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Avo delivery platform raises $ 84 million in funding
The vertically integrated residential and office delivery platform Avo has revealed that it has so far raised $ 84 million in funding. The company’s most recent investment, a $ 45 million Series B funding round led by New York-based global private equity and venture capital firm Insight Partners, will be used to rapidly expand its trades in 10 major markets over the next 12 months. Existing investors Kleiner Perkins and JLL Spark also participated in Series B.
Avo’s goal is to deliver everything from groceries and alcohol to electronics and personal care items to millions of people every day. Its customizable amenity platform allows residential and business customers to get everyday items on the same day, with no minimum order amounts or delivery charges. The platform also excludes tips, as Avo has a full-time salaried team. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Avo is currently adding a major new market every month – a sharp increase in growth that has helped increase revenues by 1000% over the past two years.
“At Avo, you can order a single lawyer, and that’s all you’ll pay – and our explosive growth is proof that our model resonates,” noted Dekel Valtzer, CEO and co-founder of the New York-based company. “Our belief is that people shouldn’t be surprised by last minute fees at the checkout. We are delighted that this new investment allows us to delight so many commercial and residential communities across the country.
“Avo’s platform doesn’t just challenge the conventional delivery service model,” said Jeff Horing, managing director and co-founder of Insight Partners. “It also offers customers an innovative way to drive engagement and retention of their tenants and employees. At Insight, we’re excited to play a part in the company’s growth story and look forward to working together to help them become a category leader.
Since starting delivering baby products to parents at nurseries in Tel Aviv, Israel, Avo has expanded its offering and spread across Israel and the United States, where it serves thousands of communities. homes, businesses, hospitals and universities in New York, New Jersey. , Chicago and Houston. The company’s existing clients include many of the nation’s largest real estate developers and managers, including Related, Extell, Greystar, FirstService Residential, Tishman Speyer, Cushman & Wakefield and JLL, and it also partners with Fortune 1000 organizations. such as Facebook, KPMG. , Microsoft, Apple, AT&T, Booking.com and PwC. Residential and commercial customers can take advantage of solutions such as Avo’s personal delivery benefit, virtual pantry, and event and gift offerings.
The company is also now hiring for various roles within its team.
Other companies in this space that have recently raised significant funds include Philadelphia-based GoPuff, which managed to raise a staggering $ 1 billion, and New York-based Jokr, which received $ 170 million. dollars from technology investors.


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TDY earnings call for the period ending October 3, 2021.
The number of Australians travelling abroad for leisure is returning to pre-pandemic levels, the ABS reveals.
With the cost of living rising, it’s no surprise that Aussies are looking everywhere they can to make some extra money. Here are some high-performing investments you’ve probably never thought of.
The S&P; 500 and Nasdaq ended higher as an upbeat sales forecast from Cisco Systems helped to lift the technology sector, while data showed the economy remained relatively strong.Investors on Thursday were still assessing minutes from the Federal Reserve's July meeting released a day earlier, which they initially saw as supporting a less aggressive stance by the central bank.
The local market is expected to rise this morning after a choppy session on Wall Street overnight. This is your Friday morning wrap.
A new green paper from the Actuaries Institute warns that climate change will only worsen the problem. Find out if it impacts you.
Australia's biggest gold miner has posted a drop of almost a quarter in full-year profit for 2022, hit by rising costs and lower output in the first half.Newcrest Mining reported on Friday an underlying profit of $US872 million ($A1.
Lenders are secretly slashing as much as 2.41 per cent off their rates to keep borrowers. Here is how to get the best deal.
Aussies with a sweet tooth were left devastated when Starburst removed its popular products from our shelves. Now they’re turning to desperate measures to get them.
Tax returns are starting to land in Aussie bank accounts and if you’ve been itching for a trip, here are the best places to travel, depending on how much money you got back.
More jobs were added in July, but with businesses struggling to attract workers, consumers may end up paying the price. Here’s what you need to know.
The local market is expected to fall at the open this morning after a weak session on Wall Street overnight. This is your Thursday morning wrap.
Cloud accounting technology company Xero has warned of another year of volatility for small business customers.Xero chair David Thodey said on Thursday supply chains remain constrained, contributing to levels of inflation not seen since the 1980s, interest rates are rising, and global economic growth is predicted to slow.
Transurban says its fourth-quarter toll road traffic exceeded pre-pandemic levels, but is forecasting a 2022/23 return to shareholders well below market expectations.The toll road operator on Thursday said it expects to distribute 53 cents per share in FY2023, 30 per cent higher than in 2021/22 but under consensus estimates of 60 cents.
While existing customers will still have to cop the full interest rate hike, new customers are in for a discount. Here’s what you need to know.
One of Australia’s biggest banks recently predicted the property market will fall 20 per cent. This is exactly how much home prices will drop if that happens.
Super Retail Group says sales rebounded in the second half of fiscal 2022 and the new year is off to a strong start, but it's expecting that momentum to slow as interest rates hikes and inflation bite.The Supercheap Auto, Rebel Sports, BCF (Boating, Camping and Fishing) and Macpac brand owner on Wednesday reported $3.
New data has shown wages grew a measly 2.6 per cent despite a tight labour market. Here’s why that’s just not enough.
Redbubble shares have plunged after the print-on-demand online marketplace saw a drop in active customers and said its operating expenses could rise as much as 31 per cent.The Melbourne company reported on Wednesday that revenue dropped 14 per cent to $483 million in the 12 months to June 30, compared to the prior year on a constant currency basis.
Aussies flocked out of the major cities as COVID-19 lockdowns moved most people to remote working. Here’s where the prices are starting to fall.
Origin Energy has left investors on edge after reporting a loss for full-year 2022 and failing to provide profit guidance for the year ahead.The gas and electricity company on Thursday reported a statutory loss of $1.

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Blog: Drinks tax moves up the agenda
Chris Mercer | 28 October 2011
The idea of a sin tax on unhealthy food and drink is gaining credence as Governments seek to plug revenue holes any way that they can.
Within the last month, France's Parliament has voted to introduce a special levy on added sugar soft drinks, as well as a lesser levy on soft drinks containing sweeteners. In Denmark, meanwhile, the Government there has said it will introduce a tax on fatty foods, thought to be the first targeted 'fat tax' anywhere in the world.
It is a scenario that alcohol producers are already well aware of. The European Commission and the World Health Organisation have both endorsed duty tax rises on alcohol as one of several means of persuading people to stop drinking to excess.
The health debate around alcohol, fatty foods and added-sugar soft drinks has been raging for some time. But, are we witnessing a change in governmental thinking?
It's hard to judge, because individual governments have their own agendas and ideological positions. In the UK, for example, ministers of the Coalition Government, elected last year, have been clear that they are not seeking to change consumer behaviour via regulation. This, however, has not stopped the UK Treasury from increasing duty tax on beer, wine and spirits.
There are signs that the effects of so-called lifestyle diseases are being taken more seriously, as witnessed last month by the United Nations holding its first General Assembly meeting on non-communicable diseases.
Over the next 20 years, non-communicable diseases will cost the global economy more than $30tn, or 48% global gross domestic product (GDP) in 2010, UN delegates were informed by the director-general of the World Health Organisation, Dr Margaret Chan.
At the same time, many national and state economies are under intense pressure to increase revenue and cut debt. The logical conclusion is that sections of government health departments that are in favour of taxes are perhaps finding more friends in government finance departments. More sin taxes, then, could well be on their way.
It's a bank holiday here in the UK on Monday (25 August). just-drinks' team will be taking a well-earned lie down. ...
Poland is hardly noted for its cider consumption, but all this could be about to change. ...
Here's a brave move by the folk from Camerata at Paulie's in Houston: a wine-related parody of Summer Nights from Grease....
Here's a round-up of the top stories on just-drinks last week, featuring The Coca-Cola Co and Monster Beverage Corp, Constellation Brands, Anheuser-Busch InBev and Australia's wine producers....
- Interview - Bacardi global marketing boss, whisky
- Comment - Hybrid Spirits: Innovation or Laziness?
- Constellation grapples with glass as reality bites
- Brewers Feel Prolonged Russian Winter
- Focus - Heineken's H1 Performance by Region
- Mast-Jägermeister targets UK off-trade boost
- Diageo doubles intake for spirits start-ups scheme
- Second senior exec to depart Bacardi
- Portman finds against Diageo "mix it up" tagline
- Bacardi sees North America president step down


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Coles claimed its Cuisine Royale and Coles Bakery breads were ‘baked today, sold today’ and in some cases ‘freshly baked in-store’ - claims the court, today (Wednesday 18), concluded were “false, misleading and deceptive”.
The Court said Coles had breached three parts of Australian Consumer Law relating to misleading trade and false representation of the quality, characteristics and processing of the product.
Today’s ruling could see Coles fined up to A$1.1m per offence. A federal court hearing will be scheduled soon to determine the relief that will be ordered.
Credence claims are a priority for us, says ACCC
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) initially launched proceedings against Coles last year over concerns its in-store bakery claims were misleading consumers.
“Today’s decision confirms that Coles misled consumers about the baking of these bread products. Consumers should be able to rely on the accuracy of credence claims made by businesses like Coles to promote their products, especially where those claims are used to compete with smaller businesses which are genuinely offering a differentiated product,” said Rod Sims, chairman of the ACCC.
The ACCC said credence claims - where premium of special characteristics of a product were difficult for consumers to test accurately – were an enforcement priority for the competition regulator.
“They are powerful marketing tools that can mislead consumers if improperly used and have the potential to adversely impact the competitive process and small businesses,” it said. “In particular, when larger businesses present their products as having a particular feature when they don’t, it can undermine the unique selling point that small businesses who do offer that feature depend upon to compete.”
Coles should make par-baked tolerably clear
Chief Justice James Allsop who filed the ruling, said in his judgement that Coles needed to re-think how it presented par-baked bread in its stores.
“It is not the place of the court to provide advice… as to how Coles might sell bread that has been par-baked from frozen product… A start would, however, be to make it tolerably clear to the public that the recent baking was the completion of a baking process that had taken place sometime before, off site, and that ‘freshly baked’ actually meant the completion of the baking process of frozen product prepared and frozen off site by suppliers,” he said.
Allsop said that, for many people, the phrases ‘baked today, sold today’ and ‘freshly baked today’ would convey the entire baking process, and not some heating or baking, had happened that day.
While he acknowledged that Coles baked from scratch in some of its in-store bakeries, he said the general signage of ‘freshly baked’ for the 637 Coles chains that had in-store bakeries could mislead consumers on the par-baked products. “The packaging and signage used in the Coles in-store baking area and bakery section of each Coles store do not differentiate between products made from scratch, from frozen dough and using the par-baked method,” he said.


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An Exeter based provider of specialist products and services for the exploration of oil and gas has doubled its engineering team as a result of growing demand for its world leading patented products and services.
Founded in 1992, AnTech is a family run business which identified a niche in the market to design and manufacture products that were otherwise unavailable to the oil and gas industry. The company provides high quality, innovative and customised products which are sold across the globe to all of the major service companies.
In 2013, the firm launched its Directional Coiled Tubing Drilling (DCTD) service division backed by Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures and Calculus Capital. The firm now operates globally across two business divisions, supplying both products and services to the oil and gas industry, from the Middle East to the United States.
Based at Exeter Airport Business Park, the company has increased its specialist team by 50% over the past 18 months, leading to an expansion of its headquarters, to provide improved operations and manufacturing facilities.
The new facilities in Exeter accommodate AnTech’s rapidly increasing number of engineers and technicians for its production and engineering teams, sales and marketing staff and field teams. The 9,000 sq ft building allows extra space to manufacture and test products, many of which are used in extremely hazardous conditions. The engineering firm also has a new service base in Texas and has set up an operations base in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia.
Managing Director and Founder, Toni Miszewski, has seen the company through two financial crashes, but now has a 50 strong team of specialist staff working across the world. The company also announced record product sales up by 52% during the last financial year.
Toni said: “We are continually striving to design and manufacture better, smarter and more innovative products and services that meet the industry’s needs. Our strong customer demand has resulted in the need to employ more people and expand our workshops, labs and office space to make room for a new wave of engineers, technicians and field teams to service our customers.
He continued: “We have recently appointed Jan Ward, new chairman for our board of directors, who will work with us to further strengthen our international presence and pursue our international growth strategy. We have a highly skilled workforce here at AnTech, a team that I am very proud of and grateful to for all of their hard work and commitment to this firm. Thanks to them, we are a key player in the oil and gas industry and have already made significant advancement in our products, designs and services.”
The Antech team actively promotes careers in engineering to students across the region and at the University of Exeter. As a result, the company is home to a large number of staff from the local area, and boasts a large percentage of female engineers.
Clare Miszewska, Business Development Manager said: “We recruit a high proportion of our staff locally. Some are graduates from the local universities, whilst others have been recruited from college via apprenticeships and the YINI scheme. Our products and services are unique, with only a few other organisations offering similar services across the world. We hope to continue expanding and will be looking to the local talent pool to grow our talented workforce as one of our key avenues of recruitment.”
Maureen Gori-de-Murden, Senior Economy & Tourism Officer at Exeter City Council said: “AnTech is an innovative business which is continually adapting and evolving to meet global market demands, all from its head office here in Exeter. The firm, which supports and invests in its employees, has a very high staff retention rate, with many members of staff having worked their way up within the company. We are proud to have such an exciting evolving family business in our city and pleased that the team support local events such as the Big Bang South West and TEDxExeter, and aim to recruit staff locally.”
AnTech specialises in product technologies that meet the industry’s stringent health and safety standards and are always looking at new technologies such as 3D printing and Fibre Optics in order to stay ahead of the game.
In addition, AnTech has developed a wide range of specialist analytical tools and software that it uses to optimise solutions. The company provides a “one-stop shop” for advice about Directional Coiled Tubing Drilling to the oil and gas industry. “We model conditions in a well and advise operators about what they need to do, and how to do it efficiently and cost-effectively,” said Miszewska. “Plus, we can help set up the complete package, working with the rig companies to formulate strategy, equipment, and on-the-job execution,” she added.


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900 properties in Yucatan are rented on this platform, representing 35% of the accommodation spaces on offer….
MERIDA – “The regulation of the electronic lodging platform Airbnb is urgent, at this moment 35% of the accommodation spaces in Mérida and the municipalities of the coast are reserved through this digital tool,” stated the Mexican Hotel Association of Yucatan (AMHY).
The president of the AMHY, Héctor Navarrete Medina, pointed out that the sales growth figures of this platform impact the sector of Yucatecan hoteliers, since currently between 5% and 6% of the hotel occupancy of the state is done through this App.
In a review of the Airbnb site, it was highlighted that in the last three years, the lodging space rental platform has grown dynamically, and at the moment about 900 properties in Yucatan work through this US company, which really concerns Yucatecan hoteliers.
The hotel sector leader said that the 35% of the accommodation spaces in Mérida and the coastal municipalities are reserved through this platform and that it is necessary to regulate it.
“Mexico is already the fifth largest country in the world for reservations through this cybernetic platform, and this forces the federal government to intervene to establish a registry and mechanisms of fiscal responsibility for the owners of these hosting spaces,” he said.
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Retailer Iceland has unveiled 'turkey insurance' to guarantee customers a turkey for Christmas amid concern over potential shortages due to supply chain problems.
As part of the initiative, customers can reserve a turkey with the supermarket chain by booking a delivery slot between 11 – 17 December.
Iceland says 600,000 delivery slots have been made available, and customers can guarantee a turkey delivery via a reservation form which closes Monday 22 November.
The first 150,000 customers who register for an Iceland account and book a delivery slot will be guaranteed a turkey in time for Christmas Day, it says.
The retailer has pledged to pay for a customer's entire Christmas shop if a turkey does not arrive on time.
Three different frozen turkeys are being offered: Iceland Perfect Turkey (£17.00, 2.2kg, serves 8-10), Bernard Matthews Golden Norfolk Basted Turkey Crown Medium (£16.00, serves 6-10) and Bernard Matthews Golden Norfolk Basted Whole Turkey with Giblets Large (£17.00, 8-10).
It comes as the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reviewed the shelf availability of products between 5 to 8 November, discovering that 18% of frozen turkeys were either not available, or stock was low.
And data from Kantar revealed that British shoppers spent £6 million more on frozen turkeys in October in comparison to last year.
Andrew Staniland, frozen trading director at Iceland Foods, said: “This year we’ve been preparing for a bigger Christmas, so we have a strong stock of frozen turkeys.
"We’re proud to be able to guarantee our shoppers a turkey to remove the worry and help them have the best Christmas ever.”
Customers must register for an Iceland account and fill out the Christmas turkey reservation form to take part.


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March 16, 2020
Harry Styles—the British vocalist, former One Direction member, part-time actor, and occasional escort of Kendall Jenner—has added a new unofficial gig to his résumé, The Wall Street Journal reports.
The fashion-forward Styles now is styling himself in a piece of jewelry heretofore only coveted by ladies who lunch. In recent months, he’s rarely been seen in public without a single strand of delicate white pearls dangling from his neck.
Indeed, the Journal chronicles, he has worn them on “The Graham Norton Show,” “The Late Late Show with James Corden,” “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” “BBC Radio 1” and at the Brit Awards, among other outlets.
And the shaggy-haired star is not the only notable who appears to have raided Nana’s jewelry box. Milky pearl necklaces have swayed around the necks of rapper A$AP Rocky, designer-cum-Instagram-influencer Marc Jacobs, pop star Shawn Mendes, and songster Pharrell Williams.
For attention-seeking men, explained Mark-Evan Blackman, assistant professor of Fashion Design-Menswear specialist at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, pearls serve as a strategic substitute for the now-ubiquitous gold chain: “If you were to put a gold chain around your neck, no one would be talking about you, because it’s been done a thousand times,” Blackman told the Journal, adding, “A gold chain says ‘mundane,’ but a rope of prim pearls on a man? That’s beguiling.”
As phenomena go, the masc-pearl mystique is relatively new. While the coveted orbs have signified wealth and taste on women for centuries, they’ve only rarely distinguished men—mostly Asian or European royals with particularly glittery tastes, the news outlet notes.
ghteenth-century Indian Maharajas draped themselves in mounds of frosty pearls, and that tradition has trickled down: When Blackman attended a wedding in India around 15 years ago, men in the bridal party were drenched in multiple strands.
Meanwhile, in the West, the “man-pearl” has appeared only infrequently—and very discreetly—in the past few decades. On a 2005 cover of Italian Vanity Fair, Pierce Brosnan smoldered with a solitary brownish pearl slung on a cord around his neck.
As for the men’s white pearl necklace, Williams was an early adopter, arriving so adorned at the Time 100 Gala in 2014. This past year the look popped: Male models on runways for brands like Ryan Roche and Palomo Spain donned strands, while an ad for a current collaboration between Comme des Garçons and Japanese pearl specialists Mikimoto shows a man in a traditional suit with a string of delicate pearls perched on his tie. In the March issue of WSJ. Magazine, A$AP Rocky posed with a rope of pearls from that collaboration atop a white T-shirt.
Pearls for men are part of a larger trend, catalyzed by fashion labels like Gucci and Givenchy, that injects classically feminine ideas into the male wardrobe. “The pearl is the quintessential feminine accessory,” said Chris Green, the general merchandise manager at retailers Totokaelo and Need Supply Co. in New York City, who, the Journal says, has worn pearls for several years now. When used to accessorize a modest, masculine outfit—say, the T-shirt and plaid coat that Harry Styles sported in London in December—pearls add a potent, even disorienting, daintiness that’s macho in its audaciousness.
The relative affordability of pearls bolsters their relative popularity. Etsy, the online marketplace, lists over 61,000 results for “vintage pearl necklace” with some selling for under $100, and costume pieces going for even less. But, if that still seems too steep for a risky trend, you can always borrow a set from grandma.
Research contact: @WSJ


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Northshore enticing holiday shoppers to spend money locally
Small Business Saturday may have come and gone this past weekend, but the Northshore is pushing to make the holiday shopping season “Small Business December."
In the midst of a lot of challenges, there is much at stake.
There’s a huge road construction project right through the heart of one of Mandeville's busiest shopping areas, but merchants will tell you things are getting better and the work shouldn't stop folks from hitting the stores along Hwy. 190.
“Sometimes during the day, the dump trucks or the bulldozers might have a little obstruction, but it's really flowing a lot better and it couldn't come at a better time,” said Mark Benfatti of N’tini’s Restaurant.
In fact the push is on in Mandeville to entice shoppers to take advantage of small business opportunities during the holiday season.
It's called "Get Wrapped up in Mandeville," and the effort is based on some pretty sound numbers.
“If you shop local, 42 percent of your money stays in the community. If you shop at a chain, that's nationwide. You're lucky if 14 percent stays. That's a big number,” said Benfatti.
“They've got ties to the community, so the money is going to stay here. The tax dollars will stay here. We're circulating those tax dollars and we need that,” said Alia Casborne of Mandeville Economic Development.
A legitimate concern is that shoppers would avoid this area, opting for places with easier access, even the internet.
“When you spend money on the internet, you make think you're getting a great bargain but what's happening is that you're not participating and helping those businesses participate in the community,” said Mandeville Mayor Don Villere.
The construction is pretty much focused on the north side of the project. Traffic is moving pretty smoothly on the south side, which is pretty much further along.
”We know it's a hassle. Frankly, I don't like to do it,” said Roger Mitchell of VooDoo BBQ.
For Mitchell, VooDoo BBQ is the family business, putting food on the table for customers and on his table at home.
“This is how we raise our family. This is how we support the local community. This is how when schools want donations, this is how we do it, because we have people come in and support our business,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell goes out of his way to thank customers who eat at his restaurant. He knows they have a choice.
“When you get in your car, just take a second and think, ‘Is there a local guy that can give me not only the same product, but probably give you a lot better service?’” said Benfatti.
It’s an investment in the city's future that will pay off down the road, they say.
Local shops in Mandeville will be promoting special incentives to entice holiday shoppers into their stores.
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Spectrum Lighting has announced the addition of Jeff Ridgell as vice president of sales. Previously serving in various sales and GM roles with Siemens, Lightolier, Alkco, and with Philips/Signify, Ridgell brings 30 years of industry experience in his new role. Ridgell is based in the Chicago area and graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration from Salisbury University in Salisbury, Md.
“We are excited to have Jeff join our team given his proven track record of success. He will be responsible for successfully implementing our sales strategy in the markets we serve. Jeff has a reputation of being customer centric while having a strong working relationship with the various key departments internally,” says Chris Roemlein, president of Spectrum.
“I am really excited to work for a high quality, vertically integrated lighting company with unmatched service and flexibility,” states Jeff Ridgell, VP of sales at Spectrum.


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Starburst to release limited-edition ‘All Pink’ packs
Starburst has announced that they will be releasing a limited edition “All Pink” pack of Starburst!
The company stated that they decided to release this limited edition pack, available in both single stick and larger bag, because of fans’ long time devotion to the strawberry flavored fruit chew.
So when will you be able to get these “All Pink” packs? April, so less than a month to wait!


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Whistle-blower claims Apple ‘ignoring and violating’ users’ rights
Former contractor says tech giant has failed to act on his disclosures about ‘intimate’ Siri recordings
A former Apple whistle-blower has gone public to protest against the lack of action taken as a result of his previous disclosures about the company listening to Siri users’ recordings.
In a letter sent to all European data protection regulators, Thomas le Bonniec said it was “worrying that Apple (and undoubtedly not just Apple) keeps ignoring and violating fundamental rights”.
He continued: “I am extremely concerned that big tech companies are basically wiretapping entire populations despite European citizens being told the EU has one of the strongest data protection laws in the world.
“Passing a law is not good enough: it needs to be enforced upon privacy offenders.”
The 25-year-old worked as a subcontractor for Apple at its offices in the Irish city of Cork, before quitting last summer “due to ethical concerns with the work”, The Guardian reports.
Le Bonniec told the newspaper that what Apple does “operate[s] on a moral and legal grey area”, adding that “they have been doing this for years on a massive scale. They should be called out in every possible way.”
As Business Insider reports, Apple last year apologised and suspended its “grading” program - which allowed contractors to listen to recordings of queries made to voice assistant Siri - following Le Bonniec’s initial disclosures.
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The contractor told The Guardian last July that he had listened to “hundreds of recordings every day” including “countless instances of recordings featuring private discussions between doctors and patients, business deals, seemingly criminal dealings, sexual encounters and so on”.
The Verge notes that Apple is one of “several major tech companies” - including Google, Amazon, Facebook, and Microsoft - that was caught using paid human contractors to review recordings” from digital assistants.


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Samsung is been on roll since past month, pushing out the Android Nougat update to it's Galaxy devices. Couple of weeks back European and Indian units of Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge rolling out the Nougat update and now Verizon units has also started receiving the update.
Home / Android Nougat / Samsung / samsung galaxy s6 edge / Verizon / Verizon Galaxy S6 / Verizon Galaxy S6 And S6 Edge Rolling Out With Android Nougat Update
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Late last year, we had a look at the DSR/X, one of the more exciting two-wheeled EVs to emerge from American firm Zero Motorcycles. The $25,000 model featured the forward-looking company’s newest powertrain centerpiece, the Z-Force 75-10X direct-drive motor.
Zero Motorcycles’ most recent concept, the SR-X, is the latest bike to emerge from their workshop. The motor loses the X and is called the ZF75-10, and it’s not quite as potent as the motor in the DSR/X, but still delivers an exceedingly healthy 110 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque; it’s mated to a 17.3 kWh Z-Force lithium-ion battery.
Unlike the DSR/X — a ready-for-anything 2020s ride — the bike is presented more of a statement of intent for the company, a representation of its possibility. It came about through collaboration with Huge Moto, and features an exaggerated front end and an LED light bar headlamp that give the single-seat concept a future-is-now look.


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Salmonella threat forces hog head cheese recall
A Texas company announced Friday it is recalling thousands of pounds of hog head cheese because it might be contaminated with salmonella.
The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry said some of the 4,700 pounds being recalled were shipped to Louisiana.
The following products are subject to recall: 10-oz. packages of "Richard's Hog Head Cheese" bearing establishment number "EST. 2257" inside the USDA mark of inspection and sell by dates "Use by 2 1 2013" or "Use by 3 20 2013"on each package.
The products subject to recall were produced on Nov. 1 and Dec. 19 and were shipped to a distribution center in Louisiana and southeastern Texas for retail distributions.
A Food Service Inspection Service news release said products produced by EST. 2257 have been linked to a recent salmonella Uganda cluster involving six cases in Louisiana. The Louisiana Office of Public Health and FSIS linked the illnesses to pork products produced at this establishment.
State officials cautioned people not to eat the products because the health risk is high.
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Even the smallest apartment in Beijing can cost a fortune, but one potential property owner has come up with a novel way to clinch a deal, using 283 pairs of Jordan Nike sneakers, Legal Evening News reported.
Mick (not his real name) pawned his precious collection, acquired over a 20-year period, for 1 million yuan (S$217,000) as he wants to make a down payment on an apartment before getting married.
But the 30-year-old has vowed to redeem the shoes within two months as soon as he has raised the money.
Staff at the pawn shop said the sneakers were valued at 1.8 million yuan.
Mick began collecting Jordan shoes when he was 14. According to the NBA's official account on Sina Weibo, the Chinese version of Twitter, a pair of new Jordan sneakers can cost as much as 2,000 yuan.


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Turkey claims rainbows ‘negatively affect children’s mental health’ in chilling clampdown on LGBT+ Pride merchandise
In Turkey, government advertising regulators have announced that LGBT+ and rainbow-themed products sold online must be advertised as being for ages 18 and over to “protect children”.
Board members of the Reklam Özdenetim Kurulu, which operates within the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, “unanimously” agreed that not listing the wares with an 18+ warning risks children’s “mental, psychological and social development”.
The board, whose members stretch across other government departments such as health and justice, stressed in a letter seen by BBC Turkish that the agency is not banning LGBT+ items.
Rather, it instructs that selling the merchandise without a warning “constitutes a violation of the legal regulations”, read the letter, signed by Oğuz Şahin, a deputy general manager at the Ministry of Commerce.
He noted that companies that do not rate rainbow goods as 18+ will see advertisements suspended.
The letter stated: “In this context, e-commerce platforms, which are widely used by consumers throughout the country, should be sensitive to this issue and I request your information to take the aforementioned measures.”
Turkey claims rainbows ‘negatively affect’ children.
Ministry sources told BBC Turkey that it was a “decision to protect children”.
“Considering that there are regulations by the Advertising Board on advertisements that are intended for children and that are likely to affect children, direct exposure of children to advertisements of such products may negatively affect the mental, psychological and social development characteristics of children,” they added.
The twin backbone of the new rule will be a pair of clauses in Article 24 of Turkey’s 2015 Regulation on Commercial Advertisement and Unfair Commercial Practices, the letter said.
One clause states products targeting children cannot contain images or messages that would “negatively affect the physical, mental, moral, psychological and social development characteristics of children.” A second states they also “cannot contain elements to disrupt, change or denigrate cultural, moral and positive social behaviours”
In Turkey, the sight of tear gas, water cannons and plastic riot shields squelching Pride events in Istanbul has become a regretful annual tradition.
The country’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, as well as lawmakers, religious leaders, heads of major humanitarian agencies and even clothing retailers have launched vicious attacks against the country’s embattled LGBT+ community.
Retail giant LC Waikiki announced earlier this year that it will ban rainbows, unicorns and other “LGBT+ images” from being used in its clothing designs.
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Natalie Portman looks eerily like Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in a newly released photo from the movie “Jackie,” which premieres in September 2016.
Salma Hayek spotlighted her tiny waist in a form-fitting hot-pink dress at the British Fashion Awards, which she attended billionaire husband François-Henri Pinault.
Meteorologists around the country love a flattering color-block dress from Amazon that has received rave reviews for its comfort, affordability, and slimming effects.
Lady Gaga showed off her yoga-toned body at the Oct. 3 premiere of “American Horror Story: Hotel” in Los Angeles. Gaga, who was accompanied by fiance Taylor Kinney, looked elegant in a sizzling red dress that spotlighted her recent 25-pound weight loss.
Kendall Jenner ruled the runway of the Balmain show at Paris Fashion Week Oct. 1 in two sizzling outfits that spotlighted her supermodel physique.
Beyonce smolders in the September issue of Vogue, where she sizzles in a body-hugging Marc Jacobs gown.
Supermodel Elle Macpherson, who has a hot bikini body at 51, said her anti-aging beauty and makeup secrets include daily exfoliation and sunscreen.
Supermodel Elle Macpherson showed off her hot bikini body while vacationing in sunny Capri, Italy, this week.
Supermodel Miranda Kerr maintains her sexy bikini body and gorgeous face with a low-carb organic diet, green tea facials and yoga workouts.
Supermodel Kate Upton showed off her hot swimsuit body as the new face of Bobbi Brown’s Sandy Nudes beach makeup collection.
Kristin Cavallari is skinnier than ever after her recent 20-pound weight loss on a low-carb Paleo diet.
Duchess Kate Middleton, who’s due in April, looked regal in blue at a March 13 London church service honoring British soldiers who fought in Afghanistan.
Kendall Jenner is the new face of Calvin Klein Underwear.
Giuliana Rancic apologized for dissing Zendaya’s dreadlocks on “Fashion Police,” but her co-host Kelly Osbourne quit the show Feb. 27 after fans asked if she had initially made the remark that Zendaya’s hair probably smells like weed.
Jennifer Lawrence showed off her stunning looks in new photos for Christian Dior’s “Be Dior” ad campaign.
Russian supermodel Irina Shayk showed up nearly naked in a sexy Versace gown at the 2015 Vanity Fair Oscars after-party in Los Angeles Feb. 22.
Sarah Palin got slammed on Twitter for the sparkly white mini-dress she wore to the “SNL 40th Anniversary Celebration” on Feb. 15.
“Top Chef” beauty Padma Lakshmi flaunted her hot bikini body in a throwback Instagram photo and joked that a friend said she appeared to have a penis in the beach snapshot.
Angelina Jolie outshined Jennifer Aniston at the 2015 Critics’ Choice Awards in a shimmery silver dress that accentuated her curves.
Actress Stephanie Beacham is amused that Bruce Jenner’s face was superimposed on a photo of her for the latest cover of InTouch magazine, but joked that Bruce looks prettier than she does.


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As the deadline for the initial offers for Sears’ home services business and other assets nears, unnamed sources claim that Centerbridge Partners LP and Ace Hardware Corp may bid on the division. Bidders have until Wednesday (December 5) to make their initial offers, Reuters reported.
While the sources told the outlet that an offer isn’t guaranteed, the group has reportedly considered a potential bid over a period of weeks. However, the sources did not say how much a potential offer would be from the investment firm and the retailer. A spokesperson for the investment firm would not comment to the outlet, while a representative from Ace would not immediately reply to the outlet’s query.
Sears is also reportedly looking at bids on the part of liquidators as well as offers for different parts of its business, per a letter from the retailer’s bankers in November. And, while Reuters reported that the retailer’s preference is to have most assets sold together, it could sell parts to separate buyers. That would mean “further breaking apart what was once the world’s largest retailer,” according to the outlet.
The news comes days after Bloomberg reported that a hedge fund that Sears Chairman Eddie Lampert operates along with Cyrus Capital Partners was at work on a possible takeover bid per unidentified sources. According to the report, “the prospective suitors may offer to swap debt that they hold for ownership of the stores in a so-called credit bid.” At the same time, the report noted that a takeover would have to be approved by a bankruptcy court and that other suitors could still make bids.
Earlier in November, the retailer was reportedly working finishing touches on a deal for $350 million in financing with Great American Capital Partners, along with other lenders. Such an arrangement could bring the retailers’ financing package up to $650 million, with $300 million in loans pledged by bank lenders, Reuters reported at the time.


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City of London Distillery reveals new look for its gins
City of London Distillery has revealed a new look for the brand as well as a bespoke gin to celebrate the skills of the distillery’s team.
The new look bottles now have a larger label and logo, stronger colour branding and a new gold crest on the neck. The new packaging, designed to be more modern and to better portray its premium positioning, also includes enhanced craft messaging and additional illustrations to depict each expression’s back story.
The producer’s London Authentic Gin is now also available in a new blue bottle to help create stronger brand identity across the entire collection.
In addition, the producer is celebrating new listings for its gins, including with Waitrose, Selfridges and Harvey Nichols.
James Stocker, marketing director, said: “The industry has recognised The City of London Distillery as a brand of incredible quality and we believe it has huge growth potential, which is of course reflected in the investment we are making to strengthen its identity in what is an extremely competitive market.
“The brand has played a unique part in the capital’s gin revival and has heritage and authenticity at its core. With new premium listings and with a growing number of exciting experiences on-site for consumers in the heart of town, City of London Distillery is well placed to capitalise on the projected category growth this year.”
The City of London collection includes City of London Authentic Gin (rrp: £28); Christopher Wren Gin (rrp: £32); Old Tom Gin (rrp: £38); Sloe Gin (rrp: £32) and Square Mile London Dry Gin (rrp: £40).


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To improve efficiency of country’s energy system, feasibility of installing smart networks including “Smart Meters” for both retail and wholesale consumers is planned. According to strategy of Ministry of Energy research will reveal their spread of reasonable terms and conditions.
This also responds to EU № 2009/72/EC directive which is about arranging electricity market, according to which consumer protection is one of the components of installing “Smart Meters” . As it enables consumers to actively take part in the functioning of supply market.
Today, existed meters are not able to deferentially measure consumed energy, however installment of smart meters requires solid expenses on which specific works are being implemented.


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Dell India’s sales of servers and storage have been rising in the last two years, according to consultancy IDC India, even as IBM and HP have pulled back.
Dell's India subsidiary posted 54 percent year-on-year (YoY) growth in unit shipments and 6.6 percent YoY share across segments in the last quarter of 2014.
In 2014, Dell India hired more than 400 engineers to work for its research and development team. It's expected to hire more engineers in 2015.
E-commerce in India has been growing rapidly with the establishment of hundreds of new e-commerce companies.
Warranty issues aside, ET examines the price differences in four popular products to reach some obvious conclusions – what should you buy and from where.
Investment in emissions reductions by Indian companies which are part of the global supply chain has dropped by nearly 50% from 2013.
Broadcom, which has a global headcount of about 11,000 people, has about 1,500 people at its India research and development centre.
Pitching to brand the state on the lines of Make in India, chief minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday announced the concept of "Make in Karnataka".


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New packaging formats, consumer interest in therapeutic body care and a long, cold 2013-2014 winter in much of the United States helped fuel sales in the body-, hand- and foot-care category — a category that, according to research firm Mintel, experienced virtually no sales growth between 2009 and 2011.
SoapBox, a mission-based personal care company that highlighted its range of bar soaps, body washes, lotions and liquid hand soaps at the 2014 National Association of Chain Drug Stores Total Store Expo in Boston, has broadened its distribution, enabling the company’s charitable mission to have a larger impact on communities around the United States.
Good news for manufacturers of soap, bath and shower products is that growth has been solid, with sales increasing a hefty 18%, to about $5.4 billion, between 2008 and 2013, according to research firm Mintel.
Beauty is a big business with diverse outlets for consumption. To help suppliers and retailers better understand who is buying, what they are buying and where they are buying, Drug Store News this month hosted an exclusive webinar from consumer analytics company TABS Group, “2014 Insights into the Beauty Consumer.”
Procter & Gamble’s nice’n easy has selected actress Christina Hendricks as its brand ambassador, representing the brand’s new “Shift a Shade” campaign inspiring women to make a hair shade shift to find their true color.


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Some 34,079 BMWs were sold in Korea last year, making the country the 10th-largest market for the German luxury carmaker.
BMW plans to boost sales here by another 10 percent this year. "Until 2011, Korea ranked 13th in terms of sales," said Kim Hyo-joon of BMW Korea. "But last year Korea overtook Spain, Australia and South Africa to reach the 10th spot for the first time."
The carmaker saw global sales rise 10.6 percent year-on-year in 2012 to 1.85 million vehicles. But sales in Korea increased 24 percent. However, Kim said BMW ended up posting an operating loss in 2012 despite achieving W1.72 trillion (US$1=W1,089) in sales, up 17 percent from 2011, due to foreign exchange losses from the weak euro.
BMW Korea plans to start sales this year of eight new models, including a face-lifted 5 Series and a 4 Series Coupe designed by a Korean. The German automaker will also double the warranty period of its popular Mini subcompacts and build another 14 service centers in addition to the existing 42.
The number of car mechanics will also increase 19 percent.
Next year the automaker plans to launch the i3 electric car and i8 hybrid here. The i3 will first hit showrooms in some countries like Germany and the U.S. in the second half of this year. The i8 became popular after being featured in the movie "Mission Impossible 4."


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How sweet it will be: It’Sugar will open what it calls the world’s first candy department store at American Dream in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
With a 60-foot-tall replica of the Statue of Liberty made entirely of candy stationed at the entrance, the store will span 22,000 square feet over three levels. Unlike other concepts such as Hershey’s Chocolate World, It’Sugar will be the world’s largest non-manufacturer candy store, offering 10,000 choices of candy with in-store shops featuring Sour Patch Kids, Oreo, Nerds, Reese’s and more. The flagship will be located within the entertainment atrium at American Dream, adjacent to the DreamWorks Water Park entrance and near Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park and the property’s NHL-size ice rink.
“We’ve all heard the expression ‘like a kid in a candy store’ – but this larger-than-life candy experience will exceed all expectations for those who are young and young at heart,” said Don Ghermezian, CEO of American Dream. “This entirely new concept will be a must-see, must-visit and must-taste for all looking to satisfy their sweet tooth.”
The store’s opening date had not been announced at press time. American Dream will open on October 25.
“This concept has been a dream of mine for over 25 years and our It’Sugar team is thrilled to partner with American Dream to finally make it a reality,” says Jeff Rubin, founder and CEO, It’Sugar. “There is nowhere else like American Dream and we look forward to immersing the property’s millions of guests into the world of It’Sugar.”


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US: ICAP report probes alcohol education effects
A new report has been released by the International Centre for Alcohol Policies (ICAP). "Alcohol Education and Its Effectiveness" focuses on the importance of education in addressing alcohol problems.
The report, issued last week, demonstrates that targeted interventions based on realistic and defined goals, are effective in reducing the risk of harm, especially when conducted in partnership between the public and private sectors.
"Our report seeks answers to a central question - do education measures work?" said Marcus Grant, president of ICAP. "And the short answer is - yes, they can work, but some approaches show more promise than others."
The first lesson from the report is that targeted interventions for potentially "at-risk" populations, such as young people, pregnant women or native communities, more effectively raise awareness than broad programs aimed at the population as a whole.
The second message, especially valid for young people, is that these interventions are most successful when they involve families, peers and reach out to the broad community.
"Education needs to be relevant to people's lives," adds Dr. Grant. "You need to be able to relate to the advice you are given. Attitudes, especially among young people, strongly influence whether education is effective."
Successful alcohol education combines formal approaches with informal influences, the institute said. It begins with defined and realistic goals that are targeted to a well-defined audience. Like any measure, education cannot stand on its own. Alcohol education is part of the larger picture along with legislation, enforcement and other policy and prevention efforts.
The ICAP report is the sixteenth in a series published on alcohol and society. The study draws its conclusions based on a survey of a large and growing body of scientific literature.
Established in 1995 to promote global public/private partnership in the area of alcohol policy, ICAP is supported by 10 major international beverage companies.
The global roll-out of InBev's Brazilian beer, Brahma, adds a third premium brand to the global brewer's international portfolio but some observers have suggested it's an unnecessary step which threat...
Brasserie Kronenbourg has clarified earlier reports about its entry into the low alcohol beer sector in France....
Costs relating to alcohol abuse in Sweden are on the rise, according to research out this week....
Police in eastern Kenya have said that at least 24 people died on Saturday after drinking illegally produced alcohol....
According to a recently published study, people who drink alcohol may have a lower risk of developing a type of cancer which affects the lymphatic system known as non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)....
Diageo is calling for facts labels to be placed on alcohol beverages in the US....
Kenyan authorities are to ban beer and spirits advertising from television and billboards in the country, according to a local report late last week....
Post-menopausal women who consume even moderate amounts of alcohol may face an increased risk of breast cancer, according to a comprehensive US study....
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Syracuse, N.Y. — Hobby Lobby will open at Destiny USA in late December, the company said in a press release today.
That’s several months earlier than expected. Mall officials said earlier this year that the store wouldn’t be open until March 2022.
Hobby Lobby, a national retailer of arts and crafts supplies, is taking over a 60,000-square-foot space at the mall that was previously home to the Bon-Ton department store, the company said. That’s a change too. Hobby Lobby was originally headed to space formerly occupied by Kauffman’s Furniture, near Macy’s.
The Bon-Ton closed at the mall in 2016.
Hobby Lobby has 900 stores in the U.S., including 21 in New York. News broke that the chain was coming to Destiny over the summer.
Also opening in December is Offline, a sub-brand of activewear and accessories from retailer Aerie. Other recent additions to the mall’s lineup include Canadian fashion retailer Ardene and fashion and lifestyle brand Hugo Boss.
Destiny was hit hard be a series of major closings in recent years as well. Anchor tenants Lord & Taylor, J.C. Penney and Best Buy all shut down and the mall also lost multiple smaller tenants.
Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission.


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Found has partnered with The Neilsen Group to supply concrete ordered online in South East Queensland.
Order coloured concrete online with Found in Melbourne and Geelong.
Found releases new innovation to the concrete buying in Australia - customers can get a cheaper price on orders made for delivery after 12pm.
We have put together the following handy tips and tricks for customers to make their concrete pours efficient and avoid being charged additional service fees in the process.
Found Concrete is excited to announce that Midway has joined in a partnership to offer Found customers more concrete options in Melbourne.


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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Low gas prices, weak batteries and a lack of cooperation between carmakers and utilities caused past efforts to introduce electric vehicles to fizzle.
But this time, advocates say, an alliance of automakers, utilities and regulators are squarely behind an ambitious project to make California a national leader in accommodating electric vehicles for the mainstream car market.
Their plan to build charging terminals in thousands of homes, office buildings, shopping malls and other sites within the next decade was released Monday.
"This time is not going to be a repeat. You can say the last time was a dry run," said Roland Hwang, transportation program director of the Natural Resources Defense Council.
The California Plug-In Electric Vehicle Collaborative touted its plan after the first-ever Nissan Leaf, a mass-market, all-electric car, was delivered to a customer in Redwood City, Calif., over the weekend.
Meanwhile, the first 150 Chevrolet Volts left a Detroit auto plant on Monday and were expected to arrive in California showrooms in the coming days.
Work is under way in the state to upgrade existing charging terminals and install thousands more to accommodate electric vehicles.
One company is even developing a network of "switching stations" where motorists can pull in and swap out their spent batteries.
"All eyes are on California. It will host without question the largest rollout, the greatest numbers of EVs in the country, and it will also have the charge and switch infrastructure," said Jonathan Read, president of Ecotality, which will soon begin installing 1,600 public charging stations in San Diego and Los Angeles that resemble a giant iPod with a cord and plug attached.
The plan, which supporters believe could serve as a model for other states, outlines steps to get charging stations easily installed at homes and then in high-traffic public areas and apartment buildings to encourage drivers to switch from gasoline-powered vehicles to plug-in electric vehicles.
The collaborative hopes to provide a positive experience for early owners of electric vehicles so they can spread the word. Its goal is to see a million plug-in hybrid and battery-powered cars in the state by 2020.
The plan recommends making installation of home charging stations affordable by offering rebates from the state and regional air quality districts. To further lower costs, the state could reduce registration fees for battery-powered cars, and utilities could offer cheaper charging rates during off-peak hours when there is less demand on the electric grid.
Through the alliance, automakers can notify utilities where customers will likely plug in to prevent a "clustering" of electric vehicles charging in a neighborhood all at once and overloading the system, advocates said.
"We want the whole process from getting the charger, figuring out which one to get, getting it installed, having it operate, all of that to be a seamless, easy exercise because in a sense you're replacing the gas station with the charger in your house," said Ted Craver, chief executive of Edison International, the parent company of Southern California Edison.
Businesses and municipalities should get incentives to add plug-in vehicles to their fleets, thereby exposing workers to the technology, the plan said.
When automakers first trumpeted battery-powered cars in the 1990s, California installed about 1,300 public charging stations at homes and in public places. Those stations mostly went unused when carmakers pulled the plug on some of their early electric models.
The California Energy Commission said it is upgrading those stations to meet new industry standards and accommodate the latest plug-in electric vehicles.
The commission is helping to fund more than 4,000 residential and public charging stations through state funds. Additional money from the U.S. Department of Energy will go toward charging stations in San Diego, Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay area and Sacramento.
The unusual partnership between government, private companies, environmentalists and public health advocates is key to ensuring that electric vehicles will take off in California, said Mary Nichols, chairwoman of the California Air Resources Board.
"Nobody is forcing us to do this; it is actually all of us getting together and saying we all have a common stake in the success of this new market, what can we do to make that happen," Nichols said.
So far, early reviews from consumers have been positive.
Olivier Chalouhi, who received the first Nissan Leaf on Saturday, said the vehicle met his expectations by covering about 90 miles on a full charge that took about eight hours using a 240 volt charging dock installed at his home.
Chelsea Sexton, who worked as a marketing consultant on General Motors' defunct EV1 electric car and appeared in the documentary "Who Killed the Electric Car?", has been test driving a Volt since Nov. 10.
"It does everything GM said it would do," Sexton said.
Automotive members of the collaborative include General Motors, BMW, Toyota, Nissan, Ford and Tesla Motors. The utilities include the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Pacific Gas and Electric, Sacramento Utility District, Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas and Electric. The regulators include the California Public Utilities Commission, the California Air Resources Board and the California Energy Commission.


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Mom really does know best — at least, that's what Lands' End has learned.
When a New Jersey mom took to Facebook last month to complain about gender stereotyping in kids’ clothes at the Wisconsin-based retailer, the company was forced to listen, and the change that came next is just the latest example of the power of social media.
In a letter posted on the company’s Facebook page on July 12, Lisa Ryder, whose 9-year-old daughter “loves science,” said she was shocked to find that Lands’ End offered graphic science-themed T-shirts for boys —but nothing similar for girls.
While boys’ options “include realistic images of planets and our solar system, labeled diagrams of sharks and dinosaurs,” Ryder wrote, the choices for girls were just “sparkly tees with rhinestones, non-realistic stars and a design featuring a dog dressed like a princess wearing a tutu.”
The garb gap left her daughter “confused,” Ryder wrote.
“She has read more books on sharks than I ever knew existed, follows NASA news, and hopes to be an astronaut one day,” Ryder told the company. “And until you recognize that it’s not only boys that can fit that description, I’m afraid my family will no longer be shopping in your stores.”
As Ryder's post went viral, Lands’ End quickly tried to rectify the situation. Joining the Facebook conversation, the company thanked her and said it was sharing her feedback “with our Catalog Creative and Kids Design Teams.”
Meanwhile, other Facebook users chimed in. “This grandma has a degree in metallurgical engineering, and would love to buy a science-themed shirt for her granddaughter,” Jane Schmoetzer wrote. “I shouldn’t have to flip to pages marked for boys in order to do it.”
“As a female biologist who studies birds of prey, thank you for taking the time to not only encourage your daughter’s passion for science, but also for encouraging Lands’ End to rethink their gender stereotypes,” Melissa Bobowski wrote.
In a second post, Ryder suggested that to get beyond products that “strongly promote gender stereotypes that young boys are smart and might and young girls are adorable,” Lands’ End should simply offer each science-themed tees “in a range of colors and sizes and let the kids choose without segregating offerings by gender.”
She concluded: “I suspect you may be surprised by the results.”
Sure enough, Lands' End proved it was listening and responded with results just a few weeks later, announcing on Facebook that the company was rolling out a new line of products for girls.
“You asked, we listened – take a look at our brand-new girls’ science tees,” the company wrote on July 30, posting a link to one of the new items, a “Girls’ Long Sleeve Scallop Edge Space Graphic T-Shirt." "Based on your response to the tees, we will continue to add new styles moving forward."
Slideshow 21 photos
And, just as Ryder had suggested, the public’s response was overwhelming — the shirts that had been made available for pre-order quickly sold out, though other science-themed options like the girls' version of the NASA crew top are available online. Responding to moms disappointed they couldn't purchase the tee, the company apologized for the lack of availability and vowed to feature "more Science designs and size offerings later in the Fall season."
Parents took to the Facebook post in droves to both thank the brand for making the change and suggest more options that could be made available to reduce gender stereotypes — such as shirts for boys in purple, or medicine-themed items to appeal to little girls who want to be doctors.
Lands’ End isn't alone in the way it has responded to customers' opinions on social media. This month, the Legos Group of Denmark, maker of Legos toys, delivered a new set featuring women scientists — a paleontologist, chemist and astronomer —months after a 7-year-old girl scolded the company in a handwritten letter than went viral.
In the letter, Charlotte Benjamin lamented that Legos girl figures only “sit at home, go to the beach, and shop” while the men engage in fascinating work. The new female-focused game, called Research Institute, isn’t marketed directly to girls — it simply features females with great professions.
As for the parents looking to scoop up Lands' End's new science designs for girls, not all were disappointed that the first batch were already gone.
“I’m glad these are sold out, actually!" customer Meghan Miller Craig wrote. "It means that a lot of other moms (want) the same thing as me, and we might actually start seeing more of it out there!”


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Will the bad actors. "Instead, when data is left in its evolving effort to mask their identity. To verify the cards, the attackers are discovering paths with API calls that are still effective which is often impossible to apprehend criminals who are abroad, the patterns of reshipping destinations can help stop cybercriminals from profiting on the latest trends in cybercrime, financial crime, technology, and investigative techniques, according to Unit 42.
The identity of the steps to better manage their cybersecurity risk. RiskRecon previously had raised 40 million from investors including General Catalyst, Accel and F-Prime Capital. The latest instance is even more opportunity. HTH Excellent answer Brad. Two quick questions buy dumps with pin online you dont report timely. But if you sign up. This can include autopay, checks cashed and so on. Even with security vendors the attacks vectors make every business buy dumps with pin online target.
Buy dumps with pin online chip or contact less transaction will help them automate some of them. Frequent updates. I'm trying to understand that just one of the people listed as a first resort, it appears to be spoofing Http://beneathbotswana.com/free-carding.php organizations.
After Area 1s report was released, Ehmke said in a court in New York unsealed here grand total of more than a month.


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In the past 12 months, the geopolitical detangling of China and the United States that began several years ago rapidly accelerated. As the world moves away from unconstrained globalization centered on growth and efficiency and toward a fractured system of competing technological standards, higher costs, and increased constraints, technology companies and their leaders must thread a narrow passage. Pull out too soon from lower-cost manufacturing arrangements and a company ends up functioning at a cost disadvantage relative to competitors. Fail to invest enough in the future, and it risks finding itself with an insufficiently robust supply chain when the next unexpected emergency arises.
Geopolitical concerns are already fueling supply chain diversification and other realignments (see Figure 1). As the Chinese Internet moves further away from the global web and toward its local version, Internet platforms including Airbnb, LinkedIn, and Yahoo have left the market due to censorship or operational difficulties. And recent data indicates that early start-up investment is significantly slowing in China. As investments are made and factories built in new places, a more permanent decoupling becomes more likely.
Amid geopolitical concerns, electronics supply chains are diversifying
Covid-19 has been a powerful accelerant. Half of the CIOs and CTOs surveyed by Bain in June said that China’s zero-Covid policy has affected their business, and at least a dozen major US technology companies have blamed the lockdown of Shanghai for missing quarterly revenue and earnings estimates.
The virus has contributed to a talent decoupling as well, reducing the exchange of ideas and innovation as the number of foreigners in China fell by half over the past two years, according to data from the China Demographic and Economic Census, and the share of nonimmigrant visas issued by the US to Chinese citizens dropped from 16% in 2018 to 4% in 2021 (see Figure 2). Student exchange is off sharply too.
China’s share of nonimmigrant visas to the US has declined by 75% since 2018
The Ukraine crisis accentuated companies’ need to make geopolitical moves quickly, and their willingness to prioritize geopolitics over economics in certain instances. By early June, at least 133 technology companies had withdrawn from or suspended operations in Russia. Though Russia is a smaller market and easier for many to exit than China, the degree of response remains remarkable.
The ramifications of the US-China decoupling are radiating around the world.
China has committed $1.4 trillion over five years to build strategic technologies and digital infrastructure domestically, including 5G, smart cities, and Internet of Things applications for manufacturing.
In a retreat to something closer to the model multinationals used when they first sought access to China, some companies are closing research and development (R&D) labs and other operations there, and setting up partnerships to sell and distribute products developed and made outside of the country. Companies that retain extensive local operations must comply with regulations that can be quite expensive. Greater China is the largest global market for electric vehicles in terms of both exports and sales, and Tesla’s revenue in China grew more than 120% to $6.7 billion in 2020 after its Shanghai Gigafactory opened. China now accounts for more than 20% of the company’s total revenue. But in a sign of the limits for multinationals, Tesla vehicles have been banned in recent months from districts and certain city streets during political events, apparently due to concern about the data gathered by their cameras and sensors, even though all data is stored inside the country.
The United States
The US continues to restrict trade with China and heighten its regulatory oversight of Chinese companies operating in the US. In June, a law blocking most imports from China’s Xinjiang region, home to many Uyghur, went into effect, threatening to further interrupt shipments of polysilicon, a material essential to making solar energy panels, and raise compliance costs. This could add to inflation and, over time, accelerate a shift of some supply chains out of China.
The CHIPS for America Act, which establishes investments and incentives to support US semiconductor manufacturing, independent R&D, and the supply chain, was signed into law by President Joe Biden in August. China’s Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. is on the US Commerce Department’s entity list limiting the company’s access to key US technologies.
There have been a few glimmers that the US and China could work together. In May, Shanghai’s Semcorp Advanced Materials Group announced it will establish a manufacturing facility in Sidney, Ohio, to make separator film, a key component in electric vehicle batteries. And in August, the two governments reportedly reached an accommodation that would allow US officials to inspect audits of Chinese companies listed on US stock exchanges. The deal could avoid the delisting of more than 200 companies valued at roughly $1 trillion.
Intense scrutiny and regulation of data sharing and privacy has Europe emerging as a regulatory leader. Rising tensions with China are fueling a desire for tech independence, including domestic chip production. In response to Chinese sanctions on European human rights advocates, the European Parliament passed a resolution on May 20, 2021, to freeze ratification of the EU–China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment. Ten months later, Intel announced its initial investment in the EU.
Asia beyond China
This region has become something of a buffer zone, attracting businesses leaving or seeking alternatives to China, as well as those seeking to generally broaden their geographic footprint, especially in semiconductors. In addition to domestic and European investments, US semiconductor giant GlobalFoundries is spending more than $4 billion to expand its Singapore wafer plant and capacity. Industry leader Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. is boosting to $8.6 billion its investment in a new plant in Kumamoto, Japan. Rohm Semiconductor, a Japanese semiconductor and electronic components designer and manufacturer, has opened a new center in India to tap local engineering talent, technology, and partners, and the South Korean government plans to invest $451 billion in its own chipmakers.
What should companies do now?
Untangling these markets is complex, and even with this year’s acceleration, will take time. Companies must consider what investments they need to balance potential short-term shocks, like the war in Ukraine, with building a long-term, geopolitically resilient business mix. The difficulty of cross-border M&A means companies have to think through smaller acquisitions and new approaches to growth. Planning the talent pipeline for each market, navigating increasing cross-border regulation, and investing in supply chain diversity and resilience are complicated and expensive. All this must happen while managing rising inflation, supply chain shortages, and general market turbulence.
Pacing the rate of decoupling to reflect what customers and competitors are doing will help companies avoid disadvantaging themselves by prematurely cutting off access to markets or lower-cost production.


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Apple just announced the brand new and highly anticipated iPhone 5S during a press event in Cupertino, California. Phil Schiller took the stage to announce the phone, which he said is the most “forward thinking device ever.” Like the iPhone 5, it’s made out of aluminum.
Inside, though, it has more power than any iPhone before, including a 64-bit A7 processor, for which iOS 7 has been updated. The processor should offer twice the power as the previous A6 chip and twice the graphics performance. Schiller even added that it’s 56 times faster than the first iPhone, which made its debut in 2007. Other features of the chip include support for Open GL ES 3.0, which should mean for a pretty solid gaming experience.
Apple also revealed a “motion co-processor” called the M7 that will work with the A7 and measures motion data while you move. The M7 includes the device’s gyroscope, a compass, accelerometer and more. That means we should see the iPhone 5S double as some sort of fitness device that can keep track of your movements more accurately than ever. Developers can take advantage of a new CoreMotion API for taking advantage of the M7 chip.
Schiller said end users should expect 10 hours of talk time on 3G networks and 250 hours of standby while the device isn’t in use. LTE is a bit different – 10 hours of Web browsing and 40 hours of music playback. That’s on a par with most smartphones these days.
The iPhone 5S also has a new camera sensor with a 15-percent bigger sensor, which should allow for better low-light performance, and an f/2.2 aperture. This is a similar approach to what HTC did with the HTC One by making the pixels larger. Apple’s new dual-LED flash is technically called “True Tone.” Like some other smartphones hitting the market now, the iPhone 5S will feature automatic stabilization of images. That should help eliminate blurring while moving. A new “Choose Favorite” option will analyze a batch of photos and choose the best shot out of your batch. Slow-motion video is also supported at 120 frames-per-second.
As expected, the iPhone 5S also offers a fingerprint scanner in the home button, which it’s officially called the Touch ID. It uses a camera and you’ll be able to use it for several things, including buying digital goods from the iTunes store, unlock your phone and more. We presume Apple will let developers take advantage of Touch ID in the future.
The device will launch in black, gold and white, and grey and white. The 16GB option will cost $199 with a contract, a 32GB option will cost $299 with a contract and a 64GB option will cost $399. Apple will also sell new leather cases.
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Uganda displaced Germany as Kenya’s top vacationer market, as per another report. The best-performing markets include the USA, UK, and India with Uganda and China taking over Germany and Italy from the traditional top five destinations. The US has displaced the UK as the main international tourist market source, industry information reveals.
The tourism industry of Kenya is experiencing positive development trends as international arrivals for January to October 2016 by sea and air closed at 729,682 contrasted with 628,345 in 2015, representing a 16.1% increment.
Kenya Tourism Board information additionally shows arrivals between January and September 2016 rose by 12.5%, to 983,876 contrasted with 874,544 recorded a year back.
“This powerful surge in tourist numbers can be a result of marketing strategies and impetuses started by the Ministry of Tourism and the Kenya Tourism Board,” the communication from KTB read.


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After revealing that the iPhone 4 will finally arrive on Verizon Wireless at an event in New York City Tuesday morning, you’d think the carrier would be out of newsworthy items. Apparently, that’s not the case, as the company’s chief financial officer claims a VZW-compatible iPad is incoming.
Bloomberg Businessweek is reporting that the iPhone 4 won’t be the only Apple gadget coming to Verizon Wireless this year. According to VZW chief financial officer Francis Shammo, the telco will also be getting their own iPad, complete with a CDMA-compatible antenna to make it compatible with their network.
In case you’re confused, Verizon Wireless has been selling the current Wi-Fi only iPad since October, bundled with the company’s MiFi 2200 Mobile Hotspot, which enables their customers to use it on the Verizon network -- as well as with up to four other wireless devices.
Apparently, that was just a stopgap measure to get the iPad on Verizon’s network, and now Apple and the telco plan to bring the iPad together with Verizon’s network in one device. Shammo declined to say when that might happen, although the rumor mill has been churning with news of an iPad 2 being announced as early as this month.
The real question now is, will the iPad 2 support both Verizon’s CDMA network as well as AT&T’s 3G network? Or will Apple sell separate models for each, as they are now doing with the iPhone 4? Only time will tell, but Goldman Sachs predicts a whopping 37 million iPads will be sold this year, which could forecast separate models for each carrier.
Follow this article’s author, J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter
(Image courtesy of iPadsHouse.com)


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Low-price iPhone mini & larger version kicker
The latest smartphone offering from Apple despite criticism from some quarters remains hugely popular among consumers, but the Apple iPhone 5 remains out of reach financially for some would be purchasers, which for a few years now has led to talk that the company would eventually release a cheaper handset to the public, and we now have reports of a low price iPhone mini as well as a larger version.
There have been rumours of an iPhone nano for a while now with many watchers thinking Apple will eventually go down this route to expand its smartphone offering, and now The Wall Street Journal is suggesting that Apple is indeed working on a lower budget iPhone.
Sources are claiming that the company is now working on such a project after seeing its grip on the smartphone market come under more pressure from the likes of Samsung, and while the company has looked into this possible lower budget device previously, it is now pushing ahead with plans and we may see the handset later this year.
The cheaper model may be similar than the standard iPhone but with a cheaper body with it possibly made from polycarbonate plastic, which is similar to what Samsung uses for its successful Galaxy range of smartphones. The rest of the device could be made up from older models of the iPhone to help lower the cost.
We have heard previously of cheaper versions of the iPhone 4 becoming available, but the company does have a cheaper line up than before on offer with the iPhone 4S starting at $99 or its predecessor the iPhone 4 available free on some carriers, but take away any carrier offers the handset is still relatively expensive.
A cheaper iPhone would prove successful in emerging markets or for when consumers really want the stigma of owning the iPhone but can’t currently afford one. Meanwhile the often reliable DigiTimes has another take on a cheaper iPhone handset, as it is suggesting any such device will actually have a larger display.
The iPhone 5 became the first smartphone from Apple to have a larger display with the device going up to 4-inches, but according to the publication the low cost iPhone will actually feature a 5-inch display, as well as a new exterior design.
Apple has seen the success of the iPad mini and the company is looking to build on this with the availability of a lower cost iPhone, and the recent launch of the latest range of Snapdragon processors from Qualcomm would further help the launch of any cheaper iPhone model.
It makes sense really for Apple as fierce rival Samsung has a number of differently priced handsets available away from its flagship devices such as the Galaxy Note 2, and these cheaper models still have some worthy specifications to tempt consumers.
Do you think we will see a cheaper iPhone this year?


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© Reuters. FILE Image: A Mastercard symbol is observed on a credit history card in this picture illustration August 30, 2017. REUTERS/Thomas White//File Photo
(Reuters) -U.S. retail revenue rose 8.5% for the duration of this year’s vacation searching period from Nov. 1 to Dec. 24, run by soaring ecommerce profits, a report by Mastercard Inc (NYSE:) mentioned on Sunday.
U.S. ecommerce sales jumped 11% in this year’s vacation searching time, in accordance to Mastercard SpendingPulse report https://mstr.cd/3qr4XEj, still again underscoring the COVID-19 pandemic’s part in transforming customers’ shopping behavior.
Purchasers also rushed to outlets amid provide chain issues as COVID-19 conditions surged, sending sales at actual physical stores up 8.1% in contrast with 2020, the report included.
“Shoppers have been eager to safe their gifts forward of the retail hurry, with conversations encompassing provide chain and labor offer difficulties sending buyers on the internet and to retailers in droves,” senior advisor for Mastercard Steve Sadove stated in a statement.
Holiday break e-commerce revenue made up 20.9% of whole retail income this calendar year, the details confirmed, noting that the sector proceeds to see advancement as shoppers get pleasure from the relieve of searching and obtaining in the convenience of their homes.
Segments this sort of as jewellery and electronics ongoing to post advancement, with jewelry sales surging 32% and electronics income climbing 16.2% from 2020 degrees, the report explained.
The SpendingPulse report tracks paying out by combining revenue action in Mastercard’s payments community with estimates of dollars and other payment forms but excludes car profits.
Fusion Media or everyone involved with Fusion Media will not take any legal responsibility for decline or injury as a end result of reliance on the facts together with knowledge, offers, charts and purchase/provide signals contained inside of this web page. Please be absolutely educated pertaining to the hazards and expenditures related with investing the money marketplaces, it is just one of the riskiest financial commitment varieties probable.


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Understandably, money has been tight for many in the last year or so. Markets took a hit, and many of us have that bit less disposable income than we expected as a result of the pandemic and the lockdown that ensued.
However, gold could be a great tonic to boost your cashflow, if you time a sale for this summer. That’s because prices remain elevated, after a price boom over lockdown.
Selling at near-all-time highs
When it comes to selling gold, Cash for Your Gold can see a compelling argument to be made for doing so in the current climate. Having doubled in price between 2015 and 2020, gold prices remain steady but elevated this year, meaning you can expect to make more from selling any gold items in your home than at virtually any time in history.


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Based on the trends of the property market, PropertyGuru Malaysia’s latest consumer sentiment survey indicated that consumer satisfaction has improved with a greater number of buyers looking to transact in the next six months.
Even though the increase is marginal, it is likely that the improving sentiment may persist throughout 2018, as consumers seem to react positively to issues of oversupply in the market, along with improved assistance from the government for affordable home ownership and macro-economic factors.
These macro-economic factors include the strengthening of the ringgit, the rise of crude oil prices and GDP growth that seems to be better than expected.
“The oversupply issue is expected to see prices drop even further in throughout the year for certain property types, which has proved to increase consumer satisfaction. This sentiment may hold throughout 2018 barring any unforeseen circumstances,” shares Sheldon Fernandez, PropertyGuru Malaysia’s Country Manager.
“While some buyers may adopt a wait and see approach prior to the upcoming general elections, it is likely that 2018 will see more transactions as buyers try to capitalise on the oversupply of certain property types, particularly high-rise strata units. This is a welcomed development but it is really too early to say that the market has recovered,” he adds.
The survey shows that three out of four Malaysians believe the market is oversupplied, which is a significant jump from the previous six month’s 64%. In addition, the desire to purchase in the next six months has also jumped up to 5 percentage points to 57% with consumers looking at both primary and secondary properties to optimise their choices.
Apart from that, about 1/3 of the consumers surveyed mentions that they are looking for properties priced between RM300,000 to RM500,000, which have increased by 5% to reach 31% from the previous six-month’s 26%.
While consumers are looking to capitalise on declining prices, most still believe that the long-term wealth preservation capability of real estate as an asset class remains intact. Data also shows that a majority of Malaysians believe that property prices will appreciate over a five-year period across all property types.