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Two major players have signed up to the dramatic #50m revamp of Carmarthen, says Robert Llewellyn Jones
The #50m Carmarthen town centre development has received a major boost with the confirmed commitment of two major players in the mart and market site regeneration scheme.
Joint venture partners, Carmarthenshire County Council and Simons Developments, confirmed that retail giant Debenhams and luxury cinema operator Apollo have both signed up to the scheme ? underpinning plans to establish the ancient market town as West Wales?s ?most vibrant, prosperous and popular shopping attraction.?
Debenhams? three-storey 89,000 sq ft building ? comprising 60,000 sq ft of retail space ? will occupy a prime position close to the entrance of the mart site.
Moreover, the store will complement and bolster the existing retail offer in the town whilst providing a crucial link between the mart and market site.
The new store will create around 150 jobs. Debenhams already employ approximately 350 people at their Cardiff and Swansea stores.
Meanwhile, Apollo?s commitment to Carmarthen is part of an ongoing expansion programme that aims to take the number of cinema screens it operates in the UK from 63 to 105 by the end of 2007.
Occupying a space of 17,000 sq ft the cinema will have a total seating capacity of 1,000 in addition to restaurant facilities. Visitors will also benefit from a new 900-space car park to be built nearby as part of the same development.
Giles Walter, Director of Simons Developments, said: ?This is the most significant shopping and leisure scheme that has ever been proposed for the town.
?The commitment of Debenhams and Apollo means that both key elements of the development now have anchor tenants and their involvement will act as a catalyst to attracting other leading players in the retail and leisure sectors.?
Carmarthenshire County Council Leader, Meryl Gravell, said: ?This is a very exciting development which will bring major benefits to the town, local traders, residents and businesses.
?It will establish Carmarthen as the premier shopping destination in West Wales while retaining all the charm and character of the town.
?Our priority is to have a scheme that works for the town as a whole, not just for today, but for many years ahead.
?The development will further enhance the general appeal of Carmarthen to shoppers and visitors and provide a firm footing for the town?s future prosperity.?
The developers forecast that the high quality development, which will serve a catchment area with a population of 80,000, will create at least 300 new full and part-time jobs and, during an 18-month build programme, hundreds of construction and specialised shop-fitting jobs.
The scheme, which will cover a development site of almost 10 acres, will eventually create 275,000 sq ft of retail and leisure space.
Proposals show how the regenerated mart site and the re-vamped market zone will transform this part of the town ? creating a quality, seamless extension to the existing bustling shopping centre.
A formal planning application is due to be lodged in the near future and the scheme will then go before full council for a final decision.


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Consumer prices rose a smaller-than-expected 0.2 percent in April as energy prices held steady, a Labor Department report on Wednesday showed.
The rise in April prices was less than the 0.3 percent gain Wall Street analysts polled by Reuters were expecting after a 0.3 percent advance in March.
So-called core prices, which exclude volatile food and energy, were up just 0.1 percent, half the increase analysts had forecast.
During the month, energy prices were unchanged after a 1.9 percent rise in March, as gasoline prices dropped 2 percent.
However, energy prices are up 15.9 percent from the same time a year ago.
Meanwhile, in a sign higher energy prices are in the pipeline for U.S. consumers, oil hit a record high this week likely pushing gasoline prices higher from record high levels.
Still, year-over-year consumer prices rose more modestly than forecast. Overall prices advanced 3.9 percent from April a year ago and core prices were up 2.3 percent. Analysts were expecting a 4.0 percent advance in overall prices and a 2.4 percent gain in core prices.

domain: news


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The Ford Pro all-electric Police Pilot vehicle that is based on the Ford Mustang Mach-E has passed the Michigan State Police 2022 model year evaluation. It’s the first battery-electric vehicle to do so. The electric Mustang crossover was put through rigorous testing that included acceleration, top speed, braking, high speed pursuit, and emergency response handling. What do you think of all-electric police vehicles?
All-electric Mustang police vehicle. The Ford Mustang Mach-E passed Michigan State Police testing. The Ford Pro all-electric police pilot vehicle. Is based on the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E electric crossover. It’s the first battery-electric vehicle to pass the rigorous test. The evaluation includes acceleration tests, top speed, braking, high-speed pursuit, and emergency response handling.


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World of Warcraft lost 300,000 subscribers in the past three months, dropping to 7.7 million subscribers as of the end of this fiscal quarter, Activision Blizzard CFO Dennis Durkin said in a conference call this morning.
In May, the company reported that World of Warcraft lost approximately 1.3 million subscribers during the company's first fiscal year quarter, bringing total subscriptions down to 8 million. The game's all-time high was 12 million subscribers in 2010.
Last year, subscriptions to Activision's MMO fell to 9.1 million. In October 2012 the number jumped back up to just over 10 million, bolstered by sales of the game's latest expansion, Mists of Pandaria, which sold 2.7 million copies during its launch week.
Earlier today, Activision Blizzard announced that it was separating from parent company Vivendi Universal and would buy itself back for $8.17 billion in a in a two-part share acquisition plan. The company will share more financial details for its second quarter, which ended on June 30, in an earnings call on Aug. 1.


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Splenda has gobbled up more than half the sugar-substitute category in four short years, and competitors want sweet revenge.
Splenda's marketer sued
In the courts and in the court of public opinion, rivals are fighting back against Splenda's marketing campaign that says it's "made from sugar so it tastes like sugar."
One legal battle is being waged by Merisant Worldwide Inc., the Chicago-based maker and marketer of Equal. In November, Merisant sued Johnson & Johnson's McNeil Nutritionals, Splenda's marketer, in Pennsylvania, after what Merisant called failed attempts to have the National Advertising Division of the Better Business Bureau review the campaign.
At least nine suits in seven states have been filed on behalf of consumers, including some class actions that allege Splenda's advertising leads consumers to believe the product is natural.
But it's the $10-billion Sugar Assn. that's the most bitter. In December it sued McNeil in district court in California district court. The association has set up a Web site, www.truthaboutsplenda.com, that raises questions about the safety of sucralose, the brand's chemical name. It has asked the Federal Trade Commission to open a probe. And it's linking with the Center for Science in the Public Interest and agricultural organization the National Grange to mount a PR push against Splenda.
"They're trying to suggest an identity between sugar and Splenda rather than what it really is: a natural product on one hand and an artificial sweetener on the other," says Andy Briscoe, president and CEO of the Sugar Assn.
In response, McNeil earlier this month filed a counterclaim against the Sugar Assn. and its PR firm, Qorvis Communications, which created the truthaboutsplenda.com site, alleging they made false statements about Splenda "designed to injure its reputation and goodwill."
"We're not claiming that Splenda is natural," says a McNeil spokeswoman. "Our research shows consumers understand that we are a no-calorie sweetener."
Much is at stake. Dollar sales of white granulated sugar fell 5% to $818.6 million in food, drug and mass merchandisers excluding Wal-Mart for the year ended Jan. 23, according to Chicago-based market tracker Information Resources Inc. Splenda, with more than $175 million in sales during that same time period, captured nearly three times more sales than Equal or No. 3 Sweet'N Low, made by Cumberland Packing Co.
But Splenda's momentum goes beyond the tabletop, as evidenced by the Splenda-sweetened drinks that Coca-Cola Co. and PepsiCo Inc. are preparing. Also, Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages is preparing an ad and coupon effort targeting pregnant women for its Splenda-sweetened 7UP Plus brand.
The Sugar Assn., meanwhile, plans a May ad campaign positioning sugar as all-natural.
Crain News Service
©2005 by Crain Communications Inc.


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Pets and CBD: does research prove it helps?
August 26, 2019
Unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive element of many cannabis strains, hemp-derived CBD does not contain these properties and can be purchased just about anywhere nowadays. This has made many that would otherwise be skeptical about something new respond to one of the biggest movements within this industry - cannabidiol for pets. There’s both positive and negative input coming from the world of animals, but most of it tends to lean towards the positive ability for CBD to calm pets as well as treat a multitude of the same health issues that humans use it for. The biggest controversy involved is that pet medications must adhere to regulation established by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) while CBD animal products remain federally unregulated. This leaves the question with many as to whether these products actually help our pets or hinder them with hype. Most research is done on lab animals, generally rodents, but what we find when pets are subject to cannabinoid medicine many believe is a closer model to how a human will respond. The big catch is that there are multiple laws, state and federal, that protect our pets from unregulated products that make any health claims. Furthermore, these laws don't allow food additives without FDA approval. This has not stopped the industry from moving forward with what many of us already know actually works. But, in order to gain the best insight we must look at all angles.
In 2018, the total dollar amount spent on pet products, in general, reached $72.5 billion. According to the American Pet Products Association, it is expected to surpass $75 billion in 2019. Patrick Kelly, a managing partner at bioRemedies MD (a Baltimore-based CBD provider), said the company first rolled out infused pet products in 2017 and now sells four different options from dog treats to tinctures. "Pets can't show placebo effects like humans do," and he went on to say…"people who take care of pets are very local and will spend any amount of money to take care of a family member and there's no known danger." But there's other input on this subject that counters what Patrick has to say. Kim Hammond, the founder of the Falls Road Animal Hospital, said: "while pets may not be able to overdose on CBD, understanding the substance’s effects on dogs and cats remains in its earliest stages." When asked about research that shows the therapeutic benefits of CBD in pet-based products his response was, "We don't have the evidence-based research that says it does or doesn't work, you have to be smart about what you're buying." Hammond went on to state that CBD doesn't have an 'enforced uniform standard in dosing' and that the industry still lacks quality control. Anyone involved in the world of cannabis and CBD would likely agree that the federal government has been dragging its heels in creating regulation that allows entities that sell CBD to have any type of standards to follow. While one may find that the industry itself would be to blame for less than perfect products; without any regulatory framework, it's an industry that has to run by the seat of its pants quite often as there are no 'rules' to follow.
While many consumers as well as those selling products have proven that CBD has helped their animals through anecdotal accounts, others have gone a bit further. In 2018, researchers from the Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University (Ithaca, NY), actually did a clinical trial with dogs and CBD entitled, “Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Clinical Efficacy of Cannabidiol Treatment in Osteoarthritic Dogs”. The study was a randomized, placebo-controlled, owner and veterinarian double-blind cross-over trial. Each dog received two treatments in random order of CBD, 2 mg/kg every 12 hours, or placebo. The study showed that CBD oil increased comfort and activity in the home environment for dogs with Osteoarthritis. Additionally, veterinary assessments of pain were also favorable; although a caregiver placebo effect should be considered with subjective evaluations by owners and veterinarians. It was stated that the reason behind this research was because currently NSAIDs are the primary treatment for OA and are associated with negative effects on the gastrointestinal tract and glomerular filtration. Glomerular filtration is the first step in making urine. It is the process that your kidneys use to filter excess fluid and waste products out of the blood into the urine collecting tubules of the kidney so they may be eliminated from your body. This research is monumental as it was done for the same reasons we research how cannabinoids can replace harmful pharmaceuticals in humans.
In 2019, researchers from the School of Pharmacy at University of Reading (Reading, United Kingdom) released a study entitled, “Cannabidiol reduces seizures and associated behavioral comorbidities in a range of animal seizure and epilepsy models”. This study proved that the cannabinoid has the same effects on animals as it does on humans. After all, all vertebrates have an endocannabinoid system so it only makes sense that they'll have benefits from ingestion of the plant. So as much as some believe that there's not enough science behind CBD for pets - they're wrong. It's an emerging area of study in which researchers worldwide daily come to conclusions that are very similar to those found in medicinal cannabis compounds efficacy in the treatment of humans. As people find solutions for their dogs, cats, rabbits, horses, and more…with CBD it's going to be very difficult for the FDA to do much more than accept it.
There are so many products on the market for our pets’ health but how well do they all work? Many of us simply don't know, but what we do know is that our animals mean quite a bit to us; and will benefit from ingestion as well as topical use of cannabinoids like CBD. Numerous pet owners have spoken out about how well it works for their pets’ coats and their overall health. While others speak out about how it actually treats their animals’ health problems, from seizures to cancers. It’s likely crawling a tad under the FDA’s skin as it's not a human making a 'health claim', which makes it so much harder to enforce with what little regulation exists that would apply to CBD itself. Liz Ryan, a professional dog walker from Baltimore, estimates that she spends anywhere from $75 to $100 on CBD oil and treats every month. She said she’s been giving her dogs (Jethro, Avett, and Ruth Bader) CBD for about a year to reduce their anxiety levels. “They’re my kids and my family, and their well-being is my No. 1 priority”, she said. Pet owners are going to make up their own minds as to what works best and what they like to use. The booming sales of CBD pet products only goes to show that they obviously work - and the thought that there's no science behind it has been covered within this article. There is not only research but clinical trial science based evidence that tells us CBD helps our furry family members.


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New York City FC boasts two of the most exciting professional FIFA players in the world.
NYCFC will be represented in this year’s FIFA Global Series, a series of four regional 1v1 online qualifiers starting in January. In addition, the new tandem will then look to compete in the FIFAe Club World Cup Qualifiers, a 2v2 online FIFA qualifiers, from February to April, facing off against top competition around the globe including other MLS sides, all vying to earn a spot in this summer’s FIFAe Club World Cup.
As we move into a new campaign, the club is once again committed to competing at the top with Chris “didychrislito” Holly and Gustavo “GN10” Nascimento. You can find out more about NYCFC’s players below.


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A post over at allfacebook.com points out a new report that suggests Facebook has replaced email for sharing content. Specifically:
Facebook now accounts for 24 percent of all items being shared in contrast to email which now accounts for 11.1 percent. Not surprisingly, Twitter now accounts for 10.8 percent of all items shared. I reached out to the company to find out what sampling size the company has.
Is that consistent with your experience? How do you share things online? One thing is for certain, we can’t just think about email when we’re trying to build content we want people to share.


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Good morning, Quartz readers!
Here’s what you need to know
Apple made security changes to fend off iPhone thieves. The upcoming iOS upgrade, called Stolen Device Protection, aims to keep criminals from accessing accounts and passwords—but users need to turn it on.
The UK’s Rwanda deportation plan passed an initial vote. Prime minister Rishi Sunak’s anti-immigration bill still faces hurdles ahead of more votes in January.
US inflation rose 3.1% in November compared to a year before. Falling gas prices cooled the consumer index, but stubbornly high housing costs wiped away those gains.
Amazon is still selling the clothes hook spy cameras it’s being sued over. The e-commerce giant also sells many other everyday items doubling as hidden cameras.
Epic Games’ antitrust win against Google could trigger a larger app store upset. Jurors determined that Google has a monopoly over the Android app distribution and billing services markets, a decision the tech giant plans to challenge.
Oracle literally can’t build enough cloud computing for Elon Musk
The race to supply AI models with the massive amounts of computing power necessary to train and operate them is still blazing hot.
The chair of software titan Oracle made that clear during a call with investors on Monday: “We got enough Nvidia GPUs for Elon Musk’s company, xAI, to bring up the first version, the first available version of their large language model called Grok,” Larry Ellison said. “They got that up and running. But boy, did they want a lot more.”
Regardless of the reliability of Grok—which has a tendency to include jokes and parallel-reality, alternative-fact “hallucinations” in its output because it’s trained on content from Musk’s X—the need for computing is real. The question is, can Oracle meet the demand?
One big number: $9 billion
The combined buyout offers that big box stores Macy’s and Neiman Marcus received within a week of each other this month.
It seems like this year’s hottest department store items are the stores themselves—gifts so big they’d never fit under the tree at New York’s Rockefeller Center. But why are investors betting on brick and mortar in the face of long-term, hurricane-strength headwinds for department stores, including declining consumer interest and growing e-commerce competition? Quartz’s Melvin Backman has the topsy-turvy details.
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🐄 Cows in Rotterdam harbor, seedlings on rafts in India—Are floating farms the future?
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⚡ Starbucks is officially in the EV business
🔍 The UK is investigating the Microsoft and OpenAI partnership
🇻🇳 China is eager to challenge the US by boosting ties with Vietnam
🛫 Boeing says deliveries of its new planes are up and generating some much-needed cash
Doritos made a nacho cheese-flavored spirit. The booze is recommended for bloody marys and margs, but we’re not convinced.
Chuck E. Cheese is getting rid of its creepy animatronics. Now that’s a cheesy update we can get behind.
Coffee wasn’t always a beverage. At one time, it was used as handwash.
Scientists would like some emoji for aquatic fungi, please and thank you. Flatworms would be nice, too.
Miami will soon be home to a sushi restaurant with a $10,000 member fee. It’s not the only Japanese eatery in the city with that pricey exclusivity.
Did you know we have two premium weekend emails, too? One gives you analysis on the week’s news, and one provides the best reads from Quartz and elsewhere to get your week started right. Become a member or give membership as a gift!
Our best wishes for a productive day. Send any news, comments, Doritos martinis, and coffee handwash to [email protected]. Today’s Daily Brief was brought to you by Morgan Haefner.


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Education News Archive - January 22, 2012
Full support of Mac environment among enhancements made to the citation tool so popular with student and professional researchers Ann Arbor, Mich.
Researchers of all types can access paper's authoritative content digitally and through microfilm Ann Arbor, Mich.
SMARTdesks launches iGroup® Collaborative Learning Furniture January 24th at the School and College Building Expo 2012 at the Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.
Under the influence of America’s revolutionary ideals, Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, a group of writers, using the pen name "Publius", have released a new book.
Many local residents want to lose weight and get in shape for 2012, but they debate whether they should do it themselves or enlist the help of a Chino Hills personal trainer.
Stratford Career Institute has updated their distance learning PC Repair Course. Scranton, PA (PRWEB) January 22, 2012 Stratford Career Institute has
Rehabmart.com, an online e-commerce company that sells rehabilitation and medical supplies, is proud to offer Chattem’s branded over-the-counter products and functional toiletries, some examples
It’s always amazing how fast money leaves the bank account around the holidays.
The Bobzio Top Vacation Rental Value in Hutchinson Island is the Island Beach Resort Condo.
The International Center Against the Abuse of Covert Technologies(ICAACT) steps out at its first event as a group formed to address non-consensual microchip implantation; a crime that appears
- A political dynamiter.


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India plans to introduce a legislation to ban non-public cryptocurrencies resembling bitcoin and put in place a framework for an official digital forex to be issued by the central financial institution, in keeping with a legislative agenda listed by the federal government.
The legislation will “create a facilitative framework for the creation of the official digital currency to be issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI),” stated the agenda, revealed on the decrease home web site on Friday.
The laws, listed for debate within the present parliamentary session, seeks “to prohibit all private cryptocurrencies in India, however, it allows for certain exceptions to promote the underlying technology of cryptocurrency and its uses,” the agenda stated.
Bitcoin heads for worst weekly loss in months
In mid-2019, an Indian authorities panel really useful banning all non-public cryptocurrencies, with a jail time period of as much as 10 years and heavy fines for anybody dealing in digital currencies.
The panel has, nonetheless, requested the federal government to think about the launch of an official government-backed digital forex in India, to operate like banknotes, by means of the Reserve Financial institution of India.
The RBI had in April 2018 ordered monetary establishments to interrupt off all ties with people or companies dealing in digital forex resembling bitcoin inside three months.
Bitcoin, US tech shares seen as largest market bubbles
Nonetheless, in March 2020, India’s Supreme Court docket allowed banks to deal with cryptocurrency transactions from exchanges and merchants, overturning a central financial institution ban had that dealt the thriving business a significant blow.
Governments world wide have been trying into methods to control cryptocurrencies however no main economic system has taken the drastic step of inserting a blanket ban on proudly owning them, though concern has been raised in regards to the misuse of shopper knowledge and its attainable affect on the monetary system.


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The Full-Scale Disinfection Drive Aims To Facilitate Over 8,000 Companies Resume Full Operations in Dubai
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 3rd of June 2020: Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), the leading trade and logistics hub announced its readiness to facilitate the full operations of over 8,000 companies through conducting a massive disinfection programme across all its facilities.
The area covered for internal fumigation and disinfection of buildings is around 3,300,000 sqm equivalent to 462 soccer fields. The road disinfection campaign carried out a couple of months ago to limit the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) covered more than 35km.
The disinfection programme started in March 2020, and has not stopped since then. It has covered all office and accommodation buildings, security gates and commercial centres, as well as the main roads in Jafza.
With the return of staff, Jafza has implemented comprehensive policy and guidelines such as executing complete disinfection and sanitisation programme for all equipment, vehicles, offices and other physical assets. Isolation rooms have been identified, and all processes and procedures are in line with DHA guidelines for dealing with such cases. All COVID-related essentials such as identification of symptoms, emergency numbers, awareness and instructions will be conveyed through desktop displays, emails, text messages, notices and flyers. Such resolute measures will sustain business continuity and facilitate resumption of essential operations.
Mohammed Al Muallem, CEO & Managing Director, DP World, UAE Region and CEO of Jafza, said: “As the world is working to cope with COVID-19, Dubai will play a pivotal role in the post-pandemic economy recovery thanks to its state-of-art infrastructure, effective resilience strategies and its ability to efficiently deal with all circumstances. In line with Dubai Government’s directives for private sector businesses to operate at 100 per cent capacity while Dubai government employees would fully resume working at their offices from 14 June 2020, we are ready for the immediate return of Jafza companies to pursue normal operations. We will continue to implement the highest precautionary measures and full inspections aiming to protect the health and safety of all our employees and partners. We’re also working closely with all companies in Jafza to continuously raise awareness about the required measures which will keep their staff and customers safe in compliance with the directives of the competent authorities in Dubai and the UAE.”
Al Muallem added, “The safety of our community is our top priority because people are our most valuable asset. Over the months, we have implemented a resolute action plan. The measures we implemented have enabled our companies to continue their services and facilitated essential trade flowing in the midst of the global pandemic, while adhering to the requirements of the UAE Government, Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and the World Health Organization.”
Jafza is home to the world’s well-reputed companies, including over 100 of the Global Fortune 500 enterprises, and has attracted 23.9 per cent of Dubai’s foreign direct investment (FDI) sustaining more than 135,000 jobs.
About Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza)
Jafza is one of the world’s leading free trade zones and is home to over 8,000 multinational companies. Jafza accounts for 23.9% of total FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) flow into Dubai, sustaining the employment of more than 135,000 people in the United Arab Emirates. In 2018, Jafza generated trade worth USD 93 billion.
Strategically located at the crossroads of a region providing market access to over 3.5 billion people, Jebel Ali Port and Free Zone create an integrated multi-modal hub offering sea, air and land connectivity, complemented by extensive logistics facilities. The Port and Free Zone contributed 33.4% of Dubai’s GDP in 2017.
Jafza is the leading business hub between Asia, Europe and Africa, connecting some of the fastest-growing manufacturing and consumer markets globally. With over 30 years’ experience, Jafza focuses on long-term customer relationships, building alliances with global investors and providing world-class infrastructure and support, in addition to quality-driven value-added services and incentives. Jafza is a business opportunity enabler, offering its customers easy and efficient access to substantial business opportunities in the region.


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While it is firmly established that the events of every Star Wars movie that will ever be made occur a long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, that has not stopped – and likely never will – generation after generation of nerds from dreaming about exploring that distant star system. Now that the film series is approaching the double figure mark, the fans may finally have an opportunity to do just that. Or something close. Soon. Disney is hard at work adding a Star Wars themed section to Disneyland, which has been confirmed to be the largest-ever, singled-themed land expansion at the company’s world famous parks.
Which makes sense – after all, there are many planets to explore in the Star Wars universe. Disney could easily take up half of America and still not have enough room to get into the minutiae of those worlds. Precisely what Disney will choose, out of everything in the series, to include in the theme park remains something of a mystery for the time being, but there are some things we already know.
Guests will be rocketed to a never-before-seen planet, which will be populatd with familiar Star Wars characters spanning humans, aliens and droids. In their company, visitors will be immersed in their stories, given an opportunity to experience them in a whole new, hands-on way.
It has also been revealed that there will be a full-sized Millenium Falcon on campus, with the opportunity to take the helm themselves.
Although it is not due to open until 2019, a video was released today showing how functioning life sized AT-ATs will be built and ofn the construction team hard at work putting them together. These might machines will be dotted around the park, a towering monument to just how close Earth’s population could be to galaxies far, far away if we put our minds to it.
Category: Cool Stuff


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iPhone 11 yields 20% Q3 iPhone sales in just 2 weeks — report
The flood of reports suggesting strong iPhone sales continues with Consumer Intelligence Research Partners claiming 20% of all iPhones sold in the U.S. in the last quarter were the new models.
Apple is selling more iPhones
The company claims one-fifth of all iPhones sold (U.S.) in the quarter which ended September 28 were iPhone 11 models, which were available for just two weeks of that quarter.
Interestingly, iPhone XR accounted for 36% of US iPhone sales during the quarter
“iPhone 11 represented half of the sales of the three newly launched iPhone models,” said Josh Lowitz, CIRP Partner and Co-Founder.
Apple’s decision to field its devices at slightly lower price points also seems to be yielding dividends.
While this reduces the average selling price, it seems to be increasing the number of sales. CIRP estimates the weighted average retail price for iPhones in the US (US-WARP) at $783, down from $808 in the June 2019 quarter and off its peak of $839 in the December 2018 quarter.
“While the oldest and lowest price phones have roughly the same share as before, iPhone XR and 11 have dominated sales, at the expense of the more costly XS and XS Max, and 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max models,” said Lowitz.
“iPhone 11 is priced $50 below the similarly positioned iPhone XR at launch last year. This represents a change for Apple, which usually increases prices on new phones relative to older ones.”
What’s the mix?
CIRP’s graphic seems to show that iPhone XR has become the most successful phone, but the share of iPhone 11 phones seems pretty healthy, given the short period during which it was available.
“Combined with iPhone XR, which was similarly positioned in the line-up and shares many of the same features, these two models account for almost half of US iPhone sales in the quarter.
“The premium priced iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max models together represent 10% of sales, and 21% when combined with similarly positioned and recently discontinued iPhone XS and XS Max,” he said.


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The 2023 Chery Omoda 5 was spied by an eagle-eyed Car Expert reader, who noticed it in traffic near Parramatta in Sydney’s western suburbs.
Wearing a NSW number plate suggests the car is undergoing final inspection before the marque’s official launch in Australia, and it’s likely the marque will use an almost Hyundai-N-like light blue as its hero color if this is a press release. launch vehicle.
Car Expert has contacted several brand representatives for Australia to confirm launch times for both Chery and the Omoda 5 SUV, and we’ll update this story when we learn more.
The company previously told us that a February 2023 launch was the plan.
If you don’t know about the Omoda 5, it will be the brand’s most compact SUV in Australia – at least initially.
At 4400mm long, 1800mm wide and 1585mm tall, it aims to steal buyers away from rivals such as the larger new-generation Nissan Qashqai, and the MG ZST and Kia Seltos, which are both just a touch smaller.
MORE: Is this China’s next affordable small SUV?
The Omoda 5 will follow the same path as many other compact crossover models in the segment, being front-wheel drive and running a small turbocharged engine.
It is understood that the brand will launch the SUV with a 1.5 liter turbo petrol engine and CVT automatic. Power output is expected to be between 108kW and 115kW.
However, there is the potential that the brand will add a 145kW 1.6-litre turbo version with an automatic dual clutch and more power and torque, not to mention a multi-link rear suspension layout instead of a torsion beam.
Based on the screenshot image (taken from the video), it’s hard to tell which version this is.
As detailed here, the upcoming Omoda 5 small SUV received a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP which we expect will carry over into ANCAP testing.
China’s Chery was sold in Australia a few years ago by the Ateco dealership, where the pitch for the brand was to offer some of the most affordable cars on the market.
It is not clear whether the plan is the same this time, but Chery International’s executive vice president, Charlie Zhang, told Car Expert in 2022 that the brand wants to change expectations and maybe Men In Black memories of old cars sold here.
“We will not be labeled as a cheap Chinese brand… we want to be a technology-driven company,” Mr Zhang said.
“We want to go to Australia with a new image… where customers remember Chery for the technology, for the design, for the quality of the car.”
Chery will join fellow mass-market focused Chinese brands MG, LDV, GWM, GWM Haval and BYD in the market, with other brands such as JAC Motor and GWM’s Ora and Tank brands also launching this year.
Stay tuned for more information on Chery’s relaunch, including pricing and full detailed specifications, as it arrives.
MORE: What new car brands are coming to Australia in the next 12 months?
MORE: Relaunch of Chinese brand Chery delayed to next year
MORE: How Chery plans to stand out in Australia
MORE: Chery launches again this year, looking for top 10 status by 2026


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Last updated on August 30th, 2022 at 03:17 pm
After a three-month nationwide search, a People’s Choice vote, three regional cook-off events and one final cook-off event, Safeway has found its next chef.
Dave Histed has won the “Search for Our Next Chef” competition, a first-of-its-kind opportunity in which chefs from across the country competed for a full-time position with the Safeway Culinary Kitchens and the chance to have their recipe sold as an Open Nature(TM) Skillet Meal in Safeway stores. The Safeway Culinary Kitchens, a 4,000-s.f., state-of-the-art kitchen at Safeway’s headquarters in Pleasanton, Calif., develops best-in-class foods that help shoppers find affordable meal inspiration.
“Dave displayed tremendous food creativity, expertise and passion throughout this challenging competition,” said Mike Minasi, president of marketing at Safeway. “These attributes make him an ideal fit for the Culinary Kitchens team. But the real winners are the Safeway shoppers who will get to enjoy the delicious, affordable and healthy food innovations that Dave, along with our talented Culinary Kitchens chefs, will create.”
The competition concluded earlier this week with the final cook-off event at the Safeway Culinary Kitchens, where two finalists were tasked with preparing their skillet recipe and then presenting to an experienced judging panel consisting of Safeway executives and Executive Chef Alexandra Guarnaschelli, who appears on Food Network’s “Chopped” and “Iron Chef.” After a heated competition and extensive deliberation, the judges agreed that Histed’s Open Nature Skillet Meal dish, “Thai Basil Shrimp with Curry Jasmine Rice,” made from 100 percent natural ingredients and designed with the at-home cook in mind, was the winner.
“The level of intensity we saw in the Safeway Culinary Kitchens during the final leg of this competition was unmatched,” said Guarnaschelli. “These chefs competed fiercely to land this coveted position, and left a strong impression on all of the judges. Safeway shoppers will thoroughly enjoy Dave’s winning Open Nature Skillet Meal dish.”
Histed, who was previously a chef at Big Bowl—a Midwest chain of Chinese and Thai restaurants that are committed to natural ingredients and sustainability—joins an experienced team of chefs in the Safeway Culinary Kitchens, all of whom have studied extensively at renowned culinary schools and top dining destinations. In addition to developing recipes for Safeway brands, including Open Nature, Histed will gain invaluable industry knowledge and use his culinary expertise to benefit Safeway shoppers across the country.
In the featured photo at top: Safeway’s Search For Our Next Chef winner Dave Histed, third from right, alongside judging panel, from left, Michael R. Minasi, Safeway president of marketing; Diane Dietz, Safeway EVP and CMO; Alex Guarnaschelli who appears on Food Network’s “Chopped” and “Iron Chef”; Jeff Anderson, Safeway executive chef; and Joe Ennen, Safeway SVP of consumer brands.


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A new exchange traded fund has hit the field, tackling companies that sponsor and partner with some of the biggest names in sports industry.
SportsETFs is the latest issuer to enter the ETF arena, launching the ProSports Sponsors ETF (BATS: FANZ).
Continue Reading Below
The ProSports Sponsors ETF tries to reflect the performance of the ProSports Sponsors Index, which is comprised of companies which are official sponsors of the major professional football, baseball, hockey and basketball leagues in the United States, along with national sports broadcasters with rights agreements with such leagues, according to a prospectus sheet.
The underlying index components may include both U.S. and foreign companies, along with those located in emerging market countries. Holdings are also equally weighted when added to the index and when the index is rebalanced.
"We believe that our research has demonstrated that investing in companies that partner with sports leagues in the United States represents a compelling investment opportunity because businesses believe they can increase brand awareness, grow revenues and market share through their attachment to sports," according to SportsETFs. "Over time, we believe that the companies that invest in pro sports partnerships grow faster than the broader economy. Research also shows that these partnerships have an influence on the purchasing decisions of fans who follow their favorite sports."
The new ETF will try to take advanatge of the growth potential of these companies partnered with major sports leagues and encompass market exposure in several sectors, including consumer discretionary, information technology, financials, energy and health care.
FANZ may also be seen as a type of value play as the large-cap components invovled in these sports deals typically have enough free cash flow to afford a league sponsorship or broadcasting rights. According to PwC's Sports Outlook, in North American sports, the media rights alone are expected to increase by 5.5% to $21.3 billion through 2020 and sports sponsorship are anticipated to rise 3.9% to $18.7 billion on a compound annual growth rate.
"Following the investment strategy of the famed portfolio manager Peter Lynch, who said, 'invest in what you know,' sports fans now have the opportunity to invest in a diversified portfolio of brands that they recognize in one fund. Our research demonstrates that the typical avid sports fan is a financially responsible individual that has disposable income to spend on sports merchandise, tickets, and TV packages. FANZ seeks to provide them with access to capture the growth opportunities presented by these companies," Jim Kozimor, co-founder and chief strategy officer of SportsETFs and announcer with the NBC Sports Group, said in a note.
This article was provided courtesy of our partners at etftrends.com.


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TWO models have spoken out about the pressure to be skinny, with one saying it’s impossible to succeed in the business without having an eating disorder.
Victoire Dauxerre and Edyn Mackney told Australian TV show 60 Minutes that the size zero culture damaged their body and led to mental illness.
Victoire revealed that the girls were employing dangerous methods to keep skinny.
She said: “I didn’t do very glamorous things. I took laxatives, had enemas and ate three apples a day instead of three meals a day”.
Asked if she thought you could make it as a top model without having an eating disorder Victoire Dauxerre replied: “No.”
Edyn revealed that the industry demanded “I get my hips as small as they could. My waist as small as I could. Pretty much be just skin and bone.
“I got to the tiniest I’d ever been and it still was never enough.
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She added: “I felt like I needed to shave bone off. I didn’t know how to get smaller.”
French model Victoire – who has since written a book about her experiences – quit modelling because of the unhealthy lifestyle she was forced into.
She said: “It hurt most of the time and I didn’t want to suffer anymore.”
She added: “They hate women.”
Edyn makes explosive claims about the harm that is done to the girls, claiming that some have died because of the eating disorders.
She said: “There are girls who have passed away, have gone into cardiac arrest and no one is talking about it.”
She also said it was hard to give up the catwalk because of pressure.
Edyn added: “They don’t let you go because we make so much money for them. It is like the only ideal of beauty today is to be skinny.”


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The Internet of Things isn’t just presently there to help all of us set oven timers or enjoy a few rounds of Peril! when we are bored. IoT devices likewise connect to the world wide web to communicate with each other, as well as with users, which makes a new entry point for online hackers and can keep sensitive data at risk. To stop this, antivirus security products can keep an eye on all the devices on your network and detect if an example may be exhibiting suspect behavior.
These solutions are sometimes hardware that you just install in your home network or computer system and provide prevention of a variety of malware infections. Many deliver 24/7 tracking and coverage to ensure your devices are protected in the latest threats. These products can also avoid Ransomware goes for, which encrypt your data and require you to pay out to recover it.
While the non-standardization of IoT devices is fantastic for lowering costs and extending battery-life, it also makes hard to develop security tools that will work across all units. Additionally , should you be looking to purchase an IoT device, it’s important to look for one that provides cybersecurity changes regularly in order that the software continues to be up to date against current hazards.
Mikko Hypponen, the Chief Homework Officer for F-Secure, a corporation known for fighting against a few of the biggest infections in history, has spoken about this problem. http://net-software.info/antivirus-software-for-mac He believes a change in procedure is needed to resolve the risks associated with IoT, calling for professionalization of IoT installs and a radical change in traditional web protection devices.


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Taking screenshots of Android Wear has been doable since it launched with a wired or Bluetooth ADB connection, but the Lollipop update added screenshot functionality to the Android app exactly as rumored. Great, this should make us all very happy. The only problem, though, is that Google's implementation is bizarre and a little buggy. Here's how you do it.
Ryan is a tech/science writer, skeptic, lover of all things electronic, and Android fan. In his spare time he reads golden-age sci-fi and sleeps, but rarely at the same time. His wife tolerates him as few would.
He's the author of a sci-fi novel called The Crooked City, which is available on Amazon and Google Play. http://goo.gl/WQIXBM
Waking up is not usually awesome, but with the Hale Dreamer Alarm Clock you can at least feed your gadget-lust first thing in the morning. This is an all-in-one phone charging stand and alarm clock that works with a dedicated app. It's $99 full price and currently listed for $79.99 on Amazon (rated 4 stars), but StackSocial has it for just $55.99 with free shipping.
Update: Here's the OTA zip file straight from Google's servers.
Google and Samsung haven't forgotten about the first Google Play Edition phone. Yes, the Galaxy S4 GPE is getting its Android 5.0 update right now. Time to hit that update menu.
If you took the plunge on one of those new LTE Nexus 9s earlier today, you'll be happy to know there's a factory image waiting for you. That makes restoring the device to stock a snap. All you need is a computer, a USB cable, and an unlocked bootloader.
The LTE Nexus 9 is finally on sale, and the Magic Cover for the tablet is breaking cover for the first time as well. This accessory was announced alongside the tablet, but has yet to go on sale anyplace. If you head to HTC's website, you can buy one starting today, but it's only available in the coral amethyst color.
After appearing for sale on T-Mobile earlier today, the LTE version of Google's Nexus 9 tablet has gone live in the US Play Store. It's the same basic device that launched a few weeks ago, but now it has its own LTE data connection. The price? Still a whopping $599.
Most of the AOSP-based custom launchers operate in roughly the same way, but Action Launcher has always been different. Right from the beginning it offered cool ways to manage your apps and widgets, and it only got better over time. That app was based on the Jelly Bean-era Android launcher, and it was time for an update, according to developer Chris Lacy. Action Launcher 3 is a complete rewrite of Action Launcher that brings with it new features, but also drops a few (at least for now).
Amazon's main shopping app has between 50 and 100 million downloads, but it's not showing up in the Play Store anymore. The listing remains if you have the direct link, but you won't see it in search results. Oddly, there's a new Amazon app called Amazon Shopping. It's the same exact app but guess what it doesn't have—the Appstore. It looks like Google may have laid down the law. [See updates at the bottom]
Left: old with Appstore, Right: new with no Appstore


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Motoring into Detroit: Forbes has started to share its speaker lineup for its Under 30 Summit, which will include Steve Case, Serena Williams and the CEOs of Waymo, Allbirds, and ThirdLove (to name a few). Earlier this year, Forbes announced that the conference, which is scheduled for 27 – 30 October, will be moving to Detroit at least through 2021. The event had been in Boston for the past several years and Philadelphia before that. Forbes notes that the move “recognizes the important role entrepreneurs and innovators are playing in reinventing and reimagining the Motor City.” More details on the lineup may be found here.
Podcast to Presentation: The team behind the TWIML AI Podcast (a.k.a. This Week in Machine Learning & AI) will be hosting their first conference from 1 – 2 October at the Mission Bay Conference Center in San Francisco, CA. This new event, called TWIMLcon: AI Platforms, has its roots in a series of interviews on the topic of AI Platforms published back in the fall of 2018. The conference will focus on “the platforms, tools, technologies, and practices necessary to enable and scale machine learning and AI in the enterprise.” Visit the conference site here for more info on the topics that will be covered.
Speaking Opportunity: ContentTECH Summit will take over San Diego from 20 – 22 April in 2020. The conference brings together anyone working at the convergence of content, technology and strategy including VPs, senior directors and directors in marketing, digital marketing, marketing innovation, marketing technology, demand generation, marketing operations, customer advocacy, customer experience, and e-commerce as well as chief marketing officers, chief digital officers, chief technology officers chief customer officers, and more. The conference organizers are looking for sessions on how to effectively use new technologies and processes to better create, manage, deliver and scale enterprise content while providing customers with better digital experiences. If you have a topic and speaker to suggest, fill out their online CFP form before the 13 September deadline.
Lunchtime Learning: WIRED Smarter is a one-day business conference dedicated to innovation and inspiration in the retail, money and information security. It will return to London 30 October with a few already announced speakers! They include the Head of AI and Machine Learning, World Economic Forum and the CEO & Co-Founder of digital bank, Monzo. For a better idea of what to expect at the 2019 gathering, check out the session videos from last year.
Coming Up Next Week: The GRC Conference (12-14 August; Ft. Lauderdale) promises a meeting place where “governance and risk management align for impact,” and the agenda also offers attendees professional credits. At Digital Summit Minneapolis, digital marketers will be treated to talks from Facebook, Target, The Mayo Clinic, and other household brands when the event gets underway 14 August. And at The Money Show, which runs 15-17 August in SF, America’s savviest investors and traders will break out into focused content tracks that include Women on Wealth and the Income & Growth Summit.


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A savvy traveller enjoyed a five-hour trip to Italy, where she tucked into pizza and did a bit of sightseeing, and managed to save herself more than £150 in the process.
Katie Nolan, 29, was on her way home to Ireland after visiting her long-distance boyfriend in Malta, when she was shocked to discover just how much a direct flight home to Dublin would set her back.
After checking out flights online, Katie found it would cost a whopping £214 for a direct flight home to Ireland - so instead she opted for a flight to Pisa, where she would spend five hours, before hopping on another flight to Dublin.
Katie, from Kildare, spent just £52 all-in on travel, food, drink and fridge magnets during her stop-off, where she was able to enjoy a freshly baked pizza by the iconic leaning tower of Pisa. Not bad, eh?
Katie, who owns a hairstyling products business, was able to turn what could have been an inconvenient part of her return journey into a fun day out - and says the whole thing cost less than your average night out in Dublin.
Katie said: "I was visiting my long-distance boyfriend in Malta. A flight from Malta to Dublin cost over €250 (£214), but flying from Malta to Pisa and staying for five hours to see the leaning tower, eat pizza and then fly Pisa to Dublin was cheaper.
"It was cheaper to fly indirect to get to Ireland, as I’ve done this a few times via the UK from Spain to Ireland.
"It was cheaper than going to Dublin for the day, as in the last few weeks, Dublin is in the top ten most expensive cities in Europe."
Making use of low-cost Ryanair flights, Katie was able to bag herself flights from Malta to Pisa for £12.87 and £17.18 from Pisa to Dublin.
While in Italy she spent £10.74 on wine and pizza, £1.72 on two fridge magnets and £1.29 on water - she also got a return train ticket from Pisa airport to the city centre for £17.18, bringing her spend for the day to £52.39. Martin Lewis would be proud.
Katie isn’t the first thrifty traveller we’ve seen recently - earlier this year, a couple of mums treated themselves to a day out in Lanzarote for just £23 each.
In a video uploaded to TikTok, they could be seen enjoying brunch, drinking cocktails on the beach and doing some shopping in Zara.
Right, I’m off to dig out my passport.Featured Image Credit: Caters


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“A Pale Green Mermaid Blog”
I could be wrong, but as far as I can see from what I have read and heard ,
it is the so called “New Instruments ” ( investment products that were sold to the public by banks) that are the problem,
because they have produced the ever popular “Toxic Assets ” which no one wants to buy,
Now the toxic assets are investment products that are no longer producing income
now why aren’t they producing income? because the new investment products used for collateral, mortgages,
but they sold mortgages to people using predatory lending practices as used by credit cards, these practices we are all familiar with, one mistake and your payments balloon and there are fines and fees all over the place.
then they stuffed all these mortgages, sometimes 200 , into the new investment products
1.these investment products were not regulated by the Bush administration, they ignored rules on the books at the time, and also loosened existing lending practices .
2. A ponzi like scheme was produced where everything worked so long as the banks could keep selling the products to investors.( and with the lax lending regulations it was endless)
3. when the housing bubble broke, as the banks knew it would, the scheme fell apart
4. as home owners started missing payment their fees and monthly payments skyrocketed
but instead of refinancing the mortgages at a lower rate that the owners could afford the banks refused and are still refusing to accept the lower income from the new instruments, they would prefer to be bailed out by the government .
The big investment banks created the faulty investment products and should take the hit for selling the public risky investments.
they should start refinancing the mortgages for all who can afford to pay 1/3 of their income in monthly payments, so owners can retain their houses. ( this will slow if not stop the downward spiral we are in)
Currently the large investment banks are refusing to lend or refinance except in a few circumstances.
The chicken or the egg? I think it is the chicken i.e. the NEW BANKING INSTRUMENTS that caused the problem – these practices should be outlawed.
Saving the homes of our fellow citizens is the first step in what will be a long process… a commentator on NPR said there are not millions of theses toxic assets but trillions!
As Sheila Bear said “it’s the mortgages stupid.”
Let’s hope for some Peace and economic justice.
Note: Sheila Bear , F.D.I.C .Chairman


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i-PROGNOSIS is among the finalists in the awards category “Best use of AI in Enterprise” of the GITEX 2019 in Dubai! Our coordinator, Prof. Leontios Hadjileontiadis will participate in GITEX 2019, representing the consortium in Dubai.
GITEX technology week is the biggest tech show in the Middle East, North Africa & South Asia and will take place on 6-10 October in Dubai, UAE. GITEX stands for Gulf Information Technology Exhibition and is an annual consumer computer and electronics trade show, exhibition, and conference that takes place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
At this year’s event, GITEX will inaugurate the GITEX awards in categories ranging from smart cities to health care. The awards will recognise the technological achievements and ambitions, rewarding the end-users aka disruptors that have implemented the most groundbreaking IT initiatives and solutions.


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NEW YORK, Jan. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- David J. Pecker, Chairman, President and CEO of American Media, Inc. (AMI), announced today that Radar Online (www.radaronline.com), the award-winning leader in breaking entertainment news, has revamped both its internal and mobile platforms, to deliver a cutting edge product to its core and growing audience. Radar Online recently took home five awards, including first place in the TV/Video/Film News category, at the National Entertainment Journalism Awards in Los Angeles. "With consumers demanding nearly 24/7 access to entertainment media, news and images, it is our goal to meet that demand with a mobile, online presence that defines the category," said David Pecker. "AMI's growing digital footprint meshes perfectly with Radar's award-winning content."
The revitalization of the four-year-old Radar Online, falls under the umbrella of the larger AMI digital footprint, being developed by AMI Chief Digital Officer Joe Bilman, who took over in the newly created position last August. A pioneer in the mobile marketplace, Bilman was tasked with making AMI a leader across all brands in the digital arena.
"We began by focusing on Radar Online, where we were fast to bring a new product to market from start to finish," said Bilman. "This is just the beginning of many changes to come this year. AMI has staked a major investment of $30 million in technology over the next three years, to drive our vision and carve out a dominant position, both in content and mobility, across all AMI titles," Bilman said.
The Radar Online re-launch will open the door for a wide range of new editorial opportunities, explained AMI Executive Vice President, Content, and Editor-in-Chief of Radar Online, David Perel. "The AMI digital team has created a vibrant, online experience for our consumers in all places on all devices," said Perel. "Now, our broad sweep of top entertainment coverage will have a template to expand, further developing the relationship between consumers and the latest media, on Radar Online."
With Radar Online's new world-class infrastructure in place, AMI has taken ownership of its mobile platform, offering a dramatically improved visual and user interface, explains AMI General Manager, Entertainment, Peter Van Dijck. "Radar Online, through mobile and iPad/tablet devices, is now able to support a growing audience, which has doubled to 10 million unique visits a month," he said. "In 2012, mobile traffic has jumped from 11% to 37%. At this rate, we hope to reach 50% by the end of the year."
With a fresh new look, superior content, and enhanced mobility to deliver it, Radar Online is matching its product launch with robust sales support to grow the business, said David Pecker, AMI Chairman, President and CEO. "Radar, OK, and Star online bolster AMI's complete portfolio for all consumer entertainment, news, and gossip interests. We are well-positioned to be an industry leader in this thriving segment."
About Radar Online:
RadarOnline.com is the award-winning leader in breaking entertainment news. We deliver fast, unbiased breaking stories to the industry's largest media platforms and an exploding audience of dedicated online consumers.
About American Media, Inc.:
American Media, Inc. (AMI) owns and operates the leading print and digital celebrity and health and fitness media brands in the United States. AMI's titles include Star, OK!, National Enquirer, Globe, Country Weekly, Soap Opera Digest, Shape, Men's Fitness, Muscle & Fitness, Flex, Muscle & Fitness Hers, Fit Pregnancy and Natural Health. AMI also manages 18 different digital sites including RadarOnline.com, OKmagazine.com, CountryWeekly.com, Shape.com, MensFitness.com, MuscleandFitness.com and FitPregnancy.com. AMI's magazines have a combined total circulation of 7.4 million and reach more than 61 million men and women each month. AMI's digital properties reach an average of 34 million unique visitors and 169 million page views monthly.
AMI also provides Publishing Services which includes Distribution Services, Inc. (DSI), the No. 1 in-store magazine sales and merchandising marketing company in the U.S. and Canada. DSI places and monitors AMI's publications and third-party publications to ensure proper displays in major retail chains and national and regional supermarket chains. DSI also provides marketing, merchandising and information gathering services to third parties including non-magazine clients. Publishing Services also provides print and digital advertising sales and strategic management direction in the following areas: manufacturing, subscription circulation, logistics, event marketing and full back office financial functions.
SOURCE American Media, Inc.


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Resident Evil fans are still excited after the recent release of Resident Evil 4 Remake, and anticipation for the next instalment is already building. Rumours surrounding Resident Evil 9 have started to circulate, and with potential details emerging about the game’s release window and characters, the excitement continues to grow.
Resident Evil 9 Expected Release Date
Following the release of Resident Evil 4 Remake in 2023, speculations suggest that Resident Evil 9 will likely hit the gaming world sometime in 2025. While this date has not been officially confirmed, prominent leaker DuskGolem, known for accurate predictions, shared their insights on Snitcher’s Discord. Responding to a community member’s query about the next Resident Evil game’s release date, DuskGolem hinted, “2025, I’ll say that much, though [it will] probably be announced next year.”
Considering the pattern of previous Resident Evil releases, this estimation seems plausible. The franchise’s first game debuted in 2017, followed by Resident Evil 2 Remake approximately two years later. Resident Evil Village followed suit in 2021, and Resident Evil 4 Remake found its release date in 2023. If Capcom continues this pattern, fans can expect another remake in 2027.
Moreover, DuskGolem disclosed another crucial piece of information. According to the leaker, Capcom plans to unveil another major game in late 2023, set for a Fall 2024 release. However, the specific title remains undisclosed, leading to speculation among gamers that it could be a new Monster Hunter game. Only time will reveal the truth behind this exciting mystery.
Who Will Resident Evil 9 Revolve Around?
With the conclusion of Ethan Winters’ story in previous Resident Evil games, a new protagonist is expected to take the lead in Resident Evil 9. The spotlight will likely shine on Chris Redfield alongside classic characters such as Claire, Jill, and Leon. The game will also introduce new characters, adding depth to the thrilling narrative.
Furthermore, players can anticipate the opportunity to assume the roles of various characters during missions, immersing themselves in the dark and ominous atmosphere of scary mansions, laboratories, and post-apocalyptic cityscapes.
What to Expect In Resident Evil 9?
Resident Evil 9 is projected to emphasize action over horror, presenting players with fresh challenges and new villains to confront in a dangerous biohazard outbreak. As the game’s hero, it will be your duty to stand against these formidable foes.
Additionally, a potential new feature known as the camera mode may be introduced in Resident Evil 9, allowing players to choose between third-person and first-person perspectives while navigating the game’s suspenseful world.
With the prospect of Resident Evil 9 on the horizon, fans eagerly await another gripping and heart-pounding adventure in the iconic survival horror franchise. As the rumour mill continues to churn, gamers can hardly contain their excitement, eagerly anticipating what Capcom has in store for them in the next chapter of the Resident Evil saga. Are you ready to face the new evil that awaits in Resident Evil 9? Share your thoughts in the comments and join in the anticipation for this highly anticipated game.
Related: Is There a Hades 2 Release Date?


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YONKERS, N.Y., May 29, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Despite a rash of high-profile data breaches and cyber threats, an alarming 62 percent of U.S. online consumers have done nothing to protect their privacy on the Internet, according to a recent national Consumer Reports survey. Perhaps not surprisingly, the number of victims is on the rise. One in seven online consumers were notified that their personal data had been breached in 2013 – a 56 percent increase from 2012. And a projected 11.2 million people fell for e-mail phishing scams, up 22 percent from the previous year.
These days the threat of cyber attacks and malicious software is nearly omnipresent, whether Americans are on their home computer, storing files in the cloud, using the Wi-Fi network at the local coffee shop, or at the doctor's office. A new report, published online today at ConsumerReports.org and in the July issue of Consumer Reports, exposes some of the ingenious methods cybercriminals have been using to prey on the unsuspecting, as well as ways consumers can recognize their points of vulnerability and strengthen their defenses.
"The most effective defense against an international onslaught of shadowy hackers is being a well-informed and vigilant individual," said Glenn Derene, Electronics Editor for Consumer Reports. "It should be clear by now that consumers can't rely solely on institutions to safeguard their valuable personal information online. Our report identifies some tools that can help people shut the door on cybercriminals."
For online consumers the first step in protecting themselves is to know where they're exposed. The CR report lists 9 areas of vulnerability – from hospitals to cloud services. Some widely used cloud services such as Dropbox and Evernote have a spotty security record. Dropbox has had several breaches over the past few years; and in 2013, a hack of Evernote exposed the user names and e-mail addresses of about 50 million users.
Information stored in the cloud is only as secure and accessible as the cloud provider makes it. Consumers who store private information on cloud-based service should encrypt it with a free encryption program such as TrueCrypt before they upload it. If a breach occurs, hackers won't be able easily read that data.
The CR report also includes profiles of seven recent security disasters, a field guide to stronger passwords, as well as reviews of online security software.
Consumer Reports Internet Security Survey
The Consumer Reports National Research Center conducted a survey on Internet security in January 2014. The findings are nationally representative of U.S. adult Internet users. Participants were--3,110 adults with a home Internet connection who were part of an online panel convened by GfK, a leading research company.
From those respondents, we made national projections. The margin of error for the full sample was +/-1.8 at a 95 percent confidence level.
About Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports is the world's largest independent product-testing organization. Using its more than 50 labs, auto test center, and survey research center, the nonprofit rates thousands of products and services annually. Founded in 1936, Consumer Reports has over 8 million subscribers to its magazine, website and other publications. Its advocacy division, Consumers Union, works for health reform, food and product safety, financial reform, and other consumer issues in Washington, D.C., the states, and in the marketplace.
The material above is intended for legitimate news entities only; it may not be used for advertising or promotional purposes. Consumer Reports® is an expert, independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to work for a fair, just, and safe marketplace for all consumers and to empower consumers to protect themselves. We accept no advertising and pay for all the products we test. We are not beholden to any commercial interest. Our income is derived from the sale of Consumer Reports®, ConsumerReports.org® and our other publications and information products, services, fees, and noncommercial contributions and grants. Our Ratings and reports are intended solely for the use of our readers. Neither the Ratings nor the reports may be used in advertising or for any other commercial purpose without our permission. Consumer Reports will take all steps open to it to prevent commercial use of its materials, its name, or the name of Consumer Reports®.
SOURCE Consumer Reports


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P&G’s new Bounty product rolls across America
CINCINNATI Procter & Gamble’s new Bounty Huge Roll is on a journey to help those in need, with the paper towel brand pledging to make a $50,000 product donation to five local food banks nationwide with the help of consumers in local communities.
The Bounty Huge Roll is making stops in San Antonio, Texas; Grand Rapids, Mich.; Cincinnati; Natick, Mass., and North Bergen, N.J., and Bounty will donate the paper towels raised for the food banks in each local market at the end of the cart’s cross-country journey. At each stop, consumers who come out to see the Bounty shopping cart will be able to pick up coupons for the new Bounty Huge Roll to test in their own homes.
“Just as the new Bounty Huge Roll aligns with our commitment to provide consumers with huge value, our goal through this campaign is to make a huge difference in the lives of those in need,” said Chris Brown, Procter & Gamble marketing brand manager, Bounty. “Local food banks are critical to serving people in need in communities across the country, and our hope in pledging to raise $50,000 worth of paper towels, is to incite people into action so together we can make a difference.”
Yoplait goes Greek
MINNEAPOLIS Yoplait is debuting its newest yogurt product in the dairy aisle.
Available in four delicious flavors, strawberry, blueberry, honey vanilla and plain, Yoplait Greek has a unique thick and creamy texture. The new yogurt is available nationwide for a suggested retail price of $1.19 per 6 oz. cup. Each 6 oz. cup plays 12g of protein and no fat.
To celebrate its new Greek yogurt, Yoplait has teamed up with new epic feature film, “Clash of the Titans,” and actress Izabella Miko, who plays Athena.
“I loved playing Greek Goddess Athena – it definitely brought me closer to my own inner goddess. I admired her strength and independence,” said Miko, “and of course she was the goddess of wisdom, so something wise I do is take care of myself. That’s why I love the new Yoplait Greek yogurt – it tastes great and it’s so good for you – packed with protein, high in calcium and vitamin D.”
Hershey’s revitalizes Kisses brand with new promotions
HERSHEY, Pa. According to the annual Harris Poll brand equity survey, Hershey’s Kisses is the most recognizable brand in the United States.
For more than 100 years, consumers have enjoyed the one-of-a-kind shape, silver foil, signature plume and delicious taste of Hershey’s Kisses chocolates. To recognize this honor, Hershey’s is inviting their fans to celebrate with a sweet line-up of exciting promotions, new advertisements and a delicious new Hershey’s Kisses chocolates recipe available exclusively at www.kissescookies.com.
Among the promotions:
- Kisses Movie Night: Starting April 1, Hershey’s is giving away a free movie ticket with the purchase of four 10 oz. bags or larger of Hershey’s Kisses chocolates, Hershey’s Miniatures, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups or York Peppermint Patties
- Back to School with Hershey’s Kisses chocolates: Starting in June, Hershey’s Kisses chocolates will celebrate Back-to-School and “back-to-normal” with 10% bonus bags, making it easier for moms to create special treat occasions for the whole family
- Fall Baking with Americans’ Beloved Treat: As the must-have ingredient for fall and holiday baking, Hershey’s Kisses chocolates will be announcing a special promotion for all those bakers looking to sweeten the season
- Building off of the momentum from last year’s “Factory” commercial, Hershey’s Kisses chocolates has launched a new series of television and print ads to celebrate the one-of-a-kind taste of Hershey’s Kisses Brand Milk chocolates. A new national commercial began airing Feb. 22 that highlights the magical process of creating Hershey’s Kisses chocolates – from making the perfect “Kiss” shape in the factory to creating special moments at home. Additional TV commercials featuring Hershey’s Kisses with almonds and Hershey’s Kisses chocolates with caramel will follow throughout the year and print ads are scheduled to run from March through May.


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Sara Ali Khan has proved to be a fashionista in no time. Her style and fashion choices have always grabbed eyeballs and we must say that the young diva always puts her best fashion foot forward.
This morning our paparazzi snapped Sara Ali Khan stepping into Dinesh Vijan’s production house – Maddock Films. The actress looked stunning in a vibrant desi outfit. A floral print kurta and palazzo pants made the actress look perfect and score a 10 in the fashion game. Sara Ali Khan has been in talks with Maddock Films for a long time. It is said that the actress has an untitled next in her kitty with the banner and will soon talk about it.


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The automaker is investing heavily in electric vehicle manufacturing, but American infrastructure and consumer wants may get in the way.
In his 32-year career at Ford and then Chrysler, Iacocca helped launch some of Detroit’s best-selling and most significant vehicles, including the minivan, the Chrysler K-cars and the Ford Escort.
The Big Three — Ford, GM and Chrysler — are moving away from car sales in the U.S. and instead focusing on bigger vehicles like SUVs and pickup trucks for the American market.
He was credited with turning around both Fiat and Chrysler.
July sales are down across the board for the Detroit Three automakers, 15.5 percent for GM, 10 percent for Chrysler and 7.5 percent for Ford. That makes seven straight months of declines for the U.S. auto industry at large. Now, considering the last two years basically broke every kind of sales record in the books, […]
Janesville, Wisconsin's resources are stretched thin after GM left the city and took jobs with it.
Fiat Chrysler has announced it’ll invest about $1 billion to improve two of its plants in the U.S. It’ll bring 2,000 jobs as well. This comes after news of other automakers changing their operating plans , like Ford canceling a factory in Mexico and investing in a Michigan plant. Of course, hanging over all of […]


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Privacy email provider FastMail is losing customers because of Australia’s new anti-encryption laws (via itnews).
Bron Gondwana, FastMail CEO, told [PDF] the Australian senate committee that the anti=encryption laws are hurting his business.
We have already seen an impact on our business caused by this perception. Our particular service is not materially affected as we already respond to warrants under the Telecommunications Act. Still, we have seen existing customers leave, and potential customers go elsewhere, citing this bill as the reason for their choice. We are [also] regularly being asked by customers if we plan to move.Bron Gondwana, FastMail CEO
A bill that the country passed lets Australian law enforcement and government agencies compel tech companies to help decrypt user communications. An encrypted email service like FastMail would basically render the service useless, since encryption is the main reason people use it.
Mr. Gondwana reached out to me to provide some corrections to this article. First, he says that FastMail has no plans to leave Australia. Although some customers have canceled their accounts it doesn’t have a significant impact on FastMail’s business.
Second, he points out that FastMail is not designed to be end-to-end encrypted. Data is encrypted on the disk, but it’s never encrypted in a way that they can’t access raw emails or respond to lawful police requests.
Our customers choose us because we care about their privacy and we don’t sell data to third parties. We charge money in exchange for service and have no hidden client paying the bills.
However, that’s not the only reason people choose us – our customers cite our excellent support team, our streamlined, easy to use interface and our standards compliance as their key reasons to select FastMail.


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USFIA victim claim distribution payments approved
Following an agreement reached with the IRS, the USFIA Receiver has secured authorization to send out USFIA victim distribution payments.
As per a June 9th order issued by the court;
In accordance with the Original Plan, the prior orders of the Court, and the Stipulation, the Receiver is authorized to proceed with the distribution of Receivership Proceeds to Claimants with Allowed Claims.
$45.8 million in allowed claims have been approved by the USFIA Receivership.
Although there is no specific timeline for distribution payments to be made, we expect they’ll be going out shortly.
Update 20th July 2022 – The USFIA Receiver has provided an update on distribution payments;
July 16, 2022: This website update provides a status of the Final Distribution which was previously scheduled to be completed on July 15, 2022.
While the Receiver’s staff has been working diligently to process all claimant distributions, following the announcement that the distribution would be made by July 15, the Receiver was inundated with unanticipated requests to update addresses and payment instructions.
As a result, not all of change requests were able to be implemented by today.
Checks for claimants that selected that option have been prepared and are being mailed today. Be advised that it will take time for those checks to arrive, especially those going overseas.
The Receiver requests that if USFIA victims don’t receive checks by August 15th, that they get in touch with the Receivership via email.
Update 30th July 2022 – The USFIA Receiver has provided a second update on distribution payments.
Regarding distribution payments via check;
The Receiver would like to apologize for the delay and inform you that the checks were mailed July 29, 2022, from Colorado.
Our third-party partner that prepared and mailed the checks had delays with quality checking and other items that took longer than expected.
For claimants in the US, the Receiver requests if checks haven’t been received by August 19th only then should they be contacted. For victims outside the US, August 26th.
Regarding distribution payments via PayPal;
We are pleased to announce that PayPal payments began to go out on July 27, 2022, and were completed on July 29, 2022.
We have received many messages that these payments have been received, but there are a number of payments that have not yet been claimed, or were cancelled by PayPal for various reasons.
We have received a high volume of communications and questions regarding these payouts.
We will be working through these issues, and responding to all inquiries over the next few weeks, to ensure that all claimants are able to receive their distribution funds.
If you were scheduled to receive a check and you now prefer a PayPal payment, unfortunately we are not able to make that change.
$64 million has been allocated for distribution payments, representing a 75.3% recovery.
Update 9th December 2022 – The USFIA Receiver’s latest Interim Report details issues related to the distribution process.
Article updated with distribution status.
Article updated with second distribution update from USFIA Receiver.


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While Google and Apple are strongly established at the first and second position of the global smartphone market’s podium, the battle for the third position is still going on between RIM and Microsoft.
MobPartner is proud to present an infographic co-produced with CouponAudit: Smartphone users by the numbers. To us monitoring the mobile market is very important to propose to our Affiliates the better converting campaigns to monetize their traffic.
MobPartner is proud to announce that we have been selected as one of the finalists for Best Advertising Network at the Mobile Entertainment 2012 Awards!
The ME Awards evening is one of the biggest and most glamorous in the industry calendar, bringing together mobile content execs to celebrate the hard work [...]
Tokyo, Japan – August 2, 2012 – GREE Advertising, Inc. (“GREE Advertising”) today announced a partnership with MobPartner SAS (“MobPartner”), a leading French mobile affiliate network. The alliance will enable game developers and publishers on GREE Platform to take advantage of industry-leading app discovery and user acquisition technologies across smartphone operating systems.
GREE and MobPartner [...]
Google Play launched In-app Billing on Google Play a year ago to give developers more ways to sell and engage users over the lifetime of their apps. Since the launch, In-app Billing has been extremely successful in helping developers monetize their apps through try-and-buy, virtual goods, upgrades, and other popular business models.
Google brings an [...]
Professional social startup HighTable with this infographic looks at the way smartphones have risen to popularity among Americans, as well as who and how they’re using them, while the mobile marketing space booms. Marketers have been spreading their budgets out on the same pace.
Males use the mobile web more than females, while 25.6 per [...]
Four months ago, Distimo, the apps stores analytics company reported that Google Play topped the 400, 000 milestone and now in the beginning of May Google Play already stocks more than 500, 000 applications worldwide. This means that in only four months time, over 100, 000 applications have been added to the market.
In the same period in [...]


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Resolution Games announced today that they have closed $6 million in funding, which is the largest round ever by a VR game development company. The round was lead by Google Ventures.
Resolution Games was started by Tommy Palm, a legendary game designer and former “Games Guru” for King; where he oversaw massive projects like the immensely popular Candy Crush Saga, a game which at its peak was making over $1.5 billion dollars a year. “We’re focused on VR for the long run with nimble, small teams creating lots of new concepts, establishing best practices and quickly landing on successful titles to add content for emerging VR devices,” said Palm.
The team has already released one title, Solitaire Jester, for the Gear VR but have plans for more. “To date we’ve already created seven prototype games,” says Palm, “[we] are working on our next release, which will be a fishing themed VR game to be released in early 2016.” The fishing game, which is currently untitled, will feature an “adventure story… with fishing as a core gameplay mechanic,” according to Palm. The game “is not a fishing simulator by any means.” There is no word yet on what type of input the game will utilize, or what platforms they are targeting.
So I know what you’re thinking, ‘this means the free to play model is coming to VR too?’ Turns out not necessarily.
“Looking at the market short term,” says Palm, “free to play is not necessarily going to be this thing for the launch of the Rift for example.” Palm realizes that the model has thus far proved highly profitable, allowing teams to collect millions of tiny micro transactions which are priced within the realm of impulse. Obviously the money that model can bring in is great for the developer but oftentimes it can lead to a really bad experience for the consumer. “I’m more interested in the accessibly,” Palm adds, “in having a consumer download something for free to see if it is something that they want to spend money on.” Only time will tell which models of monetization will work best for VR, especially as it works its way to a mass scale.


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MSI products garnered seven awards in categories ranging from Gaming to Home Audio/Video Components and Accessories, with an additional six to be revealed in January 2023.
MSI, a computing hardware and solutions for gaming, design and business, today announced that it has been named a CES® 2023 Innovation Awards Honouree for a total of 13 products. Honouree products include monitors, laptops, desktops, and components. Seven honouree awards were announced today, with an additional six to be revealed on January 3, 2023.
MSI won CES Innovation Awards in categories of Gaming, Computer Peripherals and Accessories, and Home Audio/Video Components and Accessories.
“We always strive to deliver the best experience possible not only for gamers, but also for content creators, business elites and all. To be recognized by the CES Innovation Awards, year over year, for our relentless pursuit of breakthrough innovation and aesthetic design is truly an honor,” said Sam Chern, MSI Vice President of Marketing.


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A team of 30 budding engineers has recaptured the acceleration record for electric cars: the car of the Swiss needed just 1.513 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h. 2.5 that was one-tenth faster than the car of the University of Stuttgart. How does the Swiss did this only?Who believes that one must always make compromising performance and speed with electric cars, is powerfully wrong. The proof of this is the formula student team of the academic motor sports association Zurich (AMZ) now in the context of the annual competition formula student, the world’s largest with about 500 teams competition for engineering students, delivered again.
Higher acceleration than any other vehicle
Whole 1.513 seconds of electric racing car named Grimsel, needed to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h – electric cars for the 30-Member student team of the University of Lucerne and the ETH from Zürich, which has developed the electric cars world record in the category. A team of the University of Stuttgart had set the previous record of 2015. Their electric car accelerates in 1,779 seconds to 100 km/h.
With the new Guinness record, leaving heavy bullet on wheels, each series vehicle, whether electric or internal combustion engine in a dust cloud that just 168 kg. Even a super sports cars like the Porsche 918 Spyder needs as the fastest sports car in a Sport Magazine test had 2.6 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h. Even formula 1 cars accelerate slightly slower than the race car in the Switzerland.


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In an environment where consumers have more options than ever available to them when they pay for goods and services, good old-fashioned cash may seem like something of an outdated option. But despite the rise of digital and mobile alternatives, notes and coins around the world aren’t going anywhere any time soon.
There are, of course, a wide range of reasons why people still appreciate cash. It’s simple, familiar, ubiquitous and secure. But one campaign promoting the benefits of this form of payment suggests another reason why people may favor physical currency – it could be good for your financial and mental health.
Managing financial stress with cash
It should be no surprise that managing finances is among the leading causes of stress for many people. In fact, a recent study by the Center for Financial Services Innovation claimed almost half of Americans (48 percent) say their finances cause them stress due to their outgoi11ngs exceeding their income. What’s more, 46 percent of employed Americans said they usually run out of money between paychecks – another cause of serious financial stress.
But according to the ATM Industry Association (ATMIA), paying in cash could be one solution to this, as it will help people take back control of their spending and ensure they are not living beyond their means. This in turn leads to better financial security and better overall well-being.
A blog post on behalf of the organization’s Withdraw Cash Wednesday campaign stated: “A cash lifestyle forces you to evaluate what you truly need. And, with practice and discipline, you can sleep better at night knowing where every dollar is going, reducing stress and anxiety.”
A better way to budget?
It’s certainly true that relying primarily on notes and coins can give people improved awareness of their money and make them pay close attention to their spending habits. Handing over physical cash at the checkout carries a connection that doesn’t exist in the same way as with card or mobile payments.
When using digital solutions, consumers don’t feel the money leaving their account in the same way they do when they’re taking cash out of a wallet or purse, and this can have a notable impact on the way they approach spending and saving.
Withdrawing cash from an ATM at the start of the week to use on planned purchases also helps people budget better. The ATMIA stated that having a set amount in their pocket to spend helps people stick to their intended plans and teaches them how to adjust their spending to meet financial goals such as saving for bigger purchases.
Indeed, the organization observed that one consequence of using cash is that it reduces the temptation towards ‘impulse’ buys, as it makes it harder for people to spend money they do not have, or that which would otherwise go into longer-term savings.
While most people consider these purchases to be fairly inconsequential – a cup of coffee here or an extra treat there – they can easily add up. The ATMIA also noted that one in five consumers in the US has spent more than $1,000 on an impulse buy.
When combined with cash’s other benefits, this ability to help people get more control over their money and reduce the stress caused by financial matters may be a compelling reason for many people to embrace cash. With worries surrounding growing debt continuing to be a major factor in many people’s thinking, turning to cash can play a key role in tackling this.
Therefore, banks need to make sure they’re helping to achieve this by making it easy for people to access cash, be it at a branch or ATM, when they need it, and providing clear information on people’s financial health to show the impact such effort may have.


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An avatar in a holographic costume saunters down a VRML stage, mimicking the movements of her flesh-and-blood counterpart in a Japanese club. An electronic musician lays down some beats on a Roland 303, while Japanese, American, and British partiers dance around a light sculpture and watch their images flicker on computer screens, as they will be doing around the world.
It may sound like a scene from a sci-fi flick, but it's all part of the second annual Neoteric Festival, taking place this weekend in Niigata, Japan.
"We wanted to do a multicultural festival of the new generation celebrating new ways of thinking, order, and computer technology," says event founder and designer Richard Sharpe of DeepSpaceTime. "We're eager to pool our talents and have a peek into the future."
The two-day event will include live webcasts of the music and video, as well as a VRML fashion show - to be simultaneously "broadcast" over the Internet while the real fashion show takes place, using pre-programmed avatars wearing digital representations of the clothes.
"This [VRML fashion show] gives a surreal experience to fashion, it allows the users to see the textures of the garments and to view these famous designers in a new format - it does not replicate the live show in order to be realistic," says Aeon, a member of the Web site coordinators Web Design Group. "The idea is to show the public how computers are a part of our new lifestyles and new communication tools."
Conceived by Sharpe in 1994, the Neoteric Festival brings together an international collective of about 50 musicians, artists, clothing designers, and Web designers who use emerging technology for two days of parties and celebrations.
Participants this year include DJ Mix Master Morris, electronic musician Jonah Sharpe, fashion king Jean Paul Gaultier, and Japanese company 10MHZ. The event is sponsored in part by Sega Japan, and uses clubs stuffed with VR game machines. Up to 3,000 people are expected for the free party, and three more festivals are planned around the world in the next few years.


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You’ve cut fat and sugar, you’re exercising regularly, and you can’t help but notice that still, that bit of extra weight is not exactly melting off… so, if you’re being honest with yourself, is there maybe one more lifestyle choice that could zap away those unwanted pounds, if you’d be willing to try it? There is, according to a team of food science researchers who have determined how much alcohol affects your ability to lose weight. It’s not just the calories, people—there’s deeper science behind why drinking is a weight-loss foe.
Keep reading to learn how much alcohol these nutrition pros say you can have and still lose weight. Also, don’t miss What Happens To Your Liver When You Drink Beer.
Recently, a team of nutrition and food science researchers representing universities, clinics, and hospitals throughout Spain collaborated to review what they say were “all prospective clinical studies and systematic reviews” that analyzed the health effects of beer published between January 2007 and April 2020. Their exhaustive analysis of these 13 years of past studies, recently published in the peer-reviewed journal Nutrients, also included some alcoholic drinks other than beer (such as wine), as well as non-alcoholic beer.
RELATED: Here’s What Happens To Your Body If You Drink Alcohol Every Day
The research team was invested in understanding the health effects of beer and other alcoholic drinks because, they say, “In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in the potential health-related effects of moderate alcohol consumption.” So, their work examined “beer-associated effects on cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors to identify a consumption level that can be considered ‘moderate.'”
RELATED: The 3 Best Drinks to Speed Up Your Metabolism, According to Experts
The team uncovered some groundbreaking findings about the effects of alcohol on overall health—you can read the list in 4 Major Effects Drinking Beer Has on Your Health, New Study Says. (Yes, they say: In some ways, drinking can have positive effects on one’s health.)
You might already recognize that the relationship between what we eat and our overall health is inseparable. Not only does healthy food deliver nutrients that nourish the body, but being overweight can lead to discomfort, pain, and actual health problems associated with the heart, metabolic disorders (such as diabetes), and more.
(On this topic, check out Sure Signs You May Be Getting Diabetes, Says CDC.)
The researchers found that if you want to lose weight and still enjoy the occasional sip, there’s a particular amount of alcohol that will allow you to do that. From their analysis, they state that beer “seems to have a direct effect on weight gain, and on waist circumference in men.” That much, you probably already had a hunch about. However, they say that daily amounts of beer greater than or equal to 500 milliliters—that is, about 16.9 ounces—increase the risk of not losing weight.
RELATED: These Are America’s 6 Favorite Cheap Beers, New Data Says
Certainly, the calories and other macros in beer and alcoholic drinks all add up within your daily intake. But also, science is increasingly showing that what we eat affects the gut microbiome in a way that can often impact weight loss. It’s not just about “weight”: It’s that some foods inhibit our body’s ability to use food and drinks as fuel, while other foods help to facilitate that process. (Read The Secret to Avoiding Obesity May Lie in Your Gut, Says New Study.)
The researchers in this study found that when alcohol did yield a beneficial health effect, such as when the antioxidants in beer seemed to promote cardiovascular health, the amount of alcohol the study participants had consumed was really small—in some cases, less than one ounce.
So while from person to person such a small serving may or may not be enough to satisfy that sipping feeling, these findings definitely suggest that if losing weight has been a struggle but you’re still drinking regularly, then it might be time to get real about the role alcohol is playing in what you see when you step on the scale.
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