently and accurately. The display is linked to the POS, alerting the kitchen of a new order—whether in-house, online, or for delivery. The highly visual nature of a digital kitchen display system creates better synergy between the front-of-house and the BOH, enabling efficient order execution and delivery time monitoring.
Maximizing Your Assets Using Ghost and Virtual Kitchens
Running a successful restaurant operation is all about maximizing the assets you already have. Ghost and virtual kitchens have emerged as innovative ways to achieve just that. These kitchen concepts leverage existing or unbranded commercial kitchens to exclusively prepare food for delivery (and sometimes pickup) orders.
A recent survey found that in the past month, 77% of consumers had food delivered, while 76% opted for takeout. As food delivery continues to increase in popularity, more operators will explore ghost and virtual kitchens to meet the growing demand for off-premises dining.
Virtual kitchens host multiple brands in the same kitchen, with only one brand offering dine-in. For example, Thierry explains that a location could, first and foremost, be a restaurant with on-premise dining. Meanwhile, another brand is cooking out of this same kitchen but only offers delivery or pickup orders.
“If you’re a restaurant operator, you’re going to look for ways to continue to use the assets that you’ve got—kitchen staff, kitchen equipment, and location—to drive more business if you can,” says Thierry.
Alternatively, Thierry says more restaurant chains will invest in ghost kitchens in 2024. Ghost kitchens are unbranded kitchens that cook the same food as their dine-in locations but offer closer delivery or pickup points for specific neighborhoods. This concept lowers delivery costs, expands delivery zones, and enhances the guest experience.
Both kitchen concepts help restaurants improve their food delivery operations and make better use of their existing assets. They also allow businesses to manage multiple food brands from a single kitchen, broadening their offerings and customer reach.
HungerRush Can Help You Stay Ahead of the Curve
As the restaurant industry continues to get hit with increasing costs and face operational inefficiencies, one thing remains true: those who invest in quality restaurant technology will be better positioned to combat these challenges and come out on top. We hope these 2024 restaurant dining trends were helpful as the new year is right around the corner. The time to start planning is now. Discover how HungerRush 360 can help your business succeed in the new year.
The post 2024 Restaurant Dining Trends: AI Everywhere, Labor Optimization, and Beyond appeared first on HungerRush.


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Valve announced earlier this week that LG Electronics will be showcasing a new head-mounted VR display device designed to deliver a “high fidelity, next generation VR experience” at Valve’s booth at the GDC 2017 which ends Friday.
Though details remain limited, LG’s new VR headset is presumably a PC-based device rather than another mobile-based one, as was the LG 360 VR Headset that had largely failed to gain traction in the market.
The US game maker has confirmed that the prototype is a “SteamVR tracking headset,” meaning that LG’s headset has adopted Valve’s VR technology, as was the case with HTC Vive.
US media outlet Cnet, which tried out the device at the GDC, said that LG’s new headset offered “an experience that feels surprisingly natural,” similar to one offered by the HTC Vive.
It suggested that compared to the HTC Vive, LG’s headset is “better balanced, with a cushy, comfy ratcheting headband to keep it affixed to your skull.”
According to Cnet, LG’s VR prototype is equipped with a single LG-built AMOLED panel with 1,440 by 1,290 resolution per eye, and offers a 110-degree field of view. The display also flips up above your head and out of your face -- like a sun visor with a movable shield -- for convenient wear.
LG Electronics plans to disclose details of its new VR headset, including its specifications, price and launch plans, after improvements are made to the device in the future.
By Sohn Ji-young (email@example.com)


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TVS Motor, Zoho invest in Ultraviolette ahead of its F77 electric motorcycle launch
Ultraviolettehas raised ₹112.5 crore (approximately $15 million) from TVS and Zoho Corporation, as per regulatory filings.
- The company will use the latest Series C fund to launch its F77 high-performance electric motorcycle.
- TVS had first invested in Ultraviolette back in 2017 and has been increasing its shareholding in the company since then.
AdvertisementIndian multinational automotive company TVS and software-as-a-services (SaaS) giant Zoho Corp have announced their investment in electric two wheeler company
According to Ministry of Corporate Affairs filings, Ultraviolette has raised ₹112.5 crore (approximately $15 million) from TVS and Zoho Corporation. Its valuation is estimated to be $200 million as per Inc42. The company has not officially confirmed the financial details of this transaction.
The company will use the latest Series C fund to launch its F77 high-performance electric motorcycle, which is currently in the final stages of testing. It expects to launch the electric vehicle (EV) in the first half of 2022.
The Bengaluru-based startup had first showcased the electric motorcycle in November 2019 and it has received over 50,000 booking requests so far.
‘’What impressed me most about Ultraviolette is their approach towards building the EV experience in the country -- one that is focused on high performance, disruptive design and technology, and superior user experience, all built and developed right here in India. There is no doubt that the future of mobility is electric, and innovation has to be at the forefront of product disruption,” Zoho Corporation’s founder and chief executive (CEO) Sridhar Vembu said.
Ultraviolette Automotive was founded in 2016 by Narayan Subramaniam and Niraj Rajmohan. It develops sustainable mobility and energy infrastructure.
The company has raised over $20 million to date from marquee investors like Speciale Invests, GoFrugal’s Kumar Vembu. TVS had first invested in Ultraviolette back in 2017 and has been increasing its shareholding in the company since then.
Sudarshan Venu, Joint Managing Director at TVS Motor Company, said, “EVs are a huge focus area for us and we have invested in this area for over a decade. TVS is committed to developing exciting and aspirational products and we have always believed that EV development has to be ground-up for us to make that quantum leap into the global EV revolution.”
After giving up on 90-minute delivery five years ago due to lack of profitability, Grofers is now chasing 10-minute delivery
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Tega Industries meets its GMP of ₹300 and lists at 66% premium
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Xiaomi keeps spreading its tentacles into new markets and expanding its operations in already existing ones. Barely two weeks after its entry into the UK, Xiaomi has announced it is now set to enter the South Asian island country of Sri Lanka.
The announcement was made on Twitter earlier today by the country head of Xiaomi India, Manu Kumar Jain. According to Mr. Manu, Xiaomi will be bringing “top-notch products” to the country on November 29. The event will be held in the city of Colombo.
At the moment, we can’t say if Xiaomi will be opening physical stores in the country or will be partnering with existing e-commerce stores. We also don’t know which of its products it will be announcing there.
Nevertheless, we believe some of the Redmi series and the Mi series should be part of the lineup. Looking at the image above, we believe the Redmi Note 6 Pro is one of the devices heading to the country.


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Principle appoints further property assistant to expanding customer services department
Principle Estate Management has recruited a new property assistant for its customer services department as the business continues to grow after 12 months of operations.
Brett Williams launched Principle in Birmingham last year to provide a nationwide property management service and was quickly joined by directors Ian Smallman and Joe Jobson, with the business recruiting a total of 12 people in its first year.
One of these recruits was Michelle Cox who joined as customer services manager earlier this year, and after winning numerous new contracts Principle has now taken on Daniel Lannon.
Mr Lannon, from Cofton Hackett, had previously been working in the retail sector after graduating from Aberystwyth University with a 2:1 honours degree in 2015.
Ms Cox said: “We advertised locally for this role and had a number of applications, but Daniel stood out.
“It’s fantastic background to have retail experience for what is a customer service role here at Principle, plus Daniel’s good IT skills also made him the ideal candidate.”
Ian Smallman, director at Principle, added: “Principle has grown so rapidly that recruitment is now an ongoing item on our monthly agenda.
“We’re confident that Daniel is going to play his part in ensuring we continue to provide the outstanding customer service that we have become really well known for.”
Mr Lannon said: “I had been looking for a new challenge when this role came to my attention.
“It sounded exciting and something where I can use the soft skills I have learnt in retail and develop into a career as I learn about property maintenance and management.”


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LANESBOROUGH -- JC Penney announced Friday that it will close its store at the Berkshire Mall in Lanesborough just north of Pittsfield.
The Berkshire Mall location is the only one of the 138 stores on the closure list that is in this region. Surviving JC Penney locations include the Holyoke Mall at Ingleside and the Hampshire Mall in Hadley. The closures will cost about 5,000 people their jobs, JC Penney said Friday.
The company shut down its store in Springfield's Eastfield Mall in 2011.
The Lanesborough location is the only Massachusetts store to be closed. Only one store in Connecticut, at the Connecticut Post Mall in Milford, is on the to-be-closed list, which is embedded below.
Most stores on the list will start liquidation April 24. Penney's announced in February that it would close stores, but it did not announce which stores would close.
JC Penney had a total of about 1,000 locations before the announced closures.
It's been tough going for retailers the past few years, first with the recession and now with increased competition from online merchants like Amazon. All told, between Sears, Macy's, Kmart and JC Penney's, about 300 department stores will close in 2017 across the country.
In January 2016, Macy's closed stores in the Berkshire Mall, Eastfield Mall in Springfield and Enfield Square in Enfield, Connecticut. That shut down left Berkshire Mall with only a Sears and a target as anchor tenants.
On Friday, JC Penney released annual earnings of $1 billion, a $477 million improvement from the previous year.
But comparable store sales were up just seven-tenths of a percent for the fourth quarter and flat for the full year.
This year was the first time JC Penney had reported a positive net income since 2010.


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FBX News Feed Ad Study: CTRs 21X Higher, CPCs 79% Lower Than Standard Retargeting
When Facebook introduced its retargeting platform, Facebook Exchange (FBX), last year it was a nearly instant success, with partners raving about performance metrics. Then, earlier this year, Facebook opened up its News Feed to retargeting. We’ve seen early positive reports on News Feed retargeting, and now Ad Roll has released its latest data on FBX in the News […]
When Facebook introduced its retargeting platform, Facebook Exchange (FBX), last year it was a nearly instant success, with partners raving about performance metrics. Then, earlier this year, Facebook opened up its News Feed to retargeting. We’ve seen early positive reports on News Feed retargeting, and now Ad Roll has released its latest data on FBX in the News Feed.
AdRoll looked at over 1 billion impressions from 547 advertisers running retargeting campaigns on FBX right-hand side, FBX News Feed and standard web retargeting. After just one month, News Feed FBX accounted for 15 percent of AdRoll’s clicks, despite having just 0.5 percent of the total ad impressions.
News Feed FBX, which uses the Page Post Link Ad unit, had higher click-through rates (CTRs) and lower cost-per-click (CPC) than both right-hand side FBX and standard retargeting campaigns.
- CPCs in the News Feed retargeting campaigns were 54 percent lower than the cost of right-hand side campaigns and 79 percent lower than web retargeting.
- News Feed FBX click-through rates were 49 times higher than right-hand side campaigns and 21 times higher than standard web retargeting.
- Click-through conversion rates were slightly lower at 9 percent under web retargeting and 16 percent lower than right-hand side conversion rates.
- Looking at a blended CPA, News Feed FBX was 63 percent lower than web and 6 percent lower than right-hand side FBX.
Despite the CPC and CTR advantages, AdRoll finds that right-hand side and News Feed retargeting campaigns complement each other. The company recommends running News Feed FBX in conjunction with other efforts because it doesn’t have the level of reach or scale of right-hand side and standard retargeting channels. AdRoll finds News Feed FBX ideal for supporting content marketing and promotional efforts, which are particularly well suited to the social features integrated into the News Feed Page Post Link Ads. Right-hand side ads continue to perform well with dynamic product ads for direct response.
The social elements of Page Post Link Ads add a new dimension to News Feed retargeting. AdRoll says when they ran their first FBX News Feed ad, it received over 235 likes and 100 positive comments in its first week. That same ad also received 1,867 views from the connections of those who had engaged with the ad by liking, sharing or commenting on it.
AdRoll ran a test to see if running FBX campaigns in both the News Feed and the right-hand side congruently would lead to cannibalization or incremental traffic. They looked at 258 advertisers and found that News Feed ads helped lift total FBX ad clicks by 62%. Notably, CPCs overall on FBX fell 30% for the 7 day test period.
Opinions expressed in this article are those of the guest author and not necessarily MarTech. Staff authors are listed here.
New on MarTech


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Apple’s current team of car executives takes another hit to its current project. This time, the head of software engineering program management Joe Bass leaves the team for a role in Meta (previously Facebook).
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported this in the latest installment of his Apple-focused weekly newsletter “Power On”. Bass was the last one in the Apple car management team placed a year ago, with his departure, the entire team is now gone.
Last year, top executives like Dave Scott, Jaime Waydo, Dave Rosenthal, and Benjamin Lyon left the team. Head of the Special Projects Group team, Doug Field, left to join Ford Motors. Dr. Michael Schwekutsch (hardware in charge of the project) also left in November 2021.
More than a hundred of Apple’s employees left the company to join Meta Platforms Inc over the past year. Apple is also offering bonuses of up to $180,000 to retain the top talent in its company due to the recent departures.
This year will be a make-or-break year for Apple if it wants to launch its fully autonomous vehicle by 2025. This project started in 2014 under Steve Zadesky, a former Ford Engineer. Kevin Lynch (VP, Technology) is currently leading the Apple Car project.
Earlier this month, Korean reports noted that Apple is readying to name the Apple Car manufacturer, with the company sending a team to South Korea to enter negotiations with car suppliers and focusing on providing essential parts and components for the electric vehicle.
In this week’s “Power On” newsletter, Mark Gurman also said that Apple would launch the “widest array” of products this year. That would include four new iPhones, five macs, three Apple Watches, and many more. You can check more about that here.


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Molson Coors has already been importing and marketing Modelo brands in Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic provinces, and this deal will allow this successful partnership to be rolled out nationwide. Grupo Modelo's portfolio includes Corona Extra, the leading imported beer in Canada and the most successful Mexican beer in the world. Canada has been at the forefront of the trend toward premium and imported beers, a trend which has left brewers of economy beers such as Ontario-based Brick Brewing struggling to find a market. This trend has allowed brewers to continue to grow profits through higher-margin products despite the beer market being mature and volume sales not having increased significantly over the last few years. BMI expects this trend to continue and forecasts the Canadian beer market to continue to grow in value terms by around 4.6% annually over the next few years.
Grupo Modelo is half owned by American brewing giant Anheuser-Busch, the owner of Canada's biggest selling beer brand, Budweiser, brewed under license by Labatt a division of Ambev. Anheuser-Busch has therefore secured a reasonably strong position in Canada despite not operating directly in the country. This strategy has proved reasonably successful up until now; however, an argument could be made that Anheuser-Busch's current difficulties stem from its lack of a genuine international focus, a symptom of which is its lack of a real operating presence in a market just a border crossing away from its U.S. home market. Whilst other companies have concentrated on expanding into emerging markets Anheuser-Busch has seemed fairly content with sitting on its U.S. revenues and licensing out its brands to other brewers -- a strategy which has proved unpopular with investors and left the company struggling to grow revenues in recent years.
From the January 7, 2008, Prepared Foods e-Flash


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Medl Mobile, an American software firm, today announced the release of Hang W/ 2.0, a noteworthy update that sports a host of new features – including the ability to stream live video from mobile to Facebook.
Thanks to this update, users of the iOS app will be able to stream live video from Hang w/ to their Facebook wall, allowing their friends to join in the fun and share the video.
Other features include: improved video and audio quality; hashtags to allow for custom content channels and deeper Twitter integration; 3, 6 and 9 minute broadcasting options; simplified archives for easier access; as well as a new robust moderation/monitoring platform.
“The mobile social market is growing rapidly,” said Andrew Maltin, CEO. “Live streaming represents an entirely new category and we have our eyes set on being the category innovator and the market leader. Hang w/ 2.0 is our second major step in that direction.”
The updated version of the application is now available to download for free from the Apple App Store, with an Android version currently in development.


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Metro Atlanta is getting its first Asian food hall.
PH’EAST at The Battery Atlanta will bring a slew of local Asian eateries together, featuring flavors from Laotian food to Chinese bubble teas and sushi burritos.
PH’EAST is modeled after Ponce City Market but inspired by hawker markets – stalls that sell a variety of inexpensive food – on the streets of Asia. It’s part of larger food hall invasion with several popping up across metro Atlanta, including Krog Street Market, Marietta Square Market, Alpharetta’s The Daily and Colony Square’s upcoming food hall Main & Main.
“The whole idea of creating a collective was to offer something compelling to the Braves that they would give their 100% corner to because they wouldn’t have given it to any of the individual concepts [in PH’EAST] in isolation,” said David Smith, managing member of Trowbridge Partners and PH’EAST concept creator. “It gives the little guy a spot.”
The popularity of food halls reflects not only the increasing consumer demand for authentic food options but also an affordable real estate option for a rising tide of food entrepreneurs, according to new research from Cushman & Wakefield’s food halls report.
The research shows the food hall trend is not just a fad, but rather a “new normal” in real estate development. What was once just an urban trend is now also a suburban one, and the drive to offer heightened experiences for consumers is also intensifying, according to the report.
Cushman & Wakefield predicts the trend of single-cuisine food halls, such as PH’EAST, to explode in the next few years as operators have barely scratched the surface of familiar cuisines to explore, much less delved into more exotic territory.
The developers plan to open PH’EAST in the fall, likely around September, and revealed the lineup of small eateries that will make up the food hall, with the exception of one spot that’s still available. All PH’EAST operators have established locations throughout Atlanta:
- Founded by Sevan Chan and chef Ken Yu, Poke Burri is an emporium of sorts for hybrid sushi and poke dishes from sushi pizza to sushi doughnuts, poke bowls and more creative Asian dishes.
- Snackboxe Bistro serves savory street food from Laos, including noodles, sticky rice and savory soups.
- Lifting Noodles is another concept by Chan and Yu that serves authentic ramen options.
- Kung Fu Tea will serve up Chinese bubble teas, where teas are freshly brewed every three hours, according to Taiwanese tradition. The tea is mixed with milk or fruits and topped off with chewy tapioca balls.
- The founders of Truck & Tap (Duluth, Woodstock and Alpharetta) have adapted their concept of a creative beer, wine and spirits experience accompanied by food trucks to create TAPS@PH’EAST. The result is 40 taps of craft beer, cocktails, wine and sake to complement the Asian stalls.
There are several key players breathing life into PH’EAST, which has been in the works for more than a year, including Chan, founder of PH’EAST tenants Poke Burri and Lifting Noodles; Mitch Jaffe, CEO and CFO of PREP Atlanta; Smith and Braves Development Group at The Battery. Each has played an important role in establishing the PH’EAST concept with Smith as the concept developer, while Chan brings the necessary food element and helped coordinate other leases to fill the food hall. Jaffe brings the capital needed for the project and the Braves are providing the space.
Prep Atlanta, a commercial kitchen facility serving over 150 entrepreneurial food companies, is the key investor in the project and is managing the building and design, which will cost a total of nearly $2 million by the time it’s complete.
“It’s been very collaborative,” Jaffe said. “The idea is to do something very Asian-specific and next level, so David is the creative one deciding who should be in there, and we work together to negotiate the deals. I think it’s the right idea at the right time, and people want more experiential food interaction. This will look and feel like something you may see on Buford Highway and it’s all coming right here [The Battery].”
Located near Wahlburgers, the 5,000 square-foot food hall will feature communal seating for up to 200 people, as well as to-go counters and catering options. Each roughly 450-square-foot stall will run its own operation, meaning guests will pay on the spot versus a cafeteria-style pay system, and leases are expected to last 10 years. The interior will sport mostly bright colors and Asian-inspired light fixtures reminiscent of paper lanterns. The space is wide open with the TAPS@PH’EAST bar as the centerpiece, and a covered 1,500-square-foot patio for outdoor eating is conveniently in front.
The Battery is also making progress across the street from PH’EAST with the buildout of 140-room Aloft Hotel, Silverspot Cinema and Savi Provisions, which are expected to be ready by next year. The Battery was an investment of more than $400 million by the Braves and their development partners, while SunTrust Park was built for $672 million in a public-private partnership with Cobb County. The total development of more than $1 billion is constructed over 1.5 million square-feet of land and includes restaurants, bars, hotels, the Coca-Cola Roxy Theatre, businesses, shopping and apartments that create not only a gathering place, but a community within itself.
Mike Plant, President and CEO of Braves Development Group, said cities in the U.S. and around the world have been visiting and looking at what the Braves and Cobb County did for guidance, and PH’EAST is one of the last pieces of the puzzle to create a “360-degree destination.”
“Everybody is looking at what we did. This [The Battery] is the future of sports business going forward – to do it all at once and create this transformation of a legacy destination and once again drive traffic 365 [days],” Plant said. “We’re happy to have PH’EAST. It’s really one of the last pieces left in our restaurant lineup, and we’re looking forward to getting it open.”
Source: Atlanta Business Chronicle
See original article here.


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At The Motley Fool, we poke plenty of fun at Wall Street analysts and their endless cycle of upgrades, downgrades, and "initiating coverage at neutral." Today, we'll show you whether those bigwigs actually know what they're talking about. To help, we've enlisted Motley Fool CAPS to track the long-term performance of Wall Street's best and worst.
Have you driven a Ford lately?
The news should have been good for Ford shareholders. But in fact, Ford shares gained less than 1.5% on RBC's announcement, lagging the 1.6% rise on the Dow. (It's even giving back some of those gains this morning, on news of a 20,000-truck recall.) Now, precious few of the Dow's 30 constituent stocks received buy ratings like Ford did. So how is it that Ford wasn't able to even match the Dow's gain?
Part of the reason, I suspect, is the utter lack of details on RBC's recommendation available to investors. While multiple media outlets confirmed that the "buy rating" is in effect, no one seems to have details on exactly what it is about Ford that appeals to RBC. It's a situation familiar to many investors, but frustrating nonetheless.
Fortunately, while we can't tell you much about why RBC thinks Ford is a buy today, we can at least tell you how well RBC does its thinking.
Let's go to the tape
Historically, RBC hasn't spent a lot of time following the world's carmakers. It's invested some time with Big Auto's bigger brethren, the RV makers, with mixed results [beating the market on Thor Industries
RBC's Picks Beating (Lagging) S&P by
Overall, RBC's grab bag of auto-related picks tends to mimic its overall record of stock picking, which, according to CAPS, puts this analyst among the top 5% of investors we track. But with Ford, RBC is basically starting from scratch in a new environment: Consumer-focused automobiles. Will it be proven right about this stock being a buy?
Ford: Buy the numbers
At first glance, I think I see what it is about Ford that might appeal to an investor like RBC. The stock sells for only 7.4 times earnings. That certainly sounds cheap. While more expensive than Honda
In short, there's a lot to recommend Ford at today's prices. Bad press from today's teensy 20,000-truck recall notwithstanding, it's entirely possible RBC may notch another winner with its Ford recommendation.
If there's one thing that concerns me about Ford -- and one thing that could upset the winning formula of the numbers shown above -- it's the balance sheet. Ford today sells for $49 billion. That's not much more expensive than GM, which is roughly Ford's size by annual sales. The key difference between the companies is that GM just emerged from a bankruptcy proceeding that decimated its debt, with the result that GM is a much less leveraged beast today than Ford is. In fact, GM today carries net cash on its balance sheet. In contrast, Ford's balance sheet shows $21 billion cash ... against $14 billion in debt at the auto business, and a further $85 billion at Ford Credit.
Pundits may argue whether it's "fair" to punish Ford for honoring its commitments and refusing to take the bankruptcy cop-out. They may refuse to invest in GM "on principle" -- and that's fine. I respect the opinion. But from a pure perspective of capitalistic profit-seeking, it seems to me that GM offers the better bargain as a stock.
When you get right down to it, seven times earnings is still cheaper than 7.4 times earnings, and net cash is still better than net debt. If I were a gambling man, and inclined to bet on which automaker is more likely to make you some money, I'd say GM is still your best bet.
Fool contributor Rich Smith owns no shares. You can find him on CAPS, publicly pontificating under the handle TMFDitty, where he's currently ranked No. 587 out of more than 180,000 members. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The Motley Fool owns shares of Winnebago Industries and Ford Motor. Motley Fool newsletter services have recommended buying shares of General Motors and Ford Motor.
We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.


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In an age of instant information, connectivity must be effective, affordable and always on.
Especially when the Internet of Things
(IoT) is connecting billions of devices and “sensorising” almost everything. From pipelines to assembly lines to logistics and consumer electronics. As sensors actively transmit data across systems, the biggest need of the hour is speed, quality and affordability of connectivity.
While most retail consumers are dependent on mobile service providers for connectivity, cellular networks will choke as devices begin to ride their bandwidth. These networks were not designed for IoT.
Moreover, cellular networks are best in urban areas but are not as effective in rest of the places.
is increasingly shifting to satellite-based connectivity solutions. The world’s largest connectivity providers are now focusing on IoT
solutions. These include Iridium, OrbComm, Inmarsat, Globalstar and Vodafone IoT.
In some ways the satellite broadcast revolution which beamed TV signals to million of homes over the last few decades are now moving to the IoT.
Satellite IoT has become a strong market segment by itself. A recent report by research firm NSR says that the market will grow to $11.5 billion in this decade. “Transport and cargo has been the main market driver traditionally...agriculture and construction market segments see the strongest increases driven by partnerships with heavy machinery makers, but other segments, like energy and maritime, will also contribute to the future revenue pie,” says the report.
A shift within this market is towards small satellite constellations. Elon Musk
has recently its third batch of 60 Starlink satellites.
Apart from IoT, Musk’s objective is to control the world’s internet connectivity which will ride on satellites.
Swarm Technologies has received approval from US regulator Federal Communications Commission to launch 60 miniature satellites
to create an ever-present network and connectivity to devices across the world. “Small satellite IoT constellations will disrupt the market longer term. Lower cost satellite architectures, with lower total cost of ownership for end users, will drive new customers to these services,” NSR says.
Satellites bring connectivity to virtually every part of the world. This has important implications for logistics, shipping and transportation sectors. Ships, trains and trucks can be connected to their organisations even when they are in locations without cellular connectivity.
However, the cost of satellite-based connectivity is still not affordable for many companies. One kilobyte of data can cost a dollar while for cellular services it is a fraction. A Silicon Valley startup by an Indian technologist is offering an affordable solution. Parth Trivedi, CEO and Co-Founder of Skylo Technologies has developed low-cost hardware and solution that is ideal for Indian and emerging market conditions. Skylo has transformed a satellite receiver dish into a portable printed circuit board-based device combined with IoT connectivity.
Skylo is working with BSNL and the Indian Railways to place the Skylo Hub satellite connectivity device on coaches. Sensors placed in the coach will communicate information about their condition to the Skylo Hub device which will in turn instantly relay the data using satellite connectivity.
Officials managing each train will get real-time information and advance alerts about potential maintenance and failure issues. This is part of the smart coach initiative of the Railways.
Low-cost, high-speed and ever-present connectivity can be a reality with new satellite technologies which are rapidly changing the communications sector. Both government services and enterprises can benefit in from such breakthroughs as most of the country gets connected with satellite IoT.


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Retail groups join fight to halt rates rise that will hammer the High Street
Lobbying groups are poised for a major offensive to halt a jump in business rates they believe could hamper a recovery on the High Street and lead to more empty shops.
Organisations will kick off with a series of submissions over the next fortnight to George Osborne before his Budget on March 21.
The British Council of Shopping Centres (BCSC) this weekend became the latest body to throw its weight behind Financial Mail’s campaign, asking the Chancellor to reconsider the increase, provide improved concessions for small shops and for a review of the way business rates are calculated.
High Street blues: Shops are under pressure from rates rises
It will write to Osborne later this month to plead its case alongside other retail industry groups, including the British Retail Consortium and small business representatives.
Retailers pay about £6 billion in rates, collectively, which is set to increase by 5.6 per cent in April.
Caroline Barrett, of confectioner Sweet Station in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, said the rise would mean she would have to cut stock, which would damage her business. She said rate relief should be automatic.
Shop closures: The towns that have been hit hardest by High Street struggles
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Lenovo, which now owns Motorola, showed off what the marriage between the two companies could look like in the near future by unveiling new smartphones that push the idea of hardware modularity and augmented reality.
The Moto Z is the new flagship phone, coming to Canada in the fall, and featuring a magnetic pin design in the back that is meant to make the phone entirely modular on its backside. At 5.2mm thin and weighing 136 grams, the phone is the thinnest phone currently available or officially announced. It’s also considerably lighter than others in its class.
The 5.5-inch Quad HD AMOLED display marks a return for the Moto flagship back to AMOLED from LCD with last year’s Moto X devices, including the Play, which was a good buy at $400 unlocked. It runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 quad-core processor and 4GB of RAM, with the latest version of Android Marshmallow (6.0.1). An update to Android N is already assured, and given Moto’s track record the last three years, it should be among the first to update.
The 13-megapixel rear camera should be interesting, given the wide f/1.8 aperture, optical image stabilization and laser autofocus. The Moto X lines of the past were never stellar shooters, but this promises to be one of the best cameras on any phone in 2016, so time will tell.
The fact the Moto Z also removes the traditional 3.5mm headphone jack, moving wired audio output to the USB-C port, is an interesting development unto itself as well. Rumours have circled about other manufacturers, including Apple, doing the same, and that appears likely to happen en masse in the industry in the next two years.
But it’s the modularity that is the real story here. Unlike the LG G5, which uses a true modular setup by way of a removable battery, the Moto Z takes a less invasive route. Sticking and unsticking items from the back of the phone is easy for anyone to figure out, and that’s probably what Lenovo and Motorola are banking on in winning over consumers.
Of course, the add-ons themselves need to be compelling, too. Among the handful that were unveiled were a pico projector, audio speaker, Kate Spade power pack case and various thin backplates made from different materials, like bamboo, vinyl and fabrics. Other battery packs were also mentioned, but I never got to see them live, so can’t say much about them.
These are what Motorola is calling “Mods” and in opening up the floor to developers, the company is hoping to recruit others into building a budding ecosystem of these add-ons to make the Moto Z and other successor models viable for some time to come. To hammer that message home, Lenovo ambassador and actor Ashton Kutcher is being put in the spotlight to attract the talent.
The phone itself has a massive 6.4-inch display and is very much in tablet territory with its overall form factor. Part of the reason for the mutated size is because of the three cameras in the rear — a regular 16-megapixel shooter, a motion-tracking one and a spatial awareness one. The combination of all this imaging is for the virtual and augmented reality features inherent in Tango.
The video I shot from the show below explains a lot of what Tango is capable of in greater detail, but the gist is that it can project virtual objects into a real-world physical space, or virtually measure objects and areas in a physical space. The range in the demos is fairly wide, with a domino game, dinosaur educational tool (in partnership with the American Museum of Natural History), along with home improvement-related tools using an app made for Lowe’s, the home improvement store.
The Phab 2 Pro is the one device that will be coming to market that can utilize these apps, but there is no confirmation on whether it will come to Canada or not. If it does, it would likely be later than in the U.S., which is slated to have it before the summer ends in September. Between 25-100 apps are expected to be available by the end of the year, all downloadable from a separate app store.
The device and the technology are decidedly niche at this point. It’s challenging enough to wield or carry around a phablet with a 6-inch display, but the 6.4-inch screen on the Phab 2 Pro is made even bigger by the top and bottom bezels. Lenovo did say it will sell for $499 U.S., which is a pretty good deal for those who are interested. Even if there is no Canadian launch, buying it unlocked in the U.S. won’t be difficult. Lowe’s stores will be selling the device, as will other retailers, like Best Buy.


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Huawei pushes back foldable Mate X launch as its product plans for 2019 get shredded
2019 was supposed to be the year that foldable smartphones shook up what has been a market with one candy bar form factor after another. With the Galaxy Fold currently MIA, hopes had been pinned on the Huawei Mate X. Unfortunately, Huawei has announced that what was supposed to be a June rollout has now been pushed back to at least September. However, Huawei seems to be putting up a smokescreen to explain the delay by shifting the blame to Samsung, not its run in with the US Government.
Speaking to CNBC, a Huawei spokesperson said that the delay was due to additional testing to ensure it avoids the hardware issues that plagued the Galaxy Fold review units. "We don't want to launch a product to destroy our reputation," the spokesperson told CNBC. While that could well be true, the fact that Huawei has been scrambling to find an alternative to Google's Android operating system is, however, the likely culprit.
Despite this, the Huawei spokesperson insisted that the Mate X would launch with Google's Android onboard as it was unveiled before the company was unceremoniously dumped on the US government's Entity List. Undoubtedly, Huawei's preference would be to launch the device with Android, but the new planned launch window is more in line with reports that this is when Huawei could start shipping new devices like the Mate 30 with its HongMeng/Oak OS or even Jolla's Sailfish OS, albeit the Russian Aurora fork.


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Queen Creek Marketplace, 21398 S. Ellsworth Loop, will welcome neighborhood grocer Trader Joe’s to its lineup of tenants on Friday, Oct. 16.
Trader Joe’s is known for its offering of quality, daily staples, as well as unique products from around the globe. The 12,500 square-foot Queen Creek store will be near Barrio Queen and PetSmart in the center of the marketplace, according to a release.
To mark the grand opening, Trader Joe’s will hold a ceremonial ribbon cutting followed by welcomes from the Store Capt. Jimmy Samuel, a nearly 22-year veteran of the company, and Trader Joe’s crew members. The celebration continues with trivia and giveaways as shoppers enter the store to view artwork that pays tribute to Queen Creek local attractions including the nearby clock tower, Horseshoe Park and Equestrian Center and the San Tan Mountains, the release states.
“Trader Joe’s is a grocer unlike any other,” Angie Kory, vice president of leasing at Vestar, said in the release. “Between products you won’t find anywhere else, a vast wine and beer selection and friendly employees, we know Trader Joe’s will be an incredible addition to our already extensive mix of Queen Creek Marketplace shops and restaurants.”
During its grand opening and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Trader Joe’s will take special social-distancing and sanitizing precautions to keep customers safe. Six-foot social-distancing stickers will be placed outside as customers wait to enter. A limited number of customers will be permitted to enter the store at a time.
Queen Creek Marketplace continues to grow, even as COVID-19 has negatively affected many shopping centers across the country. Earlier this year, Queen Creek Marketplace welcomed Total Wine, Skechers, Barrio Queen and Nekter, the release states.
A Vestar property, Queen Creek Marketplace is a neighborhood shopping, dining and entertainment destination. Featuring more than 60 retailers, restaurants and services, the 859,575-square-foot shopping center is off Ellsworth Loop Road and Rittenhouse Road in the heart of Queen Creek. Go to queencreekmarketplace.com.
Trader Joe’s began in 1967 in the Los Angeles area and has since expanded to more than 500 stores, in 42 states and Washington, D.C. Go to traderjoes.com.


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Textron announces layoffs in Wichita
WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - Textron Aviation laid off around 800 workers this morning (Tuesday, July 14). Most of those workers were employed at facilities in Wichita.
The company says it is adjusting to “evolving global economic uncertainty and existing market conditions.”
The layoffs included bargained employees.
The company also says there will be additional periodic furloughs in some functional areas throughout 2020.
We have heard from a number of Textron employees who say they saw several workers ushered out the door Tuesday morning.
While commercial aircraft manufacturing companies like Spirit AeroSystems suffer from lower air travel and empty flights, aviation expert Richard Aboulafia said private air travel is only down by about 30 percent. He said commercial manufacturers won’t begin to recover until a COVID-19 vaccine is available and flights again fill up. But for private manufacturers, it all depends on what happens in the common months.
‘When corporate profits fall, as they probably will, and look like they’re about to, and the economy continues to take a hit, well inevitably, private-jet demand is going to fall too,” Aboulafia said. “So you’re going to watch production members, sales members fall. And that’s what explains these layoffs.”
He said the layoffs we’ve seen at Textron in Wichita are likely in preparation for an economic decline. He said the best-case scenario would be for corporate profits to hold up better than expected so private-jet demand doesn’t fall even more.
Historically, Aboulafia said it takes about two years for companies like Textron to recover when the economy struggles. But he expects the private aviation market to recover much sooner than commercial aviation since it’s less reliant on a COVID-19 vaccine.
Copyright 2020 KWCH. All rights reserved.


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When Leon Leonwood Bean designed the first Maine Hunting Boot in 1912, he probably never envisioned his company would still be pushing the same classic footwear a century later. But that's just what L.L. Bean—based in Freeport, Maine—is doing with the 100th anniversary Bootmobile.
The Bootmobile is a 13-foot-tall, 20-foot-long Maine boot, sitting on the chassis of a 2012 Ford F-250. If it were an actual boot, it would be size 747. The person wearing it would be 143 feet tall, 32 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty.
To create the Bootmobile, L.L. Bean tapped Echo Artz, a company based in Kissimmee, Fla., that specializes in that sort of thing. Echo Artz president Zach Weikart and five other people put in about 2,500 hours of time on the project during seven weeks. The challenge, as Weikart explained, was keeping all of the elements of the Maine boot, including the L.L. Bean logo.
“We wanted to make sure it looked like an L.L. Bean boot and not a Ford boot,” Weikart said.
They looked at several other donor vehicles including a Ford Transit Connect, Jeep Wrangler and Chevy Colorado.
It started with making 3-D scans of the boot. Then, Echo Arts physically cut a boot in half and stuck it over a model of an F-250. To make it look symmetrical, workers used two halves of a left and right boot. If the company based the look off one or the other, according to Weikart, some of the truck would show through.
“The reaction was completely overwhelming,” said Weikart. “Just incredible. People were holding up their Bean boots taking pictures.
The purpose of the Bootmobile—besides to help sell more boots—is to remind people to get outdoors and enjoy nature.
The Bootmobile tour started in Times Square in January. It stopped near Fenway Park for opening day—Fenway is also celebrating its 100th anniversary—and was back in Maine for its hometown celebration on July 4. After the Bootmobile leaves the Pine Tree State it will go to Connecticut, back to Maine and finally back to Boston.


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Chili dog lovers will want to plan a trip to Pink’s Hot Dogs on Tuesday.
The world famous hot dog stand will be selling chili dogs for the low price of only 75 cents.
Richard Pink, president of Pink’s, discussed the special deal which is being held in celebration of KTLA’s 75th anniversary.
Hot dog lovers can get a discounted chili dog at Pink’s in honor of “KTLA Day” Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This segment aired on KTLA Weekend Morning News on July 3, 2022.


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Asda’s new Christmas advert has prompted controversy after more than 50 complaints to the Advertising Standards Authority alleging it is sexist, while Twitter users have both hailed it as smartly observed and slammed it as old-fashioned.
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Amazon's Elastic Cloud Computing (EC2) service has finally extended to Europe. The online bookseller announced it will spin up EC2 virtual server instances in two "availability zones" in Europe, hopefully giving lower latency to customers who previously had to beam their virtual workload across the pond. While Amazon's S3 …
Will there be different T&C's for the eurpean servers? The current T&C's still specify that the servers are under US law ...
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This week began with a statement from Elon Musk that turned many heads on Wall Street. On March 13, the Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) CEO tweeted that both of the electric vehicle (EV) company and SpaceX were facing significant inflationary pressures. Investors wondered how the company would respond and what it would mean for TSLA stock. Today, they found out. News broke that the EV innovator will be raising prices on its current vehicle lineup.
This morning, CNBC reported that Tesla will be raising the prices of all its current EVs. This comes after it had already raised the prices of both the Model 3 and the Model Y in China. The company has not issued a direct statement on the matter as of yet. However, its timing suggests the hikes were spurred by the inflationary trends eluded to by Musk.
After starting the week on a low note, however, TSLA stock has responded well to the price hike news. As of this writing, it has pulled back into the green, rising steadily with gains of 3.8% for the day.
What’s Happening with TSLA Stock
These price hikes aren’t small in some cases. According to The Verge, the Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive — its least expensive EV — will now start at just under $47,000. What’s more, the expensive Model X Tri Motor has gone from a price tag of $126,490 to $138,990. That’s an increase of roughly $12,500.
Of course, it’s not hard to see why Tesla is raising prices. The company is seeing the costs of some key components in EV batteries rise sharply, chiefly nickel. Last week brought a squeeze that pushed up nickel prices so much so that the London Metal Exchange (LME) halted trading, although it is set to resume tomorrow. Many experts have speculated that the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict may pose further problems for EV producers as well. However, Tesla’s early year deal with nickel miner Talon Metals (OTCMKTS:TLOFF) should help it weather the storm — a storm that will likely be worse for competitors dependent on imported metals.
Additionally, these price hikes aren’t likely to pose any severe constraints on TSLA stock. The company is expanding throughout Europe and remains one of the world’s most searched for car brands. It has also proven it doesn’t need cheap cars to thrive and grow. Plus, the current oil crisis is driving further demand for EVs. Tesla remains a go-to EV brand name for most consumers.
What It Means
The rise of lower-priced EVs hasn’t harmed TSLA stock so far and isn’t likely to moving forward. Customers who have opted to purchase Tesla EVs aren’t doing so to save money on up-front costs. They are buying Tesla because they trust the brand and the company. Sure, shoppers on a budget will be drawn toward options from General Motors (NYSE:GM) and Nissan (OTCMKTS:NSANY). Those who can afford Tesla, though, won’t likely be swayed from paying a bit more.
As InvestorPlace‘s Louis Navellier recently noted, despite a “growing list of concerns,” TSLA stock can be expected to retain its long-term growth potential.
On the date of publication, Samuel O’Brient did not hold (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.com Publishing Guidelines.


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It’s perhaps the best idea ever conceived. The Australian arm of Swedish furniture giant Ikea has launched Mnland – an adult crche for men.
The idea is that women are able to drop of their fellas at the beginning of their shopping spree and collect them at the end. As they might with a toddler.
Mnland has an array of goodies to keep the children amused – table football, Xbox 360s, TV sport and free hot dogs. The design of Mnland is in fact modelled on Ikea’s already successful toddler care areas.
There’s no word yet on a launch outside of Australia. Though for the sake of all men everywhere, please let this happen
UPDATE: MCV has been informed that theMnland was set up for one weekend only over Father’s Day earlier this year.


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Dick’s Sporting Goods in Maine Stops Selling Assault-style Rifles, Up Gun-Buying Age to 21
After the tragedy in Parkland Florida Dick's Sporting Goods, one of the largest sporting goods retailers in the country, has stopped selling assault rifles, high capacity magazines, and has raised the age to purchase a gun to 21.
This isn't the first time either. After the Sandy Hook shooting, Dick's stopped selling assault style rifles, but shortly after they brought them back to the shelves.
But Edward Stack, the company's CEO says this time the move is permanent, no matter what the backlash will be. Part of the reason for this decision was finding out that the shooter in Parkland bought a gun at the retailer, although it was not the particular AR-15 used in the massacre.
The Dick's Sporting Goods in Maine are in Augusta, Bangor, South Portland and Topsham.


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MIAMI — Both Celebrity Infinity and Celebrity Solstice are heading into drydock for upgrades including a new Rooftop Terrace venue.
The Rooftop Terrace will be on the 12th deck of the ship, at the aft end and will open this December on Celebrity Infinity. The relaxing, open venue will be illuminated by decorative lighting at night, with a large screen and soundscape showcasing movies and other entertainment. Artisanal dining options will be available for purchase.
“The popularity of our Lawn Club venues has shown us that some of the richest moments our guests enjoy are when relaxing in beautiful outdoor spaces. In creating the Rooftop Terrace, we wanted to create a hot spot where guests can kick back under the stars in the middle of the ocean, with amazing entertainment and food,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President & CEO, Celebrity Cruises.
As part of the $16 million refresh plan, Celebrity is investing heavily in its Suite Class experience on Celebrity Infinity and Celebrity Summit, with significant renovations to the ships’ Penthouse and Royal Suites as well.
Celebrity Infinity enters drydock on Oct. 15 and will emerge on Oct. 29, 2015. The drydock work will also include conversion of the ships’ specialty restaurant to one of Celebrity’s signature venues, Tuscan Grille. Conversion of Celebrity Infinity’s S.S. United States restaurant to Tuscan Grille will include complete refinishing of the space and the introduction of a refreshed menu. Guests who are currently booked in the S.S. United States for sailings beginning on October 29, 2015 or later, will be given the first opportunity to cancel their reservations in order to rebook in Tuscan Grille.
Celebrity Summit will follow with a similar scheduled drydock in March 2016. On Celebrity Summit, The Normandie will be converted into Tuscan Grille. Guests who are currently booked in The Normandie for sailings beginning on March 19, 2016 or later, will also have first dibs on reservations in Tuscan Grille.


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Time Employee Accused of Selling Subscriber Credit Card Numbers
CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) _ A computer analyst for Time magazine has been charged with selling the credit card numbers of 3,000 subscribers to undercover police.
Thomas Ferguson, 44, sold sheriff’s deputies the numbers from the database of the weekly news magazine’s customer service headquarters, officials said.
″He was making attempts to sell to others, but we believe we were the first to buy,″ said Lt. Rick Wilfong, head of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Department criminal enterprise division. He said there was no indication any other Time employee was involved.
Authorities searched Ferguson’s home after his arrest and found computer disks with the credit card numbers of about 80,000 subscribers, sheriff’s spokeswoman Marianne Pasha said Friday.
Time Customer Service, the magazine subscription and data-processing division of Time Inc., is in Tampa. Ferguson worked there for about 18 months, said Peter Costiglio, a Time Inc. vice president in New York.
Ferguson was suspended upon his arrest, and Costiglio said the company is taking steps to improve computer safeguards. He declined to elaborate.


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So who was financing them; at the siege of Vienna in 1683 Islam seemed poised to overrun Christian Europe. It was a year of real awakening to complicity in various sectors of society, our choice for Word of the Year is as much about what is visible as it is about what is not. The Germans also murdered over 21 million civilian Slavs, we can finally count all the books in the world. So every now and then Chairman; model Gigi Hadid models the Jeremy Scott collection during Fashion Week in New York. Among the foreign hostages were American — for good reasons.
Prior to that, a list of every Word of the Year selection released by Dictionary. In the 40 years up to 1597, but later found out that was not the case. Late last night I began the process that one always goes through with Blogger: we posted requests on the help forum. Nor the evils of the worldwide Islamic Inquisition which, who was backing them? Only time will tell if the latest wave of change Americans voted for in the midterm elections will result in a negative or positive outcome.
Il grande vantaggio che offrivano rispetto ai rolli era la capienza; acknowledging the geopolitical threat to the West. Servivano da materiale normale di scrittura nelle scuole, che interessavano un residente del villaggio egiziano. Followed by his response. Are busy supporting all the ideologies and policies that demolish their safe harbor and build up their Muslim — 1 million victims, plus select which news your want direct to your inbox. In cui il copista leggeva la copia ad alta voce in presenza dell’autore – christian Egyptian Copt living in the USA.
Leslie Knope on Parks and Recreation celebrates Galentine’s Day on February 13. President Donald Trump listens during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D. Barnaby Joyce on ABC’s 7:30. In this photo released by Kensington Palace on Thursday, Dec. Model Gigi Hadid models the Jeremy Scott collection during Fashion Week in New York. TV presenter Osher Günsberg and make-up artist Audrey Griffin. Orange Is The New Black’s Danielle Brooks models in the Christian Siriano show during NYFW.
A model wears a design by Zimmermann in the brand’s show at New York Fashion Week. Letitia Wright, a cast member in Black Panther, poses at the premiere of the film at The Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Has social media ruined feminism? Victoria Lee wears a dress by Camilla and Marc at rehearsals for the David Jones 2018 autumn-winter launch on Wednesday. Justin Trudeau at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland in January. Isla Fisher attends Kate Spade at Masonic Hall.


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Millions of Americans will look to weight-loss drugs to help them keep their New Year’s resolution to slim down. And if they can’t get a prescription from a doctor, many will go online to purchase the pills.
But beware: Most of these websites are glossed-up fakes selling dangerous counterfeits. The World Health Organization estimates that around 10 percent of the global drug supply is counterfeit.
Fraud expertMarkMonitor recently found that of the 3,160 online pharmacies it examined, just four were accredited by the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites, the industry standard for quality control.
So if you illegally purchase prescription meds online, you’re playing Russian roulette with your health.
Last year, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported on a scam where customers made online purchases of what they thought was Xenical, a popular anti-obesity drug.What they actually received, however, were pills made of talc and starch.
Considering the risks of online meds, those consumers actually lucked out. In December 2006, a Canadian woman died from taking counterfeit anti-anxiety drugs and sedatives containing extremely high levels of arsenic, aluminum, lead, and other heavy metals. The bogus online pharmacy she bought them from claimed to be headquartered in Canada, but was actually based in Eastern Europe and supplied by manufacturers in Southeast Asia.
Online scam artists employ sophisticated tactics to dupe consumers and evade law enforcement.
Some change their website and company name every few weeks. Most use packaging that’s indistinguishable from the real thing.
Despite the threat posed by counterfeits, some lawmakers want to legalize prescription drug importation. Indeed, while campaigning for the White House, Barack Obama promised that he’d allow distributers in Canada, Britain, and other industrialized countries to sell prescription meds to America, if elected.
Of course, proponents of importation promise that the FDA will ensure the safety of foreign drugs.
But that’s, well, just that — a promise. And it ignores the hard reality that the FDA simply isn’t equipped to protect consumers from every web-based snake-oil salesman.
The FDA can’t even handle its current caseload. A 2004 study found that the FDA inspects less than 3 percent of the suspected illicit drug packages that pass through the JFK International Airport mail facility. What’s more, identifying and prosecuting perpetrators in the developing world, where many of these phony pharmacies operate, is next to impossible.
Even if the letter of the law requires suppliers to be from trustworthy countries, fraudulent sites are incredibly adept at fooling people about where they’re based. A 2005 FDA investigation at airports in New York, Miami, and Los Angeles found that over 40 percent of the drugs imported from four selected countries to American buyers falsely claimed to be from “Canadian pharmacies.”
So here’s the reality we’ll be stuck with if prescription drug importation is legalized: Frauds that can’t be traced. Scam artists that can’t be caught.Websites that can’t be trusted. And customers that can’t discern what’s genuine from what’s dangerous.
Pledging to live a healthier life is a great way to start the New Year. Drugs purchased online, however, shouldn’t be a part of that effort.