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Justt closes a record number of new customers as incidents of fraud sweep the eCommerce market.
According to Juniper Research, it’s expected that e-commerce merchants will lose up to $48 billion in fraud in 2023. A large portion of that will come from what’s known as “friendly fraud,” where a customer will make a purchase, and then initiate a chargeback claim with their credit card company. This creates a costly and time-consuming issue for the retailer, who then has to dispute the claim. Enter Justt. Their revolutionary new technology handles chargebacks using proprietary machine learning, strong methodological know-how, and advanced personalization to continuously protect retailers throughout the process. The company has become increasingly popular amongst retailers who see firsthand the benefits of employing an AI chargeback mitigation solution, and has recently closed a record number of new customers.
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Dataloop extends its ML training platform to gaming with the launch of Audio Studio to protect female players from harassment.
Dataloop AI has recently introduced its breakthrough technology, Audio Studio, which has the capacity to monitor online exchanges and filter out any potentially inappropriate or unsafe dialogue. This is especially relevant in the gaming world, where users are able to communicate via audio while playing. The technology works by “translating” the audio into data, which the AI software can then understand and process. The technology is capable of distinguishing the different voices in the audio, and “speaks'' multiple languages. If a phrase or word is flagged as potentially harmful, the technology filters it out automatically. This new solution can protect all gamers, but is even more meaningful to female gamers, who constantly face verbal gender bias and sexism while playing.
Wild Moose comes out of stealth mode at Y Combinator with a new platform to streamline code debugging with generative AI.
Meet Wild Moose, an intuitive conversational AI experience which can solve production incidents in minutes. This technology was specially created to retrieve architecture information tailored for debugging production issues. Wild Moose’s special-purpose large language models (LLMs) can efficiently ingest the massive real-time contextual data about any incident, and any answers uncovered are then automatically validated for accuracy. Rather than delegate these tasks to live people, their AI solution works round the clock and at tremendous speed to search through logs, changes, and metrics, and creates easy to use code that is bound to solve the issue faster than an engineer. This not only increases productivity for solving the issues at hand, but it also allows software engineers to focus on building new products, and creates an accessible solution against any recurring issues which promotes stability within your technology.


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Ulefone has now joined in with the World Cup 2018 celebrations through a selection of offers and promotions on some of its products. For example, Ulefone is hosting a contest where one lucky person will win a Ulefone Power 5 smartphone for free. This is one of the newest phones to come from Ulefone and one which places its focus on battery life due to the inclusion of a 13,000 mAh capacity battery. Making it a smartphone packed with a battery that is three to fours times greater in capacity than most modern flagship smartphones. For those who want to be in with a chance of winning a Ulefone Power 5, they will need to head over to the official Ulefone website and log in. Once done they can enter the contest by stating who their favorite team is along with providing Ulefone with an email address – before July 15.
In addition, Ulefone is also offering those interested the chance to get a coupon which can be then used against the purchase of a Ulefone X. This is another new smartphone from Ulefone and one which not only offers an all-screen design, but also wireless charging. The Ulefone X is now available to pre-order (and already is seeing a discount for those who do pre-order). However, for a chance to bring that price down even more, those interested simply need to submit an email address.
Continuing with the World Cup savings theme, Ulefone has confirmed it's also running various promotions on its social media channels, including Facebook and VK. It is worth noting that not all of the promotions are for savings, as Ulefone is also offering the chance to win a free gift, such as a wireless charger. Speaking of which, anyone who does make a Ulefone product purchase during the World Cup will also be entered into a contest for the chance to win a mystery prize. Last, but not least, the likes of the Ulefone X, Power 5, and the durable Armor X are also part of another promotion where they can be purchased for just $1. For more information on all of the current Ulefone World Cup-related promotions, head through the link below.

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Studies have been conducted that show a relationship between Delta-8 vaping and lung injury. The study showed that people who had vaped cannabinoids and some developed respiratory problems. Illicit THC delta-8 vaping carts could be preparing the United States for another pulmonary crisis due to VAPI. The PCC states that delta-8-THC can cause harmful reactions if more than one “dose” is taken.
Some of those reactions, Scharman says, can affect mental functioning, breathing and the heart. It can also be dangerous if a child takes a single dose. As during the vaping crisis, consumers in the illicit market are advising each other on the Internet about which vaping carts to buy and which ones have caused their lungs to hurt. You can smoke Delta-8 marijuana in addition to all THC Delta 8 and CBD products; however, Delta-8 THC and CBD should not be combined with any inhalation device, including Delta-8 vaporizers, Delta-8 tablets, or any vaporizer.
That's why it's not recommended to vape this cannabinoid, especially if you've never experienced vaping before. They focused on certain cannabinoid acetates, such as Delta 8 THC acetate, which is not regulated by the FDA and is believed to make the effect of vaping more potent.


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If you’re in the legal marijuana business and you’re looking to use social media as an outlet to educate your audience, you might want to think again. Want to post something to Facebook marijuana-related? You might be out of luck. Earlier this year, the social media giant began a huge suppression on most companies who were using the site to promote their cannabis-related business.
Take, for instance, Denver-based company Dixie Elixirs, who has long been a big player in Colorado’s medical and recreational marijuana product production. Earlier this year, in February, the Facebook page created for Dixie Elixirs mysteriously disappeared…along with its 11,000 followers. Apparently, the Facebook marijuana policy had taken a big turn with the social media giant explaining that Dixie Elixirs’ page was in direct violation with Facebook standards.
Apparently, Facebook removes “any promotion or encouragement of drug use” (even in states that have medical marijuana laws), according to a notification given to Dixie Elixirs regarding their page being taken down. And they’re not the only ones experiencing this highly controversial backlash.
Facebook Marijuana Censorship Is Directly Affecting Several Cannabis-Based Companies
Facebook has a bit of a confusing and complicated stance when it comes to cannabis. They say they don’t want to “promote drug use” and have taken action to remove any pictures or posts related to people smoking pot. However, they’ve allowed some companies to promote their cannabis-related content. Apparently, though, even their mind has changed about this, and they now control what they deem fit as far as any cannabis journalism content is concerned.
Countless companies have been affected by Facebook marijuana censorship…which is a shame with social media being essential to the exposure and growth of marijuana-based businesses. Many of these companies (which are operating completely legally in marijuana-friendly states) were on Facebook for years. And when their pages were suddenly taken down, they weren’t given any warning at all.
This happened to Incredibles, a Denver edibles company that’s been doing business (and maintaining a Facebook page) for years. And although they’re not doing anything illegal, their Facebook and Instagram accounts were shut down with a message that said they were violating policy. Despite many attempts to contact the company, the CEO of Incredibles, Rick Scarpello, hasn’t received an answer to exactly what the violation is.
Apparently, you don’t even have to sell marijuana products for your social media accounts to be taken down. Center Mass Media is a cannabis marketing company that’s experienced the brunt of social media shutdown as well. The company has had several different Instagram accounts removed, which is actually something that has seriously impacted their business.
Social media is something most businesses turn toward for advertisement and awareness. It can literally make or break a business, and companies rely on it to build followers and gain recognition. It’s also been a huge tool in marijuana legalization efforts and is the main source of information on marijuana law, policy, studies, medical information, movements, and more.
What Are the Reasons Behind Facebook Marijuana Censorship?
So what gives? Why is Facebook marijuana censorship causing such a stir…and why can’t the company make up its mind about what direction to take with the countless companies who rely on social media to make a change? There are several rumors as to why social media giants are shutting down pages that pertain to pot use.
Some say companies within the cannabis industry are flagging their competitors’ content and posts in an attempt to get them shut down. Businesses don’t always play fair, and the fierce competition between cannabis companies is a perfect example.
Others say that Facebook is frightened to receive racketeering charges from the federal government. This is a reason most banks won’t even come close to touching marijuana money and might be a viable reason Facebook marijuana content is taken down in droves.
The Crackdown on Facebook Marijuana Content Creates New Social Media Platforms…But Is This Enough to Allow Companies to Reach Their Targeted Market?
The Facebook marijuana content crackdown, however, has spawned a new image for the online social media presence of cannabis-related businesses. In 2013, MassRoots hit the social media scene. This Facebook-like platform lets companies and individual users create profiles, share information, learn about trending news, advertise, and promote pot-specific content.
Duby is another pro-pot platform that works just like Instagram…only it encourages pictures of cannabis-related content. It works by encouraging users to post images that are implied as “dubys” without their pictures being taken down.
Social High is yet another social media startup hoping to create a platform that offers what the Facebook marijuana policy takes away. Although launched in 2015, Social High has already amassed a number of followers in 50 different states and 65 countries. This platform is one where users can talk about different strains of cannabis without criticism from others…or fear of getting their accounts shut down completely.
While these attempts are not without warrant (and are a giant step forward in the marijuana social media scene), it’s the big players like Facebook and Instagram that companies rely on to get their messages to the masses. The people using cannabis-specific sites are the ones who already know about marijuana use. And while there’s always more to learn, it’s reaching those who aren’t educated about marijuana that is crucial to building business.
Those who stand behind the legalization of marijuana and the companies running legal businesses that pertain to marijuana use believe the time has come for the big-name social media companies to begin taking marijuana legalization (and the businesses behind it) more seriously. It’s no secret that the legal marijuana business is big business indeed. It’s a multi-billion-dollar industry with businesses that are helping local and statewide economies boom, and one that many believe should be backed by the social media platforms the majority of people are using.
And as far as the companies that have already been shut down…many refuse to give up in the face of adversity. Unfortunately, their attempts are often met with a blind eye. Dispensaries are often hardest hit, and many have had their accounts taken down after years of running business as normal as far as social media standards were (once) concerned.
According to Isaac Dietrich of MassRoots, “businesses invest tens of thousands of dollars in building an organic following, and that, in turn, drives a significant amount of business to these dispensaries. And then, all that money and time flies right out the window. It’s killing jobs and the growth of the industry, and it may be holding back the progression of cannabis legalization in the United States.”
Cannabis companies are demanding clear guidelines concerning what they can and can’t get away with on social media sites. The Facebook marijuana counterattack is regrettably becoming the norm…and there doesn’t seem to be much these cannabis-based companies can do about it.
We’d love to hear your opinion about the stance Facebook and Instagram have taken against marijuana and the companies that back marijuana products, information, and legalization in the comments below.
FDA Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products sold by Healthy Hemp Oil are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information on our website is intended to provide general information regarding our products and is not to be construed as medical advice or instruction. Read more


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Findvrporn.com global VR porn news/updates LATEX EDITION May 21, 2021 with emphasis on CzechVR’s horny latex outing featuring Vanessa Decker.
Findvrporn.com global VR porn news and update digest for May 3, 2021 including Sara Jay, Angel Youngs, anti-subreddit ranting and more fun sheeeet, man.
Findvrporn.com updates about the latest VR porn scenes, studios, news, pictures, developments, predictions, discounts for April 22, 2021.
WankzVR VR porn studio turns 5 years old and findvrporn.com offers thoughts and also: 50% WankzVR discount right now for limited time!
Pictures, video preview, discussion of pornstar Keely Rose starring in Clean and Cum for VR porn studio, WankzVR.
Pics preview and thoughts about VR Bangers release, Open Borders: Curvy Slovakia, starring Chloe Lamour.
Pics, free preview, thoughts about VR Bangers VR porn release, In Depth Inspection, starring gal gorgeous Aila Donovan.
Pics and video preview of VR Bangers VR porn release, Slutty Aunty, starring Mona Blue and Shalina Devine.
Video preview sample and pictures of gorgeous MJ Fresh starring in the VR Bangers release Chill and Drill.


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It's the end of the week which means it is time once again for a round-up of all the Android games on sale right now over on Google Play. This week there is actually quite a lot of games on sale from a number of developers, a lot of which are discounted quite heavily. So now is a pretty good time to pick up any of these titles that you may not have but been wanting to get.
Snail Games have been busy lately it seems as they just released an update for Age of Wushu Dynasty the other day, and now they have released an update for Taichi Panda as well today. This update brings with it a couple of new goodies for players to check out including a new pet, new battle mode and more.
There is a virtual reality game that will be showcased at the Anime Expo 2016 next week which is called Nagomi's Earcleaning VR. This game is an ear cleaning simulation game featuring an anime female who, after a long day at work, offers you the ability to enjoy a virtual ear cleaning which will apparently relax you.
Art in Games is based in Slovokia. They brought us the beautiful, immersive and action-filled game Air Attack. Though the game was released a few years ago, it still looks amazing. The follow up to Air Attack was hinted at last year. It made its way to iOS, and would arrive on Android eventually. I am not sure how long it has been out, but Air Attack 2 released quietly on Android within the last few weeks. It is just as fascinating and gorgeous as its predecessor. I have been playing it, but haven't had an opportunity to write about it until now.
The Cartoon Network has released a new game onto Android, this time themed around the Teen Titans. Officially called Teeny Titans - Teen Titans Go!, since adding Go onto the name of a game is now the new thing to do, players will be assembling a team of Teen Titans in order to square off against other teams.
DeNA has been working on a new TCG title called Deckstorm for a bit now and as of this morning the company has opened up pre-registration for anyone interested in signing up ahead of time for this game. Like most pre-registrations, signing up for Deckstorm ahead of launch will have you receiving a reward for in-game currency when Deckstorm actually launches.
Developers behind the very popular MOBA game called Clash Royale have begun teasing a new Tournament mode which will be heading to the game in the next update. The teasing, which was posted on Twitter, doesn't go too deep into the details as what we can expect this new Tournament mode to come with though.
Satellite Command is a new space sim that was just released by Stormtide Limited. This particular game is actually built using Unreal Engine 4, so aside from a lot of content, all of it happens to be wrapped up in some pretty nice visuals. You will be in charge of your own agency and all the satellites that they have shot up into low orbit around Earth.
Recently a rather enjoyable open world MMORPG came out of beta and fully launched for PC gamers called Black Desert. This game originally started life over in Korea before being translated over for Western audiences. Well it looks like Black Desert will be getting a mobile version soon, appropriately called Black Desert Mobile.
As a kid, I remember enjoying a few different types, be they the Tiget handhelds, my brother's Game Gear, or Nintendo's Gameboy, all of which (plus more later) enabled gaming "on the go. Hyperkin is a company that has been working on an emulator that runs Gameboy games, and is
Developed by Lenovo, and created in collaboration with Vibram, there are a new set of smart shoes that could one day be set to enter the market. Among other things, they'll be able to track both step counting as well as how many calories are burned, allow the user to
Samsung revealed no too long ago that they were developing a controller specifically for their Gear VR headset. While details about said controller haven't been plentiful, today there seems to be a few images that are apparently of the controller the company is designing for the Virtual Reality headset.
Bungee Mummy is a fast-paced, adventure game where risk-taking, sharp reflexes and sheer determination are essential for victory! Swing and bungee launch through the fascinating world of Hagareem, escape the eerie levels and complete outrageous challenges to win real-life 3D printable rewards.
Revived and revitalized, thanks to his trusty friend Madu, King Phero has only one thing on his mind – to free his people from the clutches of the evil Solark. But first, he must escape the Great Pyramid and dash through the eerie underworld of Hagareem. Facing his darkest hour and countless baddies, King Phero calls upon his loyal friend Madu to light a path to victory.


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Android Pay is round two of mobile payments for Google. The first round was Google Wallet, which Google won't say failed, but it basically did. Part of that reason was that three of the four US carriers blocked it from being pre-installed on devices sold in their stores. Because they were backing their own mobile payment solution in ISIS (which was later renamed to SoftCard. Thanks ISIS). At Google I/O this past summer, the search giant announced Android Pay. Which is an NFC-based mobile payment solution available to everyone on Android 4.4 and later. Of course, as long as you have NFC.
Today, Sridhar Ramaswamy, Google's Senior VP of ads and commerce, shared some statistics of Android Pay at the Money 20/20 conference in Las Vegas. Now keep in mind that Android Pay did only launch last month. Ramaswamy says that "millions" of users have activated Android Pay and connected at least one card to the service. He also stated that 60% of those people never used Google Wallet. Which means more than half of those using Android Pay, or at least connecting a card to it, never used Google Wallet. That's definitely a step in the right direction for Android Pay. However, the team is not satisfied with the number of users they have. And plan to not only use marking dollars to bring in more. But also a few new features.
According to Ramaswamy, they are looking to announce a new loyalty program for Android Pay. This will start with Coca-Cola. So users can buy a soda with their smartphone, they will get reward points to buy more Cokes. There are over 20,000 NFC-enabled Coca-Cola vending machines out there right now. For obvious reasons, marketers love this feature, and service. Because it keeps customers coming back. Imagine you buy a Coke, and you get reward points for half off of another Coke. You're going to buy another one, aren't you? That's their line of thinking here.
Google is also working with Carriers, currently Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile, to train their employees to remind customers to use Android Pay when paying for things. Whether it be their groceries, dinner, or whatever it might be. Google has also said they are working with banks and other partners to help increase awareness for Android Pay. Arguably the biggest issue with Google Wallet. Most people didn't know what it was.


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Octa-core Galaxy S4 set for Korea in April
Publication Date : 16-03-2013
Samsung Electronics is expected to roll out its new Galaxy S4 phones equipped with octa-core mobile processors in Korea as early as next month.
The latest flagship 5-inch display smartphone the IT behemoth unveiled in New York on Thursday, local time, will feature the upgraded processor running on the fourth-generation Long Term Evolution network due to the specific local demand, according to industry sources here.
The company also announced Friday that it will start mass producing its octa-core Exynos mobile application processor from the second quarter. The new processor, designed for smartphones and tablet PCs, supposedly enables its users to go ahead with heavy-duty multi-tasking activities while being more energy-efficient.
“In the past several weeks, we’ve heard amazing rumours and speculation about what I’m going to unveil tonight,” said the firm’s mobile chief Shin Jong-kyun at the Samsung Unpacked 2013 event at Radio City Music Hall.
“I want to emphasise one thing. We’re committed to innovation and ready to listen to people from around the world to see what they really want and this has taken us to what we have today.”
The new “slimmer, lighter and more solid” Galaxy S4 boasts a dual camera that enables users to record sounds while taking photos and allows simultaneous use of both cameras on the front and back to record or capture shots, according to Shin.
It has a 13 megapixel camera on the back and 2 megapixel camera on the front.
The new smartphone also has the smart scroll and pause function that detects eye movement and puts the screen on hold when the user is looking elsewhere. It is also equipped with a Full High Definition Super AMOLED display and the stronger Gorilla Glass 3.
The handset, operating on the third-generation and 4G networks, will be shipped to 155 countries to be serviced by 327 mobile operators starting from the end of April, he said.
The Galaxy S4, which is 7.9 millimetres in thickness and 130 grams in weight, also comes with a high-capacity 2,600 mAh battery, an upgrade from the previous Galaxy S3’s 2100 mAh, according to Samsung officials. It will be available in two colours — black mist and white frost.
Samsung expects to sell up to 100 million units of the new smartphone around the world, which nearly equals the figure of total units sold for the whole Galaxy S series — Galaxy S, Galaxy S2 and Galaxy S3.
“We’re committed to progress and excellence in innovation,” said Shin. “Experience how (the Galaxy S4) makes your life richer, simpler and fuller.”


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Generations Federal Credit Union has launched a new service that will allow members to deposit checks through the credit union’s mobile app.
Smart Deposit, is an enhanced service that Generations began testing earlier this year and is now making it officially available to all members.
“Technology such as Smart Deposit allows Generations to provide the personal service that we are known for and at the same time be competitive with even the largest national banks,” said Steve Schipull, president and CEO of Generations. “Consumers need convenience and ease of service in their banking products and financial institutions must be able to meet those needs if they are to remain competitive and relevant.”
The credit union’s mobile application is available for Apple and Android-supported devices. To make a deposit, members simply select the Smart Deposit feature in the main menu, take a picture of the front and back of the check, select the account where the funds will be deposited and click submit.
Generations is the fifth largest credit union in San Antonio with nearly 50,000 members and $500 million in assets.


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NTT Docomo invested an undisclosed amount in Rovio subsidiary Hatch Entertainment, a cloud-based game streaming service, as part of a partnership that will see the operator bring more games to its Japanese customers.
The two said in a joint announcement the deal will “bring the 5G gaming revolution to Japanese consumers in 2020,” though the initial step will occur next week when Hatch Entertainment’s services will be launched in Japan for Android phones and Docomo’s Android TV set top boxes.
Users will be offered a free 90-day trial membership for Hatch Premium, which gives them access to around 100 games available to play on mobile and TV including Monument Valley, Space Invaders Infinity Gene and Hitman Go.
Another part of the deal is that Hatch Entertainment will work with Japanese game developers and publishers to make locally-created titles available globally.
Hatch Entertainment CEO Juhani Honkala said he was excited Docomo would help it “take our vision of cloud gaming mainstream” in an “extremely competitive” market.
Docomo’s consumer business department director, Takanori Ashikawa, added: “We are excited to work together with Hatch, a great example of the new type of consumer services, which can bring out its potential towards the 5G era.”
Rovio owns 80 per cent of Hatch Entertainment, which operates as an independent subsidiary.
The company’s cloud gaming is already available for Android devices in the Nordics, UK and Republic of Ireland. Rovio EVP Mikko Setala told Reuters Apple currently does not accept streaming services in the App Store.
In 2018, Rovio said it was looking to invest between €10 million and €15 million in Hatch Entertainment, up from €5 million in 2017.


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The smartphone comes in Orange, White and Black colours and supports Indian languages such as Hindi, Tamil and Bangla.
"Spice Fire One is purely targeted to the nearly 85-90 percent of the feature phone users wanting to switch to smartphones,â€ Spice said in a press release today.
The Spice Fire One Mi FX1 comes with a 3.5-inch touchscreen display with 480x320 pixel resolution. The smartphone is powered by 1 GHz mobile processor of unspecified make. At the back, it has 2 megapixel camera for imaging and in the front is a 1.3 megapixel camera.
The smartphone supports two 2G network supporting SIM cards along with WiFi and Bluetooth. The smartphone comes pre-loaded with Facebook, Twitter and App Marketplace.
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After last year's hurricane season, most businesses finally came to their senses about disaster preparedness, but how long did their concern really last? Are you actually prepared for a disaster or did you forget about the dangers after awhile?
For those who aren't sure whether they're prepared, Hewlett-Packard has released a free disaster preparedness indicator tool. It helps businesses understand their level of disaster preparedness so that they can make the right decisions about their future.
John Copenhaver, president and CEO of the Disaster Recovery Institute International, said, "No organization can fully prepare for every possible catastrophe, but those that do and regularly test their business continuity and availability plans are keeping the odds in their favor."
HP’s worldwide director of business continuity and availability solutions, John Bennett, added, "In the face of a host of ongoing threats and risks, companies are challenged to develop resilient solutions that balance evolving business needs. HP's solutions help customers prevent downtime and quickly recover from disruptions while providing ongoing protection of their critical business processes."
Learn more about the new disaster preparedness assessment tool and how to disaster proof your business in the full article (link above).
Posted by Computer Consulting 101


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Etisalat users hit by more network problems
Network upgrade blamed for latest round of outages
UAE operator Etisalat has been hit by a third day of network problems, with some mobile users across the country today complaining that they are unable to make or receive calls.
An Etisalat spokesman said the problem relates to a series of network upgrades it is carrying out. It comes two days after the operator's BlackBerry subscribers were hit by connectivity problems which prevented them from accessing the internet and sending and receiving emails.
Etisalat claimed on Sunday that it had "successfully resolved a temporary outage on its BlackBerry service", but on Monday some users of the RIM device were still complaining that they were unable to receive emails.
Etisalat said the outage was caused by a problem affecting an international carrier link. In a statement, the operator said: "Etisalat investigated the issue on a priority basis with the international carrier to resolve the problem. Etisalat regrets any inconvenience because of the outage."
Rival operator Du says that its BlackBerry service was unaffected. A spokesman said: "Du is experiencing neither technical problems with international carrier links nor any technical issue that might adversely affect its BlackBerry service."
Earlier this year, Etisalat's BlackBerry users suffered from dramatically reduced battery life after the operator pushed a faulty piece of software to users of the RIM-manufactured device.
Etisalat claimed the patch was designed to address a problem affecting handover between 2G and 3G cell sites, but RIM said that it was "not aware of any technical network concerns with the performance of BlackBerry smartphones on Etisalat's network in the UAE".


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Authorities mull delay of new emission standards
China is considering postponing the implementation of National VI emission standards in areas yet to adopt this stricter rules, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment announced at a press conference held on Thursday.
The move is considered to cushion car sales during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Wu Xianfeng, a senior official with the ministry, said apart from some 16 provinces and cities including Beijing and Shanghai that have already implemented the new standards, other areas can appropriately extend the transition period for automobile enterprises and allow further sales of National-V-emission-standard inventory vehicles.
The new emission standards were initially set to take effect nationwide from July 1. Compared with the National V standards, the new rules demand substantially fewer pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, and also introduce limits on particulate number and ammonia.
The National VI emission standards have been adopted in certain parts of the country already but not nationwide. They are similar to Euro 6 standards that are currently in place in Europe.
"This outbreak of COVID-19 has had a great impact on the automobile industry," said Wu. "From the perspective of environmental protection, it has mainly affected the supply of auto parts for new vehicles, the certification of new cars and sales of existing-inventory vehicles."
The ministry said that epidemic-hit Hubei Province and Wuhan are among the country's main centers of automobile production, so the impact there is being felt nationwide. Overseas spread has also had an impact on the global automotive supply chain, affecting the country. Under the circumstances, the ministry is mulling to postpone the implementation of National VI standards in some areas of the country.
At present, more than 97 percent of newly produced light vehicles in the Chinese market meet National VI standards.
The industry has been calling for a delay and the China Association of Automobile Manufacturer earlier submitted suggestions for postponement. A delay would give automakers in China more time to sell older models from their inventories and more time to prepare to apply the new rules.
Cui Dongshu, secretary-general of China Passenger Car Association, said that "the decision is a protective policy for the steady growth of the auto industry. Delaying the implementation of the new emission standards will not slow down automakers' product upgrades, but allows existing inventory to be sold to prevent car dealers from taking huge losses due to low-price sales."


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The new 2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 was presented on Monday ahead of the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show. It will be powered by brand-new and the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 engine that came from Ford’s production. Along with advanced materials, great aerodynamics and powerful brakes it will be the muscle car that will have even more fans than before. The release date and price is still unknown and it’s yet to be released.
2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 changes
Every change that is made was made with only one purpose – to improve aerodynamics and performance of the car. The shape of the car is optimized in order to increase downforce and cooling airflow. Compared to the base Mustang the aluminum hood has been sloped and lowered. Every piece of interior is designed and optimized for driving, so the drivers have a definite feeling that they are in performance car. Inside, new Mustang has specially designed Recaro sports seats with unique cloth. There are plenty of optional feature that can improve comfort like Shaker Audio, MyFord Touch with 8-inch LCD screen, Tech Pack and dual zone electronic temperature control.
Under the hood of the new Shelby GT350
Under the hood of the new 2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 will be 5.2-liter engine. This naturally aspirated engine is the first V8 from Ford that has a flat-plane crankshaft. This engine architecture can be only found in racing or exotic European sports cars. This engine produces more than 500 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. It gives drivers a great amount performance and flexibility in every of the selected six gears. Only transmission that is available is 6-speed manual transmission with tuned Torsen limited-slip differential.
“We took the best Ford Mustang yet and massaged every aspect of the car that affects the performance driving experience,” said Jamal Hameedi, chief engineer, Ford Global Performance Vehicles. “We tested endlessly on the most challenging roads and tracks in the world, and we believe serious drivers will love the Shelby GT350 Mustang.”


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Dinosaur Polo Club has announced the launch of mini motorways, a strategy simulation game for switch via Nintendo eShop. Mini Motorways debuted for Apple Arcade on September 19, 2019, and then for PC on Steam on July 20, 2021.
Have you ever dreamed of getting stuck in traffic and doing something about it?
In Mini Motorways, created by the makers of Mini Metro, you’ll design roads in a growing city. Build a large network of roads by building roads to create a vibrant metropolis. Redesign your city to keep traffic flowing and carefully use power-ups to meet changing demands. How long can you keep the world’s cities moving?


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Yes, it's another observational study on America's favorite morning kickstarter, this time a pooled analysis of the Nurses' Health Study's original and second cohorts and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study.
Having up to five cups a day was linked to lower mortality overall, with a small relative effect of 6% to 8% for up to three cups a day or 12% to 15% for more among just nonsmokers (all statistically significant, as was the trend versus no coffee), Frank B. Hu, MD, PhD, of the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, and colleagues reported in Circulation.
The effect held for both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee, and appeared to be largely accounted for by preventing deaths from cardiovascular disease, neurological diseases, and suicide (but not cancer).
"Regular consumption of coffee can be included as part of a healthy, balanced diet," Hu said in a press release, although cautioning "certain populations such as pregnant women and children" about high caffeine intake.
Consumer news reports, like those in CNN and NPR, were actually cautious, pointing to the limitations about association studies and the likelihood that other factors could have been at play.
Here's what MedPage Today clinical reviewer F. Perry Wilson, MD, has pointed out as various coffee-health benefit studies have passed our pages:
"Studies linking coffee with various health benefits get a lot of press," he noted regarding a study suggesting less colon cancer relapse risk with coffee intake. But "unmeasured confounding is always present in studies of this type."
On an observational study suggesting melanoma prevention for coffee drinkers, he pointed out that "there are about a hundred different compounds in coffee and some of them may be beneficial" but some could be harmful as well.
These studies probably reflect the combined effects of some residual confounding and multiple looks at the same data set. "Food frequency questionnaires generate a ton of data, [and] there's a lot of opportunity for data mining," Wilson noted.
"And that's one of the central problems of dietary research. The exposures are so broad, that one can justify almost any preconceived hypothesis based on preliminary data. So should we be advocating a few more cups of coffee a day for ourselves or for our patients? Probably not."
CardioBuzz is a blog for readers with an interest in cardiology.
From the American Heart Association:
The study was supported by research grants from the National Institutes of Health. The researchers disclosed no financial or personal conflict of interest to disclose.
Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association
Source Reference: Ding M, et al "Association of Coffee Consumption with Total and Cause-specific Mortality in Three Large Prospective Cohorts" Circulation 2015.


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Video Find: Kia Forte Koup Ad Leaks Online Ahead of On-Sale Date
Following hot on the heels of the showroom debut of the new Kia Forte sedan is the production-ready Kia Forte Koup, slated to appear in U.S. showrooms by the end of the summer. While you wait, we've come across Kia's Forte Koup TV commercial.
What we have for you in today's Video Find appears to be a real TV commercial for the upcoming Koup. While the commercial hasn't appeared on Kia's site or even Kia's YouTube page, the professional quality and the fact that it appears to have been filmed in Chicago lends it credibility. Further, the poster of the video appears to deal exclusively in similar videos of Kia products and commercials, and even has video footage of the Koup's debut in South Korea earlier this week, where the car will reportedly go on sale starting at just $10,600. So we suspect that this video may be part of a viral marketing campaign from Kia.
The theme of the video, in case it isn't obvious, is that "two is enough," referring to the number of doors on a proper coupe or Koup as the case may be. Metaphorical imagery aside, the ad does provide us plenty of angles on the new Koup and they're all action sequences, giving us a good impression of what this car will look like when it's roaming the streets of big cities across the country. Check out the ad HERE.


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Buffalo disease, Naples trash sour mozzarella sales
By Stephen Brown
ROME (Reuters) - Producers of mozzarella and Italy's health authorities tried to reassure consumers on Friday that an outbreak of buffalo disease and the pile-up of rubbish in Naples were not tainting the buffalo milk used in the cheese.
Italian farmers say sales of choice "mozzarella di bufala," made from milk of water buffalo in the Campania region around Naples, had already dropped 40 percent because of the rubbish crisis when stories emerged about brucellosis among buffalo.
A bacterial disease causing fever, it spreads through contaminated or unpasteurized milk and can infect humans.
"We have seen a decrease in the consumption of fresh buffalo mozzarella," said Rome restaurateur Mahua Reset. "But it looks like nobody is worried about mozzarella on pizzas, because consumption of pizza has increased."
Authorities say controls already in place prevent infected milk from reaching cheese producers but took the precaution this week of naming a special commissioner to eradicate brucellosis.
His first task will be to supervise the slaughter of between 30,000 and 60,000 buffalos of a total Italian herd of 400,000 and pay Italian farmers millions of euros in compensation.
"There should be no concern about milk used for cheese because milk with brucellosis does not get into the production circuit of DOP mozzarella," said Vito Rubino, president of a mozzarella producers' association, in comments sent to Reuters.
DOP (Protected Designation of Origin) is the label Italian cheese producers jealous of their quality use to tell consumers mozzarella, parmesan, grana padano and other cheeses come from the original location and are made with traditional methods.
Mozzarella has been produced in Campania at least since the 12th century, according to one producers' group. The name comes from the word "mozzare," describing the traditional method of using thumb and forefinger to shape the ropes of soft cheese.
The name first appears in a 16th-century cookbook by the papal chef Bartolomeo Scappi. It is mostly used to top pizzas or in Caprese salad with tomatoes and basil, but gourmands say real bufala cheese from Campania is best appreciated on its own.
Italian newspapers have reported that the Neapolitan mafia, known as the Camorra, has hindered eradication of brucellosis by peddling infected cheese. But Angelo Coletta of the buffalo herders' association said a police investigation came up with no evidence of links between mozzarella and the mob.
Authorities ruled out any threat to mozzarella and other products from the rubbish crisis in Naples, where political incompetence and mob interference have led to piles of uncollected garbage rotting in the streets.
"The rubbish crisis is limited to large metropolitan areas and doesn't affect mozzarella production," said Guido Tamperi, Italy's undersecretary for farm policy.
(Additional reporting by Antonio Denti; editing by Andrew Roche)


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“Reliable sources” have released renderings of the new iPhone 7 expected in the coming months, based on the technical sketches circulating for some time now.
The images were reported by GSMArena as exclusive, and come from “a reliable source of the cover production”. We know that various accessories manufacturers manage to get ahead of time about the design of products not yet formalized, and we know that many “pierce” the agreements in advance showing the forms of the latter. One of these has created and published a few render that show the design of the new iPhone 7.
The images confirm several rumors arrived of course not in an official capacity in the past weeks. The iPhone will have no next revolution in terms of esthetics and maintain materials and form factor of the current generation. According to the new render we see that the rear camera will have a different design will be a little ‘less prominent, with microphone and flash remain unchanged both in form and position. Even the design of the plastic bands will be different.
As noted by several rumor, the unsightly plastic bands necessary for the antennas will be much less evident, with an overall appearance even more simple and less load as compared to current models. The most dramatic change is still the lack of combo port 3.5mm earphone and microphone, also feature already told on several occasions by various sources. Instead of the door we find another grid, we do not know yet what to hide.
Earphones and external microphones will be connected exclusively via the Lightning port, with older models with traditional 3.5mm jack that you can probably connect only via adapter. To render lacks the dual rear camera, a feature that according to rumors will only fit in the larger model, while the source suggests that there may be variations in the colors of the devices that will be presented in autumn.


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Consumer body urges traders not to shut shopsTNN | Apr 11, 2013, 12.22 AM IST
PUNE: The Pune unit of Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat - a national consumer body - on Wednesday urged traders to call off their proposed indefinite strike from April 15, and said it would approach the high court to prevent such a move.
Traders have warned of a state-wide indefinite bandh from April 15, citing failure of talks with chief minister Prithviraj Chavan on the matter of ironing out problem areas in the local body tax system, which replaced octroi from April 1.
The Confederation of Indian Industry has welcomed imposition of local body tax. In a statement issued here, CII commended the state for taking the bold step. Local body tax is already being imposed in Thane, Navi Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal corporations.
A statement issued by Ninad Karpe, chairman, CII Maharashtra state council, said, "The book-based taxation system will help in easing out octroi issues, which are presently creating bottleneck for industry in the state. The local body tax will certainly bring in transparency in tax collection and also reduce the burden of paying taxes at check nakas."
Ashwini Malhotra, vice chairman, Maharashtra council, said, "The new system will reduce delays that used to take place at nakas, which led to disruption in production and distribution schedules. Moreover, the cost of collecting local body tax will be significantly lower than that of collecting octroi and will require far less physical infrastructure, which in itself will translate into huge savings for the administration. There may be some apprehensions about the penal provisions, but these can be discussed with the state government".
S M Kulkarni, convener, CII's Maharashtra finance and taxation panel, said any new tax always has some teething problems as was witnessed when value added tax was implemented in the state. "Similarly, once adequate awareness has been created on the positives of the local body tax, we are sure this too would prove to be a game-changer. The CII would be happy to organize awareness sessions on local body tax across the state," he added.
Meanwhile, the Grahak Panchayat in a statement said common people should not be made to suffer because of the differences between traders and the government regarding local body tax. "Traders should opt for other ways to register their protest against the government. Grahak Panchayat will see that consumers are not inconvenienced in anyway. Traders must remember that consumers are the focal point of the economy," said Dada Bendre, president of the Pune unit.
The Grahak Panchayat reminded traders that during their recent six-day strike, milk was being sold for Rs 80 per litre and sugar for Rs 60 per kg in the black market and said that such black marketing is not in the interest of consumers.
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NJ restaurants: 20 new spots at the Jersey Shore
It has been seven months since we ate in a busy restaurant. Stood elbow to elbow at the bar. Walked through a dining room without a mask.
Indoor dining remains restricted, and the days for enjoying a meal outdoors are numbered. But despite the obstacles challenging the restaurant industry in the face of the pandemic, there is one bright spot: New places to eat continue to open their doors.
From seafood steam pots and fresh-baked bread to authentic Mexican food, these are the newest restaurants and food businesses in Monmouth and Ocean counties, plus a few you may have missed.
Dos Banditos, Fair Haven
For a decade, you've known Patti and Arturo Balderas as the couple behind Tavolo Pronto, an Italian cafe and market known for its take-and-go meals. But look across River Road and you'll see their new venture, a restaurant that honors the cuisine of Arturo's native Mexico City.
"My husband, who came here and cooked Italian food – and he just happens to be very good at it – he knew that one day he wanted to make great Mexican food," Patti said. "He was 19 when he came here, now he's 47. He just remembers; he can taste everything in his mind."
Warding off the chill: 25 Jersey Shore spots with heated outdoor dining
The couple planned to open Dos Banditos in the spring; the pandemic pushed that to late September. But now Arturo is in its kitchen, cooking pozole, street corn with pesto and cheese, ceviche, enchiladas and tacos, plus sopes and huaraches made with fresh corn masa that is mixed each day ($5 to $16).
"We also do fresh fruit waters (aguas frecas), arroz con leche, horchata – all authentic," Patti said.
Dos Banditos has about 30 seats outside – indoor seating, which will add two dozen more at full capacity, is not yet available – and serves lunch and dinner. Takeout also is available.
Go: 609 River Road; 973-939-5272, dosbanditosnj.com.
Topsail Steamer, Ship Bottom
It all started with an empty nest and a big idea.
Danielle Mahon, a New Jersey transplant who now calls North Carolina home, worked for years in biotech sales. But with her children grown, "I wanted to do something on my own," she said. "My dad was an entrepreneur, and I was just waiting for the right time and the right idea."
That idea – a company that sells take-home steam pots filled with fresh seafood and spices – became a business in 2017, when Mahon opened the first Topsail Steamer in North Carolina. A second followed in 2018, then in May, Mahon brought her business to Ocean City, New Jersey. A fourth location opened in Ship Bottom in early October, filling the space previously occupied by Ravioli & More. It is run by Mahon's sister and brother-in-law, Lauren and Brian Gove of Beach Haven West.
Fall festivals: 5 NJ food and wine fests that are still happening this fall
This is how it works: Customers choose from one of seven signature Bay Buckets or design their own. "We build the seafood pot; all of our Bay Buckets come with corn and potatoes, homemade seasonings, cocktail sauce, butter, even the brown paper for the table. It's part of the fun. When you get it home, you just add two cups of water or you could use beer, cook it on your stovetop for 45 to 50 minutes, and that's it."
At the Long Beach Island store, single-use, recyclable pots are filled with local scallops, oysters and clams, and Mahon brings in shrimp from a fourth-generation shrimper in North Carolina. Other ingredients include snow crab, lobster tails, andouille sausage and kielbasa, and prices range from $28 to $180.
Go: 2608 Long Beach Blvd.; 609-494-7687, topsailsteamer.com. Topsail Steamer will remain open through the end of the year, then reopen in February or March.
Apple cider doughnuts: Get a bite of fall in New Jersey
Great Harvest Bread Co., Red Bank
Loaves of fresh-baked bread and scratch-made sweets are what you will find at Red Bank's newest restaurant, the first New Jersey location of a Montana-based company.
Michele Ellis of Middletown will open Great Harvest Bread Co. Oct. 23 in the Broad Street space previously occupied by Earth Pizza, which closed last fall.
"All the bread, it's fresh bread every day, and the sweets are made every day," Ellis said. "When you come in, it smells good. It's warm inside, the fun bakery feel."
Sweet treats: 9 NJ diner desserts that are well worth the calories
There is wheat bread for apple bacon grilled cheese, cheddar garlic biscuits for breakfast sandwiches, muffins, cinnamon rolls, scones, hot and cold sandwiches, and soups ($4.95 to $10.95), plus coffee service.
The eatery may be a franchise – and the baked goods are made from Montana-grown wheat – but it is one that allows Ellis to source local ingredients.
"If I want to buy all Jersey tomatoes, that's highly encouraged," she said. "I'm using a local coffee company (Unique Coffee Roasters on Staten Island, New York) and using a few other local vendors."
The restaurant, which is open for breakfast and lunch, can currently seat around 10 diners indoors and a dozen more outside.
Go: 95 Broad St.; 732-704-3333, greatharvestredbank.com.
Anchor's Salsa Shack, Beach Haven: This is one for the 2021 summer must-try list: Judy Nichols of Anchor Produce Market in Surf City plans to open a salsa, guacamole and queso shop. The store will sell packaged items, chips and drinks. "We have been approved by the town and we are looking forward to serving the community next summer," Nicholas said. 1101 North Bay Ave.
Batch, Manasquan: This coffee and bake shop opened back in May in the Main Street space previously occupied by ReJuiceaNation. Try a golden milk latte, a root beer with butterscotch syrup, or fresh-squeezed juices, plus toasts, wraps and salads ($4 to $13). 99 Main St.; 732-722-7480.
Deal Lake Bar + Co, Loch Arbour: After pandemic-related construction delays pushed back an anticipated June opening, this restaurant and bar near the Asbury Park border opened in late September. Phil Villapiano, Andrea Pappas and Greg Bartz completely renovated the 5,500-square-foot space – previously Harvey's, Parkhill's and McGillicuddy's Lakeside Taphouse – which has three bars indoors plus an outdoor patio and lakeside bar. 601 Main St. in Loch Arbour; 848-217-7049, deallakebarco.com.
Del Ponte's Bakery, Freehold Township: For 21 years, Del Ponte's has been a Bradley Beach favorite for cookies, cakes and all things sweet. Now the Del Ponte family is expanding to the former Applegate Ice Cream Parlor space on West Main Street. As of press time, an opening date had not yet been announced. The Bradley Beach bakery is at 600 Main St.; 732-869-1111, delpontesbakerybb.com.
Vegan ice cream: These NJ shops make non-dairy taste like the real deal
The Flaky Tart, Atlantic Highlands: The 13-year-old bakery at 145 First Ave. closed Oct. 1. Flour on First, a bakery and coffee shop, opened in its place.
Joe's Bagel & Grill, Beachwood and Manasquan: Russell Grabow of Belmar opened the first Joe's in West Long Branch four years ago, then came Belmar, Point Pleasant Borough, Aberdeen, Brick, Sea Girt and Toms River. Joe Caputo, formerly of Long Branch, is another owner and the bagel shops' namesake, and franchise owners came in along the way. Their eighth location, 658 Atlantic City Blvd. in Beachwood, will open before year's end, and No. 9 will open at 2441 Route 34 Suite 2 in Manasquan in early 2021. 848-303-8896, joesbagelandgrill.com.
Melonhead, Red Bank: Nick Frangipane and Jim Whelan, owners of this Sea Bright juice, smoothie and acai bowl bar, announced in early October that a second location was forthcoming. The new shop will be a part of The Rail at Red Bank Station, a luxury apartment building atop 6,500 square feet of retail space that is slated for completion in March. 101 Oakland St. Suite 101. The original Melonhead is at 1146 Ocean Ave. in Sea Bright; 732-852-2522, melonheadnj.com.
Mystic Lobster Roll Company, Beach Haven: Phil Tretola started his business, Mystic Meat and Seafood Market, as a place where customers could find deli items and fresh seafood and meats. But since opening in Mystic Island in 2018 (now closed) and expanding to Ship Bottom earlier this year, he also launched Mystic Subs & More and the adjoining Mystic Lobster Roll Company in Stafford – and there are more to come. Mystic Lobster Roll Company is expanding to Beach Haven (805 North Bay Ave., opening in April), plus a second Stafford location (420 N. Main St. in the Manahawkin section) and others in Point Pleasant Beach (Arnold Avenue) and Tuckerton. Tretola also will open another Mystic Meat and Seafood Market Nov. 15 at 1801 Central Ave. in Barnegat Light. 609-342-1191, mysticmeatandseafood.com.
Pyour Pour, Little Silver: Steven Crane, former owner of Italian restaurant Pó in New York City, has opened this cafe inside Pyour Core, Pilates and Fitness Studio on Church Street. The menu includes juices, smoothies, coffee, panini, salads, and avocado toasts, ($2.50 to $11). 38 Church St., 732-758-8500, pyourpour.com.
Get caffeinated: 14 unique New Jersey coffee houses worth exploring
Quesadillas Doña Meche, Lacey: It is out with bagels and in with Mexican food at this Main Street spot, which previously housed Oh What a Bagel! in the the township's Lanoka Harbor section. The menu at Quesadillas Doña Meche, which opened Oct. 13, has tamales al pastor, tacos dorados, beef tinga empanadas, tamales and fresh salsas, among other dishes ($2.50 to $12). 629 Main St.; 609-971-2620.
Vingelina's Italian American Market: Freehold Township: The township gained a new meat and produce market and deli with the late-August opening of Vingelina's, owned by third-generation butcher Albert Cartiglia. 3338 Route 9 South; 732-301-5001, vingelinas.com.
In other restaurant news
Big Barlow's BBQ & Catering, Barnegat: In less than two years, Chris Barlow launched a barbecue food truck, opened a restaurant, then outgrew the space. As of press time, he was planning a Nov. 12 opening for his new and much larger location, 34 S. Main St., previously the home of Delights Artisan Cafe. The last day at his current restaurant, across the way at 21 S. Main St., will be Oct. 31; 609-549-3640.
Cheeburger Cheeburger, Holmdel: The 10-year-old franchise restaurant on Route 35 closed in late September.
Dom's Drive-in, Beach Haven: The 30-plus-year-old Long Beach Island restaurant, known for its hot dogs, cheese steaks, burgers and shakes, closed Oct. 12.
The Downtown, Red Bank: Known as Downtown Cafe and The Downtown for 30 years, this restaurant and bar, which has been closed since the start of the pandemic, has been sold. Commercial real estate firm Bielat Santore & Company said in a news release that the West Front Street space and accompanying liquor license have been purchased by local investors who are planning a three to four-month renovation and spring 2021 reopening.
Emilio's by Alex, Howell: The Italian restaurant has a new name – Alex's Cucina; 4534 Route 9; 732-370-8838, emiliosbyalex.com.
Mamoun's Falafel, Wall: The Monmouth County location of this New York City-born Mediterranean restaurant opened in summer 2019 and closed at the start of the pandemic. In late August, a company spokesperson said that "due to the current climate due to COVID-19, the franchisee made the difficult decision to remain closed."
Rod's Olde Irish Tavern, Sea Girt: Owner Frank Kineavy sold his nearly 40-year-old restaurant to Chefs International, which operates a dozen others in New Jersey, including Jack Baker's Lobster Shanty in Point Pleasant Beach, Anchor Tavern in Belmar, and Water Street Grille in Toms River. According to commercial real estate firm Bielat Santore & Company, the restaurant group "intends to operate the restaurant after making minor renovations to the facility until such time when restaurants can reopen at 100% capacity. At that time, Chef’s is planning a total makeover for the restaurant, floor to ceiling, both inside and out, adding outdoor seating and possibly an outdoor bar." 507 Washington Blvd.
Via 45, Red Bank: Claudette Herring and Lauren Phillips announced the closure of their 11-year-old Broad Street restaurant in late September.
Sarah Griesemer joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey in 2003. Send restaurant tips to firstname.lastname@example.org.


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Portugal is keen on investing in the Indian infrastructure, water management, waste management and alternative energy sectors. According to Jorge Roza de Oliveira, Portugal’s Ambassador in India , the country was looking for opportunities to invest in emerging economies such as India, China and some of the Gulf nations. “Ideally, we should look at investments in emerging economies like India. There is a huge prospect for bilateral trade but it is yet to be explored to its full potential,” de Oliveira said during an interactive session organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) here on Thursday. India’s imports from Portugal stood at nearly $310 million in 2011-12 while exports stood at $525 million. “I would be happy if the bilateral trade move up to $ 1 billion,” de Oliveira said. Some Portugal-based companies, he said, already have a presence in electrical products, tools, solar energy and cements.
According to de Oliveira, a trade delegation headed by the Foreign Minister of Portugal is expected to arrive here in the first week of March. The trade delegation will comprise representatives from 50-odd companies. The country, he said, was also planning to promote tourism through films. Tourism accounts for nearly 15 per cent of Portuagal’s gross domestic product.
-Hindu Business Line


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The Business of Fashion
Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
Jeff Gennette, the chairman and chief executive officer of Macy’s Inc., knows people are talking about his big bet on New York City. And that they might even think he’s out of his mind.
This month, Gennette said he’s still committed to building a multi-billion-dollar skyscraper atop the company’s Herald Square flagship — plans that city officials, developers and the retail industry thought the pandemic might force him to scrap. He also said Macy’s would invest $235 million in the area surrounding the store.
The projects, as Gennette envisions them, will convert a thoroughfare marked by unpleasant transit hubs and 99-cent pizza shops into a gleaming, pedestrian-friendly, urban oasis dedicated to American style and consumption.
Yet a lot more is riding on Gennette’s blueprints than an office tower and a neighbourhood revitalisation. As New York City begins to reawaken after 14 months of Covid hibernation, Gennette sees a Macy’s rebound as dependent on the city’s comeback, and vice versa.
“New York City is Macy’s and Macy’s is New York City,” said Gennette. “This is the right project. This is the right asset. We want to do it carefully. This is our crown jewel.”
Macy’s fortunes have long been tied to the vitality of the city that is home to its best-performing store and most valuable real estate. The largest department store in the U.S., the Herald Square mothership sits at two of the busiest pedestrian intersections in the country. It already spans 2.5 million square feet — slightly bigger than the Louvre in Paris — with an eight-story sprawl of handbags, dresses and home goods that lure locals and visitors from around the world. The new tower would add an additional 1.5 million square feet of office space.
Becoming a real-estate developer may well be Macy’s best survival strategy. Department stores and the malls they anchor are in free-fall across the U.S. When Gennette assumed the top position in 2017, the company was already thinking about ways to monetise its real estate in some places and cut its losses in others.
In a restructuring announced before the pandemic struck, the company said it would close 125 of its then 525 stores. It also abandoned a second home base in Cincinnati and closed a digital division in San Francisco. New York is Macy’s sole headquarters now.
Getting city officials to back the developments will be a gruelling process, one that tripped up Amazon.com Inc. two years ago. Gennette’s timing isn’t the best, either. Like other urban centres, New York has seen an outflow of residents, a spike in gun violence, a decline in property tax revenue and a tsunami of restaurant and small-business closures from the pandemic.
Just 17% of workers were back at their desks in the New York metro area as of May 19, according to Kastle Systems. It’s an open question if the 1.6 million commuters who once streamed into the city every day will return in force.
Macy’s also suffered acutely. Net sales fell almost 30% in the fiscal year ending Jan. 30, compared with the prior year, and the company was dropped from the S&P 500 index. To keep the lights on at headquarters, Gennette raised $4.5 billion in new financing, furloughed store workers and laid off nearly 4,000 corporate staffers.
One analyst who follows the retail industry questions the new real-estate strategy. “It just seems like their priorities aren’t where we would want to see them in terms of a company that’s trying to execute a turnaround,” said Camilla Yanushevsky, senior equity analyst at CFRA Research.
Recently relaxed rules on masks and social distancing and the return of Broadway theatres in September have spurred optimism around the city’s rebound. Still, some urban experts question whether the shifts to remote work and online shopping will remain permanent, reducing the need for another office tower, let alone an enormous department store.
“There’s been a lot of conversations about, hey, do we need more office space in the city right now?” said Gennette, 60. “This is the long play.”
The CEO brimmed with confidence as he sipped coffee in the same oak-panelled room on the 13th floor of Macy’s headquarters where the 1947 movie, Miracle on 34th Street, was filmed. Gennette has been coming into the office regularly, in a blazer but no tie, commuting from his home in Brooklyn between trips to regional stores.
He’s looked over 3D models of his gleaming glass tower and how it’ll reshape the skyline, as architects work on the final design. He has begun talks with developers, though Gennette wouldn’t say which ones or how much the project would cost. They’ve not yet struck a deal.
In recent years, with new developments like Hudson Yards and renovations to Pennsylvania Station, the subway and train hub a block away, Midtown Manhattan’s centre of gravity is moving south toward Herald Square, Gennette said. If he’s to take advantage of that shift, he’ll need to clear many hurdles, including the city’s multiple layers of rezoning red tape. He’ll also need to assuage clashing community interests, ranging from neighbourhood activists and small businesses to environmental groups and unions.
“With a project of this magnitude,” said Howard Weiss, senior partner and chair of the land use group at law firm Davidoff Hutcher & Citron, “there’s certainly going to be opposition out of the gate from local residents.”
One question mark is whether the pandemic has changed officials’ mindset away from adding more light-blocking skyscrapers and toward creating more open, green spaces and recreational areas. “The barriers are getting our city government back up and running again and asking questions about how and what some of our new priorities are in the post-Covid age,” said Keith Powers, a Manhattan city council member.
The upcoming mayoral election is another wild card. Macy’s has been prepping its pitch for four years, during which it’s been in discussions with Mayor Bill de Blasio’s office. Soon the company will have to start afresh with a new city chief, possibly one who favours less development and more regulation and taxes. Developers “get an inordinate amount of subsidies and grants,” said Dianne Morales, a candidate who’s trailing in the polls yet who echoes a sentiment that runs deep in the city.
Then there’s the matter of whether New York City needs another massive office tower near the Hudson Yards complex where financial and tech companies have already relocated.
New York’s skyscrapers have been mostly empty since last March. Office availability hit roughly 79 million square feet in the first quarter of 2021, the highest in at least three decades, according to brokerage firm Savills. Large employers may opt not to force workers to commute into the city. That could mean fewer shoppers and less demand for new towers.
Better-heeled companies have tried to do massive developments in the city — and failed. In 2018, Amazon famously announced it would build its second headquarters in Long Island City, across the East River in the borough of Queens, after negotiating billions in government subsidies.
The e-commerce giant soon abandoned those plans due to public outrage over the financial carrots the tech giant had received. Community activists also worried that a gleaming new tech campus would overwhelm local services and schools and cause rents to jump, displacing the area’s blue-collar residents.
The CEO is determined not to let Macy’s get Amazoned. The company is mum on whether it’s seeking tax incentives for its project, though Weiss from the land-use group said he presumes “there’s been discussions in terms of what tax incentives” might be available for a project so significant to the future of the store and the crossroads where it sits. Gennette instead prefers to talk up the $235 million investment to improve public spaces in the area.
For now, Macy’s first-quarter performance justifies his optimism. Sales outpaced Wall Street’s expectations, leading the company to raise its earnings forecast for the year. Comparable-store sales, a key retail metric, soared 62.5% for company-owned locations from a year ago.
Rising vaccination rates and stimulus checks are motivating Americans to go shopping again. Foot traffic in the Herald Square store has been picking up — in mid-May it was about three-fourths the level of February 2020, before the city went on lockdown.
Gennette has worked at Macy’s for 37 years, almost his entire adult life. By the time he moved to New York in 2009 as the retailer’s top merchant, he’d seen Macy’s go through several iterations, including the 2005 merger of Federated Department Stores, which then owned the Macy’s brand, with May Department Stores in a $17 billion deal.
To help cement his legacy and win support for the projects, Gennette plays the history card: He notes that Macy’s is no Johnny-come-lately, having opened its first store in the city in 1858, before the Civil War. The iconic Herald Square store has been there for almost 120 years. The project he’s pitching to investors, city officials and the nearby community is about the next 100 years.
The developments, he claims, would do as much for New York — generating $269 million in annual tax revenue while spurring $4.29 billion in economic output annually — as they would for Macy’s. That, of course, assumes the office market has rebounded by the time the Macy’s tower is built, which is likely several years away.
Developers and brokers echo Gennette’s talking points. They say newer towers located near transit hubs will fare better than older stock during downturns. Marquee tenants already are gravitating toward higher-end sites. Facebook Inc., for example, during the pandemic signed a giant lease at Vornado Realty Trust’s redevelopment of the Farley Building by Penn Station. Apple Inc. has also increased its presence at a nearby office tower, 11 Penn Plaza.
Gennette said he’s aware of all the pitfalls. He’s wagering that New York will roar back to its pre-pandemic glory and that the office tower will be the icing on his cake, channeling thousands of workers to the department store just an elevator ride below their cubicles.
“This is what the next decades look like,” he said. “And anytime you bet on New York City, it’s a safe bet.”
By Jordyn Holman, Kim Bhasin and Natalie Wong


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The USPS plans to update its environmental impact statement related to the mix of electric vs. gas-powered vehicles, saying it’s driven by its delivery network improvement plan and unrelated to lawsuits favoring an all-electric fleet. The mix may change due to aggregation of carrier operations affecting its delivery route structure.
While U.S. parcel volume rose nearly 6% to 21.5B pieces in 2021, it was the slowest growth in five years, and considerably less than the massive 31.5% gain in a pandemic-driven 2020, according to Pitney Bowes’ annual index. It also showed smaller carriers growing rapidly but still holding a tiny percentage of the overall pie.
Adding a cubic pricing option for users of USPS Parcel Select Ground product will be a boon for shippers with small, dense and heavy packages but not so much for others, experts said ahead of the July 10 live date for the change. In general, packages must be under 20 lbs. and there’s a 50,000 package a year minimum.
Like its holiday twin Black Friday, Cyber Monday in the U.S. saw ecommerce sales reverse course for the first time in memory, according to Adobe Digital Insights, dropping 1.4% from 2020. Consumers en masse have heeded warnings about stock-outs on digital shelves amid supply chain-fueled inventory shortages by shopping earlier.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic-driven spike in ecommerce, a nagging labor shortage and supply chain issues have put capacity at a premium and left shippers struggling to keep up. This report explores ways today’s retail and ecommerce shippers must pursue a carrier strategy that would have seemed unthinkable just two years ago.


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US could blacklist Chinese surveillance tech firm Hikvision
25 Mai, 2019, 02:54 | Auteur: Auguste Feret
The US is deliberating whether to add Hikvision, Zhejiang Dahua Technology and several unidentified companies to a blacklist that bars them from American components or software, people familiar with the matter said.
The potential move hasn't been confirmed by the administration; both the Commerce Department and the White House declined to comment to The New York Times.
"The chips Hikvision uses are very commercial and most of the suppliers are actually in China", she said, but added the company had not been informed of any possible U.S. blacklisting.
Hikvision, a video surveillance gear maker based in China providing products such as thermal cameras and unmanned aerial vehicles, has recently come under fire by USA lawmakers as a tool of the Chinese Communist party in creating a "high-tech police state". There's concern also that Hikvision's or Dahua's cameras, which come with facial-recognition capabilities, could be employed in espionage, the people said. The company also makes warehouse conveyor robots, robot forklifts, and drones, as well as drone signal jammers. Current estimates indicate that anywhere from 1 million to 3 million Uighurs are now being held in China's concentration camps, according to the U.S. State Department. China insists that its actions against the Xinjiang region's Uighurs are an anti-terrorism effort.
Hikvision said in an emailed response to questions that it takes US concerns on human rights and cybersecurity very seriously and has engaged with the USA government since October. "The company has already retained a human rights expert and former United States ambassador Pierre-Richard Prosper to advise the company regarding human rights compliance".
"We hope the company receives a fair and just treatment", Hikvision's secretary of the board, Huang Fanghong, said in a statement.
Audi TT is dead, electric successor inbound
We'll just have to wait and see as to what kind of "emotive" electrified sports cars Audi might unveil in the near future. It plans to replace this sports vehicle with a similarly sized EV.
Huawei says it can ensure a steady supply chain without USA suppliers. "China will take all the necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights of Chinese firms". It would mark the first time the Trump administration punished a Chinese company for its role in the surveillance and mass detention of the Uyghur Muslim ethnic minority, informed sources told The New York Times on Tuesday. And countries like Saudi Arabia have been oddly supportive of the crackdown on China's Muslim citizens. -China trade war, as well as the New Cold War more broadly.
A Hikvision executive told Reuters that the company would be able to survive in the event of a USA trade ban. "At the same time, however, the ongoing trade war perhaps undercuts the perception that this is coming from a place of purely human rights concerns".
It is no longer straight away sure what stop a United States ban would own on Hikvision's trade.
One of J.P. Morgan's 2017 reports on investments in China noted "strong demand across a wide range of industries" for Hikvision's products.
Since April, Hikvision's share price has plunged all the way, from 37.24 CNY on April 2, to 26.07 CNY today. But any further slip in Hikvision's stock is likely to create the kind of pressure that even the United Nations can't bring to bear-wealthy people who are helping finance oppression, knowingly or not, really don't like losing money.
Most video is landscape, but the era of smartphones has led to an explosion of people shooting portrait video. Per a report by TechCrunch , users can now upload traditional horizontal landscape videos on IGTV as well.
Authorities also dismiss a tip placing Jayme's whereabouts in Miami as "not credible", and say they believe the girl is in danger. Twenty-one-year-old Jake Patterson pleaded guilty in March to two counts of intentional homicide and one count of kidnapping.
La société Arun Trek, qui organisait son expédition, met en cause l'encombrement au sommet , qui aurait retardé sa descente. La première, Kalpana Das, 52 ans, est décédée jeudi après-midi tandis qu'elle redescendait après avoir atteint le sommet.
Seattle-based Amazon developed facial-recognition technology called Rekognition and sells it as part of its cloud services unit. FILE PHOTO: The logo of Amazon is seen at the company logistics centre in Boves, France, May 13, 2019.
Dark Phoenix also stars Tye Sheridan, Alexandra Shipp, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Evan Peters, and Jessica Chastain . Dark Phoenix is the sequel to X-Men: Apocalypse and the seventh installment in the X-Men film series.
Trump to Send Additional Troops to Middle East
Earlier this week, officials said the Pentagon had drawn up plans that could have sent up to 10,000 troops to the Middle East. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen.
Stocks open sharply lower on trade fears
ENTICING PROFIT: Victoria's Secret owner L Brands surged 11.6% after blowing away Wall Street's first quarter earnings forecasts. Exxon Mobil fell 2.3% and Chevron gave up 2.2%, part of a broad slump in energy sector stocks as the price of USA fell sharply.
High Court rejects plea to make gay sex legal in Kenya
In 2016, LGBT rights activists filed a case with Kenya's High Court saying that homosexual relations should be decriminalised. Most assaults are not reported because people don't have confidence that police will protect them, activists say.
Sonic the Hedgehog Delayed Until 2020
Despite the reaction to the titular mammal's Hollywood appearance, the live-action Sonic the Hedgehog movie is still coming. Shining follow-up Doctor Sleep on Nov 8.
Benoît Paire en finale — Open Parc
Son dernier jeu fut à l'image de son match, clinique: service gagnant, ace, revers croisé après service, et ace (le 10e). Pendant le match, Shapovalov a concédé deux bris en trois tentatives et en a inscrit un seul en cinq opportunités.
Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash announce baby news
Teasing when the panels and fans of Stacey would find out the name of her son, Jemma explained: "I don't know the name". Stacey's sister Jemma replied that she couldn't wait to meet her nephew, while Ashley Roberts also commented: "Ahhhhh.


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Cambodia’s rice export is set to reach Timor-Leste as the governments of the two nations are working closely on the rice export deal.
Cambodia has prepared 30,000 tonnes of milled rice as its first shipment to Timor-Leste, said H.E. Pan Sorasak, Minister of Commerce.
The information was shared in a meeting with Ambassador to Timor-Leste to Cambodia H.E. Ermenegildo “Kupa” Lopes held here on June 9.
H.E. Minister also called on entrepreneurs from Timor-Leste to invest in the installation of warehouses, rice-drying and storage facilities in Cambodia for exporting rice to Timor-Leste.
H.E. Pan Sorasak also reviewed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) previously signed and requested the Timor-Leste side to accelerate the implementation of the signed MoU to bear fruit for the two nations.
In the first quarter of this year, Cambodia exported a total of 230,948 tonnes of rice worth about US$160 million to foreign markets, a 35 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
Source: Agency Kampuchea Press


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The pressure on Google to come clean about its business practices and behaviour as a dominant player was raised in the US this week as two leading senators made a formal plea for an investigation into Google.
Senators Herb Kohl (a Democrat) and Mike Lee (a Republican), both members of the Senate Antitrust Subcommittee, released a letter supporting an investigation by the Federal Trade Commission into Google. The clear implication is that following the subcommittee’s hearing in September Google still has many questions to answer. In the press release accompanying the letter the following paragraph is pulled out:
“We believe these allegations regarding Google’s search engine practices raise important competition issues. We are committed to ensuring that consumers benefit from robust competition in online search and that the Internet remains the source of much free-market innovation. We therefore urge the FTC to investigate the issues raised at our Subcommittee hearing to determine whether Google’s actions violate antitrust law or substantially harm consumers or competition in this vital industry.”
ICOMP wholeheartedly supports these views and applauds the Senators for continuing to press on these issues. It is evident that Eric Schmidt’s testimony in front of the Antitrust Subcommittee did little to allay their fears that it was both a dominant force in search and that its practices continue to raise cause for concern.
ICOMP member Foundem commented at the time on Schmidt’s evasion and lack of clarity in answering many of the senators’ questions, posting this blog highlighting the areas in which it felt Google’s answers were not sufficient. It seems that the Senators’ shared their views.
Significant amongst the Senator’s comments was the concern that Google was stifling competition. For all its PR and public policy behind encouraging entrepreneurs, it seems Google’s practices are seen by some as harmful to the innovation that is the oxygen of development and competition on the Internet. The letter calls out comments from Jeremy Stoppelman, CEO of Yelp!, and Jeffrey Katz, CEO of Nextag – both erstwhile Google partners, that suggests they would not be given the chance to exist in the environment Google has now created:
“Indeed, both CEOs testified that they would not attempt to launch their companies today given Google’s current practices, raising serious concerns about the impact of these practices on innovation.”
At a time when a number of jurisdictions are engaged in, or considering investigations into Google’s abuse of its market position, or related topics, this letter and pleas to the FTC is clearly a significant development that will help to assure regulators that Google does have a case to answer, and that its practices have attracted the attention of their colleagues and peers around the world.
ICOMP echoes the penultimate paragraph of the letter:
“It is important to note that the concerns raised in this letter are not an effort to protect any specific competitor. Rather, our interest is to ensure robust competition in this vital market. We recognize that the internet is fast evolving and subject to rapid technological change. We are motivated by a strong desire to protect the Internet’s openness, competitiveness and capacity for innovation.”
This closely mirrors our own principles and we welcome the Senator’s drive to ensure that they are respected by all parties.
The ICOMP Secretariat


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Adidas ends NBA contract
FRANKFURT, GERMANY- Adidas says its ending its partnership as official outfitter of the NBA when the current agreement runs out after next season.
Adidas AG says "while we have enjoyed a successful long-term relationship with the league, we continually review our partner agreements to ensure they are meeting our investment and delivering on our brand and business needs."
Adidas supplies the NBA with uniforms and holds the rights to NBA-branded merchandise worldwide.
The NBA has not said who will be the next supplier.
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A few days ago, we saw pop icon and Canadian self-proclaimed bad boy Justin Bieber collaborate with cutting-edge NYC-based runway brand VFILES, to launch a ‘Purpose’ pop-up shop in celebration of his latest album tour. But this isn’t the first time that 12 Mercer Street, VFILES’ SoHo HQ, has hosted special collaborations and pop-ups with leading international artists, bridging the gaps between fashion, music, and design. Just this past February, South Korean trap maestro and head honcho of the Underwater Squad, Keith Ape, stormed the VFILES New York Fashion Week runway for a surprise performance.
VFILES’ aesthetic is unmistakably sports-inspired, but it is exactly this that makes the brand a universal success. VFILES began as a small fashion-focused social media platform targeted mostly to millennials, and grew to become an eponymous brand and retailer. Since 2012, VFILES has been creating comfortable and movable, yet imminently stylish, collections featuring basic items like hoodies, legging, and bombers jackets, with a unique and distinct streetwear-inspired twist. And since day one, VFILES has gathered a music following from the likes of Rihanna and Justin Bieber, and more recently, celebrities such as Gigi Hadid and Kylie Jenner.
The VFILES x Justin Bieber ‘Purpose’ collaboration features VFILES’ already established aesthetic and concept, with targeted branding and typography to reflect Bieber and his latest album. They even stuck to the classic VFILES long-sleeve tee and hoodie look, featuring recurring colourways such as bright, warm oranges and yellows. The line and its two-day pop-up came just in time to hype up Bieber’s Brooklyn concert at the Barclay’s Center last week.
In a truly streetwear fashion, resembling that of Supreme, the collaboration featured a number of limited edition, specially designed pieces. If that’s not enough to prove streetwear-level exclusivity, VFILES and Bieber fans alike lined up down Mercer Street, were only let in 20 people at a time, and could only purchase one of each piece.
Up there with streetwear and sportswear brands revolutionizing the fashion world by taking over global runways (see: VETEMENTS) VFILES and their 12 Mercer Street headquarters definitely have a promising global future ahead of them.
VFILES is available exclusively at D-mop in Hong Kong.
#fashion #vfiles #justinbieber


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Pushing for actionable steps towards greater diversity, gender quality, and inclusion across the industry – the first virtual International Women in Travel and Tourism Forum put next steps over grand predictions.
From the 10th to 15th May, over 350 leaders from the travel industry and other young professionals from across the globe banded together during the five-day event organized by the Women in Travel CIC (Community Interest Company). The agenda for the first-ever virtual IWTTF was to stimulate discussions around the issues most concerning modern industries today in order to prioritize and create actionable steps as the global travel industry rebounds in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Starting off in the heart of the action, Keynote Speaker Laura Storm set the tone for the days to come. When speaking about sustainable tourism, she advised a future-forward approach saying new solutions were necessary for modern problems and called for regenerative leadership in the industry. In light of the global scenario, innovative approaches were deemed to be necessary.
Day two began on a personal note for those present, deep-diving into the stories of women adventure travelers who were tour guides with Urban Adventures. This came as a result of the collaboration between Intrepid Travel and Women in Travel CIC. It reminded attendees of the fact that stories were the most important aspects of travel and a reminder that the same should apply to the industry as well.
On day three, the focus was Technology with sessions helmed by industry professionals from tourism, hospitality and travel technology backgrounds. The need for female travel tech professionals was established and a representative of APTCO even shared how companies were actively trying to attract female talent and offer a more inclusive product.
Fay four’s focus was Diversity, with a spotlight on various marginalized voices from across the industry. Tangible action was high on everyone’s mind just as the agenda for the IWTTF declared. The hiring and retaining of diverse employees was a key highlight of the Diversifying Travel Panel, along with ideas to open the table to diverse voices in key decision-making. Suggestions were also made to enable focus groups to allow a safe space for hard discussions.
The biggest takeaway from Day five was the launch of the Male Allyship Network and its first roundtable. The agenda was set for a cross-industry program for the mentoring and sponsorship of women, especially those from underrepresented groups. In what can be seen as a significant push for diversity and inclusivity, the Male Allyship Network will actively be dedicated to “lifting up” women within the travel industry through allyship.
At the close of the event, Alessandra Alonso, Founder of Women in Travel CIC, summed up the actionable steps drawn up over the conference, “The three tangible actions that Women in Travel will take forward in 2021 are [sic]: more storytelling initiatives to amplify lesser-heard voices; the launch of a new DEI Leaders in Travel and Tourism Network; and the formation of another industry-first, the Male Allyship Network.“ The IWTTF 2021 highlighted, addressed, and took tangible steps to embrace change in a global industry.


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for yourself on CNBC:
And the transcript:
this is a company that essentially has a liquidity and funding crisis that it needs to address short-term. and really, the last thing you want to file an ipo for is to try to serve a short-term funding need. i think we learned from solyndra last year that ipo is not a short-term funding solution. so what are the red flags you've seen that lead you to this conclusion?
we cover private companies all the time and look at ipo filings every day. i can't remember the last time since solyndra i've seen this many red flags at a private company ipo filing. we have business deterioration, all the numbers are going the absolute wrong direction.
number two we have insiders that have already massively cashed out that essentially don't have their skin in the game anymore.
as far as business deterioration, sorry, number three, clearly the balance sheet shows this company is technically insolvent and has an eminent financing need. if we move on to the next screen, we'll see as far as the business metrics deteriorating i think can be represented by the fact that yes, the company is growing registered users dramatically, but you can see the actual spending per user has fallen off the cliff.
the s.e.c. has required -- this is the first time i've seen the s.e.c. require a company that slashes revenue less than half. essentially, groupon was recognizing the entire amount sold to consumers as revenue. and the s.e.c. made them just take their 40% cut as revenue.
so literally, within a matter of a couple of weeks, half their revenue vanished. every time this company amends its ipo, it looks worse.
sam, i haven't read the amendments, but when you talk about insiders, are the insiders not selling any stock? they're out completely already? they're not out completely. but this company has raised $1.1 billion in venture capital that is a lot of venture capital for a private company to raise. and they raised that in january. what the ipo filing revealed is that of the $1.1 billion they've raised, they've spent $940 million of to it cash out insiders. and that's unheard of to have 84% of a company's venture capital funding go right out the door in just 16% to a company. a company that is losing money and needs the cash.
H/T to my friend Mr. H. for the link.


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FLINT, Mich. – An online petition asking for government food benefits to be extended to pets is creating quite a bit of buzz.
It asks the federal government to allow people receiving food stamps, now called SNAP benefits, to be able to buy food for the pets.
“You know, they were part of the family before hard times and they are on hard times, they are part of the family,” Jason Booth said, of Swartz Creek.
Family: That’s how Booth views his dog Teddy. That means making sure Teddy has enough to eat.
“We go through a 40-pound bag (of dog food) a month,” Booth said.
The cost of a 40-pound bag of dog food each month can add up.
Booth is able to afford it but said it could create a hardship for someone who is struggling.
That’s why he wouldn’t have a problem with someone receiving food stamps to use some of it to buy pet food.
“I agree, I mean that would be a tough decision to make. Think if it’s possible to keep him and use food stamps, I think that would be great,” Booth said.
He’s not alone.
Nearly 120,000 people across the country have signed a petition to make dog and cat food eligible for food stamps.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides help buying food for 40 million low-income families.
An online petition is asking the USDA to include pet food in the program.
“I think if you have pets and you have food stamps, food is food and your pets are part of your responsibility,” Andrew Odette of Clio said.
Gina Smeja of Grand Blanc has two dogs of her own. She even carries dog and cat food with her to hand out to people in need.
But she doesn’t like the idea using food stamps to buy pet food. She said she believes there has to be a better way to help.
“There’s other ways they could come up with,” Smeja said. “That way they are not spending food that they actually need for their families themselves, but have something for the pets — like legislation of some kind that we can have that are homeless.”
Some argue that people shouldn’t keep their pets if can’t afford them.